WeTried Translations
Translator: Coughing Baby
Editor: Coughing Baby
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
Chapter 168: You Will Apologize
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[Hngk.]
The moment they arrived at the Sword Tower's residential floor, Jor regained consciousness. She stayed dazed for a moment before speaking in a trembling voice.
[Is today the day you kill me, Master?]
The reason for the sudden question was their conversation in the Black Cube. Kyle had said that if Jor became strange, he would take responsibility and kill her himself.
[Just now... I, I wasn't myself.]
‘I know.’
[Then, will you...]
‘You weren't strange enough for me to kill you.’
It was true that Jor had briefly lost consciousness due to Velatus's interference, but she had not harmed Kyle because of it. So, Kyle decided to watch Jor for a while longer.
[Is it really all right for you to do that?]
Jor had been braced for death, but her voice brightened. Kyle nodded and glanced behind him. The elevator leading to the Ascension Platform had already closed.
‘Velatus said she can only interfere from the Ascension Platform. I'll go to the East, meet Velatus, and decide after that.’
The Forgotten Dragon who had interfered with Jor in the Black Cube was a separate being from Velatus. Since Jor normally resided in Kyle's Middle Dantian, he needed a safeguard in case something happened.
No matter how much Kyle thought about that safeguard, he would not find a good answer. This was not his area of expertise, so it would be better to leave it to an expert.
As soon as he returned to the Rose Manor for the first time in a while, Kyle entered the private Cultivation Chamber behind it.
“I met Velatus.”
The instant he stepped into the center of the chamber, Kyle said that much. The scenery inside the room rippled, and the Fragment appeared. Their face was deathly pale as they hurried over and seized both of Kyle's hands.
“Y-you met Velatus? Where?”
“At the Ascension Platform.”
The Fragment might have been the Sword Tower's Dokkaebi, but the Ascension Platform was a place hanging at the edge of the world, somewhere even Velatus found difficult and frightening to interfere with. There was no way the Fragment, who looked ready to die just from mentioning divine beings, could observe the Ascension Platform.
“The Ascension... Platform? Velatus was there, not in the East?”
“No. Her true body is in the East. She said this was a special case, so she interfered through Jor.”
“What does that even mean?”
Kyle told the bewildered Fragment about what he had discussed with Velatus on the Ascension Platform. The Fragment stared at Kyle with their mouth hanging open, then spoke in a trembling voice.
“Y-you... you're the reincarnation of Sword Demon Raikal? Why have you not told me that until now...?!”
“Was there any need to tell you? If Velatus, that damned lizard, hadn't run her mouth without asking, I would have gone my whole life without revealing that I was the Sword Demon's reincarnation. I had no trouble living until now without saying it.”
Kyle spoke with a sour expression. Even now, his stomach churned whenever he thought about Velatus blabbing without permission.
“I'll cross over to the East and meet Velatus soon. There are several things I have to do first, but still. This means I have fulfilled my promise to you.”
His promise with the Fragment had been to learn Velatus's whereabouts and whether she was alive. Both had been accomplished when Kyle contacted Velatus on the Ascension Platform.
Yet the Fragment's face remained full of regret. They were a Dokkaebi born in the Sword Tower Velatus had left behind, and for hundreds of years, they had managed the Sword Tower in her place.
That was the Fragment's entire purpose.
As a Dokkaebi, they could not even communicate with anyone unless that person possessed special qualities like Kyle. Through the long years they had existed in the Sword Tower, the Fragment had never once left it.
No, they probably had never even considered leaving.
Born in the Sword Tower, managing the Sword Tower, existing alongside the Sword Tower. To the Fragment, the Sword Tower was both home and their entire existence.
‘Waiting, huh.’
Kyle quietly watched the Fragment's pale face. It was a sight he had seen many times before. A being who remained in one place for hundreds of years, waiting for someone who had left. Helenas in the Sword Grove had been like that. Ruin beyond the Ascension Platform had been like that. So was the Fragment standing before him now.
‘Why are there so many people in this damned world who are waiting for someone?’
It was all because people kept leaving as they pleased without even saying a proper goodbye.
“Isn't there anything you want to demand of Velatus?”
The Fragment's shoulders stiffened at the sudden question.
“D-demand? How could I dare say such a thing to her...”
