Childhood Friend of the Zenith - Chapter 601
[Episode 601] The North Sea.
Tap-! Tap-!
I hear the sound of a fire burning.
Something that was originally human was burning.
The shape was lost long ago.
ashes. Something else of no value.
He looked at it and got up.
pop…
pop…
Blood runs down his fingertips.
Of course, it’s not my blood. It was only the aftermath of torture.
Two bodies that had died long ago were engulfed in flames.
On the contrary, my gaze, looking at it, was chilly.
It’s so cold that it surprises itself.
My emotional state right now is exactly that.
Turn your head.
There was glass at the end.
She stares at me with her quivering eyes, unable to speak her words.
Her eyes were filled with deep fear and shallow bewilderment.
Tuduk-!
He waved her hand and wiped away the blood.
She simultaneously burned and cleared away the residue that had accumulated on the floor.
The space is instantly filled with burnt smell.
In a place full of silence, I looked at the glass and asked
“I will ask you again.”
“…yes…?”
“Is there anyone suspicious?”
“…”
There were many meanings in the words.
“You don’t think it’s still there?”
I struggled to keep a smile.
Fortunately, he laughed.
I was able to get a lot of information from the advisor.
As expected, he was a guy with a lot of regrets in life.
Such a man is infinitely weak in the face of death.
guts too.
Courage too.
Loyalty that could barely depend on it.
“Or maybe it’s because I need to confirm more.”
“…no.”
Yuri bites her lip at my words and shakes her head.
“It’s still hard to fully believe it…but I know I’m in no situation to deny it.”
“I just need to know.”
When she heard the answer, she nodded her head.
I meant to say something else.
The information she obtained was roughly as follows.
It is said that the treason came from a place called the ‘Blue Wolf’, one of the four major tribes in the North Sea.
The order that her man received was to wait here and lure her to her destination when Yuri arrives.
‘Until here, as expected.’
Just like I thought.
It seems they were meant to lure us in.
They said that they were planning to attack those who were ambushed at the destination they were going to take.
If you have any doubts.
‘Do you know when we’ll be here?’
Even if I simply calculated the distance from Jungwon to the North Sea, it was this much because I rode a stupid guy.
If it wasn’t for that, it would be way too late.
You probably didn’t expect us to fly through the sky.
But that there was such a response.
‘There was a way to know when we arrived.’
The point of arrival in the North Sea.
prepared at that time
or.
‘I just anticipated all routes and prepared them.’
will be
In simple terms, the latter is more likely.
also.
‘I have to.’
It was also a situation where it had to be the latter.
If it’s the former, it’s a very crappy situation.
Even so, the words that followed were like that.
say the man
The reason why the winds of blood began to blow in the ice palace like now is because of the upper line of treason.
‘The blood relatives of the Ice Palace are involved.’
It means that there is a direct blood relative of the royal family.
It was a contradiction to Yuri’s statement that blood relatives cannot be betrayed.
‘Could that really be a lie?’
The man’s words were true.
Assuming that Seong-yul did not lie.
So, did Yuri lie?
‘It’s probably not that either.’
Objectively, the case of Yuri is remarkably low.
Of course, it’s only ‘significantly’ low.
That didn’t mean it completely.
It just excludes them from priorities.
I looked at the glass again.
“how will we do it.”
Yuri swallows dry saliva at the question.
Her expression darkened as if she couldn’t believe this situation properly.
Even if he tried to believe the story that blood relatives were involved, he couldn’t believe it properly.
-how will we do it.
This is not a question for glass.
Rather, it would be more accurate to say that he spoke to me.
‘It’s correct to assume that the path Yuri mentioned earlier is blocked.’
If it’s like this from the first hideout that I was most confident about.
After that, all routes to the Ice Palace would be blocked.
So what do we do now?
Seruk.
Her hand ran her hair up through her forehead.
Cold eyes pass through the air.
From the beginning, when the torture was over, the answer was decided.
“If the safe road is over.”
