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Chapter: 30

I considered waiting until the Oro Lord's funeral was over before leaving, but I decided against it. The first reason was that Heo Seokgyeom was subtly pressuring Jo Jegeon with his gaze, and the second reason was that Jo Jegeon, unable to withstand Heo Seokgyeom's coercion, was pushing me and my entourage to leave.

"If that's the case, let's not trouble busy people and depart."

Jo Jegeon's expression wasn't bright. It was probably because it wasn't clear who the next Oro Fortress Lord would be. The position was appointed, after all.

Future matters depend on actions. If Jo Jegeon decided to follow me, even passively, I would reward him accordingly. I believed he wasn't a fool and would understand my intentions. I left Oro Fortress with a few brief words, saying that there wouldn't be much to worry about.

* * *

Sitting alone in the guest room, waiting for a visitor, So Ik-Gyeom thought. The room seemed too spacious.

I should tidy this room and designate another room for receiving guests. As soon as he made up his mind, the door opened.

"You've been summoning me frequently lately."

The awaited voice came along with a strong scent of incense. He could tell who it was without even looking up to confirm their face. It was Shin Gwiryung.

At Leader Shin's words, General So frowned.

"I'm not complaining. I can't not come when General So calls me."

On the contrary, Shin Gwiryung smiled brightly.

"After all it's a summons from none other than General So, whom I respect so much."

"Nonsense."

So Ik-Gyeom clicked his tongue in displeasure.

"Do you think something will fall out of the sky just by saying a few empty words of flattery?"

Shin Gwiryung responded cheerfully, "Who knows? It's possible. We can't be sure about anything."

A servant from the So family approached and poured tea into the cups. Shin Gwiryung paused for a moment, then leisurely brought the teacup to his lips and added, "Thanks to that, I've come to a clear realization this time."

Shin Gwiryung's gaze, which had been fixed on So Ik-Gyeom's furrowed brow, slid downwards. Finally, his gaze landed on a single letter placed on the table.

It was a letter sent by the First Prince Ikwon Yegyeong.

He was probably on his way to Lord Wolhan in the north by now.

"Even things that I thought would never change can change one day."

Shin Gwiryung rejoiced. But So Ik-gyeom was still frowning.

The general's gaze also turned towards the letter on the table. The corners of the paper were already worn from being read repeatedly.

The King's firstborn son. The only blood relative left after his deceased daughter.

But a reckless fool. An unparalleled scoundrel.

A foolish child, trapped in the past, unaware of his own actions. A man who'd grown tall, but whose heart remained stunted. A burden that tarnished even the honor of decades of achievements.

And yet, the wound that cut the deepest.

So Ik-Gyeom knew. His only blood relative didn't have the qualities to be a wise ruler. Even though the wounds he had suffered were deep, they weren't a reason to be so broken. He was too vicious, too cruel, and too foolish.

And too fragile.

If only he could have prevented the death of the deposed Queen, if only he could have stopped her from being stripped of her title, would his grandson have grown up differently?

He still tried to guide him. He believed that even if scars couldn't be erased, they could be cared for. But his grandson rejected him, cast him out, and even attacked him.

He remembered the young Yegyeong, who had pointed a sword at his grandfather, then turned it on himself when his threats didn't work.

That's when he realized.

He couldn't do anything for his grandson, and he shouldn't. The only thing he was allowed to do was provide minimal convenience.

"It's Wolhan Fortress of all places. I can't sleep worrying about what kind of hardship His Highness will face. How does the General feel?"

The letter from his grandson sent informed him of his sudden departure to the north.

Shin Gwiryung tilted his head exaggeratedly. He looked like a street performer.

"I wonder why he went to Wolhan Fortress. I'm truly curious."

So Ik-Gyeom glared at Shin Gwiryung.

"Don't ask questions you already know the answer to."

"Oh, come on, old General. Don't jump to conclusions. How would I know about the incident in Wolhan Fortress, at the edge of the distant northern region?"

Shin Gwiryung's dark eyes curved like crescent moons.

With a sneer, he said, "How could I possibly know?"

He used the word "incident" himself and then pretended not to know. It was a blatant lie.

The Pyeonggwang Merchant Group, led by Shin Gwiryung, already had branches all over Mokryeo Kingdom. Moreover, they already had dozens of branches overseas. If there was something he didn't know, even the Huawei Emperor would have a hard time finding out.

So Ik-Gyeom slammed his fist on the table. Bang. The table shook as if it would break.

"Do you think I called you here for jokes?"

"Well, I'll have to hear what you have to say first, General. Whether it's appropriate to just joke around and leave, or..."

The smile disappeared from Shin Gwiryung's face.

"You already know, don't you?"

Shin Gwiryung tapped his finger on his head.

"What I'm envisioning in this head of mine."

So Ik-Gyeom groaned and adjusted his posture. Facing Shin Gwiryung was always uncomfortable. At least last time, Yegyeong was present, so he could avoid being his target.

"It's a difficult matter."

Shin Gwiryung scoffed.

"Of course, of course. You always say that. Always difficult. Yes."

So Ik-Gyeom felt his stomach churn. He knew he shouldn't get caught up in Shin Gwiryung's words, but he couldn't suppress his frustration. In truth, he wasn't very good at controlling his anger.