“Dare what? She left you to take care of the Sword Tower for hundreds of years and departed without a word. Hundreds of years have passed without even a promise of when she would return.”
The Fragment pressed their lips together. Their face said they wanted to deny it but could not bring themselves to.
Looking at them, Kyle became certain.
The emotions the Dokkaebi felt toward Velatus were not just worry. Deep down, somewhere the Fragment could not even observe themselves, there was something tangled together, longing and resentment toward a parent, built up through hundreds of years of waiting. News that Velatus was alive would bring the Fragment joy, but the neglect that had continued for centuries was also proof of Velatus's indifference.
“Even if... even if there were something I wished to demand.”
The Fragment muttered weakly.
“What meaning would it have? She is in the East, and I am a being who cannot leave this tower.”
“Then come with me.”
Kyle grinned. The Fragment's eyes widened. They froze for a long moment, unable to understand what Kyle meant, then violently shook their head.
“That is nonsense. I am the Sword Tower's Dokkaebi. I was born in this tower and dwell within this tower.”
“Didn't you always say you weren't some mere Dokkaebi, that you were a great being of a higher rank?”
“Th-that is because my origin differs from ordinary Dokkaebi. I was created for a clear purpose. But in the end, I am still only a Dokkaebi...”
Kyle continued as the Fragment covered their face with both hands.
“Velatus interfered with Jor even while she was in the distant East. She said it was only possible on the Ascension Platform, but the reason she could interfere was because Jor was born in an environment that Velatus created.”
“...That is right.”
“You were also born from Velatus, but you are very different from Jor. To me, you are less a creation of Velatus and more like an alter ego she made out of necessity. Am I wrong?”
The Fragment's trembling abruptly stopped. They lowered their hands and stared at Kyle before opening their mouth.
“That... is correct.”
“Who has actually managed the ecosystem of the Sword Tower, where Jor was born, for hundreds of years? Velatus, or you? Who has cared for the mana that gave birth to Jor all these centuries?”
“I have.”
The Fragment spoke the words. A thought they had never once considered was beginning to take shape within them.
“Yes. It may be possible. If I leave my true body here, then add a mana crystal as a second core inside your Spirit...”
The Fragment stroked their chin and muttered.
“If it succeeds, I will be able to implant my will within the Spirit.”
“Will alone isn't enough. Can't you use magic?”
“If I can implant my will, I can use as much magic as I want.”
“Let's make a promise first.”
Kyle raised a finger.
“First. You do not invade Jor's ego. In other words, you cannot take control of her body by borrowing Jor's mouth.”
“I understand. What next?”
“Second. You do not become a danger to Jor or me.”
“Are you afraid I will be enthralled by Velatus and harm you and the Spirit?”
“That too. Velatus isn't the only one who can interfere with Jor. I won't take you along without this promise.”
“What a bastard.”
The Fragment stared at Kyle in disbelief.
“Why did you tempt me into this in the first place?”
“So, you can't make that promise?”
“I swear it.”
The Fragment let out a deep sigh and placed a hand over their chest.
“I will comply with every condition you demand. In return, you must bring me before Velatus.”
“Yes, I swear it too.”
“I will consider the core that will connect to my will and a method to protect you and your Spirit. Until this is complete, you must never, ever leave for the East.”
“Don't worry. I can't leave just because I want to.”
Kyle answered with a grin. He had been considering sending Jor to the Great Archive to learn magic, but if he could receive the Fragment's help, he could immediately employ Jor as a mage.
On the journey ahead, where anything could happen, he would be able to increase Jor's strength at once.
* * *
The helper within the family Julius arranged was Katarina Alastor, captain of the Aurora Knights. Kyle could not help but be surprised. He had never expected someone as skilled as her to be assigned as assistance.
“Isn't this too much?”
“This is a journey to the East, of all places. To me, it doesn't feel excessive. It feels insufficient.”
Julius answered with a click of his tongue. As Family Head, Julius had to manage the Ascension Platform. Karthan had to guard Gladiheim and the Cultivation Floors, while Barkas had to protect Vigrid. In that situation, Katarina and Dante were the strongest among the purebloods.
“Katarina is the second strongest of my children after Karthan. And among the purebloods, she was the one who volunteered most eagerly.”
“Aunt is the captain of the Aurora Knights. Is it all right for her to be away from her post for so long?”
