Chapter 47 : A Class Gate : Spring and Autumn (1)

In the vast Central Plains Martial World, there were nine sects and one lodge.

Gupa Ilbang.
*(TL Note: Gupa Ilbang (구파일방) literally means “Nine Sects, One Lodge,” a common term in Korean martial arts fiction (Murim) referring to the major orthodox factions.)*

That’s what storytellers often called them. The backbone of the Orthodox Martial World, a group of martial artists possessing lofty martial arts and noble character.

“…Honestly. They weren’t such a righteous group. More accurately, they were a group asserting their own self-serving justice.”

Seolhyang muttered with turbid eyes.

Her blue dress was dirty, covered in dust, and her twintail hair was disheveled. Her sword was carelessly stuck in the ground, yet a murderous sharp aura could still be felt from the blade.

And around her, there was no one.

Unnaturally, a desolate clearing sat at the Gate entrance. Seolhyang perched on a nearby rock and looked at me with dark eyes.

“Right. Wudang was a bit better. There was even the saying ‘North Shaolin, South Wudang’. Besides, by my standards as a woman, Wudang was the supreme sect under heaven. Since Shaolin had an atmosphere of looking down on women, Wudang was slightly better.”

Even so, there were limits.

Seolhyang said.

“So. What does that have to do with the current situation? Is there perhaps a Martial World here too?”

I tilted my head and asked. Even having lost the Magic Girl’s power, she was still a powerful martial artist.

Possessing strength surpassing average A-rank Hunters.

“…There’s no Martial World, but the situation is similar. Suffering common folk. Robbers venting only their desires, and people with good intentions hitting the wall of reality. Finally, the most important problem, the fact that ultimately, one could not escape this cycle.”

I nodded.

Having been a Hunter for several months, I could now understand what Seolhyang was saying.

Just as I couldn’t escape the tragic fate of losing loved ones no matter what I did, this land too was essentially being forced towards a single conclusion.

Endless Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. An era of warring lords where the law of the jungle reigned.

“Then just end it. Like you always did. Right? Magic Girl-nim?”

Though it might sound slightly sarcastic, I was serious.

“I know too, that places called Gates are originally like this. But…, it’s just A-rank. Maybe beings inside the Gate can’t escape, but you, who came from outside, should have escaped that fate.”

Just as the laws inside the Gate leak out to erode Earth, the reverse can naturally occur too. That’s why only beings from outside the Gate can subjugate it.

For reference. The fact of being connected to Earth is important. In my case, I escaped the logic of my homeland myself, without anyone specifically subjugating it.

…Though eventually, I’ll have to completely subjugate the Land of Prosperity, that’s a matter for later.

“Agathe. My origin isn’t Earth. It’s the A-rank Gate ‘Gupa Ilbang’ that opened in Seoul. Thanks to that, in this place where the environment is similar to my homeland, it’s difficult to use the Magic Girl’s power.”

“Right. I know that. So what about it? What matters isn’t power, but qualification, right? The people here lack the qualification to become the emperor who unifies the Central Plains, but you don’t, so isn’t that it?”

I retorted with slight annoyance. I need to finish work quickly and then focus on prenatal care with Caspar…

“If it were that easy, I would have done it.”

Seolhyang still wore a dark expression. I sighed and gestured to her as if teaching.

“I’ve been a ruler too, so I know, it’s no big deal.”

‘Really no big deal. Raising Caspar’s baby well will be much harder than that.’

Ah, I wish my belly would start showing soon. Then I can tell you how great your dad is.

“Agathe. Don’t get annoyed, listen properly.”

Seeing my rude reaction, Caspar ruffled my hair and pointed out my attitude. Apparently, Caspar found the stories of other worlds intriguing.

…Surely he’s not interested in Seolhyang, right?

“Yes…”

Hmph. Can’t be helped. I’ll let it slide just this once. Can’t have Caspar getting tired or bored of me, so for now, I need to obediently listen to Caspar’s words.

Someone might say this. Where does the idea of treating your husband better because you think he might cheat come from?

But to me, this is common sense. Of course. There’s no way Caspar could be wrong. Caspar is never wrong. So it must be my fault.

Sighing inwardly, I pouted and listened intently to Seolhyang’s words.

“So. To put it simply…”

She paused for a moment, then sighed.

“The Central Plains are too vast.”

“Huh?”

Thwack.

Seolhyang threw down her sword. The spinning blade landed point first, sticking right back into its original position.

She looked just as full of irritation as I felt.

“It’s different from your land that barely fills Dobong-gu or Dongdaemun-gu, the Central Plains Martial World. Even using Qinggong to its utmost, it takes days and nights to cross from end to end.”
*(TL Note: Qinggong is a martial arts technique for lightness and fast movement. Dobong-gu and Dongdaemun-gu are districts in Seoul, used here to emphasize the relatively small size of Agathe’s former world.)*

“…Why compare it to the Land of Prosperity?”

‘Feels strangely unpleasant.’

“The point is, the difficulty is fundamentally different from you, who’s just the ruler of that world.”

‘Good. Seeing her talk like that, it seems Seolhyang doesn’t like Caspar.’

‘A woman not liking Caspar. She probably has some sexual dysfunction, but it’s not strange since she achieved age regression.’