You have to go the other way.
In the information the man said.
There was also a location where she was attempting an ambush.
Then the answer was simple.
She asked Yuri right away.
“The location I mentioned earlier. Do you know where it is?”
“Speaking of location…”
“You know what this guy said. Did you say ‘Seorak Gorge’?”
“…!”
At my words, Yuri’s eyes widen.
“That… long. You said the enemy was in an ambush.”
“that’s right.”
I don’t know what he meant, but Yuri is taken aback.
Looking at it, I said nothing.
“I’ve been waiting for you. you have to visit Please guide me if you know.”
“What is that…!”
After hearing her words, Yuri raises the volume without realizing it.
“You’re going to go directly into the enemy’s location?”
“Because that’s the fastest way.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to go straight to the Ice Palace…? It’s safe to ride that monster…!”
“I can’t ride.”
“yes…?”
“He’s at his limit right now.”
why didn’t i think of that
Of course, that was the first thought that came to mind.
“I can’t fly now.”
There was a reason why I sent the smart guy to rest.
That guy was so exhausted that he couldn’t fly.
‘I flew for days bearing this weight.’
It was the number of people selected with the garden in mind.
Exceeding that and burning the paison.
Even in that state, it flew at full speed.
He let me rest once every few days, but including that, nothing made me arrive at this time.
It was thanks to the smart guy who flew while enduring his limits.
Even leaving it there.
“You’re not even sure that the ice palace is safe.”
“…!”
“It’s already been over here. Do you think your house is safe?”
In the state of rebellion, the enemy has entered the place prepared as a hiding place.
Is it safe to say that it is an ice palace?
What if the palace was already occupied and the ice palace was occupied?
There were all kinds of problems involved in making the choice.
‘There is no best way.’
not a better way.
Now is the time to do something less bad.
“Then guide me.”
“but….”
Yuri tries to add his words, as if my opinion is not trustworthy.
Seeing that, he sighed.
“I said it before.”
It seemed that he was constantly mistaken.
“Does this look like a request?”
In the cool tone, the life he had endured was slightly entwined.
Startle.
At my words, Yuri shuddered lightly.
already at the limit
I’m holding back and holding back, but I was already at my limit.
I want to burn everything right now.
Tolerating it had already reached its limit.
It burns so hot that it feels cold again.
That’s just my situation right now.
so.
“Guide me now.”
Before I burn ‘something’.
I had to find ‘something’ to cool me down.
******************
Cheap-!
It’s hard to see even an inch ahead in the pouring snow.
There was such a violent snowstorm.
The road to the gorge was not elevated, but rather difficult.
As she climbed that path, Yuri expressed her alertness with her whole body.
The bitter cold is not a problem.
For Yuri, the cold was more familiar than anything else.
More than that to Yuri now.
The only problem was her beating heart and her endless nervous feelings.
As he climbs her path, Yuri bites her trembling lips.
‘This is…what the hell.’
Seeing what had happened, she couldn’t bring herself to her senses.
She said that there were enemies in her hideout, which she had planned in advance.
That her own blood relatives were involved in the bloodbath that occurred in the Ice Palace.
Those two things alone made Yuri feel miserable.
‘How the hell…’
It’s unbelievable.
Those with the Curse of Ice Crystal cannot betray each other.
Although that was something that had been placed on the blood relatives of the Ice Palace for a long time.
The information she found out while torturing her enemies was shocking even for Yuri.
torture.
As I recall the events of the past, I feel sick to my stomach.
Yuri forcibly endured it.
It was such a shocking sight.
Wooddeuk.
A person’s body is pierced and every bone is broken.
[Kuhhhhhhhhhhh!!!]
Push-!
Screams rang out and blood splattered.
For the first time in my life, I smelled the smell of burning skin.
The incense that comes from burning a person’s flesh is terribly bitter.
Until the earnest words the man shouted for his life turned into a plea to please kill him.
It only took a few minutes.
‘scared.’
Just thinking about it brings fear.
