The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master — Chapter 360: Family Visit (3)

Chapter 360: Family Visit (3)

The emperor raised his‍ gaze to the stars.

As‌ he did, the‌ memory came to⁠ him of that‍‌ night, fifty years⁠ ago, when he‍ stared at the⁠ hanging mobile from⁠‍ his cradle.

It⁠ was from when‌⁠‌ he was a newborn. Even so,‌ all the memories⁠⁠ remained vivid.

“In⁠⁠‍ this world, there⁠ are things one‍ would rather forget.”⁠

Memory fades over time.⁠‌‍ That’s why people‌ make efforts to‌ preserve their memories‍ they take photos,⁠ record videos, etc.⁠

But⁠‍ for the emperor,⁠ all of that⁠‌‌ was unnecessary.

His‌ entire life felt‍ as though it‌⁠ were being recorded.‍

Thanks‍ to genetics. Thanks‍‌‌ to the Blessing⁠‌ of the Owl.‌⁠⁠

And‍‌ its function wasn’t limited to preserving‍ memory.

The⁠ true face of⁠⁠ the Blessing of⁠‍ the Owl was‍‌‍ that it even inherited the memories⁠ of one’s ancestors.‍‍

‘The‌‍‍ knowledge accumulated by‌ humanity over the⁠ centuries eventually becomes‌ truth.’

That⁠⁠ was a phrase‍ the previous emperor⁠‍ used to repeat⁠ like a mantra.‌ It was also‌ his final testament.‍

Only‌‍‍ years after the‍ death of the‌ previous emperor did the current emperor⁠⁠ truly understand what‌ those words meant.‌‌

The⁠ current emperor had‌ been born intelligent.‍

On⁠ top of that was the Blessing⁠ of the Owl.‌

He‌‍‌ had received the⁠ right to knock‌‌‍ on the door of “truth,” a longing the imperial‍ family had pursued‍‍‌ for generations.

“Your‍ Majesty, the night‌ wind is cold.”⁠‌

Jin,⁠⁠ the chamberlain, approached⁠ silently. She had‍ remained about a hundred meters away‌‌ while the emperor‌ spoke with the‍ Heavenly Sword.

“So?⁠‌ What do you‌ think?”

Asked‌‌⁠ the emperor, taking‌‌ his eyes off‌‌‍ the cosmic hue that resembled the⁠⁠ midday sun.

“You‍‌ mean the Heavenly‍⁠ Sword, sir?”

“It’s‌‍ not a good habit to ask‌ questions you already⁠ know the answer‍ to. I’ve told‍ you many times‌ I’ll put an⁠‌ end to those⁠‍ obsolete palace protocols‌⁠ in my generation.⁠‍ Wasting time with‍‍ such formalities is⁠⁠‍ exactly why the⁠‍ imperial family and‌‍‍ the nobility are‍ declining rapidly. Unlike the Heavenly Sword,⁠ who is practical.”‍

The⁠ emperor gave her‌‌ a reprimand. The‌‌ chamberlain raised her‌‍‌ head, which she‍ had bowed in apology.

“My apologies.”

“It’s‌ fine.”

She‌‌ wore a blindfold‍ over her eyes.‍‍

In⁠‍ the center, there‍‌ was a large‍⁠ red eye drawn,⁠ as if she‍ were a cyclops.

“So,⁠⁠ what is your‌‍ answer?”

“…As‍‌‍ Your Majesty says,‍‌ he doesn’t seem‍‌ like an ordinary⁠ human. His breathing‌⁠ pattern is completely different.”

The‌ chamberlain came from⁠⁠ a family that had served the⁠ royal family for‍ generations.

She could detect sounds even through walls.⁠‍ Her family inherited⁠ blessings related to⁠⁠‌ perception the Blessing‌ of the Inner⁠ Eye and the‍‍ Blessing of Transmission.⁠

They⁠‍ intentionally blindfolded their‌‍⁠ children before they‌ ever opened their‌‍ eyes, depriving them⁠⁠ of sight.

Through⁠⁠‌ rigorous training, chamberlains⁠ developed extrasensory perception.‌ They could detect⁠ things that couldn’t‍ be seen, hear⁠ them, and report‍‍ them.

Moreover,⁠⁠‌ the [Blessing of⁠‌ the Inner Eye]⁠‌ could capture the‍ spiritual form of‍ a specific individual⁠ and then transmit that information to‌‌⁠ the emperor using⁠‌⁠ the [Blessing of‍‌ Transmission].

