Was it because of the destructive power contained in the Illusion Witch's words?
For many reasons, the Martial Princess was shocked, and the Commander, whose eyes had rolled halfway back, charged at me only to be subdued by me once again.
Although a situation similar to before the memory loss unfolded, I had already discerned the Commander's martial arts.
I was able to forcibly calm him down and send him back with greater ease.
"Eeek. W-well, it was the White Moon Sword Lord who told me to say that, but is this really alright…?"
"No, no one told you to go that far."
"So you just mercilessly discard a woman who has outlived her usefulness?! What unorthodox sect behavior is this…"
"Have you forgotten? That I am the greatest of the Unorthodox Sects?"
"…!"
"…Don't look at me like you're actually shocked. It was half a joke."
"So, that means the other half was true."
"Well, it's true that I didn't expect to say such a thing in front of the Imperial bloodline. But well, I don't think this matter will be much of a problem."
"Huh?"
The Illusion Witch blinked her eyes as if to say, "How could you possibly call the Emperor such a vulgar name in front of the Imperial Princess and the Commander, and get away with it?"
It was a curious thing. Even if they were of similar age, when Seomun Hwa-rin did something like that, it was just cute. But with the Illusion Witch, for some reason, he wanted to tease her while pretending to be serious.
Rejuvenation is that important.
With such idle thoughts in my head, I shrugged my shoulders.
"Based on what we just heard, the Imperial Court is well aware of the Heavenly Demon's danger. And I'll also look into a few more things on my own, but if there are no major issues, I'll take the hand the Imperial Court has extended."
It was only natural. The whole reason I'd wanted to form the Orthodox-Unorthodox Alliance in the first place was because taking on the Heavenly Demon alone was impossible—I needed to join forces with as many Harmony Realm Martial Artists as I could.
If I could borrow the Imperial Court's experts as well, it would clearly be a huge help. There was no reason to refuse.
There were a few things that gave me pause, but those were the sort of things that came attached to any undertaking.
"What matters here is that the Imperial Court knows they can't deal with the Demonic Cult on their own strength."
"Why is that…?"
"Every Harmony Realm Martial Artist is a precious resource, so executing one just because of a loss of face would be a foolish move."
The Illusion Witch's role was quite important. Wasn't she the talent needed to counter the Demonic Cult's sorcery, which was more advanced than that of any other group in the Central Plains?
Of course, if one borrowed the strength of not just the martial world but the Imperial Court as well, responding wouldn't be entirely impossible…
But the difference between having the Illusion Witch and not having her would be enormous.
Before the regression, she had died a pitiful death because of her self-preservation instincts, but her skill and knowledge themselves were so outstanding that even the people of the Jegal Clan would look down on others in comparison.
"So the Imperial Court won't try to kill you, since you're essential for dealing with the Demonic Cult."
"Hehe… I suppose a person really does need to have ability…"
"Of course, after dealing with the Demonic Cult, they might try to execute you by tacking on some excuse or another."
"Yes."
It didn't take long for the Illusion Witch's smug expression to harden into a stiff mask.
She remained frozen like that for a long while, but soon seemed to collect herself, and crept closer with a fawning smile.
"B-But still, the White Moon Sword Lord will take care of it somehow, right…?"
"Hmm."
"R-Responsibility! You said you'd take responsibility!"
"I hate to be the one to say this… but you're not stupid, Illusion Witch—you're just too easily deceived. Out of all the men who say such things, how many do you think actually mean to take responsibility?"
"Gahk!"
The Illusion Witch stared at me, her expression filled with betrayal as she drew in a deep breath.
Just how long had she been trusting me to that extent? Anyone watching would have thought she'd been stabbed in the back by someone she'd known for thirty years.
I suppose I should stop teasing her.
"Well. Fortunately for you, I happen to belong to that rare few who…"
"Ah, no!"
Before I could even finish my sentence, the Illusion Witch threw herself flat on the floor with a thud.
I recoiled in shock, stepping back as she scurried toward me on all fours.
A Harmony Realm martial artist crawling on all fours in earnest… it was like watching some kind of centipede or cockroach.
But she has two legs. Even if she pulls one back, the other remains.