“…A pseudo-Daoist priest brandishing a sword. Wudang Sect Leader is also an impersonation, right?”

“What? What did you just say? Th-There’s no problem according to the sect’s internal regulations, okay?”

Where did her tired eyes from just moments ago go? There was Seolhyang, vigorously swinging her sword with eyes ready to grab my hair and fight.

…If only her sword didn’t have that eerie glint, she might have looked somewhat cute.

I decided to bestow merciful teachings upon the savage medieval ruffian.

Arms crossed, chin lifted high, looking down at the short Seolhyang with arrogant eyes. I ignored the fact that Caspar was sending me a rather sly gaze.

“You, who couldn’t even get an official post nor cross the threshold of a village school, wouldn’t know. You, a savage who hasn’t even seen a gun, let alone advanced technology, and only uses a sword, wouldn’t understand. Originally, a ruler needs dignity.”

Like me.

Though the latter part was omitted, everyone here could understand my meaning.

“Hey. You, what did you just say?!”

Seolhyang jumped up and down, her face flushed bright red. A twintail brat acting like that is just cute.

Well. Naturally, a foolish simpleton brandishing weapons in front of someone holding a gun wouldn’t properly accept my words.

“Pitiful that you can’t listen even when told. A king must be backed by grace, dignity. And appearance. Just being strong isn’t everything.”

Perhaps cornered in the logical argument, Seolhyang launched an absurd counterattack.

“…Th-Then your husband. You called me a monkey brandishing a sword. But doesn’t that actually fit Caspar better?”

How pathetic.

As Seolhyang realized I was looking at her with genuine pity, she too became flustered.

“…Why. Why? Sorry to Caspar, but isn’t it true? Ah. Of course, I absolutely don’t think that way. Just logically speaking.”

“How could a woman and a man possibly be the same? According to Salic law, women can’t ascend the throne in the first place.”

So, needing complex conditions to ascend the throne only applies to women.

“Furthermore. If the opponent is Caspar, even more so. My dear husband is a powerful warrior, brimming with dignity, and above all, incredibly handsome.”

“The reason Caspar uses a sword is simply because he wants to. Not because it’s the only thing he knows how to do, like someone.”

Hearing my words, Seolhyang’s brow furrowed.

“…”

‘That expression probably means she realizes her foolish judgment and regrets it.’

‘The thought “That b*tch is at it again” is probably just because I’m not used to reading expressions.’

Probably.

“Fine. All fine. Respecting your opinion, let’s say you two possess all the royal qualities I lack. So, what are you going to do now?”

Seolhyang asked, pressing her temples firmly. I tilted my head and asked back.

“Didn’t you call me knowing what to do?”

“I called because I didn’t know. Okay? According to someone, I’m just a mere woman brandishing a sword.”

“Good that you grasp your situation quickly. I have a plan. A perfect plan, confirmed by Caspar too.”

Ignoring Seolhyang, who was glaring at me even more intensely for some reason, I explained the strategy.

***

The Central Plains were vast, and madmen were many.

Therefore. Moyong Sa, a general of the Yan state, classified himself as relatively sane.

“…Who did you say you were?”

“Envoy of His Majesty the Emperor. One of the vassal kings under his command. And simultaneously, his Empress. Ah, this one is my attendant.”

How could one possibly call oneself mad when someone spouting such nonsense clearly exists?

However, this uninvited guest couldn’t be immediately driven away.

The reason was simple. Because she was someone who met a nation’s general alone without facing any resistance. It was right to view her as an incredibly strong assassin.

Whether the assassin was the envoy or the short attendant beside her was unclear, but either way, it wasn’t particularly important information since they were sufficient to take his head.

Though she covered her face with a veil, her figure alone indicated she was a stunning beauty.

Though many questions arose, Moyong Sa decided to first resolve the immediate matters step by step.

“Right. That… The title ‘Emperor’, what does it signify? Could you perhaps tell me?”

A tutting sound was heard.

“Aah-. Does this world not know the word Emperor? Listen well. The Emperor… is the existence reigning above all feudal lords, vassal kings, and the myriad people.”

Moyong Sa was an outstanding talent. The fact that he merely spat curses and ended it there proved his self-control.

“Mad-”

Therefore. Moyong Sa was simply unlucky.

“Seolhyang.”

The moment the short word was heard, a cold blade approached his neck. Goosebumps rose all over his arm from the sensation of the chilly blade.

‘How…?’

“Insolent. There are no second chances.”

A voice, haughty yet simultaneously bewitching, flowed from red lips. She gestured to the attendant with a flick of her hand, withdrawing the sword.

Sweating profusely. Moyong Sa asked the assailant before him.

“Your Excellency. What is it, that you desire?”

With an incredibly matter-of-fact attitude, she calmly stated something insane.

“The world.”

“The world… you say.”

“To the Majesty. I wish to offer the world to my lord. Though a small land, it seems suitable for children to play war games. Therefore, pledge loyalty to the Majesty. Otherwise, punishment shall be dealt.”

Barely, Moyong Sa managed to utter the next words.

“Who, on earth. In whose name do you commit such acts?”

The answer came from the attendant beside her.

“…In the name of justice.”

Somehow. She looked utterly ashamed.