◈ Episode 202

Kim Yi-hyeon looked around the area while hiding behind a rock. The mountain path was deserted. There were only footprints of wild animals in the snow, but no traces of people.

After checking for safety, I took my hands off the holster.

"There doesn't seem to be anything wrong."

"Oh, I understand. Let's go up now."

Following a somewhat resonant voice, Maximilian emerged from the tunnel. He shook off the dust that had clung to his body and looked around awkwardly.

"This is my first time experiencing something like this."

"Well, how many members of the royal family in the world have ever been through a tunnel?"

"If it doesn't matter whether you survive or not, isn't it surprisingly possible?"

That's right.

"Hmm. Maybe it would help if I trained regularly."

"You finally made up your mind, so are you thinking of running away again?"

"Oh, no. From the perspective of preparing for an accident."

Maximilian made excuses while inwardly criticizing himself. It was as Kim Yi-hyeon had pointed out. It wasn't necessarily true that Bae Soo's true nature was good, but he had to change his habit of looking for a corner to run away to.

He decided to return to his home country.

There was no need for Kim Yi-hyeon to persistently persuade him. He had thought from the beginning that this could not continue, and from the moment he heard the truth about the emperor, he even felt a sense of mission.

"Is it okay if I ask you one thing?"

"Is that a question? I can't answer everything, but tell me."

"Don't you think you should stop it?"

"Makdani, what are your plans?"

Kim Lee-hyun nodded in response to the question.

"I understand that you have a grudge against the Emperor. However, Shiran is doing fine. If you set aside your personal feelings, isn't the Emperor an excellent ruler?"

I've been curious about this for a while now.

Basically, the Emperor is set up as a villain, but the game doesn't only show the evil side of him. There are imperial subjects who live a comfortable life under the Emperor's rule.

To an outsider, it may not seem obvious, but to Shiran, the Emperor is a wise and great monarch. Yet Maximilian chose to be hostile to the Emperor. It is the same in the game as in real life.

"I'm curious as to why you're cooperating without complaint. Do you want the throne? Or revenge for your father? To protect your remaining family in the palace?"

"Well, ahem. You're being blunt."

"I'm actually a person without any circumstances."

Until recently, I had been very polite, but as time went on, the mask began to peel off. Now that I had exposed everything, including the terror threat, it feels new.

"Well, if I had to say, all three would be somewhat correct."

Maximilian touched his neck awkwardly.

"If your plan goes as planned, Shiran will be shaken greatly. My abilities might not even be enough to clean up the aftermath. I'm not that strong, so I think I'll hit the ground and regret it."

"Then why?"

"I'm sorry if you were expecting some kind of plausible answer, but I don't have any great convictions."

Contrary to his weak words, his eyes sparkled with light.

"I believe that the human world is only right when ruled by humans."

"Is that so?"

It was an answer that was enough to convince Kim Yi-hyun. He learned why Maximilian was reluctant to cooperate with Rap in the game, and why he often showed contradictory attitudes.

'Are you saying that you don't consider me human?'

At least by Maximilian's standards, the Emperor and Kushan do not seem to be considered 'human'. If the same standards are applied, Leila and the Professor would be the same.

'Me too.'

Well, I don't really know.

"The small talk has been long. Let's get going."

"Is that something you should say? How cold."

"Because there's no guarantee that it'll be safe forever."

"That's true. We've also reduced the number of people to a minimum."

This place is already outside the borders of Bastetira.

Since we couldn't openly cross the checkpoint, we reused one of the tunnels that the Legion had used in the past. We moved in small groups to avoid being noticed by spies.

Up until now, it seemed like it had somehow managed to stay put.

"As I told you before, I will return midway."

"I heard that, but what are you going to do if I just disappear?"

"I won't follow you because you're making weak noises."

"Ugh…."

If Maximilian cares about Shiran, there is no other choice. He has only two options: either report it to the Emperor or proceed as planned. He is just saying this because he is afraid of the journey home.

"I feel a bit uneasy. Maybe it's because things have been so noisy for a while."

"It's going to get noisier from now on. Please think of it as a quiet drive."

"Drivery...."

