Chapter 216 - Someone’s Master (3)

3

This was a place where trauma would be recreated.

Viscountess Ja Sujeong, walking before my eyes, was likewise no different from a figure in a dream, so to speak. I had been through quite a few nightmares, but Ja Sujeong was the first person to become [aware] that she was a figure within a trauma.

“Doesn’t it feel strange to you?”

“Pardon?”

“Well, you know. It means you don’t really exist. This is a trauma created by my skill...”

“Not particularly? The only thing that feels strange to me right now, Mr. Kim Gongja, is that you have Adviser Eternal River’s face and voice, but speak in your own manner. It’s fucking weird.”

Viscountess Ja Sujeong giggled.

“Are you a man or a woman, Mr. Kim Gongja? Judging by the Spire World’s naming conventions, I suspect you’re a man.”

“Ah, yes. I’m a man.”

“As I thought. Then allow me to give you a mirror.”

With a little “Ta-da,” Viscountess Ja Sujeong pulled a hand mirror from inside her clothes and held it up to my face.

Its surface reflected the person I was possessing. In other words, Baron Eternal River.

“What do you think?”

“...”

“Quite a looker, isn’t she? I know. Of course she is. She’s my adviser, after all.”

Viscountess Ja Sujeong chuckled playfully.

But Baron Eternal River’s face was far too beautiful to be a mere joke.

‘Beautiful.’

Jet-black hair fell in a short cut to her shoulders. Even in the light, it neither shone nor gleamed with oil. It was simply black. As though refusing to let any light slide across it, Baron Eternal River’s bob swayed in utter blackness.

“Wow... Um. Hmm.”

In complete contrast to her jet-black hair, her skin was pure white. People often described a face as white as paper, but her entire body looked as though it had been waxed with white paper. She was a person composed of just two shades: black and white.

“This is strange...”

“How does it feel to go from a man to a woman, Mr. Kim Gongja? Does your heart flutter? This is where I’d like you to show me that cliché where you grope both your breasts and exclaim in shock, [I really have become a girl!]”

“Why did I end up possessing this body, of all bodies...?”

I cast the information spell on myself as well.

Soon, a description of Baron Eternal River unfolded.

+

[Eternal River]

Status: Noble. Honorary Viscount.

Relationship: The viscountess’s adviser.

Danger Level: Black.

Notes: Head of House Eternal. During her years as a young lady, her uncle, who preceded her father as head of the house, became embroiled in the Great Black-and-White Cat War and was stripped of his title on charges of rebellion. Her father, the previous head, associated with heretical sects and was purged along with them. All the family’s elders died. Eternal River had no choice but to assume leadership of the house.

It was an age rife with rebellions and purges.

During this period, Marquess Shield of Poetry, a close acquaintance, approached her. The marquess begged her to care for the infant born to a rebel leader. Baron Eternal River accepted the rebel’s daughter and secretly raised her as her own.

The daughter secretly organized an army with Marquess Shield of Poetry. When this army was discovered, the kingdom ordered its suppression and wiped it out. Marquess Shield of Poetry was executed over this affair.

Baron Eternal River was stripped of her baronial title and demoted to a free commoner. Despite possessing four-verse magic, she was expelled from the magic tower.

While wandering the streets with nothing, she was abducted by the terrorist organization [Red Nails]. She was subsequently imprisoned and abused in a Red Nails hideout for over nine years.

And then.

She met the viscountess.

Strengths: [Coolheaded Judgment], [Ability to Execute], [Second-Stage Ascended Human]

Weaknesses: [Heir to Rebels], [From a Rebel Region], [Participant in Rebellion], [Family of a Rebel Leader], [Viscountess Ja Sujeong]. [Daughter]

+

“...”

She, too, had lived quite a turbulent life.

“So this was originally a noble family, and three members in a row got tangled up in rebellions...?”

“Ah, you’re reading the information notebook my adviser prepared. Yes, that’s right. Her uncle, her father, and herself. All three made a grand show of getting involved in rebellions. The funny thing is, they were all different rebellions. But do you know what’s even funnier?”

