Your and My Asylum

Book 1: Chapter 5

***

It seems like the time to talk about the end of the 8 Years War has arrived.

Like I said before, it was a war of influence. A battle where we disrupted, controlled, deceived, and stole from the opponents faction. A game of territory conquest that unfolded not on a Go board, but with the entire school as the background. It didnt matter whether our ally was an idiot or the opponent was an upright person. At the age of 15, there was an incident involving Shin Eunji that occurred. At the age of 16, I shattered the mid-boss of Chanmis faction, Eun Minseon, and destabilized their group. And, at the age of 17 crossing over to high school, followed by another year, that blazing summer that felt like everything was going to melt when I was 18-years-old.

We finally reached the full stop once I was elected as school president and Joo Chanmi, who was pushed back in votes, miserably became the vice-president. The Joo Chanmi at the time, appeared as if she were empty.

[Yujin, aint your head really good?]

If its the story, then indeed, it would have ended here, but.

[Thisuh, for you to think of me whenever Im not around.]

This time, I couldnt put down the period at the end of the sentence.

Forcefully continued the story. Disgraceful and cruel unnecessary comments. I, started the purge.

I started fiddling with the personages at the very bottom of Chanmis faction. Bullying, slander, defamation, execution. Each time I crushed one person under my feet, I spoke to Chanmi. Joo Chanmi. Minhee, give back, Minhee. You used people and broke her. You broke her to the point where shes now beyond retrieval. That girl is now living while depending on a machine. You did this. Didnt you break her? Then you should be able to undo it. You should be able to fix it. Thats right.

You cant be unable to do this.

However, even after Chanmis clique was completely shattered, and only Chanmi remained, the occurrence where Minhee opened her eyes never occurred.

I couldnt accept it.

Why?

Why, is it?

Why wont, Minhee, wake up?

Minhee, Cha Minhee. My Goddess whose hair fluttered like flames. Why wont you open your eyes? Why wont you tell me? I overcame it. I overcame being bullied and treated like an outcast. If anything, I gathered my own faction and crushed the bastard who ruined you and stepped on me. This was possible because you were there. Because you transferred to our school on that day. Because you were there. Im great, right? Isnt the current me admirable? My savior.

Minhee. Ah, Minhee.

But, why? Why, is it?

Ah.

Ah, ah.

Ah. Ah. Ah. Ah. Ah, aaah. Ah. Ah.

Is that it, Chanmi? Is it because youre alive? Is it because I didnt put my hands on you? I see. They say that you have to solve the problem that you yourself created. So as long as youre around, Minhee wont be able to return. If thats so, then I have no more reason to let you go. Ill give you special treatment.

I wont let you live.

I dragged her to Minhees hospital room. This was a type of ritual. I declared it as so. In the hospital room thats covered in darkness, with the sound of Minhee sleeping as the background, beside her, Joo Chanmi, you, will die here. That is your fate. The sound of liquid dripping in Minhees IV, the noisy chirping of a starling that gave me a headache, a ringing sound in my ear. The white hands that were choking Chanmis neck.

My, hands.

The reason I stopped,

was because of the one line Chanmi uttered, before passing out.

Im, sorry.

My hands trembled. I stared into her eyes because I couldnt believe it. It would be a different case if someone else were to say it, but I couldnt trust it when this person was the one. However, that really was Joo Chanmi. Chanmi spoke using Chanmis voice.

So,rry. Im, so,rry. Yu,jin, Im, so,rry.

Sorry, Yujin.

Sorry.

I shouted.

Dont beg for forgiveness. I didnt want to hear those words from you. So,rry. Shut up. Only you arent allowed to say those words. You absolutely cannot. Sorry Im sorry, Yujin. Shut up. Fucking, shut up. Sorry Im sorry, Yujin. Sorry. It was my fault. It was my, yeah, my fault. Yujin. Shut uuuuup! Chanmi didnt listen. That prodigy girl, with her neck released, cried. She was weeping, like a child, collapsed next to Minhee, who was laying down like a vegetable. I was also crying. My tears, felt like they were magma piercing through the face of the earth. The unrecoverable generosity that flowed down the paved path.

It was then, that I realized.

Theres a limit, to everything. There are things you cant get back, in the world.

Even the prodigy girl of a conglomerate, and even myself who had broken that girl, there are things that are impossible even for us in this world.

Therefore,

Therefore,

Therefore, in the first place

In order for it to not break

In order to not lose it

I should have, worked harder.

Everyone was young at the time thus no one knew.

The fifth day, I organized the occurrences that happened so far.

First, I was kidnapped by a lunatic from another world.

Second, I ended up in a situation where I was supporting that lunatic politically intellectually.

Third, among those affairs, the first trouble was something that involved a group called the Fedchants, so I advised her to resolve it by using the Black Dragon Street, but.

Did it not turn out well?

Mm? Mr. Yujin, why do you think thats so, Mr. Yujin?

Well, thats because you abruptly knocked me down onto the ground, and now youre stepping on my face.

Im washing your face! Im making Mr. Yujins face clean!

What worlds method is that?

It goes without saying, its an old tradition thats been passed down in the world of heavens.

Why is it the heaven that I ridiculously dislike?

As for proof, look. If I do the same thing to this angel, then.

Additionally, although it seems as if, after great mid-progress, Miss Earl of the Silver Lion has acknowledged that I was a human, it didnt apply to the other beings.

Sorry, other beings. Im busy trying to live.

Putting that aside, what happened? Tell me already.

Ehem. Zia? Explain.

Zia let out a sigh and scratched her blue hair.

It didnt turn out well.

And I didnt say out loud that if you told me it didnt turn out well when I asked the first time, then we could have saved a lot of time.

Zia let out a groan and had an angry expression on her face. However, she soon responded like this.

I was natural! instead of saying this, I slowly made my way into the main topic Ah, that was dangerous. I almost said this out loud as well. This isnt even my style and yet it feels as if Im going to go along with her pace. This happens whenever I have to deal with her.

Anyway, the main point.

