STGAAB Novel MTL - Chapter 769
Chapter 769: Clarifying Positions (4)
The male world is built on hierarchy. From the moment you are born, if you don’t grow stronger, you are weeded out from the group, while those at the top of the hierarchy secure the best mates. This is the law of nature, and no matter how much one denies it, human males are not all that different. After all, humans are a part of nature too. It’s only natural that there’s a desire embedded in one’s DNA for a higher position in the hierarchy.
Maybe the reason men like games so much is because that instinct is ingrained in them. Well, maybe not.
“King, huh……”
Even though I understand better than anyone the heavy responsibilities that come with a high position, the word ‘king’ still has a certain allure. Every man, deep down, harbors at least a spoonful of desire to ascend to the top and wield unlimited power.
But……
“What kind of trick is this?”
I decided to address the most pressing issue first. After all, the Marquess was the one who had been going after me so viciously until now. So why has he suddenly shifted his stance and is acting like this? It doesn’t seem like he’s just desperately flailing about in his final moments after giving up on everything.
“A trick? Do you think I have the luxury to play games right now?”
“Who knows? No one can say for sure.”
“Why are you so on guard? It’s something you would have had to do eventually, with or without me.”
“…What?”
I scoffed in disbelief, but the Marquess remained unflinching, speaking with shameless confidence.
“Isn’t that right? Think about it. If the king intended to harm that child, would you just stand by and watch?”
“……It depends on the situation.”
After a brief moment of thought, I gave my answer. The Marquess nodded as if it was more than enough for him.
“That ambiguous answer tells me everything. You would do everything in your power to protect that child.”
I couldn’t deny that entirely.
But……
“You’re mistaken. It’s true that I have some connection to Ragna, but that doesn’t mean I’d sacrifice everything for her.”
I drew a firm line, and surprisingly, the Marquess accepted it calmly.
“I know. To be blunt, your relationship with her isn’t that deep. That’s exactly why I’m proposing this deal.”
“……”
“You’ve realized it too, haven’t you? As long as the king remains alive, you’ll never truly have a day where you can live in peace.”
Listening quietly, I couldn’t help but click my tongue. Hah, this man really has the mind of a snake, doesn’t he?
“Hah… Fine. Tell me. If I wanted to be king, could I really become one?”
“Fortunately, you seem interested?”
“It’s still just curiosity for now. I have a rough idea you want to use Ragna, but I don’t fully understand your plan.”
As I urged him with my eyes to speak quickly, the Marquess took a moment to gather his thoughts before speaking.
“It’s possible.”
“And what’s your reasoning?”
“There are many, but the most important one is… me.”
“You?”
“Yes, me. I’m still alive, aren’t I? Even after openly defying the royal family. That alone is the clearest evidence that the royal family is no longer as absolute as it once was.”
“Hmm… Couldn’t it just be that the royal family is planning some strange scheme?”
“The fact that they need to concoct such a scheme in the first place is proof of their weakening power. In the past, they wouldn’t have needed any underhanded tactics.”
If you think about it, it’s all circumstantial evidence, but for some reason, it sounds plausible. Should I say it’s not complete nonsense, at least? Oh, of course, that’s that, and this is this.
“If that’s your only reasoning, I don’t see a reason to keep listening.”
“Then fortunately, this conversation will go on a bit longer.”
“Never mind, just get to the point. I hate wasting time.”
As the Marquess said earlier, this isn’t cooperation—it’s a deal, and the power dynamic is clear. The one who needs to be persuaded is me, not the Marquess……
“If that child dies, you’ll never become king.”
“Hmm?”
“Even if it seems like hollow loyalty, the nobles of this city would never accept a king without legitimate lineage. Especially if that person is a barbarian.”
“So using Ragna would reduce the nobles’ resistance?”
“That’s right. Even a superficial claim to legitimacy is better than nothing at all. Without it, sitting on the throne would be nothing but trouble. Blood would be spilled daily.”
“I have plenty to say about that, but… I understand what you’re getting at. Go on.”
“…Even in the process of preparing for such a great endeavor, that child’s existence will be of great help.”
“You’re saying I can expand my influence using Ragna.”
“As you know, this isn’t something you can do alone.”
I smirked at those words. I clearly told him to get to the point. So why is he beating around the bush like this?
“Do you seriously think I’d be persuaded by this? I don’t even have a real desire to become king.”
“I know. You probably have no real interest in such a position. But the fact that you’ve listened this far means you understand it as well, don’t you? There are things in life that must be done, whether we like it or not.”
Is this some kind of deathbed enlightenment? Today, the Marquess’ words carried a strange weight, as if he can see right through me. Though, as I’ve said before, a ‘coup for the throne’ isn’t necessarily something I must do. Still… it’s something I should keep in mind. After all, having more options is always better.
“Look, it’s simple. I’m not asking you to protect that child no matter what.”
“……”
“Just promise me one thing. That you’ll do your best within reason.”
It was then that I realized something. The Marquess had referred to this as a ‘deal.’
But……
“…This isn’t a deal, is it?”
A deal means an exchange, a business transaction where both parties give and take. This, however, cannot be called a deal. At best, it’s a tribute offered with a prayer, hoping for the smallest glimmer of hope.
***
“Fine, I’ll promise. I’ll do my best as long as it doesn’t conflict with my priorities.”
“That’s all I ask.”
Upon hearing my promise, the Marquess finally relaxed, exhaling as if a burden had been lifted. And then he presented me with the ‘tributes’ he hadn’t mentioned before. The Marquess spoke at length about the royal family, the things I would need to do if I ever aspired to the throne, and even listed the nobles who might be swayed…
“And now, the authority over Thunder I held has passed to you.”
