novelraw Chapter 111
Chapter 111
Chapter 111
Yuwon, who had said he needed some time alone, ended his brief seclusion and returned to take his place once more. Third Prince Bernid welcomed him warmly.
“What’s this? You’re already coming out? You could’ve taken more time if you needed it.”
“No, thinking it over longer won’t change anything. I’ve had enough time. Anyway, where are the other two?”
“You’ve got mouths to feed, haven’t you? They went off into that miraculous cave that looks like a replica of nature itself to gather food. I think they’re trying to get you some meat to help you recover your strength.”
“I’m fine… but that’s kind of them.”
“Yeah, either way, good to see you out again. You’ve been through a lot.”
To Bernid’s words of comfort, Yuwon simply replied with a faint smile. Then Bernid spoke again.
“Actually, this is perfect timing. Since the others aren’t here, we can talk freely.”
“About what?”
“What else? About what we’re going to do now. We could probably survive if we decided to hole up here and keep scavenging, but we can’t stay in this cave forever. There’s no guarantee we won’t get discovered eventually. Don’t you agree?”
“…What do you think I’ll say to that?”
Sensing something in Yuwon’s subtle tone, Bernid let out a heavy sigh.
“…Hah, I can already guess. You’ll want to climb back up and reclaim your place, right? The problem is whether that’s even possible.”
“No, you’re wrong.”
“Huh?”
At Bernid’s startled expression, Yuwon smiled.
“Let’s wait until the others get back. I’d rather tell everyone at once than repeat myself.”
Standing still had never been Yuwon’s way. His destination was already decided.
Led by Yuwon, the four—Terrien, Hastings, Bernid, and himself—sat in a circle, waiting for him to speak. Soon, Yuwon opened his mouth.
“Now that everyone’s here, let’s begin. We’re leaving this place. We’re heading south.”
At Yuwon’s sudden declaration, the three of them widened their eyes. Bernid was the first to react to his decision.
“The south, huh… Well, that might actually be our best option. You’ve got plenty of supporters down there. If you’re planning to rebuild your base and gather forces to retake the central region, that might be the most viable path right now.”
Hastings and Terrien nodded silently in agreement. But Yuwon’s next words shattered their expectations.
“No. We’re going even farther south.”
Even farther south! Beyond the southern territories of the Empire, there was only one place. Yuwon spoke the name once more.
“The Great Jungle.”
“What! Farther south? You mean that hellish Great Jungle?”
“Yes.”
There was no hesitation in Yuwon’s answer. Bernid groaned.
“Ha… The southern region alone is tough enough, but the Great Jungle… Well, I know you wouldn’t insist on something like this without reason. So go on—why the Great Jungle? Isn’t the south more than enough?”
“You’re right. The south alone would be more than enough.”
“Then why insist on going into the Great Jungle?”
“Think about it. The south has always been the heart of the Fifth Prince’s faction, ever since it was just a minor power. But if I, at a time like this, were to hide there or try to rebuild my base there—what do you think would happen to the south?”
“That’s….”
It was an easy question, but Bernid couldn’t bring himself to answer. The obvious conclusion was one he didn’t even want to say aloud.
“…If I head to the south now and the south sides with me, the enemy will immediately focus all their attacks there. The southern region has long fought off beasts and monsters, sure—but fighting monsters and fighting men are two very different things. And if their defense against the beasts gets tangled up with an invasion from those who usurped the throne, there’s no telling how long they’ll hold out.”
“Still, the Great Jungle? Isn’t there anywhere else?”
Yuwon firmly shook his head.
“That’s not the only reason. I read something in Marcellus’s letter that I need to verify for myself.”
“What was it?”
“A suspicion that the origins of the Ravens might still be rooted in the south.”
“The Ravens? You mean the group Marcellus belonged to? Are you saying they have ties to the Great Jungle?”
At Bernid’s question, Hastings, sitting beside him, nodded quietly as though he already had an idea.
‘So that’s why… he specifically chose the Great Jungle back then.’
Hastings himself had once trained in the Great Jungle. Then Yuwon spoke decisively.
“Exactly. Which means we’re heading into the Southern Great Jungle.”
Yuwon had already made up his mind. His decision wasn’t just because of Marcellus’s letter. The deeds Marcellus had shown him had solidified Yuwon’s conviction.
‘…Back then, Marcellus definitely struck my Suhyeol (Sleeping Den). And that unbelievable disguise technique he used—it must have been the art of Reversal Transformation. Marcellus… no, the Ravens of Reqil—they weren’t wielders of this world’s power. Their roots lay in martial arts, in the power of the Central Martial World. Which means, in the Great Jungle, there might be….’
A trace of Yuwon’s father—Tang Seogyeom, also known as the founding hero and Grand General of Aphahiel, Dant Ser Geiorn.
The very moment Yuwon felt certain that something awaited in the south, his intuition—the same one that had warned him of countless dangers before—urged him once again toward that path.
“The Tindal’s faction occupying the center of Aphahiel will chase me wherever I go. In that case, there’s no better place to disappear than the cursed lands of the Great Jungle.”
