RGS Vol 4 Part 10

There wasn’t a single identical spot in the forest. The trees that formed the forest were always different, and so were the creatures that made it their home. Yet, there were places that felt similar. A forest filled with towering trees, so high they seemed to pierce the sky.

The tranquility here reminded him of the Dragon’s Forest. In fact, it was entirely different, however, it felt somehow similar because of the person he was with. Karas held Abel in his arms, staring expressionlessly into the dark forest.

The small body in his arms still had some warmth. Though faint, Abel was still breathing. Karas focused all his attention on listening to that faint breath. Yet, he sat there like a doll, motionless, his face indifferent. It almost made him appear bored.

‘He… he will die soon.’

‘He’s on the verge of death. His heart is barely beating…’

‘Unless you find the legendary herb that revives hearts, there’s no hope.’

Every doctor who saw Abel said the same thing. No matter how many different doctors they visited, they would hear the same words. Realizing this, Karas stopped searching after the third one.

Why were they all talking nonsense? There was no way he would die.

Karas silenced those chattering like bugs and headed into the forest. No, he was already deep in the forest. Holding Abel in his arms, Karas ventured even deeper. When he was sure no one else could find them, he came across an abandoned hunter’s cabin.

A half-broken door, a ceiling with holes big enough to see the sky through. He began to wait there. Though he didn’t know why, his instincts told him that he wouldn’t let Abel die. However, he doesn’t know how to save him.

All he could do was sit still and listen to Abel’s breathing until dawn. As the blue light slowly began to push away the darkness, the body he was embracing no longer breathed. Karas lowered his head and looked down at Abel. And something changed.

For a moment, his eyes turned into yellow snake-like eyes, just like when he was a child. But it was only for a brief instant before it reverted to his usual gray eyes. However, at that moment, a significant change occurred around him. A thick fog, impenetrable like smoke, quickly enveloped the surroundings, making it impossible to see anything even inches ahead of him.

It was like the Dragon’s Forest.

⊹˚. ♡.𖥔 ݁ ˖ ⊹˚. ♡.𖥔 ݁ ˖

“How can you be sure that His Majesty is in the forest?”

Kin, who couldn’t go to the palace to search, followed Ashler and asked countless questions for what seemed like the umpteenth time. However, Ashler just kept searching the forest until dawn without saying a word to Kin. Eventually, Kin couldn’t hold back and stopped walking, shouting.

“If you’re so sure His Majesty is in the forest, shouldn’t we at least deploy the soldiers to find him?!”

Ashler, who was searching the entire mountain without a plan, felt pathetic and frustrated.

Was it thanks to Kin’s outburst?

Ashler stopped walking, keeping his gaze fixed on one spot. Kin approached him and nudged him with a stern voice.

“Don’t you realize we’re running out of time?”

“Something is very strange.”

Ashler muttered, still looking elsewhere, then slowly turned his eyes to Kin.

“Your concern for His Majesty seems genuine, Sir Kin.”

Kin, feeling insulted, responded in a low voice.

“I only think of His Majesty. Do you doubt my loyalty?”

“I did for a moment. It bothered me that you trusted the war profiteer without any suspicion.”

Kin’s eyes flashed sharply as if he had nothing to say about it. Ashler continued as if he have no intention of discussing the matter any further.

“You must have your reasons, Sir Kin. But—”

“But you can’t overlook the fact that I refuse to hand over the brown bottle?”

Kin cut him off, voicing Ashler’s suspicion. Ashler nodded without showing any surprise.

“Yes, it doesn’t make sense for you to want to kill someone His Majesty cherishes while claiming to be loyal to him.”

“……”

“You’re not denying it this time, either. That you wish for Abel to die.”

Ursula stared at Kin, who remained silent, then spoke quietly.

“As you said, we are running out of time. The news that His Majesty’s army has arrived near the palace must have already spread within the palace, and the King’s Heart will likely send someone by tomorrow. We must find His Majesty before that, right?”

Ashler’s voice was calm, but to Kin, it sounded like a warning. It meant that unless Kin explained why he wanted Abel dead, Ashler would not find His Majesty. Proving his point, Ashler extended his hand again.

“Give me the medicine.”

However, Kin looked down at Ashler’s hand and took a step back instead. It was a clear indication that he would not give him the medicine, and Ashler’s eyes sharpened.

“Sir Kin.”

“I am prepared to sacrifice my life for His Majesty at any time. But there is one condition.”

In a low but clear voice, Kin revealed that condition.

“Under the condition that His Majesty will defeat the King’s Heart and properly establish this country again.”

For six years, he had endured sleepless nights on the ground and the agony of freezing winters during the war for this very moment. Now, the King’s Heart was finally showing internal strife and cracks. This was an opportunity that countless soldiers had died to create over the past six years.

Now the Emperor must seize this chance to enter the palace and root them out entirely. The real war was about to begin.

“Right now, in a faraway place, there are soldiers who have fought for six years, trusting only His Majesty, and are waiting for him. They all want to receive the reward for their hard-fought battles. But that can only happen if His Majesty fights against the King’s Heart and completely regains power. They have fought in the shadows alongside a powerless His Majesty from the beginning, believing that someday he would crush the King’s Heart, even if many comrades died right beside them.”