“What...?”

“It says my adviser has a daughter, doesn’t it? Originally a rebel leader’s daughter, whom she had no choice but to take in at Marquess Shield of Poetry’s request. That child grows up to lead an actual rebel army herself.”

“What the fuck?”

“Now this is when you should say a family is a goddamn mess. Even I’ve never seen or heard of a family like this. I thought the whole household had a treason fetish.”

“Her father was a rebel, her daughter’s a rebel, and even I’m implicated in rebellion. How am I still holding a noble title?”

“Surprise?”

“That makes no sense!”

“Oh, there are two sorts of people in this world who think nonsense makes sense, Mr. Kim Gongja. One is simply an idiot. The other is someone with power. Since I have power, I granted Adviser Eternal River a noble title again.”

“...”

“Understand?”

“Viscountess, you can speak English...”

“Yes. I can more or less hold a conversation in German, English, French, Korean, and Japanese. Traveling to other worlds is fashionable in the outside world, I hear? Here, quite the opposite, taking in people from other worlds is fashionable. I learned a few languages from an otherworldly tutor myself.”

“Oh, then do British or French people live in this world too?”

“No.”

CLICK.

Viscountess Ja Sujeong closed the hand mirror.

At the same time, the letters shimmering before my eyes vanished.

“They’re all dead. Except for one.”

“...”

“The moment you jump on the trend and gleefully declare, [I’m going to have sweet little romantic adventures in another world too!], you come to realize that the world is the world wherever you go, and death is death everywhere. An outsider with knowledge from another world? Once we know that, we have no choice but to lock them up or kill them at once, do we? We have a great deal we must protect.”

“...”

“Well, shall we leave the dark stories there? Ta-da.”

Viscountess Ja Sujeong put away the hand mirror and pulled out a cup instead. Where had that come from? I began to question what sort of space, governed by what laws of physics, was hidden inside her clothes.

“Mr. Kim Gongja, spread your arms for a moment. So I can see your body.”

“L-like this?”

“Yes. Now, this isn’t an ordinary drinking cup. It’s made of bedrock, you see? Which means I can perform tricks like this.”

For some reason, Viscountess Ja Sujeong pushed the cup toward my body.

It sank right in.

“Huh?”

“Heh.”

Viscountess Ja Sujeong stirred the cup around inside my body. A moment later, when she withdrew her hand, the cup was filled to the brim with water.

“...!”

“What do you think? Pretty fucking amazing, right?”

“Th-this, this is, what, what the...!”

“Incidentally, it tastes damn good. This water. It’s so refreshing it could slap the shit out of first-class pristine water.”

Viscountess Ja Sujeong slurped the water she had scooped out of my body. Good God. Faced with an utterly incomprehensible phenomenon, my brain broke down.

“Phaaah... Refreshing. This is why I simply can’t go anywhere without my adviser.”

“...”

“Adviser Eternal River is an ascended human. An ascended human. This world has a law called ascension, whereby someone who overcomes a Trial becomes [a human capable of a little more]. Above all, they receive the blessing of [not dying even if they die once].”

“Not dying even if they die once...? What does that mean?”

“Exactly what it says. When an ascended human dies once, they get really tiny. If they die again in that state, that’s when they truly die. No more miracles. Their head comes off and they fucking die like anyone else.”

“...”

“But amazingly, in this kingdom! There exist a very few who have attained ascension beyond ascension. A heaven beyond heaven. Those who have set foot in the second heaven!”

Viscountess Ja Sujeong took my hand with an exaggerated, theatrical gesture.

“And that is you! Baron Eternal River! A truly, extremely, exceedingly rare second-stage ascended mage, of whom there may not even be twelve in this whole wide world—that is you, Baron Eternal River!”

“... I understand that I’m an extraordinary person. But why does sticking a cup into my body let you scoop out water?”

“Second-stage ascended humans begin to move beyond humanity. You could say they’re becoming somewhat mythical beings. For instance, my first adviser’s core is [fire], so if they wish, they can simply burn down a city like a phoenix. On the other hand, the core of my second adviser, Baron Eternal River, is [water]. Very clean, very cool water, at that.”

