〈Episode 620〉 Choice and decision.
The time that was night has become day.
It means that a day has passed.
The journey back to the hideout didn’t take too long.
Since all the problems I had with my body were gone, the speed was much faster.
The question here is.
‘They said it was a hideout, but it looks so good.’
The thing is, it was so easy to find the cave entrance.
Yuri said that it was hard to find because it was covered in sorcery or something.
It was the same when I escaped last time.
It’s also like understanding the aftereffects of the formation.
It seemed clear that something had changed in me.
“Stop…!!”
The people standing guard in front see me and are on guard urgently.
Fortunately, Yuri was with me, so I was able to get in without any major problems.
“you…!”
As I return to the hideout, the White Lotus Sword appears urgently to check on me.
She tried to say something to me.
He stopped in surprise as he looked at Namgungbia, who I was holding.
“…ah….”
Her eyes reveal many emotions.
I knew it.
I can’t help but think that Baekryeongeom’s heart would be uneasy when he saw Namgungbia.
Since the Baekryeon Sword wasn’t all that cruel, he might have mixed feelings towards Namgung Bi-a, who volunteered to be the bait.
“Please take this and check its condition. And.”
Because it wasn’t the time to figure out all that stuff.
I immediately handed over Namgungbia, whom I was holding, to Baekryeongeom.
I spoke to her seriously.
“I will go and see the princess first.”
I had something to ask him.
**************
“Go back.”
An iron gate where the princess was expected to be.
When I got there, the person blocking my way said this.
I think it was called a black lion.
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He was said to be one of the great generals of the North Sea.
He spoke to me, bringing up my grand attitude.
“You cannot meet the princess.”
The tip of the sword is full of caution.
I knew why.
‘Because I went out and made a mess.’
Because he caused a commotion in front of the princess and threatened to beat her up.
The author must be very wary of that.
This means.
It means I’m a cheap shit.
I raised both hands and put on my kindest expression.
“I think I did something wrong earlier.”
“… Judging from your expression, it seems you are definitely planning to do something to the princess. You will never pass through here.”
That fucking guy…?
It seemed like the kind Yangcheon-ssi I had tried to cultivate wasn’t working.
“ha….”
He put down both hands he was holding and let out a sigh.
It was only natural.
The princess’s physical condition is worsening.
That’s the situation I took refuge in.
It was natural that the interest would come out like that since he had made a threat in front of such a princess.
I guess we can’t communicate verbally, but I guess there’s nothing we can do about it.
“Get out of the way.”
He relaxed his expression and spoke to the black lion.
“Because I’m not going to do anything, I’m just going to ask questions and then leave.”
“Do you think that will work?”
“It won’t work. Of course it won’t work.”
I measured the distance by snapping my fingers.
“I have to do it even though I can’t do it now.”
Things are different now than before.
There were things I absolutely had to know.
The person who would have known that was the princess.
We had to meet at all costs.
The black lion, who saw my eyes like that, grabbed my attitude and said.
“The reason you were able to come this far is because I treated you as an honored guest. One.”
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Phew-!
The energy is wrapped around the attitude.
It’s strong.
Hooooooo… .
I felt the air around me being crushed and crushed.
The noise emitted by unmanned vehicles that are far beyond the scope of the firefight is enough to distort the air.
This meant that the man was that kind of person.
“I cannot let you in because you threatened the princess. The princess is currently sleeping soundly.”
“haha.”
I burst out laughing when I heard that.
“In this situation, how can that gentleman sleep comfortably?”
“Don’t talk carelessly!”
Kuuung-!
Attitudes are affected by vibrations.
The momentum was quite threatening.
“If you let your tongue slip one more time about the princess, I will cut you down.”
“Oh, really, you say something scary.”
It was so brutal to say that I would cut it down.
“If it were normal, I would say I’ll come back later and just let it go. But I’m really in a hurry right now. Can you wake me up and tell me to go to sleep later?”
“Really… you’re planning to see blood.”
“No, why do I have to see blood when I’m sick…?”
Shhhhh!
The black lion’s attitude moves roughly.
Looking at this, I click my tongue inwardly.
“Your Majesty.”
Shririk-! Swish-!
“…!”
He moved the demon on his left arm and tied up his stance, blocking his movements.
