Volume 3 – Cold Wave
1
Just as expected, as they entered the village on the outskirts of Yeho, the promised snow began to pour down. Even though it was not yet evening, the sky was still dark because the sun was obscured by the blizzard, and it poured down so relentlessly that it was hard to walk properly.
As Aran arrived through the blizzard at the designated location, he was startled. It was because of the size of the building, it was quite large and out of scale with a village situated on the outskirts of the city. Moreover, it didn’t seem like a place for ordinary travelers.
The building was three stories high and surrounded by a high fence, so it was impossible to look inside easily. The entrance was luxurious, and the red lanterns around the fence were swaying back and forth in the snowstorm. Of course, the lights were not lit in the harsh blizzard, but the red lanterns were shaking precariously without falling.
“Red lanterns?”
“It looks like it’s probably a Gibang¹.”
Responded Shaw briefly to what Aran muttered, as he looked at the unlit red lanterns with his eyes squinted. There would be no place better than a Gibang¹ to have an intimate conversation. Since ancient times, Gibangs have been used as a place for exchanging secret conversations. Thanks to this, it was known that there are more high-end Gibangs created just for secret conversations with high-ranking nobles. As it turned out, this place seemed to be one of them.
Nevertheless, it seems that they have not forgotten their operation as a Gibang, as soon as the gate opened the sound of music and loud men were mixed with the sound of the wind.
“Welcome, please come in.”
Aran crossed the large courtyard and entered the building with Shaw as two women with a fragrant scent and fine clothes greeted each of them. Aran looked around silently as he was guided by the ladies.
On the first floor, which was open like a typical bar or restaurant, men were sitting at each table talking loudly and drinking. The second floor has a mezzanine-style structure where you can look up from the first floor. There were corridors and railings that allowed you to look down on the first floor from all directions, and there were many visitors inside. Whenever the door opened or closed, the people drinking alcohol inside appeared and disappeared.
It was definitely a big place. Furthermore, it was surprising that so many men would gather to drink and chat even in such harsh weather.
“I know we made a reservation.”
While Aran looked around, Shaw tossed a coin of an unseen denomination at the woman who was guiding them. Recognizing the currency tossed to her, she smiled and motioned for them to follow her. As Aran followed the woman with an elegant gait to the second floor, he now recognized there was more to be seen than what he saw from the first floor. He could see that there was yet another corridor extending from between the rooms.
It was a strange structure. As he followed the woman around a corner, there was another hallway. There were doors to rooms on either side of the hallway that lead inside other rooms, and whenever people came out or went in, the interior would be visible before it closed again.
“Are there any more to your party?”
The woman who guided them inquired of Shaw, as Aran walked silently behind them. Shaw said leisurely that they were just normal guests and to treat them as so, and she replied that he was not like the average guest. Hearing their conversation, Aran continued to look around with an indifferent face.
It certainly looked like a maze from which it was difficult to get out once you were lost. There were numerous rooms and dizzying hallways that were all the same, and all of the doors had the same lattice patterned on them, so they had no idea where they were. Aran furrowed his brow without realizing it. It was because he felt that the mood there was unusual. To be precise, the flow of energy felt off.
The men who sat around drinking like ordinary drunks had an aura that seemed out of place. Aran reflexively moved his hand and stealthily grabbed the hilt of the long sword that was always attached to his waist.
What the hell were these people? It is impossible for the Ministers who came to meet Jiyul to come alone and exposed, so these people may be their escorts. Jiyul is also hiding an escort here as well. But if it’s the other way around, they were brought here by a spy of Taegeukrune’s……
“Swordsmen come here a lot”
As if she were nervously aware of the cold sweat running down his back, the woman whispered in a guiding manner, without looking back at them. Aran looked at her beautifully decorated back and clicked his tongue inwardly. It was clear that she was unusual as well. She must have felt her own energy was shaky so she didn’t look back. It was the moment when Aran followed the woman around the fourth corner that he swallowed a dry lump down his throat at the constant insecure feeling and the tension that came upon him.
There was a small gap in the door to the right and Aran unconsciously glanced at it. As the hallway deepened most of the doors were closed, but this one was slightly opened so he peeped inside. However, as Aran looked inside, he unknowingly grabbed the hilt of his sword. It was because the man in dark navy blue clothes was particularly conspicuous.
The only thing he could see was the man’s back. However, his broad shoulders, straight waist, strangely shaped hat covering his head, and a scabbard hanging from his waist, gave Aran a dangerous sense of déja vu. His arms moved slowly as he drank alcohol, and the Gisaeng² who sat across from him smiled brightly and filled his glass of wine. It was a sight that could be seen in an ordinary room in a Gibang¹, but Aran could not take his eyes off the back of the man until he completely passed the door. This was due to a sense of dizziness he felt for a moment.