Viscountess Ja Sujeong slowly ran her index finger across my cheek.

“How fortunate that the two staffs supporting me should be a stream of fire and a stream of water. I really was born to a blessed life, wasn’t I?”

Ja Sujeong smeared the water beading on her fingertip over her lips.

My droplets trickled over her already pink lips, making them glossier still.

“...”

“My personal lip balm. My personal washing station. My personal washroom. Baron Eternal River attends me so I can always maintain a fresh scent, as though I’ve just shaken off the water. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to use the bathtub today. Because of you, Mr. Kim Gongja.”

Yes.

I understood perfectly.

‘Baron Eternal River is Viscountess Ja Sujeong’s retainer, her adviser, and a second-stage ascended archmage, of whom there aren’t even twelve in this world. She belongs to a vicious family that has rebelled against the kingdom across four generations.’

Eternal River loved Ja Sujeong.

‘The water that makes up my body is used solely to please the viscountess and keep her comfortable.’

In short, Baron Eternal River’s master was Viscountess Ja Sujeong.

I didn’t know whether that was good or bad for Eternal River, but countless others served Viscountess Ja Sujeong as their master.

The moment we entered the lounge, a multitude of nobles and their attendant servants crowded around us.

“Your Excellency, Viscountess Ja Sujeong!”

“Regarding your vote in favor of the previous motion...”

“Conditions in Baron Corpse-Wrath Crow’s territory remain difficult. How does the royal household intend to...”

“As instructed, we secured the meat in cooperation with the Chief State Councillor’s palace. Since you said even thoroughly rotten meat would do, we had no trouble procuring the quantity. Your Excellency, where should we...”

The crowd clamored as though everything that happened in this world required consultation with Viscountess Ja Sujeong.

With a wry smile, she responded to every one of them.

“Yes, here is my signature.”

“We won’t merely send a new lord to Baron Corpse-Wrath Crow’s territory. The kingdom is deeply interested in that territory and the surrounding void zones. Support will be provided through the chancellery, so wait without worrying too much.”

“Well done. Take the meat straight to the royal household. Not to the Inner Capital—pile it somewhere close enough to bring it to the Grand Assembly Hall at any time. I’ve already informed His Excellency the Chief State Councillor. The royal court ladies and maids there will help you.”

All the petitioners offered their respects with cries of “Thank you!” and “Forgive the trouble!” before hurrying off somewhere else.

The dozens of other nobles seated in the lounge had remained silent throughout. Many glared at Viscountess Ja Sujeong with displeasure.

“Viscountess Ja Sujeong is busy saving the kingdom again today, I see. Magnificent. Anyone watching would think she was a duchess, not a viscountess. What an admirable concern for the people...”

“Your Excellency, Count Fang-Tower Tiger.”

At some point, Viscountess Pure Black God had returned to the lounge. Dozens of nobles sat drinking tea around her. They were [Viscountess Ja Sujeong’s faction].

“Whatever anyone may say, the noble who has rendered the most brilliant service this year is Viscountess Ja Sujeong. Naturally, she ought to be promised rewards and treatment befitting that accomplishment.”

“In war, whoever kills best is the biggest boss. You’re a noble and you don’t even know that?”

“Ha. A vulgar leader breeds equally vulgar underlings. How dare a mere honorary viscount interrupt a count?”

“Why? Going to challenge me to a duel? Go ahead.”

Each time someone from Ja Sujeong’s faction spoke, I checked their information.

“We already spent thirteen hours soaking our feet in water in that assembly hall. Thirteen hours. You’re exhausted, I’m exhausted, we’re all exhausted, so why pick on our faction leader, who’s the most exhausted of all? Want your ass kicked?”

+

[Giant Shrimp Roe]

Status: Noble. Honorary Viscount.

Relationship: The viscountess’s disciple.

Danger Level: White.

