Chapter: 620
The time that was once night has turned into day.
This signifies that a day has passed.
The journey back to the hideout didn’t take long at all.
Since all the issues with my body have resolved, I was able to move much faster.
Now, the question is.
‘They called it a hideout, but it’s way too visible!’
It was alarmingly easy to locate the cave entrance.
Yuri mentioned that it would be hard to find because of some sorcery or other mystical stuff.
It was the same during my last escape.
I had also figured out the aftereffects of the formation.
It definitely seemed like something had changed within me.
“Stop…!!”
The guards standing in front of me became urgently alert as they spotted me.
Fortunately, Yuri was with me, allowing us to enter without any major issues.
“You…!”
As I returned to the hideout, White Lotus Sword hurried over to check on me.
She seemed like she wanted to say something, but she froze in surprise upon seeing Namgung Bi-ah in my arms.
“…Ah…”
A multitude of emotions flickered in her eyes.
I knew it.
I knew that seeing Namgung Bi-ah would unsettle White Lotus Sword.
Since White Lotus Sword wasn’t a particularly cruel person, she must have mixed feelings towards Namgung Bi-ah, who had willingly played the bait.
“Please take her and check her condition. And.”
It really wasn’t the time to assess all that.
I quickly handed Namgung Bi-ah, who I was carrying, over to White Lotus Sword.
I spoke seriously to her.
“I’ll go meet the princess first.”
I had some questions for her.
“Go back.”
There stood an iron gate where the princess was expected to be.
Upon my arrival, the figure blocking my path said this.
I think he was called the Black Lion.
He was mentioned as one of the great generals of the North Sea.
With a grand stance, he spoke to me.
“You cannot meet the princess.”
The tip of his sword was laden with wariness.
I understood the reason.
‘Well, I did create quite the mess when I left.’
Since I had made a commotion in front of the princess, threatening to smack her around.
It was only natural for him to be that on guard.
Which means.
I’m regarded as a troublesome issue.
I raised both hands, putting on my most amicable expression.
“I think I made a bit of a mistake earlier.”
“…Based on your expression, you surely have some schemes in mind for the princess. You shall never pass through here.”
That bastard…?
It seems my typically friendly charm wasn’t working this time.
“Ha…”
I sighed, lowering my hands.
It was to be expected.
The princess’s condition had worsened.
Here I was, in a situation where she had taken refuge.
It was reasonable for him to show such vigilance since I had threatened the princess.
It seemed that words wouldn’t suffice, but what could I do about it?
“Step aside.”
I relaxed my expression and addressed the Black Lion.
“I won’t do anything. I just need to ask a few questions and I’ll be on my way.”
“Do you think that will work?”
“It won’t. Naturally, it won’t.”
I flicked my fingers, assessing the distance.
“I’m in a position where I need to do this now, even if it can’t be done.”
Things were different now.
I had certain things I absolutely had to know.
The person who would know them was the princess.
I had to meet her by any means necessary.
The Black Lion, seeing the determination in my eyes, firmly maintained his stance.
“The reason you could make it this far is that I treated you as a guest. But.”
Hoo-!
A surge of energy enveloped his blade.
It was potent.
Wooosh…
I felt the surrounding air being compressed and twisted.
The overwhelming aura emitted by a master warrior could certainly distort the air.
This signified that he was no ordinary man.
“I cannot allow you to threaten the princess. She is currently in deep, peaceful slumber.”
“Ha ha.”
I couldn’t help but burst into laughter at that.
“In this current state, do you honestly think she’s sleeping comfortably?”
“Do not speak carelessly!”
Kaboom-!
The sound of his sword rattled with energy.
The momentum was really intimidating.
“If you slip up concerning the princess one more time, I’ll strike you down.”
“Well, that’s a little intimidating, isn’t it?”
Threats like ‘I’ll strike you down’—how traumatic!
“If it were any other day, I’d just say I’d return later and leave it at that. But right now, I’m in a serious hurry. Could you just wake her and let her get some sleep later?”
“You genuinely… intend to shed blood.”
“No, why would I want to shed blood when simply asking would suffice…?”
Zszzzzz-!
The Black Lion’s stance shifted roughly.
Seeing this, I inwardly clicked my tongue.
“Your Majesty.”
Swish-! Clash-!
“…!”
I activated the demon on my left arm to bind his movements.
Grind-!!
A struggle ensued between the Black Lion trying to overpower my stance and me attempting to resist.
Thud-!!!
The opponent was a warrior of tremendous skill, already at a masterful level.
