Chapter 232
“It’s my thought that you’ll be in danger.”
That’s what Solia had clearly said.
It wasn’t an overblown concern.
Solia’s words about being wary of the current peace held some credibility.
So, that’s why I came here.
It was none other than the Emperor’s audience chamber.
Ever since Emperor Linia died, this place had become a spot I frequented as often as eating a meal. As always, Marcel was there, drowning in fatigue.
His back was straight, but his head kept nodding, as if it could drop any moment.
His face looked like he hadn’t slept at all, and Marcel raised his hand like a zombie.
“You seem to be visiting more often these days.”
“There are endless reasons to meet frequently.”
“Kuhm, you look well.”
“I’m still alive, so that’s probably why. Don’t worry, once I’m dead, there won’t be any talk of looking well.”
The reason I’ve been seeing you often these days is because you call me at all hours!
I died of overwork in my past life, so I’m really sensitive to this kind of thing.
“Stop working me so hard, Your Majesty.”
“…Got it.”
Perhaps feeling my murderous glare, Marcel quietly shut his mouth.
Let’s leave the rebellion at that.
Up until now, most of my audiences were at Marcel’s request, but today, I came with a favor to ask.
“It seems you have a lot of complaints about me. Why are you here?”
“I need reinforcements.”
“Hm?”
Marcel blinked his eyes and tilted his head.
It seemed like an unexpected request.
“Why?”
“Because Castica is a strategically important region.”
“But, paradoxically, it’s also one of the safest places.”
The Castica territory is already well-fortified.
And if you factor in the hidden card, Han taesu, it’s at a level that doesn’t fall short compared to any other territory.
Frankly, it possesses enough power that the imperial palace should be wary of.
Marcel stroked his chin as he mumbled.
“Are you planning to take over the palace?”
“….”
“…Just kidding.”
Marcel lowered his tail when I gave him a cold glare.
“I’ll consider it.”
“If an attack happens while you’re considering it, it’ll be too late.”
“I’ll send reinforcements as quickly as possible.”
“Yes, thank you.”
“Would it kill you to look a little more grateful when you say that?”
I thought my expression was sincere just now.
Both of us are too exhausted to react properly.
I frowned slightly and slowly bowed my head.
I’ve seen this done somewhere, so I tried to show some courtesy, clasping my hands together.
“I’m deeply honored by Your Grace…”
“Get out.”
“Should I?”
Marcel, seemingly repulsed by this ill-suited display of loyalty, waved his hand in disgust.
Ugh. It’s damned if you do, damned if you don’t.
Just as I was grumbling inwardly and clicking my tongue.
My smartphone in my pocket buzzed.
“What is it?”
“Ah, sorry about that.”
Marcel raised an eyebrow and asked.
The caller ID showed it was Yoon Haul.
She wouldn’t contact me at this hour without reason.
I gave Marcel a glance to seek his understanding before carefully picking up the smartphone.
– Han Siha, come quickly.
One phrase coming from the other end of the receiver.
As soon as I heard Yoon Haul’s voice, my expression hardened.
As expected.
Just hearing the tremor in her voice told me something had happened.
However, what she said next was something I never could have anticipated.
– Adela… she found out everything….
* * *
– I don’t know how she got it, but she came with a map.
– A very detailed map.
– I couldn’t hide it… so I told her everything. I’m sorry.
As soon as I heard those words, I ran.
I didn’t know where she got it, but if it was a map she had in her hands, my plan was to tear it apart.
However,
“Huff… Huff.”
When I arrived, gasping for breath, Adela was sitting there calmly.
With a smile on her lips, she held the map in both hands, gazing at me quietly.
Looking into her eyes, as if she were lost in deep thought, I instantly realized.
I was far too late.
“Han Siha, you’re here?”
Adela put down the map and stood up.
Clenching my lower lip, I forced myself to speak calmly.
“Where did you get it?”
“It fell from the sky.”
“I’m not in the mood for jokes.”
“…I’m just telling the truth.”
Adela tilted her head slightly and smiled.
I didn’t feel like returning the smile at all.
She was someone who knew everything already.
There was no point in beating around the bush.
With a cold expression, I spoke.
“Don’t tell me… you’re planning to go?”
If she had fully deciphered the map and heard Yoon Haul’s explanation.
Adela would know.
That she was the only one who could enter that place with such an uncertain map and that it was a reckless endeavor that could cost her life.
She must also know that I would oppose such an idea.
Yet, Adela answered cruelly.
“I can’t keep fighting meaningless battles forever.”
I pursed my lips and stared at Adela calmly.
Adela bowed her head slightly and added.
“It’s something that has to be done someday.”
“It doesn’t have to be you.”
“It’s something I’m best at. I could steal the Cube, and I could kill Abaddon. I can end this war. It would be strange not to try.”
Logically, she was right.
I knew all too well that my objections were nothing but irresponsible complaints.
However,
I wanted to hold her back, even if it meant being unreasonable.
“You could die.”
I’ve fought countless battles where I could have died.
I’ve been in more situations than I can count where I nearly died.
Yet.
I’ve never chosen a fight where I had to die.
“I won’t necessarily die.”
“No, you will.”
Adela’s expression slightly hardened.
I knew I was being irrational.
