Chapter 49 - Episode 8. The Last Romance (5)
Chapter 49: Episode 8. The Last Romance (5)
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The training grounds of Gorgon Inner Keep.
After finishing their long account before the two Hall Masters, Jaehwan, and Cheongheo, the Hall Master of Thunder God Hall lowered his head with a shamefaced expression.
“...And that is how I came to be here.”
A heavy silence settled over the gathering once the Thunder God Hall Master finished. Not once in the past thousand years had a Fortress fallen so helplessly.
“An unbelievable story.”
“Has Geumcheon Hall really grown that much in just a few years? Enough to control all of Manticore?”
The Hall Master of Fire King Hall and the Hall Master of South Sea Hall each added a word.
Jaehwan, who had kept silent until then, also spoke.
“Who exactly are Geumcheon Hall?”
“They hold the tenth seat among the Ten Halls of Chaos. You could say they are the weakest of them.”
Kang Hwang, Hall Master of Fire King Hall, answered.
“That is why it makes no sense. A faction like that took down an entire Fortress. To be honest, I still cannot believe what that bastard said.”
“I think the Thunder God Hall Master’s story is true.”
Kang Hwang looked uneasily at Cheongheo, who had suddenly cut in.
“How do you know that, Divine Doctor?”
“Geumcheon Hall had its sights set on Gorgon as well.”
Something seemed to occur to Kang Hwang, and his face changed at once.
“Are you saying the disturbance in the Inner Fortress a week ago was Geumcheon Hall’s doing?”
It had not even been a week since Maihan, Geumcheon Hall’s chief elder, had been stopped in his scheme and the Fortress Lord had been replaced.
If Jaehwan had not stopped them that day, Gorgon would have fallen into Geumcheon Hall’s hands as well.
Cayman, Hall Master of South Sea Hall, added, “I agree. I just received word that contact with South Sea Hall’s branch in Manticore has been cut off.”
“Hah... But how did Geumcheon Hall obtain such overwhelming power?”
The Thunder God Hall Master, who had listened in silence, spoke.
“I do not know who is backing them, but it is certain that there is a force supporting them.”
If someone could support a group on the level of the Ten Halls of Chaos, there was only one possible answer.
As if driving a nail into that conclusion, the Thunder God Hall Master continued.
“I believe it is one of the Lords of the twelve zones.”
“That cannot be. The Lords agreed not to involve themselves in Chaos any longer!”
“But who besides the Lords could support a force on the level of the Ten Halls of Chaos?”
“I heard the entire Great Realm is at war right now. It is not impossible that someone would take advantage of the chaos to meddle in the affairs of 《Chaos》.”
“Why not contact the 《Palace of Rebirth》?”
At Kang Hwang’s suggestion, Cayman frowned.
“You are telling us to ask those bastards at the 《Palace of Rebirth》 for help?”
The 《Palace of Rebirth》.
It was the resurrection site of the Lords and the Five Great Families, and the organization that managed every 「Fruit」 in 《Chaos》.
Since it fell under the jurisdiction of the Lords and the Five Great Families, the people who managed it were members of those groups as well. Kang Hwang spoke again.
“If one of the twelve zones has intervened, then they have broken the accord, have they not?”
Nine hundred years ago, the Lords of the 《Palace of Rebirth》, who had stolen the Fruit from the 「Abyss Expedition」, made a treaty with 《Chaos》 in exchange for taking the Fruit.
The treaty stated that the Lords and the Five Great Families of the 《Great Realm》 would never interfere in the affairs of 《Chaos》 again.
It was known in the 《Great Realm》 as the 295th Grand Lord Accord.
“They have certainly broken the accord, but...”
“We must demand answers from them!”
“We only suspect it for now. Contacting them without clear evidence would be a problem, and more than anything...”
Cayman ground his teeth and shouted.
“I do not like the idea of asking those bastards for help.”
Kang Hwang clicked his tongue inwardly as he looked at Cayman’s burning eyes.
It made sense. A man like Cayman would rather die fighting than seek help from the 《Palace of Rebirth》.
“And what if the bastards at the Palace of Rebirth are in on it too?”
“That...”
Kang Hwang fell silent, apparently not having considered that possibility. An anxious atmosphere began to spread through the training grounds.
