Chapter 211. God's Possession (1)

Translator: Seven

(TL: Firstly, I'd like to apologize for the many notes that are in this chapter. It was just quite a bit confusing so I added them so that no one would be lost at least.)

1.

There was an incident that caused Ja Soo-jung to be widely recognized as a nutjob.

At that time, there was a major conflict between the human race and the sub races. A terrorist organization led by Wizard called the Black Witch began to slaughter humans. On the other side, a group known as the [Stone Assembly] slaughtered the sub races.

Revenge and revenge. Resentment and anger.

Slaughter bit the tail of slaughter, giving the racial hatred no chance to cool.

"The distinction between humans and the sub races should be stricter!"

The kingdom's conservative noble faction could not stand still.

"My fellow honorable members of the Noble Council! The reason why the kingdom's territory is currently in chaos is due to the indiscriminate mixing of humans and non humans, moral and immoral, civilized and uncivilized. Under the current marriage laws, it is possible for humans and sub races to marry. Not only that, same sex marriages and incestual marriages are also legal! These are all products of barbarism from hundreds ago. How could we hope for peace when things that shouldn't be mixed are mixed? Lamentingly, our faction would like to propose a 7th [Unified Marriage Act]."

"…"

Baron Amethyst* looked at the Noble Council and smiled. (TL: The author is using 'Jasoojung' both as a family name and the name of the character. So to separate them, it'll be the 'Amethyst family', and her name will be 'Ja Soo-jung'.)

"How interesting."

That month, a family war broke out in the Amethyst Barony.

When a war was declared between two families, it wasn't easy for a third party to intervene. The families fighting in the war were the Amethyst Baron Family and the Citrine(黃水晶)* Baron Family. Originally, they had been one family, but they had separated 6 generations before. (: 황수정 – Hwangsoojung.)

The Citrine Family had launched a family war by surprise.

They were confident.

The kingdom was on the verge of collapse. And the Amethyst Family was collapsing a bit faster. When the [Young Lady of the Amethyst Family] killed her father and became the family head, all the vassals who were loyal to the previous family head left.

"I didn't want to do this."

Baron Citrine drew her bow.

When Hwang Soo-jung and Ja Soo-jung were young, they were as close as real sisters. They had even been kidnapped together by terrorists. Recalling the distant past, Baron Citrine had a sad expression.(: Same idea for 'citrine- hwangsoojung')

"Sorry. Soo-jung."

"You don't have to be sorry. Unnie*." (TL: Way for a girl to address an older sister/female.)

Baron Amethyst smiled.

"This one wanted to do this."

Baron Citrine's army was devastated.

All of the reports Hwang Soo-jung had received were fabricated.

The Amethyst Barony might be on the brink of collapse, but the current Baron Amethyst was a genius. All the vassals had left, but new vassals had taken their places instead. Hwang Soo-jung never would have expected that an Archmage, who locked himself away in a small room for 60 years, would suddenly become Baron Amethyst's lackey.

The price the incompetent noble had to pay was large.

"I don't care if I die."

Hwang Soo-jung's face was solemn.

"However, please spare my vassals. They are only guilty of following me."

"That's interesting."

Ja Soo-jung beheaded all of the enemy vassals one by one.

"Because this one intended to do the exact opposite."

When the third vassal's head fell to the ground, Baron Citrine's knees also fell. The solemn expression she'd had since the war had begun finally caved. It was only then that she realized that she hadn't been prepared to lose this war.

"Sorry. No. I'm sorry. My vassals, please spare them… Everything they did was on my orders, and when I was captured, they surrendered. I beg you… please."

"There's only one way."

Ja Soo-jung whispered into the ear of her distant relative.

"I will formally request a noble trial. Do what this one says there."

The nobles in the Royal Capital gathered in the courtroom.

A ruling was made on the family war. The one at fault was obvious to everyone. Baron Citrine had initiated the war, shot the first arrow, and was subsequently defeated.

The conservative faction raised suspicions that the reports were fabricated.

There was no evidence.

The only witness was Baron Citrine's vassal, but, unfortunately, he could not make it to the trial. He was one of the vassals that Ja Soo-jung had slain.

"We acknowledge the victory of Baron Amethyst."

The presiding judge spoke a few words.

"From now on, all of Baron Citrine's property, including her life, will belong to Baron Ja Soo-jung."

"So everything is up to this one to decide. Including Baron Citrine's life or death."

"That's correct."

"Did you hear that, unnie?"

"…Yes."

Baron Citrine, who was bound by ropes, lowered her head.

"This one will generously spare all of the vassals. Instead, unnie, swear that you will entrust your life, fate, and everything else to this one's hands."

"The Baron already has everything I have… I won't hesitate to obey your orders, regardless of what it is."

The nobles in the assembly clicked their tongues.

Baron Citrine's declaration of war had been instigated by the conservative faction.

Baron Amethyst smiled brightly as she looked at the sour expressions of the nobles watching the trial.

"Then marry this one."

"…"

Baron Citrine raised her head.

"If you do so, I'll forgive you."

The mouths of the conservative nobles fell open.

"Your honor? I would like you to officiate this one's marriage. Please agree."

"Wait a moment."

The presiding judge raised one hand and placed the other on his forehead.

The judge's mind raced.

Every law was promulgated by order of the king or from a vote of the Noble Council. Marriage laws fell under the council laws. And every council law was recorded in hundreds of books of minutes, which looked closer to bricks than books, called The Proceedings of the General Assembly.

The presiding judge was recalling the minutes that had accumulated over 2,000 years.

"…marriage between relatives was allowed in the 5th Marriage Act, and blood relations are distant enough to not defy the 6th Marriage Act. Same sex marriages, which were made illegal in the 3rd Marriage Act, was allowed under the 5th Marriage Act… And the announcement of a marriage between nobles must be done in the presence of other nobles."

The presiding judge looked round.

The mouths of the nobles in the audience grew wider.

"The conditions are satisfied. I can do… the notarization process."

The presiding judge nodded.

"Does anyone object to this marriage?"

No one was able to speak.

"Officially and undoubtedly, in a situation where the Amethyst Baron Family has the justification, the family war has ended in their victory. Baron Amethyst will receive all of her reported acquisitions, and in the process, the handling of Baron Citrine is also left to Baron Amethyst. While she has full ownership of Baron Citrine, Baron Amethyst intends to take Baron Citrine as her wife."

It was only then that the nobles were able to shake themselves from their stupor.

However, it was too late.

"I accept your marriage."

It was a same sex and same name marriage.

The political implications of this case was clear. It was a middle finger to the face.

The conservative faction realized they had been screwed over by an 18 year old noble, a young girl who had only just become a Baron.

It didn't take very long for the world to realize that Ja Soo-jung was a nutjob.

[Madness to Insanity)]

Rank: A-

Effect: A curse from a certain Dragon. 'No matter what', someone who has this skill cannot lose their mind. Even if mental attacks or mental spells are used, they will never go crazy. This person will always be self aware, and they will always know who they are, where they are, and when it is.

A curse created by a Dragon, who fell in love with a human in the past, to protect the weak human mind. Rumor has it, the Dragon's lover went crazy because they couldn't go crazy.

※However, once you have this skill you can't remove it.

Baron Amethyst and Baron Citrine became a family.

Baron Citrine lost her title and became Mrs. Hwang Soo-jung instead. Baron Amethyst absorbed her wife's title and became Viscount Amethyst. After six generations, the divided family had become one once again.

"That crazy bitch!"

The conservative nobles could not take it.

Dozens of nobles grit their teeth.

"She really is a crazy bitch."

Even factions that were hostile to the conservative could not stay still.

Dozens of radical nobles acknowledged Ja Soo-jung's existence.

"But is there anything else you're good at apart from being crazy?"

Apathetic Duke.(TL: This isn't exactly correct… I'll keep thinking of an alternative)

In the kingdom, there were only six great nobles who were in charge of the artists. Ja Soo-jung was interested in one of those nobles, a woman nicknamed Lady of Leisure.

And as could be seen from the fact that she handled artists, she was also insane.

"This one is good at everything."

"Exactly 133,643 people have sat in front of me and said those same words."

The Apathetic Duke was an ascendant. In this world, due to the blessing of a Dragon, humans could obtain eternal life as long they could overcome a [Trial]. Of course, the blessing of the Dragon was not all powerful, it wouldn't block the blade of a psycho on the street.

The Apathetic Duke was cautious every time she walked down the street. Thanks to this, she hadn't been stabbed to death for more than 1,000 years. In order to obtain this Duke, she had to be careful

"Sir Duke." (TL: Sticking to the male titles since the author did.)

Ja Soo-jung shook her head.

"Don't you feel like life is boring?"

"Oh. Impressive. 517,570 people have asked me that."

"Your excellency raises artists. But even if a talented artist is able to shine brightly and has the ability to tear apart the great river, they couldn't save the Duke." (TL: I believe it means 'save him from boredom')

"Why?"

"Because to that person, their art is more important than the Duke."

The Apathetic Duke felt that it might be worth it to pay a bit more attention to the child in front of him.

"What do you mean?"

"Artists who are less talented than you worship you. But no matter how much they serve you, their art is not enough, so they couldn't save you."

Viscount Amethyst felt her prey approaching the trap.

"Artists who are more talented than you wouldn't truly care about you. So no matter how many you raise, their gaze wouldn't be on you, so they couldn't save you."

"Hmm."

"Your excellency is destined to not be helped by either side. If this were fate, then it would be like you were destined to have one unrequited love after another. There's only one way to save yourself."

"By raising you?"

"Yes. This one will use my art to work for you. This one's wedding was really interesting, it must have been like a welcome rain in your life. Sir Duke. Lord of Leisure. Wouldn't you want to have a child whose entire life will become art at your side?"

"20,351 people."

"This one is more talented than them."

0

Viscount Amethyst turned around.

In the depths of the Apathetic Duke's mansion, many musical instruments were placed around. [The Tomb of Musical Instruments]. A musical grave. Whenever a musician that the Apathetic Duke liked died, she would collect their instrument and keep it until she found a new favorite.

Viscount Amethyst walked towards a piano and started playing.

It was a piano that had been placed in this place for 1700 years.

[Three Musics King's Road(王道三樂)]

Rank: A-

Effect: A natural talent for composing and performing. Those with this skill are loved by music. After hearing distant notes, they can intuitively create the first and last measures of a score simultaneously.

In the noises being indiscriminately sprayed by nature, they can hear the rhythm of the stream, the rhythm of the swaying leaves, and the rhythm of babbling children.

You are a tyrant.

Because of your existence, people will now think of your melody when they hear the sound of the stream. Just like the sound of a frog is defined as 'croak croak', and the sound of the clock hand is 'tick tick', human anger, despair, and all emotions will be defined by your music.

A blessing to those who would become queen.

※However, it requires daily training and practice.

The piano rendition ended.

The Apathetic Duke nodded her head.

"750 people."

"This one is beautiful. This one is extremely talented. With this one's music, works, and life will be praised by all and recognized by all. Even so, this one will give that glory to you, and you will be able to hold the entire world in your hand."

"102 people."

The Apathetic Duke yawned.

"Even if everything you say proves true."

She rested her chin on her hand.

"That just means you were born with astronomical luck, and with good probability, we might end up having a good connection."

The Lady of Leisure's gaze was solemn.

She had rotten eyes that had seen thousands of years.

"Being a protagonist with such rare luck will make me fall in love with the coincidences and fate of this world. A love of chance. Is that the end you're trying to lead me to?"

"It's similar, but different."

Ja Soo-jung shook her head.

"This one will love you more than you can love yourself, Sir Duke."

"…"

With those words, the Apathetic Duke finally looked Ja Soo-jung in the eyes.

"Your excellency doesn't need to love anything. Only the love of this one will suffice, and finally, one day, your heart will contain something else, someone else. On that day, your excellency will finally be able to accomplish what you'd been putting off for a thousand years."

"What I'd been putting off?"

"Suicide."

"…"

"This one will commit suicide."

A drop of water fell from somewhere.

The Apathetic Duke was silent.

Dead instruments were scattered around the grave.

"I could drag you into the woods and beat you to death."

"Yes."

"I want to kill you."

"Yes."

"I also want to see you alive."

"I know."

The Apathetic Duke drew a die from her bosom.

"Let's see how lucky you are."

The Apathetic Duke rolled a die whenever she had to make an important decision. She had declared on her authority that she would unconditionally do whatever the die said.

Years ago, after suppressing a Count's rebellion, the Duke had to decide whether to execute the prisoners or not. She rolled an odd number, and so twenty thousand people died.

People thought she was a crazy bitch, but the Apathetic Duke also thought of herself that way.

"If it's an odd number, I'll kill you. If it's an even number, I'll spare you."

"If you roll a 6, spare me. If you roll anything else, kill me."

"I'll decide that."

The Apathetic Duke threw the die.

The die rolled along the ground of the musical grave.

[The One loved by the Dice]

Rank: SSS

Effect: Heavenly Luck(天運).

The Lady of Leisure looked over at the revealed face of the die.

Ja Soo-jun didn't look.

She looked at one of the most powerful people in the kingdom without turning her head. A Duke who would be able to protect her from attacks by the conservative faction, and who could protect her from any political offensive.

"Has this one become just 1 person now?"

After that day.

Ja Soo-jung became the [Duke's pet].

(TL: This chapter was so much of a brain buster that even other KTLs were confused by it.)

Chapter 212. God's Possession (2)

Translator: Seven ED: Sasha

2.

A nation on the brink of collapse.

Ja Soo-jung raced through this rotten kingdom.

"Do as you please."

She'd gained the favor of the Apathetic Duke, one of the six great nobles in the kingdom. She'd gained the protection of someone powerful. She no longer needed to hesitate.

The young girl immediately pointed her sword towards the era.

[Act 1.]

[Witch Hunt.]

The First Boss was the sub race terrorist.

The Black Witch who led the rebel organization 'The Red Nails'.

Originally, the Black Witch ruled as the number one Wizard in the Magic Tower. She was an elite among elite. So why did a human, not a sub race being, suddenly become a violent terrorist? The people of the world didn't know.

"It's not that they don't know, it's that they don't want to know."

The Witch of Darkness laughed.

"The longer you live, the more things you see. You see small children be placed in rice sacks and kicked to death. Tens of thousands and hundreds of thousands of sub races are enslaved. We don't intend to change anyone's mind now. It would be more realistic to pray for a miracle from the gods than wish for such a thing from humans. We just…"

The [Red Nails]' rebellion shook the kingdom.

"Want you to feel pain."

In the Royal Capital, noble young ladies were captured and tortured. A Great Noble, who had reigned for over 700 years as the absolute being in the south, was attacked and killed while touring the territory. Members of the royal family's special forces went missing in the southeast. Thousands of slaves escaped from a county and joined the rebels.

Nobles and commoners, regardless of status, the Red Nails tortured and slaughtered anyone as long as they were human. A bounty was placed on the Black Witch's neck, but no one was able to claim it. Those in power were terrified.

"This is fun."

Ja Soo-jun smiled brightly.

"Let's make it a little more fun."

Using the connections of the Apathetic Duke, Ja Soo-jung approached one of the princesses without permission. Princess Cham Beol-sa(惨罰死)*. The Head of the Royal Special Forces, and an Ascendant who was known for her cruelty.(: Severe Punishment and Death.)

Her hobby was to cut off criminals' right arms and keep them.

"This one will grant you victory."

Ja Soo-jun seduced the princess.

"It is clear that the Red Nails are giving Your Highness a headache."

"They're not just a headache, they're a toothache too."

"The reason your teeth ache is because your gums are loose. Your Highness."

Ja Soo-jung whispered.

"The reason the sub races are agitated is because the kingdom didn't support them. Only a few of the sub races were blind enough to actually participate in this genocide for revenge. If you can guarantee their lives, equality and honor, the Red Nail's influence will certainly diminish."

[King's Tutor]

Rank: B

Effect: Natural tactic. Wit to assist a King.

Those who possess this skill can instinctively spot an enemy's weaknesses. Furthermore, they are able to think of the necessary actions to poke at those weaknesses.

They are literally the Wisdom Behind the Throne. From politics to warfare, there are few schemes they cannot see through.

※However, it only activates when there is enough information.

"…"

The Crown Princess looked quietly at the noble that had approached her.

"The Viscount's proposal is reasonable, but it is difficult to implement. The sub races have already turned their backs on the kingdom once. If we were to embrace them again, the humans and the nobles would not sit still. I cannot afford the opposition of the humans while trying to stop the sub races' rebellion. It would be putting the cart before the horse."

"Is it because a lowly person like this one tried to advise Your Highness?"

Ja Soo-jung was not in a hurry.

Princess Cham Beol-sa had lost dozens of siblings since she was young. The princess was known for her cruelty, but that cruelty stemmed from the cruelty of her own childhood. Ja Soo-jung instinctively knew how to dissolve the unhappiness that came from her childhood.

"This one is also a noble."

Ja Soo-jung decided to become a real sister for the princess.

"All nobles are allowed to have vassals, enlist an army, or accept territorial subjects. So there is no need for Your Highness to personally accept the rebels."

Warm eyes. A benevolent smile. A gentle touch.

In this way, Ja Soo-jung slowly corroded Princess Cham Beol-sa.

As the ice melted, the sweet smell of poison rose.

"Your Highness."

When she lamented about her life, she listened calmly.

When she was frustrated, she patted the back of her hand.

How amazing the Crown Princess was, how precarious the kingdom's situation would be without her, Viscount Amethyst whispered these words whenever she found an opening.

"…Ja Soo-jung."

Over time, as the place she patted changed from the back of her hand to her shoulder, from her shoulder to her bangs, from her bangs to her cheeks, the princess stopped calling her [Viscount] and started calling her [Ja Soo-jung].

"Tell me your plan."

