Children of the Holy Emperor - Chapter 432



Only Noblemtl

432. The Immortal Secretary (5)

Emotions do not arise independently of memory. Moreover, if memory exists, it is inevitable that emotions, big or small, will follow.

In other words, the combination of memory and emotion is a kind of basic unit that constitutes human consciousness.

And only when this is maintained intact can we say that the human spirit has continuity.

“… … .”

Seongjin opened his eyes with a clear mind for the first time in a long time.

It had been a long time since the memories and emotions experienced by the soul were completely transferred to the body. So, Seongjin lay on the floor and chewed over the memories from just a moment ago with a new feeling.

‘Father… The atmosphere was different than usual. You answered my questions directly and in detail.’

Seonghwang was usually reserved with his words, but sometimes, when the situation allowed, he would give Seongjin a detailed explanation, as he did just now.

A typical example would be a spectacular self-harm show I experienced while drinking medicinal tea.

‘And so do I. Lately, I’ve been able to ask my father questions about things that have been bothering me without any hesitation.’

It was the same that day.

The day when Seongjin finally let out the shameful anxiety he had been suppressing, Seonghwang asked him this.

-But have you thought about it? Why didn’t you ask me this sooner?

This time, Sungjin confessed to him frankly that he felt something was constantly distorted. Of course, the question was based on the premise that he, as the next generation’s oracle, was already unconsciously planning many things for the future.

So, originally, even asking that question would have had a big impact on causality.

-Then why is it only now that you can finally ask that question out loud?

Yeah, how did that happen this time too?

The answer was also in the old memory. Because Seonghwang had told Seongjin that day.

-That’s because you have now, however clumsily, escaped the dimension of Delcross. You probably instinctively realized the conditions and restrictions of belonging to a world completely.

If so, there is only one conclusion.

‘Could it be… that means the place I was with my father just now wasn’t the Delcross dimension?’

At first, Seongjin simply thought that the spirit of Seonghwang was staying next to him and speaking to him.

But in reality, wasn’t that it? Was it his soul that left this place and flew far away somewhere?

When his quickly spinning head finished thinking that far, Sungjin suddenly realized that his vision was a little strange.

I opened my eyes clearly feeling fine… … .

‘Why can’t I see anything in front of me? Is it night already?’

Seongjin blinked.

“…uh?”

But the confusion was short-lived, as Sungjin soon realized that something thick was covering his vision.

As I pick up the object in my hand and tear it apart, I see an embroidery of a rabbit with its eyes peacefully closed.

‘Is this… a limited edition blindfold?’

It was something I remembered. Wasn’t it the thing I had stolen from Justitia for a cheap price and thrown to Owen? Why was he using it?

“hmm…….”

I frowned and tried to remember, but nothing came to mind.

I remember meeting my father so clearly just now, but why can’t I remember the circumstances surrounding my wearing the blindfold?

‘I remember finding Giacomo Milo.’

Seongjin slowly got up and thought.

‘But I don’t know what happened after that. Did Owen finish his quest? Did he detect any other suspicious noises in the sewers?’

Seongjin was lying alone in a small tent, not knowing when he had escaped from the sewer.

The red sunset is now shining through the gaps in the tent. It means that quite a bit of time has passed since the moment when the memory disappeared.

“… … .”

Moreover, on the floor of the tent was laid an old cloak, presumably that of Sir Marsain.

If that’s the case, then it means that the two of them somehow managed to properly clean up the mess.

‘But where are Owen and Sir Marsain? Where did they all go, leaving me here?’

Considering that Masain Kyung usually never leaves my side, this is quite an unexpected situation. Did something happen to him?

As I was thinking about completely removing the blindfold from around my neck, I suddenly heard a nerve-racking crying sound from next to me.

[Sniff… … .]

When I turn my head, I see a familiar lamp by the bedside.

‘…Adversary?’

For some reason, the demon lord was sitting on an old lamp, crying while the red flame faintly flickered.

[Sniff! Lee Seong-jin… sniff, sniff.]

At that pitiful sight, Seongjin’s head went blank for a moment.

What the heck? Why is he doing that? I haven’t heard him cry in a while since he left the temporary treatment room.

“Hey, Demon King?”

[…sniff?]

The Demon King, who had stopped crying at the sound of Seongjin’s voice, asked with sparks fluttering.

[This… Lee Seong-jin?]

“uh.”

[Lee Seong-jin… … .]

“Yeah, that’s right. Why are you crying now?”

[… … !]

Then-

Pfft!

