<The Demon Lord of the Swordsmanship Family, Chapter 71>
Time travels back to the past.
A few days before the exchange meeting with America, Yggdrasil was filled with anger beyond absurdity upon hearing the news.
“…An exchange meeting? Suddenly?”
Sitting in the middle of a lake, Yggdrasil glared at the two beings beside her, perched on a tranquil chair rested upon the calm surface.
“Tell me, whose ridiculous idea is this? You can’t possibly think I would accept this, right?”
Her eyes bore hostility.
It was a strikingly alien look when considering Yggdrasil’s usual gentleness.
However, anyone aware of whom she was speaking to would understand her reaction.
The being to her right was known as:
“The pillar of world magic”, “the one who established classes”, and “the guardian spirit of the western United States.”
Red Dragon.
“Accept it purely. It’s an exchange, a cooperation between us.”
And the being to her left was known as:
“Founder of magical engineering”, “the father of war machines”, and “the guardian spirit of the eastern United States.”
Gigant.
“I! I’m merely uneasy because that liar is involved! I’m curious about that research too! Kingmaker? Kingmaker! I even like the name!”
The guardian spirits that “protect” the eastern and western US.
Red Dragon, in the form of a blond-haired, blue-eyed Caucasian man, and Gigant, in the form of a beautiful African American girl with richly curly hair.
One appears the epitome of a gentleman, while the other looks innocent and carefree; yet, Yggdrasil knows well.
That is merely skin-deep.
Underlying Red Dragon’s gentlemanly demeanor lies excessive “greed.” A guardian spirit who incited disputes wherever he went, ultimately leading to the greatest civil war recorded in modern history, known as the “Eastern-Western War.”
On the other hand, while Gigant may not cause disputes like Red Dragon, he is regarded with caution due to his unpredictable “curiosity.”
In short, both are equally unsettling.
They may differ in nature, but it is crystal clear that both are dangerous beings.
Moreover, they are entities Yggdrasil cannot control.
“The research concerning the collapse phenomenon has likely already been relayed through ‘the organization’. Is it really necessary to come all the way to Korea?”
“Just as reading and seeing are different, written records and reality are not the same. Moreover, meeting someone who has executed that research compared to just hearing about it provides a completely different approach.”
“True. True. Even if I dislike that scheming guy, what he just said is valid. From what I see, the work and knowledge you’ve both accomplished is impressive. Teach our kids a bit. As a trade, I’ll handle this scheming guy.”
“The schemer here is you. Yggdrasil, you know that he’s interested in the collapse phenomenon. Even if it wasn’t me, that guy would have approached it first. Or he might have lured my students over.”
“No way! Absolutely not! It’s true that I have a smidge. A smidge! Of interest in the collapse phenomenon, but I wouldn’t take what belongs to others.”
“You wouldn’t take what’s someone else’s? Oh, then you can return my ‘wings’ too. They originally belong to ‘me’.”
“Shut up. They were originally mine. I’m talking about my ‘cloak’. Don’t call them wings!”
“The thief sure loves to shout loudly.”
“Don’t make me mad. I’m going to get angry!”
“Quiet! Quiet! Are we starting again!!”
Yggdrasil shouted while pressing her head down.
Red Dragon and Gigant, who always bickered when together, were at it again today, just as expected.
Perhaps it’s only natural.
‘What on earth were they thinking in making these two interact?’
Wings and cloak.
Holy relics that complete the two guardian spirits. Yet amusingly, there’s only one of these sacred items in existence.
In other words, only one of either Red Dragon or Gigant can be completed.
There are two contenders but only one item. Moreover, if this item cannot be conceded? It becomes impossible to avoid conflict.
Honestly, from the standpoint of the third party, Yggdrasil, this is akin to pushing them to fight.
Seeing this, Yggdrasil thought the ‘creator’ was quite devious. Park Ki-hyuk also called him a “schemer,” and Yggdrasil couldn’t help but agree.
“Ugh, let’s not talk around it, and focus on the main topic. Is this truly purely for the sake of exchange? No other intentions at all?”
“Indeed.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Can you stake your ‘names’ on that statement?”
“……”
“……That’s a bit much.”
Both showing signs of discomfort.
As expected.
Yggdrasil looked at both again with a calm gaze.
“Speak honestly. Where does the truth end and where does the lie begin?”
Red Dragon frowned as if displeased and responded.
“There is no lie. It is, for now, the truth.”
“You just changed your answer from before. Let’s hear it.”
“I swear I’ve never lied to you. I just want to exchange out of pure curiosity regarding the Gate’s anomalies. However…”
“I’m listening. Continue.”
“However, my students are different. They seem to have questions, no, suspicions, regarding how remarkably similar the project they’re preparing is to your research.”
“……What absurd statement.”
“That means they’ve copied it. Don’t get angry. I also think it’s unreasonable. I’ve said it directly too. But still, they want to confirm with their own eyes. Just like humans always do.”
“Is that all?”
“That’s everything.”
“……Ha.”
It’s hard to believe, yet it adds to the persuasion.
Red Dragon, renowned for his pride. If he had spoken a lie, he would’ve presented a plausible reason, one fitting of his level, rather than this drivel.
Next, Yggdrasil turned her head towards Gigant on her left.
“Me, me? It’s because of that scheming guy mentioned earlier, but I’m also curious about your research… um, and. And… ugh! I’ll be honest.”
Gigant raised her hands as if surrendering.