Moreover, with the use of his stance, he was likely developed in external martial arts.
Trying to withstand such force made my muscles seethe with anger.
But still, I wouldn’t back down.
The Black Lion’s eyes widened at my resistance.
Boom-! Clash-!
Force collided, sending vibrations that began to disrupt the surroundings.
Dust fell from the rattling ceiling.
“This scoundrel…!”
“Do you truly wish to break everything and return? That wouldn’t lead to a favorable conclusion, would it?”
“I am the princess’s warrior. I cannot allow anyone to endanger her.”
“Well…”
It felt like he had the right mindset as an escort.
His unwavering resolve was palpable.
Given this, there was only one way forward.
“Then, I suppose I’ll have to knock you out and leave.”
Hoo-!
I drew upon my energy, rotating the Gu Flame Wheel Technique to heat my body.
Manipulating it into a fireball within my palm.
I held a dazzling ember that could burst at any moment.
The Black Lion, noticing my condition, braced himself, preparing his utmost strength.
An immediate showdown was imminent.
Just as we were about to engage in battle.
[Stop.]
“…!”
At the sound of a voice resonating from behind the door, the Black Lion immediately withdrew his strength.
It was the princess’s voice.
[Black Lion. Open the door.]
“Your Majesty…!”
[It is a command.]
“…”
For a fleeting moment, a look of displeasure crossed his face.
The Black Lion hissed no further.
He simply sheathed his sword and grasped the doorknob.
“I shall obey your command.”
Click-!
The door opened.
As I confirmed this, I too regained my energy.
Hwaaaaaak-! The frigid chill I felt earlier swept through.
[Come in.]
The princess’s words barely left her lips when I stepped forward.
“Please have courtesy for the princess this time.”
The Black Lion’s fierce farewell was as if I hadn’t heard it at all as I stepped inside.
It was still a cold and unwelcoming space.
A place where the princess merely awaited me.
The only difference was.
It was my perception of her.
[It’s nice to see you again so soon.]
“That’s right. I had no idea I would see you like this again.”
I arrived before her, making small talk.
She looked exactly how she did before.
Half of her body was still encased in ice.
Frost radiated from her and engulfed the surroundings.
And.
A similar aura to that guy!
I sensed an energy strikingly reminiscent of the guy named Yooseon, whom I had just encountered.
Although the discomfort and hostility I felt were much subdued compared to before.
[Indeed. What business do you have that you woke me from my deep slumber?]
“Were you really asleep?”
[Very deeply. I was enjoying a wonderful sleep.]
The princess smiled warmly, saying this.
Of course, I didn’t buy it.
[What matter do you have for me that you staged such a performance?]
“Hmmm.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle at the princess’s words.
Looks like I was caught red-handed.
The confrontation with the Black Lion.
The intention was to act boldly to prompt the princess to show up on her own.
She appeared to grasp it all too quickly.
No worries there.
Nevertheless, my goal had already been accomplished.
I glanced directly at the princess and stated.
“I just met your son or daughter.”
[…]
“He goes by ‘Yooseon.’ I believe he’s the one behind this.”
The name could be a false identity. Yuri mentioned it was her sister’s name.
But what I saw was undoubtedly a male.
Of course.
There could even be a chance that the very identity was forged.
The princess peered at me as I threw the topic into the air.
Her pupils were still split vertically.
[Yooseon, huh…?]
She uttered slowly, processing the information.
[Is that so?]
I divulged the identity of the traitor’s offspring.
Yet, her reaction remained rather muted.
[That child?]
“…Is that the extent of your reaction?”
[If you came all the way here merely to share that, thanks for the short notice. I regret putting you through a long trek.]
I couldn’t help but furrow my brow at her strange demeanor.
I had my own purpose.
“No, I came because I have some questions.”
[Please, go ahead. I will listen earnestly.]
“Your Highness.”
I took a deep breath and addressed her.
“Do you know about dragons?”
[Hmmm.]
Upon hearing my inquiry, the princess fell silent for a beat.
[Indeed, I know.]
Surprisingly, her response was affirmative.
I expected her to feign ignorance, though.
“…You know…?”
[Yes, even now…]
The princess’s split pupils fixated upon me.
[They are not right in front of me.]
“…!”
I widened my eyes upon hearing that.
This person…
‘Did you know all along?’
It seemed she was aware of my identity from the very start.
How could she have known?
Such thoughts didn’t surface.
The Dark King caught on.
As if Yoo-seon recognized me.
The princess could have easily done so as well.
However.
