Chapter 129

– Can you hear me, Master?

“I can hear you.”

– Ha Yu-ri has been taken to the royal palace.

“I know. I just read about it.”

‘Well, this is…’

The fact that Ha Yu-ri was taken to the royal palace on drug distribution charges is the scoop of all scoops.

It’s only natural that it’s being splashed across all the news outlets, and it’s no surprise that people’s attention is focused on it.

After all, Ha Yu-ri is one of the three great Clan Masters.

The jealousy that commoners feel toward those in high positions is always significant.

It’s human nature to want to tear down anyone who’s doing better than you.

Honestly, I’m more flustered by the current situation than I expected.

Because the reputation of the Mardan Clan and Ha Yu-ri has deteriorated much faster than I anticipated.

‘It was the same with the outlaw spy incident last time, and their reputation hasn’t been great in general.’

The truth hasn’t come out yet, and all we know is that Ha Yu-ri was taken to the royal palace, but public opinion seems to have already decided that she’s guilty of using and distributing drugs.

‘Well, from my perspective, this is good.’

In situations like this, where false accusations are being thrown around, the one who strikes first has the advantage.

It’s easy to slap a false accusation on someone, but it’s much harder to clear your name.

By now, Ha Yu-ri must have realized that someone is targeting her.

But it’s going to be difficult for her to figure out who her enemy is while being searched and investigated.

‘Unless she has someone competent enough to act as her hands and feet…’

Unfortunately for Ha Yu-ri, I’ve already made my move on Park Chan-seok, who could have been her hands and feet.

“…I guess I’ll have to go.”

– Master, you’re not planning to…

“Yeah. I’m going to see Ha Yu-ri.”

– Isn’t that dangerous? For you to visit the royal palace and meet Ha Yu-ri right now…

“I know. I’m going to reveal to Ha Yu-ri that I’m behind all this.”

– …. Then why?

“…….”

This is something I’ve been thinking about ever since I learned about the existence of the Devourer of Worlds.

It’s obvious that we’ll need to create a Transcendent Being to stop it later.

This is something that must be done for the people of Eras to survive.

But will one Transcendent Being be enough?

‘I don’t know what the threat is, but the more strong allies I have, the better.’

Originally, I didn’t plan to get too involved, whether Ha Yu-ri was executed for drug charges or received some other punishment.

I just wanted to push her aside to the point where she wouldn’t be a threat to me and Yoo Ju.

Of course, that thought hasn’t completely changed, but I did consider giving Ha Yu-ri a chance.

Although that chance would come with the condition that she’d have to swallow her pride completely.

– Master, what’s the reason?

I answered Ruska’s question.

“Well, I just wanted to give her a small chance.”

******

After contacting the royal palace in advance and getting permission, I visited the palace.

Of course, I brought Wi Ho-yeon as my escort.

I wanted to visit without Wi Ho-yeon, but she insisted on coming along, so I had no choice.

I didn’t think they’d send someone to greet me, a mere clan member of Eternity, but I was wrong.

Ray Hakter, the secretary, personally came out to greet me.

‘Well… it doesn’t seem like a warm welcome.’

“Hahaha, it’s good to see you, Lee Yun-seong. It’s been a while.”

“…It’s good to see you too, Ray Hakter. I hope you’ve been well.”

Despite my personal discomfort with Ray Hakter, I greeted him with a smile.

“Haha, well… I heard you’re here to see Ha Yu-ri, who’s currently detained at the palace on drug distribution charges.”

‘Ha… he’s quick.’

This guy is really something.

“Yes, I actually have some business to discuss with the Mardan Clan. It’s an important matter, so I had no choice but to come to the palace under these circumstances.”

“Ah… I see. Well, how about this? I also have something to discuss with you, Lee Yun-seong. Would you mind having a private conversation with me first?”

…The fact that he’s not being forceful tells me something.

At the very least, Ray Hakter has suspicions but no concrete evidence against me.

If he had evidence, he wouldn’t need to go through all this trouble.

‘…Or maybe he does have evidence and is just playing it cool.’

“Of course. How could I refuse the secretary’s offer? Haha, it’s an honor.”

With that, I followed Ray Hakter to what appeared to be a reception room.

“Hmm… before we start, I apologize, but your escort…”

Hearing Ray Hakter’s words, Wi Ho-yeon took the hint and stepped back.

“…Lee Yun-seong. I’ll wait outside.”

After Wi Ho-yeon left, Ray Hakter tapped the table a few times with his finger and then spoke.

“….Lee Yun-seong.”

“Yes, go ahead, Ray Hakter.”

“…I’ll get straight to the point. Is this your doing?”

As expected, he’s suspicious of me.

“I’m not sure what you’re talking about.”

I had anticipated that Ray Hakter might suspect me to some extent.

After all, there was his reaction on the carriage to the royal palace right after the incident in Silan.

Of course, the incident in Silan and this current situation are unrelated.

‘Except for the fact that drugs are involved.’

“…Well, of course, you wouldn’t admit it here. I didn’t expect you to.”

“I really don’t know what you’re talking about. What exactly do you think I have to do with this?”

Ray Hakter sighed as he looked at my smiling face and continued.

“Sigh… I’ll assume you understand what I’m saying, and I’ll just ramble on for a bit.”