So how? I dont think it was a situation where it wouldnt work.

Zia turned to glance at the Earl. However, since the Earl was still stepping on my face while not showing any sign of interest, Zia continued.

Theres another reason why that didnt work.

What is it?

This time, its the Black Dragon Streets fault for the written request and receipt being passed over to the Fedchants. The Black Dragon Street admitted this completely, however, they voiced their concerns that if they passed the Fedchants receipt to us as well, or if they forged them for us, then that will just upsize the problem. Our other customers will be anxious if receipts and written requests are being passed around recklessly., is what they said. Furthermore, since its our fault, we will take responsibility, but even if we do so, if we do something thats disadvantageous for the Fedchants, then wouldnt they also request for us to take the same responsibility? they said that as well.

Though I get what theyre saying, thats ridiculous. In the first place, didnt the executive run away with the documents because they received money from the Fedchants?

Its not certain.

Is it not certain, or is it because theres no evidence.

The latter. Though I believe, that its most likely the Fedchants deed.

Hm. In conclusion, if I narrow it down, then the Black Dragon Street doesnt want to start any trouble with the Fedchants.

Since the Fedchant is a huge organization, after all.

I see.

Do you have another idea?

I stared straight at Zia.

Not yet. I need a little more time to think.

Zia had a clear disappointed look on her face.

Is that so. She then soon recovered. Your Excellency, how about doing what I suggested yesterday?

Meanwhile, the Earl had finally taken her foot off of my face, and had stepped up onto my chest and was tapping her feet.

Spare me. Im a human being, you know?

Hm? What you said yesterday, Zia?

Requesting for the Mage Tower to mediate.

I told you, I dont, waaaant to.

Zia had a bothered look on her face.

Your Excellency, Im more than aware that you feel pain. It must hurt to make a request to those people. However, there are times in your life when something will come to bite you in the back when you fail to do something when its required.

I dont think right now is that time, thoough?

Its now. You cant incline to the Fedchants, right? If you end up getting entangled rashly, then theres a chance that the entire Earls House will get pulled in as well. Your Excellency should already be aware of that danger.

Zia hesitantly stroked her own stomach and gave a sidelong scowl. The Earl was silent for a moment before speaking.

And in contrast, what will happen if I request for the Mage Tower to mediate?

Summon the thing the Mage Tower wants and send it to them, thats it. isnt it? You dont have to lower your head to the Fedchants, and you can prevent your citizens from going through pain.

Ooh? Would the Mage Tower help out that much?

Ill talk with them properly.

Hmph. For someone like you, youre rather confident.

Damn it Your Excellency!

I, who had his hands in his pocket and was fumbling with his smartphone, and even the Earl, froze and stared at Zia. In that spot, there wasnt a woman who indulged in BL or a fool who enthusiastically made bad jokes, but a female knight who was lowering her head in embarrassment.

I messed things up.

A silence flowed.

Yes. Im the one who ruined everything. If I only hadnt used the check signed under the Earls House. Even if the request and receipt were passed onto the Fedchants, it should have been meaningless. I understand. It was my mistake. Thats why, I.

Zia.

Wont let Your Excellency lower your head to someone like the Fedchants.

Zia didnt finish her sentence. The Earl was gazing at her knight who was lowering her head.

There was another silence.

Thud! She then suddenly kicked my chin.

What, are you doing? when I looked up at her with those words written on my face, she stepped on my nose. No, it hurts. Seriously.

What are you doing?

I was kicked again without receiving an answer. Since it really hurt, I grabbed her ankle.

It hurts.

Youre grabbing meeee? Graaaabbing? Hm, what hurts? You should just obediently get hit. You dirty otherworldly being.

Ill get hit after I know the reason.

No, well, I felt annoyed.

An incredibly sullen face said those words. For some reason, it truly felt like the expression of a normal 16-year-old girl. A girl who was getting mad at the world because things werent going right.

Do you normally kick people when that happens?

Its a massage, so youll be able to use your head more.

Ill be able to do that quite well, when Im being treated like this.

If it were just yesterday, then she would have already snapped and moved me to the torture rack by now, but the current Earl just gave me a sharp glare instead.

And then.

You, should I send you home?

She spoke the words which I never expected to hear.

It seems Zia was surprised by her words as well. Her mouth was agape. I was shocked. However, while ignoring all of our responses, the Earl, without meeting any of our eyes, spat out.

Think of a good method. A method where I wont have to incline to either the Mage Tower or the Fedchants. Its fine for you to think about it.

At this point, I didnt question her about what she meant by think about it, and send you home, to be exact, I didnt have the time to do so. Before I could say anything else, the Earl was already dusting her coat and arranging her clothes.

Hmph.

And then, the Earl puffed up her cheeks and marched up the stairs. She had basically tossed aside both Zia and I so we could only watch as the Earls figure disappeared.

A stillness continued to flow. A female knight who was biting her lips in guilt, and myself, who was used as a floor mat and covered in dust.

In the end, I was the first person to speak.

Zia.

Zia didnt respond. I let out a sigh.

Zia, are you alright?

No answer.

Young Master Sion is really cute. I like him, too.

You think so, as well!?

Yeah, and you?

Mm, I like the savage butler. However, he can only display his worth when theres another person. No matter how much technique one has, a catcher is needed for a pitcher to shine, and.

I stayed silent while I watched the hopeless BL-stained blue haired female knight(18) who was born in another world, raised in another world, and properly serving her lord. Zia Batsand must have realized what she was doing as she had let out an ah.

Of course, I also like the situations where a pitcher is struggling on their own when a catcher isnt around. Something like this, a long time after a pitcher and a catcher gets into a relationship. The catcher has to leave the pitchers side for a while because of a school trip or something. So every day, the pitcher, whos left by himself, on the bed, with his loneliness.

There was an otherworldly blue haired female knight(18), who became even more ecstatic after becoming self-aware of her situation, standing here.

Lets stop, please.

Zia.

Zia closed her mouth. A bitter smile spread across her lips.