“…Young master?”
It was when he thought that the blue clothing would never leave his eyes, that the sound of Shaw’s sudden call woke Aran up, and he opened his eyes. Before he realized it, he had stopped in the middle of the hallway and Shaw was already a couple of steps ahead. It seemed that he was so enchanted by the man’s back that without even realizing it, he had stopped walking. Aran bit his lip and moved quickly.
“Shaw, don’t forget about my name.”
Aran softly whispered as soon as he approached Shaw. Shaw’s expression hardened at once. He would have known very well what he meant. Shaw is a first-class warrior, so he couldn’t be ignorant of such an unusual atmosphere.
As they turned the corner one last time as though nothing had happened, they finally saw the end of the hallway before them. After looking in bewilderment at the blocked hallway without doors, rooms, or anything, the woman looked around carefully and pushed one side of the blocked wall. Then, without a sound, one side of the wall was pushed in.
The woman reached out and told Aran to go inside. As soon as they went inside the wall door closed immediately behind them, Aran hid his look of surprise. It was definitely a strange place to have such a secret room. Aran, who was admiring the inside of the small room, stopped moving and listened.
It was not possible to know exactly how it was structured, but Aran quickly recognized that on the opposite side of the wall, was where Jiyul and the ministers were gathered. It was because of a faint sound coming through a small door. As they approached with quiet footsteps, the conversation between those who had already gathered could be heard quite clearly.
“Are you saying that Prince Jung has really come back alive?”
Aran stopped moving as the faint voices escaped from the opposite room. At the man’s words, who was still expressing his feelings of disbelief, the surroundings grew louder.
“When the rebellion broke out ten years ago, weren’t all the members of the royal family executed? How could Prince Jung have survived that? ³Where has he been, and how did he get out?”
Someone else asked aggressively. Of course, it was not only that, but the people gathered in the room raised their voices little by little as though they were excited.
“It doesn’t matter how he survived. The important thing is that he is still alive.”
“Oh, God! It’s amazing that the Prince is still alive!”
“Jiyul, you’re not lying, are you? You have aspirations to strike at Taejeokrune but you don’t have enough strength, so are you condescending to use Prince Jung who isn’t even here in order to get help?”
The elderly men who were all former Ministers were spitting out many words as though they were confused with each other. In all of the talk, Jiyul’s voice did not mix in anywhere. It looked as though he was just letting them talk to each other, as though he was just silently listening. It was around the time when the Ministers, who had been talking freely for a long time, gradually reduced their voices, Jiyul spoke.
“I have no reason to lie to you.”
Through the silence, Jiyul’s voice was clearly heard. It was a voice that could be understood at once. The surroundings soon became as silent as death because of Jiyul’s low-key, calm, emotionless voice that overwhelms a person instantly.
“It is not the time for the Prince to appear yet, so he has not come with us, but it is certain that he is with us and is preparing to take over the throne of the late King.”
“If that is true then it is not something we should do as subjects who served the previous kings, so that we too, can restore the throne to the Prince!” As soon as someone raised their voice excitedly, sounds of ‘right’ came from all over the place.
“It is not the time for the prince to appear yet, so he has not come with us, but it is certain that he is with us and is preparing to take over the throne of the Late King.”
“If that is true, then it is our duty as servants of the late King to restore the throne to the Prince!”
As soon as someone raised their voice as if excited, voices were heard from all over the place.
“Until now, Jiyul’s plan to strike Taejeokrune seemed reckless because there was no one who could succeed the throne. In fact, there was no one to replace Taejeokrune, son of Tae Seo-Ha and nephew of King Seon. In this situation, where the entire family of King Seon had been annihilated.”
Aran trembled at the fact that the only remaining royal bloodline could be Taejeokrune. Even though he shared the same blood, he destroyed all the royal family except himself. What the hell is a throne worth that could make someone so cruel? Aran, who had been listening to their story with clenched fists, stared at the wall as though he wanted to kill him, frozen and deathly pale.
“But it is clear that Heaven helped Prince Jung to return. Please also allow me to add strength to the Prince who is the son of the late King, Jiyul.”
“If you agree with us, it would be a great pleasure.”
Their conversation went smoothly. It was not a situation where they could see each other face to face, but just by hearing their voices, Aran could quickly feel that they were favorable to him. Aran listened attentively to the discussion that was proceeding calmly without any movement.
If you’re reading this anywhere other than Foolishtranslationss.wordpress.com, it was stolen from the translator’s website. Reading this anywhere other than the translator’s website ensures that the translator may never translate any other works. Thank you.
