Chapter 471 – The First Demonic Conquest, and What Follows (Complete)

What on Earth could this be?
Shiba questioned her own eyes.

Before her, a large, adorable golden retriever was undergoing training by its handler.

“Spicy-“
“No, don’t eat!”

Halt!
The hand that was reaching for the skewer froze – the hunter stopped in her tracks at the command of the star’s emissary.

“…Tteokbokki.”

The gloomy hunter hung her head. Her melancholic and roiling eyes were as clear as a lake. She was so endearing due to her larger size.
She appears perfectly normal, but what could possibly be the cause for this reaction to spicy food? Is it the hot and chewy taste? Or just the chewiness?

“Auntie…so what did you come to discuss?”
“Oh, about that. Sigh.”

The star who had tapped the hunter’s head scratched her temple.

“This is the person who will be teaching you the art of the sword from now on.”
“What?”

This woman, who seems to be obsessed with tteokbokki, is my instructor? Shiba turned to look at the hunter.

“…Huh.”

She was still pouting because she hadn’t managed to take a bite of her tteokbokki yet.
The star didn’t even question her, but she started making various excuses as if her feet were tingling.

“She may be a bit quirky…but she’s a formidable fighter. At this point, she’s one of the few who could stand against the king.”

Shiba had heard about the hunter, even if it didn’t feel quite real yet.
The monotonous name ‘Hunter’ was initially quite common in Korea, but a few years ago it became synonymous with a single woman.
The ‘Hunter’, an unaffiliated mercenary, emerged like a flowing stream and led many guilds, breaking through countless S-grade dungeons.

“So, this woman is the Hunter?”

‘The Hunter’ is considered the greatest swordsman in history.
It’s believed that she has already transcended the ordinary, but she’s so shrouded in mystery that no one truly knows her identity.

“…That’s absurd.”
“…?”

At Shiba’s gaze, the hunter momentarily took her eyes off the tteokbokki and turned her head.
The hunter, staring intently back at Shiba.

“Beep, what’s the matter?”

The hunter, rising from her chair, took a step towards Shiba.
Shiba tensed, holding her breath. Just as the star moved to intervene, the hunter’s outstretched hand gently stroked Shiba’s head.

“…So cute.”

She carefully stroked her hair, her touch hesitant.
Shiba was taken aback. She was so stiff, she couldn’t move.
Something felt odd.

-Siheon,
– Not Siheon, but Siheon.
– Siheon.
– Why?
– Can I touch you too?

A peculiar scene flashed before her eyes.

-Beep?

When the blonde girl patted her head, the young Shiba trembled violently.

-Beep Beep!!!!
– Beep, Beep.
– Si, Siheon… I must have touched too hard!
– Has she not met strangers before, perhaps?

[I’m scared. Daddy. Daddy, hold me.]

What could this past possibly be?

“…Excuse me.”
“Yes?”
“Have we met before?”

The ‘Hunter’, tilting her head, removed a tiny artifact, revealing her face to Shiba alone. This unveiled visage was far more beautiful and appealing than when Shiba had first seen it. It was as if every feature was meticulously carved out of the finest material.

“You don’t need to know.”

The ‘Hunter’s’ previously reserved and clumsy tone became crystal clear in an instant. A captivating smile graced her lips.

“What are you doing?”
“?”

The star sighed as the ‘Hunter’, who swiftly activated her artifact upon its intrusion, tilted her head. The ‘Hunter’s’ hand, which had subtly moved, was already reaching for the tteokbokki.

“Stop eating!”
“Eh.”

Shiba still had no idea about the woman’s identity.

“Anyway, let’s cut to the chase. Shiba, don’t even think about going anywhere until you’ve fully honed your skills.”
“…!”

Wiping her sweat, the star tossed the toothpick she had snatched from the ‘Hunter’ into the trash can. Her words implied…

“Are you… granting me permission?”

The star smiled reassuringly.

“Yes. Auntie had to pull some strings.”

* * * * * * * * * * *

Invisible, inaudible.

There was no hint of life beyond the impenetrable darkness.

“……”

For two weeks now. Camellia, her head resting on her pillow, was in a numb state, devoid of any thought. The only sounds reaching her were her own heartbeat and the faint rustling of flesh against fabric as she shifted.

Camellia pondered.

‘…I want to converse.’

To escape this intolerable tedium, she yearned for a conversation, no matter with whom. She didn’t expect an exchange of deep emotions. Any topic, even the weather, would suffice. She desired a chat with another human being.