To my surprise, the Marquess handed over Thunder to me. Yet, it didn’t feel real.
“…Can I really wield Thunder with just this?”
Contrary to my expectations of some monstrous artifact, Thunder had no physical form.
“This isn’t what I was told.”
“I don’t know what you heard, but Thunder refers to the ancient magic circle embedded in this city. Anyone can use it if they have the proper authority and ammunition. What you’ve heard about is probably the extraction device. Because it takes the souls of many people to fire Thunder once.”
“And how many shots do I have?”
“Five shots.”
It didn’t seem like a lot, but it wasn’t too little either. After all, one shot had the power to obliterate an entire palace.
“However, Thunder cannot be used within the labyrinth. As I mentioned earlier, Thunder refers to the ancient magic circle embedded in this city.”
“…I see.”
“Oh, and there’s one more thing.”
The Marquess slowly raised his arm, looking at his hand as if lost in thought.
Then……
Shwaaaa.
As he focused, a black ring materialized on his previously bare ring finger. The Marquess stared at the ring for a while before removing it and handing it to me.
“Take this as well. It’s one of the royal treasures.”
The moment he said that, I recalled a conversation I had with Baekho.
[That bastard will revive in the royal palace even if he dies.]
[Ah, you don’t know about it, huh? Probably because it didn’t exist in the game. Anyway, there’s a royal treasure with that kind of power, and it’s currently in the Marquess’ possession.]
So, this must be it……
“I’ve received something precious.”
“…You even know what this is?”
“I have a rough idea. It’s something that revives you in the royal palace if you die, right? But only within the city.”
“…So you really only know the basics.”
“……Huh?”
“This ring indeed has that power. However, it doesn’t only activate upon death. Whether by force or by will, when this ring is used, it transports the wearer to a specific place within the royal palace. I’ve been there only once before, but… it was clearly a space hiding some grand secret.”
A secret space…… Something about that triggered a thought, so I described the place I had seen beneath the palace. But the Marquess shook his head.
“It wasn’t the kind of space you described. Nonetheless, I have a feeling that someday, you might discover the true nature of that place.”
“Well, maybe. Who knows what might happen.”
“Don’t wear it regularly. Someone might recognize it.”
“I understand.”
I fully agreed, so I didn’t put on the ring and stored it in my subspace. And with that, the deal was complete.
“Now, we’re done. This neck of mine will be crucial for the journey you’ll soon embark on.”
The Marquess closed his eyes, signaling that our business had concluded. There was something about his composed demeanor that stirred an odd feeling within me. I could swing my hammer and end his life right now, but instead, I found myself opening my mouth to speak.
“Why are you handing over so much? Just a few days ago, you were so eager to kill me.”
“Everything has a priority. And right now, I don’t have many choices left.”
Yes, that’s right….. I let out a quiet breath as I murmured.
“I won’t apologize.”
This man had sent me to Ice Rock, where countless people who shouldn’t have died lost their lives. Not only that, but he tried to kill me on multiple occasions, and during his latest attempt, Rotmiller died in the process.
So, that’s why……
“I won’t either.”
It made sense for the Marquess to act this way. To him, Evil Spirits were a more hateful enemy than anyone else.
“…Have you ever seen the mother of your child scream, asking why she had to bear a child? Have you ever had to restrain her because she kept punching her swollen belly? Have you ever watched your son suddenly turn into something pretending to be him?”
…I hadn’t. And because of that, I couldn’t respond. Reading his diary wouldn’t be enough to fully grasp the Marquess’ state of mind.
“You, an Evil Spirit, can never blame me.”
There was a bitterness in his voice, almost laced with anger, and I let out a wry laugh.
“I have no intention of blaming you.”
It was just that our positions were different.
***
Crunch-!
A chilling sound echoed briefly, and the Marquess’ breathing stopped as he collapsed on the bed. I looked down at the blood-soaked sheets, clenching and unclenching my hand holding the hammer.
“……”
I had once thought that this moment would feel exhilarating when it finally came. But this anticipated moment was not only unsatisfying but also left me feeling uneasy.
But……
Slap-!
I slapped my cheeks with both hands, banishing the unnecessary thoughts. Instead of wasting time with such unproductive thoughts, I might as well focus on what needs to be done.
‘…He’s light.’
I picked up the Marquess’ body from the bed and stored him in my subspace. After all, I needed evidence to present to the king.
‘So, I guess that clears the mission……’
With the evidence secured, I headed for the door. As soon as I opened it, the bespectacled man pacing the corridor rushed toward me.
And……
“How did it go? Did the negotiation go well—.”
He froze upon glimpsing the bloodstained bed through the cracked door.
“Wha-what is this? D-did you kill the Marquess?”
The bespectacled man was pale, his voice trembling with panic. I patted him on the shoulder and replied.
“Don’t worry. I’ve received Thunder.”
“Hah… That’s a relief… Wait, received it?”
Momentarily reassured by my words, his expression quickly turned to confusion as he stared at me with dumbfounded eyes. For a barbarian like me, dealing with such a response was incredibly frustrating. How could he not grasp something so simple?
“I mean, Thunder is now mine. Is that so hard to understand?”
I explained again, more patiently this time, but his reaction remained annoyingly slow and suspicious.
“……Hand it over, now.”
The bespectacled man’s eyes were filled with wariness, and his voice grew firm as he demanded Thunder. I simply couldn’t understand his thinking.
“Hand it over? Why would I give you what’s mine?”
Thunder was mine now.
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