2
On the opposite side of him, Shaw was dressed all in black and standing with his hands on the hilt of his sword, with unsuitable eyes that were narrowed as if he would jump in at any moment if there was even the smallest disturbance. It was about that time when Aran began to listen to their conversation a little more closely, that he wondered if he had felt any signs without realizing it.
“I brought you drinks.”
On the other side of the secret room where Aran was located, a sweet and beautiful voice rang out cleanly from beyond the tightly closed door. Aran looked at their position through the crack in the door. Their food and drinks had not yet been emptied. They couldn’t even empty their drinking glasses because everyone was having such a serious conversation. As he was wondering, someone said, ‘Listen’ with a dignified voice and got up.
At the same time, the door opened. Outside the wide open door, there were no drinks in sight. Instead, men with their faces and bodies covered in black robes quickly entered the room with long swords in their hands, threatening the ministers. Except for one man, the man who had gotten up from his seat at the same time as he answered, and headed towards the door.
“I’m sorry, but you’ll have to stop here.”
The same man who stood up from his seat, muttered as he slowly walked out the door. He was a small, middle-aged man.
“Jagang! As expected, you’re attached to Taejeokrune?”
Jiyul’s voice, who looked at the man as he sat in his seat, asked calmly as if he knew. The man laughed softly.
“I’m sorry, Jiyul. It’s because I want to spend my last years a little more comfortably. Besides, for whatever reason, I don’t want to see a blood wind blow through this country again. I listened to this meeting well, so if I go and tell him, won’t we be able to keep the peace?”
Said the man quietly. At the man’s words, the other four ministers standing by Jiyul all shouted in excitement.
“You traitor!”
“Do you think you’ll survive like that?!”
Even at the moment of finger-pointing, Jiyul was looking at him with mixed feelings. It could be because something he didn’t want to happen, happened, or it could be a complicated feeling because what he expected, had happened.
However, regardless, the men forced the Ministers to stand up from their seats and began to push them outside. They didn’t know where it was going, but it was obvious that the blood wind began to blow here first. Outside, the escorts of each Minister were sitting, pretending to be guests. Aran didn’t know how many warriors the person named Jagang, who was with Taejeokrune, brought with him but they wouldn’t be able to take them out of this place easily.
Aran clicked his tongue and pulled up the mask that had been wearing below his chin. Then he pulled out the long sword he was wearing around his waist and watched Shaw. He too was holding the sword in his hand, and staring outside.
“Unfortunately, you are here-.”
Jagang’s monotonous words did not continue to the end. There were many private soldiers escorting him, but somehow the man’s neck was split in half, and red blood spouted out when a blue flash passed through in the darkness. The man who couldn’t even scream once fell to the floor. No one understood the situation properly, except for the fact that the whole area trembled with blood in the blink of an eye.
“…… Ryugen.”
Aran called out his name with the tip of his tongue. His dagger just flew in, he didn’t even show himself. There were no signs or movements. There was just a flash of a blade that was shining in the dark for a moment. Nevertheless, the man had already had his head cut in half, and was rolling on the floor.
Ryugen’s skill was undeniable! Because it’s rare to find someone with the ability to accurately throw a dagger, and cut off the breath at once. As he thought of him, he felt a chill on his back, and Aran clenched his fists.
“Hit the enemy!”
As Jagang fell, a sharp sound was heard from within the chaos. lt was a man who was one of the Ministers on Jiyul’s side. With those words, men with their swords drawn poured in from all directions all at once. The situation quickly turned around. The soldiers who were aiming their swords at Jiyul and the Ministers struggled, not knowing what to do after their master had died. It was even more so because they were outnumbered by the soldiers of the Ministers who were rushing in like waves. Meanwhile, Jiyul and the Ministers were escorted by the soldiers and quickly exited the room.
“Shaw, go to Jiyul.”
Ordered Aran, who was watching the situation from behind. Shaw bowed his head and immediately opened the door and ran through the pandemonium. Aran followed after him. They quickly escaped the fight between the soldiers, separated themselves into the Ministers and Jiyul’s side, and grabbed Jiyul’s arm, pretending to be his escort. Even though his eyes were barely showing, Jiyul recognized Aran at once.
“I will escort you.”
Even though Aran only made a brief announcement, Jiyul hurriedly went down without a word. The number of soldiers they brought was quite large, so it was no problem opening the way. However, the soldiers belonging to Jagang were also difficult, and the sound of crossed swords and screams coming from all directions resembled a battlefield. Aran ran forward without looking back. He couldn’t think of anything now. The only thing that mattered was Jiyul and the rest of the Minister’s safety.
