Chapter 260

〈Chapter 260〉 Part 1, Chapter 12, Section 6

Seung-Hyung Lee was genuinely tasting the flavor of death.

“Hmm… so that’s how the awakening went… I see. You awakened to S-Rank to close the Dimensional Gate in Gwanak and defeated the Demon Flame Dragon with a single strike. Indeed, you are worthy of being called Korea’s Holy One.”

Rasputin gazed at Seung-Hyung with a soft expression, offering praise.

“And Master Hwakwon has empirically demonstrated the curse of the Demon Flame Dragon, correct?”

“Yes… I suffered nosebleeds when near the area where the Demon Flame Dragon perished, but I’ve overcome it now.”

Though the voice seemed welcoming regarding his expertise, every action of Rasputin made Seung-Hyung shiver with unease.

“That’s good news. Korea truly is a blessed nation. Not only an S-Rank awakening but also an SS-Rank individual. Heh heh, this certainly makes me increasingly interested.”

“Indeed.”

When Rasputin slightly bowed forward, it looked as if he would leap up any moment and grab Seung-Hyung’s face to kiss him forcefully. His legs, hidden under the robe, were spread wide as though boasting about some enormous elephant.

“Hmph… Moreover, didn’t we hear about an EX-Rank ability user? Wasn’t her name Cheongnyeon? By the way, Master Hwakwon, I’ve heard rumors of a scandal between you and the Beast Tamer. May I inquire personally—what is your relationship with the Beast Tamer?”

“It’s merely something fabricated by the public. Neither of us has any interest in each other.”

Seung-Hyung cut straight to the point. That firmness was strikingly similar to how Phoenix (Cheongnyeon) spoke to him.

“My my. What a pity. If an S-Rank and an EX-Rank ability user were to combine forces, they’d undoubtedly create an unparalleled powerhouse… Hmm… Excuse me.”

Rasputin closed his legs together, drew a cross, and prayed devoutly. Despite finding even this act repulsive, Seung-Hyung noticed another side of Rasputin emerge as their conversation continued.

‘Could this… be just my mistaken impression?’

Judging someone as gay the moment you meet them is a huge blunder as a man. While Seung-Hyung considered himself heterosexual, he wasn’t particularly opposed to homosexuality either.

‘Just not with me, that’s all.’

The thought of loving another man was something he wouldn’t entertain for the rest of his life, especially when it came to physical relationships. And especially if it involved the rumored owner of the largest size in the world standing right before him.

‘Hmm… could he really be gay? Isn’t he a religious figure? Of course, since becoming an ability user, he hasn’t abstained from sexual relations…’

“Excuse me…”

Seung-Hyung spoke first. Rasputin, who had been praying to God and repenting for his sins, lifted his head.

“Do you have any questions?”

“Mr. Rasputin… Since gaining your abilities, have you… well, been with many women?”

“Ahh…”

Rasputin scratched his cheek sheepishly.

“…Yes, there was a time when I indulged in such pleasures. But after awakening to my abilities, I haven’t been with any ordinary women. An ability user must possess a certain… hmm…”

“Didn’t you used to be a monk?”

“Well… truthfully speaking, this is more of a fashion choice. Given my size, wearing pants isn’t really an option. Hmm.”

“Ah.”

Setting aside his preconceived notions, Seung-Hyung saw a man before him who took pride in his size while simultaneously dealing with considerable inconvenience because of it.

“Oh, by the way, Master Hwakwon. There’s something I’d like to ask you.”

Rasputin leaned forward, bowing deeply toward Seung-Hyung.

“Are you interested in the Round Table?”

“The Round Table?”

This man—Seung-Hyung couldn’t help but wish he’d keep his breath at a safe distance.

“Yes. If there’s an opening in the Round Table, would you consider vying for a seat?”

“Ah.”

Seung-Hyung understood what Rasputin was implying.

“Is it possible that Lady Undine might step down from her position on the Round Table?”

“Yes. For whatever reason, Lady Undine plans to retire from the Round Table. This matter is currently being discussed between the Chief and the special envoy.”

“Really?”

Seung-Hyung could only respond dumbfoundedly. Why would Undine retire from the Round Table?

“Well, you see…”

Rasputin sat back and scratched his head.

“The Chief has acknowledged the marriage between that young man and his daughter.”

“What?!?”

Seung-Hyung’s mouth dropped open involuntarily.

* * *

“Yes, indeed. I intend to marry my daughter to that young man.”

Suborof turned off the monitor and slumped into his chair. The five envoys led by Ryu Cheonseong were left speechless by the shocking video.

“Wow…”

“What audacity…”

“……As much as I hate to admit it, this is the reality of my daughter now. No matter how much I shout otherwise, the world will continue to gossip about her.”

They couldn’t forget the faint words recorded in the video.

Lord of the West.

Rusalka.

“……After searching the entire world, I found no other woman named Rusalka besides my own daughter.”

Suborof’s face, wiped by hands as large as woks, appeared decades older than before the video started.

“Do you know why I showed you this embarrassing video despite my shame?”

“……Is the Chief truly acknowledging the marriage with that young man?”

“Yes. However, as a father, a former Chief, and a citizen of this country, I need a ‘process’ to accept it.”

Suborof pulled out a pipe from his pocket.

“Mind if I smoke one? Or if you’d like, feel free to join me. If you wish, I’ll share mine too. From here on, let’s drop formalities. Huff…”

Suborof instructed his butler to bring cigarettes, and the five men in the room began lighting up alongside him.

“A daughter who came back from the dead. She hasn’t caused me any trouble since her resurrection. Someday, if she meets a good man and marries, I decided I’d respect her choice. But, sigh…”

Crunch.

