Episode 120
I asked.
“Is the head of the family at home?”
“yes.”
“And he called me… … .”
“That’s right.”
“hmm… … .”
I’m a little confused.
The problem is not the head’s call, but the difference is.
“Can I come visit you after I complete my course? “The special exam isn’t over yet.”
“A different collector than the instructor will be contacted and discussed separately. “There will be no disadvantage to you, Master.”
“aha.”
I can’t help it if I say it that way.
I nodded.
“Why is the matriarch calling me?”
“Of course, it is to praise the master’s achievements.”
“… … .”
“You seemed to be in a very good mood. “I don’t have a long history of serving the head of the family, but this is the first time I’ve seen something like that.”
Jane said with a faint smile.
“You can probably look forward to it.”
* * *
I followed Jane out into the forest.
Actually, I wanted to check if Charon and Hector were handling things well, but it seemed like there was no time for that.
I glanced back and said.
“Assad’s barrier has just been pierced.”
“Because he also gave permission.”
So I returned to my hometown after a long time.
Since I stayed in Yeongsan for 100 days, it was a long time since I returned.
I didn’t say I had any special feelings or anything.
“Are you on the 5th floor?”
“no. “The head of the family is currently in the annex.”
“Where in the annex?”
“I will guide you.”
“good. “I can go right away, right?”
Then Jane said in an embarrassed voice.
“I think it would be a good idea to pay a little more attention to your clothes.”
“ah.”
Now that I think about it, because I had been wandering around the butterfly forest for three days, my appearance was not that neat.
Although the Iron Blood Lord is not strict about such etiquette, it is right to at least maintain some respect since it is a face-to-face meeting with the head of the family.
I washed myself and put on the clothes Jane had prepared.
“uncomfortable.”
“You look good on me.”
I used to only wear loose, comfortable training clothes, but now I feel like I’m dying to wear formal clothes like this.
“Can I help you with styling too?”
“I’ll just accept your heart.”
After barely resisting Jane’s attempts to touch my hair and spray perfume on me, I followed the directions and moved to a place called the annex.
However, the annex where the Iron Blood Ball was located was in a somewhat unexpected location, even for me.
Beyond the sponsorship of the main office.
therefore… There is a Sanghyeolgong in the off-limits place that I secretly visited with Seren.
“… … .”
Somehow, the memories of fighting Hariba seemed like a long time ago.
In fact, if you count the time from Yeongsan, is it really that old?
“young master?”
“Go now.”
I walk through the unkempt garden following Jane.
This is what I can know because I have just walked through the [Butterfly Forest] myself.
This place feels much darker and more gloomy than the forest interior I experienced.
In fact, it was an ambiguous place to call a site because there were no people and there were no roads.
After walking through the forest for a while, I soon came across a building.
“I will wait here.”
I asked, looking ahead.
“Is the matriarch over there?”
“yes.”
It is a building with a rather shabby appearance, which makes it difficult to believe that it would be home to Iron Blood Workers.
To put it bluntly, it’s a rather large cabin. A house that would be used by hunters rather than nobles.
Feeling somewhat uneasy, I approached the cabin and opened the door.
Dalkak-.
‘Ugh… … .’
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Immediately after that, I frowned as the scent of blood hit my nose.
What suddenly crossed my mind was the disaster I saw in the forest.
A forest with an unpleasant presence, a small cabin found there, and a girl lying in a puddle of blood.
“You’re here.”
What was different from then was that instead of a corpse, there was a voice greeting me.
This was the first time I realized that Iron Blood Ball could make a voice like that.
therefore… A kind and kind tone.
“Matriarch?”
It was dark inside so it was hard to see.
Just when I wonder if I should at least use my eyes.
Hwareuk-.
The lamp hanging on the wall came on and illuminated the room.
“… … .”
And the sight that was revealed left me speechless for a moment.
The first thing that caught my eye was the long metal table placed in the center, which was lined with all kinds of ugly tools.
I realized that these were professional tools used for torture, and that there was only a little blood on them.
There were also chairs.
In what appeared to be a restraint chair, someone was sitting chained, with something like a leather bag covering their face.
‘It looks like it’s alive.’
Looking at his body shape, he appears to be a man, but he appears to have fainted and is not moving.
“What are you doing?”
“Didn’t you hear from Jane?”
“yes.”
“hmm.”
The Sanghyeolgong took off the bag of the person sitting on the chair.
“Huh, huh, huh… Hehe, hehe… Hike!”
“… … .”
A man breathing hard as if he were hiccuping.
It’s a face I know.
I said the man’s name in a slightly stiff voice.