“It is precisely because she is captain of the Aurora Knights that she volunteered for this mission. This can be called a special assignment, and such special assignments are originally the Aurora Knights' responsibility.”
Having someone as skilled as Katarina along was reassuring in many ways. The Sword Wolf Knights did lack the strength to cross over to the East right away.
‘I'm the only one at the Boundary Realm, too.’
Lucia was close to the Boundary Realm, but when considering dangerous situations, there was no reason to refuse the help of Katarina, who was as skilled as Kyle.
“What excuse should we give the Emperor?”
“I plan to make something up.”
Julius looked out the window with an indifferent expression. Grandfather and grandson were currently riding a sky carriage toward Vigrid's Warp Gate.
“The Imperial Family knows about our family's duty. That is why they have left Alastor alone for hundreds of years. We keep outside beings from invading in place of the Imperial Family.”
They had heard from the Dragon Queen, who had crossed to the East, that she would give them power to strengthen the Sword Tower's Seal. The Dragon Queen could not leave the East herself, so Alastor would have to go directly. They had decided to entrust that special assignment to Kyle.
“It is not a story the Emperor has any reason to oppose. If the Emperor does oppose it, that would mean he rejects the stability of the continent and the Empire.”
“What if the Emperor tries to attach one of his own people to us?”
“The Emperor? If he does, who do you think he would send? Leonard, captain of the Imperial Guard? The Commander of the Mage Corps? Or Grand General Desmond?”
Julius gave a small laugh and shook his head.
“The first two are the Emperor's closest aides. He would never send them away from his side. The only person he could possibly send is Grand General Desmond, but it makes no sense for the Grand General to leave his post for long. And as you know, the Grand General is loyal not to the Emperor, but to the Empire. The Emperor would not want Alastor and the Grand General moving together beyond his sight.”
“Is there no one else he can send?”
“As far as I know, aside from those three, there is no one who could threaten you and Katarina. Perhaps the Imperial Family has an expert I do not know about, but I doubt the Emperor will reveal a card because of this matter. If he reveals one, he will attack you on your way back. Or he will send assassins to the East.”
Julius paused and glanced at Kyle.
“That is, if the Emperor truly is connected to the hidden force trying to divide the Empire. From their perspective, the Dragon Queen's power that will come to Alastor will concern them as well. They may even want to use the East, where anything could happen, as an excuse to get rid of you.”
“When you put it that way, I'm worried something may happen to the family while I'm gone. Two major sources of strength will be absent.”
“You need not worry about that. Alastor is not so weak a family that it would be shaken just because you and Katarina are away.”
Kyle thought so too.
When they emerged from the Warp Gate in Luminas, the Empire's capital, an unexpected person was waiting for them.
“It has been a long time, Grand Duke Julius.”
Desmond Galein, the Empire's Grand General. He looked very different from when they had met in Karent.
Back then, Desmond had worn black armor and kept a long spear at his side. Now, he was dressed comfortably in a loose shirt, shorts, and slippers. He wore sunglasses like a headband, roughly pushing back his seaweed-like wavy hair. He held three leashes in each hand, standing with six pet dogs.
“...”
“...”
The Empire's Grand General had come to greet them looking like that, leaving Kyle and Julius speechless as they stared blankly at Desmond. Desmond remained indifferent even in the face of their silence, then turned his eyes toward Kyle.
“It has been a while for you as well, Sir. Have you been well?”
“...”
“You seem to have been well. You have grown greatly since I saw you a month ago. I understand that one grows day by day at your age, but you are taking it too far. Do you intend to monopolize the phrase rapid progress all by yourself?”
“Why are you dressed like that?”
Kyle asked in disbelief. Desmond shrugged.
“Though I am the Empire's Grand General, I am not so old-fashioned that I would wear a uniform or armor even while on leave.”
“Leave...?”
“The leave requests that were rejected several times have finally been approved. I have been granted quite a long leave, so I intend to take this chance to visit a resort with my dogs.”
As he said that, Desmond raised the six leashes in his hands. Each of his dogs was a different breed, ranging from large to medium to small.
“Sir Desmond. Is it a coincidence that you met us here?”
Julius asked. Desmond calmly shook his head.
“Could there be such a convenient coincidence in this world, Grand Duke Julius? It is true that I planned to depart on leave today, but this meeting is not a coincidence. I heard that you were coming to the capital, so I waited to greet you.”