"It's simple. The Red Nails have a point to point organization. This one will lead my elite and crush the enemy's dens one after the other. Every time we trample them, this one will accept those who surrender as vassals or territorial subjects. This one will embrace those abandoned by the kingdom on Your Highness' behalf."

"You mean that instead of me, you will be the one attracting the attention and discontent."

"Yes."

"And what shall I do?"

"Please love this one."

The poison was sweet.

"…as long as it's in private."

It was also fatal.

With the favor of the Apathetic Duke and Princess Cham Beol-sa, Ja Soo-jung captured the sub race rebels. Ja Soo-jung guaranteed 'absolute safety' for the rebels that surrendered. The former terrorists became the Viscount's soldiers, the Viscount's citizens, the Viscount's slaves.

"That crazy bitch again!"

Of course, the conservative faction could not tolerate such an act.

"That man is a low life who plundered my estate. Please give him to me!"

"Years ago, when my brother was walking down the street, a slave cut his leash and escaped. My brother lost both eyes and was killed after. I hear that the slave has become your vassal. Please give him to me, I have enough money."

"Why are you collecting the national enemies? If you have any loyalty to the kingdom, you will dispose of the rebels you captured!"

From all of the kingdom, lords, merchants and priests swarmed like bees.

Ja Soo-jung smiled.

"I'm quivering."

Ja Soo-jung was strong.

"Regardless of their past, they now serve this one. They are this one's slaves. According to the law, their ownership belongs to this one. Nevertheless, if you still want to take them away, please challenge this one to a duel or declare a family war."

Three duels and one family war, she won them all.

She didn't give up a single sub race being that had come under her command.

[Guardian of the Subrace](TL: Calling them 'sub race' feels weird, but it's literally 'other people')

Rank: B

Effect: It is easier to gain the trust of the sub race.

Those who have cried under racism long awaited your arrival. Break of the chains of slavery and free the people of the kingdom. As long as you don't betray them first, the sub race will always follow you.

※However, humans despise you.

The sub races, who were initially wary of Ja Soo-jung, gradually had their suspicions lifted.

Viscount Amethyst built a town in the vicinity of the large forest near the capital. The former terrorists of the Red Nails were given a place to sleep and various jobs. Every time a base of the [Red Nails] was destroyed, the town Viscount Amethyst made became more prosperous.

"…"

The Black Witch made her move.

"Yes, she's finally moving."

Ja Soo-jung used the Crown Princess as bait to attract the [Red Nails]' main forces. They were completely surrounded. The terrorists had nowhere to run. If they ran away, they could not guarantee the future of the organization.

The Black Witch gritted her teeth.

"For a cheeky brat… you're pretty good."

"You're pretty good too. For an old lady."

"Do you think the Red Nails will break if you kill me? We are the blood from wounds. As long as this kingdom exists, we will never be destroyed."

"This one intends to try something."

Viscount Amethyst swung her sword.

"This one plans to create a new noble faction. Even if it takes decades, this one will abolish slavery, liberate the serfs one step at a time. I have already gained enough support. It will be simple."

"Ha."

The Black Witch shed black blood.

"You're still too young, I'm afraid you don't know anything."

"Huh. What are you talking about? If this one doesn't know anything then 99.9% of the world are monkeys."

"We don't want anything in return. We didn't ask for any compensation either. No matter how many times you promise to make a peaceful era, those who have already died will never return."

The Black Witch's eyes were bloodshot.

"The children who died because their backs were shredded by your whips. The slaves who drowned in their own blood because their ribs were broken and pierced their lungs. You don't know, but we remember. The Kingdom's Crazy Bitch! If you can't bring back those dead children, then every word out of your mouth is bullshit!"

"…"

Ja Soo-jung paused.

Her purple eyes turned down.

Her sword was stabbed into the Black Witch's heart, her blood covered it.

"You don't want compensation…?"

It was a shock to the one called Ja Soo-jung.

"Didn't you hear that I would abolish slavery? It would take some time, but this one could also resolve the discrimination between the sub races and the humans. Because this one is talented. That would be the future everyone wants. Are you saying it doesn't matter?"

"The future never mattered in the first place."

The Black Witch roused the last of her magic power and counterattacked. As soon as she felt the surge of magic power, Ja Soo-jung twisted her sword. Puk! Her heart was cut once again. The Black Witch coughed a mouthful of blood.

"Die."

"…"

"All of you… will… die."

Ja Soo-jung felt the truth in the Black Witch's curse.

"Indeed."

And realized.

"As for the deaths that have already occurred, there is nothing this one can do."

For the first time since she killed her father, Ja Soo-jung felt helpless.

"But something can still be done about those who are still alive. The Apathetic Duke adores this one, Princess Cham Beol-sa also favors this one, but… You're right. This one cannot do anything about the misfortune of the dead. I hadn't thought about that."

"…"

"It seems this one is still incompetent."

The Black Witch looked up at Ja Soo-jung.

"What should I do, Master of the Red Nail?"

"What are you…."

"How can this one take responsibility for those who have already died? How can I comfort those who live for the dead and not for themselves?"

Ja Soo-jung's eyes were clear.

Endless.

The Black Witch, whose heart had already stopped, was suddenly startled.

"Do you not know?"

"…"

"So you don't know."

Ja Soo-jung nodded to herself.

"Then I must have been killing the wrong people."

"You…"

"Murder is the ultimate incompetence. Kill those you can't persuade, kill those you can't convert, kill those you can't control. Just like this one killed the father who imprisoned me."

The witch's expression was reflected in Ja Soo-jung's eyes.

"In the end, this one was unable to change my father. Even after 12 years of hard work."

There was no trace of the girl who asked for the love of the Apathetic Duke and gave love to the Crown Princess. Not even slightly. There was only a beast that moaned endlessly.

"This isn't fun."

Ja Soo-jung tilted her head to the side.

"Miss Black Witch. Since you don't know how to comfort those who are already dead, who would? Do you know someone like that?"

"A person like that… doesn't… exist…."

"Certainly. I'm sure no human could."

Ja Soo-jung nodded.

"Perhaps a Dragon would know."

While dying, the Black Witch realized something.

"Thank you. Miss Black Witch. Thanks to you, this one realized my incompetence."

That this noble, who was gently bowing to her, was fatally broken somewhere.

"Unfortunately, this incompetence cannot be resolved for the time being. The Dragon Emperor lives outside of the kingdom. If this one were to throw politics aside and chase after the Dragon's tail, this kingdom would soon perish… Mm. Right. I'll also need to learn Dragon tongue."

Ja Soo-jung smiled brightly.

"Please wait for a while. As soon as this one figures out how to treat Death, I will repay Miss Black Witch first."

"Mon… ster…"

"Goodbye."

Ja Soo-jung placed her sword against the witch's neck.

"When you open your eyes again, a happy spring will await you."

Viscount Amethyst rose to prominence as a hero.

All of the Red Nail executives surrendered to Ja Soo-jung, except for one. Those who were tired of terrorism moved to the forest village, and those who had become bloodthirsty, became soldiers for Ja Soo-jung.

The kingdom was on the verge of collapse. Even if it was no longer a fight between the humans and the sub race, there were still many bloody battlefields.

One by one, Ja Soo-jung collected the poison of the kingdom.

'The Apathetic Duke's Pet', 'Princess Cham Beol-sa's Tutor', 'The Slayer of the Black Witch', 'The One Who Absorbed the Red Nail'.

Titles that were too bright to be said to have been obtained by luck at her young age.

But compared to the title she was about to get, all of those were mediocre at best.

"Hello, Mr. Gold Dragon."

One year after the witch hunt.

"It's nice to meet you. This one is Ja Soo-jung, a noble from the kingdom, and the Head of the Amethyst Family." (TL: Ja Soo-jung family)

Ja Soo-jung bowed politely.

Behind her stood countless warriors.

These were the poisons she'd collected over the past year.

[The Royal Capital's First Sword] The Ultimate Sword Duke, [The Head of the Capital Army] Viscount Se Ah-gwi, [The Executioner] Baron Yu Ik-mo, [The Last of the Red Nails] Ju Tan-ha, [The Phoenix] Princess Nan Lak-je, [Viscount Amethyst's Flower] Viscount Sim An-chal….

Those who had once dreamed of the destruction of the kingdom, those who wanted it, those who tried to hasten it, those who welcomed it, and those who ignored it. A force capable of overturning the kingdom stood behind Ja Soo-jung. Their swords were stained with blood. The blood of the soldiers who'd jumped to protect the Dragon.

"It is rude of me to ask this at our first meeting."

Ja Soo-jung smiled brightly.

"But do you know of a way to treat the dead?"

That day.

Ja Soo-jung slew a Dragon that had lived for thousands of years.

[Act 2.]

[Dragon Emperor Hunt.]

Chapter 213. God's Possession (3)

Translator: Seven

3.

The Gold Dragon lived in an enormous tower.

It was known as the tower that pierced the heavens. The tower was made entirely of gold, so it was called the Golden Sky Tower. But since ancient times it had been given the name Netherworld Tower since it was said to overlook nirvana.

It had been 7,000 years since the Gold Dragon had built the Tower. Even after lasting for 7,000 years, the gold had not lost its brilliance. Even in ancient times, the Netherworld Tower was revered as the umbilical cord that hung from the sky.

In the southeastern part of the kingdom, one could see the tower wherever they turned their head. It was a backdrop that had existed there long before the kingdom had been established. Simply by existing, it had become a belief. People worshiped the mysteries of the world.

Even after 7,000 years, the tower in the sky remained unchanged.

"A subjugation order had been issued."

However, humans changed.

"The Nobles listened."

The humans who had lived as slaves of the Dragons eventually established their own nation.

"We organized a suppression army, and every lord sent their soldiers. In the name of the king."

The Dragons ridiculed humans as foolish and weak. Due to their short lives, it was difficult for them to maintain a national body.

Humans were as dim-witted as the Dragons thought, but they weren't so dim-witted to forget those who enslaved their race. The kingdom made a national policy to destroy every Dragon kingdom in the world.

"The forces dispatched by rank are as follows. One thousand from Marquises, two hundred from Viscounts, fifty from Barons. Honorable Viscount…"

Hundreds of thousands of troops were gathered.

Nevertheless, the subjugation failed purely because of the power of the Gold Dragon.

Every Dragon was born with a unique power. The Gold Dragon's Power was [Instinct]. It was a power that liberated the human's of their greed.

Immediately after stepping into the territory of the Gold Dragon, the brave warriors were met by murder. The simple soldiers were overwhelmed by lust. The adventurers, who called each other blood brothers, split up over the spoils. In the 1st Subjugation Order, 2nd Subjugation Order, and 3rd Subjugation Order, the kingdom's army was crushed in a devastating manner.

That was the way it had always been, and that would be the case again.

Or so they thought.

"…"

The Gold Dragon looked at the girl in front of him.

She was called Ja Soo-jung.

She was a child who resembled a flower bud that had yet to bloom. The Dragon was able to smell the poisonous smell that was faintly drifting from between the petals.

"How are you still sane?"

"That's simple. This one was already living by my instincts."

The flower bud that looked human spoke.

She spoke fluently in Dragontongue.

"I get things because I want them, I do things because I want to, and I kill because I want to. If people who follow their instincts can be called crazy, then this one has always been crazy. Golden Dragon Emperor. You might be able to make a crazy person sane, but you can't make a crazy person crazy again."

"That sounds reasonable."

The Gold Dragon looked over the girl's shoulder. Dozens of people stood there. They all remained silent as Ja Soo-jung spoke.

"However, that is your story. Why are they also sane?"

"Well. You're right. That is quite strange. Why is that so?"

Ja Soo-jung smiled.

"Try to guess. Golden Dragon Emperor."

"…"

The Gold Dragon looked at the humans again.

There was nothing wrong with his power. The humans were all panting. They all had clenched fists as though they wanted to kill each other. Their faces were red as if they wanted to hold someone down. While they remained silent, desire clearly flowed through their bodies.

But they all had one thing in common.

They were all dominated by a feeling that was much more pronounced than their murderous and sexual desire.

The Dragon Emperor, who was better at reading emotions than anyone else, could easily tell what it was.

"…indeed."

It was [Fear].

"They all… are afraid of being hated by you."

"Yes."

The flower bud smiled like a full bloom.

"Because they love this one."

The Gold Dragon knew it was the truth. And it shuddered.

These humans were all infested with murderous and sexual desire. It was just that the feeling [I don't want to be hated by Ja Soo-jung, and the fear of disappointing her, outweighed all the other emotions.

Even the fear of death.

The Gold Dragon couldn't help but ask back.

"Is it love?"

That thing?

"Yes."

Ja Soo-jung nodded.

"People often say that they love themselves. That they love themselves the most. As if it was natural. What is the nature of that love?"

Ja Soo-jung hummed. Her voice sounded like a sweet melody.

"There aren't many people who can truly tolerate being loved. It is rare. When people say that they love themselves, it's more of the feeling of [not wanting to lose]. This life. This moment. It means they don't want to lose this life."

Ja Soo-jung slowly stretched out her left hand.

"The feeling of not wanting to lose this one can also be called love."

"…"

"Sir Ultimate Sword Duke?"

When Ja Soo-jung called out, the Duke walked forward and knelt down. Then he pressed his lips to the back of Ja Soo-jung's hand.

The Duke was an Ascendant who had lived for more than two thousand years. He was, without a doubt, the strongest Swordsman in the kingdom. And yet, it still felt natural for such a Duke to kneel.

"They would rather lay down their own life than lose this one. To these people, this one is that kind of being."

"The Netherworld Tower, which was thought to be impregnable. Was actually defeated by a strategy called love. It is typical, but fun because it is typical. What do you think? Are you having fun?"

At that moment, the Gold Dragon had a feeling.

Who was strong, and who was weak.

"…I want to live."

The Dragon Emperor's shoulders shook.

"Spare me. …I will help you."

The Dragon Emperor was currently in human form. At the top of the tower was a garden and in the middle of that garden was a fountain. In this fountain made of gold, the Dragon Emperor begged. The tremors in the Dragon Emperor's body shook the water in the fountain.

"Of course."

Ja Soo-jung stroked the Dragon Emperor's chin.

"I will spare you. Because you are such a beautiful person."

"Please…"

"However, you have not answered this one's question yet. A way to treat those who are already dead. Does the Golden Dragon Emperor know?"

"I don't know. I don't know, but I think I know who might know… They are also Dragon Emperor's. I'll tell you their names, and I'll tell you their locations. So…"

"Yes."

Ja Soo-jung's touch was soft.

Almost like a gesture of understanding.

"Three subjugation orders were issued to attack this place. The most recent one was made 20 years ago. Around 100,000 people were killed that time. If we include the ones who were not counted, it would be 200,000. The royal family and nobles will want your head, they will buzz like a swarm of bees and their spit will fly."

"…"

"But you shouldn't worry. This one will do something for you."

Splash. The water in the fountain shook.

The Gold Dragon's hair, which was scattered in the water, also shook.

"However, there is a price."

"What is it…?"

"Please love this one."

A drop of water suddenly fell.

[The Gold Dragon's Gaze]

Rank: EX

Effect: Those who enter this skill's range will be engulfed in instinct. Their intellect will be paralyzed, and their reason is dulled. The desire, craving, and greed that they normally suppress are liberated.

This skill reveals the 'essence' of the target. It can affect not only living beings but also objects. Allows the user to see the essence of all things as they please. They will be able to view the world from an omniscient viewpoint.

※However, the user is also included in the skill's range.

The Gold Dragon was reduced to Viscount Amethyst's pet.

"In the desert that stretches beyond the mountains, there is a child called the Earth Bone Dragon(地骨龍)."

The Dragon, who fell in love for the first time in his life, gave everything to his lover.

The Gold Dragon used his power for Ja Soo-jung. Recited all of his knowledge for Ja Soo-jung. Devoted his life to Ja Soo-jung. He knew just how doomed a Dragon who fell in love with a human was, but whenever he looked into his lover's eyes, he forgot what he knew.

"Earth Bone Dragon?"

"Right. The Earth Bone Dragon has the power of immortality. Everything that Dragon's fingertips touch becomes sand and disperses, and every life reaped by that Dragon's hand gives them eternal life. It's a bit anomalous, but…"

"Heh."

Ja Soo-jung smiled.

"Interesting."

The Dragon was happy.

[The Earth Bone Dragon's Skull]

Rank: SSS

Effect: The ability to archive the memories of the living. Archived memories are placed in a 'box' that can only be destroyed by the user.

Unless the box is destroyed, the user can recreate the body of a person who will inherit the same memories over and over. The body can travel around the world, create new memories, and 'update' those experiences back to the box. Of course, if the user allows it!

Even if the body is completely destroyed, the box will not suffer any damage. Grant the privilege of immortality to those around you.

※However, the memories of a destroyed body cannot be updated to the box.

The Earth Bone Dragon soon became another one of Ja Soo-jung's pets.

"I don't think it is enough yet."

The Gold Dragon, and the Earth Bone Dragon, these two Dragons were rubbing their cheeks on Ja Soo-jung's knees. Viscount Amethyst slowly stroked the golden hair of the Gold Dragon and the black hair of the Earth Bone Dragon. The two Dragons trembled every time her hands touched their heads.

"I have the [eyes] to see anything. And the [head] to store memories. However, it's still not enough to include those who have already died. Don't you know of a way?"

"At the end of the Great River…"

The Gold Dragon opened his lips.

Sweet breath flowed out.

"The child called the Ice River Dragon(水河龍)*. Where that child lives is extremely cold. The wind always blows, the rain becomes snow, and the sea becomes ice." (: Ice River or Glacier. The author used '빙하' which means glacier, but considering the hanja '水河' I chose Ice River instead)

"How exciting. Tell me more."

0

"The Ice River Dragon freezes the people he likes in a special way… in pillars of ice. The pillars of ice can never be destroyed or melted. Except for by the Ice River Dragon's hand. Surprisingly, whenever the Ice River Dragon melts a pillar, the person that was trapped inside comes back to life as if they had only closed their eyes for a moment…"

"In other words?"