Notes: Former Platinum General of the royal army. When widespread rebellions broke out sixty years ago, he took the vanguard and suppressed the rebels. The death toll totaled 60,000 across both armies, or 210,000 including civilians. However, when it was discovered that the royal household itself had deliberately engineered the rebellion, the royal army was dissolved, leaving Giant Shrimp Roe unemployed.

Giant Shrimp Roe argued that the kingdom’s lack of a royal army was absurd, and that entrusting national security entirely to the nobles’ private troops could lead only to ruin. He planned to demonstrate the necessity of a royal army through an extremely violent protest... but Viscountess Ja Sujeong stopped him before he could act.

Viscountess Ja Sujeong accepted Giant Shrimp Roe as her youngest disciple, but is struggling because he simply cannot understand what she tells him.

Ally.

Can be killed.

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

Weaknesses: [Mass Murderer], [Plunderer], [Impatient], [Stupid About Everything Except War]

Caution: Currently living as a guest of House Snow Rabbit.

+

“...”

And then.

I was beginning to notice.

“What, kick my ass? Fine, you shrimp-roe bastard. Today I’ll snuff out your miserable li—”

“Wait. Isn’t everyone getting a little too heated?”

A gentle-looking noble plucked a stringed instrument.

TRILL.

“Today is the first time in sixty years that His Majesty has attended the assembly in person. If word got out that nobles had dueled in the lounge on such a day, wouldn’t it embarrass His Majesty? Even if you needn’t concern yourselves with that, it would sadden Ja Sujeong.”

+

[Sea-Echo Flash]

Status: Noble. Baron of the Royal Capital.

Relationship: The viscountess’s colleague.

Danger Level: Blue.

Notes: Former School Master of the Sea-Echo Flash School. The Sea-Echo Flash School was a very small elite force. It was chiefly deployed on special operations such as assassinating key figures, destroying strongholds, setting fire to farms awaiting harvest, and contaminating soil with poison. It boasted great renown and tremendous achievements. One of the kingdom’s six great mercenary bands, formerly known as the Six Heavenly Schools.

When Viscountess Ja Sujeong made her surprise recruitment of the Six Heavenly Schools, he joined them and was granted a baronial title.

Ally.

Can be killed.

Strengths: [Survival], [Speed], [Always Fulfills a Commission], [Ascended Human]

Weaknesses: [Arsonist], [Poisoner], [Wanderlust]

Caution: Beginning to regard Viscountess Ja Sujeong as someone special.

+

With this much information gathered, it was impossible not to see it.

The “common trait” of the lovers who served Ja Sujeong as their master.

Every person who spoke in the lounge differed in appearance, personality, and life history. Yet all bore a bold red mark that could never be erased.

“Hmm, I’m a newcomer who only received a baronial title today. If you insist on a duel, send me in your place. Then the rumors will end at a couple of foolish newcomers behaving rudely.”

Baron Savior. The viscountess’s slave.

He had served as a rebel leader’s right-hand man and personally tortured hundreds of people to death.

“Must we really duel? I think Count Fang-Tower Tiger is angry because he feels that they can do nothing and are being completely overwhelmed by our teacher. If we hand them a victory in return, that should solve the problem. I hear Count Fang-Tower Tiger is skilled at royal chess. Why not play our teacher and win?”

Former Viscount Sea-gwi. The viscountess’s disciple.

Like Viscountess Pure Black God, he had once been abducted by [Red Nails]. He learned the ‘Ritual of Darkness’ then and continued performing it even after returning safely to the royal capital.

Together with the nobles under his command, he had devoured thousands of humans.

“...”

Even young Marchioness Snow Rabbit had a history of whipping a commoner’s child to death.

“Mr. Kim Gongja?”

Viscountess Ja Sujeong, who had been watching the sparring between factions, turned to me. Despite handling countless petitions on the spot, she showed no sign of fatigue. On the contrary, she was smiling brightly.

“No, I should call you Adviser Eternal River here. Yes, Adviser Eternal River. Is there something strange on my face? You look pale. Or perhaps...”

In short.

Everyone who loved Ja Sujeong was...

“Have you finally learned what you wanted to know?”

A murderer.

Or a mass murderer.

“Do you understand a little better now what sort of person I am?”