Chapter 117
Kingdom.
The largest underground city in the empire and the domain of the monarch called the pinnacle of the underworld.
Until a few years ago, it was known as the center of the dark side.
A true hell where murder, drugs, and human trafficking ran rampant like everyday occurrences.
Even the empire had no way to deal with them, which made it understandable why the name "kingdom" was attached to a mere city.
It was like a purgatory where only human malice was concentrated.
"...It reminds me of old times."
Words muttered briefly.
Memories were buried in the sentence uttered unconsciously.
Memories I didn't want to remember.
"J-just walk this way a little more!"
Injustice clumsily leading the way.
We walked.
As we crossed the street covered in darkness, it felt like a needless smell of blood brushed my nose.
Perhaps it was a real smell wafting from the alleys.
Anyway, it wasn't very pleasant.
"Has this place changed too?"
"Y-yes... It's already been 3 years since the war after all."
"Haha."
I sneered.
No.
To my eyes, it hadn't changed at all.
Even if you peel off a bit of rotten shell, you can't hide the ugly essence.
The city full of trash was still dirty.
Rustle-
As if proving that thought, gazes were felt.
Those watching while hiding in alleys.
They were all holding dirty knife handles while soaked in others' blood.
Eyes hungry for blood searched for easy targets.
"......"
Wouldn't we be included?
As we were openly striding down the street like this, anyone might have jumped out and pointed a knife.
But they seemed to withdraw their steps upon realizing who the girl accompanying me was.
'Not bad.'
I guess she lives up to her name in her own way.
One who doesn't rely, Injustice.
Though she had shown an ugly appearance in many ways, she too was one of the nightmares reigning in this city.
Her skills could be said to be certain from the point of being the monarch's royal guard.
The pack of wolves quietly lowered their tails.
Thanks to that, we arrived at our destination without particularly being picked on.
"W-we've arrived."
Our steps stopped at a location not far away.
A huge palace came into view.
It was a luxury that didn't match the scenery continuing until just before.
A building symbolizing the city dirty with blood and darkness, and a space feared even by criminal organizations gripped by madness.
It was none other than the absolute ruler's residence.
"Let's go in."
"Y-yes...!"
We stepped inside.
It was a gloomy scene.
Though it was splendid enough to make ordinary castles look ridiculous, it lacked vitality as if watching a black and white screen.
Perhaps it was because of the numerous tears hidden by that splendor.
I was silent.
Tok tok tok-
As we walked down the long corridor, soon a door could be seen at the far end.
It was the space for having an audience with this place's master.
The doorkeepers opened the door obediently upon discovering us.
Their movements were all filled with respect.
"His Majesty is waiting."
Kuuung-
The space opened with a heavy noise.
I stepped towards the inside without hesitation.
A red carpet spread on the floor.
At the end of that path was a throne.
I naturally looked up in that direction.
"......"
Sitting on the greedy throne was the monarch.
He was an old man with a sharp impression.
Though he didn't make any particular movements, the mana in the area was pressed down as if submitting to him.
The rest of the royal guard members were also visible beside his monstrous spirit.
Darkness, Anxiety, Distrust, Injustice.
The five negations.
Darkness, whom I had encountered before, was also keeping his place, and Injustice had somehow mixed among the royal guards.
As no one opened their mouth first, only silence circled around.
We just glared at each other.
"......"
Should I call it a strange battle of wills?
The confrontation continued for a long time.
The one who broke that silence was none other than one of the royal guards.
A brute with a vicious impression shouted towards this side.
"What are you doing not showing respect first? Kneel before His Majesty and greet him immediately!"
"...?"
What's this?
I stared at the guy with an unexpected loud voice.
'Judging by the epaulette on his shoulder... is he Anxiety?'
He was the only unfamiliar face.
Seeing that I didn't remember him, he seemed to be a newly selected royal guard member.
I had no intention of dealing with him particularly.
I had no interest to give to an idiot who couldn't distinguish where to butt in and where not to.
As I sneered with the meaning of roughly ignoring him, the guy glared as if about to pounce at any moment.
A situation on the brink of explosion.
"This bastard...!"
"Stop."
Only then did the old man's lips part.
A voice restraining the collision.
Anxiety looked as if wronged, but the master only stared at him with cold eyes.
The air suddenly turned cold and forced silence.
"But, Your Majesty...!"
"Did I not tell you to stop?"
"......"
"I clearly remember telling you. That a precious guest would come, so don't act rashly."
"...I'm sorry."
"Step back. This is not a place for you to butt in."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Anxiety stepped back as if swallowing his anger.
Nevertheless, his gaze was insolent to no end.
I sneered.
"Your servant education is a mess."
"He's a fellow who doesn't know this side well yet. I hope you'll understand with a broad mind."
"A broad mind... I didn't know such words would come out of your mouth."
"I'm not a narrow-minded person either."
"How cunning."
"Isn't that what being an adult is?"
A glib answer in return.
The monarch seemed to examine this side for a moment, then soon spoke combining a greeting of reunion.
His old mouth corners curved in a dangerous line.
"Anyway, it's been a while... Snake."