Now, before the King’s Heart could regroup and strengthen their forces, the emperor had to make a move. Kin reached out his hand towards the capital.

“However, His Majesty, who thought only of defeating the King’s Heart, has disappeared somewhere because of that one person. I cannot forget the moment he passed by me holding Young Master Lil. It seemed that in his eyes, only the person he was holding existed. At that moment, I realized that even the King’s Heart had vanished from His Majesty’s mind.”

After finishing his long speech, Kin asked Ashler a question, who remained silent.

“Can you tell the countless soldiers waiting for the emperor in the camp? That the Emperor might not return because he is obsessed with that one person and has already forgotten everyone else? Can you tell those who have crossed the threshold of death every day for the past six years?”

Ashler’s jaw stiffened at the piercing question. He had thought about it too. Knowing how Karas had followed Abel as a child and reacted only to him, he anticipated that Karas might become obsessed with Abel if he accepted him back after his return.

Perhaps, he had also expected that Karas might take Abel and disappear with him. The sole reason Karas tried to destroy the King’s Heart was Abel’s death, and, if Abel returned, he might also lose interest in revenge.

However, this was such a childish behavior that he had ruled it out. Unfortunately, Kin was right. Right now, Karas would only see Abel. Even more so, since he might be in a state where he could die.

“I hope His Majesty makes the right choice. I want him to use his abilities and power for the country. And as his subject, I believe it is my duty to guide him down the right path.”

Hearing Kin’s resolute voice, Ashler asked quietly.

“Even if it means His Majesty loses someone precious?”

“Yes. If there’s no other choice. If anything, his death might direct His Majesty’s anger towards the King’s Heart, hastening their destruction. Didn’t Abel also say he was only thinking of His Majesty? In that case, he might even agree with me.”

That’s right. Abel would have agreed with him.

The foolish Regas who thought only of the emperor had resolved not to reveal his identity for that very reason. If the emperor hadn’t noticed first, Abel would have kept his true identity hidden until the end. But even so, he couldn’t agree with Kin’s words.

“Please give me the medicine. I would rather support Abel living and running away with His Majesty, than seeing His Majesty mourn the loss of someone precious to him.”

Of course, knowing Abel’s character, he would never run away. In any case, Abel would prevent the worst outcome. Ashler found his own faith in Abel somehow ridiculous. Suddenly, Kin’s sharp voice cut through his thoughts.

“Are you making the war that many people died in for six years in vain?”

“It doesn’t matter. If His Majesty truly desires it, missing the opportunity to fight against the King’s Heart is nothing.”

“Come to your senses!”

“Sir Kin, I despise the King’s Heart more than anyone else. Do you know why I am still doing this?”

Ashler let out a bitter smile and spoke in an indifferent voice.

“If we do as you say, then we are no different from the King’s heart.”

“……”

“In the end, we become the same as those who use His Majesty for their own purposes.”

Ashler stared at the silent Kin and then clenched his teeth as he continued.

“And you are wrong about one thing. If Abel dies, do you think His Majesty will direct his wrath towards the King’s Heart and eliminate them faster? Absolutely not. If Abel dies in front of his eyes a second time, His Majesty will destroy the entire country.”

He concluded with a low voice, warning him fiercely.

“So, we must hope for a miracle to happen right away.”

⊹˚. ♡.𖥔 ݁ ˖ ⊹˚. ♡.𖥔 ݁ ˖

He placed his hand gently on his chest. His heart was as still as the silence of the forest. He looked down at the lifeless Abel with an expressionless face and tilted his head slightly. Slowly, he began to speak.

“…Eppel.”

The magic words that would make the other person open their eyes finally came out sparingly, however, there was no response. Karas pressed Abel’s chest with his hand putting more force and called out to him urgently.

“Eppel.”

At the second call, the fog around them began to swirl as if it had a life of its own. However, Karas did not notice, entirely focused on Abel.

Since he had not let go, Abel could not die.

Since he had not allowed it, he could not dare leave him.

Therefore, Abel’s breath had to return, his heart had to beat again, and his green eyes had to open.

You can’t die.

The light in Karas’ eyes grew darker, and his face grew paler in contrast.

He would save him.

Right now, at this very moment, a solution would appear.

He silently shouted inwardly and opened his mouth again.

And just as he was about to utter the third call, an unfamiliar sound nearby interrupted him.

Rustle.

Following the sound of approaching footsteps, a man suddenly emerged from the white mist.

“Ah! What’s with this sudden thick fog? Where the hell am I?!”

The man in his mid-30s, with a rugged appearance, looked around with a bewildered expression, holding a small pickaxe in one hand and a strange-looking plant in the other. The plant in his hand still had soil clinging to its roots, as if it had just been dug up a moment ago.

He was startled by the fog but soon stopped when he noticed someone staring at him. When he met Karas’s gray eyes, a chill ran down his spine. The man did not avoid his gaze but rather stared at him intently.

“Who are you?”