1297 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

"The Sword Sovereign got involved." I repeated the Dark King's words. Out of nowhere, the Sword Sovereign just pops up here? 'Wasn't he supposed to be dead...?' I assumed he was dead due to the lack of mention all this time. And yet, the Sword Sovereign involved himself in this incident? 'Why all of a sudden?' Given that the martial arts competition was swallowed by the demonic realm, I thought he might come here, but I didn't expect him to just appear. Even more surprising. "Are you saying he became an apostle…?" If the Sword Sovereign intervened and clashed with the Dark King, it implies he became an apostle. 'Not only Cheolhyun Buseon but now the Sword Sovereign too?' All these monstrous figures are turning into apostles. How on earth are we supposed to win? I could understand why the martial artists were in despair. I asked the Dark King about this baffling situation. "That's incorrect." The Dark King denied. "Not true?" "The Sword Sovereign is not an apostle." "What?" He's not an apostle? Then... "He's just an ordinary human being?" "At least, that's how he seemed to me." "But why then...?" He got involved to stop the Dark King from what my father was doing? It's a puzzling situation. "Did you fight him?" "He got a hold of me." "By the Sword Sovereign?" "Yes." The idea of the Dark King being hindered... Well. 'Only someone like the Sword Sovereign could stop the Dark King." His stealth techniques have reached the heavens. Likewise, someone with his swordsmanship was needed to even grab hold of the Dark King. "You say he stopped you despite your power?" It's fascinating that someone could counteract his strengthened powers. As formidable as the Sword Sovereign is, he's but a mere martial artist. 'That he countered those abilities.' Is that even possible? I thought it was impossible. "He can do it." The Dark King stated. "He may not be all there in the head, but nothing escapes his sword." "..." The evaluation was hefty. But, most who knew the Sword Sovereign spoke similarly. With a sword, he's reached the skies. A being who can cut the uncuttable. '...Is that so?' In both this life and the past, I had never fought the Sword Sovereign, nor had I seen him at full strength, so I could only imagine. Still, in the end. 'He was a figure killed by the Heavenly Demon, so...' The absolute power is the Heavenly Demon. That's the perception I've always held in my mind. Even if the Dark King said that, it's hard to completely picture it but... Let's take it positively. 'A being with the human physique who can block powers.' That's how I need to see it. Moreover. 'Why did the Sword Sovereign assist my father?' I have to ponder this too. 'In the first place, it's unclear why my father took the Poison Phoenix.' Among so many, was it necessary to take the Poison Phoenix? If so, there must be a reason. 'What could it be?' I don't know. Nothing comes to mind. I was deep in thought when suddenly. Whoosh. "..." The Dark King vanished from around me. Sensing it, I looked back. "Young Master Baek…!" A martial artist ran up to me. "Young Lady Mi is looking for you…!" It was news that Mi Hyoran had awakened. * * * I headed underground. I had intended to check on Mi Hyoran's health, so hearing she was awake was a relief. Entering the room, I saw Mi Hyoran lying there, looking exhausted. 'She's alive.' I noticed Namgung Jin sitting next to her. "...You're here." Mi Hyoran said, noticing me. "I heard the Young Miss is back as well." "..." At those words, Namgung Jin, sitting beside her, flinched. Watching his reaction, I spoke to Mi Hyoran. "Yes. We met by chance." "A chance meeting?" "Yes, by chance." If it’s a coincidence, it’s a coincidence. It wasn't an encounter I orchestrated. "I've heard about your condition. I was told the Divine Dragon appeared and caused havoc." "..." "They said he took Young Lady Tang. Are you alright?" Mi Hyoran swayed slightly as she answered my inquiry. She lifted her hand a little in response to my words. "...I'm fine. Just a bit dizzy." "Alright." "You're correct. He did appear..." Mi Hyoran had a rather grim expression. Observing her face, I spoke. "The situation doesn’t seem favorable." "...It seems so." "What will you do?" I asked Mi Hyoran. "Will you return to your hideout?" This place wasn't Mi Hyoran's hideout. It was a location from Tae Hoan where events unfolded. This implies. 