"I don't think we're on friendly enough terms to greet pleasantly though."
"Don't be so cold."
"If I was being cold, you'd already be dead."
"My, how scary."
The old man didn't lose his composure.
Had he forgotten what kind of magic I had planted in his heart?
I could kill him anytime like flipping a switch.
In such a situation, he should be begging in a low posture, but rather he was greeting this side with an unwavering attitude.
I could feel him basically treating the other party with respect.
But he didn't lower himself either.
I realized that this side wasn't an ordinary person either.
'Well.'
The king who once ruled the underworld.
He was a strong enemy who was the only one I struggled against when I was inexperienced.
Did he think he was maintaining his own dignity?
The characteristic obsequiousness of the weak wasn't visible.
Even so, it would be just a pretense.
"Well... putting aside other things."
I snapped coldly.
"There should be a proper reason for calling me."
"Would you not accept something like 'I just wanted to see your face after a long time'?"
"This time I'll take your left arm then."
"It was a joke, so put away the killing intent. I still feel empty from the right arm you tore off."
"I'm not good with patience."
"Of course... I know that well."
The old man was fiddling with his sleeve that wasn't filled with an arm.
His glib expression became quite serious.
His wrinkled lips said.
"There's some information I obtained recently. I said to meet because it's a matter too heavy to exchange by letter."
"Information?"
"I thought it might be helpful to you."
"I'll listen for now."
"Good. I'll prepare a separate place..."
"Before that."
Thwack-!
A dark dagger shot from pitch black stuck into the throne.
A thorn narrowly missing the monarch's neck.
Perhaps because it passed by just barely touching the carotid artery, blood was dripping little by little from his shallowly cut neck.
It was a strike that would have ended his breath right there if there had been even a trace of misalignment.
I shook my fingertips and recited.
"Whatever the reason... if you touch those around me again, I won't show mercy next time."
"I'll keep that in mind."
The monarch nodded with a calm expression.
His old eyes were as composed as ever.
It didn't particularly matter.
The target I wanted to provoke wasn't the old man after all.
Suddenly a presence was felt behind my back.
"How dare you harm His Majesty...!"
It was none other than Anxiety.
He had been glaring at this side with annoying eyes from before, and when his master was attacked, he finally wavered it seemed.
The sword he swung rushed in with a fierce gale.
Shweeek-!
"I clearly gave you a chance though."
Right.
I knew you would react.
I muttered while turning around as if I had been waiting.
Even my closed eyelids were open.
"You keep making my old personality come out."
Eyes shining precariously.
I reached out my hand just like that.
And then simply snatched the shadow's neck that had approached right in front of me.
The guy caught in midair struggled with a cough.
"Kuhak...?!"
I stared at his flailing with merciless eyes.
I clearly gave him one chance.
This is why you shouldn't let criminal bastards loose.
If you don't completely smash them from the start, they keep showing their teeth without knowing their place.
I flicked my finger.
Tak-!
The bursting sound of my thumb and middle finger clearly striking my ear.
Right after.
The guy's limbs disassembled.
Arms and legs falling with clean cut surfaces, the torso that lost its support poured onto the floor.
His stupid face looked over his own body then screamed.
"Kuaaaaaah!!!"
Pain, fear, agitation, despair.
His inner self mixed with various emotions in an instant flowed down uglily.
Fragments still twitching as if sensation remained alive.
Regardless.
I was glaring at the throne on the carpet getting stickily wet.
The monarch rarely pinched his brow and admonished.
"...You're unable to control your temper today."
"I want to kill him."
"Please endure. Wouldn't it be a loss for you too if there's a flaw in this side's forces?"
"You're making me doubt your discernment in various ways. No matter how I look at it, that doesn't seem like a suitable person for the royal guard."
"Well, the one who originally held the position of [Anxiety]... didn't you kill him 3 years ago? I just didn't have suitable material to fill in as his replacement."
"The kingdom's future seems bleak too."
"I'll educate him again."
"You should."
"Now stop being spiteful and return him, won't you?"
"If you insist on asking."
Tak-!
Finger flicking once again.
Shadows covered.
The lumps rolling at my feet rewound, returning cleanly to their original integrated form.
Before I knew it, Anxiety's body had returned without a single wound.
Though his consciousness that had fainted didn't turn on.
"......"
"I'll collect him. Please have a comfortable conversation, esteemed guest."
Perhaps feeling the situation needed tidying up.
Darkness, who had gently approached and politely asked for understanding, then withdrew carrying Anxiety's body that had been sprawled on the floor.
Only silence settled in the place where a commotion had passed.
The annoying gaze was gone too.
It seemed an environment for conversation was finally created.
I clapped my hands.
Jjak-!
Pitch black squirming.
Shadows weaving densely like threads took shape, then soon created a throne of similar form opposite the monarch.
I sat down on that soft sensation.
I started the postponed conversation indifferently while crossing my legs.
The white-haired old man stared intently at this side.
"Then... shall we hear it now?"
The atmosphere was completely dominated by the snake.
Poison dripped from his fangs.
"What is this important information you said you obtained?"
The monarch and snake faced each other.