"The Ice River Dragon has the ability to stop time."

The Gold Dragon placed his head on Ja Soo-jung's lap and looked up at her.

"If he can stop time, perhaps he can accelerate it. If he can accelerate time, perhaps he can control it…?"

Viscount Amethyst chuckled gently.

"You're cute."

The Dragon became a bit happier.

[The Ice River Dragon's Breath]

Rank: EX

Effect: You can control the time of any person you want. You can send them back to the past, or freeze them in the present. You can return them to any point of time that you observed.

※However, they cannot be moved to a point in time that you didn't observe.

The Ice River Dragon also became Ja Soo-jung's pet.

"Ahh."

All the ingredients had been gathered.

Finally, Viscount Amethyst could let out her breath.

"Good."

The Dragons under her breath were happy.

"Good."

Ja Soo-jung was also happy.

Perhaps.

[Act 3.]

[Kingdom Hunt.]

At that point.

There was no political force that could stop Viscount Amethyst.

The kingdom had six Dukes and six factions respectively. The Performance Faction that followed the Leisurely Duke*. The Cultivator Faction that followed the Absolute Sword Duke. The Religious Faction that served the Ten Thousand God Duke. The Inner Energy* Faction led by the Inner Energy Duke. The Stone Medicine* Faction led by the Stone Medicine Duke. (: Changed this to match the theme of the others, the reason is explained below) (: Still deciphering this one tbh, need more context. For those curious, the hanja is '內京'.)(: Referring to stone needles used in chinese medicine.) (TL: Yes there are only 5 here)

Viscount Amethyst was loved by all six Dukes.

Even in the unprecedented situation where a Viscount [owned] several Dragons, the nobles did not openly oppose it.

The royal family was probably the only ones who could oppose Viscount Amethyst. After all, wasn't the royal family the only ones capable of reigning in a runaway noble.

The current king was the Sun King.

He had been in power for 90 years and hadn't attended a Noble Council in over 60 years. At that time, 60 years ago, when a rebellion had broken out, the Sun King executed his own daughter.

The Sun King did not see any value in a country that had only been established by killing relatives.

He also didn't know why he had to be in such a place that had no value.

The king imprisoned himself.

And in the 60 years that the Sun had been imprisoned, the kingdom had become rotten and collapsed.

"Your Majesty."

The scent of the flower was strongest when the petals were rubbed.

"Please listen to this one's request."

"Do you regret killing your daughter?"

"The rebellion broke out because you ruled this country. No matter what policy you implemented, or what political move you executed, someone in the king's domain would be sacrificed. In politics, the more you wanted to do, the more sacrifices you had to make. Regardless of who did it, what they did. In that case, it would be better to do nothing."

"You let the wise spread their wisdom. Whoever wants power, you let them take it. Your Majesty only exists in this place. If it is the royal road Your Majesty opened…"

Viscount Amethyst sat beneath the throne.

Reaching out, she touched the face of the king which had not been shown in 60 years.

"Leave it to this one."

The scent of peaches.

The scent of peaches being crushed in hand filled the room thickly.

"It was this one who suppressed the rebellion of the Red Nails that no one could stop. It was this one who blocked the assembly that could not be stopped. It was this one who stopped the rebellion started by the royal family's retreat. It was this one who revived the royal army, defeated the Gold Dragon who threatened the southern part of the kingdom, and captured the Earth Bone Dragon who froze the waters of the Great River. Leisurely Duke. Absolute Sword Duke. Ten Thousand God Duke. Inner Energy Duke. Stone Medicine Duke. Even the six Dukes, whose hearts had been rotting in time, were able to feel their hearts beat again because of this one. Please look. This one has accomplished things that no one was ever able to do"

"This one is capable."

"This one is the most talented."

"…"

"Therefore, Your Majesty."

The whispers of young girl were sweeter than the praises of the gods.

"Leave it to this one."

Her purple eyes were half-lidded.

"Are you afraid of losing your heart? Please lose it. This one will recover it. Are you afraid of making mistakes? Please make them. This one will fix it. Are you afraid of losing your mind? That's fine. Please lose it."

"It's alright to go crazy for this one."

The stone statue that had sat for 60 years opened its mouth.

"Why?"

The king, who was once praised as the Sun of the kingdom, was puzzled.

"If you are so competent, then this kingdom is useless to you. Even if you can give everything to the kingdom, the kingdom cannot give you anything. Why would you want to favor this king? We cannot give you anything."

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty, there is something you are mistaken about."

"What is it?"

"This one sought an audience with you."

Viscount Amethyst rose slowly onto the king's knees.

The eyes of the monarch and subject met.

"What this one wants is Your Majesty. Just as Your Majesty wishes for someone more capable than you. As you have always dreamed of that, so has this one also dreamed of you."

"…"

"Please join this one's Dark Army."

Their breaths intermingled.

"This one will make you the Sage King of this era."

The stone statue was torn down by the scent, and the sun was enchanted by the petals.

In the midst of being knocked down and possessed, the king uttered one last question.

"…The karma that We have is great. There are many dead on Our hands. Since We don't deserve to be a Sage King of this era, why not let this one be an ordinary soldier in the Dark Army until the very end as repentance to history? Just as it is impossible to revive the dead, so too can We not undo the sins We have committed. It would be good even if the Viscount was to have Us die."

"Aha."

It was just like the curse the witch had spewed before.

At that time, the Viscount had been unable to answer.

"It's fine, Your Majesty."

Now, it was different.

"This one can also serve the dead."

She had become a bit more capable.

"Not just the dead, but all of the people in the world."

"How…"

"Leave everything to this one."

Ja Soo-jung smiled coyly.

"However, please love this one."

December of that year.

Viscount Amethyst became a Duke.

She was the seventh Duke in the history of the kingdom, and the youngest to ever be awarded the title.

The Kaleidoscope(萬華鏡)* Duke. (: One of the names the Tower Master gave in Chapter 210).

In the Kingdom, it was customary to shorten a Duke's name by two characters. The Ultimate Sword Duke(궁극검 공작) became the Absolute Sword Duke(절검공), and the Apathetic Duke(무위식 공작) became the Leisurely Duke(유희공). In this way, the Kaleidoscope Duke was also often referred to with a two character name instead of the three character name bestowed by the king.

The Country Tilting Duke(傾國公).

The Duke who tilted the country.

(TL: This arc is very strange, confusing… and incredibly difficult to translate. The author is introducing many names without much context and using hanja to supplement the meanings. Except some of them are still hard for me to interpret even with the hanja and I'm all but certain I'm off the mark with quite a few of them. I apologize for the things I've most certainly gotten wrong, T~T I'm trying my best.)

Chapter 214. Someone's Lord (1)

Translator: Seven ED: Sasha

1.

My Lord. (TL: Or 'Owner')

My Heart. My Blood.

My everything in this world.

2.

Ttuk-

The sound of dripping water could be heard from somewhere.

When the drops fell, they landed not on the ground, but on eternity. Ttuk. Ttuk. For a short while, only the sound of dripping water could be heard, then, the surrounding gravity seemingly disappeared, and time continued to slowly pass.

"…"

I suddenly raised my head. It was only after raising my head that I realized my head had been lowered in the first place.

When exactly did I lower my head?

What time was it now?

I didn't know.

[Warning.]

...

[The Subject's ego is unstable.]

"Ugh."

My eyebrows rose reflexively.

I had a terrible headache.

The thumping sensation in my brain made me nauseous.

"Baron Gu Won-ha?"

At that moment, I heard a soft voice.

"A-, are you okay?"

I struggled to open my eyes and look to the side.

A child with hair the color of a snow rabbit was looking at me with a worried gaze.

This was probably my first time seeing her, so I didn't know why

My lips were able to pronounce her noble title with ease.

"Yes. I'm fine… Your Excellency the Marquis."

Marquis Baek Seol-to.

She was only 16 this year.

Due to the sudden death of the previous Marquis, her young shoulders had been laden with the overly heavy cloak of responsibility. According to the rumors floating around the family, there had been thoughts to use her as a scapegoat.

If Viscount Ja Soo-jung hadn't taken her in, she might have already been assassinated by now…

[Warning.]

[The Subject's ego is unstable.]

[Continuing to reproduce trauma.]

Jiiiing-.

'Ugh!'

It felt like my head was about to split open.

I quickly called upon my magic power. Forcibly ignoring the bitter taste on my tongue, poetic language began to flow from my mouth.

『Stability— And— Relaxation.』

One poetic word to calm the mind. One poetic word to ease the pain. When the spell that corresponded to the three words was activated, my headache subsided greatly.

'Hoo.'

I let out a sigh.

I didn't have the time to make a sublime poem, so I just hurriedly picked words, but fortunately, it worked. It was at that moment that I realized I was one of the twelve best Wizards in the kingdom.

"A-, are you really okay? Your face is very pale."

"…nothing's wrong. Thank you for your concern."

"Really? Are you really not feeling uncomfortable anywhere?"

Marquis Baek Seol-to checked my condition several times. While telling the Marquis I was alright, I calmly diagnosed the abnormality within a corner of my mind.

'I'm having trouble recalling my memories.'

The headache was gone. But there was a feeling of strangeness when it came to my memories.

'It couldn't be mind magic, could it?'

It was a difficult possibility to think about.

In the history of the kingdom, there had been very few cases of magic being used on the minds of others.

Not to mention that this place was the Platinum Tower.

A place where all the nobles of the kingdom had gathered to have a serious meeting.

The bodyguards mobilized to protect the council members were simply amazing. They were warriors under the direct control of the royal court who had been stationed to keep even an ant out. If anyone tried to do anything reckless in this place, they would lose their neck even if they were a Dragon or a God.

'Perhaps it's just because I'm tired.'

I quietly cast another spell.

If there really was a problem with my memory, I'd simply restore it.

『Information— Baek Seol-to— Restored.』

For some reason, I felt accustomed to the phenomenon of losing my memory. It wasn't that strange. As if I was prepared for a situation like this, I even had a plan prepared.

My elaborate preparation floated before my eyes.

[Baek Seol-to]

Identity: Noble. Marquis.

Relationship: Viscount's Adopted Sibling.

Danger Rating: White.

Remarks: Head of the Rabbit Marquis Family. Lost her parents at a young age. Was taught to be a successor by her grandfather, Marquis Baek Mi-to.

Unlike her grandfather, who was a renowned genius, Bae Seol-to was a notorious dimwit since her youth. In the winter of her 12th year, she whipped a freeman* child to death. The reason was 'because she didn't like seeing the families of people her age smiling so happily'. (: Freemen were essential tenants who paid rent to the lord of a territory to use their land.)

It is presumed that her grandfather's teaching was quite strict. She was not praised or shown love. Although she now displays a determined attitude, she still craves for the love and praise of Viscount Ja Soo-jung. She considers Viscount Ja Soo-jung as her mother and elder sister.

Ally.

No need to kill.

Strength: [Self Understanding, [Strong Morality, [Personal Connections, [Capital]

Weaknesses: [Murder of a Freeman, [Murder of a Child, [Guilt, [Lethargy, [Kind Heartedness, [Temporary Infantile Regression, [Extremely low self confidence]

Note: Many nobles are dependent on the Marquis. Assassination is difficult.

"…"

As soon as I was made aware of this information, I felt relieved.

But I blinked as I had a strange feeling.

'Huh.'

As expected, something was strange.

'Did I always have this ability?'

This information that I'd thought up were probably notes that I had written myself. After seeing it, I should have had a [Ah, I wrote that] kind of feeling…

'Strange.'

But instead of feeling assured, the strange feeling just grew stronger.

Even at that moment, as I thought in my head, there was an uncomfortable feeling in my mouth as though I had a fish bone stuck in my teeth

'What is it? This…'

Just in case, I'd checked with magic to see if I had been affected by mind magic, but as expected, there was no problem… Wait a minute. Magic? One of the top twelve Wizards in the kingdom? Me? No. I didn't use crude words like that. I had a bit more decorum, like a noble…

[Warning.]

[The Subject's ego has been weakened.]

…That's right.

Why had I been speaking informally all this while?

Magic was the art of refining language into matter. It was imperative to always be careful with language.

Even if it was just my own inner thoughts, I always had to put myself in a humble position so that I wouldn't forget the wonders of this world. That was the heart that I steadily walked to the path of magic with.

'I have to pull myself together.'

A thousand words piled up and became a hundred habits.

A hundred habits built up and solidified into ten behavioral patterns.

Ten behavioral patterns determined one life.

As a Wizard who served closely by the Viscount's side, I should not take even a single word lightly.

"What's going on here? It's so noisy."

While I was trying to pull myself together, another figure approached.

Marquis Baek Seol-to recognized her first and bowed her head.

"Ah. Viscount Sun Heuk-sin…."

"Why are you here?"

I bowed my head too.

"Today is the last break. Wouldn't it be better to rest in the lounge?"

"Even if I rest in the lounge, it wouldn't really be resting. Just by sitting there, the nobles of other factions will stare."

Viscount Sun Heuk-sin smiled bitterly.

"I feel like I can't stand it because of the random words that they pour out at us. I'd be more comfortable if they just cursed openly… I should have stayed in the conference hall like the Marquis."

"Ah. I-, is the atmosphere as you expected…?"

"Mm."

"Did the Stone Medicine Faction pressure you?"

"There isn't really any distinction between the Stone Medicine, Inner Energy and Religious Factions. They all treat us like sinners. Well, it's sad, but it's not too big of a deal."

I listened politely to the conversation between the Marquis and the Viscount.

Both of them were senior members of the Mirror Faction.

In particular, Viscount Sun Heuk-sin served as the chairman. It was one of the most important positions in the faction. That was how much she was favored by the Viscount.

…

Umm.

He must be a favored noble.

But I wasn't confident in my memory.

Hesitantly, I cast the information spell.

[Sun Heuk-sin]

Identity: Noble. Viscount.

Relationship: Viscount's Lover.

Danger Rating: Blue.

Remarks: Head of the Black God* Viscount Family who revolted 20 years ago. The rebellion was suppressed by the Apathetic Duke dispatched by the royal family. At that time, Sun Heuk-sin was the only one to survive. (: 'heuk-sin' = 'Black God')

In the incident, Sun Heuk-sin lost all of her family and vassals. She vowed vengeance on the Duke and the Kingdom for not showing any mercy.

Afterwards, she disappeared, and went under the leadership of the Black Witch, the leader of a new rebellion.

She was taught the 'Ritual of Darkness' by the Black Witch. The detailed process was unknown, but it was said that more than 300 humans had been devoured by Sun Heuk-sin in the ritual.

She was captured by Viscount Ja Soo-jung just before the ritual could be completed.

Afterwards, she was reduced to a toy of the Apathetic Duke and Viscount Ja Soo-jung, but six months later, she regained her intellect and was freed. Nevertheless, her eating habits have not changed, and even now, Viscount Ja Soo-jung would give her 'feed'.

Ally.

Can't kill.

Strengths: [Genius, [Strong Willpower, [Ascendant]

Weakness: [Descendant of Rebels, [Cannibal, [Former Wanted Criminal, [Music]

Notes: Could be a very capable assassin if taken as a vassal.

"…"

It still felt strange.

I still understood the information, but it felt like reading someone else's writing.

'More than that, why did I write something like [can't kill]?'

Even the information of Marquis Baek Seol-to contained a similar phrase. That one was [no need to kill]. That made me feel like a psycho who determined who I could and couldn't kill.

I have normal ethical beliefs.

At least that's what I felt.

It was hard to understand why those phrases were written.

"Of course, we shouldn't just sit around and lament on a day like this."

Viscount Sun Heuk-sin sighed and tapped me on the shoulder.

Suddenly, an unpleasant feeling passed through my mind.

'So annoying. Please stop pretending like we're close. This person, whenever they have time, always tries to show that the two of us are in the same situation. On the subject of killers. I feel sorry for people who only feel alive when they are together with their own kind. Well, if this person wants to find her own kind, she'd have to fall to hell first before searching. She doesn't want to go to hell, so she's sticking to me instead. There is nothing more annoying than that.'

…….

Huh?

Huhh?

Just now, what was I thinking?

"Mm? Baron Gu Won-ha. Your complexion is a bit bad right now. Are you feeling discomfort somewhere?"

"Tha-, that's right. Her complexion hasn't looked good for a while now. The Baron should go to the lounge and rest."

"…no."

I managed to open my mouth. When I opened my mouth, words that I hadn't been thinking naturally flowed out.

"We have already been given five breaks. There is no point in resting any further. The few issues remaining on the agenda are the core focus of our faction, so I would like to maintain my position as much as possible."

"Indeed…"

Viscount Sun Heuk-sin nodded with an expression as if she understood my words.

"Today is a historic day. It will be the first time in a thousand years that the kingdom will welcome a new Duke. I also have mixed feelings."

Viscount Sun Heuk-sin turned her head.

The gazes of Marquis Baek Seol-to and myself naturally shift as well.

" —Ja Soo-jung, is delighted."

In the middle of the conference hall.

Sat a blonde noble.

No. It would be too much to say [sit]. The noble was resting her cheek against the throne with her buttocks on the ground. And the King, who sat on the throne, smiled as he stroked the noble's head.

When such affection was shown in the middle of the conference hall, the conservative nobles lamented that the country was ruined.

Viscount Sun Heuk-sin said.

"A lot of nobles ran to the lounge because they didn't want to see that. When I told them the truth that he sincerely loved her, their expressions were not good. Those old fashioned bastards."

Did this person just have a similar thought to me?

Did I share similar thoughts with a murderer? I wanted to grab a blade and scrape my brain clean.

Thinking of a way to clean my skull, I looked at the blonde noble, who was more precious to me than anyone else.