But none of her attempts to persuade me were convincing.
“Han Siha, if you were in my situation, you wouldn’t act much differently.”
“Maybe not. But I’m not one to gamble my life.”
Adela’s inscrutable gaze turned toward me.
“…Really?”
Adela raised her eyebrows and tilted her head.
She murmured quietly.
“The Han Siha I know has risked his life countless times in these situations.”
When Adela was kidnapped by Aaron on West Rail Street No. 3.
When Solia was attacked by dark mages.
And even now.
“If you could, you would have done it.”
Adela looked at me with a sad smile.
I hated to admit it, but,
You know me too well.
“So, give me a chance, Han Siha.”
I couldn’t answer Adela’s words.
* * *
Adela has an intense hatred for dark mages.
That’s her setting in the “Smart Academy,” and considering the environment she grew up in, it’s no wonder.
Even in the original work, she would lose her mind at the mere sight of Abaddon, and I didn’t think I could stop her now.
So, my only option was this:
To delay making a decision until the map became more precise.
“Han Siha…?”
Knock, knock, knock.
There was a knock on the tent from outside.
She couldn’t bring herself to come in easily.
Naturally.
After our conversation ended that way yesterday, I returned to the tent without giving her an answer.
Adela, who had impulsively lashed out, was now cautiously gauging my reaction.
“Han Siha?”
“Come in.”
Hesitantly.
Adela creaked as she stepped into the tent.
Basilus was with her.
“Koo… Koo!”
“Oh, Basilus! Stay outside for a moment!”
Adela awkwardly laughed as she patted Basilus’ head.
It wasn’t as if he could come in anyway, his body blocking the entrance.
She had obviously brought him along to try and lighten the mood.
Adela swallowed nervously, staring intently at the innocent lamp.
I pointed at the documents in Adela’s hand and spoke plainly.
“Is that why you’re here? Bring it over quickly.”
“Oh, ah. Right. Here…”
So this is what it was all about, after all that dodging.
The first page was plastered with the NGC zone map I saw yesterday.
It seemed to be the entry plan into the NGC zone that Natalie and Yoon Haul had been working on all night.
Thud.
I put the documents on the desk and frowned.
When my eyes met Adela’s, she cleared her throat and looked away.
Judging by how her mouth moved, she had a lot to say but held back, probably thinking nothing good would come out of my mouth.
Let’s not speak.
I picked up the documents again and flipped to the first page with a crisp sound.
At that moment, Adela, who had been twitching nervously, quickly added her thoughts.
“It’s much more detailed, right? I even thought of several alternatives. I prioritized safety to maximize the success rate, so I put a lot of thought into it.”
“Yeah.”
“Do you like it?”
“It’s like dousing yourself in oil and jumping into a fire pit, or pouring water on yourself first and then jumping in. Either way, you’re still going to die.”
“…Why do you have to be so extreme?”
Adela pouted, biting her lower lip.
“At this rate, I
’m going to be treated like a dead person before I even enter.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll set up a memorial service at the entrance and bow my respects.”
“….”
Adela didn’t fully understand my words, but she seemed to sense my tone wasn’t friendly, biting her teeth in frustration.
It didn’t matter to me.
Ignoring Adela’s reaction, I rechecked the NGC zone map that I hadn’t fully examined yesterday.
When I heard about the situation from Yoon Haul, I was furious and rushed over, but—
Seeing it calmly now, it was a usable map.
Though it was still a suicidal act.
Yes, it was just the difference between dousing yourself in water versus oil before jumping into a fire pit.
I let out a deep sigh as I scanned the map.
Where exactly did she get this?
At first, that was the mystery, but now I understand.
“…Did Han Si-hyuk give this to you?”
Flinch.
Seriously, she’s terrible at lying.
Yoon Haul is the expert liar, but Adela is no less transparent; her face shows everything… It seems I hit the nail on the head.
Adela looked at me with surprised eyes and asked.
“How did you know?”
“The handwriting matches.”
“Oh.”
“And there aren’t many lunatics who record the internal structures down to this kind of perverted level of detail. Why is he marking three flower pots in a hallway? This guy needs therapy.”
You can tell it’s from an insider, but one who has only heard things secondhand.
So, it was highly likely to be Han Si-hyuk, who had never been inside but had picked up bits and pieces, and most importantly, this obsessive handwriting wasn’t common.
I saw it a lot when I was in the office, peeking over his shoulder.
But now that I’ve confirmed Han Si-hyuk drew this map, something’s bothering me.
“Hmm…”
I stroked my chin and flipped to the next page of the map.
I meticulously examined every line of text, leaving nothing out. I was trying to extract the maximum amount of information.
The more I looked, the stranger it felt.
“The information is a bit lacking.”
“Huh? He said it was incomplete.”
“It’s natural that it’s incomplete without entering the place, but that’s not the issue.”
Especially the last section.
It seems to describe the structure of the third basement level in detail.
But
“It cuts off awkwardly.”
“…You’re right?”
Almost like he stopped mid-sentence.
As if he lost his focus abruptly at a vague section.
Han Si-hyuk, who has a compulsion to finish things perfectly, even if it means delaying a letter by a day.
Would he have ended things like this?
“Isn’t it… weird?”
At my question, Adela nodded with a hardened face.