"Are you at ease in front of the Grand General?"

Finally, So Ik-gyeom resorted to a threat.

"Shut your mouth."

"So you do know how to speak like that. I see. Why didn't you try that a bit earlier?"

Shin Gwiryung retorted, undeterred.

"Growling at me after you've lost everything is pointless. Do you have any choices left? Do you truly believe you still have options? Honestly?"

Shin Gwiryung fell silent for a moment, staring at So Ik-gyeom. So Ik-gyeom wanted to avoid his gaze, but the room was too small to escape.

"You're still far from understanding."

He slowly shook his head.

"The General still has something to lose."

"...I."

His large fist clenched under the table.

"I."

What am I? Who am I?

"I... am the General."

The answer he gave himself felt uncomfortable.

Shin Gwiryung looked at him with disapproval.

"And?"

"...Enough. Does it matter what I am?"

So Ik-gyeom grabbed the cold teacup in front of him and raised it to his lips. But he couldn't swallow anything and put the cup back down. If he swallowed anything now, he felt like he would throw up. His stomach churned in turmoil.

"Don't blame me."

Once upon a time, he used to be the father of a young girl. Now, he had only one man left as his blood relative.

But he had been a warrior for even longer.

A military official who fought for his country and his lord.

A man who didn't fight for his family.

"It's not my fault."

"Then whose fault is it?"

"He made his choice. You know that. You know, don't you?"

So Ik-Gyeom thought of his daughter, whose memory was now fading. He couldn't picture her face clearly. He thought her forehead was round. Were her lips small or plump...? Or was it something else? How was she?

He had lost his own flesh and blood, yet here he was, living in luxury, the memory of her fading so fast. The shame washed over him.

Shin Gwiryung glared at So Ik-Gyeom with resentment.

"I understand. Keep running away like that."

"There's nothing I can do."

"Is that so?"

Shin Gwiryung abruptly grabbed Yegyeong's letter.

"But it seems His Highness thinks differently."

He waved the letter in front of the old general's face.

"Why do you think His Highness suddenly went to Wolhan Fortress? Why would that lazy person go all the way there, willingly enduring hardship?"

The letter fluttered. So Ik-Gyeom leaned back.

"Why do you think His Majesty ordered His Highness to go to Wolhan Fortress?"

"It could be a whim."

"You want me to believe that? Do you think I'm a fool?"

So Ik-Gyeom closed his mouth.

"You are the fool, General. To tell me to believe such a thing, it seems you're finally losing it. Aging is inevitable, I suppose."

"Be quiet."

Shin Gwiryung smiled again. But his eyes weren't smiling. So Ik-Gyeom realized he wasn't in the mood to laugh.

"His Highness has made his decision. We must provide the foundation. Are you just going to stay still while your only remaining flesh and blood, the General's grandson, tries to spread his wings?"

So Ik-Gyeom hesitated to answer.

"It's a pointless endeavor in his twilight years. Just let His Highness live in peace..."

"You said he has changed."

So Ik-Gyeom was shaken by those words. He had definitely said that.

- "It seems His Highness has changed lately."

He had asked for teachings from the one he had rejected, and declared that he would reduce his intake of bellflower, which he had always complained was insufficient. The atmosphere in his chambers had also changed. His grandson had definitely changed.

But it was a casual remark. He didn't know that he would remember it and use it as a weapon. If he had known, he would have been more careful with his words. A meticulous person. So Ik-Gyeom gritted his teeth.

"You were sincere, weren't you?"

"...I was sincere."

"Then what's there to hesitate about?"

So Ik-Gyeom's expression darkened further. The wrinkles on his forehead smoothed out, but a shadow fell over his face instead.

"I'm not sure."

"Do you think His Highness won't be able to ascend to the throne?"

"...That too, but."

His tense shoulders slumped.

"...I'm not sure if His Highness wants my help."

"But General So."

While So Ik-Gyeom hesitated, Shin Gwiryung had already unfolded Yegyeong's letter and was reading its contents. He muttered that he should take on the task Yegyeong had requested. The prince probably wanted him to do it anyway.

"You only realize you had an opportunity after you've lost it. And by then, it's too late."

Shin Gwiryung spoke in a calmer tone.

Even so, So Ik-Gyeom was still unsure. But it was true that his grandson had changed.

Then maybe he could change too.

* * *

Meanwhile, I had become quite close with Yoo Geung. Of course, Eunuch Han was the one who approached me most casually among the entourage, but he was exhausted from the journey and struggling to even ride the pony. So, unlike usual, Eunuch Han was quiet.

While we stopped for lunch, I joked with Yoo Geung.

"You're thinking you got dragged into this unexpected trip because you were unlucky enough to catch my eye, aren't you?"

Yoo Geung, who was drinking water, suddenly choked and coughed, bowing his head.

"No, not at all."

I slumped my shoulders and sighed.

"You are."

"No, I'm not. Please retract your words."

"Of course you are. You choked, so I must be right."

After a few more pointless jokes, I stood up.

"Let's go."

We continued on for a while, and just when I was getting tired of riding, the gates of Naam Fortress came into view.