“Will it end with a greeting?”
“It would be a shame to part after such a brief greeting. If you permit it, Grand Duke, I will personally escort you to the Imperial Palace.”
“Hah.”
Julius let out a low breath, his eyes glinting.
“I do not know how I should take this. Is this His Majesty's will?”
“It is not. His Majesty gave me no orders. This is entirely my own will.”
“What happens if I refuse?”
“I will be disappointed.”
Desmond's expression remained calm despite Julius's sharp gaze.
“I restrained my desire to leave on vacation immediately and waited so that I could escort you to the Imperial Palace. If you refuse, Grand Duke, I will have simply wasted my time.”
“Must I endure discomfort just to soothe your disappointment?”
“It seems I have been too meddlesome.”
“I will show respect for your position as the Empire's Grand General.”
Julius whispered as he watched Desmond through narrowed eyes.
“This is the heart of the Empire. Lead the way.”
“Thank you for your respect. I also respect the Empire's only Grand Duke.”
Desmond bowed his head and continued.
“By the way, Grand Duke... do you happen to be allergic to dogs?”
“...”
“If traveling with my family would make you uncomfortable, I will leave them here for a while.”
“You really are something else. It does not matter, so lead the way.”
Desmond bowed once more.
A sky carriage bearing Desmond's family crest was waiting where they arrived. Desmond personally opened the carriage door, and Kyle and Julius entered first.
“...”
The six pet dogs leaped into the carriage after Desmond boarded. It was a fairly large carriage, but with three people and six dogs inside, it became packed. Desmond made the dogs lie at his feet, then looked steadily at Julius and Kyle.
“If this welcome was your own decision, His Majesty will have many thoughts about it.”
Julius rested his chin on his hand as he spoke.
“He is already wary of Alastor. If he is not careful, he may misunderstand this as a secret meeting.”
“Grand Duke, you have nothing to hide, and neither do I.”
Desmond answered indifferently.
“Still, if His Majesty misunderstands and rebukes me, a seed of disappointment will grow within me.”
“Are you trying to see how His Majesty views this meeting?”
“It is not quite so grand. But if His Majesty grows wary simply because I shared this brief time escorting you to the Imperial Palace... I will be left tilting my head in confusion.”
The sky carriage slowly began to rise into the air. Amid that floating sensation, Desmond continued.
“It is always the case that the Imperial Family finds Alastor difficult and remains wary of it. But if he even doubts me, who has sworn loyalty... then either His Majesty the Emperor is being overly sensitive, or he has something weighing on his conscience.”
Desmond's eyes calmly watched Julius.
“Or perhaps he harbors intentions that leave Alastor with no choice but to be suspicious.”
“Alastor's history has been intertwined with the Empire's.”
Julius answered with one corner of his mouth raised.
“Ever since the Founding Ancestor, Alastor has served the Empire. In the greater sense, we serve the world. What about you?”
“The world is too much for me. I am not a vessel grand enough for that.”
Desmond slowly shook his head.
“I serve only the Empire.”
“Even so, there is overlap, is there not?”
“Does Alastor place the Empire first, or the world first?”
“What a foolish question. The Empire exists within the world. Does it not? If the world falls into chaos, the Empire will be swept up in that storm as well.”
“If the pillar stands firm, it will not be shaken even by a storm.”
“Even the strongest pillar will collapse if the ground beneath it rots. Are you a pillar, Sir?”
“I am a dog.”
Desmond looked down at the pet dogs lying flat at his feet.
“A dog does not change masters. It will pounce on anyone who threatens its master.”
“Is that not enough?”
Julius gave a small laugh.
“Alastor is not the Empire's enemy.”
“Then who is the Empire's enemy?”
“Are you, the Empire's Grand General, asking someone else who the enemy is?”
Julius had no intention of trying to win Desmond over. A man like him would only become wary if someone tried to recruit him.
So Julius spoke only of a cause that could not be compromised. That was enough for Desmond. He was also a man with a cause he could not compromise.
Silence filled the carriage. The pet dogs lying flat panted, moving only their eyes from side to side. Kyle stroked the head of the dog nearest him and spoke.
“Grand General. Isn't there something you need to apologize to me for?”
Before discussing the Empire's future, they needed to settle matters from the past.
Footnotes:
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