Chapter: 974
How much time has passed since the banquet began?
A considerable amount of time had passed, but the conversation had not progressed much compared to the time that had passed.
This is because most people remained silent or spoke very rarely.
There were many things I wanted to say, but the reason I couldn’t is.
It could be because of each person’s fighting spirit.
In the end, it was also the fault of the host of this banquet.
Grrr…
The ruler of the Night Moon, Yusa, was exerting her full force and putting pressure on the surrounding area.
Although it wasn’t her intention to intimidate, Yusa sat with her legs up on the table, eyes fierce.
Grr!
The space distorted under the pressure. Meanwhile, Yusa didn’t seem to notice anything and was just chewing her nails with her teeth.
Yusa, who had been quietly emitting energy like that for a long time, finally opened her mouth with a fierce glare, as if she had finished contemplating something.
“Baeksaek.”
“…!”
The White Chief flinched at Yusa’s call.
“Yes….”
In a tense tone, I answered, and Yusa’s gaze snapped toward me.
Those pupils, fiercely torn. The violent momentum contained within them.
Inside, a dark monster’s shadow cloaked me—despite my innocent exterior.
Gulp.
If I made a mistake, I might just get eaten. That sense of crisis gripped my entire body.
“You said you met him?”
Who is this “him”? I didn’t hesitate when I heard the question.
Because I knew very well why this gathering was happening.
“… Yes.”
The being the general was asking about was definitely that guy.
Not only did he appear and ambush the first time, but he also made a mess of the blue guy, right?
‘I didn’t quite understand it though.’
I heard he nearly died with a hole in his chest.
Even my son, who was supposed to be the next in line for the throne, had one of his eyes devastated.
It was truly a dire situation.
‘What a sight! But I’m not feeling great about this.’
I wasn’t upset about Blue’s unfortunate state—if anything, I was glad.
The problem was that he was one of the leaders of the Night Moon.
That’s what made it troublesome.
“So, what did he look like?”
This had to be why Yusa, the ruler of the Night Moon who had been almost invisible for decades, chose this moment to make herself known.
Knowing this well, I didn’t change the subject.
“… He had black hair. His hair was long, past his waist. He wore a mask, so I couldn’t really tell — ended up concluding he was from the Wolya Tribe.”
The memory was still vivid.
Those footsteps that appeared just as the sunset began to fade.
Unknown purple eyes that gazed at me, creating darkness.
Even the force that swiftly attacked.
‘What’s his deal?’
What is this identity?
After that, I tried my best to pin him down, but he was as elusive as a ghost.
Imagine my surprise when I learned he invaded that blue guy’s home last night!
And more so,
‘They said that the general was also there.’
You just strolled through and had a chat?
When I asked Cheong through a messenger what had happened, there was silence—no reply.
Back then, I thought maybe he just didn’t feel like telling me since we weren’t the best of friends.
‘But looking at it now…’
It seems that wasn’t the issue at all.
Blue wasn’t just tight-lipped.
‘Could it be something he couldn’t say?’
What if there was something he couldn’t even dare to share?
Or what if the reason for his silence was because he’d face serious consequences if he did?
‘… There must be a good reason for that.’
I turned my gaze towards Yusa.
That time when Blue and the General confronted that guy—if that guy maneuvered his way out without any issue.
This implies that:
‘It means the general couldn’t stop him.’
Doesn’t that mean he possesses strength enough to thwart even a general?
Perhaps that’s why Blue kept his mouth shut.
The moment that thought crossed my mind…
“Baeksaek.”
A chilling aura enveloped me entirely.
“…Gah!!!”
Thud!
I was swept up in the pressure and slammed right against the table.
Before I knew it, Yusa had approached and grabbed my neck, pinning me down.
“What were those eyes just now?”
Like a snake licking its prey, the eerie sound slithered into my ear.
“What’s with that disgusting glare? What kind of rude thoughts were you having to look at me like that?”
“Just, General… Ah, no…! I-I was just…!”
“Really not?”
Yusa pressed on, eyes narrowing with suspicion.
“No…!! I mean it…!”
I pleaded desperately.
Yusa watched silently before finally releasing my throat and straightening up.
“I told you earlier. I’m a bit sensitive right now.”
“Yes… Yes, I heard.”
“Then don’t look at me like that. I almost had to send you to the next world.”
Her tone was light, but the warning was apparent.
I trembled, still jittery from that just-missed death experience.
“Keep talking. What did he do to you?”
“…”
I explained the situation of that encounter once again.
And still, questions brewed in my mind.
Surely the general had seen that guy too.
Then why was she asking about his appearance?
Questions popped into my head, but I didn’t have the courage to speak them out loud—so I kept my lips sealed.
“… Yeah… I was taken down in an instant….”
Yusa received the details without a word, simply moving away from the table.
Ugh…
As I painfully raised myself, I heard a sudden chuckle.
Heh heh.
Startled, I steeled myself, turning to find the source.
A red-haired member of the Yawol Tribe. The head of the red clan was laughing at me.
“…This damn witch!”
