abcnovels
Chapter 310: The Ark (3)
Chapter 310: The Ark (3)
Chapter 310 The Ark (3)
Survival had always been a choice. Will you survive? Or will you disappear like this?
“Where do we leave to after abandoning this great land, where the Empire’s breath and the souls of so many heroes live?”
“This too is only adversity that the Empire can overcome, Your Highness! Please, I beg your kindness!”
A cold and solemn air spread thickly over the great hall, where numerous ministers bent their backs and waited for a decision.
“…”
The young man with a crown on his head slowly stood from the throne. His face was etched with lines of deep fatigue.
“Brother!”
His only blood relative approached the staggering man, but he stretched out his hand and stopped her.
“Stop. I will go on my own two feet.”
It’s so dangerous out there; where are you going? No one dared to ask the Emperor.
Tap-tap.
While everyone was watching, the man came to a halt at the window terrace overlooking the world from the highest point of the Empire. He could feel the faces and voices of his people from this lonely throne.
The wind smelled like iron today.
“S-save me…!”
“Aaaaargh!”
The end had begun. Even this Imperial Castle, where the protection of the Archmage stood, and countless military officers and soldiers were at the ready. So how about a place where his eyes couldn’t reach?
“It’s not about bending. It’s not just about trying to survive.”
The Emperor said with his eyes fixed through the window. In a quiet voice that no one could hear.
“…What will I protect?”
The Emperor took off the crown and hefted it in his hand. Was this crown, which always seemed to weigh on him, originally this light?
“We are powerless. What can we alone do now that countless countries that have shared a common history with us have left for a new land?”
He had to choose. No matter how hard it might be, it was the duty that the wearer of this crown must do alone.
“That’s not true. Sir Aren is also slaughtering the ruthless invaders on the battlefield, so good news will soon…”
The Emperor ignored the voices of his several officials and slowly turned his gaze away from the window. He stared down at the man behind him.
“Lord Predator, I will accept your offer. Please accept our Katlan Empire into your world.”
Yoon-seok nodded. Then he glanced at Peter Remus, who was frozen over.
“Then the conversation is over. Let’s get started.”
It was time to show that their choice wasn’t wrong.
* * *
Flash-!
Another flash. At the end of this, the most prosperous empire in the history of Seheranbad was erased from the map. Peter looked down at the empty ground and said.
“The Empire will certainly be of great help. No matter how much it declines, the power of the Millennium Empire cannot be ignored.”
Yoon-seok nodded. Although it was based on a few months ago, there were dozens of strong rankers among them.
‘Is his name Aren?’
The artificial creature of the Katlan Empire suddenly appeared and caused trouble when the Crown Prince was killed. At that time, Yoon-seok showed a strong enough force to avoid an all-out war.
‘From what they said earlier, it seemed that he’s still alive.’
He didn’t know the details, but he served the Imperial family unconditionally. There were some restrictions, but…
‘I don’t need to worry about that.’
The Katlan Empire was taken over meant that guy came with them.
‘I don’t think we have to worry anymore if we get the King of Steel here.’
No matter the current situation, if there were enough strong people gathered in one dimension, they would be able to get through it. If the safety of the Earth was guaranteed, the remaining time for the showdown could be usefully utilized.
“…If you are going in this direction, is it possible that the next one is the Sword Empire Bernille?”
“Yes.”
Was it because he saw Yoon-seok easily embracing various countries earlier? Peter didn’t ask if it was possible anymore.
“…Can we convince the King of Steel?”
“He’s a friend that I can communicate with.”
“…”
Peter looked like he didn’t agree, but Yoon-seok was serious. The King of Steel was quite easy to talk with. Of course, there was the prerequisite of being stronger than him.
‘Still, I’m a little nervous because I don’t know what kind of decision he’ll make as king.’
The King of Steel was a free soul. However, he still sat on the throne and fulfilled his duties as a king. It seemed like he was doing everything he was asked for, even though he always complained that the Ministry of Finance, or whoever it was, was so annoying. Perhaps, apart from being a colleague, he might draw a line over this matter.
Bernille had prevented this situation better than any other country thus far.
‘Well, I’ll see what’s going to happen.’
It didn’t take long to arrive in Bernille from Katlan as they shared a border. The King of Steel and his loyal men were fighting endlessly against the invaders in front of the palace.
“…”
Yoon-seok smirked. The invaders weren’t getting close to the King of Steel. They were stepping back. Was that proof that even the Invaders possessed intelligence? Or had their instincts developed that much?
“King of Steel! The enemies are running away!”
“That’s why it’s so much more fun!”
“Yes! Indeed it is!”
Was it an illusion that Yoon-seok felt he heard a similar conversation a few hours ago?
“…This force.”
Unlike earlier, perhaps thanks to the circumstances, the King of Steel noticed Yoon-seok’s presence as soon as he entered his territory,
“Long time no see! What are you doing here? Did you come to fight with me again?”
“…That can’t be true.”
“Hahahaha! That’s too bad!”
If they were to fight, Yoon-seok would win a hundred out of a hundred times, so what was so disappointing? Did he feel joy losing?
Yoon-seok laughed.
“How have you been?”
“As you can see!”
“…Yes. You still look healthy.”
“So if you’re not here to fight, what brings you?”
How should he explain this? Yoon-seok, agonizing for a while, carefully opened his mouth. This raid took place on all dimensions, and several countries in Seheranbad had already moved to Earth to live together. Now he wanted Bernille to join them.
“…”
The King of Steel didn’t answer. His loyal officials were the same. They stopped beheading the invaders and rolled their eyes at their king.