Cheongheo asked Jaehwan, “This has become bigger than expected. What will you do now?”
“What?”
“Manticore has fallen, and three of the Ten Halls have been subjugated. If you continue with your plan...”
“There will be a war.”
War.
Cheongheo knew better than anyone the weight carried by those two syllables. It had already been nine hundred years since a battle large enough to be called a war had taken place in Chaos.
The war between the 「Abyss Expedition」 and the 《Palace of Rebirth》. The memory of that day, when countless souls of Chaos had been swept away by the remnants of the Lords and the Families.
“It does not matter. It is better this way. It saves us the trouble.”
“What?”
“They are enemies we have to fight anyway.”
The Thunder God Hall Master and the South Sea Hall Master looked startled.
“You mean...?”
“You intend to strike Manticore?”
Jaehwan shrugged instead of answering.
Cheongheo asked, sounding appalled, “Do you really intend to unite Chaos?”
“Yes.”
Cayman, who had been listening beside them, burst into laughter.
“Khahahahat! Fortress Lord, are you serious? You want to unite Chaos?”
“I am.”
Cayman’s laughter abruptly stopped. Cheongheo’s expression also hardened as he watched them.
He had vaguely suspected it after hearing Yulhen’s account, but he had not thought Jaehwan would truly harbor such an idea.
“It seems the Fortress Lord intends to step down from his position by uniting Chaos and eliminating all enemies. If there are no Fortresses, there will be no need for Fortress Lords either.”
Uniting Chaos was entirely different from subjugating the Four Great Fortresses and the Ten Halls.
That was because Chaos held an enemy stronger than all Four Great Fortresses and the Ten Halls combined.
The 《Palace of Rebirth》.
Cheongheo knew their terror better than anyone through what had happened nine hundred years ago.
“With your current strength, it is impossible.”
“You will not know until I try.”
At times, Cheongheo could not understand Jaehwan’s confidence.
He knew Jaehwan was strong.
Jaehwan was an Awakened One.
And an Awakened One was remarkable enough to show that kind of confidence. Even an incomplete Awakened One like Cheongheo would be treated as nobility in the 《Great Realm》. Jaehwan was far stronger than that.
“Brat, war is not so simple. No matter how strong you are, there are things you cannot do alone.”
Historians defined war in countless ways.
Some said war was morale. History held no shortage of cases where an army prevailed despite being outnumbered because of superior morale.
Others said war was tactics. The side that won countless small engagements ultimately claimed victory.
There were also those who said war was supply. In a prolonged conflict, supply lines would become the lifeline of the war.
Tactics and strategy. Schemes and betrayal. Deploying forces where they were needed and judging each situation correctly. War was the sum of all those things.
Whether Jaehwan knew that or not, he spoke.
“It does not matter.”
“What did you say?”
“That is why I have you, old man.”
Cheongheo’s aged eyes widened. It was not something he had expected to hear.
“As you said, old man, I have no experience and I have not lived long. But it does not matter. Because I have you.”
“W-When did I ever say I would join you, you bastard...!”
“Was that not the case?”
Cheongheo could not understand why that made something surge within him.
To feel this way because of a brat only sixty years old.
Cheongheo turned his head, hiding his expression.
Without another word, Jaehwan turned and looked at the three Hall Masters.
“And you.”
The Hall Masters took a step back at the same time as Jaehwan’s gaze fell on them.
They had caught a glimpse of something in his eyes.
Something brilliant they had forgotten during their long years in 《Chaos》.
“As you heard, I am not simply trying to gather the 「Abyss Expedition」. First, I will unite 《Chaos》 and destroy the 《Palace of Rebirth》, which stole the Fruit from you nine hundred years ago. The 「Abyss Expedition」 will set out after that. What I need are real Companions who can do all of that with me.”
Someone audibly swallowed.
“If you do not have the confidence to join me, you may leave. Forget everything that happened today. Return to your old lives.”
At that moment, all the Hall Masters had lowered their heads.
Not by choice.
The weight of the countless years they had lived. The weight of the lives they had turned away from. It pressed down upon their shoulders and heads.
The first to raise his head was Cayman, Hall Master of South Sea Hall.
“What will you do if none of us helps you?”
“Then I will do it alone.”