It was a joke.

It doesnt seem like a joke when youre talking about BL.

I know that feeling.

So youre aware?

Of course. Regardless, it cant be helped. I was made to like BL. This is most likely a problem in my genes.

Haa.

Perhaps thats why, when you analyze a selfish gene, you get the ah feeling that theres a pitcher gene and a catcher gene. If you look at it like that, then whether youre a catcher or a pitcher is determined before youre born, so its a genetical issue. Natural Born Attack. Natural Born uh mm.

Why did you betray the Earl?

Silence.

Ah, right. It was Natural Born Defense.

Its not that defense. Why did you betray the Earl?

Natural Born Number. (Tl note: Defense and Number uses the same letter.)

Its not that defense either. I asked you why you betrayed the Earl.

Zia looked down at me with her head slightly turned. I met that gaze silently while holding my prayer beads.

Silence.

Zia, spoke. While once again, turning her head, until it creaked.

What, do you mean?

I mean just that. Why, did you, betray, the Earl, Zia, Batsand? Im asking you that. Should I say it again?

Zia didnt want that. She clenched her fist.

Why do you say that? Even if its you, Yujin, I cant let that slide.

If I explain it to you calmly, then will you tell me?

Go ahead.

If thats the case. I nodded my head.

The first time I thought it was strange, was when I found out that you were the one who gave the check that was signed by the House of the Earls name to the Black Dragon Street.

Thats because, Im an idiot.

Theres a limit to stupidity. And an idiot cant become a knight. Every time you open your mouth youre thinking about the Earl. For the knight, whos always thinking of the Earl and was accusing herself that much earlier, to go into the cave of thieves and make a transaction with a check from the Earls House? No matter how much of an idiot you are, I dont believe that could ever happen.

Anyone can make a mistake.

Lets say thats the case, then what about after that? Today as well, youre the one who went to make a trade with the Black Dragon Street, right? Even while possessing a good proposition, you didnt push it, but instead, returned after having lost. Its obvious. Because you didnt have the intention to win.

Thats out of my hands. Im a knight, and there are times when I dont win arguments, and there are also times when Im unable to make proper negotiations.

Hmm, a conditional problem?

Adding to that, the Black Dragon Street didnt want to start friction with the Fedchants, and because of that they were especially belligerent with me.

You probably wanted it to appear like that.

Silence.

What, are, you saying?

Zia. Look at the image as a whole. I let out a sigh and stretched my body. Honestly, it isnt only one or two things that were strange.

Im telling you that isnt the case.

Thats right, it was strange when I heard that the Fedchants were obtaining land with that sort of method. At first, I thought they were treating your Earl like an idiot. However, regardless of whether they treated her like a fool or not, the earl is still the earl, and shes also one of the twelve existing Sky Wizards in your world. Theres no need to pick a fight when youre trying to obtain the land of a person like that.

Thats what you think, but since the Fedchants judgment is different.

Listen. What I mean by no need to pick a fight, is that theres no need to take over the land of 10 people by stealing and stamping their seals, a method thats strange no matter who looks at it..

Tell me in easy terms.

Its like this. The Fedchant, is literally a place where almost every single merchant is a part of, right? Your current Pharmaceutical Association, or rather, the Alchemy Fortress, has a vaccine for almost every single disease in your world because they share information among one another. Then wouldnt it be the same for the Fedchants, as well? The place where almost every single merchant in your world is a part of, how many incredible knowhows do they have accumulated? Even I cant fathom it. If they used only a couple of their knowhows, then honestly, they can easily obtain something like land. However, why did those Fedchants do something weird like that? Thats problem number 1.

Zia was now glaring at me in silence.

With her blue eyes.

This girl, Ive felt this since the first time I was summoned here by the Earl, but she possesses, an incredibly befitting,

tremendouslyfrigid, and cold face.

Now then, Zia? The Fedchants behaved like that towards the Earl as if they wanted to start a fight. A method thats so obvious that anyone who glanced at it would realize what theyre up to, and they fostered that while obstinately causing discord. Just like a fraud ring trying to receive compensation money for something minor, to the Earl, it was as if they were asking her to hit them once. If the Earl was fooled by that, then thats that. It may have also been over if she didnt get fooled by it, either. In any case, the Earl, who was going through a lot of stress, was fooled by it. Though for this part, I was one of the major reasons for that stress.

If I didnt needlessly give her tips, then the incident wouldnt have become as large as this. Although Im upset at the earl, I was planning to accept that it couldnt be helped. If I thought like that, then Didnt I fail because of your unnecessary piece of advice? that fellow came and complained to me. In the end, she was right.

Therefore, second. The Earl screwed with the Fedchants just like that. But a day after that, no, not even two days, a betrayal occurred unexpectedly within the Black Dragon Street? And out of all things, they passed over the Earls written request and recipe to the Fedchants? This cant be explained by coincidence, right?

Thats why, probably.

Zia opened her mouth. Zia, aah, Zia.

You arent supposed to open your mouth right now. Im not denouncing you, but Im talking about the weirdness of the situation. But why are you protecting that situation? That itself is a mistake. I didnt explain to her that right now was the timing to keep her mouth shut without a word, I just listened to what Zia had to say.

The Fedchants probably bribed, the executive from the Black Dragon Street. Since they were humiliated by our earl, in order to get her back they, utilized that immense funding of theirs, and used the executive from the Black Dragon Street.

And made him betray them?

Thats it.

Wrong.

Zia looked at me as if questioning how someone whos never been outside could be so sure of himself. If you look at it in reverse, then that meant Id be able to affirm it if I were outside.

Time is the problem.

I said that and continued.

The Black Dragon Street, you see, is still quite the big organization, right? No matter how much money you offer, would someone like an executive betray their group in a moments notice? Before even a day or two could pass, at that? Furthermore, in that case, wouldnt that mean the Black Dragon Street was screwed over by the Fedchants? Then wouldnt the Black Dragon Street want to deal a blow to the Fedchants? But when you went to them, you said that the Black Dragon Street would deal a blow to the Fedchants, so they didnt want to do what the Earl asked.