Suborof crushed the pipe in his grip. The butler, unsurprisingly, handed him another.

“My apologies. So, I didn’t stop her when she said she was going to Korea. I knew she liked Korea to some extent. But, but…”

Bang!

Suborof slammed his fist onto the table. Fortunately, his control remained intact, leaving the desk unbroken.

“That bastard put a dog collar on our daughter and made her walk naked for a full kilometer! Do you think that’s all? I lost count of how many laps he made her do! Yes! I saw it all! Saw it!”

“You… Perhaps the reason Lady Undine has secluded herself is…”

Ji Hwa Kim hesitantly asked. Suborof chuckled bitterly and flicked the ash from his cigarette.

“She locked herself away out of embarrassment after I saw everything. I regret it too. But I stared it out to memorize that bastard’s face with my own eyes.”

Suborof grumbled and lit his pipe again.

“Yes, fine. Even so, if our daughter loves him, I’ll allow the marriage. But that guy shouldn’t get married easily. Right now, blinded by love, our daughter might give him everything, but if they marry now, she’ll end up living a life where she’s nothing more than his plaything.”

“…”

The senior members of the Blue Wind Sect felt a complex mix of emotions upon understanding the situation.

“So, that young man needs to realize that marrying our daughter won’t be easy. Am I wrong? Even if I’m wrong, I’ll still do it. Even if I’m cursed, I have no choice but to protect my daughter. I’ll never allow her to live a life where she wears a dog collar again, even if it means holding the leash myself.”

“……Understood. We fully understand the Chief’s sentiments.”

Ryu Cheonseong bowed his head. The blame clearly lay with the couple who had shown their affection without restraint. Who could fault them?

“Then, what about the current engagement?”

“Yes. People need a convincing reason. When our daughter repeatedly breaks off engagements, claiming she can’t live without that young man, people will finally understand. Our daughter can’t survive without him.”

Suborof exhaled a large puff of smoke, staring blankly at the ceiling.

“People say raising a daughter is useless, but I never imagined sending her off like this. I wasn’t mentally prepared, yet how must the citizens feel knowing we’re sending one of the nation’s two S-Rank ability users, and a member of the Round Table, to another country? Think about it from the opposite perspective.”

Suborof leaned forward and posed a question in return.

“If your country’s fairytale heroine declared she’d plant roots in America by marrying a blond Yankee, how would you feel?”

“I completely understand. I support the Chief’s feelings.”

Architect nodded vigorously, showing strong empathy towards Suborof.

Even though it was an unexpected source of sympathy from a typical blond-haired blue-eyed man, Suborof, noticing others felt similarly, sighed in relief.

“Huff… Yes. You’ve all worked hard. I apologize for creating tension between us unnecessarily.”

“We understand… However, Chief. We didn’t come here empty-handed.”

Ryu Cheonseong adjusted his breathing and brought up the main topic.

“That young man wishes to meet the Chief.”

Snap.

The pipe in Suborof’s hand crumbled under his grip.

* * *

“Ho ho. Is that young man truly Korean?”

“Yes… As far as I’ve heard, he’s quite a powerful ability user.”

Seung-Hyung recalled the day he learned the truth of the world, remembering how that young man had sat alongside the senior members of the Blue Wind Sect.

His strength was beyond Seung-Hyung’s comprehension, and he clearly exchanged heated glances with Undine, seated at the Round Table.

“I see. I was hoping he might be Russian… but it’s fine. Even if he’s Korean, it doesn’t matter. Let him join the Vladimir family as a son-in-law.”

“…”

Regarding the delicate issue, Seung-Hyung chose not to stir up trouble. He didn’t want to provoke this burly giant into wrestling over the idea that Undine should stay in Korea, already tired from the power struggles between Pungbaek and Sky Castle.

However…

“Once they marry, I believe Lady Undine should move to Korea.”

“…”

Seung-Hyung openly expressed his thoughts, despite feeling mentally fatigued. Still, he possessed an endless source of energy capable of washing away his weariness instantly.

“With the Chief’s permission, we wish to escort the princess back to Korea.”

“Such a direct statement.”

“I believe honesty is better than hiding behind pretenses. Moreover…”

Seung-Hyung released his Magic Power externally, intensifying his aura.

“…for the sake of strengthening the alliance through their marriage.”

“Ha ha, excellent. Your spirit impresses me even more.”

Rasputin rubbed his thumb against his forefinger, lips pursed. His excitement was evident.

“…”

Seung-Hyung began to genuinely wonder if his boldness pleased Rasputin or if he needed to reassess his initial impressions.

“Yes. Therefore, that young man wishes to speak directly to the Chief, which is why we flew here first.”

“Ah… Indeed. To form a lifelong bond with a nation’s princess requires such resolve. My interest in Korean men is growing. Ho ho ho. In light of this, it might be good if I accompany the delegation.”

If only he wouldn’t come, Seung-Hyung silently wished, trying to politely decline internally.

“Mr. Rasputin visiting Korea would be delightful. Ha ha.”

“I look forward to having an honest conversation with Master Hwakwon once I arrive…”

Rasputin licked his lips, longing evident in his pitch-black eyes as they roamed Seung-Hyung’s body.

“Ah, by the way, earlier I asked if you were interested in the Round Table.”

“Ah, yes. You mean that. If Lady Undine retires due to marriage, there will definitely be…”

“No, that’s not what I wanted to say…”

Rasputin stood up and approached Seung-Hyung closely. Seung-Hyung froze like a mouse facing a snake, and Rasputin whispered softly into his ear.

“Perhaps you’re interested in the Round Table-”

Aaaaaaaaang—

Suddenly, an alarm signaling an intruder blared.