'Father came knowing the Poison Phoenix was here.' There must be a way he figured out the location, which means staying here is dangerous. "...For now, I should return." Mi Hyoran also decided to return, but I could sense hesitation in her expression. "It seems there's something on your mind." "..." "Do you hesitate to leave them behind even in this state?" Mi Hyoran flinched. It seemed like I struck a nerve. "That's..." "Don't worry about it and head back for now." Mi Hyoran stared at me intently after I spoke. "Are you sincere?" "Of course, why would I lie? Staying here won't change much. It's a known fact that Young Lady Mi can’t leave her original place for long." She had left her hideout vacant. Could Mi Hyoran stay here long? I doubted it. "If the issue is about Young Master Gu, all the more reason. He won't return here." The objective was already accomplished. I was curious if she possibly intended to wait for the return of her father, so I said. "...I know." Mi Hyoran bit her lip slightly as she spoke. "You’ve awakened, so it’s best to return for the time being. That’s the right thing to do." Is there more to be said? Mi Hyoran’s brow furrowed at my words. "Do you have anything else to say?" Without realizing, my tone became slightly edgy. Perhaps because she differed so much from the lady I once knew. If it were her, she would have already left, not staying behind in such a state. This situation is neither guilt nor anything like that. 'It means she's wavering.' This unpredictable situation with Mi Hyoran seemingly shaken is quite unfamiliar. "...I plan to return. However, it doesn’t seem wise to make reckless choices in such circumstances. Can you simply choose at this moment when Young Lady Tang has disappeared?" "Is it that difficult? It's easy for me." "What did you say?" "It's not like there's anything you can do. At least, not for someone like Young Lady Mi. That's why I suggest you go back. Staying here would just be a nuisance." "...You." "Young Lady Mi probably hates being unhelpful more than anyone else. Why are you behaving this way? Was Young Master Gu's appearance that shocking?" "What do you know to speak like that—!" "Stop being stubborn and just go back." I interrupted, brushing back my hair. "I'll take care of what's happened." "...What?" I finally voiced what was important. "What do you mean by that...?" "I think I know where the Divine Dragon took Young Lady Tang." "How could you possibly—." "It was obvious. I just came from that place. It's the main base of the Sword Queen." "...!" Those around us widened their eyes at my words. "The base of the Sword Queen... do you mean the place where apostles gather?" "Correct." "How did Young Master Baek come to know of such a place...?" "I found it while searching." "What kind of nonsense is that?" "What nonsense could there be? This is the truth." Indeed, I found it through my searches. That was the truth. "The Divine Dragon taking Young Lady Tang was probably due to an order from the Sword Queen. It wouldn't add up otherwise. Consequently, there are a limited number of places he could have taken her." "So, you're saying it's the base you found." "It could be, or it may not be." "What do you mean?" "But it doesn't matter even if it isn't. I have a way to find it." Only I. Right now, only I possess a method to find it in this world. "So, Young Lady Mi, you should return." We can't go together anyway. Saying this with such intent. "...So what you're saying." Mi Hyoran uttered, her expression showing disbelief. "Are you saying that you will rescue Young Lady Tang?" "Yes." That’s what I’ve been saying all this time. Could it be she’s just understanding now? Why's a smart person like her acting this way? It's perplexing. "Why?" She even asked a question. Why indeed...? "Do I need a reason?" "...If it were anyone else, maybe not. But for someone like you, there must be a reason." "...What do you mean by that?" "It seemed like you wouldn't act unless there was something to gain." "...." She's not wrong, so I couldn't deny it. She’s right, after all. I don't move without gain. If it involves losses, I wouldn’t bother with it at all. But. "I usually take good care of people who treat me well." I find it hard when people are kind without expecting anything in return. I kept thinking of those who once died for me. That’s why with the Poison Phoenix, it's much the same. 'It doesn’t help that...' My father’s involvement was part of it. Circumstances dictated that I needed to find her. One piece of the situation was particularly bothersome. Besides this, of course. 'Please…!' I recalled Tang Cheongi clinging to my pants hem in desperation. "Hmm." That part didn't concern me much. I did have some goodwill towards the Poison King, but it wasn’t enough reason to act just for him. To be completely honest, setting aside any other reasons, I searched for one singular cause. 'It’s because of him.' Whenever I looked at the Poison Phoenix, Tang Soyeol came to mind. Her gaze had firmly taken hold of me. So. "I will rescue her." I will save the Poison Phoenix. For me, the reason for finding her was essentially this one purpose alone.