As soon as he managed to kick the door open and go outside, a strong blade-like wind blew. The blizzard had not stopped yet, and because the moon was obscured by the clouds, there was only black darkness all around. It was hard to see an inch ahead. It was impossible to predict what else was lurking in the darkness and heavy snow, but somehow he had to get out of there safely.
Aran looked around with eyes wide open. Then he heard the sound of some of the soldiers pulling their horses out, paving the way for them. Aran ran to the place where the horse was, and sat the Ministers and Jiyul on the horse, and he also got on the horse’s back. He was impatient but it didn’t seem like there would be any problems getting out like this. There were a few warriors blocking them, but while the soldiers were fighting, Aran led the Ministers across the wide courtyard.
And it was when he ran towards the firmly closed gate.
Bang-!
The gate of the building was broken with a loud sound. It was smashed by applying physical force from outside. As the thick bar and wood broke, Aran hurriedly turned the horse’s head. If he had approached a little faster, he too might have been smashed like the gate.
But even as he spoke, he couldn’t help but wonder, ‘who the hell could break in through a tightly closed door’? Maybe there was another ambush outside? Aran clutched the reins with tight tension, he turned his eyes away and tried to calm his pounding heart.
The sound of horseshoes rushed through the blinding snow, and the pitch-black darkness. They weren’t the only ones coming through the broken gate. Aran, who felt a chill just by hearing the sound, clenched his jaw and held the sword in his hand. Shaw and the soldiers were also clenching their swords with tension.
What the hell happened?
It was the first thought that came to his mind. It is also true that the soldiers rushing through the broken gate were not private soldiers, but the King’s army, the ⁴Geumgun. No one could breathe properly in front of them who was decorated lavishly with royal patterns and showing their dignified appearance.
The whole area froze as if cold ice water had been poured on them. In the pitch-black darkness, the only thing that could still move was the raging snowstorm. A heavy and eerie silence continued until they entered the courtyard. All the people gathered there were stiff like they were covered in wax, so they couldn’t move a finger.
Suddenly, a man riding a black horse slowly came forward from among the gold troops that surrounded them. He was a man with a dark and gloomy atmosphere, covered in black as if he were a god of death. A tall man with a black eye patch over one eye.
It was Taejeokrune
If you’re reading this anywhere other than Foolishtranslationss.wordpress.com, it was stolen from the translator’s website. Reading this anywhere other than the translator’s website ensures that the translator may never translate any other works. Thank you.
3
How did he get here? This was an unexpected twist and nightmare. Who could have predicted that the King of a country would directly lead the Geumgun?
In the worst-case scenario, Aran thought that, even if Taejeokrune knew about it, he would send a few soldiers, but this completely overturned his expectations. No, this was far worse than he expected. In an unimaginable situation, Aran opened his cold hand and moved it.
Not yet…… It was not the time to meet him. Not yet. Even though he knew him well, when he looked at him, Aran’s heart started to beat violently, thump, thump. The hand holding his sword put strength into itself. He felt like his blood was boiling and flowing backward.
If he could, he wanted to throw a sword into that bastard’s heart right now. He wanted to cut off his head and spray his blood everywhere. But in a situation where he couldn’t do that, Aran just clenched his teeth and stared at him with his dark sunken eyes. Even though he had confidence that it was not yet the right time, this powerlessness left him feeling divided.
“I can’t believe it.”
No one could speak, but it was Taejeokrune’s soft words that broke the silence that covered the whole area. His voice was devoid of any tension. Rather, the way he talks was like it was funny, with a smile, his tone chilled Aran’s heart.
“I was curious about what kind of idiots were gathered, so I came out to take a look, but I didn’t know that I would see you in person, Jiyul.”
He shuttered and slyly twisted his lips in a gloomily way. The two were facing each other, and Jiyul frowned. Jiyul, who was also not expecting this kind of situation, had a glimpse of nervousness on his cold hardened face.
“I haven’t seen you for a long time, so I wondered if you’d already died. It’s a pleasure to know that you’re alive and well.”
Jiyul didn’t even respond, he just stared at Taejeokrune who was throwing a tantrum, with ridicule. It was an attitude that was not even polite to the Royal Family much less the King, but there was no way the person who had conspired to commit treason would have any manners now anyway. As Jiyul remained silent in the cold blizzard, Taejeokrune moved his black horse to take a step forward.
“I am truly sorry. You are known as the wisest person in the country, but you’re plotting such a pathetic plot. Now that I look at you, you’re not wise, you’re simply reckless.”
“…. ….”