The Illusion Witch, having changed her target in an instant, wrapped her arms around my leg.
Then, as if vowing never to let go, she locked every joint in her arms tight and even clasped her fingers together.
A flowing, water-like movement, a firm hold, and a resolute aura. This was worthy of being called a kind of Golden Capture Technique.
For a moment, I nearly drew my sword without thinking, but I held back and forced the calmest voice I could manage.
"…What is this?"
"I've already resolved to give my life, my secret arts, and my chastity—heup!"
"The last one's unnecessary. And it sounds like you bit your tongue—are you alright?"
"How could the White Moon Sword Lord do this to meee! …I didn't bite hard, so I'm fine."
"As I said before, that was half a joke, and I——"
"Aah! I don't care, I don't! You take responsibility!"
"Hah…"
"Take responsibility! Take responsibility! I said take responsibility, didn't I!"
"I've been saying I would this whole time. Listen to what people tell you."
"…What?"
The Illusion Witch, who had been soaking the floor with tears and snot, lifted her head. Her face was a mess.
"R-really?"
"Yes. After everything is over. If the Imperial Court tries to make a fuss and push for your execution, Illusion Witch, I'll mediate well enough that it ends with just a fine…"
"Are you truly saying you'll build me a grand manor on prime land, give me meals fit for an emperor three times a day, servants so plentiful I won't need to lift a finger, unlimited financial and technical support for my research, and even a young, handsome husband?!"
"…Isn't that asking for a bit much?"
At most, he'd been thinking of something that would ensure she could live without worry—a bit of honor and a peaceful rest of her life.
Perhaps she realized something from the look of disgust on my face.
The Illusion Witch wiped her tears and snot by rubbing her face against the least-dirty part of her trousers.
Then, with an expression she thought looked as earnest as possible (in reality, it was a mix of servility and gloom), she curled up the corners of her lips.
"Um, is there really no way…? I really, truly can do my best for you… The only person I can lean on is the White Moon Sword Lord, who pulled me out of that den of demons…"
"Hah."
I let out a deep sigh and tapped the crown of the Illusion Witch's head, who was clinging to my leg.
At that, her grip naturally loosened, sliding away. I gave her a faint smile now that she had finally backed off a bit.
"How can I speak with certainty about the future? But I'll do my best."
"Th-then…?"
"Yes. I have no certainty, but I do have responsibility, so I'll give it my all in my own way."
"…!"
As if struck by lightning, the Illusion Witch flinched violently and froze in place.
After standing still for a moment, she composed her face, which had quickly become a mess, then rose from her seat with a sinister smile.
"Heh heh. F-fine. Since you've put it that way, I'll trust you."
"???"
What was this? Who was the one crying and throwing a tantrum just moments ago…?
Leaving me dumbfounded, the Illusion Witch bowed her head.
"Then, since I've received the White Moon Sword Lord's promise, my business is done, and it's getting late, I'll be on my way. You two have a good time~."
Saying this to me and Tang So-wol, she hurried away as if afraid someone might stop her.
I stared blankly at her retreating figure for a moment. Tang So-wol carefully linked her arm through mine and asked.
"Young hero Cheon, could it be that…"
"I only said I would try. But living life has taught me that there are things effort alone can never overcome. Besides, aren't there plenty of young and handsome martial artists besides me?"
I shrugged as I said that. It was what I considered a model answer, the result of much deliberation.
Surely this would satisfy not only the Illusion Witch, but Tang So-wol as well…
"Young hero Cheon, could it be that you're trash?"
"…?"
Hiss.
This isn't right.
***
After being scolded by Tang So-wol for playing with people's hearts too carelessly.
Since then, without any particular incident, my days passed peacefully, filled entirely with training, meals, and Tang So-wol.
Ah, of course, there were slight variations—sometimes Seol Ri-hyang or Seomun Hwa-rin came in Tang So-wol's place to keep an eye on me (?) and chat, and occasionally the Illusion Witch would visit, only to sulk and turn back upon seeing someone else there.
There were small variations, but the basic framework never changed, so wouldn't this count as a well-balanced life in its own way?
I was mulling over such trivial thoughts in my head, heading to the training ground with my sword strapped on for today's training as always.
It was then that a somewhat unusual guest came to visit today.