She struggled to sleep. If sleep proved elusive after a long while, she passed the time by letting her imagination roam free.

Thoughts about her parents.

‘Camellia.’

The tranquil scenery of Descanso Gardens. The floral painting Shiba had drawn. She clung onto these thoughts, hoping they would offer some solace.

‘……’

But soon, Camellia ceased to let her imagination wander. She realized that indulging in happy fantasies only served to accentuate her current dismal state.

It only added to her misery. It brought tears to her eyes. So, she decided to stop thinking and simply wait.

Camellia couldn’t do anything. Absolutely nothing. Irrespective of whether this space was a square or a triangle… she was confined here, lying in bed, waiting for any sign of what might happen next.

‘…’

The king is a horrendous man. He is fully aware that every moment of his imprisonment only serves to weaken him further, and he cunningly exploits this fact.

Melia knows this. Therefore, she decides to grit her teeth and endure it, as best she can. But did it make any difference?

Knock, knock, knock.

“…Enter…”

No, it did not. Melia understood one thing only: she was incredibly vulnerable, easily succumbing to loneliness, and was often overwhelmed by sorrow.

Even though she is aware of his tactics, the dread of this acute loneliness compels her to wait for him.

“Have you been waiting?”
“…No.”

This small word becomes the driving force that sustains her through the torturous passage of time. As much as she loathes to admit it, she has no choice but to acknowledge this truth.

Without this man, Melia is immobilized. He is her eyes, her arms, her legs. He is the one who alleviates the discomfort in her lower body and dresses her…

Everything Melia once did for herself, he now does for her.

And this is not to another woman, but to a man, no less the worst being known as King Mokryeong.

In the midst of this ironic predicament, Melia strives desperately to find a solution, but there seems to be no resolution for someone deprived of sight and mobility.

“Have you eaten?”
“…I’m hungry.”

They converse. The ability to speak is a blessing.

“Open your eyes.”

He touches her vacant eyes. This is the only chance she has to feel the warmth of another living being.

“…You can’t heal it with that.”
“It will heal in time.”

These words, spoken with self-restraint, are not dependent on the fact that she might regain her sight. Melia experiences an inexplicable satisfaction from this minor act alone.

“Need the restroom?”
“I…I need to go.”
“What kind?”
“The small one…”

Gurgle…

Now, even this embarrassing act has become familiar to her. An aristocrat as she once was, she now seems a far cry from her previous stature.

Melia reflects on this every time.

“Open your mouth.”
“…Ahh.”

This brief moment, which comes only once every day or two, is the time she can open her mouth and speak. She wishes it could last a little longer.

She feels she will go mad if she can’t speak. She can’t see, she can’t move. The last thing she wants is to become someone who can’t even communicate.

“…”

Drip.

Tears fall from Melia’s face as she eats the salad offered by the king. The king says nothing.

Crunch.

The celery is chewed. She grinds the celery until it turns to water in her mouth. Melia carefully chews, making sure not to swallow.

Tap, tap.

Then the king, unable to bear the sight, sits down and begins to work. It’s the sound of human activity, a mark left in this place filled with maddening silence.

“Aren’t you going to eat?”
“…I’m chewing.”

“You’re chewing so long.”
“You, it’s mealtime.”
“I’ve eaten quickly. Now, ah~”

She rolled the cherry tomato that entered her mouth, not crushing it.
The resilient skin can be chewed for an extended time. As long as she doesn’t swallow it by accident.

“You, is this really okay? It’s impossible for a person to eat this late.”
“…Shut up.”

The detestable person is the one she relies on the most. It was expected since the king was the only remaining person in this narrow world.
It was tiresome and torturous that her heart was swayed this way.

She recalls the person she loved. Camellia, who had been with her all her life, and Shiba, who readily became a friend despite her physical limitations.
But then…

“Camellia.”

The king spoke tersely.

“…?”
“We’re going out tomorrow. The preliminary arrangement is ready. Let’s try it on.”
“Oh…”
“If you can’t leave, it can’t be helped. But at least you should be able to see what you’re going to do.”

At the king’s words, Camellia bowed her head. Why do tears keep flowing? Maybe it’s because she was unnecessarily moved by the favor that didn’t seem like a favor. Probably, because she is currently in a fragile mental state. It was evident that the king was trying to squeeze into the gap.

Could this person be kinder than she thought? He is enticing her to think so. Camellia muttered.