“So, where did you hide my cute cousin Jung? Rumor has it that he is here?”
Taejeokrune twisted his lips and scowled dangerously. In an instant, a bloodthirsty aura flowed out from him and enveloped the entire area. The horse he was riding on was also shaking his head and grunting, as though it too had felt an eerie energy. Without realizing it, Aran swallowed dryly down his parched throat, as a chill ran down his spine. Although the temperature was colder than below zero with heavy falling snow, his murderous intent was more chilling. How could anyone exude such strong energy?
Although Ryugen warned him repeatedly, it was only now that the man was in front of him that Aran realized how abnormal he was. Aran bit his lips as he forced himself to calm down. Meanwhile, Jiyul still kept quiet. Taejeokrune crossed his sharp gaze with Jiyul as if in a war of nerves.
In the yard where the soldiers were gathered was as tense as a tightly pulled bowstring, and as quiet as death. The suffocating silence seemed to go on forever.
“I think it’s difficult for the former general to answer because of the position he’s in. Would it be better if I personally escort you to the palace?”
Taejeokrune was the first to break the heavy silence. With an exaggerated manner and a shady smile, he was speaking in a roundabout way, letting him know that he would take him to the Palace and make talk at all costs. Only then did Jiyul slowly speak.
“It’s the same no matter where you take me, Taejeokrune. Because I have nothing to tell you.”
“How dare you provoke me so recklessly! Show respect and get down on your knees!”
As soon as Jiyul’s calm reply came out, one of the soldiers stepped out from behind Jiyul and shouted loudly at Taejeokrune. Jiyul’s cold gaze shifted from Taejeokrune to him.
“The person in front of me is a traitor who betrayed the good intentions of the previous King, rebelled against him, and usurped the throne through slaughter. He is a false King. What kind of support should be given to such a person?”
“What?”
“It’s just disappointing that a man, who even heaven knows is false, is the King of this country.”
Jiyul’s resonant voice rang out, cutting through the entire area. It was the first time that Aran witnessed Jiyul, who had always been a quiet self-contained man, yell. Even the ⁴Geumgun who surrounded him flinched and hunched their shoulders at his cry that tore through the blinding darkness and the heavy snow that enveloped him, obscuring him from view.
Everyone knew that the current King lacked all the qualities of a king without having to be told. The fact that the murder of the most generous and benevolent Late King was wrong was something that every citizen, even a child as young as three, knew.
“I don’t know if it’s because you’ve been reinstated as a General again, but you’ve got a lot of spirit. But you should also value your life as well.”
“As a person who has risen to the rank of general, his spirit is great. But, you should also know that life is precious.”
“If you want to kill me, go ahead and try.”
“You want me to kill you?”
“If I die here it will change nothing, one man’s death makes no difference. However, I’m not the only person who speaks the truth, even if I’m killed and disappear altogether, the other people who want justice will someday change the world.”
A calm voice flowed down through the dark night sky as if melting away the white snowstorm. It was as though his anger had surged at Jiyul’s demeanor, which showed no agitation at all. Taejeokrune narrowed his eyes and tried to blot out the ridicule he had shown up until now.
“It seems your fighting spirit has been awakened by that inexperienced kid you’re hiding.”
“…. ….”
“Still, I was going to treat you with the respect due to a General, but I can’t help it If you really want it like this.”
Murmured Taejeokrune in a low voice as he gestured towards the Geumgun. Then, the Geumgun, who were surrounding Jiyul, the Ministers, and the Minister’s soldiers, attacked with spears and swords all at once. Loud sounds quickly cut through the darkness and shook the air. It was indescribably difficult to withstand. You could be struck down in an instant. Although the futility of the situation was obvious to Aran with just a look, he still put strength into the hand holding his sword.
He knew he had to get out of this somehow. By any and all means he had to escape quickly.
“Shaw, go to Jiyul’s side.”
With that mumbled command, Shaw, who was behind him, was forced to move. After hearing the sound of Shaw’s footsteps stirring the air, Aran fixed his sword and stepped forward to block Taejeokrune’s path from reaching Jiyul.
4
“There are people who would dare to stand in my way!?”
Said Taejeokrune in a condescending manner to Aran, who was blindly standing in his way while wielding a sharp sword. Then Jiyul and the soldiers brought by the Ministers pointed their swords at Taejeokrune’s Geumgun, together with him. Before long, even the soldiers fighting inside the Gibang ran out into the blizzard, and the yard was quickly turned into a battlefield. The snow which shrouded everything in white was now stained red with blood and fused together, and the sounds of screams and blades crossing continued endlessly.