『Information— Ja Soo-jung— Restored.』

Letters then appeared before my eyes once again.

It was very concise compared to the others.

However, these exact words hung in the air before me.

[Ja Soo-jung]

My Lord.

My Heart.

My Blood.

My everything in this world.

"…"

Huh?

'That person is my lord?'

At that moment, my head began to clear.

'The owner of my heart is Raviel. What bullshit is this?'

No, my head was clear.

The fog in my mind disappeared in an instant.

'Who is Baek Seol-to? Who is Sun Heuk-sin? Where am I? Why the hell am I speaking so politely? Wizard? Gu Won-ha? Baron? Why aren't they using Kim Gong-ja?'

My eyes opened like someone waking up from a nightmare.

'I am Kim Gong-ja. Kim Gong-ja. The Death King of Ascension City. The Moon of Duke Ivansia, the Young Master of the Demonic Cult, and the Companion of the Goblin Race!'

Finally, I heard the voice of the Tower.

[The Subject's ego has been restored.]

[Confirmed that the Subject's ego has been maintained.]

[Continuing to reproduce trauma!]

Chapter 215. Someone's Lord (2)

Translator: Seven ED: Sasha

"Ugh."

I grabbed my forehead, pressing my fingertips against my skull. Then, the headache disappeared, and I slowly regained my senses.

'Right. I'm in a [Trauma] right now.'

This was a different world. No, it was a play that had been created by imitating a certain world.

The actors didn't know they were actors, and the props didn't know they were props, but all the people who came and went here were part-timers hired for the play.

'This is inside the Tower Master's… [Ja Soo-jung's Trauma].'

I have been looking at the life of Ja Soo-jung for a while now.

How talented she was. How ridiculous the manner she broke through the political offensive was. Who she got close to, how she gained power, and finally, how she took the power of the Dragons…

'The Tower was built with the power of the Dragons.'

I could not say it with certainty.

'It's not a place that was built with a single power. The power to deal with [Essence, the power to deal with [Memory, the power to deal with [Time]. And maybe the powers of other Dragon Emperors as well. The powers of so many Dragons combined… created a very comprehensive system.'

Babump.

The heart that wasn't mine pounded with my rhythm.

'I'm the first to unearth the structure of the Tower!'

...

It was almost as if it responded to my pounding heart.

Despite it being a Trauma, the Tower's voice still responded to my discovery.

[Congratulations. You are the first to discover the structure of the Tower!]

[If you can describe the exact powers(skills) that support the structure of the Tower, you will receive an additional bonus.]

[Can you reveal which four fundamental skills make up the Tower?]

I wiped the sweat from my forehead.

'Ja Soo-jung captured three Dragons.'

Recalling the things I'd seen, I murmured in my mind.

'One of them is the Earth Bone Dragon. The Dragon Emperor who had the [Power to store Memories]. When someone gets close to the Earth Bone Dragon, he would store their memories in a box.'

I thought about the power of the Earth Bone Dragon.

'And the size of the [Box] is not fixed.'

[The Earth Bone Dragon's Skull]

Rank: SSS

Effect: The ability to archive the memories of the living. Archived memories are placed in a 'box' that can only be destroyed by the user.

Unless the box is destroyed, the user can recreate the body of a person who will inherit the same memories over and over. The body can travel around the world, create new memories, and 'update' those experiences back to the box. Of course, if the user allows it!

Even if the body is completely destroyed, the box will not suffer any damage. Grant the privilege of immortality to those around you.

※However, the memories of a destroyed body cannot be updated to the box.

I thought.

'Anyone who lived outside could enter the Tower.'

On the other hand, new entrants left everything on the outside and entered the Tower with only their bodies.

Like me. Like Marcus Calenbury. Just like the Director.

Like everyone else.

'The only thing you can bring into the Tower is [Yourself].'

In other words.

'What if the Tower is one big box?'

I snapped my fingers.

'And what if we are in it?'

As soon as I became an entrant, [My memories] were stored in the [huge box called the Tower]. And I entrusted my memories to the Tower while walking around in the world inside the Tower.

'With that, the Tower would gain access to all of the information of everyone in the Tower.'

The more I thought, the more certain I became.

'That explained why I could return 4,000 days in the past!'

Every time I returned a day, the Tower restored one day's [data restoration point]. After 4,000 iterations, the Tower reset to a data restoration point from 4,000 days before.

However, in the process, because of my skill, only my data was 'updated' in the Tower.

-Data restoration point forcibly returned to 4,000 days in the past.

-(Additional code due to skill) Maintain the continuity of character Kim Gong-ja.

That was why I could return without losing my memories.

'Good. If that's the case, then the Tower is a gigantic memory box. Our memories aren't in our brains but in our Towers. It's a great library where our memories are stored. No, it's a great library for souls. That is the identity of the Tower that I've deduced. How about that?!'

The Tower's voice responded quickly.

[Correct Answer.]

[Acknowledged that you have broken through the first gate.]

[The Earth Bone Dragon's Box forms the outer shell of the Tower.]

Okay.

'It must be the same logic that allows us to move between worlds.'

I had moved between the worlds of the [Tales of Somerwin Academy] and [Chronicles of the Heavenly Demon].

Strictly speaking, that transfer was more like 'transmission'.

'However, the only thing I found hard to understand was how the [Tales of Somerwin Academy] and [Chronicles of the Heavenly Demon] were incorporated into the Tower just like us…'

I frowned and rubbed my forehead.

Then, annoyingly, the nobles around me started talking.

"Wh-, when the Viscount receives her title of Duke, should we call her Duke? It feels like she's further away…"

"Mm. Viscount Ja Soo-jung allows anyone to call her whatever they like, so it won't be a problem to suddenly create and share a nickname."

"Nickname…"

"Did you not hear Marquis? Viscount Sim An-chal is called [This One's Princess] by Ja Soo-jung, and the Ultimate Sword Duke is called [This One's Dear Husband]. Those are names that only those people can monopolize. She might even make one for the Marquis."

"That, it's a bit embarrassing to hear others say it…"

"Doesn't it make you think that Ja Soo-jung is cute instead?"

"I can't decide…"

It was hard to ignore them even if I wanted to.

Because everything they said was related to the Tower Master.

People kept leaking information about the Owner who created this world, and no matter how small it was, I couldn't help but be interested in it.

'I need time to organize my thoughts.'

I suddenly realized that the [current me] had that ability.

Magic power flowed through this body. To be precise, it was as if this entire body was made of mana. I wasn't sure what I looked like now since I hadn't gotten the chance to look at a mirror, but this person's flesh, blood, and bones were all made of mana.

In short, so was the brain.

『Consciousness— Acceleration— Time.』

The nerves in the brain were mutated with mana.

The speed of my consciousness changed according to my wish. It was possible for me to even transform it into a [body that didn't need to breathe] if I wished. Whoever owned this body must be a formidable monster.

'Hmmm.'

Good. Time had slowed down.

Marquis Baek Seol-to and Viscount Sun Heuk-sin moved slowly as if they were stuck at 0.1x speed. My body also slowed down, but my consciousness continued to move at the same speed. I continued to think in a world with a more relaxed pace.

'Whether it's [Chronicles of the Heavenly Demon] or [Tales of Somerwin Academy, those worlds could not have entered the Tower on their own. They aren't humans like us. How were worlds brought into the Tower?'

I thought hard.

But I still couldn't imagine it.

'Seriously, how can a world be moved to the Tower…? I don't know if it's possible to make something like that.'

I frowned.

'Make something like that?'

My heart pounded.

'Right. Was there really a need to cram an entire world into the Tower? Wasn't it enough to create the same world as [Chronicles of the Heavenly Demon] in the Tower? In the first place, my memories are also stored in the Tower. That means that there is a record of my time in the world in the Tower.'

That could be it.

It was much easier to imagine than physically cramming a world into the Tower.

'However…'

There were still two problems that remained unresolved.

Firstly, the Earth Bone Dragon's Box [stored memories of the living]. That's how it was explained in the skill. Regardless of whether a world was alive or dead, it felt a bit much to describe a world as [living]. There was no such thing as a world deciding to enter the Tower of its own volition.

Secondly, was none other— than the Tower Master's personality.

"…"

The Tower Master turned her head and looked at me, and there was a hint of playfulness in her bright smile.

Purple eyes.

It was a color too deep to reflect anything. When facing her, it was necessary to not focus too deeply on the color of her eyes, as even a pale white floor would lay bare in those jewel-like eyes.

Her eyes seemed to devour mine like the open jaws of a snake. It was impossible. There was a fair bit of distance between our seats and the throne. But, nevertheless, I felt like Ja Soo-jung was looking at me as if she were right in front of me.

"There is an interesting smell coming from here."

In the distance, Ja Soo-jung moved her lips. Mouthing words. However, her words came right in front of me and drifted into my ears.

'Aura.'

I gulped down saliva. It was unclear how she realized that I'd changed the time of my consciousness to 0.1x, but Ja Soo-jung sent her words out at exactly the same speed. The owner of this body was a Wizard genius. But Ja Soo-jung was a monster.

"What kind of interesting thing are you trying to show me, This one's Advisor? This one's backstabbing staff? Baron Gu Won-ha, one of this one's favorites, who can comfort this one's boring life just by staying still. Are you doing anything particularly interesting?"

"…I was thinking about the structure of the Tower. Viscount."

[The Subject's ego is defying.]

[Continuing to reproduce the trauma!]

I tried to speak in the tone of Kim Gong-ja, but my tongue and lips moved against my will. I became a respectable noble and placed my hands in front of me.

"The structure of the tower?"

In the distance, Viscount Ja Soo-jung tilted her head, still openly displaying her affection with His Majesty.

"Are you referring to the structure of the Platinum Tower? Ah. Well. The structure of this place is quite intriguing. It was used by the Dark Sovereign before the founding of the Kingdom, so it was designed so that even when Dragon's passed…"

"Not this tower."

"Huh? Is that so? Then is it the Tower of Appeal? Ah, is it the Netherworld Tower* that this one captured?" (: Changed from Yellow Sky Tower)

"I'm thinking about the structure of the [Tower] that the Viscount will build."

"…"

Suddenly, Ja Soo-jung rose up from her place under the throne.

"Viscount Ja Soo-jung?"

The King, who was sitting on the throne, was a bit surprised, so he looked at Ja Soo-jung.

"My apologies, Your Majesty. This one has something to discuss with my faction comrades…"

"Mm. Alrighty. Take your time."

"Many thanks, Your Majesty. This one will count the seconds that I could not spend with you and keep it in my heart, so that I may return with a heart that is full of love."

Viscount Ja Soo-jung turned away.

Tap.

Viscount Ja Soo-jung's dress was belted on both sides. The skirt was long and trailed behind her as she walked. She was not dressed as a noble or as Duke, but only with the sense of [the King's Concubine]. Viscount Ja Soo-jung had enough power and connections to wear such clothes in the sacred halls of the council without worry.

"Now then. Adviser Gu Won-ha."

The noble with the most power in this council hall where all nobles had gathered.

She was my Lord, I was her vassal.

Where other nobles called me [Baron] which was my official title in the Kingdom, only Viscount Ja Soo-jung used [Advisor] which was my position in the family.

"If this one didn't hear incorrectly, I believe I heard the word [Tower] just now. Ah. Marquis Baek Seol-to and Viscount Sun Heuk-sin, may I ask you to step aside for a moment?"

"Ah, Yes. Viscount…"

"Understood. Faction Leader."

Viscount Ja Soo-jung bent over and kissed Marquis Baek Seol-to on the forehead. Marquis Baek Seol-to blushed happily, and with a 'hehe', sprang up from her seat.

Viscount Ja Soo-jung then lifted her left hand towards Viscount Sun Heuk-sin. Viscount Sun Heuk-sin as if it was natural, knelt down and kissed and licked her left ring finger. Then she left her seat with a calm expression, seemingly satisfied.

"…"

"They are cute."

Ja Soo-jung covered her lips with her sleeve and giggled.

"So, about the Tower the Advisor spoke about. As far as this one remembers, this one has never mentioned the Tower to the Advisor. I didn't tell anyone. That is why this one is a bit confused now. Do you perhaps have foresight?"

"…No. Viscount. I do not have foresight."

"That's what I thought. The only person in this kingdom with the ability to see the future is Sin An-Yeji, who is training his compassion in the desert. [If I don't have compassion, the world will end, he really said that to me with a straight face. Does that make sense, Advisor? Is he just trying to get rid of this one?"(: Literally Divine Foresight)

"…"

I listened to Ja Soo-jung's words with my hands politely clasped.

The Viscount was originally very talkative, and once she started talking, the conversation would branch hundreds or thousands of times. In that case, it was better to just wait for the Viscount to return to the main point on her own… This body knew that.

"Ah. In any case, the Tower."

Like now.

"If not foresight, then is it mind reading? That would be harder than foresight. As the Advisor should know, this one's mind is now protected by at least four layers of barriers. The place this one was thinking about the Tower in is in the first layer, that is to say, this one's deepest part. I don't think even Jai knows"

Jai…was the name of the Boundary Duke. (TL: Guess this is the final Duke)

There was only one person in the kingdom who could call the Boundary Duke's first name without hesitation, and that was Viscount Ja Soo-jung who was right in front of me. Viscount Ja Soo-jung was the only person who could say the Boundary Duke's real name without having her head sent flying.

The Boundary Duke had the ability to read people's minds, so it was natural for her to have suspicions like [how did you know a plan that even the Boundary Duke couldn't read?].

"Viscount."

"Yes, this one's Advisor. Although this one calls you my advisor, you are this one's second advisor who wants to someday smash the head of your senior and become this one's only advisor."

"You should reverse your thinking."

"Hoh? It's the opposite?"

"I did not [already] foretell the Tower. Viscount. The Tower has already been completed, and, according to the logic of the Tower, we are [belatedly] experiencing this situation now."

"…"

Those purple eyes went wide.

Viscount Ja Soo-jung looked around, once to the left, then to the right. Then she tapped her lips with her index and middle fingers.

"Wow."

That was all the time it took for the Viscount to organize her thoughts.

"Isn't that amazing?"

"…"

"Let's check it out. Advisor, does that mean that you are from the future? If so, do you come from a future where this one has already built a Tower and is running it successfully?"

"That's right."

"However, that's impossible. Even if the Tower is built, the Advisor would never know of its existence. In this world, the only people who could know of the existence of the Tower are the Gold Dragon, the Earth Bone Dragon, the Ice River Dragon, and finally Viscount Sim An-chal. Other than them, no one else would know… Hmm?"

Viscount Ja Soo-jung stroked her chin.

"Indeed."

Then the tips of her lips curled into a smile.

"You. Are not Advisor Gu Won-ha, are you?"

"…"

"You must be someone else, who has taken the image of Advisor Gu Won-ha. Heh. Huhu. As expected, something did happen. How interesting."

"…Yes. I am not this person. My name is Kim Gong-ja."

"You're not from this world, are you? This one can bet everything I have on that."

"Yes. That's right. I am… a hunter from a Tower called Ascension City."

"Hunter? Ah. I guess I settled for that name in the end. Ascension City. Is there a name attached to the outside world?"

"Uh. Um. I've heard constellations call it the Spire World…"

"…"

When she heard the words 'Spire World' Ja Soo-jung's purple eyes narrowed slightly.

"That doesn't seem like a complete coincidence."

"Huh?"

"It's nothing. Ah, I'm not saying that this one thinks it's nothing, I'm just saying it's nothing because I want to upset you. So that curiosity will control your left and right atriums and make your heart flutter. The heart is healthiest when it's pounding. You should be thankful that this one is granting you such health."

"…"

I understood.

This person, talks a lot.

It wasn't just a lot, it was even beginning to scratch my temper a bit.

"But how did a human from inside the Tower come to the past? How fascinating. It's so unlikely that this one finds it hard to believe."

"This isn't the past. Viscount."

"Meow?"

This was new information. The Tower Master sometimes made cat noises.

What a useless piece of information.

"This isn't the Viscount's world. It's not even my world."

"Then?"

"This place is simply a dream recreation. The recreated memories of the Viscount. I'm in the Viscount's trauma."

"…"

Viscount Ja Soo-jung blinked.

"How?"

"Because of my skill. If someone kills me, I can see their trauma. That's the skill."

"What do you know. That sounds like a pretty fun skill. If someone suggested creating such a skill, this one would welcome it with a straight face. Nevertheless, Kim Gong-ja. Doesn't being in this one's trauma mean that [this one killed Kim Gong-ja]?"

Slowly.

Viscount Ja Soo-jung's head tilted to the left.

"That is almost impossible. Kim Gong-ja is a normal germ… Unless they become an Evil God in the other world, this one would never kill anyone in the other world. Instead, this one would prefer to be killed by others."

"The Spire World."

I said the name of the world where the Director lived, where Kim Yul lived, and where the middle school student Ja Soo-jung lived.

"There is a person just like the Viscount in that place."

"…"

"I asked her to kill me. For no other reason than to meet you."

Silence.

Viscount Ja Soo-jung stared at me. She was completely expressionless. Then, 'hmph' she snorted, 'heh' she let out a breath, and finally, 'indeed' she nodded.

"How interesting."

Viscount Ja Soo-jung reached out and touched my cheek.

"Considerably. Extremely. Interesting."

Viscount Ja Soo-jung smiled brightly.

"So you reached this place by weaving a thread of error into a possibility, making use of both chance and coincidence. No. You probably didn't realize that you brought this one to this place. However, I would like to congratulate you, Mr. Kim Gong-ja, for you have achieved a miracle."

"…"

"Right. Today, it's this one's [trauma]. That's quite possible."

The sound of Ja Soo-jung's breathing drew closer.

"So?"

"…"

"The warrior who came through a miracle. What do you intend to do here?"

"I… want to know who you are."

I gulped.

"The person who built the Tower… I want to see what kind of person they are. I want to know what kind of life you lived. That's why I came this far."