“… “Mr. Ainsburn.”
“He’s a teacher. That title wasn’t a lie either. Although his true identity was a church member. Oh, were you the source of this information?”
Iron Blood Lord spoke with a voice filled with laughter and looked down at Ainsburn.
Heinsburn, law teacher.
The man who had the appearance of a noble scholar no longer had the intelligence and dignity of the past.
He was decades older than the last time I saw him, and even more shabby.
“Oh, ah, no… … !”
Ainsburn said in a tearful voice.
“Well, well, I’m not a church member…” … ! The head of the family… … ! Please believe me… … ! “I just had no choice because I was threatened by them.”
“Shhh.”
Sanghyeolgong said, putting his index finger to his lips.
“… circumstances. That’s always the problem, sir. “Do you think there are people in this world who committed themselves to the religious order for no reason?”
“Go, go, matriarch…” … !”
“Use your smart brain and think about it. “Isn’t he a genius who graduated from the Imperial Academy at the top of his class?”
Tap, tap.
Iron Blood Ball tapped Ainsburn’s forehead with his index finger as if he was joking.
Every time the fingers touched, Heinsburn trembled as if he was having a seizure.
“Actually. Even if you have unavoidable circumstances, I have no interest in it. “I’m just happy right now.”
“Yes, yes, yes?”
“The church that had been avoiding me for so long was actually located deep within my home. I’d like to ask this much. Are you disgusting rats finally ready to engage in all-out war with me?”
“I, I, I… I don’t know about the church’s circumstances… … .”
Fizz-.
“Kwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Friday with with this with a surprise!
The skewer-like tool held by the Iron Bloodsmith pierced Ainsburn’s foot.
“The voice is still alive. “One of my not-so-special talents is judging energy through screams.”
“Hehe, hehe, hehe, hehe…” … !”
“At ease. I will be able to live for another three days. Oh, of course, three days will be longer than a lifetime for the teacher… … .”
“Go, go, matriarch…” … ! Well, I was wrong… … ! I was wrong… … ! Let me tell you all! I was wrong! So please, please forgive me just this once… … ! Please save me-.”
Iron Blood Ball put the bag on his face again.
Then, Heinsburn’s voice stopped and his movements stopped.
Is it not that he is dead, but is it a magic tool that forces him into suspended animation?
“… “You were being interrogated.”
“That’s the way it is.”
“Do you do this yourself? “Why don’t you tell your subordinates to do it?”
“It’s a rumor. “There is no one in this family who can interrogate you more accurately than me.”
… The blessing of authenticity.
Certainly, if he had that ability, Sanghyeolgong’s interrogation ability would be better than that of Junian.
“Would you like to sit down? “It’s a little dirty, though.”
“… … .”
Sanghyeolgong said with an uncharacteristically bright smile on his face.
For the first time, I felt like I was seeing in this man the innocence that matched his appearance.
What kind of existence is the church to the Iron Blood Ball…? What did the church do to Lee?
I suppressed my doubts and sat down on the shabby chair that Sanghyeolgong pointed out.
Iron Blood Ball walked on the creaky wooden planks and straightened his clothes in front of an old mirror nearby.
He said, taking off his bloody gloves and wiping the blood stains from his face.
“Luan.”
“yes.”
“You did a really good job.”
“… … .”
Is there any other praise in the world so cruel?
The only father who would say something like that while wiping the blood from his face would be Sanghyeolgong.
I said with an expression of uncertainty.
“thank you.”
“Slaying a priest alone at the age of fifteen is an incredible feat. In fact, even the word ‘achievement’ is not enough.”
“… … .”
“Once this becomes known, there will be no one in this empire who will not know your name. Not only the great families, but also the imperial family, institutional nobility, Heros, the mercenary industry, groups of wizards, and even religious groups… … . Everyone will know your name.”
“Please stop.”
Sanghyeolgong turned his head at my words.
There were still blood stains on his face.
“Are you asking me to stop it?”
“yes.”
“why.”
“Fame is a double-edged sword. And I’m not ready to deal with that yet.”
“Are you worried about attracting pesky flies? “If you have Badniker’s name, you don’t have to worry about that.”
“That name won’t stop the church.”
Sanghyeolgong was silent.
“Why has the church become the empire’s biggest enemy? Because the ideology is dangerous? Because the power you have is so strong? “I think they’re all wrong.”
“… … .”
“The church usually hides itself completely and only reveals itself at certain moments. “Every time, there was bloodshed in the empire.”
“Secrecy.”
Sanghyeolgong nodded.
“Hidden daggers are the most dangerous.”
