Somehow, despite the familiarity of the man’s appearance, his outfit and the mask in his hand looked quite recognizable.
While recalling, it was definitely that Kojubu mask that had been sitting at the highest seat of the Supreme Council just earlier.
He had stayed put without participating in the intense debate that had raged for hours.
However, what was even more troubling was someone behind him.
With a slightly bitten lower lip and eyes darting up and down, casting glances repeatedly.
While standing neatly with her hands clasped, it was clear that her emotions were shaken.
That gaze was directed precisely at me, standing behind the Heukryeon couple.
But no matter how much I thought, I couldn’t come up with a proper reason for why she was sending such looks my way…
“…”
Just a few days ago, I had also encountered her at the Jeokhwa estate, but the situation was so urgent that we didn’t exchange any words.
After Yeonjeongmoon spread the poisonous mist magic in all directions, I hadn’t seen her at all.
But facing her in this static situation made it incredibly hard to control the swirling emotions.
Honestly, suffering from this sticky yet sharp sensation… I was tired of it by now.
I turned my attention with an effort toward the conversation between the Heukryeon couple and the man, trying to avoid her gaze.
“Hey you. It’s been a while.”
“Indeed. Has it been fifteen years, maybe?”
Unlike the dull demeanor of the Heukryeon couple, the man was chatting away as if he was really pleased to see them.
If I saw him elsewhere, I would think he was a very affable person.
The man kept on with a bright smile on his face.
“But goodness, it seems even the Black Lion cannot escape the passage of time. Seeing frost on your head, senior, is quite an adjustment, haha.”
“Well, you seem to be just the same as before. I hope it’s only your appearance that hasn’t changed. You’re not still in a dream, are you?”
“…I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
At the casual words thrown by Sadaeryong, I could feel a slight crack in the man’s previously unwavering smile.
Yet, he paused for a moment, patched it up, and started speaking in a warm tone again.
“Everyone dreams, don’t they? Even beasts are said to dream…”
“That’s true. By the way, I was a bit surprised this time. I didn’t expect Haewolhwa-senior to move so swiftly right after stepping away. Were you waiting for the timing to topple your nemesis?”
Sadaeryong leaned in to ask pointedly, as if he hadn’t expected the answer.
Rather than being concerned about the act of attacking the Jeokhwa, it sounded more like he was questioning whether the man had known about it in advance and had intentionally let it happen.
When the time is ripe, it would yield a much sweeter result.
From his perspective, Paecheon was indeed just about to harvest a basketful of ripe fruits.
He could have climbed to the pinnacle of power after completely destroying his nemesis and seizing all their profits, if only Heukryeon hadn’t declared to return to the Supreme Council and protect that successor.
Thinking like that… I couldn’t help but feel amazed at the man’s superhuman patience, which was unwaveringly cheerful.
“Waiting for the right time? That sounds a bit disappointing, my friend. How could you mix personal feelings into a matter concerning the nation’s future?”
However, this time, the man merely shrugged it off amiably.
“Moreover, it wasn’t until later that I found out about this incident myself. I was quite surprised when my daughter activated the emergency measures first and then reported back.”
“My daughter…”
“Oh, my apologies. I forgot to introduce her.”
Finally, the Heukryeon couple’s gaze turned toward the man’s back.
He hurriedly moved aside as if he had forgotten.
Then, a graceful female student hidden in the shadow of a pillar was fully revealed.
“Here, come on and introduce yourself. She’s been guiding your father since the cradle days.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Baek Seoyeon. It’s an honor to meet the esteemed Heukryeon couple like this.”
At the man’s gesture, she stepped forward and bowed.
The Heukryeon couple nodded, as if they finally understood something today.
“Indeed… there must have been a reason you associate with such a person.”
“Haha, I guess because of my age, I’m naturally fonder of my daughter, whom I obtained late in life, than the dark men around me. But…”
After a brief idle chatter, the man’s gaze turned toward me.
“Hmm, the second one.”
