When the Black Moon Rises - Chapter 65
Chapter 65
The statement that a spirit orb could change its owner implied that her spiritual power and control were superior to that of the current owner, the Mystic Ruler.
The arrogant words caused a silence, comparable to the beginning of the banquet, to sweep through the room.
Even the sound of breathing could not be heard.
Everyone, with shock in their eyes, watched Sehwa and then the old man, anticipating his reaction to those disrespectful words.
'...Is that young lady trying to die?'
'Why would she ask such a thing to the Mystic Ruler...'
'Someone should tell her to kneel and beg for forgiveness right now.'
The old man couldn't hide his feelings at those words.
His voice, like a snake’s hiss, leaked out from his tightly clenched throat.
"What did you just say?"
"Sehwa!"
Ju Myoungyoon, who had been silent until then, jumped up.
He pushed Sehwa’s head down, forcing her to bow, and knelt next to her.
“I am deeply sorry, Mystic Ruler. She is still young and spoke out of ignorance. Please forgive her. What are you doing! Quickly beg for forgiveness from the Mystic Ruler!”
“No, Myoungyoon. Be still. I must hear what this young one has to say.”
The old man’s gaze then turned towards Sehwa.
“Speak. What do you mean by those words?”
“I am truly sorry, Mystic Ruler. No matter how young and ignorant I may be, how could I not know that the Divine Dragon's Spirit Orb is a treasure that belongs only to you? That even being allowed to hold it for a moment is a great honor that would be recorded for the rest of my life.”
With her head still pressed to the ground by her father, Sehwa began to speak.
“But with my limited knowledge, I have heard that such treasures are influenced by their owners and develop their own emotions. Moreover, the Mystic Ruler is incomparably more compassionate than even the greatest Mystic Rulers of the past, always thinking from our bloodline’s perspective and constantly worrying about the burdens of the mystic realm. If a treasure like that had stayed by your side for so long, it would surely be infused with your character.”
Ju Sehwa paused, as if trying to collect herself.
“I was afraid that, with you trying to protect me, surrounded by the six-clan alliance, at that critical moment when the Orb were to choose me, if I was to have such an undeserved honor that I may not be able to reciprocate, I was afraid that such a moment may occur. That is why I could not help but ask.”
"..."
'Hah, look at this girl?'
No matter how much the old man's jaw trembled, the gazes around the banquet hall slowly turned from shock to goodwill.
'Ah, she had that in mind, so it was understandable.'
'I was shocked at first, but she’s still just a child. It’s understandable that she would have such concerns.'
'That's right. Since she had barely attended banquets, she wouldn't know that such treasures chose their masters based on their power.'
'Haha. Other than the Divine Beast, Baek Clan Head, our Mystic Ruler has the highest spiritual power, it’s cute that she worried about that.'
However, those were not all of the gazes.
Those who understood the meaning behind those words realized that this young lady was not ordinary.
‘Having praised the Mystic Ruler’s compassion and wisdom to this point...’
With that, it becomes impossible to criticize her.
Even with these many people watching, there is no option other than to say that they won’t try to steal it.
Even if they did try to take it away, there’s only one answer they can give in front of everyone, that they are giving it to her.
The old man glared at Sehwa with murderous intent, yet only a young child, who seemed scared, was visible to him.
“If it were poison, I would drink it and roll around, just to escape this situation.”
The old man had given the Divine Dragon's Spirit Orb to Sehwa for a reason.
Chiiiik—.
The palm of the old man's hand, which was still holding the sword, was still sizzling with heat.
'To think that such a young child, who is not even capable of controlling her power, is making me...'
That small child had already claimed ownership over the spirit orb.
If he were to have a meeting with the six clan alliance leaders about something, he would often have to take the sword out, but what if he showed that he couldn’t control it, each time like now? Everyone would soon realize that he no longer possessed the sword's ownership.
Since he would be able to absorb the spiritual power of that child, the ownership of the orb would also return to him. Therefore, he used the excuse to temporarily pass the orb to that child.
'But, what if she...?'
The more he looked, the more the plan seemed impossible.
He forced his trembling body to compose itself and replied. There was only one answer he could give, given the present circumstances.
