1252 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

"I need to conserve my energy. Despite this obvious fact, a murderous aura leaked out. Uncontrolled emotions mingled with my energy and scattered all around. “Ugh...!” “Hugh...” The martial artists who accompanied me clutched their chests and collapsed. “Young Master Baek...” Poison Phoenix called out to me with a trembling voice. Sching-!! The Iron Dragon Vice Lord drew his sword and pointed it at me. His tension was palpable. The increasingly heated atmosphere was unfortunate. Yet, I only stared intently at Mi Hyoran. She seemed a bit surprised as well, but somehow, she just looked at me with a calm gaze. I too began to slowly suppress my emotions as I met her eyes. This wasn't anger directed at Mi Hyoran. Therefore, it had to be contained. Hsssss. As the murderous aura gradually diminished, I could hear sighs of relief around me. After barely managing to contain my energy, I turned my gaze to Mi Hyoran and asked, “What nonsense was that?” My tone hadn't changed from before. Mi Hyoran narrowed her eyes upon hearing this. “You should already understand.” “I understand, but it sounds too implausible, so I’m asking.” My father is dead? Such nonsense is unheard of. “Why do you think that?” I chuckled at the implication that I wouldn’t believe it. There might be various reasons, but only one to ask her now. “If the Vice Lord were dead, there's no way Miss Mi would react like this.” “...Ha.” Mi Hyoran sighed as if speechless at my remark. “What do you even know about me?” “Probably not much. I just state what I know.” “This is ridiculous.” Her gaze turned sharp. It seemed I had crossed a line. “Whatever you think, it doesn't change the fact that the person you speak of is dead.” “Hmm...” I scrutinized Mi Hyoran’s expression. Her face was so expressionless that it was difficult to discern what she was thinking. However... ‘I can’t trust those words.’ My thoughts remained the same. If my father were truly dead... ‘Could she speak with such an expression?’ It was something I couldn’t fathom. Step. I took a step forward. At that moment— Swish. A sword was pressed against my throat. The Iron Dragon Vice Lord had brought his sword to my neck. “Do not move.” His aura was considerable. It seemed my previous murderous intent had put him on extreme alert. “Further approach is forbidden.” Hearing the warning, I stepped back. “I guess I’m not allowed to approach.” “Indeed. Our escort happens to be quite reliable.” “Escort, huh.” Employing the renowned Iron Dragon Vice Lord as an escort. It was amusing, yet it didn’t make me laugh. “Let’s end today here.” Mi Hyoran spoke to us. “I only wanted to see your face since you were said to be alive. You’ve come a long way, so rest for now, and we can talk tomorrow.” It was an expression demanding departure. Called here just for confirmation? Without a word, I stepped back towards the distance. “Show me to a place to rest.” Mi Hyoran turned her back, speaking as she stood up. And so, our meeting ended. Something... ‘Feels peculiar.’ There was a distinct change in the atmosphere, that much was clear. * * * We were led into a building. It was a space that could house more than ten others. Naturally, there weren’t any divided rooms. “Haahh...” As soon as we entered, everyone let out the sighs they’d been holding back. Their tense bodies seemed to gradually relax. “We can finally rest, it seems.” “Feels like I’m alive for the first time in ages.” We had spent days battling demons. It wasn’t strange they reacted this way after enduring it. In the gap, I turned to Poison Phoenix and asked, “So, this place was built in just under a year?” Both the walls and the structures inside were quite complete upon closer inspection. “Yes.” “How was that possible?” “Everyone building it was a martial artist... and because the Young Lady efficiently managed things.” He seemed reluctant to admit it, but nonetheless acknowledged Mi Hyoran’s capabilities. ‘Efficient management, huh.’ It wasn't strange if the builders were all martial artists, given that it sped up the process. ‘It seems largely thanks to Mi Hyoran.’ It made me wonder how she managed that. Furthermore... “This is the northern hideout?” “That’s right.” “Why were you so averse to this place?” “...” I swiftly asked what I had been wanting to know. It was a question I’d been holding back for days. “Well...” Poison Phoenix hesitated, unable to answer immediately. Did he not want to answer? I thought to ask something else when... “Because people were treated like chess pieces.” “Tang Cheongi.” The response came from Tang Cheongi. “Chess pieces?” “Yes.” “What do you mean?” “Just as it sounds.” Tang Cheongi’s face twisted into a grimace. “The Young Lady wanted to escape this place and researched ways to do so. Naturally, that meant a search party had to be organized to find a way.” “And?” “One day, a search party returned. Having been attacked by demons, seven out of their ten members died, and one was captured by the demons, while only two made it back.” It seemed a battle had taken place, resulting in casualties. “Do you know what Miss Sympathetic said to those returned survivors?” “What did she say?” “It’s unfortunate, but let’s give up on the captured one and form a new party with others.” “...” My eyes narrowed upon hearing those words. “How could anyone view people like that—a stance that treats humans as chess pieces while she stayed comfortable in the refuge.” “So, that’s why people left?” “Exactly. Can you understand it? That kind of attitude, given the people who died.” Tang Cheongi still seemed angry. I asked him. “So what’s the problem?” “What?” The atmosphere chilled suddenly. I had asked purely out of curiosity. “Regardless of what was said at the time, I don’t understand what the issue is.” “What are you saying? You don’t understand what the problem is?” “Then, what was supposed to have been done?” "People have died. Are you suggesting we should stop searching and drown in sorrow? And what about the captured one? Should we go save him, despite it being an obvious trap? We've made the most rational decision here." "Do you really believe that?" Tang Cheongi looked at me with a face full of distaste. His expression made me click my tongue inwardly. "It's the subordinates' role to grieve. If even the leaders mourn, nothing will improve." And that's why I hate taking on leadership roles. "So, you think it's right for her to sit comfortably in the refuge while saying such things?" "Well, what difference would it make if that frail Young Lady went out with the search party? Even Miss Tang mentioned it: the Young Lady has remarkable abilities. You know what that means?" It's quite a simple point, really. "It means there wasn't a single smart person to replace her. If she were to die, the whole situation would become jeopardized." There simply aren't any capable replacements. "That's why it's better for her to stay in the refuge and issue commands." "Ha. You're just forcing the narrative to fit. Are you saying she's not treating those around her like chess pieces? What do you know?" "I don't know much. It just seemed that way to me." Moreover, it reminded me of something from the past as well. 'Moyong Hi-ah was like that.' Similar situations. Similar people. Back then, Moyong Hi-ah spoke as though it didn't matter what happened to those surrounded by demons. This caused frequent clashes with the Sword Star, Wi Seol-ah. I was no different; I couldn't stand her back then. But even if I could understand... ‘People like that...' They impose even themselves into the framework to make the best choices. If their death would improve the situation... ‘They wouldn’t hesitate for a second.' They’d give up their lives easily. Because that was the most rational course of action. Then... ‘Would Mi Hyoran be any different?’ In my eyes, they seemed similar. That's why. ‘Why am I siding with her?' The reason I countered Tang Cheongi’s words was precisely because Moyong Hi-ah came to mind. Inside, I felt Mi Hyoran wasn’t that kind of person, so I instinctively opposed. "You...!" Tang Cheongi looked ready to lash out, but... "Tang Cheongi, enough." Poison Phoenix intervened to restrain him. "Sister...!" "Young Master Baek, please stop as well. You don’t fully understand our situation, and such comments don’t reflect well." "That's true." I nodded in agreement. "I apologize." It was a heartfelt apology. Even I had to admit my balance had been off in weighing the scales. "…Young Master Baek." "Yes." "Could the rumors be true?" "Rumors?" "The ones regarding you and Miss Mi Hyoran..." "They're not true." I cringed. Damn, I’d forgotten those rumors. "There’s no relationship and no emotions involved." "Is that so...?" "Yes." "That's what I thought might be the reason." "…It isn't." I sighed and denied it once more. ‘Anyhow.’ I had gleaned most of the situation. Although I lacked a complete understanding, I had a sense of it. And also... ‘There’s something more.’ I glanced over at Poison Phoenix. She was hiding something. It seemed there was more than what Tang Cheongi had disclosed. With that in mind, I took a moment to rest. Then, when it was night— "The Young Lady requests your presence." I was summoned by Mi Hyoran. However— "Baek Yang Cheon. She wishes to see only you." I was the only one called out, and it