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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Jjescus ]
[Proofreader - Starfall ]
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Chapter: 203
I led Grandfather to the annex of the fortress.
Though he seemed curious about our destination, he did not voice his questions until we arrived.
And at last, we reached the annex.
“Please wait here for a moment.”
I stepped inside, looking for Jawoon, but he was nowhere to be seen. Instead, only Aro sat in a corner, scribbling something onto a piece of paper.
“Hm?”
Sensing my presence, Aro lifted her head. Realizing that the annex was unusually quiet, I asked, “Where is everyone else?”
Aro responded that the others had either gone to the marketplace or were assisting with the fortress’s affairs.
“Why do you ask?”
Her eyes widened as he questioned me. She tried to act normal, but there was a faint trace of unease in her expression. Perhaps she, too, was worried that I might take Jawoon somewhere.
I ruffled her hair lightly before stepping back.
At that moment, outside the annex, near Grandfather, I sensed another presence. I hurried out, and Aro followed close behind.
And then I saw them—both Grandfather and Jawoon—standing face to face, each looking equally bewildered.
“So, His Highness is the one who summoned me.”
Jawoon was the first to speak, turning his gaze toward me. Had he not done so, Grandfather would have likely remained in that silent, uneasy standoff indefinitely.
“…Duke of Unguk?”
Grandfather’s voice was low and subdued.
Jawoon gave a small nod in response.
Grandfather could not conceal the turmoil in his expression. Jawoon’s presence had stirred old memories, forcing him to confront the past.
Lowering his head briefly, then shutting his eyes before reopening them with a carefully controlled expression, Grandfather straightened his posture. It was the first time I had ever seen him so shaken.
“How is it that you are still alive?”
Jawoon responded with a faint, enigmatic smile.
“I am unsure whether my survival is a blessing or a misfortune to you, my lord.”
Grandfather silently stroked his beard at those words.
“These days, they call me ‘the old man.’”
“…I misspoke. My apologies.”
Jawoon gave a small, sheepish nod. Then, after a brief pause, he added, “It’s late, but congratulations.”
He was likely referring to Grandfather’s appointment as Supreme General. But Grandfather did not accept the sentiment.
“There is nothing to be congratulated for.”
I studied Grandfather’s face carefully. His usual cold and calculating expression was absent, replaced by an inner storm of emotions and confusion.
Jawoon observed his reaction without a word, then let out a short, dry laugh. Or rather, it was closer to a quiet sigh.
“Have you been well all this time?” Grandfather asked in a steady tone.
Jawoon fell silent for a moment before slowly nodding.
“That is good to hear,” Grandfather replied, then turned his gaze toward Aro, who stood beside me. His brows furrowed as if unsettled by the child’s presence.
“It seems there is much to discuss, Your Highness.”
* * *
Jawoon made it clear that he had no intention of getting involved in my affairs.
But he must have known the truth as well—whether he wished it or not, the moment he followed me out of the Demon Realm, his freedom had already been compromised.
To give him time to think, I moved elsewhere with Grandfather.
The meeting hall, borrowed from Lord Blood Cloud Fortress, became our new setting. Several military officers accompanied us at Grandfather’s behest.
Scanning the gathered faces, I forced a lighthearted smile and remarked, “Supreme General, you have yet to ask how I’ve been.”
Grandfather remained silent.
It was then that Yoo Gueng, standing nearby, spoke in a heavy tone.
“My apologies, Your Highness, but you appear to be in good health.”
For some reason, he looked rather displeased.
The other officers shared the same sentiment. Their expressions were dark and somber, making my seat feel more and more like a bed of nails.
It was as if I were a criminal.
“You’re all looking at me as if I’ve committed some great crime.”
I attempted to make a joke, but no one responded.
“…Fine, I understand. You’ve all been through a lot.”
Lingering on pleasantries any longer would only earn me more disapproving glares. I changed the subject.
“In any case, I have something to say.”
I turned my eyes toward Grandfather.
The moment our gazes met, his sharp eyes bore into me, as if he were trying to see straight through me.
“I want to launch a preemptive strike.”
Grandfather’s expression did not change.
The other officers hesitated, parting their lips slightly, but none spoke. They were waiting—expecting me to elaborate.
“This has gone on for too long. You know it as well as I do.”
Grandfather gave a small nod.
His face was unreadable. It was impossible to tell whether he agreed with me or was merely testing me.
The other officers also held their breath, watching for Grandfather’s reaction.
“The people suffer from the weariness of war. The fortress’s defenses are stretched thin, barely holding on each day. And our enemy… they have yet to commit their full force. If we do not strike first, we will only be giving them more time to prepare a decisive attack against us.”
Slowly, Grandfather raised his hand and rubbed his chin, lowering his gaze in thought.
