801 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Translated and Implemented Instructions "Seems like we're seeing each other quite often." In a silent room. A subtle wooden fragrance mingled with a slightly pungent smell of tea. A room meticulously arranged as if reflecting the temperament of its owner, an old man was watching me with serene eyes. Eyes as tranquil as the room itself. The emotion that flickered there, though seemingly expressionless, hinted at a human nature. Sensing this, I smiled lightly as I replied. "Indeed. At this rate, we might grow fond of each other." "…" At my words, the old man's beard twitched slightly. "Star King (Seongwang / 성왕). No, Star Dragon Squad Leader (Seongryong Daeju / 성룡대주)." The shifted title made my insides itch unpleasantly. "Yes. Elder (Eoreusin / 어르신)." "From now on, you should call me Strategist Mok (Muk Chaeksa / 묵 책사)." "Strategist Mok." I was now face to face with Mok Yeon (묵연), the renowned strategist of the Alliance. A desk laden with neatly organized documents and letters. Among them, something vaguely resembling martial arts pills peeked through. 'That looks like something from Shaolin (소림).' Though it's not likely to be the Daehwandan or the Sohwandan, it seemed to be a lower-tier pill manufactured by Shaolin. Even though it's a lower-tier pill, its value is not something to be ignored. Are they stacked up like a mountain over there? It seemed that none had been consumed yet. In any case, it was clear that the Alliance was paying considerable attention to Mok Yeon. "Star King." "Yes." From amid those items, Mok Yeon spoke to me. "I thought the reason this old man didn't participate in today's selection of the Star Dragon Squad members was because it was something that the Star King desired. Since you requested to oversee it, I assumed it was better not to attend. Was my judgment perhaps wrong?" "No, it was correct." "Thank you. Then I shall ask now." Thud. Mok Yeon took a sip of tea and set the cup down. In that moment, my attention was captured by the tea liquid, and I inhaled the scent more deeply. "Why did this situation occur?" "…" "I heard that the Iron Dragon Squad Leader (Cheolryong Daeju / 철룡대주) sparred with an applicant. The Iron Dragon Squad Leader initiated this to verify the process of the test, wasn't it?" "…Yes, that's correct." "I have verified it. I will conduct a more detailed interview with the Iron Dragon Squad Leader on this. Next." Rustle. Mok Yeon picked up a letter that was on the desk. That was the report I had written up personally. "It concerns the assault and ambush of the Golden Dragon Squad Leader (Geumryong Daeju / 금룡대주)." "…" This is the reason I am currently having this meeting with Mok Yeon. "Currently, since the Golden Dragon Squad Leader is unconscious, the perspectives of both parties cannot be confirmed. Consequently, the only things available are the statement of the deputy of the Golden Dragon Squad, who claims to have witnessed the situation, and the account written by the Star Dragon Squad Leader. Thus, I ask you." Mok Yeon's eyes suddenly grew cold. Seeing this, without realizing it, my throat moved. There should be no reason for me to feel threatened, yet the shift in his expression made things feel entirely different. "Why did you do it?" With a weighty gaze, the question was asked, prompting me to steady my breathing. "I believe I have written everything down in detail." I documented the entire situation. Right after I beat the Golden Dragon Squad Leader, the defenders and other martial artists arrived, as expected. I still remember the wary glances of those who saw me alongside the bruised and battered wielder of the Dual Righteous Illusion Sword (Ssanguihwan Geom / 쌍의환검). The eyes filled with heavy caution. The tense postures, as if they anticipated that I might suddenly lose control. The Dual Righteous Illusion Sword is a warrior at the Fusion Realm, a formidable figure even within the Alliance. The fact that such a person got thoroughly beaten by me and was left unconscious suggests that if I decided to run rampant, there would be few who could stop me. Because of that, everyone seemed at a loss about what to do and were extremely on edge. 'Take me in.' I voluntarily extended my arms, requesting to be restrained. After all, knowing this was the likely outcome, I had no intention of resisting further. "Star Dragon Squad Leader." "Yes, Strategist Mok." "You claim that the Golden Dragon Squad Leader attempted to falsely assert that Sword Dancer (Geom Muhee / 검무희) used sorcery during the spar with the Iron Dragon Squad Leader, and intended to spread false rumors about an illegal trade between the Iron Dragon Squad Leader and you. Is that accurate?" Rustle. Another letter was flipped over. "And upon hearing this, you failed to contain your emotions and resorted to violence. Is this what you mean to say?" "Yes, that's right." A concise, clean summary. I had written everything in a hurried manner, worried I might need to provide additional explanation, but Mok Yeon had succinctly pinpointed only the essential details, wrapping up the matter. However. "Although your statements have been verified, evidence is still lacking." This report was solely from my perspective. As Mok Yeon mentioned, its credibility was weak. Moreover. "This incident involves one Squad Leader being attacked by another. In such a situation, it's not acceptable to judge based solely on the perpetrator's account." "I understand." "So, I will ask you again." Mok Yeon returned the letter to the desk. "Why did you do it?" He posed the same question to me as before. "…Strategist Mok. As I've mentioned earlier." "This isn't about the report." "Then?" "Star Dragon Squad Leader. Do you know why you are having this face-to-face meeting with me?" "Because Strategist Mok called for me." "That's correct. Instead of the suppressive forces of the guards or those within the Alliance, you're conversing with me here, free of shackles, due purely to my exercising of authority." He openly admitted to flexing his power. Mok Yeon, mentioning it in such a way, appeared not brazen, but rather, resolute. "Originally, this kind of interview should have been conducted directly by the guards, not me. However, I personally arranged this meeting because I truly wished to ask you." "Should I express gratitude for that?" "No need." "Understood." "You claim the issue was with his words, which led to violence…. This part, I find peculiar." "If you don't believe me, perhaps a binding vow is needed? Even so, my words wouldn't change." "Binding vows are forbidden against Squad Leaders within the Alliance." "…Really?" Was there such a rule? I thought it was a rather pointless clause. Why not impose a vow? 