NOVEL NEXT Chapter 133
The feeling of being able to walk into a place that, in the original story, could only be reached after experiencing a bloody chaos, simply because someone was beside me… was strange.
Well, I mean, it had already diverged from the original, but still, being human, one has feelings. Especially considering the insane scene I had just witnessed.
The surroundings were filled with people offering solemn and pious condolences, but something seemed to be joyfully liberated like a freed slave; to me, it was nothing more than madness—nothing less, nothing more.
Just because it couldn’t be cured, you simply kill them off? And they said they had a shred of consciousness?
Even if the person involved was happy about it, I just couldn’t accept it. This society that saw such things as normal began to look different to me. I couldn’t help but shudder at the thought of how many people had sacrificed everything to accumulate all that nonsensical knowledge.
“…Are you still thinking about the sacrifice?”
Hoyeon had been glancing at me and subtly crossing her arms, seemingly worried about my state.
“Yeah. I still wonder if they were truly happy. If they had been born just fine, would they have been so easily offered up? It’s complicated.”
“…I can’t tell you not to think about it. But isn’t that the most useful path? Um, I’m sorry if that was an unpleasant suggestion.”
Useful? I almost got angry with her, but looking at her face eased my feelings. I couldn’t just lash out at someone who was genuinely trying to help.
…The one I should really be angry at is probably inside there. But I didn’t think anything would change even with anger. Probably the one who created this social structure.
I don’t know if I could even call them human, but at least they pretend to be human, so I guess I should refer to them as such.
“Yeah… It’s not the time to think about that now. I wonder what will happen if your father gets mad again?”
The last time I saw Jeongho, he looked pitiful like a soaked cat, but he was nonetheless a powerful conqueror of this vast continent.
If he were to try to kill me again like he did when we first met, I wouldn’t have any confidence in dodging it. Hoyeon had used her chance already, so there was no guarantee it would work a second time.
Is there still something I can do…? I began to wonder if, apart from Hoyeon, there was a place where I could stand in this world, and dark thoughts crept in.
Surely there must be at least one possibility. It’s too early to be pessimistic. If my mindset is poor, what can I accomplish? It’s better to think positively and happily instead.
One good thing is that at least there are no corrupt high-ranking officials here. Just looking at this palace compared to the buildings in the city, it was quite shabby.
The decorations were simple, and it had only what was truly necessary, just as Hoyeon had said. If even the top of the power hierarchy is modest, how could those beneath it be lazy?
Moreover, this society was filled with high-performance surveillance cameras monitoring 24/7. From what I observed while exploring the city, it didn’t seem like the kind of place where people would commit evil deeds.
“Um… Dokan. It might be best to stay quiet once we go in… since I don’t know what kind of state Dad is in. Let’s be a bit alert…”
Even without Hoyeon’s advice, I was planning to keep quiet and behave this time. If I said that and then acted shamelessly, that would be foolishness beyond being just inconsiderate.
“I understand. More importantly, think of something to say to your dad. You… will soon have a child, after all. But for now, since there’s none, I bet he’d be heartbroken hearing that from you.”
“…Do you think I might have said something too harsh to Dad…?”
Harsh? It was extremely harsh. Even I felt sympathy for the person who had just tried to behead me moments ago.
But well… If you listen to the story, it seems Jeongho raised Hoyeon with a bit of oppression, and I almost died, so maybe it’s karmic retribution.
“It would be good to at least apologize. Of course, your father has made many mistakes, but saying such harsh things could be going too far.”
Hoyeon leaned on her arms, quietly pondering what she might have done wrong.
As I entered the palace, filled with anticipation and trepidation, Jeongho, seated on the throne, and Byeolbi standing beside him welcomed us.
“Welcome back. How was the city tour, Hoyeon? Was it enjoyable? Or did things not go as you had hoped?”
I expected the place to be swarming with guards, but surprisingly only two were standing at the entrance. Byeolbi was the first to speak, asking Hoyeon how it was.
“It was enjoyable, Mother. Dokan… um, how was it for you?”
“I…”
Up until just before reaching the altar, I could have answered with a cheerful yes, but after what I saw, I couldn’t say I was fully enjoying myself.
“…I found it quite fascinating.”
“Fascinating, you say. Is that your impression?”
Setting aside right and wrong, and morality, it was indeed a fascinating world. A machine that could implement all imaginations, a space larger inside than out, and countless absurdities.