"White Moon Sword Lord. Are you there?"
"Hmm? You've come to visit during the day today."
"Since you wouldn't come to me, I had no choice but to make the journey myself."
It was the Martial Princess, wearing a strangely sulky expression.
Behind her, the commander glared at me as if she wanted to kill me, which I could understand, but I never expected Namgung Dowi to be there too, his eyes squeezed shut as if he had given up on everything.
"Sword King, you're here as well. What is all this about?"
"I'm not sure myself. The Martial Princess has been venting her anger at you since some time ago… Surely you haven't done something to provoke her?"
Namgung Dowi looked at me with suspicious eyes, but as always, I had nothing to be ashamed of.
"We did have a secret meeting, but it wasn't the kind of meeting you're thinking of, Sword King."
"What?"
"She only came to deliver the Imperial Court's will, and I was merely there to give my answer. That's all it was."
"An ordinary imperial decree, then."
Namgung Dowi nodded. It seemed the Imperial Court handled matters this way quite often.
Well, that made sense. When the emperor commanded it, this was the proper way to go about things.
After all, the one who ruled this vast land ought to wield that much authority.
At the sight of me nodding, the Martial Princess spoke in a bewildered tone.
"You knew that, and yet you dragged your feet this long?!"
"Dragged my feet? What do you mean by that?"
"Did you not say you would give an answer? So I waited, but no matter how long I stared at that door, there wasn't even a trace of you…"
The Martial Princess glared at me as if she genuinely disapproved.
I understood what she was getting at. She was referring to my earlier words—that I would come to her once I decided to side with the Imperial Court.
That said, I had my own grievances to air.
"The talks with the Murim Alliance aren't finished yet, are they? I was deliberately waiting until they concluded."
"Did I not tell you that your affairs matter more to the Imperial Court? Unless… you're thinking of refusing?"
"Absolutely not. The conditions I mentioned before have already been settled. I was merely waiting for Your Highness to bring this matter to a close."
"…Is that so?"
The Martial Princess's tone finally softened. She made a show of maintaining her dignity as she continued.
"Then will you give me your answer now? Right here, where I can hear it."
"After I defeat the Heavenly Demon. If you guarantee the safety of me and those around me, I will gladly take the hand you offer."
"You speak as if the Imperial Court would betray you the moment you showed weakness."
"Win or lose, I'm not talking about the moment right after my battle with the Heavenly Demon. I'm talking about what comes after."
It wasn't just because of the Illusion Witch. In a world where the Heavenly Demon was gone, wasn't I the most threatening existence of all — the one who had brought down even the Heavenly Demon himself?
No matter how favorably the Imperial Court regarded me, they would never simply leave someone with that much power unchecked.
"So you intended to give them faith through a blood relation?"
"Unfortunately, I must decline that offer once more."
The Emperor had tried to ease the lingering unease between both sides by marrying me to the Martial Princess, but doing so would create all sorts of problems.
Specifically, it would mean Tang So-wol and the other women being pushed aside as concubines.
No matter how powerful the Sichuan Tang Clan was, or how firm my own opinions and those of others might be, one could not push aside a daughter of the Imperial bloodline into the position of a concubine.
In the end, it meant I would become not the Tang Clan's son-in-law, but the Imperial Court's son-in-law.
This was a matter I had already discussed thoroughly with those around me, and the conclusion was firmly set.
"It is not because the Martial Princess lacks anything, but rather because I cannot accept this arrangement. I humbly ask for your understanding."
"…Hoo. Very well, I understand. I will speak to His Majesty the Emperor about this matter separately. It would be a lie to say my pride is not wounded, but for the greater cause, one must know how to bend. Surely there will be a suitable alternative."
"I am grateful for your magnanimity."
At my words, the Martial Princess wore a complicated expression, glanced at me for no particular reason, then nodded to herself — playing both the drum and the gong all on her own, as it were. But this did not last long.
"Ah, and there is one more important matter to discuss."
"Please, speak. I am all ears."
"The Slaughter King whom you drove off some time ago — that shameless wretch who harassed the Imperial bloodline while neither dead nor alive — has shown himself again. And what's more, they say he is near this very area."
"…What?"
Why would that be the real me?