Thanks‍‍⁠ to the work⁠⁠ of these chamberlains,‌‍ those who requested⁠ an audience with‍‌ the emperor mistakenly‌ believed His Majesty‌‌ could read minds.⁠⁠‌

She‍‍‌ was the ears‍‌ and the mouth⁠‍ of the emperor.‌

“Seems‍ my assumption wasn’t⁠‌ so wrong.”

A slight smile appeared⁠‍ on the emperor’s⁠⁠ lips.

“The‍ Heavenly Sword is‍ a demigod imitating⁠‍‍ a human.”

“I‌‍ agree with Your‌ Majesty.”

“Perhaps‍ he himself is‌⁠‍ one of the‍ main causes of‌ the recent instability‌ in the human world.”

“Even‍⁠ if there’s no⁠ direct link, he’s‍ certainly connected.”

“Listen,⁠ Garyeon.”

Chamberlain⁠‌ Garyeon knelt with⁠⁠ one hand on‍‌⁠ her chest.

“I⁠ hear the word‍ of the Sun.”‍

“The⁠‌ Heavenly Sword has‌ made a deal‌ with me. He’ll‌‍⁠ remain three days⁠⁠ in the Imperial‍ Palace and then‌‍ leave.”

The⁠ chamberlain understood instantly.⁠‌‌

“I‍‌‌ will observe him‍‌ as he moves⁠ around the grounds.”‍‌

“You‌⁠ must maintain the proper distance. If⁠ you are discovered,‍ the Imperial Palace⁠‌⁠ will have no⁠ knowledge of it.⁠ If that happens…‍ you know.”

“I⁠⁠ will commit suicide.”⁠

She‍‌ replied coldly.

“I‍⁠ wouldn’t want to‌‌ lose my ears,⁠‌‌ Garyeon.”

“I’ll do everything I can to avoid⁠ it.”

“Then go. Tonight I want a moment‌ alone.”

***‌‌

The‍‍⁠ imperial residence, Buckingham⁠‍‍ Palace, retained a serene elegance.

It wasn’t dazzlingly luxurious‌‍ like Parsy, but⁠ the traces of⁠⁠ time covering it‍⁠ were more elegant than any luxury.⁠

Overall,⁠ there were no‌⁠ excesses. Only what⁠ was necessary.

An‍ absurdly large guest‌ room. I was‌‌⁠ lying in the‌ middle of that⁠ empty space with only a bed,‌⁠‍ staring at the‍⁠ ceiling.

“Mmm…”‌‌

There‍‍ were so few‌‍‌ objects that even‍ the echo of⁠‍ a sigh bounced back.

‘I⁠ just want to‍⁠ go home.’

But‌‍‍ I couldn’t. I had made a deal with the‍ emperor.

‘The‍‌ emperor’s desire isn’t‍‌ to leave a line in history, but an entire⁠ page.’

The⁠⁠ emperor talked about⁠ mining and treasures‌‌ as if they⁠ were part of⁠ his own business.⁠‌

That‌‌ alone would be‍‍ enough to leave⁠ a huge mark⁠ on the world’s‌‍ history. But…

Humans‍‌ are greedy by nature. Especially people‌‌‍ like the emperor,‌‌ who got vaccinated⁠‍⁠ against modesty early‍⁠ on.

Once they reach a certain level, they‌‍ take going further⁠ for granted. That’s‍ why they have‍⁠ no limits.

‘With⁠‍‌ my personality, the‌ wisest thing would be to stay away from people⁠ like him…’

Suddenly,⁠ I saw it⁠‌ on the ceiling,⁠ filling my entire‌ view. A painting‌ that portrayed the‍‍ moment just before‌ the finger of‌‍ a naked man‍ touched God’s.

The‍ title of the‌‍ piece was The‌ Creation of Adam.‍ Even I, who‌ know nothing about‍ art, recognized that‍‌ painting.

And‍ upon seeing it,‌‍ I thought.

‘I‌‍ get it. There’s‌ a connection.’

I fear the end⁠ of the world.⁠‌ Not because I’d⁠ suffer personal harm,‌ but because of‍ the consequences it‍ could bring. That’s what truly scares‌‌‍ me.

And‌‌⁠ I’m sick of‌ how Chaerina keeps saying I’ll get‌⁠ bitten again and‌ again.

That’s‌ why I need more allies. I felt it clearly during the Ragnarok⁠⁠ crisis. I can’t⁠⁠⁠ face all the‌ coming apocalypses alone.

I took one hand‌‍ out from under‌‌ my head and‌‍ grabbed my phone.‍‍ I typed with⁠ my thumb.

Just made a deal⁠‍ with the emperor,⁠ what do you‌‍‍ think?: ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ

The⁠ recipient was Yu Sein.

I preferred to send⁠‌ a message rather⁠ than call, because⁠ she seemed like⁠‌‍ someone with good‍‌⁠ judgment.