Even though my answer was a denial, Ray Hakter is clearly speaking under the assumption that I’m the culprit.

In other words, he’s acknowledging my attempt to avoid responsibility and is going to continue speaking his mind.

“I know that you were attacked by outlaws not long ago. And those outlaws were trying to kidnap you when they were stopped by Yanagiya of the Eastern Alliance…”



“You were attacked by Riki, right? Is that correct?”

I nodded and replied.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“…And Lee Yun-seong was kidnapped by Yanagiya Riki of the Kotozuke Clan.”

Well, of course, Ray Hakter already knows this much.

“…From here on, it’s not certain, but it’s my speculation. I don’t know the reason myself, but somehow, you managed to gain favor with Yanagiya Riki of the Eastern Alliance.”

‘…He’s quite capable.’

I could see why the king forced Ray Hakter, who hates working, into the position of secretary.

“Thus, Lee Yun-seong safely returned to Baronia. Along with the drugs he received from Yanagiya Riki.”

“You seem very interested in me.”

Perhaps Ray Hakter had been paying attention to me since Eternity Clan started rising again, and my name began appearing repeatedly in promotional or strategy posts.

“From my perspective, it’s only natural. Unlike others, I’ve been reflecting on what you’ve done in the short time since you arrived in Eras.”

“…..”

“Though you have little military power, you were part of the party that cleared the tutorial in the shortest time. When Joo Seung-hwan of the Hwashin Clan tried to harm you at the training facility, you turned him into an attempted murderer of a trainee. Of course, it was Joo Seung-hwan’s fault.”

I silently listened to him. He knew more about my actions than I thought.

“And not long after joining Eternity Clan, Eternity fell. Everyone thought the new members of Eternity would transfer to other clans, but you and your colleagues were different. You eventually revived Eternity and discovered the Record Keeper.”

“…..”

“Knowing that the prices of rare items would plummet, Lee Yun-seong tipped off the Myth Clan, and both Eternity and Myth Clan reaped huge profits.”

“…..”

“Is that all? At the mansion of the border lord, you sensed something strange from a maid named Charis and passed the information to the master of the Myth Clan. But why did Lee Yun-seong not report it to the royal palace himself and instead let the master of the Myth Clan take the credit?”

“I don’t know. I’m not sure.”

“….This is just my speculation, but I think you wanted to stay out of the spotlight. At that time, you probably didn’t have the strength to protect yourself and your clan.”

His insight was incomparable to his drunken appearance in the carriage.

Even though Ray Hakter hadn’t been by my side, he accurately grasped my actions and thoughts better than those who had.

“Moreover, you later formed an alliance between the Myth Clan and Eternity Clan. During your stay at the Myth Clan, you uncovered a spy from the Execution Society. That’s probably why you could form the alliance.”

“……”

“…And now, this result. These are the achievements Lee Yun-seong has made in roughly a year since arriving here. From my perspective, it’s only natural to observe you closely.”

Honestly, I was truly impressed by him.

“Frankly, there’s a joke going around that the real power behind Eternity Clan isn’t the clan master, but Lee Yun-seong.”

“…I’ve heard your words, Ray Hakter. Although there are a few inaccuracies, you’re quite impressive. Then, may I ask one thing?”

“…..”

“What is the reason for telling me all this? Are these procedures really necessary for you, Ray Hakter?”

The reason he’s telling me all this is that he wants something from me.

It’s not about throwing me into prison, but from the royal palace’s perspective, or Ray Hakter’s personal perspective, there’s something he wants from me.

“To be honest, even though I’ve said all this, there’s nothing I can do to you, Lee Yun-seong. You probably haven’t left any evidence, and public opinion is already heavily against the Mardan Clan.”

“Not leaving any evidence? I don’t understand what you mean. Again, I didn’t do anything.”

“I don’t think Lee Yun-seong has caused any harm to the neutral country. In fact, directly or indirectly, you’ve helped the neutral country quite a bit. So, I don’t have much of an issue with your actions against the Mardan Clan. Though I am curious about the reason.”

“……”

“However… if the Mardan Clan is disbanded or Ha Yu-ri is punished, the neutral country will suffer a significant loss of power. We already suffered a great loss during the fall of the three major clans.”

I understood what Ray Hakter was trying to say to me.

‘From the neutral country’s perspective, they don’t want to lose Ha Yu-ri as a weapon.’

I get it. As Ray Hakter said, the deaths of Kang Seong-jun, Gu Yeon-jeong, and Hwang Tae-hoon were a huge loss of power for the neutral country.

And now, losing Ha Yu-ri, the master of one of the three major clans? From the neutral country’s perspective, it’s a situation they can’t just sit back and watch.

In reality, I was the one who won the fight between me and Ha Yu-ri.

Unlike me, who was fully prepared and struck her weak points, Ha Yu-ri was completely unprepared.

From her perspective, she probably never imagined that a fledgling like me would take action against her.

“There’s only one thing I want, Lee Yun-seong. Ha Yu-ri is a weapon the neutral country can’t afford to lose. So, I’d like to discuss this matter with you… What do you think, Lee Yun-seong?”

I smiled at Ray Hakter’s words. In fact, I also needed to talk to the royal palace about this issue.

“…I’m fine with it. Actually, I also have something to discuss with you, Ray Hakter, regarding this matter.”