It would have been difficult for just the soldiers to suppress the King’s Golden Army. Isn’t this bloody warfare just what Taejeokrune goes mad for? However, Aran did not give in and was concentrating on swinging the sword with relentless movements. His black coat was already covered in someone’s blood. Although his face was covered with a mask, the chill emanating from his whole body blew colder than that of Taejeokrune.
Aran had followed Cain through battlefields even before the boy came of age. He wielded his sword against the Taejeokrune’s Golden Army, and he was relentless enough to overshadow the nickname “the Black Devil”. Those who faced his black eyes, which seemed darker than the darkness of the abyss, all flinched and hesitated to attack first. Aran swung his sword so brutally that they doubted whether there was a real phantom hiding behind his mask.
The number of Taejeokrune’s Golden Army soldiers was smaller than expected. What he said first about coming out to take a look, may have been sincere. It was clear that he did not expect to be involved in a fight that more closely resembled a war. Perhaps there were other soldiers waiting beyond that darkness, but Aran didn’t sense any signs of it yet.
Hopefully, there was a possibility that he could escape from this spot if he made a hole where he could break through. Aran glanced at Shaw who was a little farther away. Shaw was wielding his sword next to Jiyul when he glanced over at Aran as though he could feel his gaze. When Aran nodded his head at him, Shaw reluctantly grabbed Jiyul and cast his light attack⁵.
Taejeokrune’s Gold Army followed Shaw, who started running like the wind holding Jiyul. But Aran stopped them and cleared the way for Shaw. Shaw sprinted through the bloody blizzard. Aran wanted Shaw to get Jiyul out of this place and out of Taejeokrune’s hands. Aran clenched his jaw and swung his sword at the Geumgun, who were pursuing Shaw.
“What are you doing? Get Jiyul first!”
Taejeokrune, who was sitting on his horse at a distance watching the situation, shouted. Then the two Generals spoke quickly. At that, Aran grabbed a horse that was struggling in fear, got on it quickly, and ran to them. He had to block them. He had to stop them until Shaw got Jiyul out of there, and was able to hide somewhere safe.
Aran quickly rode a horse to the General who was heading for Shaw and immediately flung out a dagger. The dagger that flew with precision pierced the General between the eyes. Without even being able to blink, the body of the man fell down from the horse’s back and was mercilessly trampled on by it, then he turned back and slashed the neck of the other man chasing Shaw with his long sword.
“I’m counting on you.”
Whispered Aran to Shaw, who was passing through the broken gate of the Gibang through the crack that was barely opened, as it brushed his sides.
“… Please stay safe.”
Hearing the low sound of Shaw’s voice, Aran turned the horse’s head and stood in front of the gate. No one will get past this door. It was when he turned the horse’s head, that he made that promise.
Taejeokrune, who witnessed the two Generals fall without a second thought, began to drive his horse to the gate. As Aran faced his dark energy head-on, he felt choked with tension and swallowed dryly down his parched throat. With eyes shining brightly, as he pulled out his sword and drove the horse forward, he seemed to overflow with a vicious energy, like a messenger of death. Aran took a long breath and clenched his sword.
Aran wondered if the words ‘What you can see isn’t everything’⁶ should be used at a time like this. Nothing caught his eye. The loud noises were no longer heard. All he could see was Taejeokrune with a demon-like face through the blizzard, and all he could hear was the sound of his horseshoes striking the ground. It was as if he had fallen into this space and the two of them were left all alone.
Aran knew it wasn’t the right time yet. Nevertheless, it couldn’t be stopped. He couldn’t just leave the villain in front of him. Aran drove his horse towards him.
“Hey kid, you use some strange swordsmanship.”
”… …”
“However, you’ve got some guts, so come at me.”
As the distance shortened, Taejeokrune mentioned his swordsmanship, but that is probably because he had been watching him. However, Aran had to quickly turn the horse’s head and raise his sword to block the direct blow that followed. With having to block such a strong blow, the shoulder he used was aching. He grimaced automatically.
A vague sense of uneasiness came over him as to whether it would even be possible to confront him in this condition. Should he have avoided this and run away with Shaw? There was regret now, but if he hadn’t stopped, Shaw wouldn’t have been able to escape safely. Just like when he and Aran were running away when he was a child, Shaw was eventually caught by Taejeokrune’s bodyguards.
After recalling what happened that time, Aran grabbed his sword and pulled himself together. However, Taejeokrune’s sword should never be taken lightly. It was also true that Aran was slender compared to his magnificent physique, and was at a disadvantage when competing, power for power. Even so, his sword which slashed rapidly with overwhelming force was terrifying. He had never witnessed anyone other than Cain use swordsmanship with this level of strength and speed. Aran felt uneasy inside and took a deep breath.