Ki-ki-ki-ki-ki-!!
A struggle began between the black lion trying to grab the attitude and the one trying to hold on to it.
Kuuuung–!!
The opponent is a martial artist. He is also a person who has already reached a mature level.
Moreover, the more you use your attitude, the more your external skills will be developed.
As I tried to withstand that force, my muscles started to get angry on their own.
However, it was not pushed.
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The black lion’s eyes widen at this.
Kwung-! Boom-!
The force and the force come together and the vibrations burst.
The aftermath begins to cause damage to the surrounding area.
Thud.
A shaking space, with dust falling from the ceiling.
“this guy…!”
“Really, do you want me to just break everything and go in? That wouldn’t be a good ending, would it?”
“I am the princess’s warrior. I cannot leave alone anyone who poses a danger to her.”
“hmm.”
It was a suitable attitude for an escort.
It feels like he is filled with the conviction that he will never bend.
If so, there was only one way.
“Then I guess I’ll have to knock him down and leave.”
Phew-!
Raise your energy. Rotate the ring of the Guyeonhwaryun Gong to add heat to your body.
Combine with speculation to gather fire in your palm.
He held in his hand a jade that looked like it would burst at any moment.
The black lion also sees my condition and wraps his body in strength with all his might.
Imminent danger.
At the moment when they were about to engage in battle.
[Stop.]
“…!”
The Black Lion immediately regains his strength at the sound of a voice coming from behind the door.
It was the voice of the princess.
[Black Lion. Open the door.]
“Oh, my… Your Majesty…!”
[It is a command.]
“…”
For a moment, a look of displeasure flashed across his face.
The black lion said no more.
After simply putting the sword back into his back.
Kwak-!
I just grabbed the doorknob.
“…I will obey your command.”
Squeak-!
The door opens.
Confirming this, I also regained my energy.
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Hwaaak-! The cold chill I felt last time passes by.
[Come in.]
As soon as the princess finished speaking, I started walking.
“… This time, please be courteous to the princess.”
The black lion’s grim farewell entered the space without even hearing it.
It was still a cold and unpleasant space.
A place where the princess just sits there.
If there is any difference.
It must be the difference in my perspective on him.
[It’s nice to see you again soon.]
“That’s right. I didn’t know I would see you again like this.”
I arrived in front of him, talking to him.
It still looks the same.
Half of the body is encased in ice.
Frost extended from him and enveloped all directions.
and.
‘Same vibe as that guy.’
I felt an aura quite similar to the guy named Yooseon whom I had met just before.
Although the discomfort and hostility were felt to be much less than that.
[Yes, why did you wake me up from my deep sleep?]
“Were you really sleeping?”
[I was sleeping very, very well.]
The princess said so with a smile.
Of course I didn’t believe it.
[What business did Confucius have for me that you even performed such a play?]
“hmm.”
I couldn’t help but laugh after hearing the princess’s words.
Looks like I got caught.
Confrontation with the Black Lion.
The intention was to come out strong and make the princess appear on her own.
The princess seemed to understand it immediately.
It doesn’t matter.
Anyway, the goal has already been achieved.
I immediately looked at the princess and said.
“I just met your son or daughter.”
[…]
“The name is ‘Yooseon.’ I think that’s the culprit.”
The name may be a pseudonym. Yuri said it was her sister’s name.
Because what I saw was clearly a man.
of course.
There was also a possibility that the gender itself was fake.
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The princess looks at me because I brought up the subject out of nowhere.
The pupil was still torn vertically.
[Because it’s wired…]
The princess who heard the words spoke softly.
[I see.]
I heard the identity of the child who committed treason.
The princess’s reaction didn’t show much change.
[Was it that kid?]
“…is that all your reaction is?”
[If you came all the way here to tell me the story, thank you. I’m sorry for making you walk so quickly.]
I had to frown at the strange reaction though.
I had my own point.
“No. I came here to ask you something.”
[Please speak. I will listen carefully.]
“…Your Majesty.”
I took a deep breath and spoke to him.
“Do you know about dragons?”
[hmm.]
After hearing the question, the princess remained silent for a moment.
[I know.]
Surprisingly, the answer was positive.
I thought you’d pretend not to know.
“… You know…?”
[Yes. Even now…]
The princess’s torn pupils look at me.
