Setting Things Straight(4)

The world of males is built on hierarchy.

From the moment one is born, if he fails to grow strong, he is weeded out from the group. The higher his rank, the more desirable a mate he can obtain.

That is the law of nature. No matter how much one denies it, human males are not very different.

After all, humans are also a part of nature, and embedded within their DNA is an innate drive to climb even one step higher in the hierarchy.

Perhaps that is why boys are particularly fond of games. Those instincts might simply be ingrained deep within them.

Then again, it wouldn’t matter if I were wrong.

“King…”

I knew better than anyone that great power came with great responsibility, yet the thought of sitting on the throne was still enticing.

Like I said, every man is born with at least a small desire to wield absolute power and unchallenged authority, even if only once.

But…

“What are you scheming?”

He was the same marquis who had been cursing me with vicious hatred until just recently.

So why the sudden change of attitude?

It didn’t seem like he had simply given up everything and was making one last desperate move.

“Scheme? Do you really think I have the time to come up with something like that?”

“Well, it’s impossible to know for sure.”

“What are you so wary of? It’s a task you would have had to do anyway, even if it weren’t for me.”

“…What?”

I let out a disbelieving laugh, but the marquis didn’t budge and spoke shamelessly.

“Isn’t that right? Think about it. If the king tried to harm that child, would you simply stand by and watch?”

“…That would depend on the situation.”

I thought for a moment before answering.

The marquis nodded as if that was enough.

“I can tell from that vague answer. You’ll do whatever it takes to protect her.”

It was something I could partially admit.

But…

“You’re mistaken about something. It’s true that I’m acquainted with Ragna, but that doesn’t mean I’d sacrifice everything for her.”

When I firmly drew the line, the Marquis surprisingly accepted it calmly.

“I know. Coldly speaking, the relationship between you and that child isn’t that deep. That’s exactly why I’m proposing this deal.”

“You’re aware of it yourself, aren’t you? As long as the King lives, the day will never come when you can truly live in peace.”

I flinched and frowned as his words struck too close to the truth.

This old man really has the mind of a snake.

“…Fine. Go ahead and explain. Are you saying that if I wanted to, I could become king?”

“So you at least have some interest?”

“For now, it’s just curiosity. I can tell you’re trying to use Ragna somehow, but I don’t understand your exact plan.”

I shot him a look telling him to hurry up.

The marquis steadied his breathing and began speaking.

“It’s possible.”

“What’s your basis?”

“There are several, but the most important one… is me.”

“You?”

“Am I not still alive? Despite openly rebelling against the royal family. That alone proves that the royal authority today is no longer as absolute as it once was.”

“I don’t know… couldn’t it just be that the Royal Family is plotting some strange scheme?”

“The fact that they must resort to such schemes proves their power has weakened. In the past, they would never have needed such tricks.”

When I thought about it, it was all circumstantial evidence. Yet somehow it still sounded convincing. It wasn’t entirely baseless.

Even so, it didn’t mean much at the moment.

“If that’s your only evidence, I have no reason to listen further.”

“Then I suppose I should be grateful this conversation will last a little longer.”

“Just get to the point. I hate wasting time.”

As the Marquis had said earlier, this was a deal, not cooperation, and the nature of our relationship needed to be clear. He was the one who needed to persuade me.

“First of all, if that child dies, you can never become King.”

“Hm?”

“Even if it’s nothing more than a symbolic loyalty, the nobles of this city would never accept a king without legitimate lineage. Especially if that king were a barbarian.”

“Are you saying I can use Ragna to reduce the nobles’ resistance?”

“Exactly. Even if it’s a weak justification, there’s still a difference between having the king’s blood and not. Without it, the people will resist anyone who tries to claim the throne. Blood will be shed day after day.”

“I have a lot to say about that… but I understand what you’re getting at. Continue.”

“That child’s very existence will be a great help to you as you prepare to carry out this plan.”

“So you’re saying I can use Ragna to expand my forces in advance.”

“As you know, it’s not something you can achieve alone.”

I smirked at those words.

Seriously, I told him to get to the point. Why is this man beating around the bush so much?

“I sincerely hope you weren’t trying to convince me with just that” I said sarcastically. “I don’t particularly want to be King in the first place.”

“I know. You have no interest in such a position. But you listened this far because you understand something too, don’t you? That there are things in this world you must do even if you don’t want to.”

Was this him finally seeing the truth just before death?

Today, the marquis’s words felt unusually heavy.

As if he could see straight through me.

Of course, as I had just said, usurping the throne hadn’t yet become something that absolutely had to be done.

But…

It was still something worth keeping in mind.

The more options I have, the better.

‘Think of it this way: I’m not asking you to protect that child no matter what, but at least promise me this: Promise me that you’ll do your best, within reason.”

Only then did I realize something.

The marquis had clearly called this a deal earlier.

But…

“…This isn’t a deal.”

A deal means an exchange—giving something and receiving something in return.

This was not that.

It seemed more like a tribute, a final prayer made with the last bit of hope he still clung to.

****

“Alright. I promise. As long as it doesn’t interfere with my priorities, I’ll do my best.”

“That is enough.”

Only after receiving my promise did the marquis finally relax his stiff expression and sigh with relief.

Then he began presenting the other “offerings” he had not yet mentioned.

