The Ruler Of Darkness - Chapter 609



Only Noblemtl

Episode 609

Part 9 Late at Night

“Captain of the Guard… .”

The deputy chief of staff called him with a sigh.

This stubborn warrior, still not convinced by his own explanation, ended up going all the way to the outskirts of the garden.

“Didn’t you say you were going in?”

Rice cake.

These were the words of the captain of the guard standing at the entrance to the garden.

“Are you saying that the most important meeting that will determine the future and fate of our sword family is taking place in that garden right now?”

“Yes.”

“But, you want me to just watch without telling you who the people inside are? Without doing anything?”

“… … .”

The way he stroked the handle of his sword made it seem like he was about to charge into the garden at any moment if he had anything to do.

“I’m not saying you should do nothing, Captain. But-.”

“-When you say don’t disturb, you mean don’t do anything. Isn’t that right?”

“… … .”

The face of the deputy chief of staff was distorted under the mask.

I felt my patience wearing thin at the sight of this stubborn captain.

I had no choice but to admit it.

“What are you looking at? You kept insisting that the identities of the people in the garden not be known, so I withdrew all the warriors to the back.”

“… And then didn’t you deploy three times more troops?”

“That’s something that should be done.”

Yes, that’s right.

The last line of defense, that is.

If you are the person in charge of protecting the Taesang Family, then you should.

Like this captain of the guard.

You must have a stubbornness that cannot be stopped by other orders or interference.

Such a person, even in the most chaotic situations, disregarding everything else, including his own life.

will accomplish his mission.

“after….”

Still.

Deputy Chief of Staff Myung let out a deep sigh as he was struggling to stop that unstoppable stubbornness.

“… Really. Your Majesty the Inspector General has found a good candidate for the Royal Guard Captain.”

An extremely sarcastic tone.

But the captain of the guards didn’t care and just laughed.

“Of course! Who am I?”

Then, he suddenly stopped laughing and asked the deputy chief engineer with a serious face.

“Huh? Surely you don’t know who I am?”

“… Captain of the Guard. You and I have met more than a dozen times already.”

“Well, is that so?”

He said, tilting his head.

“You guys from your agency always walk around with those crappy masks covering your faces. You can’t tell who’s who.”

As soon as the deputy director entered my office, he recognized my identity, but now he is pretending not to know.

“Hey, no way. You guys, you’re not wearing those masks because you think it’s cool, are you?”

“… is the agency’s procedure for performing security missions.”

“Ha, what’s the procedure? It’s obvious that they’re just wearing it to show off.”

“… … .”

The deputy chief of staff then stabbed the man in the face with his fist, which was encased in his super-heavy armor.

I thought about how much sleep I would be able to get after the mission was over.

“But, you know.”

The captain of the guard asked with a serious expression.

“Really. Do you really know who I am…? You guys in your organization pretend to know everything and think you’re the greatest, but when it comes to the important things, you fail?”

past.

It was a remark criticizing the fact that the organization failed in its mission to protect the head of the household at the time, Yeongeomun.

Ugh…!

A fierce, gnashing of teeth could be heard from beneath the mask of the deputy chief of staff, but the captain of the guards, whose martial arts skills were superior to his own, continued speaking calmly.

“So, let me be kind and tell you who I am-.”

at that time.

A voice was heard from inside the garden.

“A master as famous as you is not required to go around telling everyone who you are.”

“… … ?!”

What sent goosebumps down the captain’s body was the fact that a voice had been heard from deep within the garden where he had been guarding.

More than that.

Because he knew who owned that voice.

“Your Majesty…?”

I felt possessed.

How on earth did this grand duke, Yeon So-hyeon, manage to enter the innermost, most heavily guarded yard of the Luoyang Swordsmanship?

“For your information, the Grand Duke is one word, not two.”

Thud, thud.

Yeon So-hyeon’s face, which appeared at the entrance of the garden, making a noise, was revealed in the light of the stone lantern.

“The provisional government never retreats from the great mountain.”

Lim Jeong, the captain of the royal guard who was called the Great Mountain Bultoe, came to his senses and asked Yeon So-hyeon.

“How on earth-?”

“-Rather than that. Let me ask you something too.”

“yes…?”

Yeon So-hyeon came and stood in front of him.

Then he asked in a soft tone.

“Since the first organization called the Agency was created in this family. Do you know how many Agency warriors have sacrificed their lives to save the heads of the families of their time throughout history?”

