GMLS Ch 24

The distant, highest peak was hidden among the clouds. My spirit soared, reaching far beyond that summit, but my body was as heavy as if it were wrapped in mud. My speed had decreased significantly compared to when I first started running. The fatigue accumulated over nearly a week was gnawing away at my body.

Nevertheless, I reassured myself that everything would be alright. I sincerely believed it too. Because if I didn’t believe, I couldn’t move forward. That’s how desperate the situation was. So, on one hand, I knew. It couldn’t go on like this. There was no way I could get Muryun to that place like this.

I focused my mind on a single point. I pushed away useless thoughts. Instead, I reminded myself of the most important objective.

What do I want?

‘For the entire party to reach The Sky Monument first, unharmed.’

If it’s impossible to achieve that fully, what must I give up first?

There was no need to ask myself. The answer was already there.

“Heukwol!”

At my call, Heukwol, who had been guarding the surroundings, immediately ran over.

“From now on, you take charge of His Highness, the 5th Prince. I’ll hold them off from behind somehow, and in the meantime, you take His Highness and climb the mountain. The presence I sense ahead isn’t that large, so you should be able to handle it alone.”

Heukwol shook his head. It was a vehement motion, unlike him. Muryun also objected.

“What do you mean by that? Are you saying you’ll stay behind alone?”

“This is the best way for now. Your Highness, I beg you to grant your permission.”

“Absolutely not.”

“Then all three of us will die. Your Highness knows this as well, do you not?”

Though his eyes could not see, his senses were not dead. Muryun, who had grasped the general situation, fell silent. Heukwol began to write on my back with his finger.

—I will remain.

“No.”

—My Lord’s footwork and stamina are superior to mine.

“Still no.”

If I was indebted to the 5th Prince for his grace, I had a debt of heart to Heukwol. Even if someone had to stay behind due to unavoidable circumstances, it was not Heukwol.

Muryun was still silent. He seemed to have already figured out what Heukwol and I were discussing.

—Think of the greater cause. Didn’t you suggest this because you realized something? If there is something to be taken, there must also be something left behind.

“That something was not you.”

I spat out the words, pressed between my tongue and teeth.

“It was not you.”

—I will be fine.

“I won’t be fine.”

—Then did you think I would be fine, leaving you behind, My Lord?

“……”

Heukwol opened his palm and patted my back. It was the very same touch as when he had patted my rear on the day I first came to Yeo Yullyeong’s mansion.

—If I feel it is truly dangerous, I will pull back. I have no desire to die in vain in a place like this either.

“Really?”

—Yes. I promise.

The distance that had briefly opened between us and our pursuers narrowed again. The moment we entered their range, blind arrows flew from behind.

—Go.

Heukwol, who swung his sword to deflect the blades, ran towards the rear. There was no time to grab him. All that remained was the last message he left on my back.

—To see one’s will through is the role of the master. To protect such a master from behind is the role of the shadow. And I am a shadow.

⊹ ࣪ 💮⊹₊

Yeo Yullyeong set foot on the summit of Cheontae-baek Mountain on the morning of the seventh day since the test began. To be precise, he had been carried up on the back of a fast-footed member of the Ammukdan.

Until he stepped on the perennial snow, Yeo Yullyeong was quite relaxed. Even on his way up the mountain, he had been receiving constant reports.

‘Heavy rain in this season, and on Cheontae-baek Mountain of all places.’

He clicked his tongue lightly, but that was all. There was no problem. Although there was some delay, he arrived exactly on the expected day, at the expected time.

The 3rd Prince had fallen behind from the start, as good as eliminated. The 2nd Prince had barely managed to keep up with the leaders, but it would be difficult for him to close the gap. Above all, the 5th Prince’s party was unlikely to stand by and watch him.

‘If my prediction is correct, they will arrive this morning. Or they might have already placed a hand on The Sky Monument.’

With such thoughts, he arrived at a leisurely pace, but the atmosphere at the summit was unusual. The ashen-faced Head of the Secretariat and Head of the Chancellery came rushing out of the shrine that honored the Sangseon.

Yeo Yullyeong’s expression hardened. He glanced at the Royal Guard and the Secret Shadow Guard on watch. The men, who were like finely honed blades to begin with, were exuding a sharp aura that felt like it could cut anyone who came near.

“Shangshuling!”

Dark shadows leaped over the shrine wall and ran towards him. They knelt in the snow and prostrated themselves.

“What has happened?”

“The 3rd Prince has brought in an external force.”

“What’s more, he is brazenly roaming the test area, pressuring the 2nd Prince and the 5th Prince.”

“The other Ammukdan members have gone down to restrain him.”