Ive told you this several times now, but the Black Dragon Street doesnt want friction with the Fedchants.

Theres a better answer.

What is it?

The chance that both groups are plotting together. Though, its something I brought up yesterday, as well.

Silence.

If the two were plotting together with the sole purpose of screwing over the Earl, then the weird taunt from the Fedchants, the suspiciously quick betrayal of the Black Dragon Street executive, it would explain it all. Ah, in truth, another element needs to go in here as well.

Silence.

Now then. Next. Lets say the two are indeed plotting together. Then who would benefit? The Black Dragon Street? The Fedchants? The Earl? No. Have you played mahjong before? Go-Stop? Either way, its a game with 4 players. If there are two players that are scheming together and one easy mark, then therell be one skillful player. A role that comfortably takes the money, and wipes their mouth without coming off as weird. A role where the player just has to be there. Tycoons usually take that role in a fraudulent gambling game. If thats the case, then in this situation, wheres the magnate faction?

Silence.

Earlier, I said that another element needs to be added to the quick betrayal by the Black Dragon Streets executive. Obviously. Be it the Black Dragon Street or the Fedchants, theyre both large organizations. But would things go so harmoniously in such a short amount of time? Using mahjong as an example again, no matter how much the two players planned to scheme together at first, the decoy, a fellow giving the signals to inform the others about what tiles the easy mark has, is required. That way they can decide whether they should pass the tile or receive a tile. You kang, pong, and ron, thats how you do it. Thats rightone decoy, is essential. A person who sticks right next to the Earl and reports all of her movements, allowing the others to respond swiftly.

If you think along those lines and go through the information again.

Since yesterday, the person who kept insisting for the Mage Tower to mediate, despite the fact that their lord despised the idea.

If I were to make a guess, then.

At the very beginning, the idea of screwing over the Fedchants was something that came out from my head, the person who came from another world. Its information that was shared between only three people. Me, you, and the Earl. Other people couldnt have possibly been involved since the Earl asserted that she couldnt believe something like other people. Then that means its just us three. First, its not the Earl.

She has no reason to.

Its not me, either.

I dont have the method to.

Then that means youre the only one remaining. 1 plus 1 is 2.

And thenthere was a silence.

Zia Batsand was expressionless. That face was eerily cold.

Although it felt like that void face would continue, she then let out a sigh and erased it. She shook her head as if she were lamenting.

If I hear that much, then denying any more than this is impossible.

Would it be fine to take that as you agreeing with my words?

Thats right, Yujin. You, what are you exactly?

I told you before. A normal male student who overcame bullying.

Zia Batsand smirked.

However, that really is all there is to me. I dont have something like a special ability. The only thing Im capable of is calmly looking at a situation and organizing it.

Although my inner words most likely didnt transfer onto her, Zia let out another sigh.

Well, at least I feel relieved. If everything is revealed so refreshingly, then, if anything, my mind feels cooled off. I give you my thanks in that regard.

Though Im thankful that you think like that, but why?

To say it again : Why did you try to make the Earl become indebted towards the Mage Tower?

Zia shrugged her shoulders. I gripped my beads.

Tell me. You even admitted to it a second ago, anyway. Then its only right for you to teach me.

An obligation, is it?

Thats right. I dont understand. Didnt you say it a few days ago? That the Earl was detained in the 7th branch office of the Mage Tower, and that theyre one of the major reasons as to why the Earl has become this broken? Of course, that 7th branch office of the Mage Tower has already been destroyed, but if it were a place that one of the Twelve Sky Wizards led at the time, then theres no way that the upper echelon of the Mage Tower wouldnt be aware of it. Even the repulsion that the Earl possesses towards the Mage Tower is because she doesnt want to be in debt towards the people who detained her before.

I gazed at Zia.

But you, deliberately, tried to make your lord do that.

.

What is it, Zia, Batsand? Were you only pretending to support the Earl at first?

Just because youre talking away doesnt mean youre right, Yujin.

Then teach me the reason.

Zia bit her lips. But not for a long time.

Its about Her Excellency the Earls ability, and the reason behind why Her Excellency was detained at the 7th branch office of the Mage Tower. Its also the reason why the Mage Tower still has their interest leaning towards Her Excellency, but.

For now, like that, Zia Batsand started talking.

Yujin. What do you think is the most outstanding part of the Earls ability?

The usage? For starters, I can narrow it down to 4 things.

Tell me them.

Tracker and rescuer. Say theres a missing person. As long as she has that missing persons belonging, then with the piece of lifecatalsytit feels like Im talking about DNA here, but, in any case, she can search that object and bring the missing person directly in front of her.

Thats one method.

Next, teleporter and carrier. By summoning a person whos living in a certain city, she can stick to that person and cancel the summon, resulting in her teleporting along with them. Though its limited, its possible to use it as a teleportation ability. Furthermore, since clothing, and the things theyre carrying can be teleported as well, if used properly, then moving a lot of items over a long distance should be possible, right? In any case, its much faster than walking or riding on a boat. It also doesnt cost any fuel.

Thats another method.

Third, a black hole that can suck in an indefinite amount of otherworldly beingsis another, but what should I say. Since the number of worlds that the Earl can meddle in is 12, and her ability is limited to a certain number of uses during a set cycle, Ive deemed that as impossible.

So you knew?

The Earl herself was the one who told me about the number of worlds she can meddle in being 12. The limited number of uses is because I can boast my observation skill and composure.

You, you keep saying that youre a normal student. Youve only been here for 5 days, you know?

I smiled bitterly while putting more strength into my grip.

Since earlier, it feels like youve been trying to make me into something thats not a normal student.

If I werenta normal student like that.

If I really wasnt, then I wouldnt hope for anything more.

If I had the strength Zia has, then I wouldnt have been tormented like I was when I was young, and if I had a power like the Earls, then Minhee wouldnt have had to end up like that.