This is the moment when Yuri becomes convinced that something is wrong.
Even in the face of such screams, the torturer’s eyes remained calm.
The screams don’t bother me one bit.
The blood that flows through him and the flesh that burns.
The only thing to focus on is the words that will come out of the man’s mouth.
Yuri couldn’t even breathe at that cruel appearance.
What the hell did she bring?
Was he right to bring him to the North Sea?
That thought came to me belatedly.
Horror and dread squeeze your throat.
Sabak.
I moved on with those feelings.
What is the question in the meantime?
The point is that Yuri, with countless negative emotions, eventually follows his words.
Was it because he couldn’t overcome the intimidation and fear?
Maybe.
I wasn’t sure of anything.
The important thing was that in the end he followed his words.
see now
Didn’t I come to guide you to a place where the enemy might lie in ambush?
It’s a situation where you don’t know what will happen to the ice palace right now.
Even if he said it in a reasonable and rational way.
Apart from that, it was ultimately Yuri who chose this.
He said that it is he who must take responsibility for his choices.
“Whoa…whoo…”
Knowing that, Yuri did not stop his steps.
Seorak Gorge.
The slope is not high, but the deep road is slippery and there are deep cliffs around it, making it a dangerous terrain.
Originally, it was one of the roads leading to the Ice Palace, but it was not recommended because of the danger.
‘The road to the Ice Palace.’
I heard they lure you in the direction of the ambush.
If it had been said that they would go through Seorak Gorge for safety reasons, Yuri would have agreed.
It was a place where people rarely went in and out.
‘…is it really what he said?’
He had to admit it even if he didn’t want to admit it.
that his own expectations and thoughts were wrong.
saaaaaa
The wind continued to blow.
A situation where you can’t see an inch ahead because of the snowstorm.
Should I go further like this?
He heard there’s an ambush.
Yuri looked back.
The party was quietly following Yuri.
The cold didn’t seem to be a problem.
It’s so cold, how could it be?
Looking at that reminds me of Yuri.
‘I’ve heard of it.’
Among the warriors, those who are particularly outstanding are said to be unshakable in the cold.
Do you feel that way too?
It was a useless thought to think about now.
Yuri slightly shook his head and said while looking at the group.
“…the situation is not good.”
It was already night.
Even blizzards are a problem.
Even the outstanding warriors of the Ice Palace, who are accustomed to this situation, stop walking when it reaches this level.
No matter how much they are in the middle of the day, it will be more difficult to move in the current situation.
Having judged that, Yuri spat out the words.
Gu Yang-cheon, who was in front of him, looked around.
Is it an illusion?
For a moment, Gu Yangchen’s eyes seemed to be dyed with blue light.
“Yeah, I don’t have to go any further.”
“also….”
It seems he was right this time.
Ironically, I felt a sense of relief at that fact.
“There is a risk of an ambush, so stay around for a while…”
“No, that’s not what I meant.”
“yes?”
It was a situation where enemies could appear, so wasn’t it supposed to be bright and go?
The moment when Yuri is questioned.
Roaring.
Suddenly, Gu Yangchen began to gather sparks in his palms.
Immediately, Yuri could feel the surrounding temperature change.
It was warm.
In this knife-like cold.
Woowook-!
The warmth generated around them gathers in a handful.
Its appearance reminded me of a small sun.
By the time Yuri’s eyes are taken away by the mysterious appearance.
swish-!
Guyangcheon threw a sparkling jade ball into the air.
OK.
Flash-!
The floating orb radiated light, illuminating the surroundings.
The blizzard stops with the orb as the starting point.
The darkness dissipated and the light emitted brightened the vision.
That’s how the surrounding scenery caught my eye.
“Huup…!”
Yuri, who checked the brightened surroundings, had to swallow his breath.
“This… what is this…?”
I see something over the snow field.
It was almost submerged because of the snow that kept falling.
Yuri seemed to have a vague idea of what those things were.
Patter-!