At first, Yeo Yullyeong thought his ears were playing tricks on him due to the high altitude. He had thought the man was foolish, but Yeo Yullyeong, the epitome of intellect, could not have imagined that a person this foolish actually existed.

“Report the detailed situation on the ground.”

“We have mobilized seventy percent of the Ammukdan to handle it, but we are told it is taking time as their numbers are too great.”

“What happened to the 5th Prince and the 2nd Prince?”

“The 2nd Prince is silently climbing the mountain with a small number of people. The damage from the 3rd Prince is reportedly not that great. However, the 5th Prince……”

“Did I not tell you to fix that habit, Yeongchun?”

The shadow called Yeongchun turned pale and bowed his head.

“Do not trail off, and answer quickly. You are a shadow that needs not think.”

“My apologies. The 5th Prince’s party is currently split in two. Furthermore, the situation after they were separated is not favorable. They are heading this way, but their state is no different from that of a deer being chased by hunters.”

“Even with external forces involved, the 5th Prince fell for the 3rd Prince’s petty tricks?”

“It is not because of the 3rd Prince. As you know, a landslide occurred due to the heavy rain that continued for several days, and the 5th Prince, who was swept away and injured, was attacked by the 3rd Prince’s men. As a result, the 5th Prince was poisoned and is now blind. The Young Lord is carrying the 5th Prince and climbing up alone……”

“Hmm.”

Having heard the full report, Yeo Yullyeong tapped Yeongchun’s shoulder with his folding fan.

“Yeongchun, sit down and turn your back to me. It seems I must go myself.”

“……Pardon?”

“My son is climbing this treacherous path, so of course, I must go out to meet him.”

“……Pardon?”

“Why are you suddenly acting deaf? I said, carry me and let’s go. Must I repeat myself? Why does a shadow have so many thoughts?”

“M-My apologies!”

Yeongchun sat down and offered his back. Yeo Yullyeong, who settled majestically upon it, looked around at the other prostrating members, including the Ammukdan member who had carried him up.

“You will guard this place until I return. Yeongchun, let’s go.”

“S-Shangshuling, where are you going!”

“Shangshuling?!”

The Head of the Secretariat and the Head of the Chancellery raised their voices, but the Shangshuling paid them no heed. Leaving the two frail old men behind amidst the fearsome Royal Guard and Secret Shadow Guard, he went back down the path he had come up.

⊹ ࣪ 💮⊹₊

“I am sorry.”

When the distance with Heukwol had widened and the trees became more and more sparse, Muryun spoke. His expression, held in my arms, was unspeakably devastated.

“Because of my shortcomings, I have endangered everyone. I was arrogant and foolish.”

“A natural disaster is called a natural disaster for a reason. Please do not blame yourself too much. It was a landslide.”

“Still, I should have anticipated it. The heavy rain, the softened ground, the flowing soil, the fallen and uprooted small trees. I should have predicted what they meant.”

Muryun trembled at his own powerlessness. It would be a lie to say I fully understood his feelings, but I could guess. From the crisis his party faced due to his own misstep to his current situation of being a burden. It would not be strange for his mood to sink into a swamp.

“It seems three years was certainly not a short time. For me to be in such a state. It’s pathetic.”

“Please do not say such things.”

“It’s all true, is it not? I have no face to show you. Far from being a lord you can rely on, I am only holding back my subordinate.”

If left alone, he seemed ready to dig a hole, crawl in, and cover himself with dirt. I gave up on clumsy comforts. It might seem a bit lacking in humanity, but I decided to convey my honest feelings instead.

“Your Highness, may I speak frankly? My words may be a little rude.”

“I will gladly accept it even if you insult me for being useless. Because it is the truth.”

Without even pretending to listen, I stated my thoughts directly.

“Even in this situation, I am a little happy. Your Highness is saddened for not being dependable, but I don’t entirely dislike this situation where you are depending on me. It feels like I’ve been given a chance to save you, just as you saved me in the past. Anyway, that’s how it is.”

Though I feel a bit sorry for Heukwol, who must be struggling behind us, I added with a mumble. Muryun asked, as if surprised.

“Are you not worried?”

“Yes, I’m alright.”

“You speak calmly now, but at the moment of parting, did you not cling to him rather desperately?”

“That is correct. Heukwol doesn’t know when to stop. If I had just left him there, he would have steadfastly guarded our rear until his last breath. But he said he would pull back if he judged it to be dangerous, and he also made a promise to return safely. So I am no longer worried. He is not a man who would break a promise.”

Muryun fell silent, as if he understood. His mood also seemed to have lightened considerably.

I focused my senses. Fortunately, there was no sign of presence nearby or on the path ahead. If things went well, it seemed it wouldn’t be entirely impossible to reach the summit without any further trouble.