C364
“This place is similar to the Central Plains.”
“That’s the theme.”
“Oh?”
The Heavenly Demon reacted with interest and lightly kicked the ground.
-Human, did you see that? The Heavenly Demon just jumped on the leaves and climbed.
Yes, I saw it.
What a terrifying human.
“Definitely this world is huge. It’s really fun.”
The Heavenly Demon’s face, which was smiling cheerfully, had lost quite a bit of its boredom.
However, it wasn’t like a person was shining with life.
Due to his innate atmosphere, the Heavenly Demon emanated a relaxed and carefree aura.
‘He’s similar to Cale.’
Choi Han looked at Cale and the Heavenly Demon alternately and nodded.
“Your clothes are also similar to the Central Plains.”
The Heavenly Demon smiled while looking down at his clothes with wide folds that were billowing. He asked while smiling.
“Then, is the Kingdom of Lan similar to the Imperial Palace?”
If the Central Plains and this place are similar, is the Kingdom of Lan similar to the Imperial Palace?
Swish-
The wind enveloped Cale, Choi Han, the Heavenly Demon, and the average 10-year-old as they descended towards the mountain.
“No. It’s not similar to the Imperial Palace.”
“Then?”
“It’s similar to the Demon Cult.”
Stop~.
The Heavenly Demon stopped.
The branch he had stood on with one foot swayed for a moment.
That meant the Heavenly Demon had been quite surprised.
Swish-
Cale, who was rapidly descending towards the mountain with the wind tied by Raon’s magic, also stopped.
The moment the Heavenly Demon and Cale looked at each other, the Heavenly Demon opened his mouth.
“Is it similar to me?”
Wow.
Cale was surprised for the first time in a long time.
Cale had mentioned the Demon Cult, but the Heavenly Demon had interpreted it as “me.”
‘It means he himself is the Demon Cult.’
As expected of the Heavenly Demon.
“Queen Tamahi of the Kingdom of Lan has a position similar to the Heavenly Demon’s.”
“And?”
“Her system is also similar to the Demon Cult, and the thoughts of the people of the kingdom are similar to the Demon Cult’s.”
It was inevitable.
‘The inspiration for the Kingdom of Lan is Wuxia.’
Just as the Eight Evils had different themes, this New World itself had worlds with different concepts.
Unlike other games where it’s usually enough to include one world, the New World had everything.
And it was possible thanks to the huge world that backed them, large enough to contain all that and even more.
‘Transparent didn’t provide a detailed explanation about the concept.’
Many clichés that we normally associate with Wuxia existed everywhere in the Kingdom of Lan.
That included their clothes, thoughts, professions, and skills.
‘That’s why many users who want to enjoy the Wuxia atmosphere come here.’
Cale added an explanation.
“The center is the Kingdom of Lan, but many factions exist below it that are loyal to it.”
“Are they like the righteous path and the demonic path?”
“It’s similar, but not only those two factions exist.”
“How many?”
“There are about five major alliances, and within those alliances, many factions also exist. It’s similar to the families and sects of the martial world.”
“It’s interesting.”
The Heavenly Demon murmured in a low voice with an expression of interest.
“If we translate the situation of the Kingdom of Lan to the style of my world-”
Cale felt the Heavenly Demon’s smile seemed dangerous, and then he heard his voice.
“It means a new order has been created under the demons.”
“…!”
“They worship a demon and fight among themselves to expand their power under him-”
“Hmm.”
“It’s really fun.”
In fact, even within the Demon Cult, each faction moved for its own benefit, under a nominal loyalty to the Heavenly Demon that was almost ridiculous.
“However, Haeil.”
The Heavenly Demon still called Cale, Haeil.
“Seeing this, it seems like this Kingdom of Lan wasn’t created for the demons, but for someone else.”
“Oh.”
Cale asked with a brief exclamation of amazement.
“Did you realize that?”
At Cale’s gaze, which was asking with a mocking smile, the Heavenly Demon shook his head with an expression of disbelief.
“Blood Demon.”
And at the name he mentioned, Cale’s smile deepened.
“It was said to be the Blue Blood Family? It seems like the Kingdom of Lan was prepared for them.”
“I also believe so.”
Through the Blood Demon, Cale had realized the connection between RMPAG and the Hunters.
<The current rank of ‘Blue’ is 4th!>
Her username was Blue, and she was in 4th place.
“Human, then, is the Kingdom of Lan the kingdom they created to give to the Blood Demon in the future?”
“Probably.”
Cale wasn’t sure, but that was his assumption.
At that moment, the Heavenly Demon showed an expression of incomprehension.
“But it’s strange.”
“Why?”
