Chapter 48 : A Class Gate – Spring and Autumn (2)

If the method to raid the Gate is unifying the world… then just carrying out a cruel and merciless massacre, killing everyone, would suffice.

Ultimately, the foundation of the world is its people. If no one lives in the Central Plains, there is no world.

It was a method the kind-hearted Seolhyang couldn’t possibly attempt. And perhaps, even if Seolhyang were as cold-hearted as me, it would have been impossible.

Because the reason her homeland was destroyed was also due to the same ‘raid method’.

Therefore, I decided to go with the orthodox method of conquering each state one by one. Though it would take relatively longer, that could be overcome by pushing forward with overwhelming force.

The first was the state of Yan. Perhaps because it was closest to the Korean Peninsula, the Gate entrance was also located here.

“Your Majesty. As commanded, the state of Yan has been conquered.”

Kneeling on one knee, I kissed the back of Caspar’s hand. An incredibly ecstatic and thrilling sensation flowed down my spine.

“Right. Well done. Didn’t take as long as I thought.”

Caspar looked down at me from the dragon throne with an uncertain expression. Seolhyang, standing guard, seemed lost in thought about something.

“What’s next? Took about two days? At this rate, mathematically, it’ll take half a month. Considering it’ll slow down, at least a month even minimum.”

And time is always a scarce resource for us.

“Do not worry, I have a plan.”

Bowing demurely, I offered Caspar a gentle smile. Caspar looked pleased, but simultaneously seemed to feel uneasy.

“…Agathe. Just thought of this now. The reason you made this plan. It’s just because you wanted to use polite language, right?”

I subtly turned my head away.

Because it was true.

“Answer.”

But that wouldn’t work, and as my husband’s stern command fell, I confessed frankly, revealing my intentions.

“Yes… That’s right. Caspar. I-I couldn’t help it. And it wasn’t entirely my plan either…”

‘Though my personal feelings were slightly involved. It remains a highly efficient strategy.’

‘Besides, it’s one of the strategies drafted by the Association’s Temporary Strategy Compilation Department. Yes, I merely made an appropriate choice as a Hunter on the scene.’

Making excuses, I watched Caspar’s expression. What if he scraps my plan and follows Seolhyang’s advice or withdraws from here?

If that happens, it would be a failure for me, who was trying to keep Seolhyang in check. Of course, it would also be detrimental to humanity as a whole.

“Um. There is another plan, just dealing with the leadership… But then I’d have to use my Magic Bullet. That… I don’t want to. I don’t want to use this kind of thing anymore.”

As I rambled incoherently and whined, Caspar gently comforted me.

“No. It’s okay. I fully understand your situation. Besides, as you said, it’s not a bad plan, just fulfilling personal desires in the process, I can’t really say anything about that.”

“R-Really?”

As my eyes sparkled, Caspar nodded. The height difference, already present, felt even more pronounced with him sitting on the high chair, making my heart flutter.

A conflict arose between the desire to kneel and submit, and a subtle rebellion against submitting to Caspar. Fortunately, the former was much stronger, but not enough to refuse Caspar’s command to form an equal relationship.

“According to my prediction, normally you becoming the Emperor is the standard path, right? Since you already have experience.”

I nodded. As expected, Caspar possessed sharp insight. Though he thinks himself foolish, in my opinion, he’s far smarter than someone like me.

“Yes. The operation Yulha planned was certainly like that. But, that felt a bit… C-Considering Seolhyang’s PTSD, I think my mental state should also be considered…”

I hesitated and said so.

Asking me to be ruler again? And reigning above Caspar at that.

That’s impossible. My heart would burst from guilt.

Perhaps understanding my words, Caspar didn’t say much about the plan. Instead, he just added another condition.

“Right. Let’s proceed like this for now. Instead… You’ll have to receive appropriate punishment, right?”

Punishment?
It surely wouldn’t be something good for me. Though I somewhat enjoy submitting, the punishment Caspar mentioned would likely include that too.

“Wh-What kind…?”

As I hesitated and looked at Caspar, he chuckled softly and waved his hand.

“Ahaha. Don’t worry. Just, a light punishment telling you to watch your words in front of others from now on. Agathe. As you know, your mental state isn’t exactly healthy.”

‘It is though.’

‘Well, calling it completely normal… might be a stretch. Still, I don’t think I said anything I shouldn’t have.’

Though I wore such a dissatisfied expression, Caspar was firm.

“Well, normally, 1 hour of neglect play at night. Let’s do that. 1 hour each time you act rudely towards someone other than me outside. How about it? Of course, hostile people are excluded, based on friendly people like Seolhyang.”

…I don’t remember being particularly rude, but by Caspar’s standards, maybe?

Besides. The ‘etiquette’ I taught myself and ingrained was primarily directed towards Caspar. My basic attitude towards ordinary people would likely be similar to my pre-Caspar’s-death self.

Back then, I was a nasty woman. Rationally speaking, I must have been in the wrong.

“Yes. Understood, Master. No, is it Your Majesty now…? Anyway. I’ll watch my words from now on.”

Tch.