Chang–
Their swords collided with a loud clash creating blue flames. The sound of their intersecting blades, and of their horse’s hooves slamming against the frozen ground, continued over and over again. Aran felt a sense of crisis as he blocked his sword amidst the snow pouring down, so much so that he couldn’t even see in front of himself.
However, as time went on he inevitably started losing strength. Even in the sub-zero temperature, Aran’s back was already wet with perspiration. Beads of sweat were falling down from his broad shoulders. How much longer could he last? Gradually, anxiety flooded in like a wave.
“Indeed, that’s a skill that would have stood in my way without cowardice. It’s even enjoyable to make you use a sword like this.”
Taejeokrune paused for a moment, then took a breath and smiled coldly. Aran struggled to calm his pounding heart as he lightly rubbed his damp, sweaty palms against the hem of his clothes. The surroundings had become still all around him. Without even realizing it everyone was holding their breath and watching their swords match, but Aran was only staring at Taejeokrune.
“Whoever you are, it’s a pity. If you had been under my command, you could have lived out the rest of your life a little more comfortably.”
His mocking tongue was completely cold-blooded. However, his eyes shone with brutality.
The bloodthirsty eyes that were fixed on him didn’t change in the slightest. As Aran was watching Taejeokrune’s every move with tension, he thought at first glance that he was fortunate. Regardless, Taejeokrune had already forgotten about Jiyul and was concentrating solely on himself. This would have given them enough time to escape. Aran, who was quietly staring at Taejeokrune, clenched his sword tightly. All that was left now was to either cut off his head, somehow run away, or both.
“But that’s it. I’ll take your life now.”
Taejeokrune uttered words with an eerie voice, as he swung his sword and galloped forward. Aran faced him, he grasped the horse’s reins with all his might. He wouldn’t die in this place like this, and of course, he wouldn’t be caught! With only that one thought in mind, he kicked the horse’s side. This time, he swung his sword before him. The blade drew a light and quick half-arc as it struck Taejeokrune’s arm.
In an instant, the thick hem of his clothes was torn and blood splattered through them. He could not sidestep the cut and gave up his arm as he hurled abuses past Aran’s ears. His voice was full of anger. Now was Aran’s chance. Now that he was a little disorganized, it was the only moment he could aim for his neck.
Aran was determined and immediately turned around to attack again. He slashed the sword with all his might while gripping the reins of the fast-paced horse.
Zeng–
Once again, a loud cracking sound rang out, like the breaking of the blade. He thought he’d struck him as hard as he could. But instead, his body staggered back violently, having been pushed by his strength. Even before he could raise his slanted upper body, a sword that shed a chilling air, flew at his flesh again.
At that moment Aran was forced to move to avoid the sword, and finally lost his balance and fell to the frozen ground. He fell from the horse⁷. Those two letters⁷ floated in his head at the same time as his body rolled over the frozen ground with a thud.
Enduring the screams that rose up to his throat, Aran unconsciously grabbed his left shoulder. This was because his left shoulder, which had almost healed, hit the ground first as he fell to the ground. As the wound reopened from the great impact, hot blood soaked the hem of his clothes and turned his palm red.
Damn it, Aran immediately grabbed his sword and got up while kicking his tongue. But before he could stand up, Taejeokrune’s sword swung over his head. This time, Aran rolled over the ground in haste to dodge the sword. Aran breathed heavily as he felt the jolt in his shoulder again. Although he managed to avoid Taejeokrune’s sword, it was a precarious situation. Cold sweat ran down his chin.
What should I do? Will I die like this?
He was filled with an unprecedented fear.
“Ah, it looks like you injured your shoulder.”
With a smirk raising the corners of his mouth, Taejeokrune raised his leg and slammed his foot down on his injured shoulder with all his might.
While blocking his sword, he couldn’t avoid the violence that came upon his body, which was completely beaten and swept away as it rolled on the white snow. Red blood splashed into the air from his open wound.
“Oh-!”
An unbearable low moan came out involuntarily. Aran held his body using his sword that was stuck in the ground, held his breath, and felt his eyes become dim. All of a sudden, the words that he had promised Shaw, that he would never get hurt or die went past his mind.
He would be very upset to see him like this, and Cain as well. ‘For those people, you shouldn’t just sit here’, those thoughts flow like waves in his dizzying mind.
“He was just a foolish little kid who didn’t understand what was going on.”
With bloodshot eyes, he growled and slowly drove his horse towards Aran. Then he swung his sword and aimed it precisely at Aran’s neck.
“——!”