However, that wasnt the case. I lost things. I made mistakes. I regretted things. I became aware of my situation after I had already lost many, many precious things to me. Consequently, I eventually fell into despair by the fact that I couldnt turn anything back, and could only scream as I was locked away in my inescapable inner asylum.

For someone like me, what could I possibly be besides a normal student with a slightly good head?

Zia didnt reply.

I shook my head.

Anyway, finally, the fourth usage. I believe that this is, probably, what youre talking about.

Say it.

This very moment. The fact that were talking in Korean. The fact that youre into BL. The fact that the Earl has an otaku-like hobby. The fact that you can actually bring the knowledge and items from another world, at no cost, to this world, this is probably it.

Zia Batsand laughed. She was looking at me with eyes as if she were looking at a monster.

Zia, put those away. I dont like, that type of gaze.

She didnt shift her gaze so I got upset.

Im just looking at a situation calmly. If theres someone with the ability to summon beings from another world, then its natural to consider what that person can do and what other subsidiary things become possible. Also, Im not some prophet or a pioneer. If theres something that I can think about, then itd be a situation where the research for it, all the way down to its core, has already been finished. Thats it. Theres nothing outside of that, theres nothing above that, and theres nothing below that.

You.

Anyway, Im correct, right? The thing the Mage Tower is aiming for. The thing that the so-called Sky Prison fellow wanted while confining the Earl. The knowledge from other worlds Thats right. Since you said that the Korean language is at the level of a third-world country, then our world probably doesnt have that high of a priority at the moment. Regardless, if I use our Earth as an example to understand it easier, if you summon some of the famous scientists in Korea right now, and extract useful techniques from them through torture, then. Yeah, its something that comes out often in SF films, obtain new technology after torturing an alien., its a stale cliche.

How many failures did mankind have to go through in order to invent the concept known as the steam engine? How many people fell on their knees and disappeared in order to complete the very first computer? How many mathematicians, who collapsed without having left behind their name, were needed in order to reach Eulers formula?

But, if you were able to obtain those easily?

Something like the language of another world, like how the Earl and Zia are able to do it right now, its something that can be easily learned with time. I can imagine it. The sight of the people of this world learning Korean, English, Japanese, and German. The sight of the scientists, who were summoned by the Earl, being tied up in a row and being tortured. And then suddenly, due to that, steam engines and computers being added to this world. Pythagoras theorem, E=MC, and the theory of relativity being added. Quantum mechanics, nuclear fusion, airplanes, rocket technology, rifles the things that were done by others, the achievements of other worlds can be brought. They can simply take the fruits that originally required thousands of geniuses to achieve.

Thats truly something so terrifying that it gives me goosebumps.

Zia.

I bit my lips because of the imagery that flashed in my head, the sight that could make one shudder.

You, did you want that?

What do you mean by that?

I dont know how the people from the Mage Tower convinced you. However, is that what you want? Youre also interested in the technology of other worlds? The free technology that you can gain through torture and not diplomacy? Or what. Is there something else? I shook my head and came to the conclusion. Regardless of what it is, the truth is that you, the Earl of the Silver Lions Sword, went over to their side.

At the same time as the momentary silence,

Zia showed a strange smileas if something was splitting apart. It was truly a ghastly and dark smile.

Youre right.

She then started giving her explanation.

Its actually been quite a long time since I was won over. It was a short while after Her Excellency had destroyed the 7th branch office of the Mage Tower, so its truly a long time ago. However, the upper executives of the Mage Tower who came in contact with me didnt have a radical view like the 7th branch office did, of course. They wanted a more moderate inducement. They told me that I didnt have to betray the Earl. All I had to do was, like right now, this very day, induce her very slightly. They said that was all I had to do.

The tinge of guilt which she showed earlier had reappeared on Zias face while she was saying those words. If thats the case, then that means her earlier appearance wasnt an act, but truly, she couldnt raise her head because she was embarrassed by how the situation had ended up like this.

Perhaps, my thoughts were shallow. Since my head is bad. But despite that, the terms didnt appear that bad. Thats why I, tried to induce her like that, but the Earls situation.

Wasnt that normal?

Thatsright. The Earl, was a bit, broken so it was difficult for that kind of inducement to work, it was that kind of situation.

I thought about it.

If you think about it now, the fact that the Earl at the time had destroyed the 7th branch office.

She willingly fastened the catalysts of 12 otherworldly gods to her body and made herself into a nuclear bomb.

The fact that she had become a psychopath like this, and refused contact with anyone while living as a blood-covered savage of a girl.

By all these facts, how much of a saving grace were these otherworldly beings to her?

Of course, something like this is laughable. I had no other choice but to feel something in particular towards the otherworldly creatures that the Earl had killed, especially the Koreans.

However even if that was the case.

The thing you said to me, that you want me to help the Earl. Zia Batsand. Did you mean that the Earl, for starters, needs to have at least some of her emotions returned to normal?

Zia let out a chuckle as if what I said was going too far.

I told you, it wasnt something as calculative as that. But, who knows it might have slightly been like that.

What do you mean by slightly. The Earl.

Believes in you without even the slightest bit of doubt.

Thats right trust.

Before she left, the Earl said this to me, Think of a good method. A method where I wont have to incline to either the Mage Tower or the Fedchants. if I did so then shell consider sending me home. Its obvious. That fellow, whos unable to read the inner workings of a situation, wouldnt have been able to realize the truth that Zia had used the check signed under the Earls House on purpose and that she had also returned after having purposely failed in the talks with the Black Dragon street.

Simply because she didnt want to see the sight of the subordinate she trusts, Zia whos like a sibling to her, blame herself. Because she believed that whether she becomes in debt to the Mage Tower, or lowers her head to the Fedchants, Zia will be hurt either way.

On the other hand, for me, since the Earl was already aware that my head was good. She wanted me to work harder by giving me a sense of purpose.

Are you telling me that this sort of easily readable bundle of text hasnt been read by her already?

Im not sure. Zia now had a tired smile on her face. Lately, even my head hurts.

Your head?