[It’s not in front of my eyes.]
“…!”
I opened my eyes wide after hearing that.
This human.
‘Did you know?’
It seemed like he knew my identity from the beginning.
How did you know?
I didn’t have any such doubts.
The Dark King noticed.
As if Yoo-seon had noticed me.
The princess also saw that it could be like that.
but.
“Are you saying you sent me in even though you knew?”
[Why would I not let you in? You are a precious guest who has come here.]
I rolled my head as I listened to the princess’s answer.
How far, how far should I ask?
How much does the author know?
How far can I ask him?
Such thoughts swirled in my head.
The worry didn’t last long.
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“Your child was a dragon too.”
This didn’t surprise him either.
[I see. So Bingjeong ended up choosing that child…]
Instead, he just closes his eyes as if he realized something.
Looking at the princess like that, he continued speaking.
“And then, when he saw me, he called me a pureblood.”
When you spit it out like that.
[what…?]
Strangely enough, this time the reaction was unusual.
“I came to ask you about your child. About me being called a pureblood.”
[…]
The princess’s eyes grew as big as lanterns at what she heard.
When I told him about the kid I met earlier, he seemed indifferent, but he seemed unable to contain his anger at this part.
What is the reason?
What is the difference?
[Pureblood? That kid told you he was a pureblood?]
“yes.”
They even tried to kill me by pulling out my arm.
I didn’t necessarily say this.
“What on earth is that?”
[…her….]
The princess lets out a hollow laugh.
[…Is that so…]
He nods as if he has realized something.
[Is the time finally here?]
After that, he started saying something unintelligible.
Tsk tsk tsk-!
“…!”
Suddenly, the ice covering the princess’s body begins to break.
The ice that had started to break while forming a line soon shattered into pieces.
Swish.
The princess slowly got up from it.
I had to hide my surprise as I watched.
big.
The princess was much taller than I expected.
‘… Almost like my father?’
I didn’t notice it because I was just sitting there, but when I saw it standing up, I saw that it was quite large.
Thud.
The princess brushes off the ice cubes stuck to her body and looks at me and says.
“Would you please follow me for a moment?”
The voice that had been echoing returned to normal.
It was a pleasant voice that seemed heavy yet light.
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“Are you saying this all of a sudden? We’re not done talking yet.”
“Please follow me, I will give you the answer to that question.”
“…”
“Please.”
But he frowns and looks at the princess.
He just looks at me with a serious expression.
Why are you telling me to follow you again before we’re even finished talking?
I was getting annoyed by the urgent situation, but since he said he would give me an answer, I sighed and answered first.
“…Where should I go?”
“Thank you for understanding.”
The princess smiled slightly after hearing the answer, then turned around and walked away.
I walked after him.
I didn’t walk very far.
I didn’t even leave the space, I just walked a little further in the opposite direction from the entrance I came in from.
Then, when you reach the wall.
I could see something on the wall opposite the entrance.
It’s a door.
There was a door in the wall leading to another place.
Not a very big door.
Considering the size of the princess, it was a very small door.
In some ways, it feels like a good fit for someone like me who is relatively short.
“What is this…?”
“Open the door and try again.”
I was about to spit out a question, wondering where the door led.
It was what the princess said.
Why don’t you open it yourself and make me do it?
‘Did you set some kind of trap?’
A suspicion crosses my mind.
“If in doubt, I will wear the gold I desire.”
“…”
The princess noticed that I was suspicious and raised her hand.
If it were normal, I would have said it was good and put a ban on it.
Now, for some reason, my hand reached out first.
This is also a matter of feeling.
It was like that from the moment I saw the door.
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Instinct speaks.
Come on, try to open the door.
Accordingly, I put my hand to the frozen doorknob.
At that moment.
Tsk tsk tsk—!!
Even though our fingertips just slightly touched.
There was a huge crack centered around the door.
At a time when I was flustered by the sudden situation.
Hwaaak-!
The pure white cold air that had been standing at the door was harsh.
Squeak… .
The door started opening by itself even though I didn’t open it.
‘what’s this?’
What is this? I look at the door with a dumbfounded look.
“… It really was.”
The princess who saw this said:
“What you said was true.”
“…What do you mean?”
“This door can only be opened by purebloods.”
“yes?”