“Oh, I’m so sorry. I laughed without even noticing.”
She feigned covering her mouth, but the smile was still there, unhidden.
“But isn’t it funny? Not only did you get jumped by some weirdo, but you lost all pride along the way.”
“This…!”
“Do both of you shut it before I tear you apart.”
“…”
“…”
In response to Yusa’s threat, I bit my lip while Red gestured to cover her mouth without sound.
Yusa frowned at the sight but decided to let it go.
Then she addressed the quiet head of the Black Clan.
“Heuksaek.”
“Yes, General.”
He bowed deeply.
“How do you assess the current situation?”
“…”
Suddenly, the question turned my way.
Not wanting to show my surprise, I simply responded, “I see this as a dangerous situation.”
“A dangerous situation? Be more intuitive. How so?”
With curious amusement, Yusa pressed, and Heuksaek continued, as if he had been waiting for this moment.
“The emergence of someone opposing the nobility isn’t a trivial concern. The fact that they possess adequate power only heightens the issue.”
He took in a breath and paused.
Then, he summarized before adding more.
“That’s why our structure is trembling, and that’s the biggest problem.”
The nobles were affected. Just that realization damaged the established hierarchy.
Those within the castle felt anxious. If this saga persisted, the nobility’s reputation would surely suffer.
Even more concerning:
“This is compounded by the belief that tonight’s raid won’t be the last.”
White and Blue.
Both had been ambushed by that unknown presence, and the aftermath was catastrophic.
“The leader was defeated.”
Heuksaek’s voice was resolute.
And while I shot a glare at that declaration, nothing changed.
“Blue is clinging to life, and White can only stoke anger. That’s the reality.”
“You—!”
“Even if we disregard the leader’s defeat, the fact that he is of the Wolya Tribe could pose a problem.”
“What problem? Like what?”
Yusa leaned forward, unfazed by my anger.
Ignoring me, Heuksaek answered, “The weakness of the leader will soon become problematic for the infrastructure created by the General.”
“…”
“And this problem may easily become the General’s own dilemma.”
Yusa’s expression twisted at that insinuation.
How dare he reference the Night Moon and pull her into it too!
I wondered if he would provoke her further. Everyone around felt the tension rise.
“Ha ha ha.”
Instead of exploding in fury, Yusa burst into laughter.
Yet,
“It’s my problem. It certainly is.”
That laughter didn’t seem just about joy.
Everyone in the room understood.
“The more you weaklings act incompetently, the funnier I look at you.”
Grrr…
The hostility wrapped within the laughter resonated heavily.
The pressure radiating was beyond anything we’d experienced before.
“So, what should I do? From where you stand, what’s your recommendation on my next move?”
“…”
Heuksaek was sweating cold now.
Carefully keeping my hands steady, I replied to Yusa, “We need to catch and eliminate that bastard before it’s too late.”
I caught a glimpse of my reflection in his dilated pupils.
Confirming this, Heuksaek replied, “Eliminate?”
“Yes.”
Right in front of everyone.
Purge the one who bares his fangs at the nobility.
It would be a chance to reclaim the honor and standing that was slipping away.
“That’s only doable if we catch him, which is rich considering we haven’t even found a trace so far.”
We still hadn’t uncovered any evidence of the assailant.
The idea of catching him was laughable.
“…It’s true we’re still searching but rest assured you don’t need to worry about that yet.”
“Hmm?”
Yusa tilted her head in confusion. What did he mean by “no need to worry”?
Letting him speak, I remained still.
“…While I can’t exactly say what his goal is, observing his attacks on the chiefs leads me to believe he has some intention related to the fall of the nobility.”
“So?”
“If his altercations with the blue are not yet final, there’s a high likelihood he’ll target another chief soon.”
As he spoke, Heuksaek’s eyes shifted towards a woman.
“Hmm?”
The woman caught in his gaze widened her eyes in surprise.
“Me? Why are you looking at me?”
“…I think it would be easy to use the next target to his advantage. That’s my conclusion.”
With that, leaving behind the flabbergasted Red, Yusa’s penetrating gaze lingered on her.
*
Right after the banquet ended.
Heuksaek headed straight to his mansion.
He moved through the pitch-black space along a path lit by not a single light.
Was it the dimness of the surroundings, or was it the darkness of his own expression?
The atmosphere felt acutely heavy.
“Greetings, Chief.”
“Your Grace…”
Ignoring the servants’ greetings, Heuksaek proceeded, reaching his room.
He opened the door and stepped inside.
Once inside, he spotted someone in the room.
Someone stood there, arms crossed behind their back, quietly staring out the window.
He frowned upon seeing them.
“So you’re here.”
The one that stood there slowly turned their head.
A figure in a white mask, long sharp black hair flowing elegantly.
[You arrived. You finished later than expected.]
Gu Yang… no.
He was the Heavenly Demon.
My site has received a lot of DMCA notices, lol. From now on, I will update the MTL on https://darkmtl.com/.
The site is fast and lightweight because there are no ads yet. However, the theme is different from Cybor-TL, so take some time to familiarize yourself.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.