It was then that Yoo Gueng cautiously broke the silence.
"Your Highness, may I speak?"
"Go ahead."
"I beg your pardon, but I believe His Majesty will find your intentions unacceptable."
I fixed my gaze on Yoo Gueng.
"…I only fear that this may be seen as an act of defiance against His Majesty. Please reconsider."
Yoo Gueng looked somewhat haggard.
I turned to my grandfather once again.
"If it is a request from a son who has returned from the dead, would he not grant it?"
Since my grandfather had believed me to be dead, it was only natural that King Bonhyeon had assumed the same. Seeing my grandfather alive and well only reinforced my suspicions.
King Bonhyeon must have thought that with my supposed death in Wolhan Fortress, there was nothing left to hinder him.
The fact that my grandfather had returned from the Northern Region alive meant that he had completed his mission successfully—an achievement that would have been credited entirely to him.
Perhaps some of the recognition had been shared with the Lord of Wolhan Fortress, but with my reported death, the division of merit must have changed.
Originally, the credit for our success should have been shared among the three of us—my grandfather, the Lord of Wolhan Fortress, and me. But with my disappearance, it had been split only between my grandfather and the fortress lord.
Even if my absence had strengthened my grandfather’s influence, it would not have been a great advantage to him.
After all, everything had been orchestrated around me. With the central figure of the matter—me—gone, my grandfather’s faction had lost its purpose.
For King Bonhyeon, there was no pressing reason to eliminate my grandfather. He remained a useful tool—one that, having lost its original purpose, no longer posed a threat.
In such a situation, my grandfather would have been deployed for dangerous tasks, forced to endure harsh conditions. Perhaps that was the reason he had been sent to Blood Cloud Fortress.
"I do not see it that way," my grandfather finally answered in a quiet yet firm voice. His composed yet resolute response left me at a loss for words.
"I have already encountered numerous battles, both large and small, on my way back from the capital’s outskirts."
"The outskirts of the capital?"
I widened my eyes in surprise, though I had a vague idea of what he was referring to.
My grandfather let out a dry cough and turned his gaze away.
I looked at Yoo Gueng, who hesitated before answering, glancing nervously at my grandfather for approval.
"His Majesty recently declared that the actions of the Geomgye had gone beyond the limits of tolerance. Therefore…"
Yoo Gueng trailed off, his gaze flickering between my grandfather and me.
"So, you exterminated them all?"
I searched my memory, recalling what the Geomgye had originally been.
They were mostly composed of lowlifes, but when the kingdom had teetered on the brink of ruin, they had risen to defend the borders.
At the forefront of that resistance had been Inhong. But since I had taken In-Hong away early on and handed him over to my grandfather, things may have taken an unintended turn.
"Indeed."
My grandfather nodded slowly. The Geomgye had been nothing more than a ragtag group of misfits; eliminating them would not have been a difficult task.
Was that why? Even though it was a victory, I did not feel particularly pleased.
"You have been quite busy. No doubt the people in the capital hail you as a hero."
At my remark, my grandfather’s expression darkened further.
"An honor I do not deserve."
…Was that not the right thing to say?
I turned to Yoo Gueng for an explanation. He fidgeted before finally speaking.
"I beg your pardon, but while Your Highness was absent, His Majesty praised the Supreme General’s accomplishments. However, now that Your Highness has returned to the palace…"
"If I return?"
"It is uncertain how His Majesty’s stance may change…"
Yoo Gueng did not finish his sentence.
Rather, he seemed to imply that my grandfather’s achievements might turn against him.
"I understand. One more thing—how is my younger brother?"
If my grandfather was being pressured as a means to keep me in check, then ensuring Yehui perceived me as no threat would be beneficial.
But that was not entirely within my control. What Yehui had been doing during my absence was just as important.
"I heard he even came to Blood Cloud Fortress."
"Well…"
Yoo Gueng hesitated.
Apparently, all Yehui had done was give orders from a safe distance.
I let out a small sigh.
He was still useless.
I paused in thought.
If my grandfather was to be free from King Bonhyeon’s control, it would be best if I disappeared entirely.
However, if I remained hidden, it would be difficult to rally the generals and noble families who opposed Yehui’s ascension to the throne.
After a moment’s hesitation, I spoke.
"I understand."
"What will you do?" my grandfather asked.
It was crucial to give my grandfather more freedom in his movements, but more than that, I knew that King Bonhyeon would never allow a situation that benefitted me.
"For now, I will act in secrecy. Ensure that my survival is only known to those who can be trusted."
My grandfather’s expression became one of concern. However, he did not object.
With a calm nod, he acknowledged my decision.
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Jjescus ]
[Proofreader - Starfall ]
Join our Discord for release updates!
https://discord.com/invite/dbdMDhzWa2
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