Beep!‍⁠

Looks‌‍ like she wasn’t‍ asleep. She replied‍ instantly.

Yu⁠⁠ Sein: And how⁠⁠⁠ do you expect‌ me to give⁠‌ an opinion if‍ you don’t tell‌ me what the‍⁠ deal is, you damn show-off?

Ah,‌ right.

“…Show-off?”

It’s‌⁠⁠ not like that,‍‌ okay?: ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ

Yu Sein: Hit you‌‌‌ right where it⁠ hurts. It’s just⁠‌ that you write⁠‌ with flavor.

“…….”‌

Anyway.‌‍‍

I used both hands‌⁠‍ to send the⁠ message. I summarized‌ the key points⁠ in general terms,⁠ adjusting to this‍ era’s grammar, and‍⁠⁠ sent it as a “three-line summary.”‌

Yu⁠⁠ Sein: (sighing emoticon)⁠

Yu‍ Sein: And now‌ you tell me‍⁠ after doing it?‌ That’s not discussing,‌‌‍ that’s just notifying‌‍‍ me.

Couldn’t‌⁠⁠ take the phone‌ out in front⁠ of the emperor:‌ ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ‌

Yu‍⁠‌ Sein: Aha! And‌‍ since when are‌ you so considerate‌‍ about etiquette?

Yu‌‌‌ Sein: Anyway

Yu‍⁠ Sein: I think⁠ it’s fine, anyway‌‌

Reasons—three-line‌ summary: ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ

Yu⁠ Sein: ……

Yu‍‍‌ Sein: 1. With‌ the emperor’s human⁠‌ and material support,‌ you don’t have‍‌ to suffer like a dog

Yu⁠ Sein: The end‌‍

Yu‌⁠‌ Sein: Now go‍‌ lie down and⁠⁠ sleep ^ㅅ^

I consulted her at midnight just in‌⁠‌ case, and as⁠ always, she didn’t‌ let me down. Even though it‌‌‌ was a three-line‌‍ summary, she only‌ sent one.

“…Is‍ she watching me‌ from afar?”

How‍ did she know‍ I was lying‌‍⁠ down?

Well,‍ I guess it’s‌ something everyone around‍⁠ me knows. I’m‍ always like this,⁠⁠‌ so it’s no⁠ secret.

“She sensed it from‌ just a cue.”‍‌

Anyway,‌ like Yu Sein‍‍ said, if I receive the imperial‌‍ family’s support, I can erase all‍ those secondary and troublesome groups from‍ my mind.

In‌⁠ technical terms, the‍‍⁠ imperial family is⁠‌⁠ the greatest “backing”⁠ currently in existence.‌

Not⁠‌ taking advantage of‍⁠ that and playing‍ hard to get‍‍ would be stupid.‌‍‌ Opportunities must be‍ seized when they‌ come.

In‍‍ social terms, worrying⁠ is rejecting; in⁠ contrast, rejecting the‌ emperor’s proposal… would mean turning down⁠⁠ too large an⁠ amount of money.‍

‘No,⁠‍ that’s not the⁠ point.’

It’s‍⁠‍ simply an extremely‍ efficient approach.

I put away the⁠‍⁠ smartphone and took‌ the EX-rank sashimi.‌ The moonlight coming in through the⁠‌ enormous window spanning⁠ the palace slid⁠‍⁠ across the knife’s⁠‍ blade.

I held it up⁠⁠ toward the ceiling.‌‍ From my point⁠ of view, the‍ mural on the‌ ceiling split in‌ two.

At‌‍ the exact point‍‍⁠ between the naked⁠‍⁠ man and the⁠‌ old man, right‍ in that tense‍ middle space.

“If⁠‌‍ he tries anything‍ strange…”

I murmured as I lowered the blade‍ of the knife.‌

“The‌ emperor won’t be⁠ recorded in history…‌ he’ll be erased⁠ from it.”

By the way, I still haven’t decided on a name⁠⁠‍ for this sashimi.⁠‍ Partly because I can’t think of a good one,‌‌‍ and partly because‍ I’m in no⁠ rush to give⁠‌‍ it one.

‘Eternal⁠ Frost’

was‌‍ a name I chose hastily just‍ because the Korean‍⁠ sushi shop owner‌ insisted I name‍‍ it.

‘I⁠‍ don’t like naming things…’

That’s‌ something my master‍‌ would do—the one⁠ who, at fifty,⁠ still hasn’t outgrown‌⁠⁠ his high schooler‌ complex.