Suddenly, the Demon King jumped out of the lamp like lightning and stuck to Seongjin’s head.

In an instant, the flames flared up and burned brightly, and Sungjin became a human candle with his hair as a wick.

[Wow! This is so strange!]

Instead of tears, the Demon King drips boiling hot sparks.

Tick, tick-!

Seongjin thought as he heard the eerie sound of the cloak burning on the floor.

Oh, it’s been a while since my head feels hot?

[You, Inma! Didn’t you hear my voice? Why! Why haven’t you answered me until now?]

“Oh, did you? Didn’t you hear that?”

[You idiot! That can’t be true! I kept calling your name over and over again without stopping! Aaaah!]

Seongjin was quite flustered by the pouring, sorrowful sobs.

No, but I really didn’t know. I was lying down for a while just now, trying to sort out my memories, but I didn’t have a single bit of that guy’s thoughts…

‘-Huh?’

Suddenly, the black blindfold I was holding in my hand came into view.

Wait a minute. By the way, was I just writing this?

[Lee Sung-jin, you idiot, you fool! You sea cucumber, you idiot!]

That’s right. This limited item probably had the S+ mental attack resistance option. If so, it wouldn’t be strange for all nearby thoughts to be blocked.

-There isn’t much time to talk. The resistance is so strong, I think it’s time for me to go now.

Could this be the resistance that my father was talking about earlier?

[This is a planarian euglena parasite!]

“Oh, sorry. I’m sorry.”

Seongjin stopped thinking and quickly apologized to the Demon King.

If we continue on this path, we will soon be on the same level as viruses with a single piece of chromosome, as we have seen from the rapid transformation from a tocolytic animal to a single-celled organism.

“I was wrong. I definitely didn’t do it on purpose.”

[this person……!]

“I’m really sorry. I’ll buy you bear meat later. I’ll buy you lots of delicious things, so don’t be mad. Okay?”

Although it was not my intention, it is true that I ignored the desperate calls of my followers.

In a situation where communication was impossible with anyone other than Sungjin, it was obvious how anxious he must have been, not knowing what was going on.

Rustle.

Just then, a familiar sound seemed to approach, and the tent entrance opened wide.

“Mores. Get up now… Huh?”

Owen, who had thoughtlessly put his head into the tent, was startled when he saw Sungjin carrying a blazing demon lord on his head.

“Are you okay, newbie? Your hair is on fire right now?!”

“hmm…….”

Seongjin, whose excuses were at a loss, avoided eye contact.

Well, that’s okay. That’s how it is.

* * *

Sungjin was able to hear in detail from Owen about the events that happened beyond his memories.

I heard that Owen and Sir Marsain were in the middle of raiding the wizard’s secret laboratory when he suddenly barged in, leading Giacomo Milo.

And then you showed symptoms similar to sleepwalking and happily swept the entire lab with a fiery aura?

“I should have known when you were playing with fire in the palace. Committing arson while sleeping… Newbie, what on earth is so dangerous about that?”

Even leaving aside the actions of the arsonist with second-year middle school syndrome, it was a truly absurd explanation.

Seongjin asked back in disbelief.

“Sleepwalking? Me?”

“Yeah. I don’t know for sure, but you know, Newbie, you dream every day like you’re talking in your sleep? Brother Marsain said it would be okay, but if you’re talking in your sleep, it probably isn’t a very comfortable dream.”

“So you put a sleep mask on me?”

“Yeah. I think you realize it’s a nightmare too.”

Owen responded like that, then awkwardly grabbed a chicken feather stuck in his head and pulled it.

“So, newbie. From now on, always wear that when you sleep. I’ll give it to you while I’m at it.”

“… … .”

“No, to be exact, I’m giving it back to you. Originally, you gave it to me without any compensation, right?”

Seongjin’s gaze naturally became fierce.

Is this kid in his right mind? He scraped all the cash he had and bought the things he needed for other people as gifts, and now he’s even giving me the last blindfold he got by luck? This is going to get worse before he comes to his senses!

Wheeze-

My hand goes up without me realizing it, but Owen, somehow knowing, quickly steps back and looks at Seongjin. After getting slapped repeatedly, it seems like he has learned the timing of when the slap will come.

“Whoa, newbie, calm down! I have plenty of money to spare, so I’m giving it to you.”

“Leisure? Leisure? When you always give all your cash to others, what kind of leisure do you have?”

“Ah, uh. But that is… … .”

But surprisingly, Owen, who was rummaging through his pockets, soon took out another similar blindfold!