"Huhu."

Viscount Ja Soo-jung's eyes lit up.

"Cute."

And she slowly let go of my cheek.

"Fine. Please, until you are satisfied, look at the kind of person this one is. It just so happens that the person you possessed is Advisor Gu Won-ha. This one's Advisor. It is Advisor Gu Won-ha's role to follow this one at all times, in any place, so you won't be suspected if you stay with this one."

Viscount Ja Soo-jung turned to me.

"Now then. Follow me, Mr. Kim Gong-ja."

And held out her hand.

"This one will introduce you to my world."

(TL: Despite the length, this might be one of my favorite chapters. For reference… it had almost 3.5k words)

Chapter 216. Someone's Lord (3)

Translator: Seven Editor: Sasha

3.

This was where the trauma would be reenacted.

Viscount Ja Soo-jung, who was walking in front of my eyes, was like a character in a dream, so to speak. I've experienced quite a few nightmares, but Ja Soo-jung was the first person to be [aware] that she was a character in a trauma.

"Don't you feel strange or upset?"

"Huh?"

"Well, that. That means that you don't really exist. This is a trauma created by my skill…"

"Not really? The only thing this one feels strange about is the fact Kim Gong-ja is speaking in your own way with Adviser Gu Won-ha's face and voice. That is strange."

Viscount Ja Soo-jung giggled.

"Is Kim Gong-ja a man or a woman? Considering the naming conventions of the Spire World, I think you might be a man."

"Ah, yes. I'm a man."

"As expected. Then, as a present, I will give you a mirror."

With a soft 'yap', Viscount Ja Soo-jung took a hand mirror out of her bosom. And aimed it to my face.

On the surface of the mirror, I saw the reflection of the person I was possessing, Baron Gu Won-ha.

"How is it?"

...

"…"

"Not half bad, right? I know. Naturally, it looks good. After all, it's this one's advisor."

Viscount Ja Soo-jung muttered jokingly.

However, Baron Gu Won-ha's face was no joke.

'Beautiful.'

Dark hair that was around shoulder length. Even in the light, the hair didn't shine with oil. It was just black. As if it would not let any light through, Baron Gu Won-ha's short hair was pure black.

"Wa… um. Umm."

In contrast to the dark hair, the skin was white. There was the expression 'face as white as blank paper', but this person seemed to be covered in white sheets. It was a person with only two shades, black and white.

"Amazing…"

"How does it feel to become a woman, Kim Gong-ja? Does it make your heart pound? This one would like you to surprise me with the cliche of saying [I really became a girl!] while holding your breasts with both hands." (TL: Welp, Wrong again. I thought Gu Won-ha might be a female because of the name, but chose to use male pronouns because it was KGJ's perspective and I didn't consider the option of him possessing a female. ED: TL hell x_x)

"Why did I possess this body…?"

I tried to cast information magic on myself.

Soon, Baron Gu Won-ha's description appeared.

[Gu Won-ha]

Identity: Noble. Baron.

Relationship: Ja Soo-jung's Advisor.

Danger Rating: Black.

Remarks: Head of the Guwon Baron Family. When she was young, her uncle, the family head of the previous generation, participated in the War of Black and White and was accused of rebellion. Her father, the next family head, associated with heretics and was purged together with them when the purging took place. As all of the elders of her family were dead, Gu Won-ha had no choice but to take over as family head.

It was an era of rebellions and purges.

During this period, Marquis Si Bang-pae approached. He asked her to take care of the child of a rebel leader. Baron Gu Won-ha accepted the rebel leader's daughter and raised her as her daughter without knowing.

The daughter secretly organized an army with Marquis Si Bang-pae. When this army was discovered, the kingdom issued a suppression order and swept it away. Marquis Si Bang-pae was executed because of this.

Baron Gu Won-ha was deposed and demoted to the status of free citizen. Although she was a 4th Circle Wizard, she was also expelled from the Magic Tower.

She was kidnapped by the terrorist organization [Red Nails] off the street when she had nothing. Afterward, she was imprisoned and abused in the Red Nails for more than 9 years.

Then.

She met the Viscount.

Strengths: [Level-headed Judgement, [Power of Execution, [2nd Stage Ascendant]

Weaknesses: [Successor of Rebels, [Rebel Origins, [Rebel Associate, [Family of Rebels, [Viscount Ja Soo-jung, [Daughter]

This person had also lived a turbulent life.

"She was originally from a noble family but three people were involved in rebellion…?"

"Ah. You must be looking at the information book that the Advisor made. Yes, that's right. Uncle, Father, Daughter. All three of them were involved in a rebellion. It's funny that they were all different revolts, but do you know what's funnier?"

"What…?"

"Does the information say the advisor has a daughter? Originally, she was the daughter of a rebel leader, but she was forced to accept her at Marquis Si Bang-pae's request. That child eventually grew up to lead a rebel army."

"The fuck?"

"The expression 'house of dogs' fits perfectly in this situation. I've never heard of a family like that before. It's like the entire family has a rebel fetish."

"If her father was a rebel, her daughter was a rebel, and even she herself was involved in a rebellion, how can she still keep her noble status?"

"Are you surprised?"

"It doesn't make sense!"

"Ou. Kim Gong-ja, there are only two people in the world who think what doesn't make sense makes sense. One, are fools, and two, are the powerful. Because this one is powerful, I could offer a noble title to Viscount Ja Soo-jung."

"…"

"Understand?" (: Konglish)

"Viscount, you can speak english…"

"Yes. I can roughly speak German, English, French, Korean, and Japanese. In the outside world, the custom of going to another world is a trend, isn't it? Conversely, in this world, the trend is to accept people from other worlds. I learned a few languages from foreign tutors."

"Oh. Then French and English people are living in this world?"

"No."

Snap.

Viscount Ja Soo-jung closed her hand mirror.

At the same time, the letters fluttering in front of my eyes disappeared.

"They're all dead. Except for one."

"…"

"The moment you have fun and jump on the trend saying [I'm going to adventure in another world, you realize that whichever world you go to is still a world, and death is still death. Outsiders from another world. If that is known, they will be imprisoned or killed, wouldn't they? There are so many things that this one has to protect."

"…"

"Well, let's stop talking about the dark stuff. Yap."

Instead of putting her hand mirror away, Viscount Ja Soo-jung took out a cup instead. Where did it come from? I couldn't help but wonder what were the laws of physics of the space in Viscount Ja Soo-jung's bosom.

"Kim Gong-ja, please spread your arms for a moment. I would like to look at your body."

"L-, like this?"

"Yes. Now, this isn't a regular cup, but a cup made out of Medicinal Stone. That's why it can do something like this."

For some reason, Viscount Ja Soo-jung pushed the cup into my body.

Puk.

The cup went into me.

"Huh?"

"Huh."

Viscount Ja Soo-jung's cup stirred around inside me. After a while, Viscount Ja Soo-jung pulled the cup out, and it was filled with water.

"!?!?!?"

"How is it? Don't you feel refreshed?"

"Th-, this, this… What, what is this……!"

"By the way, it's incredibly delicious. This water. It's so refreshing that I could slap myself on the cheeks."

Viscount Ja Soo-jung drank the water that came out of my body. Oh my God. My brain was broken by the incomprehensible scene that I witnessed.

"Puhaha… how cool. This is why this one couldn't help but bring the Advisor."

"Advisor Gu Won-ha is an Ascendant. Ascendant. In this world, there is something called the law of Ascension. Whoever can overcome the trial, can become [A human who can do a bit more]. More importantly, they receive the grace that [If they die once, they won't die]."

"If they die once, they won't die?…What does that mean?"

"Literally that. If an Ascendant dies, they get smaller. If they die one more time in that state, then they will really die. There will be no more miracles, and they will die like a normal person."

"…"

"However, to the kingdom's surprise! There is Ascension beyond Ascension. A sky beyond the sky. There are only a few people who have stepped into the second sky!"

Viscount Ja Soo-jung grabbed my hand in a playful manner.

"And that's you, Baron Gu Won-ha! In this vast world, you are Baron Gu Won-ha, a 2nd Stage Ascendant Wizard, the number of which doesn't exceed twelve!"

"…I understand that she is a great human. But why, when you push a cup into my body, water flows out?"

"2nd Stage Ascendants gradually escape the limits of humanity. You can even say that they are closer to divine beings. For example, this one's First Advisor has a core of [Fire, so if he wanted to, he could burn an entire city like a phoenix. On the other hand, this one's Second Advisor's core is [Water]. It is also very clean and very cool water "

Ja Soo-jun patted my cheek with her index finger as she continued.

"The two staffs that support this one are fire and water. Wasn't this one born with a blessed life?"

Ja Soo-jung rubbed water from her fingertips onto her lips.

My water dripped from her pink lips, making them glossy.

"…"

"This one's personal lip balm. This one's personal washroom. This one's personal sink. Baron Gu Won-ha followed this one so that this one could keep my fresh scent as if I always just stepped out of water. Unfortunately, this one won't be able to use the bathtub today. Because of Kim Gong-ja."

That's right.

I definitely understood.

'Baron Gu Won-ha is Viscount Ja Soo-jung's vassal, advisor, and a 2nd Stage Ascendant of which there were no more than twelve in the world. Although she was a member of a vicious family that rebelled against the kingdom for four generations.'

Gu Won-ha loved Ja Soo-jung.

'The water that makes up my body is only used to please and comfort Ja Soo-jung'

In other words, the owner of Baron Gu Won-ha was Viscount Ja Soo-jung.

I wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing for Gu Won-ha, but there were countless other people who served Viscount Ja Soo-jung as their master.

As soon as we entered the lounge, a large crowd of nobles, and servants who served nobles, came to us.

"Your Excellency, Viscount Ja Soo-jung!"

"About the votes in favor of the last agenda…"

"How can the Royal Family do this when the situation is already so difficult for Baron Si No-ah…"

"By your order, we have secured a large amount of meat in cooperation with the Royal Palace. You said it wouldn't matter if the meat was spoiled, so there was no difficulty in securing the right quantity. Your Excellency, where should we…"

Chatter.

The group chattered as if everything that happened in the world required the input of Viscount Ja Soo-jung.

Ja Soo-jung responded with a small smile.

"Yes, this one is here."

"We will not just send a new lord to Baron Si No-ah. The kingdom is deeply interested in the territory and the empty areas around it. Support will be provided at the top level, so there is no need to worry too much."

"Well done. Move the meat straight to the Royal Family as it is. Don't take it inside, instead, keep it in a nearby place, so that you can bring it to the conference hall at any time. This one has already told you what to do. If you go there, The royal courtiers and attendants will assist you."

All of the petitioners said 'thank you' or 'I'm sorry', and then ran elsewhere.

"Viscount Ja Soo-jung is busy saving the kingdom today again. Amazing. Anyone seeing this would think you are a Duke, not a Viscount. You care so much about people with a compassionate heart…"

"Your excellency Count Ah Ru-ho."

Before I knew it, Viscount Sun Heuk-sin was back in the lounge. Dozens of nobles sat down around Viscount Sun Heuk-sin and drank tea. They were [Viscount Ja Soo-jung's Faction].

"No matter what anyone says, Viscount Ja Soo-jung is the noble who has attained the most splendid achievements this year. She deserves the compensation and treatment that goes with that."

"In a warzone, the person who kills the best is the best. Don't nobles know even that?"

"Ha. Since the leader is shallow, those below are shallow as well. How dare you interrupt the Count's words when he is talking to Viscount Ja Soo-jung?"

"What? Do you want to duel? Is that it?"

I checked the information of everyone in Ja Soo-jung's faction that opened their mouths.

"I waded around for 13 hours in that meeting room. 13 hours. You're tired, I'm tired, we're all tired, so why are you aiming for our party leader who's having an even harder time? Do you want to get hit?"

[Dae Ha-ran]

Identity: Noble. Viscount.

Relationship: Ja Soo-jung's disciple.

Danger Rating: White.

Remarks: Former Platinum General of the Royal Army. Sixty years ago, when a major rebellion broke out, they led the army to suppress the rebels. At that time, the death toll was 60,000. When the civilian deaths were included, the number reached as high as 210,000. However, when it was discovered that the rebellion was actually contrived by the Royal Family, the Royal Army was disbanded, and Dae Ha-ran became unemployed.

Dae Ha-ran argued that it wouldn't make sense that there wasn't a Royal Army in the kingdom, and that if the security of the kingdom was left solely to the armies of nobles, only doom would await.

Viscount Ja Soo-jung accepted Dae ha-ran as her youngest disciple, but he is suffering because he cannot understand her words.

Ally.

Can kill.

Strengths: [Survival, [Martial Arts, [Combat, [Warfare]

Weaknesses: [Butcher, [Plunderer, [Impatient, [Stupid apart from Warfare]

Notes: Scavenging off of Marquis Baek Seol-to.

And.

I slowly started to notice.

"What, you want to hit me? Come on then, fish egg bastard. Today I will teach you bastards…"

"Wait. Isn't everyone too hotheaded?"

With a sharp sound, a gentle-looking noble ripped a musical instrument apart.

"Today is the first day in 60 years that His Majesty has personally attended a council meeting. If it is known that nobles dueled in the lounge on this day, what would that do to His Majesty's honor? Even if you don't care about that, Ja Soo-jung will be sad."

[Hae Meong-sum]

Identity: Noble. Baron.

Relationship: Ja Soo-jung's Associate.

Danger Rating: Blue.

Remark: Former Master of Ocean Sound Gate. Ocean Sound Gate was an elite group with very few members. They mainly carried out special operations like assassination, base destruction, arson, and farm poisoning, and had a high reputation backed by outstanding performance. They were one of the six major mercenary groups in the kingdom, called the Six Heavenly Gates, in the past.

When Viscount Ja Soo-jung devoured the Six Heavenly Gates, he followed her and was made a Baron.

Ally.

Can kill.

Strengths: [Survival, [Speed, [Defends without fail, [Ascendant]

Weaknesses: [Arsonist, [Poisoner, [Wanderlust]

Notes: Starting to regard Viscount Ja Soo-jung as a special person.

After gathering so much information, it was hard not to see.

The 'common point' of all the people who loved Ja Soo-jung as their master.

Every person who spoke in the lounge, regardless of their different appearances, lives or personalities, had a strong unerasable red line.

"Um. I'm a rookie who only received my Baron title today, so if you want to fight, send me instead. The rumors will end as a bunch of newcomers being rude to each other."

Baron Gu Se-ju. The Viscount's slave.

He became the right hand of the rebel leader and directly killed and tortured hundreds of people.

"Is it really necessary to fight? I think the reason Count Ah Ru-ho is like that is because he feels that he can't do anything and is getting pushed back by Teacher. So if he just accepts the loss, it won't be a problem. I heard you are very loyal to the king, so wouldn't it be better to let teacher and the king win?"

Former Viscount Se Ah-gwi. The Viscount's disciple

Like Viscount Sun Heuk-sin, he had also been captured by the Red Nails. At that time, he also learned the 'Ritual of Darkness' and continued the ritual even after safely arriving at the capital.

Together with his nobles, he ate thousands of people.

"…"

Even the young Marquis Baek Seol-to had a criminal record of whipping a commoner child to death.

"Kim Gong-ja?"

Viscount Ja Soo-jung, who had been watching the war of words between factions, turned towards me. Despite having to deal with numerous complaints on the spot, she showed no signs of exhaustion. Instead, she was smiling brightly.

"No. I should call you Advisor Gu Won-ha. Right. Advisor Gu Won-ha, is there something strange on this one's face? Or perhaps…"

In other words.

Everyone who loved Ja Soo-jung.

"Have you learned what you wish?"

Murder.

Or butcher.