“Actually, I was curious about the artificial spirit stones. As you know, spirit stones are something we absolutely need on our side!”
“As far as I know, it’s available for export.”
“I know. But it’s insufficient. Look at how many things we produce. Weapons, armor, war armor. Even magical tools all require spirit stones. I want to obtain a license. If that’s not possible, I want to secure as many supplies as possible. Ah, it feels good to say that!!”
“……”
This reason was also understandable.
Her ambition for artificial spirit stones was even more persuasive than Red Dragon’s.
“Just to confirm, if I reject this exchange meeting, you know it can’t proceed, right?”
“Then…”
“Hehe…”
“Weren’t you the one who said to lessen interference?”
“I’m a bit like that too. Words come with responsibility.”
Red Dragon trailed off, while Gigant shrugged her shoulders, grinning cheekily.
“Fine, do as you wish. We’ll move forward if we agree from our side. However, remember one thing.”
Yggdrasil knew they had a poor relationship.
She understood that.
She grasped the situation and the unavoidable reasons too.
Everyone knows well.
Which is why she tried to look as neutral as possible, but not this time.
“You can fight in your territories. However, don’t cause any disputes in my realm, in my forest. This is not a request but a warning.”
The moment Yggdrasil’s words ended.
Both beings shattered and turned into water.
Splash!
The still lake stirred with blue waves, as if foreseeing the approaching future.
“This won’t do.”
A safeguard is needed.
As recklessly as they appeared, a counterbalancing force must be equally strong.
*
“…That’s how it turned out.”
“Wow…”
I stopped my chopsticks and stared at Yggdrasil.
“It’s absurd.”
“Disappointing, isn’t it? I apologize for revealing the flaws of the guardian spirits. As a fellow guardian spirit, I’m sorry…”
“No, what I mean is…”
I looked down at the Jajangmyeon.
“Did you really have to bring this up at this timing?”
The glossy dish, perfectly mixed in my favorite style, was ready to be tasted when she chose this moment to drop such a mood-killing conversation.
“Oh my, were you uncomfortable?”
“…Wouldn’t you be?”
Guardian spirits are not merely strong beings; they might very well be the ones closest to the secrets of this world. Who would have imagined discussing the tales of such guardians over Jajangmyeon? It’s a remarkably novel approach.
Looking closely…
“You’re not normal either.”
“Oh, I must have been rude. Then I’ll clear this away…”
“Stop. Don’t move.”
Who tried to discard the food?
I calculated the estimates at lightning speed.
Dumplings, sweet and sour pork, two bowls of Jajangmyeon, and one fried rice.
“Fifteen-minute cut-off. Just wait a moment.”
I slurped up the Jajangmyeon I was holding. Politely stuffing sweet and sour pork and dumplings into my mouth, I filled the vacant space with fried rice.
Yggdrasil seemed to find my actions endearing, watching me with a calm smile.
“Ha ha. It’s quite a sight.”
“Mmm… I’ve done some broadcasting before.”
“Yes, I’ve seen it.”
“There’s something called Mukbang.”
“Mukbang?”
“It’s a broadcast of eating food.”
“Ah? People watch that? Humans are truly fascinating.”
“Right now, you’re doing that fascinating thing.”
“…Ah?”
“Do you get it now? The charm of Mukbang.”
“Really… is this Mukbang?”
“I’m showing you this for free, just for today. I’m scheduled to do a broadcast with Spring next time, so come back and support us then, okay? Don’t fuss over trivial fights with those kids.”
“Pfft. Those kids fighting? Hahaha!”
Yggdrasil burst into laughter.
She loved it immensely.
“Oh, I’m having so much fun. Calling them kids fighting, guardian spirit battles called kid fights. This is why I like Ki-hyuk. He always stays the same.”
“Well, isn’t it true? The existence of guardian spirits is so mysterious that, when you break it down, it’s just kids fighting.”
“That’s right. Exactly. It’s child’s play. Ki-hyuk is right.”
I understand better than anyone that might and character are unrelated. I’ve been through that myself.
From the perspective of someone who was once a demon lord, most humans deemed strong often carried a ‘deficiency.’
Wealth, people, strength, love, attention, and so on. They obsessed over what they were lacking.
And that obsession creates strength. I concluded this.
But do guardian spirits, like the word implies, protect the world and act justly? Are they righteous?
They might be, but I’m skeptical until I see it with my own eyes.
Finishing the last drops of the Jjamppong broth, I wrapped up the meal.
“Alright, let’s talk. I understand the situation. So your request is to prevent those brats from causing accidents, correct?”
“Yes, while it ended well, based on past actions and tendencies, I can’t help but feel uneasy.”
Red Dragon and Gigant.
They have been in conflict for an incredibly long time, destined to remain so.
Naturally, the emotional rift has grown thoroughly deep.
“…In one form or another, it’s going to explode. I cannot tolerate intruders disturbing my ‘forest.’”
Thus, please control them.
That was Yggdrasil’s request.
“It’s not difficult. Got it. But let’s clarify something. You know I can be a bit extreme, right?”
I had no intention of playing peacemaker for those who were completely unrelated to me. It’s tiring.
Like asking Yggdrasil, “Are you okay?” I smiled while looking at my fist.
And Yggdrasil gave me a thoroughly satisfying response to my question.
“It’s completely fine. If I sense even a hint of something strange, please intervene. I will take all responsibility.”
Looks like an unexpected fun is approaching.
I grinned as I crunched on some pickled radish.