It was a limited edition, deep almond-colored rabbit eye patch with a carefree expression engraved on it.

“Voila! How is it? Are you surprised?”

“… … .”

“After I finished the quest, a special sale window suddenly opened up in front of me. I thought it was my chance, so I quickly bought it!”

Owen put the blindfold around his neck and puffed out his chest with a triumphant expression.

“Think about it, newbie. You got a limited edition item for just 500 cash! That meant I had to spend all the rewards from this quest, but considering the cost, it was still a great deal. What do you think? Isn’t it amazing?”

“Yeah, quest… … .”

Seongjin put his hands behind his back, lost in thought.

Now that I think about it, my father said earlier that what is guiding Owen now is a milestone, another legacy of the Oracle.

‘So does that mean that it was ultimately my grandmother’s will that she gave me this blindfold?’

Given the coincidental timing of Owen being given a new blindfold, I’d say that’s likely the case.

‘Why on earth?’

At first glance, it could be seen as an intention to prevent Sungjin from falling into an unstable state like before.

But it’s an item so strong that it completely blocks all thoughts, and even my father feels resistance to it.

‘…no.’

My father also said this.

-I came to check on you in case something bad happened, but didn’t you already prepare everything?

If that’s true, then it would mean that it was Sungjin’s subconscious that prepared the actual blindfold. Then, Sungjin had anticipated the quest that the status window would prepare in advance…

No, no. Maybe Owen’s status window could have figured out Seongjin’s intentions in advance, and he could have quietly interfered with it from the side…

‘Oh, shit. Shit!’

I don’t even know what I’m doing right now, and then there’s another variable I can’t figure out, and the situation becomes so confusing.

‘I think it’s probably best not to think too deeply about it for now.’

Seongjin thought about it for a moment and then decided in his heart.

But as he was lost in thought, still holding the Demon King’s lamp that was flickering intermittently, Owen cautiously watched Seongjin’s expression and said something unexpected.

“… Hey, are you a newbie?”

“uh?”

“If it’s okay with you, could you meet Brother Marsain for a moment?”

“huh……?”

Seongjin blinked.

Sir Marsain? Why?

* * *

As I left the tent and followed Owen, I saw Giacomo Milo quietly tied up near the entrance to the sewer.

He was a total mess, covered in sewage debris and soot from the fire, but his darkening complexion was clearly visible.

Perhaps due to being exposed to magic for a long time, it seemed that erosion was slowly taking place even after the demon had left.

But, despite his pitiful behavior, he smiled broadly at Seongjin as if he was so happy about something.

“It was a purification, O Predecessor! My Master! I have truly witnessed the moment when this world becomes beautiful!”

“…what?”

“Just as you yourself purified the corrupted creatures, I have no doubt that one day you will save this rotten world with your sacred fire!”

Looking at those clear, sparkling eyes, I get goosebumps.

‘This isn’t good.’

I thought it would be nice if she became a little more polite, but I think she went too far. It was like seeing a second Belinda.

“… … .”

And behind him, there was Sir Masain, holding Misra with a stiff face.

If you think about his usual behavior, you would think he would reprimand Giacomo Milo for talking nonsense, but right now, he just kept his mouth shut and looked at Seongjin with a heavy gaze.

Why is that guy like that?

“Sir Marsain.”

Let’s take a step closer and call him-

Shudder.

Martha’s pupils shook slightly.

On the surface, it seemed like a calm wave, but for some reason, Sungjin could sense the intense vortex of emotions entangled within it.

“What the hell is going on? Why are you standing there? Did you get hurt somewhere in the sewer… .”

But before Sungjin could even finish speaking-

Bam!

The knight’s face becomes grotesquely distorted.

The bloodshot eyes and the face filled with a mixture of ridicule and sorrow were probably signs that someone’s world, barely hanging on, was completely collapsing.

dump!

Soon, the knight knelt down helplessly in front of Seongjin, bowed his head, and hit his head on the floor with a thud!

“…I’m sorry, Your Majesty.”

Sungjin and Owen were greatly embarrassed by the sudden apology.

“older brother?!”

“Huh? Sir Marsain. What is…?”

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

“no…….”

But the apologies that did not take the listener into account continued without end.

“I shouldn’t have done that back then. I shouldn’t have done that to you… … .”

thud.

The knight hit his forehead on the dirt floor and sobbed softly.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

Thud, thud.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Your Majesty… … .”

In the heavy, sinking silence-

Only Masain’s repeated apologies hung in the air, empty.