"Do you know a little bit about this one now?"

~~~

Chapter 217. Golden Rule (1)

Translator: Seven

"Why…."

I couldn't help but ask.

"Why did you only gather people like this and make them your lovers?"

Tower Master Ja Soo-jung.

She would one day build a Tower that gathered all of the abandoned people from all over the world. Children who were made victims by religious fanatics, warriors forced to die by unreasonable disasters, women whose lives were ruined by mysterious circumstances… All of those whose lives were abandoned or ruined, were gathered and brought to a new world.

'The person who built the Tower for the victims.'

Why did such a person take murderers as lovers?

I looked questioningly at Viscount Ja Soo-jung.

"People like this…"

Viscount Ja Soo-jung smiled.

"Who exactly are you talking about, Advisor?"

"People who have committed great sins. Those who beat children to death with whips, or who took humans as meat and ate them. Those who went to war and killed many civilians. Why do you love people like that? Why do you still let them be nobles? You are the one who will build the Tower in the future. A nigh omnipotent being. And yet, you don't punish them…"

"Advisor."

Viscount Ja Soo-jung suddenly spoke.

"Is a very nice person."

"Huh?"

"Those who climb the Tower together with the Advisor must be very happy."

I tilted my head as if to say 'what do you mean?'.

But Viscount Ja Soo-jung didn't explain. Instead, she simply sat on a chair and looked ahead. I, too, was drawn by her gaze and looked at the sight in front of us.

"It is ridiculous for someone who isn't even 20 yet to become a Duke!"

A heated discussion was currently ongoing in the lounge.

It was a noble from the Conservative Faction… I think he was called Count Ah Ru-ho.

This noble, whose hair flowed wildly like a lion's mane, was enraged.

"Viscount Ja Soo-jung is 18 years old. Eighteen. No matter how many rebellions she has quelled or how many Dragon Kingdoms she conquered, there is order in this kingdom."

"Indeed."

Hoo-.

This time, it was a noble from Viscount Ja Soo-jung's faction, who was holding a hookah.

"The count is right. I didn't understand why, over the past few decades, the rebels, instead of being subjugated, grew stronger and stronger… Listening to your words today has opened my eyes. While an 18 year old fought fierce battles with sweat and blood, the great nobles, like the Count, upheld the laws of propriety. I understand now that it's thanks to you all that the kingdom remained prosperous and was not destroyed."

Laughter flowed from every direction.

In addition to the comrade who'd just spoken, the nobles of Viscount Ja Soo-jung's faction jeered at them.

"Seriously. I used to blame myself for leaving all of our burdens to a young girl, but now I see that she deserves to be punished for daring to build an army at such a young age."

"That's right. If our party leader didn't step forward, there probably would have been another 200,000 casualties in this time's Gold Dragon Subjugation. No, if the Red Nails hadn't been eradicated, millions would still be groaning in pain. However, what does that matter? Even if she saved hundreds of thousands of soldiers and ensured the safety of millions of civilians, that child is only 18 years old. It would be ridiculous to make her a Duke."

"Exactly. The virtue of Count Ah Ru-ho, who cares about the kingdom's laws so much, is truly beautiful!"

The nobles were bombarded by wave after wave of verbal attacks.

They were all Viscount Ja Soo-jung's lovers.

The [Child Killer] Marquis Baek Seol-to looked around with a cautious expression, the [Eater of Human Flesh] Viscount Sun Heuk-sin backed up her comrades, the [Butcher] Dae Ha-ran giggled openly. Their reactions were all different, but they had gathered in one place for Viscount Ja Soo-jung.

"Ha…"

Count Ah Ru-hu's expression became distorted.

It was disgraceful to be pushed around so much in a debate.

The count muttered out loud.

"The courtesan's dogs… You're all quite good at barking."

At those words, the lounge became silent.

The expressions of the nobles who had all been mocking the Count before, became cold simultaneously. Their smiles disappeared from their faces. But despite their expressionlessness, their eyes burned with rage.

"What do you think, Kim Gong-ja?"

Viscount Ja Soo-jung whispered.

It was a voice so low that only I could hear it.

"Isn't it interesting?"

"…"

"As Kim Gong-ja said, all of those who side with this one are murderers. Butchers. Sinners. But look. Look at their faces now."

Viscount Ja Soo-jung lifted her butt and leaned over towards me.

"They are suffering."

Her lips came closer as she whispered.

"Just because this one was cursed as a courtesan. That's not exactly wrong. This one has enticed many nobles and even royalty with music, dance, and sweet nothings. It wouldn't be a lie to say that this one used all kinds of art to captivate people. In other words, a courtesan. In fact, Count Ah Ru-ho still restrained himself. On the streets, they publicly call this one a whore."

0

Kuk.

Viscount Ja Soo-jung pulled on my sleeves.

"Look. Kim Gong-ja."

I was forced to bend by the influence of gravity. As my face came level with her shoulders, Viscount Ja Soo-jung whispered in my ear.

"The person who killed a child with a whip, the noble who eats humans, the general who slaughtered civilians, they are all suffering like that just because this one was called a courtesan."

"…"

"It's really interesting."

Viscount Ja Soo-jung whispered in my ear as she wrapped her arm around my right arm.

It was like a snake coiling around a trunk.

"There are hundreds of law books in the kingdom. According to those prescribed laws, the sins of [sinners] must be calculated and their errors measured so that their responsibility can be derived. It is annoying, but it is easy. If this one wishes, I could have all of the sinners executed immediately. So what should I do, Kim Gong-ja? Should I kill them all?"

"That…"

"Yes."

The snake smiled.

Beneath long eyelashes, the snake's purple eyes glistened.

"Aren't you thinking, [that's a bit harsh]?"

"…"

"As far as this one can see, Kim Gong-ja is such a person. A good person. From the moment you thought that executing those who have done wrong is [harsh, Kim Gong-ja was already completely different from this one."

"What do you mean?"

"Killing them wouldn't be such a bad thing."

Viscount Ja Soo-jung grabbed my cheeks.

And forcefully turned my gaze.

Our eyes locked onto a noble with white hair like a rabbit. It was Marquis Baek Seol-to, who was looking at the people of both factions with a flustered expression.

"Marquis Baek Seol-to murdered a minor when she was a minor. The Marquis family delivered settlement money to the bereaved family. On one side was one of the great noble families of the Royal Capital. On the other side was a normal commoner family of three. While it was called settlement money, wasn't it really an ultimatum?"

That was probably true.

"The criminal at that time was a minor. There was also the fact that the victim's bereaved family had come to an agreement with the nobles. In that case, Marquis Baek Seol-to would have been sentenced to… What do you think? No matter how hard she's hit, would it really be that bad? Ta-da. That's the punishment by the law."

Viscount Ja Soo-jung said playfully.

"On the other hand, the bereaved family was ruined."

"…"

"Unlike noble families, commoner families are easily destroyed. That family. A granddaughter, grandfather and grandmother lived together. The granddaughter, who was killed by Marquis Baek Seol-to, was the only descendant. Their only granddaughter had died."

Viscount Ja Soo-jung continued to whisper in my ear.

"Do you see, Kim Gong-ja? That family was ruined. Broken. Destroyed. What was the point of receiving billions in settlement money? Could they put that child's body back together with gold? If, under the laws of this great and dignified kingdom, ahh, under the dignity of the good and fair presiding judge, Marquis Baek Seol-to was miraculously deposed, would the bereaved family feel better?"

"…"

"The sinner who ruined my life and the life of my family. Even if I kill that sinner, my resentment wouldn't go away. Think about it. What if your granddaughter died? On one winter day, in the middle of a snowy white field, a noble's whip cut her back and broke her spine, and she died. Would you accept that death?"

"Then… what should I do?"

I understood what the Viscount was saying.

That was in line with the worries I'd had when taking my revenge.

Those who had already sinned. And those who had been victimized by them.

What could I do to repay those broken lives?

Even a saint like the Black Dragon Master had the blood of countless beings on her hands. I was close friends with the Black Dragon Master. And I had yet to come to a conclusion as to whether what she had done was right, and what I should do if it wasn't.

"Pain."

The Owner of the Tower answered.

"Pain is the only answer." (TL: Settle down Nagato.)

She stroked the side of my hair.

"The pain of losing your only granddaughter. The pain of the past 6 years that you had to live with after your granddaughter disappeared. The pain of never seeing your granddaughter again for the rest of your life. To return all of that pain, the [exact same pain] to the sinner. That is the law that is needed in this world, and that's what this one wants to do in this kingdom."

Viscount Ja Soo-jung spoke like a senior giving advice to their treasured junior.

However, her eyes. Regardless of how gentle their gaze was, those purple eyes seemed to have a magical power that made them shine with the evil of youth.

That's why Viscount Ja Soo-jung seemed both like a senior who cared about her junior, and a demon seducing an innocent at the same time.

"This one will refound this kingdom under the Law of Pain. Not only this kingdom, but this entire world. Every creation that this one's feet walks over, and this one's eyes shine upon."

"…"

"The Tower is a tool to accomplish that."

I was speechless for a moment.

"Is such a thing… possible?"

"There are two ways to make the impossible possible. One is to go crazy. If you're crazy, then you can make the impossible possible in your daydreams."

"What's the other one?"

"Gaining power."

Viscount Ja Soo-jung giggled.

"Power is a possession. It dominates. This one bewitched the six Dukes, seduced His Majesty, and captured three Dragon Emperors."

Viscount Ja Soo-jung raised a finger.

"Just to become the most powerful person in the world."

Tuk.

Tuk.

Viscount Ja Soo-jung tapped the arm of her chair twice.

"…"

The nobles of Viscount ja Soo-jung's faction turned to look at the same place as one.

"…"

The people who were staring coldly at Count Ah Ru-ho, stopped what they were doing and what they were going to say as soon as they heard the tuk tuk sounds. They turned their heads at the signal from their master.

The same was true for the opposing faction. At first, they kept talking, but when they say their opponents look away at the same time, they couldn't help but feel strange. Thus, the nobles on the other side also looked at Viscount Ja Soo-jung.

When all the nobles turned to look in one place, the servants who were serving the alcohol, and the musicians who played the music, also turned to look at Viscount Ja Soo-jung.

13 seconds.

That is how long hundreds of people in the spacious lounge looked at Viscount Ja Soo-jung. The fierce shouts, clever sarcasm, and cold anger stopped for a moment.

The entire room went still.

"My dear noble colleagues."

Under the gazes of hundreds, Viscount Ja Soo-jung opened her lips.

"You all should have come to this lounge to rest, but as I see you all arguing so hard here, I can't help but feel proud to be a member of this kingdom. I just hope the council will pay you overtime. After all, you must be working overtime in this place because you don't have enough money."

Using my shoulder as a brace, Viscount Ja Soo-jung got to her feet.

"That was enough rest. So let's go back to the meeting hall and resume the main business."

At the same time, the nobles of Viscount Ja Soo-jung's faction jumped to their feet.

As they got up, they left many empty glasses, not so empty glasses, and glasses that hadn't even been put to their lips in their place. Without any hesitation, the nobles all gathered around Ja Soo-jung.

Considering the fact that each of them was a powerful person that was incomparable to commoners, it was a truly bizarre scene.

"Now."

In the middle of this strange scene, Viscount Ja Soo-jung grabbed my wrist.

"Kim Gong-ja."

"Tonight, this one will show you a miracle."

Ja Soo-jung was smiling brightly.

Chapter 218. Golden Rule (2)

Translator: Seven

2.

We walked into the meeting room.

Tap tap. Every step Viscount Ja Soo-jung made was followed by the steps of dozens of nobles. Only the sounds of footsteps could be heard as no one spoke.

Like elite soldiers heading towards the final battle.

"…"

The moment we entered the meeting hall, I lost my breath.

The nobles from other factions, who were already there, looked over to us.

Angry glares.

Jealous glares.

And glares filled with envy and yearning.

"Hello, everyone. I believe the meeting is about to resume."

Viscount Ja Soo-jung smiled in a relaxed manner.

"This one's faction members have come. Are we too late?"

Silence.

No one answered.

But Viscount Ja Soo-jung didn't seem to expect an answer in the first place. With a smile on her face, Viscount Ja Soo-jung went to her seat.

"What are you doing, Advisor?"

As I turned to leave, Viscount Ja Soo-jung called out to me.

"Huh?"

"The Advisor's seat is right beside this one. Come along quickly. Surely you don't intend to leave this one alone."

Ah.

'She is being considerate since my memories are unclear.'

I nodded and quietly followed Viscount Ja Soo-jung.

It was only as I walked towards the seat that I got a good look of the meeting hall.

It was very different from the [National Assembly] image that I knew.

Firstly, instead of a semicircle, it was a complete circle. It reminded me of a colosseum. A throne was placed in the middle like a pillar, and the seats of the noble council members surrounded it.

There was a part that was even stranger.

'…water?'

That's right. There was flowing water.

A water channel had been installed beneath the seat. If I sat down, my feet would naturally be submerged in water. The water channels spread out like a web throughout the council hall, and they all flowed down to a drain beneath the throne.

"It's amniotic fluid. Ossa*." (:something like a soft exclamation of pleasure. I couldn't think of a good English equivalent in this case.)

Viscount Ja Soo-jung took off her shoes and sat down. Looking around, I saw other nobles also taking off their shoes as if they were used to it.

"Amniotic fluid?"

"Yes. Amniotic fluid. There is a large lake beneath the Royal Capital. Water is drawn from the lake and connected to the waterways throughout the city, but first, the water passes through this place. The Platinum Tower's meeting hall."

I followed the others and took off my shoes.

"What is the meaning of this?"

"It has many meanings. And also many uses. The council makes laws in this hall, and the laws make the kingdom. This is where the kingdom is born from. [Always be aware that we are giving birth to a kingdom]. That is why it's called amniotic fluid."

I also took off my socks before putting my feet in the water channel.

Trickle, the warm water drifted between my toes.

"It's warm…"

"Yes, because it's winter now. It's cool in the summer. It serves as a temperature control for this large conference room."

"Amazing."

"The color and temperature of the water also changes depending on the importance of the agenda. For example, if the council decides to invade a Dragon Kingdom, the amniotic fluid will become red like blood. The waterways throughout the city will also become red. This serves to tell the populace that there is an emergency."

"Heh."

"In other words, the water the populace uses in their everyday life had to first run across the feet of the nobles. It seems to give some kind of fetish satisfaction to the nobles and subjects. Isn't it really practical in many ways?"

No. That was a bit.

Seeing my disgusted expression, Viscount Ja Soo-jung snickered.

"Kim Gong-ja. You're not being the Advisor at all."

"Huh?"

"This one's Advisor would never make that kind of expression. It would be interesting if Kim Gong-ja's identity is revealed, but this meeting is more important for now. I'd appreciate it if you were careful so that other people didn't notice."

Mm.

"The manner of speech of the person called Gu Won-ha… What was it like?"

"Huh? You don't remember?"

"Yes, the memories are faint. I feel like this is my first time seeing the amniotic fluid."

"Hmm."

Ja Soo-jung glanced at me from the side.

"Well, it's simple. Generally polite. Usually expressionless. If you act indifferent and speak in a stiff manner, that's Advisor Gu Won-ha's tone ."

I furrowed my brows slightly.

"…like this?"

"It's fine. But it's not perfect."

Viscount Ja Soo-jung held her chin as she looked at me.

"It would be better if you could make your face a bit more expressionless. This one's Advisor didn't really value the world."

"Didn't value the world…."

"Yes. Regardless of whether it's a person, the public or the kingdom. The only people that matter to the Advisor are this one and her daughter. Everything else is meaningless background noise."

"…"

All of a sudden, I remembered the information spell that the original owner of this body had created.

What she'd written about Viscount Ja Soo-jung.

My Lord.

My Heart.

My Blood.

My everything in this world.

Babump.

As I recalled those words, my heart thumped loudly for some reason.

Viscount Ja Soo-jung looked at me with an interested expression.

"Your facial expressions are pretty good. Have you learned acting before?"

"…I have. I had the chance to act in a play while climbing the Tower."

"You are quite versatile, Kim Gong-ja. Right now, you're very much like Advisor Gu Won-ha."

Viscount Ja Soo-jung grew wider.

"Is it okay for me to call you [Advisor] instead of Kim Gong-ja from now on?"

Why…

Was my heart pounding again.

"…"

Even though I was just making eye contact with Viscount Ja Soo-jung, my heart felt stuffy. Just like when I'd first entered this world, fog formed in my head.

Fortunately, a voice called for attention just as I was about to be enveloped in fog.

"Presenting His Majesty the King!"

The meeting resumed.

3.

As soon as the meeting began, the nobles from the other factions began to bombard Viscount Ja Soo-jung.

The first person to open the floodgates was Count Ah Ru-ho, who had been holding it in since they were in the lounge.

"Viscount Ja Soo-jung privately accepted rebels as her subordinates. Not just the Red Nails. The Stone Assembly, Half Stones, Heavenly Gods, Hearts. All of the rebel groups that caused disturbances in the recent years have become Viscount Ja Soo-jung's subordinates. I do not recommend that such a noble be made into a Duke."

Hundreds of nobles turned to Count Ah Ru-ho. The King of the Kingdom accepted the Count's remarks without comment.

It felt like this was more of a hearing for Viscount Ja Soo-jung than a meeting.

"Even now, we should bring the traitors hiding under Viscount Ja Soo-jung's and punish them according to their crimes. If the Viscount is loyal to the kingdom, she will cooperate. Is that not so, Viscount? Why would you hide traitors if not to rebel?"

"Count. All of the people that this one accepted were captured by this one."

Viscount Ja Soo-jung responded with a smile.

"Every prisoner captured on the battlefield belongs to the general. What is wrong with this one doing as I like with my belongings?"

"Even if they are traitors who pointed their swords towards the kingdom?"

"There is nothing wrong with that. An excellent warrior's sword has tasted the blood of thousands of people. But no one blames the sword. It is the warrior's fault. This one simply collected a few bloody swords."

"Are you now saying that these living people are objects?!"

"Yes."

"…"

"They are this one's property. If the Count wanted to do things to them, then you should have captured them. Or you can abolish slavery."

Viscount Ja Soo-jung blinked slowly, naturally.

"Aren't there a large number of slaves in Count Ah Ru-ho's county? It's a pity that the territory's finances rely heavily on the slave economy. I'd advise you begin to renovate your territory's economy immediately."

"How dare you talk about a Count's management…"

"It's the same. The prisoner's this one captured are also this one's private property. I don't know what right the Count has that lets you interfere with this one's family affairs. Wouldn't it be better for the Count and this one to draw the line there?"

Count Ah Ru-ho asked.

"…What if it was a crime committed not by your property, but a living subordinate, Viscount Ja Soo-jung?"

"Hmm??"

"Your Majesty."

Count Ah Ru-ho turned to the throne.

"There is something I'd like to tell Your Majesty."

"Go ahead."

"The birth of a new Duke is a serious, without precedent in the 2,000 year history of our Kingdom. Since strict procedures are required, I believe it is essential to verify the moral quality of the Duke candidate."

The Sun King quietly listened to the Count.

He had not left the palace in 60 years. Those who didn't work for success, and those who did not succeed had no authority. The Sun King had no authority.

And the nobles didn't respect those without authority.

"I have received some very questionable reports about Viscount Ja Soo-jung's moral character."

"…"

0

"Therefore, if Your Majesty grants me leave, I would like to bring a few witnesses here."

The Sun King turned his head to look at Viscount Ja Soo-jung.

His eyes seemed to ask what she wanted.

Ja Soo-jung simply smiled as if she was not worried.

"…go ahead."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

The prepared witnesses entered the council hall one after the other.

The first person to set foot in the amniotic fluid was a neat looking old man.

Count Ah Ru-ho asked the old man.

"What is the name of the witness?"

"My name is Nam Suk."

"What is the identity and origin of the witness?"

"I am a free citizen. 41 years ago, I came to the Royal Capital from Baron Sa Jo-sung's territory and settled here."

"Nam Suk. To come here as a free citizen, the royal grace bestowed upon you was by no means light."

The old man knelt and pressed his forehead to the ground.

"This unworthy one is eternally grateful for your grace."

"This is an appeal for the nobles who have treated you unfairly."

"My world felt like it collapsed when I lost my granddaughter, who was my only descendant. That is why this unworthy one dares to dirty your precious eyes and ears."

"…"

Upon hearing that, I turned my head.

In the seat next to me, Marquis Baek Seol-to's face turned blue.

