Kingdom (4)
The Kingdom.
The largest underground city in the Empire, and the domain of the Monarch, once called the pinnacle of the underworld.
Until a few years ago, it was known as the heart of the underworld.
A hell where murder, drugs, and human trafficking were rampant.
Even the Empire had no way to control them, so it was understandable that a mere city was called a kingdom.
It was like a purgatory where only human malice gathered.
"...It reminds me of the old days."
A short murmur.
The casually spoken sentence carried memories.
Memories I don't want to remember.
"J-Just walk a little further this way!"
Injustice clumsily takes the lead.
We walked.
As we crossed the darkened streets, I could almost smell the stench of blood.
Maybe it really was the smell from the alley.
Anyway, it wasn't pleasant.
"Has this place changed too?"
"I-I think so... It's already been three years since the war."
"Haha."
I scoff.
No.
It hasn't changed at all in my eyes.
Just because you peel off the rotten shell doesn't mean you can hide the ugly essence.
The city, full of trash, was still dirty.
Rustle-.
As if to prove my thoughts, I felt a gaze.
They were watching from hiding in the alley.
All of them were stained with the blood of others, holding dirty knife hilts.
Their bloodthirsty eyes were looking for an easy target.
"......"
Were we not included?
If we were walking around so openly, anyone could have jumped out and threatened us with a knife.
But when they saw the girl accompanying me, they seemed to back off.
'Not bad.'
She must be living up to her name.
The unreliable, Injustice.
Although she had shown many ugly sides, she was also one of the nightmares that ruled this city.
As a member of the Monarch's personal guard, her skills were certain.
The wolves were slowly lowering their tails.
Thanks to that, we arrived at our destination without any trouble.
"W-We've arrived."
Our steps stopped not far away.
A huge palace came into view.
It was a luxury that didn't match the scenery we had just passed.
A building that symbolized the city stained with blood and darkness, and a space feared even by the crime syndicates seized by madness.
It was none other than the residence where the absolute ruler stayed.
"Let's go in."
"Y-Yes...!"
We stepped inside.
It was a gloomy landscape.
It was splendid enough to make any castle look insignificant, but it lacked vitality as if we were looking at a black and white screen.
Maybe it was because of the many tears hidden by that splendor.
I remain silent.
Thud, thud-.
As we walked down the long corridor, we could soon see a door at the end.
It was the space to meet the owner of this place.
The gatekeepers opened the door for us as soon as they saw us.
Their movements were all respectful.
"His Majesty is waiting for you."
Thud-.
The space opened with a heavy noise.
I walked in without hesitation.
A red carpet was laid on the floor.
At the end of the path, a throne was placed.
I naturally looked up at it.
"......"
Sitting on the greedy throne was the Monarch.
An old man with a sharp impression.
Even though he didn't make any special movements, the mana in the area was suppressed as if it were obeying him.
Next to the monstrous spirit, the rest of the personal guards could also be seen.
Ignorance, Anxiety, Distrust, Disloyalty
The five Negatives.
Obscurity, whom I had met before, was also standing guard, and Bului had somehow joined the other guards.
No one spoke first, so only silence hung around.
We just glared at each other.
"......"
Should I call it a strange battle of wills?
The standoff continued for a long time.
The one who broke the silence was none other than one of the personal guards.
A large man with a fierce look shouted at us.
"What are you doing without showing respect first? Kneel before His Majesty and greet him immediately!"
"......?"
What is that?
I stare at him at the unexpected loud voice.
'Judging by the epaulet on his shoulder... it's Bulan.'
It was the only face I had never seen before.
Since I don't remember him, he must be a new member of the personal guard.
I had no intention of dealing with him.
I had no interest in a fool who couldn't even distinguish between when to get involved and when not to.
I scoffed at him as if to ignore him, and he glared at me as if he would rush at me any moment.
A touch-and-go situation.
"That bastard...!"
"Stop."
Only then did the old man's mouth open.
A voice that stopped the collision.
Bulan looked at him as if he felt wronged, but the master only stared at him with cold eyes.
The suddenly chilled air forced silence.
"But, Your Majesty...!"
"Did I not tell you to stop?"
"......"
"I remember clearly telling you. A valuable guest will come, so do not act rashly."
"...My apologies."
"Step back. This is not a place for you."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Bulan stepped back as if to suppress his anger.
Nevertheless, his eyes were full of disrespect.
I sneer.
"Your subordinate's education is a mess."
"He's still new to this place. Please understand with a generous heart."
"A generous heart... I didn't expect to hear those words from you."
"I'm not a narrow-minded person either."
"You're sly."
"Isn't that what adults are?"
A nonchalant answer came back.
The Monarch seemed to examine me for a moment, and then he spoke, greeting me on our reunion.
The old man's lips curved into a dangerous curve.
"Anyway, it's been a long time... Snake."
"I don't think we're on such friendly terms."
"Don't be so harsh."
"If I were being harsh, you would already be dead."
"I'm scared for my life."
The old man did not lose his composure.
Had he forgotten what kind of magic I had planted in his heart?