“Did you not just say it could not be done alone?”
“I.”
Jaehwan spoke in a cool voice.
“I came this far alone.”
Cayman’s eyes flashed.
He stared silently into the air, then laughed like someone who had lost his mind. Afterward, he said, “Good. I will stand with the Fortress Lord. Whether it is the Abyss or the Palace of Rebirth, I will follow you anywhere.”
“South Sea Hall Master!”
Kang Hwang shouted in alarm.
“I, Cayman, came here already prepared to give up my position as Hall Master of South Sea Hall. If the Fortress Lord had not said it first, I would have been disappointed instead.”
“I feel the same.”
Yoon Yong, Hall Master of Thunder God Hall, also spoke with a vassal’s salute.
“I, Yoon Yong, Hall Master of Thunder God Hall, have already decided to become the Fortress Lord’s loyal shadow.”
“I said I do not need that.”
“I am already one with the Fortress Lord!”
Soon, everyone’s eyes turned toward Kang Hwang.
“Er, ahem... I have not decided yet.”
In truth, Kang Hwang’s response was the sensible one.
What did he know about Jaehwan that would make him readily accept the offer? Especially when they were Hall Masters of entire factions.
“To be honest, I cannot be certain whether the Fortress Lord has what it takes to lead the 「Abyss Expedition」.”
It was a blunt statement worthy of the Hall Master of Fire King Hall.
“The enemies the Fortress Lord intends to fight are far too strong. If we rush in recklessly, all of us might die like dogs before we even get the chance to fight.”
“That is possible.”
“I want the Fortress Lord to prove what he is capable of.”
“How?”
“As you already know, six Hall Masters are currently gathered in Gorgon.”
“Six? Who else is here besides you?”
“Limitless Hall, which holds the second seat and has long been based in Gorgon. Scholar Forest Hall, which holds the sixth seat and came from the western Fortress of Garuda. And Goddess Hall, which holds the seventh seat and must have come up with South Sea Hall...”
“A whole lot of people came flocking in to claim the Fortress Lord’s seat.”
At Cheongheo’s interruption, the Hall Master of Fire King Hall grimaced.
“Anyway, earn the recognition of the other three Hall Masters. Then I will recognize you as well.”
“Heheh, Kang Hwang. Is that not rather cowardly?”
“...But it is necessary. You know that too, Divine Doctor. If he wishes to lead the Abyss Expedition, he must be able to do at least that.”
Defeating someone and earning their recognition were entirely different matters.
That was especially true if the people in question were the three Kang Hwang had just named.
The Hall Master of Limitless Hall, who held the second seat as a faction but was considered the strongest of all Hall Masters in individual Combat Power.
The Hall Master of Scholar Forest Hall, who held the sixth seat and was said to surpass anyone in strategy despite falling behind in Combat Power.
The Hall Master of Goddess Hall, who held the seventh seat and possessed such noble character that they were said to command the greatest respect among the Ten Halls.
If Jaehwan could earn the recognition of those three, no one in Chaos would be able to deny him.
Jaehwan spoke.
“Fine. We will do that.”
Kang Hwang looked a little flustered at how readily he accepted the condition.
Jaehwan was not finished.
“But I have a condition too.”
“A condition?”
“If I must earn your recognition, you must earn mine as well.”
“What recognition are you talking about?”
The Hall Master of Fire King Hall asked in a displeased tone.
They were the Ten Hall Masters, the strongest in Chaos. What further recognition could they possibly need?
“I do not believe in empty labels like the Ten Hall Masters. What I need are people who are truly strong.”
Before Kang Hwang could say anything in wounded pride, Jaehwan continued.
“I will hold a tournament.”
“A tournament?”
“A tournament to fight for the position of Fortress Lord. It would be disappointing to wager only that, so I will put this up as well.”
A dark horn emerged from Jaehwan’s Dimensional Bag.
It was the last remaining horn of Garnak.
Cayman, Hall Master of South Sea Hall, let out an exclamation.
“Everything you pull out is always remarkable. As expected.”
Jaehwan nodded.
“First, make it into the quarterfinals of the tournament. That is the condition for me to recognize you. I will give you your test after that.”
Kang Hwang’s face turned red, then blue.
He was daring to test the Ten Hall Masters.