Wearing a mask is difficult. Its also difficult for someone like me, who has never been proficient in schemes in the first place, to do something like inducing someone and acting like a spy. Think about it. Why would I have requested someone like you to correct Her Excellency?

Someone like me, huh?

Thats right. Yujin, I cant correct the Earl. Even if Ive been working that hard for the Earl, and believed that I was something similar to the Earls sibling, despite all that, I failed at changing the Earl even slightly. But you were different. You achieved that while in a situation where everything was hostile against you, and within a few days since being summoned, at that. Do you know what I thought while I was watching that?

Normally,

I believed that people, intelligent life-forms, must be treated like equal beings,

Therefore, I believed that I shouldnt behave sarcastically or belittle the other party, but.

How would I know something like a fools thought?

Zia let out a hearty laugh.

Ahaha. A fool a fool, huh. I see. Yeah. Youre right. Im a fool. An idiot who has only trained with a sword until now, a blue haired gorilla whose brain even consists of muscles. That me, until now, has continued, continued, to do spy stuff that Ive never been used to. I sent the information that I gained from talking to the people who get summoned from other worlds to the Mage Tower, I induced the Earl towards a direction where shell become in debt to the Mage Tower and the Earl didnt change I was reaching my limit and while I was in that state, you appeared.

The hearty laugh started to change into a bitter one. I wordlessly gazed at the spy of the Mage Tower who the Earl trusted.

The stillness was flowing.

The silence broke.

Zia.

Hm?

From now on, I need you to move as I tell you to.

What?

The blue haired and blue eyed female knight looked at me with a dumbfounded gaze. I spoke.

For starters, I need you to stop, being a spy for the Mage Tower.

What?

Also, before you quit, go back to the Black Dragon Street while pretending to still be a spy. Say whatever you can and bring back evidence that the Fedchants had forged the documents. Say something like We can put her in an even bigger trap like this and it should work.

A cold glint was shining in Zias blue eyes.

And if I refuse?

Then Ill inform the Earl of your identity. Ill tell her that you, the person who went around saying that youre like a sibling to her, was actually secretly communicating with the Earls enemies. In that moment, even you should know what the Earl of the Silver Lion would do. Dont forget it. The fact that youre serving a lord with an ability that you cant possibly run away from.

Youre going to threaten me in this situation? If I had to say that Im impressed, then I am, Yujin.

Its a threat that you have no other choice but to follow.

Thats interesting. If there wasnt a single misunderstanding about your words, then I really would have obeyed without a complaint.

A misunderstanding?

Zia nodded her head and lowered her body slightly towards me.

Do you think, Her Excellency the Earl, will trust your words?

Silence.

Are you not misunderstanding your place, Yujin? To Her Excellency, youre nothing more than an otherworldly being who has been around for merely 5 days. But Im no different than the Earls sibling. Even if you were able to slightly change the Earl, an act which I wasnt able to achieve, that fact doesnt change. If perhaps, you and I were to get into an argument, then the Earl will obviously lean towards my side.

That was a type of declaration. She had an unwavering expression on her face as if she were speaking a mountainous truth. I was quite deeply moved by the fact that I was able to witness that expression, which Ive seen several times in Korea, here in this world. Moreover, it must be true that the fact was actually unwavering.

Thats why, it was okay.

Since that was the truth I, could say this.

I think so as well.

What?

Since the Earl will believe your words the blackmail is established.

I took out my smartphone from my pocket. iPhone6. I showed to Zia Batsand, the thing that had recorded our entire conversation.

Zias smile shattered.

Her smile broke apart and revealed a stunned expression.

Smartphone?

Yeah, a smartphone.

Recorded?

Of course.

Dont make me lau That doesnt make sen wait. Something like a smartphone 5 days has passed, right? Theres no way, therell be any battery left. Adding to that, theres no cell tower here to connect to. It shouldnt have been able to last even two days since it would have automatically sent out signals in order to find a cell tower.

Battery, huh. The fact that a knight from another world could point that out was frightening.

Also, to comment that it should have automatically sent out signals in order to find a cell tower, was an eerily accurate remark.

However.

It shouldnt be that much of a surprise that you can turn the power off on a smartphone.

Zia Batsand had an expression on her face that appeared like her heart was shattering.

I kept it off. And, when I was being stepped on by the Earl, I turned it back on. Of course, it still lets out discharge even when its off, but something like trying to find a cell tower, like you mentioned, doesnt happen. Moreover, thanks to the needlessly advanced technical skill in my world, smartphones can hold out for 5 days and barely lose any battery.

You, bastard!!

Now then, you understand the situation now, right? Will you do as I ask? Go to the Black Dragon Street. Make proof that can be used to refute against the Fedchants. After that, the situation will be resolved once you betray the Mage Tower, Black Dragon Street, and the Fedchants. Referentially, this isnt a threat, but an order.

An immense murderous intent exploded out from Zia.

Zias tone sank down quietly.

Since earlier, Yujin, youve been saying this and that while putting on airs.

Her glaring eyes felt like fangs.

It goes without saying, I did say with my own mouth that Im an idiot, but no matter how much that may be the case.

A noise that sounded like something was scraping bones, resonated.

Why are you trying to ignore the fact that I also have a choice of my own?

That sword, was raised while severing the darkness. That wretched, smile.

Take your life and take that smartphone. If I just do that, then everything will be over, right? Yujin, you idiot. For someone who cant even subdue me in a time of emergency, if you blab your mouth that much then the side thatll end up dying is yours. Youve prattled on about this and that, but in the end, strength!!

The reason why Zia Batsands words were cut off in such a weird place, was because I had escaped towards the hallway. Eeeng!? I didnt give any particular response and passed through the door that led to the hall. Huh that, hey!? Hey, hey! I refreshingly ignored something like the sound that was coming from behind me.

I ran out into the hall.

Shortly after, as I predicted, Zia Batsand ran through the doorway as well. The sound of metal colliding with each other emanated from her body.

