Chapter: 606
As I had initially figured out, this was a cave.
It looks quite long and deep.
Even though I walked along the White Lotus Sword for a few minutes, the path still didn’t end.
’As expected, there is no problem with walking.’
I walked calmly and continued to observe my body.
There didn’t seem to be any major problems with the muscles or bones.
From head to toe, I carefully examined each detail while listening to the words of the White Lotus Sword.
“Your party is resting upstairs. Until recently, the Tang family child was taking care of you. You opened your eyes just as I was switching places with him.”
As always, the White Lotus Sword was quite chatty.
“That kid must have been really worried. He was fretting over what would happen if you didn’t wake up. Just as I stepped out for a moment, you woke right up!”
It seems that Dang So-yeol was rather concerned.
’I guess I’ll have to apologize later.’
There’s one more thing to do.
Let’s ignore the chattering White Lotus Sword for now.
I organized the information I had gathered on my way here.
First, this was the route that brought me to this place.
‘Right after I lost consciousness, I remember being told that a reconnaissance party had appeared?’
I had heard that the soldiers from the palace, who were patrolling the area, discovered that.
No, not exactly.
‘He said the traitor caught them while they were scouting.’
Before the soldiers who arrived nearby could reach their destination, the traitor discovered them, captured them, and brought them in for fact-checking.
Judging it wasn’t an enemy, they arrived here with the princess.
At first, I found it strange that they could just waltz in like that, but considering the presence of the White Lotus Sword, it seemed right.
It would be different if the White Lotus Sword were a member of the enemy forces.
’Then what.’
Things are getting complicated.
I don’t think she would have done something like that though.
By the way, I heard that the enemy soldiers captured at the time were locked up in a torture chamber.
“Oh, right. That child from the Rain clan. Isn’t he impressive?”
“…yes?”
Child of Rain? I halted at the sudden words of the White Lotus Sword.
‘Ah,’
After thinking for a moment, I realized it right away.
‘Come to think of it, Pajeon was from the Rain family.’
But calling him a child is strange.
‘That’s an offbeat title.’
Of course, the White Lotus Sword wouldn’t know the true identity of the fallen spirit.
From my perspective, there was nothing I could say.
“Your energy is also remarkable. I think it was called a fighting dragon? I didn’t know much about it before, but after seeing it in person, I get it now. You really are surrounded by impressive kids.”
I wondered if something had happened during the few days I was out cold.
The White Lotus Sword’s attitude towards the traitor was peculiar.
“Yes… well…”
He is indeed impressive.
He even went so far as to become a half-rooster just to perfect his martial arts!
Even apart from martial prowess, he was truly a remarkable person in many ways.
“… So, you’re saying that this is the princess’s hideout.”
I interrupted the White Lotus Sword, unsure if he would continue his explanation, and asked the main point.
“Correct.”
He nodded slightly in response to my question.
He reacted casually, but internally it was a different story.
‘What a shitty situation.’
Just hearing those words made it clear that this was a pretty awful circumstance.
The hideout of the Ice Sovereign.
What does that imply?
‘They say the Ice Sovereign has already been ousted from the palace.’
Originally a safe haven, the Ice Palace.
Being pushed out of there and now stuck in a cave like this means that the enemy forces had seized the main palace.
‘If what the White Lotus Sword said is true, then if I had headed straight to the Ice Palace, I would have seriously messed up.’
My expectations were right.
The feeling that the Ice Palace might not be a safe place gave weight to my unease.
That meant things had turned out awfully wrong.
It’s a good thing the Ice Sovereign is here, and that we met her before the scheduled time.
Though the thought that the situation couldn’t get any worse was not a comforting notion.
‘This is way worse than I anticipated.’
I felt like I wanted to escape.
No, I should have bolted a long time ago.
Even if it was because of Namgung Bi-ah.
“Senior.”
“Uh-huh.”
“So, what are you doing here, senior?”
There were still plenty of questions I hadn’t gotten answers to.
“…”
The White Lotus Sword, the Shaman Ghost Sword.
I didn’t know how deep the connections ran with Namgung Bi-ah and Woo-hyuk.
None of them needed to get involved in this situation.
If a bloodbath had broken out, it would have been better to just escape without getting entangled.
What on earth are they doing here?
“…”
Once again, the White Lotus Sword didn’t answer my question.
I’m getting annoyed.
Finally, I was about to let my irritation show when—
“Line…”
“I owe a debt of gratitude.”
At that moment, the White Lotus Sword spoke up.
Gratitude?
“It’s a favor I owe from long ago, and I haven’t fully repaid it yet. That’s why.”
“…”
Gratitude. If it was a favor owed, I didn’t have much to argue there.
But still…
‘What does this have to do with Namgung Bi-ah?’
That kid has no reason to be involved in this.
I wanted to unleash this thought on the White Lotus Sword but managed to hold it back.
It might not entirely be the White Lotus Sword’s fault.
If Namgung Bi-ah got involved, there had to be a valid reason for it.
So I held back.
Now was the time to assess the situation.
Suppressing my weary body and emotions, I walked on.
Before I knew it, the White Lotus Sword and I had arrived in front of a giant door.