Though still smiling, I could clearly feel his sharp and keen eyes trying to measure what’s beneath the mask.
Suddenly, a slight wave of nausea washed over me as it swept through my body.
“In fact, the bond between both of you has been renowned since cradle days, so it wouldn’t be strange at all.”
But the exploring gaze dispersed in an instant.
“Congratulations, senior. You’ve managed to produce consecutive Category 1 wizards, what an accomplishment! And male wizards, no less. Heukryeon remains Heukryeon, huh?”
The man extended his hand toward me, maintaining a friendly expression as if nothing had happened.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Baek Il-yong.”
“…”
The moment I heard his surname, I immediately recognized why he had seemed so familiar from earlier.
He was certainly perfect in his first impression.
Tall, with a sincere smile that seemed to come from the heart.
With a casual demeanor that didn’t assert any authority, it made sense that he had sky-high public support and popularity, given his commitment to the community.
With solid business foundations and strong ties with his retainers, ever since he took office, Paecheon has been on an unstoppable rise, so they say.
But the first thing that popped into my mind upon hearing his name was the conversation I had with the headmaster when I first arrived at the cradle.
“The head of Paecheon is a dangerous man. Everyone who knows is aware of his excessive ambition. His daughter follows his path quite faithfully.”
It was something the headmaster had said while asking for me to support Yeon Minha.
And he had clearly mentioned that he harbored a particularly deep grudge against the headmaster.
That became the decisive blow that led me to approach Yeon Minha at the headmaster’s request up to this day.
There must be a reason the headmaster had left me that warning. The Heukryeon couple’s wary expression toward him was also certainly for a good reason.
I couldn’t help but feel an impulse to break his head, now that I had realized he was someone with a particularly deep grudge against the headmaster.
Unconsciously, I raised a hand to check if the mask was firmly fixed in place.
The Paecheon’s retainers must have frequently gone in and out of the village, so my existence would have been reported there.
At that time, I had been very close to that girl.
“So I’ve decided to erase that nightmare. You know? For a family like ours, that’s nothing to worry about.”
“I’ve never been in that village at all. I’m the much-loved daughter of the head, and thanks to that, I’ve never once stepped outside the capital.”
“There wouldn’t be a single person who believes what you say.”
“Naturally. Who would believe the boast of a country bumpkin like you?”
Even a tiny hint was enough for the memory of that day to rise as freshly as if it had happened yesterday.
Each morpheme of those words sticks like sharp thorns in my heart.
“…”
If he learns that the current me is the same as that child from back then, it definitely won’t bode well.
That girl right in front of me just mentioned it herself.
He wouldn’t be pleased to know that someone who remembers a past he wants to forget still exists.
He might even think it’s a good thing that he was annihilated by demons.
Fortunately, as long as I wear this mask, they won’t know my identity.
There’s not a trace left of that time.
Not my height, voice, or status.
That child… is already someone who burned to death long ago.
“…It’s an honor to meet the head of Paecheon.”
Thinking that, I barely managed to compose myself and took his outstretched hand.
After all, there was no need to blatantly show my hostility now. It would only ruin things.
There’s someone right in front of me, smiling at the enemy.
I don’t know what grudge he bears against the headmaster, but… I can solve those questions gradually as we go along.
“…Alright. Welcome to the family of the five clans.”
He gave a peculiar smile and lightly waved his hand.
With two people in front of me who made me uncomfortable even to face, I was just about to slip behind the Heukryeon couple.
Suddenly, a voice came unexpectedly, calling out to me.
“Um, excuse me…”
“…?”
With the sound of click-clacking shoes, a sweet fragrance wafted over unexpectedly.
I doubted my ears repeatedly, but the words were undoubtedly aimed at me.
Beautiful, flowing black hair swayed right in front of me.
“Umm… are you… feeling alright…?”
Even in the moment of deliberation, the questions kept coming.
Standing before me was a girl, cheeks flush, slightly bowing, yet lifting her gaze just enough to meet mine.
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