She was slow. By the looks of it, since I was wearing casual clothes, I was faster than her because she was equipped with armor. As I planned earlier, I entered the cell, B-7, the room that could be opened and closed and also had something similar to a Koreans remains and a coffin laying inside of it. After that, I quickly closed the door. Belatedly, Zia Batsand, who was chasing after me, kicked the door.

Bang!!

Its obvious, but it didnt open. No matter how much you kick a pull door, do you think itll open?

Yujin!! You, Tero!! Open, the door!

Am I insane? Why would I open the door?

Im just a normal male student.

How could I possibly win against a knight like you in a frontal assault? Thinking logically.

This bastard!!

Say what you want. Since even talking would be a waste of time at this point, I wont do it.

Calmly, after stroking my prayer beads once.

I pulled out the ropes from under my clothes. The tools I found in the torture room. For reference, Zia, as long as you dont immediately try to pull open the door, I didnt plan to give you any more opportunities to open it. I hastily tied the rope around the door handle and pulled on it until it made an audible sound. It was around then that Zia tried to pull open the door, but this side as well, while keeping to the knot tying method, had desperately pulled and fastened the rope to the coffin.

Indeed, investigating the hallway, torture chamber, and the cells beforehand was the right idea. A match is always decided by the difference in information one side has.

Bang! Bang! Since it didnt work after pulling, Zia started kicking the door again. Was she upset? If you kick like that, then only your leg will hurt.

Eeegh Yujin, you is that it? I understand what youre thinking.

What Im thinking?

Do you plan to Girte make a deal, with me?

Why a deal?

You plan to keep shutting yourself away in there, right? If you do that, then the winner wont be decided, so youll wait until either Her Excellency comes down here herself, summons me, or summons you, right, Yujin!?

The hell is she talking about?

Thats why, before that happenskneel, Is that what youre trying to say? Ha! You coward.

Ah, damn it.

In any case, this girl really is amusing. She keeps making me want to give her a rebuttal.

This Zia Batsand, no matter how big of a weakness of hers is being seized not only do I have no intention of submitting to someone whos weaker than me but

I want to give her a reply, but Im busy with my preparations.

Also, because of that pathetic calculation of yours, youll die in there pitifully.

Wait wait. Im almost done.

The fact that youll meet your end by the same skill that saved you from the guillotine yesterday. That is,

Almost.

The irony of contradiction!

You want to make bad jokes even in this kind of situation!?!

Hah.

This kind of things isnt my preference.

Ah, it was the same yesterday and the same today. I end up unintentionally really.

Till the very end, we had a good talk.

What are you talking about!? It was good for you alone!

Itll be difficult from now on, to meet another tsukkomer like you.

You made a weird word!?

Perhaps you may have been my last chance, Zia says regretfully as Zia looks up at the sunset.

Ill pretend I didnt here that one just now! In the first place, theres no sunset here!

Is that blazing sunset not contained within, the chest of that gentlemen?

How hot is that chest supposed to be!?!

And then, a suddensilence.

Shortly after.

KurosoExtro / Great Rending Slice

A white diagonal line formed on the iron door before my eyes.

Flaash!!

Clang!! Craaaaaaash!! A flash of light that felt as if it were going insane. A line of ruin that caused the door to twist, whirl, and collapse. It felt as if space itself was being torn, crushed, and collapsing in on itself. Bang!! The door fell in an unamusing manner, and Zia Batsand was standing in her sword swinging posture on the opposite side of that door while trying to catch her breathe.

The problem is, Zia.

That technique, you showed it to me yesterday.

And.

At that time, I already realized that the cooldown for it is severe.

Thats why.

Right before the door fell,

something like the lamp bottle that I threw,

you being unable to deflect it

is obvious,

right?

Clash!!

!!!??

The lamp bottle shattered and the liquid that was inside of it got all over Zia. She flailed about in the air. I didnt ask her if she wanted to dance.

Rather, she threw me a question first.

Whats this?

What do you think?

Its sticky and has viscosity.

The thing you and your perverted master kept saying was delicious.

H-Heaven Brand Milk?

Plus blood and organs.

Momentarily sorting out the situation : Do you remember the lamp bottle I discovered in the prison guard room? I figured I could put something in it and use it in a time of emergency. But there was no liquid inside of it. I could barely afford to drink the limited water supply I had, so that was out of the question, and urine lacked viscosity. Compared to those, theres a sense of weight to the blood and organs, and if you get it all over the opposition, then you can blind them temporarily, however, it can dry up and harden, so in order to prevent that solidifying, I had poured in some Heaven Brand Milk. Thats the story.

You you said you didnt like things that were too stimulating.

Towards the girl who couldnt see in front of herself so she was flailing around.

Zia, the irony of contradiction.

I rushed towards her.

Is something like this.

At that instant.

The Zia, who had her eyes sealed and was flailing around, regained her posture instantly. It was literally an experts master, an astonishments surprise. She then, put her blade in order, and towards the approaching shadow, the shape of the body, (TL note: Same phrasing as the poem mentioned in a previous chapter. Experts expert, surprises surprise.)

Dont make me laugh, Im!!

Flash!!

The Silver Lion Royal Guaaard!!

The glint of her blade, roared out rampageously.

Did you think to some cheap brawl like this.

The sound of something being sliced.

That Id lose!?!

The body fell after being sliced into two pieces,

the thing that originally existed

here in B-7

The remains

Zia Batsand, if you really want me to give you a tackle that much, then!!

I didnt offer any silent prayer, but instead, I stepped and crushed those remains, and rushed towards Zias body.

Ill become that tackle!!

Bang!!

Along with a somewhat dangerous line, I threw out my desperate, body tackle.

She couldnt focus her gaze, her posture was broken because she had just swung her blade, and the ground was slippery because of the Heaven Brand Milk, organs, and blood.

This is the critical strike!! Telling her to not fall down was impossible now. An impossible situation!

Thud!!

The Silver Lion Royal Guard, The Earl of the Silver Lions Sword, Zia Batsand fell down, just like that.

Kuh!

Stop.