"It is truly unfortunate that you lost your granddaughter. But the loss of human life is a matter that's determined by the heavens. You are not the only one who lost a family member. What is so unfair that you decided to make an appeal here?"

"The death of lowly people is as natural as cutting weeds, but this unworthy one's granddaughter was not taken by the heavens."

"Oh."

Count Ah Ru-ho pretended to be a merciful Lord.

"How did your granddaughter die?"

"My granddaughter was whipped to death by someone called Baek Seol-to."

A murmur rippled in the amniotic fluid.

"Baek Seol-to? That is a familiar name. Do you perhaps no the identity of that person?"

"When my granddaughter died 6 years ago, I only heard that it was done by Young Lady Baek Seol-to."

"If it's Baek Seol-to, it should be the Marquis sitting there right now."

The nobles turned to look at Baek Seol-to.

The Marquis was not only blue in the face, she was also shaking.

"Marquis."

"Yes…?"

"This person is saying that his granddaughter was killed by the Marquis. Six years ago. Is that correct?"

"Ah. That. I, I…"

At that moment, Viscount Ja Soo-jung stood up.

As the Viscount got up, the water splashed under her feet.

"Your Majesty."

"Speak."

"Marquis Baek Seol-to's family is under this one's protection. Since this one is the main gate of the family, the Marquis would be the side gate. As such, this one should be reprimanded instead of my subordinates. I'm saying that it's not right for Count Ah Ru-ho to question this one's subordinates."

"…what do you think Count?"

"Viscount Ja Soo-jung has a good heart. I would also like to question Viscount Ja Soo-jung instead of Marquis Baek Seol-to."

Count Ah Ru-ho had a triumphant expression as though that was what he wanted.

"Viscount."

"Yes, Count."

"Did you know what the Marquis had done?"

"I did."

A murmur rippled through the amniotic fluid once again.

"Since when did you know?"

"I already knew what Marquis Baek Seol-to did before making her a subordinate. The Marquis directly confessed to this one."

"No. Does that mean that you accepted the Marquis despite knowing her sins?"

"That is correct."

Bang!

Count Ah Ru-ho slammed his hand on the table.

"Why? The Marquis whipped a child to death. How could you accept such a cruel noble?!"

Viscount Ja Soo-jung smiled.

Looking at that smile made me uneasy.

"I'm not sure if you know… At that time, the Marquis family's Young Miss was known for her recklessness. Retarded Young Miss, Stupid Young Miss, Brainless Young Miss… She heard sarcastic remarks like this every day. After meeting the Marquis, this one decided to raise her properly."

"Raise her properly?"

"The Young Miss grew up in an abusive family."

Baek Seol-to flinched, her shoulders shaking.

"Marquis Baek Seol-to's grandfather, Marquis Baek Mi-to was a genius. But he was a genius in a bad way. He couldn't understand people who weren't as smart as him, and he couldn't understand his granddaughter who wasn't smarter than him. Rebukes. Verbal Abuse. Physical Abuse. Marquis Baek Seol-to's childhood was tainted by her grandfather's evil disregard."

Count Ah Ru-ho furrowed his eyebrows.

"So? Are you saying Marquis Baek Seol-to should be forgiven because she's pitiful?"

"No."

Viscount Ja Soo-jung covered her mouth with her sleeve as she smiled.

"If I had left her alone, Marquis Baek Seol-to would have continued being the [Brainless Young Miss] forever. She would have also died peacefully at the hands of assassins sent by someone without a chance to repent for her sins."

"…"

"This one doesn't think that's right."

"What are you talking about…."

"This one took Marquis Baek Seol-to on a trip for a month."

Viscount Ja Soo-jung hummed.

It felt like she was reminiscing about a pleasant memory.

"I showed the Young Miss, who had never done anything for herself, what the reality of life was. I forced her to experience the lives of those who couldn't eat if they didn't work, and I forced her to understand the reality of the outside world where it was difficult to eat even if you work hard. Thanks to this, Marquis Baek Seol-to was able to understand, even if she is unhappy, it is still [tolerable misfortune]."

"Then this one regularly gave the Young Miss classes. Sometimes we went to the northern port to take a look at the lives of merchants, and sometimes I took her to subjugate bandits. Like this, I showed her how the lives of people could be ruined."

Viscount Ja Soo-jung breathed heavily.

Almost as if she was intoxicated, Viscount Ja Soo-jung spoke in a low, breathy voice.

"Did you know? Marquis Baek Seol-to is still 15 years old. Although she is only 15, she had already experienced the deaths of ordinary people, the deaths of merchants, and the deaths of bandits. I dare say that Marquis Baek Seol-to will surely become one of the greatest Lords in the kingdom."

"Ha."

Count Ah Ru-ho laughed.

"I was wondering what you were talking about. So you're trying to cover up her past stains by claiming she would be a great politician in the future. VIscount, such a rotten spirit…"

"You really don't know anything, Count."

"What?"

"What matters isn't whether she becomes a good politician or not. The point is, despite being such a good noble, she will have [a mistake that can never be undone] in her past."

Ja Soo-jung's breath became hot.

"Don't you get it? That means the better Marquis Baek Seol-to becomes, the unhappier she will be."

"…"

"No matter what she chooses to do, no matter how many people she saves, Marquis Baek Seol-to will never be able to consider herself a good person. This is natural, since she'll never be able to change the fact that she killed a child."

Viscount Ja Soo-jung clasped her hands together.

As if she was saying a prayer.

"This one will raise Marquis Baek Seol-to to be the greatest noble in this kingdom. And I will also make her grow up to be the unhappiest noble in the kingdom. As the days pass, misfortune will dye the Marquis. The combination of self blame and shame will surely paint the Marquis' face."

"…"

"Count. Imagine the Marquis like that. Imagine how unhappiness will be clear in her every gesture, her past continuously dragged behind in her shadow. What do you think?"

Viscount Ja Soo-jung smiled brightly like a saint.

"Isn't it lovely?"

(TL:…This arc is so strange)

Chapter 219. Golden Rule (3)

Translator: Seven

The room became silent.

Many nobles were shaken by the words of Viscount Ja Soo-jung.

"Lovely……?"

Count Ah Ru-ho looked caught off guard. Many nobles had similar expressions.

However, those who had been captured directly by Viscount Ja Soo-jung.

Only the expressions of those who loved the Viscount and were loved by the viscount didn't change. It was almost as if the Viscount's lovers thought 'something that should be said is being said'.

"Yeess."

In this confused atmosphere, Viscount Ja Soo-jung continued.

"A person crushed by their own misfortune. The sight of even a noble crying out because they are unable to bear their own weight would always reach the heart. If we had to compare Marquis Baek Seol-to, wouldn't it be with a honey filled rice cake? When you bite into it, sweetness fills your mouth."

"…what are you talking about right now?"

Count Ah Ru-ho was stunned.

"Hah."

Viscount Ja Soo-jung sighed. Then she shrugged. It was an attitude of clear disregard and contempt for Count Ah Ru-ho.

"It's fine if you don't know. There are adventurers who go out following a treasure map even if it suddenly appeared before them, and there are those who mock those adventurers. So does your story end there?"

"What?"

"I'm asking if you have anything else to say, Count. To summarize what you've said so far. [Look at these unfortunate people]. [He lost his granddaughter to a noble]. [That noble belongs to this one]. If you have nothing more to say, I think it's best to leave. It is already quite late at night and it would be bad if the meeting is delayed any further.."

"Yo-, you cunning fellow… This old man lost his one and only granddaughter!"

Count Ah Ru-ho shouted.

"It was her grandmother's birthday. Did you know that? The granddaughter was running home to give her grandmother a present when she was beaten to death by Marquis Baek Seol-to!"

"…"

The old man continued to prostrate himself before the throne, his head pressed to the ground. Without even a single glance towards the old man, Count Ah Ru-ho pulled something out of his pocket.

A hairpin. It was an accessory that women from commoner families often wore.

"Look! This hairpin is the present the granddaughter prepared. She ran to give this present to her grandmother, but on the way, she bumped into the Young Miss Baek Seol-to!"

Count Ah Ru-ho shouted desperately.

I wondered if the Count was really desperate to help the old man in his plight.

But regardless of the reason, the desperate appearance of a human was very convincing. In the blink of an eye, the nobles forgot the words of Viscount Ja Soo-jung, and instead looked at the old man with pitying eyes.

"The granddaughter fell in the snow. Then, with a simple smile, she apologized to Young Miss Baek Seol-to, saying [I'm sorry, and [I should have been looking where I was going]. If her apology had been accepted, it would have been just another accident that happens everywhere."

Count Ah Ru-ho was now exuding confidence.

The old man's miserable back, the sympathy being poured onto it, and the face of Viscount Ja Soo-jung, who appeared to be indifferent to everything.

All of these factors gave Count Ah Ru-ho the assurance of victory.

"However, Young Miss Baek Seol-to grabbed that commoner child. And…"

"Boring."

Viscount Ja Soo-jung muttered.

It was a voice as quiet as a dragonfly's wings.

No one but me heard the Viscount's murmur.

Count Ah Ru-ho was still speaking vigorously. The eyes of the audience were glued to the Count. So when I looked over toward the Viscount, I was the only one able to enjoy her monologue.

"Ari wasn't the only one who had prepared a birthday present that day."

I tilted my head.

"Ari… Who is that?"

"The granddaughter. The child who was whipped to death by Baek Seol-to."

Viscount Ja Soo-jung responded bluntly.

"That day was also her grandfather's birthday. At the same time, both girls had prepared birthday presents. Baek Seol-to had made a brooch with her family crest by hand, but she wasn't able to give it to her grandfather."

"…Why?"

I had a strange feeling as I saw a glint in the Viscount's eyes.

It was like she hadn't heard the story from someone else.

It felt like she was talking about a scene she'd witnessed with her own eyes.

"She wasn't able to do the math homework her grandfather gave her properly. She was scolded. The Young Miss couldn't show the brooch then. Which child would give a gift to an adult that just scolded them?"

"…"

"When the commoner and the noble girls bumped into each other on the road, the brooch fell to the snow. It didn't just fall, it also happened to be stepped on by the commoner girl. It broke."

Viscount Ja Soo-jung spoke with a face that seemed devoid of warmth.

"The brooch wasn't expensive looking. In fact, it's hard to even call it good. It was a flimsy item that wouldn't be surprising if it suddenly broke. But the Young Miss picked up the broken brooch and shoved it towards the commoner child."

"And said."

You broke it.

"Startled, the commoner child hurriedly lowered her head"

I'm sorry, Miss.

I'm really sorry.

"However, while young children know how to apologize, they don't know how to accept an apology. In addition, the Young Miss, Marquis Baek Seol-to, was often called the 'Brainless Young Miss' and was ignorant. So there was no way her response would be good."

It shouldn't be broken, you broke it!

"The Young Miss had guards assigned to her. Well, in reality, the Young Miss was the only heir of the Marquis. The guards who followed her were also deeply loyal. So when then Young Miss stretched out her hand."

Guard!

Whip!

"The guard handed a whip to the Young Miss without any hesitation. The Young Miss grabbed the whip, whining slightly as the handle was too thick for her to properly grasp."

Then the child's whip struck the child's back.

"One whipped with all her might and the other convulsed as she was whipped."

I'd rather break you! Huh! Huh! How is this, huh!

"It hurts, Miss."

"It hurts. Young Miss, I'm sorry, it hurts."

Stupid.

You're all fools.

Grandfather, Grandfather is an idiot!

"No one stopped the Young Miss."

It was said that the snow field was covered in blood.

Baek Seol-to's guard collected the whip again. The servant that accompanied the Young Miss, picked up the hairpin from the messed up corpse. This wasn't out of sympathy for the commoner child. It just occurred to them that they should probably give it to someone.

"Look!"

Now, that hairpin was in the hands of Count Ah Ru-ho.

"Can't you feel the bitterness in this hairpin! Viscount!"

After 6 years, the hairpin had become worn. The hairpin, which had probably been polished to be given to the grandmother as a present, had now lost its luster and dust rested on its skin. Old and worn, it was an item that could be seen anywhere.

"Is the Viscount so cold blooded!"

"…"

Viscount Ja Soo-jung only smiled strangely when she heard Count Ah Ru-ho's sharp cry.

"Is the Viscount's head filled with nothing but the reasoning of sages and the classic writings?! Why else could she sit so calmly while looking at this relic with traces of blood, the remnants of death!"

No.

"The Viscount doesn't even seem to have human blood!"

That wasn't it.

Count Ah Ru-ho… and the other people were misunderstanding something.

The Viscount [could see everything].

She knew much more than Count Ah Ru-ho did. She had even witnessed the death of the granddaughter from a closer distance than the man who had his back to us.

That wasn't all.

The last thing the granddaughter thought before dying. The last thing she said. The way Marquis Baek Seol-to swung her whip.

Viscount Ja Soo-jung knew a lot more than everyone else.

'Because.'

My head spun, and I barely managed to spill the words out of my mouth.

"Viscount. You have… the [Gold Dragon's Eyes]." (TL: Not 'gaze' like the skill. I'm not sure if this is an error with the raws or intentional.)

"Hmm?"

Viscount Ja Soo-jung turned to look at me.

"What are you talking about, Advisor?"

I gulped.

In the distance, Count Ah Ru-ho continued to stir up a storm. He cursed at her that she didn't have human nature, and even went on to say that she was an illegitimate child without proper roots. He slandered her as a tyrant that did not show mercy. And he affirmed that it was outrageous for such a person to become a Duke.

The room erupted, and thanks to that, it created the perfect environment for the two of us to exchange stealthy whispers.

"The Gold Dragon's Eyes."

"Yes. The Gold Dragon's Eyes, is there something wrong with them?"

"The Gold Dragon's Eyes can see everything. From an omniscient viewpoint. You have one body but you can see the entire Tower. It gives you the ability to see all things at once."

"That's not wrong. So?"

"…in addition, you have [Ice River Dragon's Breath]."

My heart pounded in my chest.

"[Ice River Dragon's Breath] allows you to go to any time you wish. [Eyes that can see anything] [Breath that lets you go anywhere]. You have both. If you wished…"

"If this one wished?"

"It would be possible to watch the very moment when the granddaughter was whipped to death."

I said.

"That's your omniscience."

That was what gave the Tower Master the power of omniscience.

"Using [Gold Dragon's Eyes] and [Ice River Dragon's Breath, you could personally witness all of the death and despair in this world."

"…"

"Those two powers allow you to watch everything that happens in the Tower."

At that moment.

[Right answer.]

[Acknowledged that you have overcome the second gateway.]

[Gold Dragon's Eyes and Ice River Dragon's Breath form the Tower's Observatory.]

There was a moment of silence.

Purple eyes admired my face.

"That's right."

Viscount Ja Soo-jung slowly opened her lips.

A smile gently hung off of her soft lips.

"Not bad. The information given to the Advisor wouldn't have been much. You were able to put all of that together on your own and guessed a project this one planned to use."

"You…"

"The warrior should receive a reward for finding the correct answer."

Viscount Ja Soo-jung reached out and grabbed my wrist.

"—Now, I'll show you the death of the granddaughter."

Trickle.

I felt something crawl up my leg. It was cool like the skin of a snake. Surprised, I looked down and found darkness on the surface of the water, darkness that I could only describe as a shadow, slowly climbing up my skin.

"Follow me."

In the next moment, I was consumed by the shadow.

4.

Shwack-

The snow splashed as it was struck by the whip.

The balls of snow were heavy with blood. They leapt into the air, but didn't sail very far. In clumps, they plummeted towards the pool of blood that had dyed the ground red.

"It's your fault!"

"Please…spare…me…"

"You-, it's all your fault! You! Because of you! If it weren't for you!"

The whip struck the air.

The balls of snow sitting on the surface of the pool of blood melted.

"Ah…"

The little child convulsed.

The last bit of the child's body temperature flowed down her body into the snow beneath. A small puddle of water, created by the child's body heat, spread.

"…"

"That is the child."

Ja Soo-jung raised her finger. The two of us stood in a dark alley. There were pedestrians on the street, but perhaps they were scared by the aura the Marquis' guards as they all ducked into alleys to avoid them.

"Marquis Baek Seol-to. Now, she is Young Miss Baek Seol-to. The child the Young Miss killed when she was 10 years old is laying there."

I instinctively tried to run out.

But I couldn't.

A hand with strength surpassing my own was wrapped around my wrist.

"No."

"Wh-, why not? We have to go immediately. If we go right now and take her to a clinic, maybe…!"

"Perhaps she can be saved. Yes. Perhaps she might suffer terrible pain during the winter season, but as time passes, she would get better and would be able to live a normal, happy life. The Marquis would give them a hefty compensation. In fact, they would probably be able to live a much better life."

"Then why are you holding my wrist…!"

"Advisor."

Viscount Ja Soo-jung smiled.

"Mr. Kim Gong-ja."

The sound of the whip echoed in the distance.

"Do you know how many times this one has seen scenes like this?"

The Young Miss ferociously beat the body of a young child who would soon die beneath her whip. Someone's winter was ending here.

"This one is currently 18 years old. However, I have lived an infinite number of lives that couldn't possibly be contained within the number 18. I watched the death of a child as I am doing now, hundreds of children, thousands of children, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, millions, billions, trillions. They all crossed the yellow river right before my eyes."

"From the founding of the kingdom till now, December 24, 2001, I have seen countless infanticides, robberies, massacres, victories and defeats. So far, it was limited to the history of this kingdom. But someday, I will watch this world, no, every world die."

"And I will not do anything."

My throat was dry.

"Huh…?"

"This one could prevent that child from dying. I could undo any number of unfortunate deaths. I could regress and regress and regress until all unjust deaths are eliminated and the entire world becomes just and righteous."

However.

"I won't."

Viscount Ja Soo-jung chuckled.

"Ever."

"…"

"I will never interfere."

"Why…?"

"Only in this way will all of the misfortunes that occur in this world be [this one's fault]."

The child had died.

Huffing and puffing, the Young Miss kicked the corpse before turning and walking away. The falling snow covered the Young Miss' back.

"What was the reason for that child's death, Advisor? What went wrong that caused her to die?"

Viscount Ja Soo-jung's voice was soft.

"Is it because she bumped into Young Miss Baek Seol-to? Was that wrong? Or was it the fault of Young Miss Baek Seol-to? Was it because she was raised by her grandfather? Was it because she was born with a brain her grandfather wasn't satisfied with? In that case, was it wrong because Young Miss Baek Seol-to was born?"

Viscount Ja Soo-jung let go of my wrist.

"It's not. That was all a coincidence. You cannot blame coincidence. No one is wrong for being born. There's no such thing as a life that shouldn't be born."

"…"

"There is only one person to blame."

She placed her hands on her chest.

"This one has the ability to approach the granddaughter and say, 'the road ahead is dangerous, go another way'. Then that child could avoid the misfortune that befell her. This one could also become a secret friend of Young Miss Baek Seol-to, and give her private lessons. Then the Young Miss would become smarter day by day and be acknowledged by her grandfather."

Viscount Ja Soo-jung clasped her hands as if she was praying and looked at me.

"This one has the ability to do that."

"…"

"I won't."

"Never. No matter what happens."

Suddenly, the surroundings changed.

The blood soaked snow disappeared and the council hall with the flowing amniotic fluid appeared once again.

Count Ah Ru-ho was still pointing his finger in our direction and condemning Viscount Ja Soo-jung. The courtesan of the capital city who lacked humanity, how could she not grieve over a child's death, why did she not try to help…

"Advisor."

In the midst of the noisy council hall, Viscount Ja Soo-jung whispered to me.

"There is no such thing as accidental deaths in this world. There are no accidental misfortunes. All deaths and misfortunes were deliberately allowed to happen by this one."

"…"

"Every misfortune you've suffered is this one's fault. Because this one didn't move to stop it. Because this one didn't deal with it. And because this one ignored it. Countless misfortunes are allowed to happen. At least in this kingdom. And in time, the entire world."

"…"

"Do you understand what I'm saying, this one's Advisor?"

Viscount Ja Soo-jung smiled like a saint.

Then, the surroundings changed once again.

0

This time, it was the scene of Viscount Sun Heuk-sin eating human flesh.

"Now."

Viscount Ja Soo-jung stroked the back of my hand.

"It's time to blame this one."

My heart pounded.

"Scream 'why didn't you help'. It wouldn't be a meaningless scream. This one had the ability to help, and I was right there in your misfortune. Ask me why I didn't save you. It will never be a pointless question. Because this one was able to solve the problem."

She clasped my hand.

"Because that's the type of being this one is."

I couldn't breathe.

"Now you know the [culprit] that you should point your finger to without a doubt."

The one God spoke.

"This one is the [God that never Regresses]. A God who will not regress for anyone, and will only watch your misfortune."

God softly declared.

"And that's why this one is a God you can condemn."

God's name was Ja Soo-jung.

(TL: 3k words as a return isn't too bad.)