‘Expected praise for working hard. Why no praise…’

Dejected, I slumped and entered my room. Though it was quite large, fitting for a palace, without Caspar, it just felt empty.

Would I receive love today? It would be tough if Caspar says he’s busy organizing the plan and ruling.

Thinking that,

***

Since ancient times, in almost all nations, iron was an extremely valuable resource.

Especially during the warring chaos of the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods.

Using iron for plowing fields was unthinkable; iron was a precious treasure barely usable only for weapons and armor.

And… I requisitioned all the iron from the state of Yan.

“Y-Your Highness. If you take even this…”

Shing.

“Any complaints? Moyong Sa?”

Probably not. Anyone who had complaints was already killed.

Besides, in this era of turmoil, the people acting as rulers were all mad warlords. They wouldn’t relinquish power readily, meaning they were villains we felt no qualms killing.

Since the general I first met seemed cooperative, I appointed him king. Though he’s just a puppet anyway.

The king of Yan, sweating profusely, bit his lip, then finally opened the warehouse stacked with armor and weapons. It was full of gear made from high-quality iron, enough to be called Yan’s treasures.

“Aah…, Yan’s historic treasures…”

“Ha. Calling this junk treasure. Speaks volumes about the era.”

Of course. From a modern perspective, it was incredibly shoddy. But it couldn’t be helped.

Transporting goods in and out of Gates isn’t easy, so usually, supplies must be procured locally like this. Fortunately, unless it was something crucial, obtaining large quantities of iron wasn’t very difficult.

Though I didn’t want to use such scrap iron. Well, it’s not like me or Caspar are using it.

Today’s protagonist is Seolhyang.

The Sword Saint, hailed as the greatest talent in the Martial World.

“…Is this right?”

Seolhyang let out a faint sigh, looking at the mountain of weapons laid before her. Inside the space, guarded by thorough security, only Seolhyang, Caspar, and I were present. Honestly, it could be called excessive force.

Seolhyang picked up a single rusty, worn-out dagger and asked me.

“This… You want me to use this? A sword is a swordsman’s alter ego, like their own body. Asking me to use this instead of my Songmun Ancient Sword.”

“Isn’t it just a blade anyway? Do you want a talking sword?”

Unless it’s an Ego Sword. Seolhyang’s sword is just an ordinary famous sword. She didn’t mention any special memories attached to it either.

Besides, though its name is Songmun Ancient Sword, it’s not a sword passed down from Wudang, but a piece produced in a modern smithy.

“Honestly, I want more than just a talking sword. You might think it’s shameless. Anyway, a sword is a swordsman’s alter ego.”

A sword is a swordsman’s alter ego… Interesting.

“Hmm… Then if one masturbates with someone else’s sword pommel, is that considered rape? That would be problematic.”

Then, from beside me, Caspar sighed and spoke.

“Agathe. 1 hour extra tonight. No. More importantly, have you ever done that with my sword?”

“Aack! Um. Just a little. Really. Long ago, briefly…”

At his words, a trivial thought surfaced. Nowadays I use Caspar’s clothes, but long ago, in my more foolish days, I borrowed Caspar’s sword.

Rubbing the pommel over my clothes. Having pride, after finishing, I would get needlessly angry and beat Caspar up.

Ahem. Anyway.

“Anyway! Using this, Magic Girl Magical Sword Star can become the idol of the battlefield again. It’s a way to use power more efficiently while instilling fear in people.”

It was a method conceived while watching former A-rank Hunter Han Sol’s technique, Wind Cutter.

Han Sol has the ability to manipulate wind. It’s actually not a very suitable ability for combat.

However, she solved that problem by levitating razor blades on the wind and throwing them. Hence the technique name, Wind Cutter.

It could be called a kind of wordplay.

Actually, Caspar expressed doubts about its effectiveness upon seeing it. Said it seemed rather weak.

…Well. Isn’t that why Han Sol retired? Though that’s not important right now.

“…So. Seolhyang, you should be able to do it too. Just control all those swords with telekinesis.”

It’s merely a matter of scale. The principle is similar.

Seolhyang stroked her small chin and let out a groan.

“Hmm… This is certainly closer to telekinesis than Sword Control Art. Just throwing them haphazardly without any principle…”

Overwhelming physical force sometimes surpasses technique.

Chwaaaaak.

Closing her eyes and spreading her arms, wind rises around Seolhyang. Rusty swords respond to their new master’s call and rise.

Iron clashes against iron, playing a cacophony amongst themselves. White noise fills the sky, clanging loudly. Countless weapons align uniformly, forming a single shape.

The star-emblazoned Songmun Ancient Sword is grasped in Seolhyang’s hand, and an identical shape is etched in the sky with iron scales.

And, the Sword Saint smiled.

“Not bad. Doesn’t reach Songmun Ancient Sword, but definitely a good sword. If… this can even be called a sword.”

It was too large to be called a sword.

Incredibly large and thick. Besides, though it held the shape of a sword, delving into details revealed it was merely a school of sardines composed of countless rusty iron scraps.

But.

“Agathe. Is the amount of stored weapons sufficient? Enough for me to use all of this?”

That alone was enough.