When Cale looked at him, the Heavenly Demon, who was still standing on the branch that seemed about to break, said.
“Didn’t you say there was a follower of the God of Chaos in the royal palace?”
“Yes. The national minister. The queen’s husband.”
Cale had seen Queen Tamahi in Serisa’s memories. Her husband was talking to Bishop Serisa and mentioning the holy place.
Although he hadn’t told them the whole story, Cale had to meet Tamahi’s husband.
“It’s strange. Really strange.”
The Heavenly Demon laughed in disbelief.
“That place isn’t the Demon Cult.”
He was firm.
“While I’m in the Demon Cult, I’ll never allow something that belongs to another God to deceive me and stay in my house.”
Hmm.
Cale let out a sound.
‘Definitely-’
This guy isn’t alright.
The Heavenly Demon was definitely a dangerous guy.
It was strange that the Emperor left this Heavenly Demon alone.
Well, fighting the Demon Cult would mean suffering heavy losses, so it was better to pretend they didn’t exist.
“The King of Lan can’t compare to the Demon Cult.”
The Heavenly Demon was really arrogant.
“It’s a clumsy place.”
For him, even the Emperor was probably an insignificant figure.
He was really like a divine existence.
‘And a crazy one.’
Anyway, Cale had a reason to call the Heavenly Demon.
The Heavenly Demon also began to talk about that.
“However, after hearing about the Kingdom of Lan, I feel like it’s not necessary for me to be there.”
“Really?”
“It seems like someone from the righteous path would be better. A strategist like Jegal Miryeo would be a better choice.”
“No.”
Cale shook his head.
“I need you.”
Oh.
The Heavenly Demon couldn’t hide his interest at Cale’s gaze, who was directly pointing at him. For the Heavenly Demon, Kim Haeil, Cale’s existence was special. He was someone who wanted to be a god, but also wanted to be human.
“After this update, the Kingdom of Lan will hold an event.”
Cale revealed information to the Heavenly Demon.
“The game users believe this event is for ‘The Great First Step’.”
In particular, the users who didn’t have factions but had a high rank were paying attention to this event.
“In a week.”
Cale mentioned the event that would be the biggest in the Kingdom of Lan.
“They choose the heir of the Kingdom of Lan.”
Ah.
Choi Han exclaimed.
“Ja, ja, ja, ja-”
The Heavenly Demon burst out laughing.
Flutter-
The leaves that were nearby moved.
It didn’t affect Cale or his group, but the bet contained in his laughter made the atmosphere vibrate.
“It’s really fun.”
Really fun.
The Heavenly Demon nodded his head repeatedly and then asked Cale.
“Do you want me to go there?”
“Yes. I’d like you to become the sole heir.”
“Then, I’ll also be able to see the queen’s husband.”
“Yes.”
It was the easiest way to attract the Kingdom of Lan to Cale’s side and, at the same time, get close to the queen’s husband.
‘I can’t fight Queen Tamahi.’
Maybe Cale would become her benefactor.
“It’s difficult to approach the queen’s husband by normal means. The Lan royal palace, especially the place where the royal couple lives, is Lan’s holy place, and if someone who isn’t of royal blood or their partner approaches, they’ll notice.”
And it was said that Queen Tamahi’s husband only stayed in that holy place.
“Hmm.”
The Heavenly Demon thought for a moment and then said with an expression of enthusiasm.
“Everything will be fun.”
He soon asked a question.
“Am I not evil? I should belong to the Seventh Evil.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
The event that will be held in the Kingdom of Lan in a week.
“The Supreme Martial Arts Tournament.”
That tournament.
“It doesn’t matter the affiliation, status, age, nothing.”
“Only strength is looked at.”
“That’s right. Whoever wins first place will become Tamahi’s official heir and rule the Kingdom of Lan.”
That’s why all the users were gathering in the Kingdom of Lan.
To participate.
Or to watch.
The Eastern Empire, the Western Empire.
Although both were in the middle of many problems, nothing was as noisy as the news about the Kingdom of Lan.
“It’s an interesting tournament.”
The Heavenly Demon nodded his head.
“Alright. I’ll go.”
The Supreme Martial Arts Tournament. The Heavenly Demon decided to participate.
He pointed to Cale.
“And you?”
“I’m your servant.”
“Then, that guy must be your bodyguard.”
Cale was his servant, Choi Han was his bodyguard.
‘Cale and Choi Han are quite well-known to the Hunters for their strength.’
Definitely, the Hunters would participate or attend the tournament.
So it was better not to reveal themselves.
“But, didn’t the Kingdom of Lan originally have an heir?”