Unlike the Hall Master of Fire King Hall, Cayman looked intrigued.
“The Fortress Lord is right. Being a Hall Master of the Ten Halls does not prove that one is the strongest in Chaos. When will the tournament begin?”
“South Sea Hall Master! What are you...”
“Kang Hwang. If we wish to test someone, should we not first prove that we are qualified to do so?”
Once Kang Hwang fell silent, everyone focused on Jaehwan.
“As for when it begins...”
Someone was running toward the training grounds from afar, out of breath.
Their Spiritual Pressure was powerful, though they were not a member of the Ten Halls.
Still, everyone in the training grounds knew them well.
“Fortress Lord!”
It was Chief Internal Administrator Yulhen.
Looking in that direction, Jaehwan said, “I think it has already begun.”
Chief Internal Administrator Yulhen was shaking a flyer in one hand, their face flushed with anger.
+
Anyone who desires the position of Fortress Lord, come forth!
The First Gorgon Tournament will be held!
Preliminaries begin today at 18:00!
+
Thus began the Gorgon Tournament.
* * *
The Great Sea Zone in the south of Chaos.
The Adapters who traveled south through Chaos encountered not a continent, but an ocean.
This sea, which resembled the Aegean Sea of World 294, had an unusual green, rippling surface. That surface was the outer skin of a plant.
The Adapters called this skin the Sea Road. They could travel across the Great Sea Zone by walking on it, or hunt the sea horned beasts that appeared everywhere.
The deeper one went into the heart of the Great Sea Zone, the thicker the plant’s outer layers became. At its center stood a famous Fortress known to every Adapter in 《Chaos》.
The southern Fortress, Dryad.
From its walls to its spires, the entire Fortress was made of colonies of aquatic plants. It was a natural fortress formed from stems and secretions produced by Dryad, the plant-type Guardian Horned Beast, after it absorbed the moisture of the Great Sea.
Rumble.
As Dryad, curled up within the Inner Fortress, stretched its massive body, countless stems shot into the sky at once.
A woman sat gently at the end of one of those stems. She was the Fortress Lord of Dryad.
“Dryad. It seems something bad is about to happen.”
As if answering her, the Guardian Horned Beast Dryad wriggled its stems.
The woman had pale skin and wore a blue dress reminiscent of a qipao. A long hairpin held her swept-up hair in place.
She stroked the small leaves sprouting from the stem’s tip and looked toward the distant horizon.
Her gaze was fixed on the northern continent of Chaos.
That was where Gorgon Fortress stood.
Top-grade skill, 「clairvoyance」.
Her clairvoyance could observe an enemy’s movements from tens of thousands of kilometers away. It caught sight of strange creatures moving in the direction of Gorgon Fortress.
She immediately recognized what those monsters were.
“Why is a Colossal Deadman...?”
Sole King Catastrophe, known as the King of the Deadmans, had three servants.
They were the beings called Colossal Deadmans, or the Three Great Deadmans. They had once been among the strongest in 《Chaos》, but their souls had become contaminated, turning them into monsters.
One of those terrifying creatures, said to be unstoppable even if the Ten Hall Masters attacked together, was moving toward Gorgon Fortress.
Magritte Who Walks Backward.
The Fortress Lord of Dryad knew that Deadman’s name as well.
Magritte had once been the Fortress Lord of one of the Four Great Fortresses of Chaos.
With a face below its crotch and the positions of its arms and legs completely reversed, the Colossal Deadman Magritte led countless Deadmans at the front of the procession, its tentacles undulating.
Then, in the next moment,
Magritte’s eyes turned toward Dryad, more than several thousand kilometers away.
“Khk...!”
Silver blood flowed from the Dryad Fortress Lord’s lips as her clairvoyance was forcibly cut off.
Her face pale, she clutched her chest and wiped the silver from her lips.
“I must inform the Fortress Lord of Gorgon.”
The Hall Master of South Sea Hall and the Hall Master of Goddess Hall, both originally from Fortress Dryad, were heading to Gorgon at that very moment.
There was no time to delay.
Aisa Lindcroft, Fortress Lord of Dryad, activated the fastest messaging skill she could use.
A blue hawk rose into the sky and began beating its wings toward Gorgon.
Footnotes:
Chapter discussion