“Well, you’re not wrong about that….”
Even after hearing Yuwon’s detailed reasoning, Bernid still wanted to dissuade him from heading there. He glanced at the other two for help.
Of course, it was a futile plea. Hastings and Terrien’s eyes gleamed with a fierce determination that said if Yuwon was going, they’d follow him to hell itself.
Seeing their unyielding gazes, Bernid could only raise his hands in surrender.
“Ha… fine. Let’s go. Whether we die here or there, there won’t be much left of us anyway. If I’m going to die, I’d rather it be at the hands of some nameless monster than those enemies of Aphahiel.”
Beside him, Hastings—who had quietly remained in place—spoke up.
“Please don’t take it too hard. The Great Jungle isn’t as bad as it sounds. People live there too.”
“…Try saying that again with a straight face. You came back from there after just a few months, already stronger than thousands, tens of thousands of so-called geniuses who’ve trained their whole lives with a sword—and you’re telling me that place is fit for people to live in?”
“Well… as long as we stay away from the places my teacher told me never to step foot in, we won’t end up as monster feed. Not with our current strength.”
Hastings’s words only deepened Bernid’s concern.
“See? I knew it! Even the Great Jungle alone is dangerous, but now you’re saying there’s a place Marcellus warned you never to enter? If you tell Yuwon something like that, he’ll go there without hesitation!”
At Bernid’s reaction, Yuwon smiled faintly.
“Me? You think I’d really do that?”
“Uh… wouldn’t you? I mean, I’d hope not.”
Of course, Bernid’s hope was in vain. A grin tugged at Yuwon’s lips.
“No, it’s just—you know me too well. Truly, my man.”
At the same time, in the Great Hall of the Aphahiel Empire.
“So… the Fifth Prince is still missing.”
The man lounging on the White Lion Throne cast his gaze toward the kneeling vassal before him. The young man with striking features and a rare, clear voice was none other than Gion Tindal, the youngest son of the Tindal Duke Family.
After seizing control of the Tindals amid the Princes’ struggle for the throne, he now sat as the new ruler—one who could make even the birds of the capital fall silent.
“Yes… my apologies, but we have yet to locate him. However, the pursuit is still ongoing, Your Majesty. It’s only a matter of time before the Fifth Prince is captured. No matter how quick he may be, he’ll soon be in our grasp.”
“Captured? No. When you find him, kill him immediately. If you try to take someone of the Fifth Prince’s caliber alive, you’ll only botch the job.”
“Y-yes, of course. You’re absolutely right, Your Majesty. My tongue slipped.”
Gion frowned slightly, displeased by his servant’s clumsy behavior.
“Well, people make mistakes. But still…”
The servant had long been at Gion’s side, but lately, his work had become increasingly sloppy now that he was handling greater affairs. Gion’s cold, sharp tone followed.
“If you wish to stay by my side until the end, make fewer mistakes. I am no longer the youngest son of Tindal—I am the Emperor of this new Empire.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I shall remember your words well. I will do everything in my power to serve you flawlessly.”
The servant bowed deeply, and Gion’s expression softened once more. A charming smile returned to his face, as though he had never been angry at all.
“‘Your Majesty’… what a pleasant sound. Good. I, too, will strive to live up to that title. Now then, any other reports?”
“None beyond the movements of the other princes and the current state of the Empire, Your Majesty.”
“Then we’re done here. Time for me to make my grand appearance—to bring this comedy to its grand finale.”
As if he had been waiting for that moment, Gion rose from the throne. Below him, his attendants had already prepared a Magic Mirror, ready for transmission.
“Excellent. Perfect setting for the beginning of Aphahiel’s end.”
Grinning ear to ear, Gion stepped before the mirror. The preparations were complete—it was time for his image to be broadcast across the entire Empire.
“Are we ready?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Awaiting your word.”
“Good. Then count down from three. I’ll compose my face while you do.”
“It’s an honor, Your Majesty. Beginning the countdown.”
The mage in charge of the mirror looked almost giddy at the important task, exchanged a glance with Gion, and began the count.
“Starting from three. Three.”
At the first count, Gion’s smile vanished.
“Two.”
By the second, sorrow replaced it.
“One.”
And when the final number was spoken, the Magic Mirror projected Gion’s image across the Empire. His eyes already glistened with tears.
With a face that looked ready to burst into tears at any moment, Gion addressed the people of the Empire.
“…People of the Aphahiel Empire, please hear me. I am Gion Tindal, heir of the Tindal Duke Family, and a loyal servant of Aphahiel. I must deliver heartbreaking news in place of the ruined Imperial Palace and fallen Imperial Family.”
Tears spilled freely down his cheeks.
“His Majesty the Emperor… has passed away. It was… a vile assassination, unspeakable even to mention.”
Gion, weeping beautifully, let the lie flow from his mellifluous voice.
“And as unbelievable as it sounds… the one who slew His Majesty was none other than the Fifth Prince—Yurion Aphahiel.”
Thus began the second act of Gion’s grand design—to swallow the entire Aphahiel Empire whole.