I could kill him at any moment, like flipping a switch.
In such a situation, one would expect him to grovel, but he faced me with an unshakable attitude.
I could feel that he was treating me with respect.
But he did not lower himself either.
I realized once again that he was no ordinary person.
'Well.'
The king who once ruled the underworld.
He was the only enemy who gave me a hard time when I was inexperienced.
Was he trying to maintain his dignity?
I couldn't see the typical servility of the weak.
Though it was probably just a pretense.
"Well... putting other things aside."
I snap coldly.
"There must be a good reason why you called me."
"I wanted to see your face after a long time... you won't accept that, will you?"
"Then I'll take your left arm this time."
"It was a joke, so please put away your killing intent. My right arm, which you tore off, still feels empty."
"I'm not a patient person."
"Of course... I know."
The old man fiddled with the empty sleeve.
His nonchalant expression became serious.
His wrinkled lips spoke.
"I have some information that I recently acquired. It's too important to exchange by letter, so I wanted to meet."
"Information?"
"I thought it might be helpful to you."
"I'll listen first."
"Good. I'll prepare a separate place..."
"Before that."
Thwack-!
A black dagger flew and lodged itself in the throne.
The thorn narrowly missed the Monarch's neck.
It passed so close to his carotid artery that blood was dripping from the shallow cut on his neck.
If there had been even the slightest deviation, it would have been a fatal blow.
I flicked my fingers and recited.
"Whatever the reason... if you touch my people again, I won't show any mercy."
"I'll keep that in mind."
The Monarch nodded with a calm expression.
His old eyes were extremely calm.
It didn't matter.
The person I wanted to provoke was not the old man.
Suddenly, I felt a presence behind me.
"How dare you harm His Majesty...!"
It was none other than Bulan.
He had been glaring at me with an annoying look since earlier, and when his master was attacked, he finally lost his composure.
The sword he swung rushed in with a fierce gust of wind.
Swish-!
"I clearly gave you a chance."
Yes.
I knew you would react.
I turned around as if I had been waiting and muttered.
Even my closed eyelids were now open.
"You keep making me bring out my old personality."
Dangerously shining eyes.
I reach out my hand.
And I easily grab the neck of the shadow that had come right in front of me.
The guy caught in mid-air struggled with a cough.
"Keoheok...?!"
I stare at the struggle with indifferent eyes.
I clearly gave him a chance.
This is why you shouldn't let criminals go.
If you don't completely crush them at the beginning, they will keep showing their teeth without knowing their place.
I snap my fingers.
Snap-!
The sound of my thumb and middle finger snapping clearly.
Immediately after.
The guy's limbs are disassembled.
The arms and legs fall off with clean cuts, and the torso, having lost its support, tumbles to the floor.
The foolish face looked over his body and then screamed.
"Kkeu, kkeu, kkeuaaaa!!!"
Pain, fear, agitation, despair.
The inner self, instantly mixed with various emotions, flowed out ugly.
The fragments were still wriggling as if they were still alive.
Whether or not.
I was staring at the throne on the sticky carpet.
The Monarch, unusually, pinched the bridge of his nose and scolded.
"...You can't control your temper today."
"I'd like to kill him if I could."
"Please bear with it. It would be a loss for you too if there was a defect in our forces, wouldn't it?"
"You make me doubt your judgment in many ways. He doesn't seem to be a suitable person for the personal guard."
"That's because the guy who was originally in charge of [Bulan]... you killed him three years ago, didn't you? There just wasn't a suitable replacement for him."
"The future of the kingdom is also bleak."
"I'll re-educate him."
"You should."
"Now, will you stop being spiteful and return him?"
"If you insist on asking."
Snap-!
Fingers snap again.
The shadows cover.
The lumps rolling on the floor rewound and returned to their original form.
Bulan's body was restored without a single wound.
Although his unconscious mind had not yet turned on.
"......"
"I will collect him. I hope you can talk comfortably, our esteemed guest."
Perhaps he felt that the situation needed to be sorted out.
Obscurity approached me cautiously, politely asked for my understanding, picked up Bulan's body from the floor, and stepped back.
After the commotion, only silence remained.
The annoying gaze was also gone.
Now, it seemed that the environment for conversation was set.
I clap my hands.
Clap-!
The wriggling black.
The shadows, intricately woven like threads, took shape and created a throne similar to the Monarch's opposite him.
I sat on the soft cushion.
I crossed my legs casually and started the delayed conversation.
The old white-haired man stared at me intently.
"Then... shall we hear it now?"
The atmosphere was completely dominated by the Snake.
Poison dripped from his fangs.
"What is the important information that you have obtained?"
The Monarch and the Snake were facing each other.
Read ahead by supporting me on Ko-fi. Access 5 advance chapters with the Irene's Blade Tier ($10) or 10 advance chapters with the Regia's Wings Tier ($18)!
Join our discord server for latest release updates and novel discussions.
Rate and review this novel on NU to help people find this novel. Bonus chapters on reaching milestones.
Happy reading!