Before she could struggle, I got on top of her and placed the blade which I took from the torture chamber to her neck, and with this, it wascheckmate.

Although it seemed like she hadnt recovered her vision yet, that clear sensation was enough to completely seal her movements.

Yujin.

While biting her lips,

With a terrible face,

a face that appeared as if she were about to cry, she looked up at me.

Thats right.

I tapped that nose of hers and looked down at her.

The match has been decided.

Even when I removed the blade and stood up, Zia didnt fight back.  She didnt weep or struggle either.

As if the determination she had to charge towards me and take my life had disappearedthe person that was here now was, like usual, the Silver Lion Earls loyal blade, the BL addicted female knight who loved to make bad jokes, Zia Batsand.

The girl, who was lost in thought with a composed look on her face, let out a sigh.

Since when?

Hm?

Im talking about your battle preparations. Theres no way that all of those things were located conveniently in those spots. Furthermore, even when you ran out of the torture room and went into that cell, you moved swiftly as if you had it all planned out.

Well, of course, since I did have it planned out.

Why? Did you know you were going to fight me?

Not in particular itd be great if something like that didnt happen, but, since its very well possible that Ill have to fight someone while Im down here, I merely made a plan that could counteract anyone. If you exclude the occasions where either of you two came down to occasionally interact with me, I had spare time. A lot of it.

Zia Batsand must have been thinking about those words since she had fallen silent.

I waited patiently.

Shortly after, Zia Batsand asked me a question.

What did you want me to do?

I told you earlier.

Ive said it before, but Im an idiot. My head isnt that great. Please summarize it for me.

Haa.

You shouldnt keep calling yourself an idiot.

You talk well for a person who called me an idiot as well.

Well, thats that, and this is this.

Gianism, is it? (TL note: Doraemon reference. Link)

Thats not right. This is that, and that is that, is what Gianism is.

Is that so? So I even had that mixed up because Im an idiot.

No, like I said. You shouldnt say with your own mouth that youre an idiot and that your head is bad thats not right.

I fiddled with my prayer beads as I recalled my Goddess who was laying in a hospital. Zia looked at me, who was like that, with slightly prying eyes.

I summarized it for her.

In any case : Go to the Black Dragon Street, receive the evidence to refute against the Fedchants, and then betray the Black Dragon Street  Fedchant  Mage Tower. With that, the case will be over.

It appeared as if Zia were squirming her shoulders. She then let out a sigh.

And so? What do you gain?

I didnt respond. To be exact, Zia continued her words before I was able to do so.

Is it, that? The thing Her Excellency said? Do something, and resolve this incident well. If you do that, then Ill send you homethis?

Ah, if its that, then that really was a tempting offer.

No, really. It truly sounded alluring, but.

I shook my head and let out a sigh.

Wrong. Though it did enthrall me.

Zia froze and looked at me. I scratched the back of my head.

In the first place, if I tried to help you with that intention in mind, then I wouldnt have done something like threatening you.

?

Lets say I did plan to go back like that, if I did then I wouldnt have done something like meddling in your situation and order you to betray the Mage Tower, right? If Im leaving, then I would have spoken in a way where you only have to cooperate with me this one time.

I dont understand that well.

If I explain it in a language thats easy to understand, then when I told you to betray the Mage Tower, I didnt mean that you should return to being the Earl of the Silver Lions loyal knight. That wasnt my intention.

Zia still had a clueless expression on her face. Regardless, I spoke.

Your sword, devote it to me.

Silence.

What?

Why are you so surprised? Nothing will change. Youll remain as the Earls loyal knight. However, that sword will be devoted to me and your real intention will remain with me as well. Im telling you to move as I command  from now on.

An alarmed glint appeared in Zias eyes.

You, what are you!?

Relax. I dont have any ulterior motives against your Earl. You said it before. The reason why you acted as a spy for those guys is because you didnt have to point your blade at the Earl, right? Its the same. Orders like killing the Earl or telling you to hurt herI will never, ever say those types of words. Thats why, Zia Batsand.

I spoke towards the girl who was looking at me.

Give your sword to me.

Zia took out her sword and tossed it to me.

Even for her, it was a high-class gag.

Take me seriously. Dont make me snitch on you to the Earl.

Do it. Ill make you into a real eunuch then. (TL note: Tell on/snitch the first two letters of this word can also be translated as eunuch)

Hey, we decided the winner already.

Zia let out a groan. She still had a doubtful look on her face. I could guess why.

Are you curious as to why Im not trying to go back?

Seeing as she didnt reply, it seems I was right.

I sighed.

Of course, theres a chance that shell send me back home after this incident is resolved and Im able to properly persuade her. But, how long will that last?

How long?

Yeah. At any rate, the Earl has a catalyst thats related to me, you know? Im in a situation where I can be summoned at any time. If I were to return in that kind of situation, then can you truly view that as having gone home? Every day will be filled with anxiety. Ill go to sleep worried that Ill one day wake up back in that cell.

Thats.

And, what if I really am summoned again?

Silence.

The affection points though I dont like that expression, will have reset, and the mental state of the Earl will have reset as well. What am I going to do if I end up meeting my demise because something like that happened?

Uh, but. If you establish a condition where you cant be summoned back.

Certainly, if I talk to her well, then I might be able to return after making her give me her word of honor. However, though she may not summon me anymore, what about the others? Koreans will keep disappearing one or two people at a time, right? Since Im currently the only otherworldly being that the earl treats as an equal, then wouldnt those people end up in exactly the same situation as I was at first, ripped apart, crushed, and killed?

In contrast, if I stay here, then Im sure the Earl wouldnt summon another Korean. Since I believe that shes a person with at least that much consideration. No matter how much of a special existence Zia is, and Im pitiable in comparison, shes someone who tried to let me go in order to not let Zia feel anguish.

So youre saying that youll sacrifice yourself in the stead of the people of your world?

Sacrifice, huh Its not something as distinguished as that, but.

I let out a sigh while I rotated my beads.

Except, among those destined to be summoned Koreans who wil

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