“Yes. It seems like a place where nothing is wasted at all.”
Byeolbi smiled ominously, remaining silent. Hoyeon tilted her head, questioning if she should take that as a good thing, while Jeongho sat still with his eyes closed, not moving an inch.
Suddenly, he spoke with a voice that didn’t match his imposing demeanor.
“…Daughter. May I have a moment to talk? It seems like there has been a lack of conversation between us for a long time. I thought I was looking out for you, but it seems that was tiresome for you. Would you mind giving me a little of your time?”
He looked like a father trying to reconcile with his daughter. A face of a father who only realized his parenting methods were flawed after so much time.
…I must not become like that. Being pitiful is one thing, but I didn’t want to inherit those traits as a father.
“Um… yeah. Okay, Dad. Dokan, wait here while I talk to Dad for a bit. I don’t know how long it’ll take, but… please wait for me!”
As Jeongho stepped down from the throne with heavy steps and headed somewhere, Hoyeon followed him quickly. She said she’d be back soon, but I doubted it would actually happen.
“…Well, with just the two of us now, let’s have a conversation, child from outside. Share your raw impressions of what you saw. How does this nation appear through your eyes?”
At some point, the guards had disappeared, and even the sounds of insects from outside had ceased. Before me stood not a person but someone draped in pitch-black darkness who posed a question to me.
“Before I answer that, I have a question for you. I witnessed the people here offering sacrifices to the gods and seeking wisdom. Was all this technology… obtained through such means?”
If that’s the case…
Before I can even respond, the worth and desire to respond would vanish.
“That’s a sharp question. When facing overwhelming obstacles, we call out to the gods seeking answers. In terms of significance, that accounts for about 20%.”
“Then, if we couldn’t seek wisdom through that method, it means we wouldn’t have achieved such technological prowess.”
“Indeed, that’s correct. Still, I suspect that your situation might have been better than that of my disciple beyond the world or over the seas.”
There was no sign of confidence or conviction on Byeolbi’s expression. She merely stated the truth with an air of indifference.
“…Do you wish for my impressions? To me, this society resembles a finely-tuned machine. Each thing has a role assigned to it, progressing solely toward the singular goal of advancement and progress—an apparatus that draws every bit of efficiency from its ‘gods’ who are both masters and mechanics.”
“Is there not a problem with that?”
A problem? At least in terms of technology, there were no issues. There was no pollution; if anything, compared to the original Earth, it was overwhelmingly advanced.
“The problem lies in the fact that the components of this machine are people, and the fuel is blood and sacrifice. And all those who view such things as a given must surely be part of your design.”
Byeolbi gazed at me vacantly, then curled her lips into a smile.
“Indeed. A thoroughly planned slaughter.”
“…Why create such a system? With your abilities, you could have created a paradise that operates without sacrifice. Surely, that could have been an option. Why construct it this way?”
In the original story, the power she displayed could literally upheave this planet countless times. Why build a society fraught with faults, even with that power?
“A paradise. Even if I intervened just enough not to disturb my true form, that wouldn’t be unreasonable. But let me turn the question around for you. If everything was satisfied, would you still move forward?”
In other words… it was as if she intentionally created this state to ensure some sort of progress.
“If you’re unwilling to answer, I’ll share my experience. If all your needs are met, humanity will not advance. I’ve seen worlds where all desires are fulfilled, and they quietly faded away without even reproducing.”
“Even so, things might have been better than they are now. Why go about it this way…?!”
“Better? This is the most efficient method. Diverting energy spent on caring for weak individuals or developing entertainment and culture entirely toward advancement. My beloved disciple, Ganaan, valued humanity over efficiency, and thus fled.”
Ganaan was indeed the name of a deity. She was Byeolbi’s disciple?
There had been suggestions in the original text about her coming from the East, mildly implying that possibility, but I never expected she was a disciple outright.
“Was it because of the sacrifice?”
“That child disliked sacrifices, yet felt the necessity for them. There was a direct reason for that. Did you not notice the differences in teleportation methods?”
Teleportation? The Eastern method was indeed quicker, but… was there really a difference beyond that? Aside from speed, I wasn’t noticing anything significant. The magic vortex…? That seemed to account for everything I sensed.
“No, I’m not sure. What does the fact that such talent left have to do with the teleportation methods?”
“Rather than me simply stating it, it would be better for you to think based on your experience. My daughter recreated your body. Therefore, can it be said that it is you?”
“…That is.”
That is…