Aran managed to avoid the last blow by turning around. If it had been a little late, the blade would have cut his throat. Thanks to this, his skin and the cloth covering the nape of his neck were split open and he was bleeding, and the cap on his head broke and fell off.
Red blood dripped down on the white snow. The hat fell, and his hair that had been tucked up beneath it was disturbed, and his long ebony hair poured out like darkness. Aran’s black eyes, seen through his hair as it fluttered in the wind, were still staring at Taejeokrune as if they were going to kill him. If you could kill a person with just a gaze, he would have already killed him several times over. Taejeokrune met that gaze with widened his eyes.
“……No way!”
At that moment Taejeokrune was speechless, as though he were in shock. It was at that time when no one could approach them, that the sound of horses running urgently was heard coming from somewhere. Aran reflexively turned his head at the sound that awakened the suffocatingly still space.
The man who was steering a horse rushing in Aran’s direction out of the blue was wearing a strange-shaped gat⁸ so that it was impossible to recognize his face. However, the man that appeared at an unexpected moment, was like a goblin popping out of the darkness, and ran straight in front of Aran and swung his sword with one hand at Taejeokrune without any hesitation.
Taejeokrune quickly raised his sword to prevent the sudden attack, but he could not overcome the overwhelming force and eventually leaned back and fell off his horse. Taejeokrune rolled down to the ground with a loud noise, belated sounds echoed here and there. ‘‘What are you doing, grab him!’ At the same time the sounds of a sword drawn, along with the ferocious man’s words, were scattered along. But the goblin-like man grabbed Aran’s arm faster than that.
“Ah-!”
He couldn’t utter a word properly. The man pulled Aran, who was just staring wide-eyed at the unexpected event, and put him onto the back of the horse, then rode the horse through the snow that was falling so hard that he couldn’t see in front of him. Aran narrowed his eyes, and he tried to flash back to what just happened.
How the hell did this happen? Who is this man? He is on our side, right? At that moment Aran thought of a lot of questions.
“What are you doing? Catch them!”
The evil sound of Taejeokrune resounded from behind. The Geumgun rushed in all at once, but no one was able to stop him. Every time the man riding the horse wielded his sword, the soldiers fell as though they were paper dolls. He couldn’t even imagine how much power he had.
Each time he swung his sword, a cool sound rang out as if he was cutting the air, and three or four people fell to the ground splattering blood at once. It was as though a grim reaper had passed through, and the soldiers continued to fall along the path he passed.
Aran‘s eyes widened at the unbelievable sight. But the man only held Aran’s waist tightly. In an instant, his warm chest touched Aran’s back. He turned his head, he was startled by the act of holding him in his arms tightly enough that his body was wrapped around him. Then the hem of the dark blue clothes wrapped around in front of him and came into view first.
“… …!”
He remembered these clothes. Clearly, the man made him feel a particularly dangerous sense of déja vu inside. It was the clothes he was wearing. Aran remembered him and was unable to move as his blood ran cold as if trapped in the arms of the man, and as stiff as the man’s arms.
Aran had a foreboding feeling that he shouldn’t know who he was. Still, he thought that he already knew who he was. Someone he knew, but he couldn’t remember. A person who cannot be remembered.
It was suffocating just thinking about it. But the reverse was true, his heart was beating violently. Nevertheless, he didn’t even have the courage to turn around and check his face. He was just swaying on the horse, terrified, and unable to lift a finger.
The wind mixed with snow repeatedly and passed by, but he felt that time seemed to have stopped. He couldn’t feel anything but his body temperature on his back, the tight arms around his waist, and the warm chest. Then suddenly the faint scent of heat brushed past his nose. A familiar scent but one he had missed for a while. He never forgot….. this body scent.
“…… Cain.”
Finally, his trembling lips called out his name. Then a burst of low laughter came from overhead. A light laugh full of pleasant emotions.
He opened his mouth with a deep, low-pitched voice that was pleasant to listen to.
“At last, you got it, kid.”
If you’re reading this anywhere other than Foolishtranslationss.wordpress.com, it was stolen from the translator’s website. Reading this anywhere other than the translator’s website ensures that the translator may never translate any other works. Thank you.
Foolish Translations 
Yeay Cain is here
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I use google translator, what is the password?
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Reunion
just copy paste it 🙂
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Sad that you had to stop updates. But it’s terrible you got your hardwork stolen from you. Still, I’ll be waiting for GOS final chapters. I wish you good luck.
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Thank you 🙂
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Thank you SO MUCH for the update! I was so nervous someone would get seriously injured or die. I’m so happy Cain was there, I wonder how the war is going on his end.
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Your Welcome!
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