“… … .”

Captain Lim Jeong of the Guard kept his mouth shut.

Yeon So-hyeon looked at his face with a gaze that seemed to pierce through it and spoke in a blunt tone.

“It’s two hundred and ninety-two days.”

Yeon So-hyeon raised her hand and pointed in the direction of the agency’s headquarters.

“Even now, if you go to the central hallway in the headquarters of the organization, you can check their names one by one.”

“Ah, yes, Your Highness. I understand. But-.”

“-then.”

Yeon So-hyeon didn’t seem to have any intention of allowing Captain Lim Jeong to speak.

“-Do you know how many soldiers of the organization died protecting my father when he was the head of the household?”

“… … .”

Yeon So-hyeon spoke to the captain of the guard, Im Jeong, who was unable to answer.

“Forty-seven people.”

He added.

“Because my father traveled all over the world, he made many sacrifices even though it was a relatively short period of time.”

“… … .”

Captain Im Jeong-eun of the guards was completely overwhelmed by Yeon So-hyeon, who was two heads shorter than him, and kept his mouth shut.

“Once upon a time, the institution had many internal problems. But after enduring the pain of cutting into its own bones and flesh, it has now been reborn.”

The voice that Yeon So-hyeon let out as she looked up at the captain of the guard, Lim Jeong, had a powerful force that was different from simple internal energy or martial arts skills.

“Never again, ever. Never disrespect the institution. Never again.”

“…sorry.”

“… … .”

Instead of accepting the apology, Yeon So-hyeon put strength into her eyes.

Realizing the meaning of that action, Captain Lim Jeong raised his hands toward the Vice-Commander Myeong.

“I also apologize to the Vice President.”

“…I will accept it.”

like that.

Even though Captain Lim Jeong bowed his head obediently and expressed his apology, Yeon So-hyeon did not take her eyes off him.

“… … .”

It’s like.

As if reading his mind to see if he was truly repentant, Captain Lim Jeong had to break out in a cold sweat.

“…and.”

That’s why.

When Yeon So-hyeon took her gaze away from his and continued speaking, he let out a sigh of relief without realizing it.

“Currently, the command structure here in charge of protecting your father is split into two. Is that correct?”

“Oh, yes, that’s right. That’s-.”

“-That’s because the Department of Internal Affairs and the Agency don’t trust each other, so it’s been maintained inevitably up until now. But it can’t be tolerated from now on.”

“What do you mean…?”

Yeon So-hyeon answered the question of the captain of the guard, Im Jeong.

“The Royal Guard under the direct command of the Chief of Staff will henceforth follow the orders of the Chief of Staff.”

“… … .”

The face of Captain Lim Jeong, who had been struggling with Yeon So-hyeon until just a moment ago, hardened.

“Your Highness.”

He spoke politely but firmly.

“Even if you are His Highness, that part is a decision beyond His Highness’ authority. It is a clear abuse of authority.”

“-no.”

This time, what interrupted the words of Captain Lim Jeong was the voice of an old man with a loud voice.

And Captain Lim Jeong of the Guard was a man who could tell who the owner of that voice was just by the sound of his cough.

“Director General Naewon… ?!”

It seems like he finished the remaining conversation with the foreigner Hakunhyung.

The chief of staff, who had left the garden a long time after Yeon So-hyeon, approached me with a cane and spoke.

“Do as the Archduke suggests.”

“… … ?!”

He couldn’t hide his embarrassment, knowing the relationship between Grand Duke Yeon So-hyeon and General Naewon.

“and.”

The Director-General continued speaking.

“From now on, when the Director General is absent in case of emergency, our office will….”

for a moment.

The commander-in-chief of the royal guard, who had been glancing towards Yeon So-hyeon, continued speaking to the captain of the royal guard, Lim Jeong.

“The Grand Duke’s orders are to be followed with the utmost priority.”

“… … !”

“… … !”

In times of emergency, when the Chief of Staff is absent.

Naewon follows the orders of Grand Duke Yeon So-hyeon.

At those words, Captain Lim Jeong of the Guard and Deputy Chief of Staff Myeong, who was listening from the side, were both surprised.

But, in fact, that is.

It was a gesture of reconciliation that the Chief of Staff extended to Yeon So-hyeon.

“What’s the answer?”

At the growling voice of the Royal Guard Commander-in-Chief, Captain Im Jeong straightened his posture and shouted.