Gu Yangchen walked over and grabbed something on the floor and lifted it up.
What was buried in the snow is finally revealed.
Surprisingly, it is a human corpse.
Gu Yangchen lifted it casually and inspected the corpse.
“He died not too long ago.”
It’s in very bad condition, so it’s hard to see exactly.
It seemed so.
Yesterday at least.
as early as today.
Such was the condition of the body.
It’s not even just this guy.
‘There are many around.’
Bodies buried in the snow were often seen.
Even if you roughly count, it seems to exceed twenty nine.
“Are these the guys who were ambushed here?”
Then why are they all dead?
It could be the number of people in the ice palace.
It’s strange that the ambush guys are dead here.
at that time.
“for a moment…!”
When Yuri sees the corpse held by Yangchun Gu, she approaches as if surprised.
“…General…?”
Looking at the reaction, Gu Yangchen asked.
“Do you know each other?”
“ah….”
Yuri frowned at the question and said.
“I’m a general from the blue wolf family…”
“If it’s a blue wolf.”
It was the name of the four major families or tribes that participated in the rebellion that the torturer had spit out earlier.
That’s what it means.
‘It means he was in an ambush.’
Even more so, the title of general was said to be a strong man recognized in the North Sea.
‘I mean, I was right about the idea of catching it.’
It also meant that the idea of luring them and catching them here was right.
the problem is.
‘Why is he dead?’
Why are all these guys dead?
“Hmm…”
situation is unknown.
It was all the more so because I didn’t feel any presence around me.
Did they engage in a battle with the palace staff who noticed the ambush?
When you want to know a little more about this.
Stop-!
Gu Yangchen turned his head and looked west.
Same goes for everyone except Yuri.
“They are coming.”
“yes.”
Gu Yangchen nodded at Pejon’s words.
I could feel the presence of people around the west side.
About thirty people.
It was half an angle at the latest to arrive.
‘Is it because of this?’
I raised my gaze.
It seems that the guys who saw the small compressed castle are coming this way.
“What shall I do, Gongja-nim?”
“Let’s hide for now. I need to see what they are doing.”
Enemies or allies?
It was a priority to check that out.
Thinking of that, Gu Yang-cheon erased the castle of Hwa-ryun.
The light quickly faded and darkness came again.
The blizzard also started to hit again.
“Let’s just erase the presence and understand the situation.”
I planned to do that, but I’m going to move on immediately.
sparkle.
A sense of alienation flashes in Gu Yang-chun’s eyes.
I saw something shining in the snow on one side.
Normally, I would have thought it would be one of the discarded weapons and passed on.
“…”
“Gongja? Where are you going–”
For some reason, Guyangcheon headed there.
It was because I felt like I had to see it for some reason.
The steps that did not leave footprints dig deep into the snow.
It means that the bet that was wrapped around the foot is gone.
walked
no it ran why are you in a hurry Even while running, I didn’t understand.
When we arrived at our destination, strangely, there was no light.
There was obviously a light shining from afar, but when I arrived there was nothing.
There is only white snow.
into those eyes.
hook-!
Gu Yangchun immediately stretched out his hand and put it in.
A cold touch brushes the back of his hand.
I ignored it and pushed it a little further, and something caught on his fingertip.
It is absolutely not the touch of the ground.
He grabbed it and retrieved his hand.
As soon as you check the thing you pulled out with your own eyes.
“…”
Gu Yangchen’s whole body hardened.
It is something familiar to the eye.
It was something that a woman had been carrying around.
It was also something she bought herself.
It’s something cheap and bought in haste.
It just seems to pass by.
so i bought it
It looks like it’s rusted a bit, so I remember that they didn’t change it even if they died even though they said they would buy a new one.
Her crescent-shaped trinket, which she picked out and handed to her because she seemed to resemble her.
that stuff.
Found in a place where it shouldn’t be.
the moment you check it out.
Pop-!
Something broke in the old Yangcheon.
Roaring—!!
Heat radiated all around him, starting at his toes.