“It was decided that way a long time ago. It’s just now that I know it was true.”
I heard that and looked at the door.
Since I haven’t seen the princess catch it yet, I don’t know if this is a lie or not.
You made it so that only purebloods or something can open it?
‘Who the hell is it?’
I had a question.
Who on earth would do this to the North Sea?
At that moment, I was about to ask the princess.
Damn it.
The princess bowed her head first and then walked toward the entrance.
Does that mean follow me?
I walked after the princess again.
It feels completely different than before.
The passage wasn’t long. I could get through it in about ten steps.
So, get out of the passage.
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“…her?”
The sight outside took my breath away.
A space covered in all kinds of cold air.
There is something circular floating in the air, filling the space.
At first glance, it looked like ice.
What an elaborate circular ice cube!
It was a shape that could not have existed without being artificially carved.
Given its size, it’s impossible for a human to have done it.
What is that?
‘What the heck is that?’
Boom-! Boom-! Boom-!
Does just looking at it make your heart beat like crazy?
Phew.
Phew.
I tried to calm my increasingly rough breathing, but my gaze had already been stolen a long time ago.
What is that?
What is it that makes me react this way?
Ttukbuk.
My legs moved on their own.
As if he wanted to get closer to that place, he said it without thinking.
at that time.
“This is called Bingjeong (氷精).”
I was able to force myself to stop walking after hearing the words from the princess.
“Ice cream? Is that ice cream?”
“The gap is in the basement of the ice palace, but this is also an ice palace.”
“…There’s one more like this?”
“It’s something that my blood relatives have been protecting for generations. But.”
The princess’s gaze turned to Bingjeong.
“I’m also seeing it for the first time, but I think the ice crystal in front of me is the original.”
Because it’s the original.
Is this really an iceberg in front of me?
underneath.
“…Why are you showing me this?”
Why are you suddenly showing me this stuff?
At first glance, it was obvious that it was something that outsiders should not see.
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no way.
I wonder if they’re trying to kill me here. Sometimes I get a little worried.
“As I said before, only purebloods are allowed to enter this place. That was the established rule.”
The princess said.
That means.
“Are you saying that you brought me here because I am a pureblood?”
“That’s right.”
“Just for that reason…?”
“Do you think this is simple, Confucius? No.”
The princess continued speaking, looking at Bingjeong with serious eyes.
“For hundreds of years, the Ice Palace bloodline has endured by taking root in the North Sea, bound by the karma that has been passed down to us. Today is the day we face that karma head on.”
The princess, who had been staring intently at the iceberg, now turns her gaze towards me.
“After many years, if a pure-blooded being appears in the North Sea, you must confront it and bring it here.”
yes.
A shallow vibration was felt on the ice.
“Until then, it was the duty of the bloodline to maintain and protect the iceberg.”
For centuries, the palace and this place have been guarded by someone who promised to come visit.
That was the karma of blood relations.
I had to frown at what the princess was saying.
“… What, it’s not a prophecy. You’re saying that you lived like that, waiting for something that might come at any time? Does that make sense?”
“That is why it is called karma and a curse. Isn’t it truly cruel?”
The princess spoke with a smile, but there was something sinister wrapped in that smile.
“But I really didn’t know that someone like Prince Gu would appear.”
“How can you be sure that I am the owner of that horse or not? It could be that I am not-.”
“That doesn’t matter.”
The princess cut me off.
“If not, that door wouldn’t even open.”
“…”
What I told you earlier was to open the door.
Was this to confirm this?
“…For what? What do you want from me?”
Why did we wait for a pure-blooded being to appear?
How did I ever hope to reach that iceberg?
I couldn’t understand.
I asked the princess with such feelings.
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“History has seen that and expressed it as ‘the egg.’”
At those words, I looked at Bingjeong.
You know?
‘Do you know that big thing?’
It was too big and cold to be called an egg.
If that’s an egg, what’s inside it that makes it so huge?
If something were to be born in a place like that, it would be horrifying to even imagine.
“I did say that, though.”
The princess comes next to me.
“There was something written in other words.”
The princess approached me and spoke to me in a calm voice.
“The Heart of the Dragon Emperor.”
“…!”
After hearing that, he turned around and looked at the princess.
“Bingjeong is the heart of the dragon.”