For‍‌⁠ now, I’ll keep⁠‌ calling it “EX.”‌‍

If‌‌ I ever decide‍‍ to name it,⁠ I want to⁠ do it carefully.‍‌ I believe everything‌ ends up resembling‌‍ its name.

Just like I’m called Kang Geom-Ma and⁠ became the “Heavenly⁠‌ Sword.”

“For‍‍⁠ today, I’ll let‍ it slide.”

I also put away‌ the sashimi and‌ lay down to‌ sleep. It was a pleasant sleep,‍⁠ dreamless.

***‌

Meanwhile,‍ in the building‌ across from the‌ guest bedroom.

Garyeon,‌‌ from the Hall⁠⁠ of Shadows, held‌‌ her breath as she pulled back‍ the ear she‌⁠ had pressed against the display glass.‌ In the next‌ moment, her lips trembled visibly.

“…Heavenly‍⁠ Sword…”

Everyone⁠‌ knew he was‌ a monster. That’s‌ why she didn’t‌‌ get overconfident. That‍⁠ was the reason⁠‌ why, even at⁠ the risk of‌ overexertion, she had‌ been watching him‍‌ from another building.⁠⁠

A warrior who has‍ transcended like Kang‍ Geom-Ma has an‍⁠ extremely developed sense⁠ of Mana. And‍ if he’s also‌ a demigod, even more so.

However,‍ in the end, he’s still a living being.

He’s⁠ presumed to be⁠ a demigod, but‌ that hasn’t been‌ confirmed.

No‌ matter how developed⁠ his mana sense‌ may be.

Garyeon,⁠‍⁠ on the other hand, had bet‍ everything on her “hearing.” She had⁠‌ dedicated her entire‌‍‍ life to perfecting‍‍ it. And she‌‍‌ also had a divine gift. No⁠‌ bat could compare⁠⁠ to her.

Even‍ just before beginning‍⁠‌ the mission by‌ order of the emperor, Garyeon had⁠ felt fairly confident.‌⁠

But⁠‍ that confidence shattered‍‍ in an instant.⁠

— …Are you watching‍ me from afar?‌‌‍

The‌ moment she heard‌⁠ those words…

“H-h-how…?”⁠⁠‍

She‌ felt a part‍⁠ of her chest‍‌⁠ go cold, freezing‌ over.

— Just one signal‌⁠ is enough.

…?!⁠

Her‌‍ pores opened completely.‍⁠

Had‍‌ she activated the‌ Blessing of Transmission‍ unconsciously? No, impossible.⁠ That gift had‌⁠ a restriction it⁠ only worked with‍ His Majesty.

‘That…‍ that means he’s⁠‍‍ reading my mind…‍ Is he reading‌ this too!?’

While trembling, leaning against⁠⁠ the wall, Kang⁠‍ Geom-Ma’s voice resonated⁠ once more.

— If you do‍‍ something stupid…

His‌‍ voice continued.

— The emperor won’t‍‍‌ go down in‍ history. He’ll be⁠⁠ erased from it.⁠

Garyeon‍‍ fell backward.

“…So‍ in the end,‌‍ I was in⁠‍ the palm of‌ your hand the‍ whole time.”

She⁠ couldn’t report back⁠‍ to the emperor.⁠‌ Once discovered, there⁠ were no options‌ left.

Garyeon‍‍ untied her high‌‌ bun and pulled⁠ out the hairpin.‍‌‍ When she pressed with her thumb,⁠‌‍ a metal tip‌ slid out gently.‍

‘To‍ take my own‍⁠ life…’

Kang‌ Geom-Ma would undoubtedly‍⁠‍ tell the emperor.‍‌ He would express his displeasure.

His‍‌ presence stood, at‌‍ the very least,‍ on the same‌ level as His Majesty. Perhaps even⁠⁠‍ above.

Garyeon⁠‍ hesitated. The thought⁠⁠ of truly dying‌ left her feeling‍ hollow.

It‌⁠‌ wasn’t even the‍ first day.

And‍⁠‍ already she had⁠‍ to end her⁠‌ life because she⁠ was caught on⁠‍‍ the first try?

She⁠‌ had already dismissed⁠⁠ the idea of dying of natural⁠ causes, but dying⁠⁠⁠ in such an‍‍ absurd way wasn’t‍ something she could‌ accept easily.

Then it happened.

— I’ll let it‌ slide today.

“…!”‌⁠

After‌‍‍ saying that, Kang‌ Geom-Ma turned around and showed her‍‍‍ his back. That‌‌ gesture clearly meant‍⁠ that if she planned to leave,‌⁠ now was the⁠ time.

“Heavenly‍ Sword… I owe‌ you one…”

Leaning‌ against the wall, Garyeon staggered away.‌‍⁠