The Marquis spoke at length about the royal family, listed the things I would have to do if I intended to become king, and even named the nobles I should try to win over.

“The authority over Thunder now belongs to you.”

Surprisingly, the marquis even handed over Thunder to me.

Though it didn’t quite feel real.

“…You’re telling me I can really use Thunder with just this?”

Unlike the massive weapon I had imagined, Thunder had no physical form.

“That’s not what I heard.”

“I don’t know what you heard, but Thunder refers to the ancient magic circle laid throughout this city. Anyone with authority and ammunition can use it. What you heard of was likely the extractor. It takes the souls of many to fire Thunder even once.”

“How many shots can I fire now?”

“Five.”

It didn’t feel like many.

But it wasn’t a small number either. It was a weapon with the power to obliterate an entire palace in a single shot.

“However, Thunder cannot be used inside the Labyrinth. As I said, Thunder refers to the ancient magic circle laid across this city.”

“…I see.”

“Ah, and one last thing.”

The Marquis slowly raised his arm and looked down at his hand as if recalling something.

Then—

A black ring appeared on his empty ring finger.

After staring at it for a while, he removed it and handed it to me.

“Take this as well. It is one of the royal family’s treasures.”

The moment I heard that, a conversation I once had with Lee Baek-ho flashed through my mind.

[Even if you kill that bastard, he’ll be resurrected in the palace.]

[Ah, you probably didn’t know. Maybe because it wasn’t in the game? Anyway, there’s a royal treasure like that, and the Marquis has it right now.]

Right, so this was it…

“That’s rather valuable,” I remarked. The marquis looked surprised to hear it.

“…Do you even know what this is?”

“Roughly. Isn’t it something that revives you in the royal palace if you die? Though it only works inside the city.”

“So… you don’t know the whole story.”

“Hmm?”

“It does have that ability. But it doesn’t require you to die. Whether by force or by will, when the ring activates, you are transported to a specific location within the royal palace. I went there once before… and it felt like a place hiding an enormous secret.”

A secret space…

I described the place I had seen in the palace basement because something clicked, but the Marquis shook his head.

“No, nothing like that. In any case, I have a feeling you might one day discover its true purpose.”

“Don’t wear it out in public. There are people who might recognize it.”

“Understood.”

I immediately stored the ring in my subspace instead of wearing it.

And with that, the transaction was over.

“Well then, I suggest you finish it. This head of mine will prove important for the many goals you have ahead.”

As if everything was settled, the marquis closed his eyes.

Seeing his calm attitude stirred an indescribable emotion within me.

I could swing my hammer and end his life.

But instead, I spoke.

“Why go this far? Just a few days ago you were desperate to kill me.”

“Everything has its priorities, and in my current state, I have no choice, do I?”

“…I see.”

I let out a soft breath and murmured, “I won’t apologize.”

He had sent me to Ice Rock.

Countless people who should not have died had perished there.

What’s more, he tried to kill me several times, and one of those attempts cost Rotmiller his life.

Yes, that’s why…

“I feel the same.”

It was only natural for the Marquis to have that attitude too. In his eyes, evil spirits were hateful creatures, more despicable than any other.

“…Have you ever seen the mother of your child scream that she didn’t want to give birth? Beating her swollen belly with her fists until you had to tie her hands down? Have you ever seen your son suddenly turn into something pretending to be your son?”

…No.

And because of that, I couldn’t answer.

Reading a single diary could never allow me to understand his feelings.

“An evil spirit like you,” his voice trembled with anger, “has no right to blame me.”

I couldn’t hold back the bitter laugh before it burst out of me.

“I never intended to.”

We had simply stood on different sides.

Crunch!

A sharp, nauseating crunch echoed.

The marquis, lying on the newly bloodied bed, breathed his last.

For a moment, I simply stood there, silently gazing at the gruesome sight, my hand tightening and loosening around the hammer.

I thought this moment would be thrilling when it finally came. But the moment I had anticipated felt strangely empty.

Almost unsettling.

But—

SMACK!

I slapped both my cheeks to clear away the idle, useless thoughts.

Rather than wasting time on such meaningless reflections, I should focus on what needed to be done.

“He’s lighter than I expected….”

I lifted the marquis’s body from the bed and placed it into my subspace.

After all, I needed proof to show the king.

“Guess that clears the mission…”

Just as I had finished collecting the evidence and opened the door to leave, glasses who had been walking up and down the hallway rushed over.

“How did it go? Were you able to persuade—”

Catching a glimpse of the bloodstained bed through the gap in the door, Glasses flinched.

He froze.

“W-what’s that? D-don’t tell me… you killed the marquis?!”

Glasses nearly fainted in shock.

I patted his shoulder casually.

“Relax. I got Thunder transferred to me.”

“Haah… that’s good then… “he sighed with relief.

Then, as if my words had finally sunk in, he quickly turned around and stared at me, confusion written on his face.

“What? You received it?”

For a barbarian like me, his response was frustrating. How could he fail to understand something so simple?

“I’m saying that I took over Thunder. Is that really so hard to understand?”

I kindly explained again, but his reaction was still just as stiff and clueless.

“Hand it over. Right now.”

Looking at me with wary eyes, glasses spoke in a low voice.

I truly couldn’t understand him.

“Hand it over? Why should I give it to you?”

Thunder belongs to me now.

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