'Having one in place would certainly make identifying traitors much simpler. Tsk tsk.' No wonder the internal structure is riddled with traitors. "Then, since you don't believe the words... and there's no evidence. What do you wish to do?" "Oh, it's not that I don't believe you." "Excuse me?" Translated and Implemented Instructions "As I keep saying, it's merely out of curiosity. Why did the Star Dragon Squad Leader make such a choice... that's what I'm pondering." "Your words are puzzling. Everything about my decision is in the report—" "The Squad Leader I know doesn't seem like someone who acts purely on emotion." Faltering for a moment at Mok Yeon's words, I quickly added more. "Perhaps you've misunderstood. I'm actually quite hot-headed." "Yes, I agree with that assessment." What...? "The Squad Leader is like a blazing flame. A powerful fire that might clear away anything in its path. But." Mok Yeon's gaze remained heavy and steady. It was that look that made me even more uneasy. "A flame that knows when to burn." "Intriguing words. A flame that knows when to burn... what kind of fire is that?" I couldn't relate to the statement. Fire is a calamity. Unable to choose whether to consume itself or ignite, it is called a disaster, a catastrophe. A flame that knows when to burn? The phrase was utterly contradictory. "That’s why it's more terrifying. A flame that knows when it must burn, how fearsome is that?" "…So, Strategist Mok, are you saying I'm a fearsome person in that way?" "Well, I can't say with certainty." Rustle. Mok Yeon picked up a martial arts pill from before, peeling it open. He placed it in his mouth, savoring, and immediately a fragrant aroma wafted through the room. "A person who could, if they ever decided to become fearsome, and someone who never acts thoughtlessly. That's how I see the Star Dragon Squad Leader." "It seems you’re giving me far too much credit for just someone who acted recklessly." "If that's the case, then it was indeed my mistake. However, the Squad Leader I see here is not someone who would cause such a situation without thought." "…" "That's why I am curious. Surely, the Star Dragon Squad Leader is not unaware of the issues that would arise from clashing within the Alliance." Though it sounded like Mok Yeon was merely expressing personal thoughts, there was undeniable conviction in his voice. As I listened, it became increasingly challenging to form a response. "Such a lofty appraisal... what do you see me as?" It seems like my simple act of lashing out has been imbued with undue significance. As Mok Yeon mentioned, it's true. Initially, I anticipated being thrown into an interrogation room to discuss matters with the security forces. Ah, naturally... 'I had planned to manipulate things to get myself to this position anyway.' However, I hadn’t expected to come straight to where Mok Yeon was without first visiting the interrogation room. "I understand your intentions, but as you mentioned, I'm really not someone who thinks that deeply." "Is that so? That would indeed be unfortunate." "…" The tone was one of disbelief. Damn it. Why is he behaving like this towards me? Typically, those who approach me fall into two categories. One is: 'People who pick fights with me because they disapprove of everything I do.' Most of those who had their run-ins with me, like the one who recently got hit, wielders of the Dual Righteous Illusion Sword, or the Blade King, fell into this category. Or else. 'People who have unusual expectations of me for no apparent reason.' Those who constantly overestimate me unnecessarily also existed. It seems Mok Yeon falls into this latter group. If categorized, it was indeed more bothersome. Since he overestimates me, he wouldn't let his guard down. Moreover, people like this, unsure of whether their perceptions are correct, would try various ways to verify their expectations. These sorts of bothersome individuals are unmatched in their nuisance. And this time was no different. "I understand you claim to have no intentions. As for the story concerning the situation at hand, ultimately, decisions will be made after hearing from the Golden Dragon Squad Leader and the deputy." Even though his eyes reflected disbelief, his words suggested otherwise. His lowered eyes were focused solely on me. "However. Even if the reason the Star Dragon Squad Leader gave is valid, it is clearly a violation of the rules, a mere act of assault. Please be aware of this." "I am aware." "Depending on how things go, it could result in stripping you of your position…. But as you know, the current Martial Alliance needs the Star Dragon Squad Leader. Likely, it won’t come to that." "Yes." I understand well what Mok Yeon said. It's partly why I acted as I did. "I was hoping to push forward with something else. Among the conditions you set for taking your position." Whisk. Mok Yeon laid down a letter in front of me. Upon taking it, I recognized it as the contract I had written in the past. "The part about receiving support rights from two of the Alliance's squads. I think this needs to be revised. Are you agreeable to this?" "…Haha." I released a hollow laugh upon seeing this. It was perhaps the absurdity of mentioning conditions due to my mishaps. Yet, that wasn’t quite it. 'Is this old man really…?' Rather, it was because I was genuinely impressed. The laugh was one mixed with admiration. "How did you know?" Mok Yeon responded with a slight smile.