“Of course, I don’t want to dismiss this achievement as nothing. There will be a time when I can use it someday. Until then, please take measures to prevent leaks.”
“Now is not the time?”
“That’s right.”
Sanghyeolgong nodded.
“I will respect your opinion.”
“… … .”
“But no one will be able to ignore your name in this Badniker anymore.”
“That means… … .”
“As of today, you are Sogaju.”
“… … !”
I looked at Sanghyeolgong with startled eyes.
“From now on, you can select up to 30 knights from the main family according to your judgment, and now even the council of elders will not be able to persecute you without a valid reason. If you need to spend money privately, you can tell it to the Ministry of Finance… … . Also, let me tell you that you will be able to use the small iron hall on the east side of the main building from now on.”
“uh… … .”
“I will also send servants, including butlers and maids, in the near future, but I will leave the final selection authority to you. “It’s also important to develop an eye for people.”
Socheoldang has been an empty building until now.
Of course it is.
The position of Sogaju has always been vacant.
“If you have anything to say to me, you can always say it to Assad in the family. “Please respond within a week at the latest.”
In addition, Sanghyeolgong’s right to solo power.
“… “I have no intention of becoming the head of the family.”
Even though the things Luan wanted most from the past poured out in an instant, I had no choice but to say that.
However, Sanghyeolgong responded as if he had been waiting.
“Becoming the head of a small family does not necessarily mean you have to become the head of a family. “What I want to give are family rights, but giving them one by one would be cumbersome.”
“Even so, it’s too much.”
“It’s not excessive at all. Rather, it is insufficient compared to the major you established.”
Since he is an iron-blooded worker who is strict about rewards and punishments, that statement is probably true.
It ended so quickly that I didn’t realize it – but once again, I thought that killing the priest of the Dark Church was a huge deal.
“So don’t ask here. Is there anything more you want? “I will do everything I can.”
… What I wish for now.
I said.
“Matriarch.”
“Say it.”
“I am still weak.”
At those words, Sanghyeolgong narrowed his eyes and said.
“Is that humility?”
“no.”
“Even though he defeated the priest single-handedly and survived after facing the Demon King, he is still weak… … .”
Sanghyeolgong muttered and nodded.
“That can happen if the scenery you are looking at is high. I’m curious. “What level of strength are you seeking?”
“At least to the point where you can clash fists with the Demon King.”
I said.
“As you know, I encountered a being called the Demon Lord in Hell… I didn’t survive because I was strong. “The monster’s whim and unexpected circumstances combined to barely save my life.”
“… … .”
“I don’t want to go through that experience again.”
Then Sanghyeolgong looked at me and opened his mouth.
“… Demon King. “They are called that title because of the various religions that exist in the empire, but in reality, they are no different from gods.”
I know.
I realized it the moment I met him in person.
Not only the Daesanghyung, but even Tangtata is a monster that I cannot fathom.
“In other words, you are saying that you want to fist bump with God.”
“Is it impossible?”
“… … .”
Sanghyeolgong was silent.
He seemed to be organizing his thoughts somehow, but I sensed a bit of hesitation in his attitude.
What is this man hesitating about right now?
“Luan, your question touches on a topic I’ve been thinking about my whole life. “I also struggled, searched, and found the answer in my own way.”
And Sanghyeolgong said something rather shocking.
“If you want to compete with God, you have no choice but to become a god yourself.”
“… yes?”
“And I can become a god right now.”
“… … .”
If someone else had said it, it would have come off as a joke or something crazy.
I narrowed my eyes as the person who spoke was the same person who spoke.
“I understand what you mean… … .”
“You who killed the priest deserve to know the truth, so I will tell you. The God who gives us protection is not an absolute being. “Most of the gods that exist on this continent are mortal and become gods only after death.”
I was greatly shocked when I saw Sanghyeolgong.
I felt like I had somehow overheard a secret about the world that could never be known through normal channels.
Sanghyeolgong’s calm voice continued.
“But there are levels and ranks in divine status. And we are the devil… … . That being called an evil god is clearly a strong being even among gods. In the past, they couldn’t be this active. Because there was a god who was powerful and good enough to keep them in check.”
A cold flame burned in the Iron Blood Ball’s purple eyes.
“That place is my destination, and it is the only divine name that has remained empty for thousands of years.”
I asked as if possessed.
“What is that divine name?”
“According to records written in old books, he was called by many names. Depending on the time, he was treated as a military god, a war god, or even a warrior god. However, the most representative of them is the god of martial arts. In other words-.”
I reflexively accepted Sanghyeolgong’s words.
“-Warrior God.”
Silence fell in the cabin for a moment.
fantasy,