“Are you saying you allowed me in, knowing full well?”
[What reason would I have to deny entry to a treasured guest who arrived at this place?]
I mulled over the princess’s reply.
How far… How far should I go with my questions?
How much does she truly know?
How much can I inquire?
Those thoughts ricocheted in my mind.
It didn’t take long to come to a resolution.
“Your child was also a dragon.”
To this revelation, she exhibited no surprise.
[Then. So Bingjeong finally chose that child…]
Instead, she merely closed her eyes, appearing contemplative.
Observing her, I continued.
“And they referred to me as a pureblood.”
Upon communicating this.
[What…?]
Strangely enough, this time, her reaction was anything but normal.
“I came to inquire about your child. About why I was referred to as a pureblood.”
[…]
At that, the princess’s eyes widened like lanterns at the mention.
When I previously spoke of her child, she seemed unfazed, but this was a different sensation—she could hardly contain her astonishment.
What was the reason behind that?
What made this so distinctly different?
[Pureblood? That child regarded you as a pureblood?]
“Indeed.”
Not to mention, they even tried to kill me by tearing off my arm.
I didn’t elaborate on that.
“What on earth does that mean?”
[…Heh…!]
A hollow laugh escaped the princess.
[Is that so…?]
Then she nodded knowingly.
[Could it be that the time has finally come?]
After that, she dropped some cryptic phrases.
Brzzzzhh-!
“…!”
Suddenly, the ice enveloping the princess began to shatter.
The ice that fragmented into minute pieces was a sight to behold as it broke apart.
Swish.
The princess rose slowly from it.
I had to contain my shock while witnessing it.
She was massive.
The princess towered over my expectations.
‘She’s practically as tall as my father?’
I hadn’t noticed it while seated, but now that she stood, it was evident she had a significant presence.
Thud.
The princess shook off pieces of ice clinging to her body and looked at me.
“Would you please accompany me for a moment?”
The voice that had echoed previously returned to a normal cadence.
It was a pleasant tone that felt both heavy yet light to the ears.
“Are you saying this out of the blue? We haven’t finished our conversation yet.”
“I shall provide an answer regarding that. Please, follow me.”
“…”
“I ask this as a favor.”
I frowned, glancing at her, but she simply held a serious expression, gazing back at me.
Why is she asking me to follow her again before we’ve wrapped up our discussion?
I felt annoyance rise due to the urgency of the situation, but since she promised an answer, I exhaled and responded.
“…Where do I need to go?”
“Thank you for your understanding.”
The princess smiled slightly in response and then turned, leading the way.
I followed her as we walked.
It didn’t take long for us to proceed.
We didn’t even exit the space; we merely walked a bit further in the reverse direction of the entrance I initially came from.
As we reached the wall.
I noticed something present against the wall opposite the entrance.
‘A door?’
It was a door.
There was a door built into the wall leading to another location.
It wasn’t a particularly large door.
Considering the princess’s stature, it was quite a tiny door.
In some respects, it felt like it would fit someone of my relatively shorter stature just perfectly.
“What’s this…?”
“Open the door.”
I was about to question where the door led when it was suggested by the princess.
Why wouldn’t she simply open it herself and have me stand by?
‘Is there some kind of trap set up?’
A flicker of suspicion crossed my mind.
“If you’re in doubt, I’ll place a gold seal on myself.”
“…”
Noticing my skepticism, the princess played her trump card.
If it were a standard situation, I’d have accepted it gladly and donned the seal.
But for some reason, my hand reflexively reached out first.
It was instinct; it felt like it had been happening since I first laid eyes on that door.
Instinct urged me.
“Grab the door now.”
Thus, I placed my hand against the frozen doorknob.
The moment I did.
Slisshh—!!
Even if my fingertips merely brushed against it lightly.
A colossal crack radiated from the door’s center.
As I began to feel flustered from the sudden occurrence.
Whaaaaaak—!
The icy breath that had lingered near the door surged forth with vigor.
Squeak…
Without even opening it myself, the door began to creak ajar on its own.
‘What’s happening?’
What on earth was going on? I stared at the door in sheer astonishment.
“…It appears to be true.”
The princess’s eyes widened at this revelation.
“What you said is true.”
“…What do you mean?”
“This door can only be opened by purebloods.”
“Is that so?”
“It has been established as such for ages. It’s only now that it is validated as true.”
I gazed at the door, trying to absorb that information.
Since I hadn’t witnessed the princess take action, I couldn’t definitively discern if this was a lie.
Why would they design it to allow only purebloods to enter?