"I even gave you a proper escort."

Kim Yi-hyeon turned his gaze to the area behind Maximilian. There was a brown-haired man. He was an agent brought from Cellbrox Lab.

"Steen. Treat me well."

"Is there any possibility?"

5-star agent Steen. Unlike other agents, he is closer to a spy working directly under the director of the lab. On the surface, he has no connection to the lab and has various fake identities.

Even though his combat skills are somewhat lacking, there is no need to worry. Maximilian himself fights better than most Pecatums. At least he won't be attacked by monsters and die a miserable death.

Even if you reveal your identity and receive protection in a nearby foreign country, it's over. Even if you are discovered by Shiran's spies who are spread all over the place, they will not attack the prince.

The journey is not as dangerous as Maximilian fears.

After a short while, we arrived at the pre-designated point. In the abandoned garage, there was a pickup truck parked. It was a clean car manufactured at the Harrenhal factory, with no dirty history behind it.

"I guess I'll stop here."

The farewell ceremony ended here. The car was about to leave.

"Hyun. Can I trust you?"

Maximilian said at once.

Kim Yi-Hyeon couldn't tell what his 'faith' meant. Was it a confirmation that he could really kill the emperor, or a request not to destroy Shiran more than necessary?

I didn't necessarily make bold promises.

"Then I'll see you again someday."

Now only action remains.

* * *

There is nothing worth recording about the journey.

Compared to the wandering life, it was much more comfortable and safer. Agent Steen, although a quiet man, was well-versed in various fields such as cooking and camping, and was a great companion.

After leaving Bastitera, crossing the ruins and stopping at several cities, I was able to safely reach the Republic of Pilnes, where the Shiran embassy still remains today.

From then on, things progressed at a rapid pace.

"...It's awkward."

Maximilian looked down at his body. His neat attire. Although modern, it was still stuffy. He could miss his musty, foul-smelling coat.

I raised my head again and looked straight ahead.

'It's been three years.'

He entered the palace only yesterday. There was no grand welcoming ceremony. The disappearance of the prince was considered a top secret even within the palace. The perception was that he was staying home due to illness or something.

This place still hasn't changed.

It was quiet and magnificent. Perhaps because I had experienced the outside world so deeply, it was a particularly suffocating feeling. The palace of Bastitera was also splendid, but it was different from there.

Circular pillars lined up on both sides, a straight path leading to the audience room, a luxurious but monotonous patterned carpet, a huge space with no unnecessary decorations.

A temple that supports the emperor.

"How was your trip, Your Majesty?"

"Your Majesty, I apologize for being rude."

"What a rude thing to say. I'm glad you returned safely."

The guard standing in front of the door smiled warmly. He was once someone he respected as much as his father. Maximilian forced himself to suppress the nausea that was rising and smiled back.

"Let's talk about what's been piling up slowly."

The guardian turned his back and began to push the door. The heavy door to the audience room opened. Maximilian dragged his body, which was naturally shrinking, inside.

Up the thirteen steps.

The Emperor, in human form, looked down at Maximilian from his throne.

"Yeah, did you enjoy the getaway?"

"...I have nothing to say."

"Of course. Especially since you came back despite the embarrassment."

Even though he was reprimanding with his mouth, his eyes were emotionless. As if he had no feelings at all. He looked at the prince with his father's face, like a tool with a substitute.

A few words, a brief glance.

That was it.

"Just go away."

The emperor rose from his throne without even hearing an answer.

Maximilian bowed his head deeply. Footsteps echoed at regular intervals. When he soon raised his head again, not even the collar of the emperor's clothes could be seen.

There is only an empty throne.

Maximilian couldn't take his eyes off the place for a long time.

* * *

On the way back to the prince's palace.

"It was faster than I thought. What did Your Majesty say?"

A red-haired woman who looked just like Maximilian approached from a distance. Maximilian's stiff expression instantly relaxed at the sight of her familiar face.

"Nothing in particular."

"I thought so. You're still the same."

"Still the same."

"Well, it can't be like the old days."

Second Princess Mayana let out a sigh. She sat down on the pillar pedestal without even brushing the dust off. She was the younger sister who had always been tough, who she resembled.