“…Can you give me some water?”
“Uh.”

It wasn’t long before she felt the hard touch of the bottle’s mouth against Camellia’s lips. Though the water flowed only a little, Camellia received it and drank it well.

– Gulp, gulp.

She drank as much as she could, more water than food.

“Are you drinking too much?”
“…What can I do if I’m thirsty?”
“That’s why the bed is always in this state.”
“….”
“I think I’ll have to visit again at dawn.”

He is coming again. Camellia silently hung her head. She was too ashamed of herself for going to such lengths.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Camellia’s mind seemed very complicated these past few days.

As expected, she made another mistake when she visited at dawn.

“…You’re late.”
“Damn it.”

Just hold on a little longer.
Because Mary insisted on sleeping together, those few seconds became decisive.

After removing the thick blanket, I lifted Camellia. There’s still a hint of embarrassment. But now, Camellia was accustomed to being undressed and washed.

“Are you… going out today?”
“Yes.”
“…Don’t tell me, you’re carrying me.”
“We will use a wheelchair. I won’t use prostheses.”
“I see.”

I gently cleaned her slightly hairy pubic area. Camellia’s severed lower body twitched a bit. After washing her as usual, drying her, and changing the sheets and blankets, it was done.

“How many days has it been today?”
“…It’s the 16th day.”

You have kept count well. Yet what is there to do here indeed? Seated on the bed, my gaze fell upon the helpless Camellia lying before me.

‘Camellia, perhaps a week will suffice.’

Providing care to Camellia was secondary. A brief respite would amplify her desperation twofold.

‘But that’s secondary.’

Camellia endures strikingly well. A spirit of this caliber is indeed hard to come by. If only her vision and limbs could be restored… She might rival Hong-Yeon as a domestic talent.

-Wriggle-

“… Has she left?”
“No, not yet.”
“Hmm. I was under the impression she had.”

For too long, silence had prevailed. I looked down at Camellia and posed my question.

“Will there be an issue if she leaves?”
“No… That’s not it.”
“Then?”
“…… Are you asking because you don’t know?”

I refrained from chuckling at her provocative retort.

-Tick tock-

A while more passed. Camellia stirred, and I grasped her shoulder, a gesture signaling my lingering presence. Her countenance relaxed considerably.

“You cruel creature.”
“Hmm.”
“Being here… You have no idea how much I’ve contemplated, all because of you.”
“I can imagine. It’s been quite some time.”
“I detest your nonchalant tone. Yet do you know what tops that in misery?”

Camellia spoke in a resigned voice.

“You are cruel. And yet… I owe my existence to that very cruelty.”

Her words were somewhat abstract, yet they resonated with understanding. Trapped within this space of my creation, she longs for death. Yet she persists, awaiting another encounter with me.

“I feel like I’m losing my mind… Truly.”

I responded in a detached tone.

“Is that so?”
“…Please indulge me in conversation a little longer.”
“I’ll consider a way.”
“I have prepared my heart… Now that it’s over.”

At Camellia’s words, I rose from my place. Tonight had grown late.

“I must leave.”
“Ah, uh….”

Tears welled up in Camellia’s eyes at my words.

I yearned to let her meet with the World Tree and the others, yet I couldn’t place my trust in Camellia just yet. Gu-seul and I still had a great deal of work ahead of us. To grant Camellia her wish, I would need to wait for at least a few more days.

-Thud-

As I closed the door, Gu-seul, who was standing next to it, curled her lips as if bored.

“You cruel creature.”

You’re no different.

“…She’s completely broken now. You planned this, didn’t you? To make her easier to handle.”
“Her faith was too vast. It needed to be broken.”
“Hmph.”

A smiling Gu-seul extended a small Mana Stone.

“I got it. The final ingredient. No matter how precious it is… They call her the woman of prophecy. How much are you investing in her?”
“One never knows when or under what circumstances it might be needed.”

Even with a favourable outcome, the label of a cruel being would be inescapable. I accepted the Mana Stone from Gu-seul.

“Let’s conclude this in four days. I’ll approach Camellia.”
“Alright.”

Gu-seul moved closer to me and folded her arms.

Thus, I found myself on the path back to my duties. Dongbaek’s words abruptly echoed in my mind.

“You possess a cruel streak. Yet… it is your cruelty that fuels my existence.”

A statement laden with immense weight. I resolved to etch it into my heart, yet to cast it from my mind.

I gave my waist-bound sheath a slight tap.