Were their gazes burdensome? The King of Steel coughed a few times and reluctantly spoke.
“Discuss it with the Minister of Finance.”
Why did the King of Steel remind him of a well-trained parrot? Soon, Yoon-seok realized the King of Steel didn’t fully understand his brief and concise explanation that contained only the essentials.
‘Are all the internal affairs handled by that person called the Minister of Finance…?’
Yoon-seok asked the King of Steel where the Minister of Finance was. Then he headed off.
“The Minister of Finance will be in the office!”
Just below the great hall, where the King of Steel’s throne was located.
‘At this point, isn’t this the real great hall?’
The office was spacious enough to make Yoon-seok think so. There was even a chair made to look like a throne, and several guards, as well as servants, lined up. It was in complete contrast to upstairs.
‘Somehow, like last time, the great hall was empty…’
The upstairs was like a playground exclusively for the King of Steel, and the actual government offices were down here.
“You must be Lord Predator.”
As Yoon-seok opened the door and entered, the old man sitting on the throne stood. He had a gentle smile on his lips.
“Please call me Felton. I’m not good enough, but I’m in charge of the finances of our country.”
“I am Choi Yoon-seok.”
For some reason, this first impression reminded him of Ashton. And maybe it wasn’t just Yoon-seok, as Peter, who tagged along, commented.
“It’s like seeing the relationship between you and the Director.”
“…”
Yoon-seok didn’t respond. It wasn’t that he didn’t have a proper excuse, but Felton was already responding.
That’s the only reason why.
“So what brings you here? The day the King of Steel promised is still far away, right?”
“Oh, you know about that?”
“Hohoho. None of the things that happen in this country is out of reach of the eyes of this old man. You knocked him out, right?”
It was a bit strange to nod, so Yoon-seok laughed awkwardly. However, contrary to the expectation that he might be upset, Felton smiled pleasantly and nodded.
“Raise your head! You did a great job! You don’t know how grateful I am for how well-behaved the King has become thanks to you.”
“…?”
It was difficult to agree that he’d become well-behaved given what was happening above. But Felton was the person who knew the King of Steel for the longest.
Well, it wasn’t that important.
“Anyway, the reason I came is simple.”
Yoon-seok repeated the story he had told the King of Steel.
“I understand why you’re here.”
At first impression, the Minister of Finance was the type of person who understood without needing a lengthy explanation. However, Yoon-seok also didn’t expect the situation that followed.
“It seems this place isn’t the first you’ve visited. Can you tell me how many places have decided to go there?”
The Minister of Finance, who had quickly grasped the situation, asked only one question, and Yoon-seok answered with the truth. And that was the end of it.
“That’s great. We, the Sword Kingdom of Bernille, will also join the line.”
The decision was made without any negotiations or anything like that. It was a welcome thing for Yoon-seok, who liked to keep things simple but to be honest, he was a little puzzled.
“Don’t you need to get permission from the King of Steel?”
“Originally, post-mortem reporting is the credo of Bernille.”
Well, then there was nothing Yoon-seok could say. However…
“It seems like you still have a lot of questions. I mean about how you will receive support and how you will be treated in the future.”
“If that strict young girl from Levant Neutral has decided to, there must have been a good reason. And above all else, isn’t it something that should be discussed with this Director?”
“…Do you know Ashton?”
“No way. Judging by the Director’s name, he doesn’t seem like a bad person. I think we can communicate well. In many ways.”
Did he notice Yoon-seok’s position on the Earth after Peter mumbled to himself? That meant he wanted to have a conversation with the person in charge. Yoon-seok felt he was being treated the same as the King of Steel…
‘…It’s one less troublesome task, so it’s good, right?’
Yoon-seok decided to think positively.
[The unique ability Last Ark has been used.]
They normally played defense together until the transfer was over, however…
‘I don’t think it has to happen here.’
If they helped for no reason, the King of Steel might complain. So, Yoon-seok returned to Earth with Peter after exchanging a few more words with the Minister of Finance. And with the help of the teleporter sent by Ashton, they headed straight to him.
They appeared in a room with various screens that looked like a control room.
“Did your work go well?”
“Yes, it went better than expected. How about here?”
“I think it would be faster to listen to my explanation after reading this.”
Ashton knew him too well. Yoon-seok turned over the documents Ashton had prepared in advance and listened to his explanation.
“The three locations that have been confirmed so far are Levant Neutral, Saintrion, and the Bloodseeker’s Sect.”
Levant was located in the heart of the Pacific Ocean. Saintrion was near the Atlantic Ocean by France, and the Bloodseeker’s Sect had been established in the southern part of the West Sea by the Korean Peninsula.
“There hasn’t been enough time, so we haven’t checked the details yet, but… there are so many talented people over there.”
“Is that so?”
“If our predictions are correct, the Earth’s force will more than double.”
That number didn’t even include the Katlan Empire or Bernille, as well as the other dimensions that Yoon-seok planned to visit in the future.
Strong people like the King of Steel, Lavan, Cheon-ma, and Sharon. What would happen if every one of them came to Earth?
—Discovery of a new type of large Invader in southern Salisbury. Request for support.
—The destruction of Moscow. There are no survivors.
—There is a case in Hong Kong where an underground-type Invader raided the ark. It was successfully defeated, but civilian damages occurred…
Yoon-seok, who was looking over the screen at the situations of each city, slowly closed his eyes. Until now, they had no choice but to be beaten up, but…
Now, soon, it would be time to pay it all back.