"You must have a lot on your mind. I don't know about you, but there have been a lot of things going on lately."

I know what the current mood is in Shiran. After Maximilian revealed his identity, he heard various stories about Lab and Dustborn. Their actions and the conflict they had with Shiran.

"It would be a lie to say that you're not upset, but I respect you. Why, they say a position makes a person. I was worried because you were just stupidly kind, but you're doing better than anyone else."

Mayana doesn't know the truth. Even if I tell her, will she believe me? It's all nonsense, so it would be fortunate if she didn't call me a crazy person.

I couldn't help but smile bitterly when I thought about the problems that would arise in the future.

After a brief conversation, Maximilian headed to his bedroom. Meanwhile, Meiana's words continued to linger in his mind. Regardless of his feelings, he could sympathize with her assessment of the emperor.

Compared to other countries that have declined or completely perished, Shiran is still very healthy. Even without regular public opinion campaigns, the people praise the emperor's rule.

But still.

'Even if the continent was not reduced to ruins, the empire was always an empire.'

I have seen the world outside the empire. There is happiness and sorrow everywhere on the continent. The empire cannot trample on the continent to become greater.

'Isn't that the way to be human?'

Maximilian took out a small stone from his bosom. It was a special mineral from Basteterra that Kim Yi-hyeon had given him. He had heard that it was made of a pair, and that if one was destroyed, the other would be destroyed in conjunction.

It was a signal given to him.

* * *

December 5th, 3:13 AM.

In the dead of night, before the sun had even risen, numerous agents gathered at the royal training grounds of Bastitera. Each of them was armed with guns and swords and was wearing protective gear. They were ready to fight at any moment.

"...It seems like everyone is nervous."

"It can't be helped. This is probably the first operation like this."

"Actually, I'm still hesitating. I wonder if there's a better way."

"If you look for it, you'll find it."

Kim Yi-hyun did not deny Leila's words. In fact, it was a very radical method. It would be an awkward operation for the agents of the Lab, if not Dustborne.

"But this is the only thing that comes to mind for me."

"Sometimes shooting is the only answer, you know."

Chelsea shrugged, fully armed. Edwin then asked.

"But how did it end up being decided today?"

"huh?"

"I heard that the Nachasok has been broken for quite some time."

"That's true."

Kim Yi-hyeon recalled a few days ago. West Creek had come to him in the morning breeze and announced that the Nachasok had been destroyed. It was something that the Pecatum hitman Nigrum had used in the past.

That means Maximilian broke his own scepter.

"What an obvious thing to say. It could be a trap, so I can't go as soon as I get the signal."

"Then why Na Chal Seok?"

"Well, we can know that the prince has arrived in Shiran."

"ah."

"Ah, my goodness. If you look closely, this guy is really annoying."

"The reason is as Chelsea said. The date was decided by drawing lots without much thought."

Chelsea was startled when I answered her directly.

"Are you crazy? Are you really going to decide such an important issue by drawing lots?"

"We didn't expect it, so they probably couldn't do it either."

"Sigh. Does that make sense?"

Kim Yi-hyun snickered at the sight of her frowning as if she didn't want to admit it. The Dustborne members were certainly less nervous. Except for Leone, who was going into combat for the second time.

It was a time when we were chatting for a while.

Ss ...

A dark red mucus gushed out from the ground. A tall woman appeared from the boiling mucus. Amidst a small commotion among the agents, Kim Yi-hyun approached her.

"It's sooner than I expected to see you again, Hyun."

"Really? It's been quite a while, hasn't it?"

"Because everyone's standards are different."

Well, for a witch who lives for hundreds of years, less than five years might be a fleeting moment.

It's a good thing. The important thing right now is that Vidia kept her promise. Kim Yi-hyun took off the necklace around his neck and handed it to Altair.

A 'help ticket' that was half-forcibly taken from the priest.

Altair was summoned by engraving a scratch on a gold coin.

"Let's get straight to the point."

Kim Lee-hyun raised his thumb and pointed behind him.

Lines of armored vehicles and combat-ready personnel.

"Open the door. It's a direct route to the Shiran Palace."