‘Who’s the mastermind behind this?’
Questions swirled in my mind.
Who on earth could have orchestrated this in the North Sea?
Just as I was about to ask the princess.
Tap.
The princess lowered her head and turned toward the entrance.
Was that a gesture to follow her?
I trailed behind her once more.
The ambiance felt entirely distinct from before.
The passage was brief. It was no more than ten paces, and we could traverse through easily.
Upon exiting the corridor.
“…Huh?”
I gasped, momentarily breathless at the scene that unfolded before me.
A realm engulfed in every kind of freezing air.
A colossal circular figure floated within that icy expanse.
At first glance, it appeared like ice.
What an intricately carved ice circle!
This was a shape that could not exist without having been crafted artificially.
Given its sheer size, it was impossible for a mere human to have composed it.
What on earth is that?
‘What in the world is that thing?’
Boom-! Boom-! Boom-!
Even simply gazing at it made my heart race uncontrollably.
Whoosh.
Whoosh.
I struggled to steady my increasingly erratic breathing, yet my regard was so thoroughly captured.
What was that?
What was there that caused me such excitement?
Step, step.
My legs began moving of their own accord.
As if gravitating closer to that enigma against my will.
At that moment.
“This is what we refer to as Bingjeong (氷精).”
The words from the princess forcibly halted my advance.
“Ice spirit? You mean that’s an ice spirit?”
“Part of it resides in the basement of the Ice Palace, yet this too is Bingjeong.”
“…Is there another like this?”
“It’s something the descendants have been safeguarding through generations. However…”
The princess’s attention shifted toward Bingjeong.
“I too have never laid eyes on it before, yet I believe that what stands before us is the original.”
Original, huh?
Does that mean this in front of me is the genuine Bingjeong?
If that’s the case.
“Why are you showing me this?”
What could possibly be the reason for revealing such a thing to me?
It was blatantly evident that this was something outsiders shouldn’t witness.
Maybe… Are they intending to do away with me here? That thought nagged at me.
“Just as I mentioned earlier, this space can only be accessed by purebloods. Such has been the established order.”
The princess elaborated.
That meant.
“You brought me here because I’m a pureblood?”
“Indeed.”
“Is that the sole reason…?”
“Do you believe this is any simple matter, Young Master? Far from it.”
The princess’s serious gaze remained fixated on Bingjeong as she continued.
“For centuries, the bloodline of the Ice Palace has endured, taking root in the North Sea while burdened by the legacy passed down to us. Today marks the day we confront that heritage.”
The princess, who had been staring intensely at the iceberg, redirected her gaze towards me.
“After the passage of many years, when a pure-blooded being emerges in the North Sea, it is imperative to confront them and bring them here.”
Yes.
A gentle tremor echoed from within the ice.
“It has been the duty of our bloodline to maintain and protect Bingjeong until then.”
For centuries, both the palace and this realm have been protected by someone patiently awaiting a visitor.
That was the burden of their bloodline.
Hearing what the princess said, I couldn’t help but scowl.
“…What is this? It’s not a prophecy. You lived your lives waiting for an unknown entity to arrive? Does that even make sense?”
“That is exactly why it’s referred to as a karmic burden and a curse. Isn’t that a dreadful fate?”
Though the princess stated this with a smile, there was a veiled darkness woven into that very smile.
“Yet, I truly never anticipated someone like Prince Gu to appear.”
“How can you so confidently assert that I’m that person? There’s always a chance I’m not—”
“That’s irrelevant now.”
The princess interrupted me.
“If I weren’t, that door wouldn’t have opened either.”
“…”
What she urged me to do earlier was merely a test.
“…What are your intentions? What do you desire from me?”
Why on earth were they wishing for the emergence of a pureblood?
What did they hope to achieve in reaching Bingjeong?
I found no understanding in any of it.
I posed those feelings toward the princess.
“History has designated it as ‘an egg’ in the past regarding that.”
At this, I turned my attention towards Bingjeong.
An egg, huh?
‘Does that massive thing really resemble an egg?’
Its sheer size and freezing nature rendered it unrecognizable as an egg.
If it could be described as an egg, then what resided within it to warrant its enormity?
The mere thought of something being born from such a place was enough to churn my stomach.
“I said that metaphorically.”
The princess drew closer to my side.
“There were different words inscribed as well.”
As she expressed this calmly, she continued.
“It is the heart of the Dragon Emperor.”
“…!”
I swiftly turned and confronted the princess again.
“Bingjeong is the heart of the dragon.”
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