“Yes, I will obey your orders…!”

The chief of staff waved his thin hand without even looking at him.

“Go and tell everyone.”

“Loyalty…!”

Deputy Director Myung, who noticed the atmosphere, nodded to Yeon So-hyeon and left his seat.

and.

“… … .”

“… … .”

Only Yeon So-hyeon and Nae-won-chong-gwan were left in this place.

far.

The torches and other items held by the assembled guards were seen shaking haphazardly.

They appeared to be disbanding at the order of the captain of the guards that the situation was over.

“Did he get back okay?”

“… That’s right.”

First, it was Yeon So-hyeon who opened her mouth.

Here, ‘he’ refers to the foreigner Hakunhyung.

Because it must never be known that he is with the Chief Inspector General or especially Yeon So-hyeon.

He returned through the secret passage he had come from.

“… Your Highness.”

“hmm?”

The Chief of Staff turned his head and looked at Yeon So-hyeon and said.

“Do not misunderstand the meaning of the instructions I gave you.”

It was a grumbling tone of voice.

“It was only for emergencies. As of now, it seems like you, the Archduke, would go mad or fall to your death before this old man.”

“Haha…!”

Yeon So-hyeon’s laughter echoed throughout the wide space.

“That’s hard to deny, Your Majesty.”

Yeon So-hyeon spoke to the chief of staff with a smile on her face.

“So, Chief Inspector, please stand firm in your position.”

“… … .”

Yeon So-hyeon added as if requesting something.

“It was like that before I was born, it is like that now, and it will be like that in the future.”

“… … .”

Although some time has passed.

There was no reply from the Director-General, who had turned his head.

But Yeon So-hyeon didn’t care, and smiled at him before turning around and waving her hand behind her.

“Then, I will go back.”

“… … .”

The chief of staff turned his head and remained silent.

I looked at Yeon So-hyeon’s back.

The leisurely, characteristically leisurely footsteps were as light as ever, to the point of making one frown.

For some reason.

The steps felt precarious.

“… Your Highness.”

The commander-in-chief muttered to himself as if he was talking to Yeon So-hyeon, who was far away.

“Please take care of it….”

It was a distance that could not be heard.

However, Yeon So-hyeon waves her hand back again as if she definitely heard it.

“…under.”

The chief of the royal family shook his head as if he could not stand the sight, then turned around and walked away, leaning on his cane.

But, for some reason.

“… … .”

My footsteps, which had become heavy due to old age and wear, have become a little lighter.

It was a little light.

* * *

As soon as the Chief of Staff arrived at his office, the Secretary to the Chief of Staff, who had been waiting, stood up from his seat even though it was the middle of the night.

“I heard, Your Majesty.”

There was a mischievous smile on his face.

“In case of emergency, the Grand Duke’s orders-.”

“-Yeah, yeah. That’s right, so stop it now.”

It was the chief of staff who sat down in his seat, waving his hand as if he was annoyed.

The secretary general, who had been looking at him with warm eyes, opened his mouth as usual while standing next to him.

“…you made the right decision.”

The chief inspector, wearing magnifying glasses, turned his head and glared at him.

“I’m starting to regret it, so I’ll stop.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

When the Secretary General raised both hands, the Chief of Staff briefly paused.

He fiddled with his glasses and then opened his mouth in a heavy voice.

“…I have something I want you to investigate secretly.”

The secretary straightened his posture and responded to the serious tone of the general’s speech.

“Yes, go ahead.”

The chief of staff spoke to him.

“All the information you can about the scriptures called Cheon Sal Seong (天殺星) and Je Am Jin Cheon Gyeong (制暗震天經)… no.”

He corrected himself.

“I don’t care if it’s just a rumor or a tale, please investigate everything about it.”

“… … .”

The Secretary General nodded heavily as he realized who the person he was talking about was Cheonsalseong.

“… I will investigate without anyone knowing.”

Click.

As the Secretary General left and the door closed, the Chief of Staff got up from his chair and stood by the window.

“… Your Highness.”

He looked up at the still dark night sky filled with clouds and muttered to himself.

“Great men sent from heaven are followed by great trials sent from heaven… ”

That is, the past.

It was something he had said to the young Yeon So-hyeon during the time when she was suffering from bloodshed.

“… … .”

I wonder if he knows the complicated feelings and dizzy mind of the old man who has sacrificed everything for his family and head of the household.

The night grew increasingly annoying.