“It was said they did, but now they officially say there isn’t one.”
“Ah, the Blood Demon.”
“Yes.”
The answer was easy.
The Kingdom of Lan had an heir who had never appeared in public.
But now, with the holding of the Supreme Martial Arts Tournament, it had been officially recognized that there wasn’t such an heir.
Cale thought the reason was the Blood Demon.
She no longer existed.
“Should we leave again?”
At Choi Han’s question, Cale answered.
“Yes. Today is the last day to register. We have to go register.”
The group quickly descended towards the mountain again.
The Heavenly Demon calmly descended, adapting to their speed, from the back.
Then he murmured.
“The Supreme Martial Arts Tournament-”
His voice was so low that it was lost in the sound of the wind.
“If I win first place, but I’m still under the king, can I call myself the best? If the best has been proclaimed, then it must be the best.”
The Heavenly Demon’s monologue ended there. However, there was a strange gleam in his eyes.
“Hmm?”
Cale, who didn’t know anything about this, felt a chill and scratched his neck.
‘No?’
Can I ignore this feeling?
Cale looked at the Heavenly Demon just in case.
The Heavenly Demon was only smiling.
‘I feel uncomfortable.’
That’s why he felt uncomfortable.
‘I must stay close to this guy.’
He decided to observe and make sure he didn’t do anything foolish while he was his servant.
* * *
“Your Majesty-”
Queen Tamahi was looking at the pond when she turned her head.
She saw Charun, her teacher and current leader of the Martial Arts Academy.
She saw his white hair and wrinkled face.
“Please reconsider.”
The old minister, who was kneeling, looked at her.
Swish-
The wind blew.
“I’m sixty years old.”
Queen Tamahi said calmly.
“I can’t postpone it any longer.”
She averted her gaze. The pond’s surface was calm. No matter what was beneath, it was calm at that moment.
“This is our last move to prevent ourselves from being manipulated any longer.”
“Your Majesty-”
Tears welled up in Charun’s eyes. They were tears of indignation and sadness.
“The Wanderers.”
Queen Tamahi murmured in a low voice and looked at the carp beneath the pond, reaffirming her decision.
The Wanderers.
“We can’t allow those who dare to call themselves Gods to take over this land.”
“…That’s correct.”
The old minister, who was over eighty years old but whose eyes were still sharp, stood up from his knees.
“A path will definitely open. I’ll put all my effort into carrying out Your Majesty’s will.”
“Yes. I trust you.”
Tamahi was eagerly hoping with all her might.
“…Wu.”
Strength?
Power?
It’s not that.
Lan.
The essence of this land is only one.
That someone who knows Wu (武) appears.
At that moment, a guard who was far from the gazebo where she and Charun were, approached.
“Your Majesty.”
When their eyes met, the guard bowed and reported.
“Duke Hinpa has arrived.”
Tamahi’s husband, whose name was Hinpa. A small smile appeared on Tamahi’s face. On the other hand, Charun’s face clouded for a moment, but then it became indifferent.
Duke Hinpa.
Doubt about him was growing.
At that moment, a telepathic message reached his ear.
Smile~
Charun shuddered and looked at Tamahi.
The voice’s owner was Tamahi, his only queen.
‘Your Majesty-’
Charun suppressed his indignation, waiting for the moment when this great queen’s broken wings would spread.
‘The Wanderer will have also registered for the tournament.’
Charun clenched his fists.
Even if this old body broke, he would protect this land of Lan.
* * *
===================
<Crazy! Many rankers have registered!>
I’m watching this from near the registration counter, and many rankers among the top 100 have registered for the Heavenly Tournament (Supreme Martial Arts Tournament). Crazy, incredible.
-It’s the safest opportunity to become king, right? There’s no way they’ll miss it.
-Hey, hey! Not only rankers! All the warriors from all over the continent are here!
-Wow… Is it possible for everyone to gather? If there’s a fight, it will be a war!
-It’s difficult for a user to win. The continent’s warriors will probably win.
-Even so, it’s said that the current rank 1 of the Eastern Empire is about to be crowned as the crown prince! The Kingdom of Lan also has possibilities!
===================
While the RMPAG community was focused on the big event that would be held in a week, an individual who wasn’t a continent warrior or a ranker registered at the end.
“Is your name ‘Kim Haeil’?”
“That’s right.”
“Swordsman?”
“That’s right.”
The Heavenly Demon finished registering.
‘Are you Kim Haeil?’
‘And so?’
‘I’ll use the name Kim Haeil.’
‘What?’
‘I myself will be number 2, not number 1.’
This crazy guy.
Cale looked at the Heavenly Demon with a disapproving gaze.