~~~

Chapter 220. Golden Rule (4)

Translator: Seven

5.

I looked at the girl.

The landscape changed rapidly, from the snowy streets where Marquis Baek Seol-to had done the whipping, to the cave where Viscount Sun Heuk-sin consumed human flesh, to where Viscount Dae Ha-ran led an army to slaughter both soldiers and civilians alike.

"Kill them all without leaving a single one alive!"

A general's competence could be determined by two things, being able to kill people well, and having no hesitation when killing people.

Viscount Dae Ha-ran was a competent general.

"This is the place of a rebellion. The leakage of information about our operation cannot be allowed. The peasants, the poor, the men and women, old and young. Kill them all and destroy everything! I will take responsibility."

Thousands of cavalry slaughtered the rebels.

Surrounded by the soldiers, the shoulders of the villagers shook. Some of them had really tried to rebel against the kingdom. And more and more people had fallen for it, saying 'maybe the lord is really going to start a war'.

"Milord! Spare me! We are all bumpkins who don't know anything!"

A politician's competence could be determined by their ability to distinguish their peers and allies.

Viscount Dae Ha-ran was a incompetent politician.

And humans were most cruel when they were competent in one aspect but incompetent in the other

"Burn them."

The village was set ablaze.

A wooden fence had been built to stop the villagers from escaping. The kingdom's soldiers hefted their spears, stabbing at the villagers that tried to escape the barrier.

"My God!"

The old men, their wives and their children were choked by the black smoke that covered their village.

Soot settled in the lungs of the old chief. Even until his last moment, the village chief didn't know if it would have been a more extravagant death to die at the hands of his Lord for rebelling against his order to join the rebellion instead of the hands of the Kingdom.

He didn't really have a choice.

"Please God, save us…"

God was there in that place.

Viscount Ja Soo-jung was sitting on a distant tree. As she herself had said, the Viscount was [A God that would never regress]. To be precise, she was [A God who would not help anyone, even if she regressed].

Immovable.

"Viscount."

I begged the God who held my wrist.

"Please help them. This is not fair."

"I know."

"Why should Dae Ha-ran live while they die? Why must they die alone in pain?"

"Advisor."

I activated my aura to break free from the Viscount's grip.

But Viscount Ja Soo-jung's gentle touch never left my rest.

God's grip was far stranger than mine.

"There is no reason to do that. The reason some live, some die, and some suffer. That can't exist, right?"

"If so then,…"

"Nevertheless, it seems people often need something to blame."

The village burned to the ground and the ashes drifted to the forest.

Viscount Ja Soo-jung lifted her index finger and caught a speck of gray ash.

"No one can accept that everything in the world happens by chance, can they? There will always be malice behind your misfortune, and manipulation behind your good fortune, so you deserve the sympathy or curses from the rest of the world, right? That's right."

The surrounding landscape changed again.

"Everyone is right."

The kingdom's meeting hall.

"This one will make it so that everyone is right."

The witnesses requested by Count Ah Ru-ho entered the hall.

The old man who lost his daughter was only the beginning.

The Count seemed to have mobilized all of his power, or the power of his faction, to visit the victims. Among them were even the descendants of people who had been displaced by Viscount Dae Ha-ran.

"Everyone's misfortunes didn't just happen, they happened because this one stood to the side and allowed it."

The meeting hall became more and more chaotic.

Count Ah Ru-ho took the lead to condemn Viscount Ja Soo-jung. Many nobles followed the Count and rebuked her.

"None of these sins were committed by Viscount Ja Soo-jung!"

Count Ah Ru-ho spoke eloquently.

"But the Viscount is surrounded by sinners. She didn't even do it unknowingly, she did it despite knowing that. Why does the Viscount protect Marquis Baek Seol-to!? Why does the Viscount protect a cannibal!? They have all committed grave sins, so the Viscount, who they all surround, must be the supreme evil!"

Count Ah Ru-ho did not dare to say it aloud, but that list of sinners also included the Sun King sitting upon the throne.

A monarch who had imprisoned himself for 60 years. Under the Sun King's rule without politics, landowners exploited peasants without restraint, and nobles squeezed those with intellect without hindrance. During his 60 years of indifference, civil unrest had rebellion had been cultivated throughout the kingdom.

"…"

The Sun King sat upon the throne and endured in silence.

It wasn't just the king.

The Dukes, who were ascendants that had lived for over 1,000 years, had carried out numerous slaughters during those 1,000 years. None of the six Dukes hadn't committed murder.

Out of the hundreds of nobles in the meeting hall, the beings who represented the kingdom, there was not a single one without a victim.

"It is Viscount Ja Soo-jung's fault!"

Count Ah Ru-ho was the same.

The Count was a strong warrior who had led his army to battle several times. It was impossible for there to be no unjust deaths on a battlefield. He'd ruined the lives of several people. He'd broken several families. And so, he carried the misfortune of several people.

"Moreover, the Viscount even called a person who had committed a crime [lovely]. Ha. How dare she so openly show her love for someone who has committed a crime! How dare she continue to love criminals even now, when it is not enough even to repent for the past, correct sins, and raise the morals of our kingdom!"

Count Ah Ru-ho attacked Viscount Ja Soo-jung. But the truth was, he was also stabbing himself and all the other royals and nobles present.

"Viscount Ja Soo-jung is a sinner!"

The Count was not in pain.

Licking the blood from his wounds, he bit Viscount Ja Soo-jung over and over again like an intoxicated hunting dog.

"Yes."

Viscount Ja Soo-jung, who knew all of that better than anyone else in the world, didn't ask back [aren't you also a sinner?].

She didn't even declare, [we are all sinners alike].

"That's right."

However, she affirmed.

"It's this one's fault."

She pointed her finger towards herself and called out to the victims, the young God gladly accepted it as if it was a sweet drink.

"This one is a sinner." (TL: I think you mean that word that starts with m.)

The Evil God was amused.

"That's why, I should be punished." (TL:… really an m…)

It seemed that Count Ah Ru-ho was too focused on eloquence.

"…"

If the Count had paid more attention, he might have wondered why the members of Viscount Ja Soo-jung's faction had not made a single argument.

"…? What?"

Even though it was said that the king had no authority, he was still the Lord of the royal domain. That was his right guaranteed by the law. There had been many chances for him to stop the Count's tirade and support Viscount Ja Soo-jung.

"What's wrong, Count? This one just said that I agree with your views."

The Apathetic Duke was a butcher. And she was a Duke. Furthermore, she was an influential person who did not regret a single murder or massacre she'd committed.

She enjoyed her custom of rolling dice to determine a person's life or death. It had been like that for a long time, and it would continue being like that for a long time. There was only one thing about the Duke that had changed. It was just there was now a Ja Soo-jug in the world that she wouldn't roll the dice for.

But the Apathetic Duke didn't shelter the first pet she'd had in 1,000 years.

"Agreeing with my view means…"

"Everything is this one's fault, this one's responsibility, and this one's sin, so this one needs to be punished."

Marquis Baek Seol-to, who'd killed a child when she was younger, was now the Head of a Marquis Family. From generation to generation the Rabbit* Marquis monopolized the northern port of the royal capital. Thirty percent of the Great River's streams that flowed throughout the kingdom belonged to them. The Marquis had a lot of money. (: Actually put rabbit)

The former cannibal, Viscount Sun Heuk-sin, knew how to use her notoriety well. She removed the mold that was deeply rooted in her estate. She purged the landowners in charge of the windmill and executed the local gentries who controlled the waterways. Then, she returned all of the windmills and waterways in the territory to the family before giving them to peasants at a low price. The Viscount had a lot of grain.

Viscount Dae Ha-ran, who was once a general of the Royal Family, had once planned a rebellion. She was still good at killing people. She knew how to divide the enemy, how to divide a united enemy, and how to annihilate trained soldiers. She knew the tricks necessary for war. Of those, the Viscount had too many.

"…so, you're accepting my argument?"

"Precisely."

But no one defended their Master.

Unless there was a lack of love for their lover or loyalty for their Master, there had to be a reason why all of them remained silent.

"This one is the greatest sinner in the history of the kingdom, that is why I'd like to introduce a bill."

Viscount Ja Soo-jung commanded silence.

"Secretary. Please hand out the prepared bill."

If the Count had paid a bit more attention.

No matter how the Viscount was called the [Crazy Bitch of the Royal Capital, she wouldn't remain smiling as witness after witness came to testify against her. Perhaps then he would have realized that this argument in the Council was [exactly what Viscount Ja Soo-jung wanted].

"A bill…?"

"Yes. This one is proposing a bill by adopting the other party's argument."

The Count hadn't had any doubts.

"The bill will be called The Golden Rule."

And that was why he was hunted.

"Dear fellow members of the Noble Council."

Documents were distributed to the nobles. Splash! As the Royal Family's clerks rushed back and forth, stepping in the amniotic fluid. The documents were distributed equally to the members of every faction.

"Some might ask the question."

As the highest ranking members of the kingdom flipped through the documents, Viscount Ja Soo-jung began speaking in a leisurely tone.

"Do we really need a new Duke in this era?"

Some nobles didn't look down at the documents. No, they treated it as if they didn't want to look down at it. Those few were the Leisurely Duke, Absolute Sword Duke, Inner Energy Duke, Stone Medicine Duke, and Black Dragon Duke*. (: Author suddenly mentions Black Dragon Duke(흑룡공) for the first time. I give up T~T)

This meant that the bill had already been debated among the Dukes.

"This one's answer is clear. Yes, we do need a seventh Duke."

"…"

Among them, the Ten Thousand God Duke was the head of the Religious Faction which was the fact Count Ah Ru-ho was in. Count Ah Ru-ho blankly turned his head to look at his faction leader.

The Ten Thousand God Duke slightly resembled the Heretic Questioner as he smiled.

"I'm sorry, Count! Big sis asked me to keep it a secret!"

"…"

It was then that the Count realized.

Why the witnesses and evidence against Viscount Ja Soo-jun was so readily available, and who the entire proceedings of that day had been planned by. The kingdom was already owned by Viscount Ja Soo-jung.

"If there were no problems in this era then yes. There would be no need to establish a new Duke."

The God who had taken over the kingdom from the shadows said.

"However, there have been so many rebellions, knockbacks, and rotting stench. Don't you agree? Dear colleagues of the Noble Council whom I greatly respect, there have been hundreds of thousands of people involved in rebellion. Millions have lost their loyalty in the kingdom. Someone has to take responsibility in this era."

An impatient noble read the summary of the bill.

"Taking responsibility is easy."

And didn't understand it, so he went back to the first page.

"Those who have been sacrificed by the kingdom's administration for 60 years. Those whose lives were ruined because they were unjustly involved in rebellions. The families and descendants of those who were ruined. Those soldiers who died because of unjust orders, Those who lost their homes because of civil policies. Those who were robbed of their property, had their body parts mutilated, were forced to leave their towns or lost relatives because of the disregard of the Royal Family or nobles. Those who were subjected to racial discrimination. The serfs who were exploited. To give specific examples of the chaos in the past 60 years, there have been two failed Gold Dragon Subjugation orders in the past, one civil war, three rebellions by nobles, and another by the Red Nails. In all of those, the subjects were unjustly sacrificed."

In other words, the people of the kingdom were unfairly sacrificed.

"The kingdom will accept full responsibility for them. The seventh Duke, who will be established here, will assume those responsibilities."

In other words, Viscount Ja Soo-jung.

"The principle will be as follows."

The kingdom's nobles all looked at Viscount Ja Soo-jung.

"A person whose life has been ruined by the kingdom can pass on the same amount of suffering to the seventh Duke."

Torture.

"The way responsibility will be taken is as follows."

The nobles in the Viscount's faction lowered their heads.

"A person seeking revenge from the seventh Duke may point out the culprit that ruined their life and demand that they are present when The Golden Rule is executed. For example, the freeman Nam Suk can force Marquis Baek Seol-to to attend as a witness."

Revenge.

"And regardless of how much the seventh Duke suffers at the hands of the subject, the witness can never force them to stop or interfere with the execution of The Golden Rule. Witnesses will only be allowed to observe The Golden Ruler."

The price of sin.

"The time and place for the implementation of the Golden Rule will be as follows."

The reason this day was chosen for the Evil God's trauma.

"Every year on the 24th day of the 12th Month. The last day of the Noble Council's end of year meeting. From midnight on this day, the seventh Duke will make a clockwise trip around the Royal Capital. The starting location will be the Platinum Square in front of the Platinum Tower and the final destination will be the Platinum Square in front of the Platinum Tower. During this trip, any subject of any age and any sex can go to the seventh Duke and demand the execution of The Golden Rule."

Today was the 24th Day of the 12th Month.

"This one will determine if the subject is qualified to execute The Golden Rule."

Viscount Ja Soo-jung had [Ice River Dragon's Breath].

She could watch the past of whoever was in front of her.

She would be able to tell if the kingdom had ruined that subject's life.

"If they are qualified, this one will judge exactly how much they have suffered and how much pain they can inflict to this one. Arms for those whose arms were cut off. Eyes for those who had their eyes gouged out. For those who have too much to be done at once, it will carry over to the next year until it is enough. Year after year."

Viscount Ja Soo-jung has [Gold Dragon's Eyes.]

She could figure out the intensity and size of other people's emotions.

She would be able to see how much the kingdom's subjects had suffered.

"While The Golden Rule is being executed, this one's body will be damaged and I will probably not be able to walk properly, so this one will need someone to support me. The one who caused the most suffering to the subject will be the one to support this one."

Viscount Ja Soo-jung asked every influential person she met to love her.

She didn't ask them for anything else.

Now, they would have to smell the blood of the person they loved from the closest distance.

0

"This one puts the above mentioned bill on the agenda, and as the Leader of the Mirror Faction and Head of the Amethyst Viscount Family, I use the right granted to all nobles by the First King to hold a vote on the above mentioned bill. If passed, the bill will come into effect from tonight."

The meeting hall was silent.

The sound of running water echoed.

Since it was the 12th Month, it was probably snowing outside.

"Dear colleagues of the Council."

The Country Tilting Duke.

The noble who was about to become the seventh Duke smiled brightly.

"It is now time to punish the sinner."

(TL: At this point, no one can tell me Ja Soo-jung isn't an 'M' word all uppercase. Also… I cannot for the life of me understand the reason behind her actions.

:)