How can such a massive door exist inside a cave like this?
I stared at the door with curiosity in mind.
Swish.
The figure by the door glanced at us and began to move.
“Such a sorrowful spirit.”
“Hello.”
The White Lotus Sword greeted him in return.
‘Aeryeong?’
Is that what they call the White Lotus Sword?
‘Why does everyone here use such odd names?’
Whether it’s a white fox or a red wolf, all the titles were bizarre.
It seems unique to the North Sea.
As I contemplated this, the White Lotus Sword addressed the man.
“Is the princess awake?”
“Indeed.”
The man nodded in reply to the White Lotus Sword’s inquiry.
I had to swallow my surprise as I looked at him.
‘He’s strong.’
Even if he hadn’t reached the ultimate state, he exuded presence.
Judging from how hard it was to fully grasp him, I could tell this was no ordinary situation.
As I focused on the man, his gaze turned toward me.
He had a strong, striking presence, accentuated by a tidy beard.
“I see.”
“Huh?”
“Are you the famous Red Feather?”
That strange title was something I hadn’t heard in a long time.
“…”
“It’s somewhat different from what I’ve heard.”
He appeared slightly disappointed when he looked at me.
What was going on?
What kind of rumors were spreading that resulted in everyone knowing that ridiculous name?
I wanted to grab him and quiz him on how the rumors circulated but—
“I am the Grand General of the Palace. The Black Lion, Mukcheong.”
The man abruptly grabbed the doorknob and addressed me, leaving no room for questions.
“By the command of the princess, I grant permission for your entry.”
Greeeek—!
The heavy iron door began to creak open slowly.
Whoooosh—!
“…!”
An overwhelming wave of cold air surged out through the narrow crack in the door.
It was a chill that dwarfed the cold I felt upon arriving at the North Sea.
‘What the…?’
It was frigid.
Even though I was shielded by warmth, it still felt like I might freeze from just the air.
Whoooom—!
The energy reacted chaotically.
Heat seemed to surround me in rebellion against the intense cold.
Peering inside, I pondered.
‘A princess is in there?’
Who on earth were they planning to freeze to death?
How could there even be people in a place like this?
When I couldn’t step in and only questions flooded my mind—
“Come in.”
“…!”
A voice resonated directly in my head.
It was a sound clearly coming from in front of the door.
There was someone inside.
Realizing that, I found myself stepping forward as if entranced.
“Wait a moment…!”
The White Lotus Sword seemed to have something more to say, but I had already stepped inside.
I couldn’t explain why there was a compulsion to proceed.
Whoooosh—!
The icy wind grazed my cheek.
Despite the defensive warmth, it was still cold.
Just as I stepped fully into the room—
Thud—!
The door swung shut behind me, sealing me in completely.
“Where am I?”
I opened my eyes wide to survey my surroundings.
The interior of the cave wasn’t just cold; it felt frozen solid.
The fierce cold swept in like a blade, sharp enough to slice.
‘What a rough place this is.’
Despite having mastered the art of chemistry, enduring this level of cold for an extended period was tough.
What on earth was this space?
As I scanned the surroundings with growing questions—
Nice to meet you.
I heard the same voice as before.
Instinctively, I turned my head in the direction from which the voice came.
Then—
“…!”
I had to widen my eyes at the sight before me.
Let me apologize first.
I couldn’t help it.
I am sorry to meet you in such a shabby state despite being a precious guest.
In the heart of the space, someone was seated.
But how could I have missed that?
‘What in the world is that?’
The figure sitting looked eerily similar to the surrounding cave.
With pure white hair, half of their body resembled solid ice.
Only then did I understand.
This piercing cold within the cave?
Now I grasped that it wasn’t just the chill of the cave.
‘All of this…’
It wasn’t the cave, but coldness emanating from that person.
A tremendous frigid aura was pouring out from the being, filling the space around.
And something about it…
I felt a peculiar disturbance emanating from that presence.
For reasons unknown, it irritated me.
This discomfort.
It eerily mirrored the slight unease I felt when I first arrived in the North Sea.
Even when standing still, it felt aggravating and suffocating.
I sensed this was also present in that entity.
As I grimaced at the mysterious aura, the figure continued to speak.
Originally, I had planned to have our conversation outside the door, but…
The figure continued addressing me.
…When I saw you, my overwhelming curiosity took over, resulting in this rudeness.
Whooom—!
The presence intensified.
The longer I gazed at the figure, the more intense emotions surged within me.
It wasn’t friendly.
I felt hostility towards that entity.
Why am I suddenly feeling like this?
Thud thud—!
I pressed a hand against my racing heart, attempting to calm myself.
Before we converse, I have a question for you.
The figure gradually lifted its gaze, locking eyes with me.
“Huh.”
As soon as our gazes met, my body felt rigid and stiff.
You..
The figure had scales peeking through its cheeks.
Little by little, flakes of ice tumbled away from beneath its skin.
And furthermore.
Its pupils split vertically, almost identical to those of a reptile.
Okay…
This was just like—
What is your relationship with the Supreme Being of the Central Plains?
It resembled the moment the Dark King revealed his curse in front of me.
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