"That kind of question was understandable. Your concern is admirable.”
"I am deeply grateful that you were not angered, Mystic Ruler."
His hands itched to slap that small face that had already become an exemplar of virtue, but he was unable to do so. He was already trapped in the net of her words.
Now, the Mystic Ruler had become a person with an honorable intention, who wanted to give the orb for her safety.
The old man, forcing himself to control his trembling hands, responded to her.
“Even if that situation were to happen. I would not hold you accountable for it. You may report it to me without fear. Do you understand?”
"I am deeply honored, but then, Mystic Ruler, if the orb does not leave me and I absorb it, then what would I do? What would I have to apologize for?"
...Absorb?
Veins popped in the old man’s eyes, and his neck grew hot.
He was about to rage but, faster than that, the small girl began to cry.
Her voice was filled with tears as she pleaded.
“If that were to happen, then even in death, I would not be able to face you. Then what will I do to seek forgiveness? Please, let me at least… spare my family’s lives…."
Ju Sehwa pleaded with a tear-soaked voice.
“P-please, can you at least save my family’s lives?”
And with that, she began to cry, a truly exasperating situation.
But all the while, those around were watching.
Even that Baek Giha.
His trembling body was a sign of his effort to control his anger, and the old man desperately gave an answer.
"Even if that happens. Neither you, nor your family, will be held responsible."
"Gasp. Is that truly so?"
Ju Sehwa looked up, her face still soaked with tears, and asked.
"Really, truly?"
'...That girl.'
The old man, looking at her childlike face, forced a nod.
Having wiped away her tears, Ju Sehwa bowed before the Mystic Ruler.
“I am deeply grateful, Mystic Ruler. I am truly sorry. May your reign last forever.”
Only Baek Giha had picked up on the genuine joy behind those words.
At last, seeing how she was able to obtain what she wanted, Baek Giha’s heart, which had been anxious, also began to calm down.
His expression, previously filled with worry and concern, softened.
The corners of his mouth lifted slightly.
She was her, after all.
He kept looking at the woman in front of him.
With that conversation, the old man retreated from the banquet.
He had said he was leaving so that everyone could enjoy the banquet more freely, but everyone, especially those who had understood Sehwa, were aware of the reason why he had gone.
Ju Kyunghyun was left to oversee the rest of the banquet, but now that the old man was gone, the banquet atmosphere became much more lively.
It was probably because of the emotions they had felt, seeing the scene where the young lady had held the Divine Beast's arm during her exuviation, among other things.
The people were most curious about the relationship between that young lady, and the Baek Clan Head.
While they had heard about the Young Lord, there were also rumors about the Baek Clan Head's involvement. Was he perhaps infatuated with her, or was it mutual?
While it was a banquet where everyone was supposed to relax, the only one who didn't seem to do so was Baek Giha.
Unlike others who were doing as they pleased at the banquet, Baek Giha sat with his back straight, not showing any opening. He constantly kept glancing at Ju Sehwa next to Ju Myoungyoon, while she, seemingly enjoying the dancers, remained unaffected.
It was impossible to miss those obvious gazes.
“My goodness. I heard that the Baek Clan Head helped with that young lady’s exuviation, and I wonder, did he fall in love at first sight back then?"
"Right. I had thought it was so strange when I heard that the Baek Clan Head had helped with her exuviation, but seeing it now, it doesn’t seem strange at all."
Someone, having noticed his fervent gaze, started whispering, but there was someone else who had seen the gaze of the Baek Clan Head. It was Ju Kyunghyun.
The Young Lord's fist had been tightly clenched in his sleeve for a while now.
He was in no state to think clearly since the moment he had witnessed Baek Giha holding Ju Sehwa.
‘That wasn't just a relationship of someone helping with someone's exuviation, or someone being helped.’
Then, he recalled what Sehwa had said a few days ago when he visited Myoungyoon's residence.
“The Baek Clan Head is resting since he helped me with my exuviation, so I am currently taking care of him.”
‘That fellow was probably pretending to be sick to stay by her side.’
Ju Kyunghyun's gaze sharpened as it turned towards the Baek Clan Head.
‘No, of course that's what he must have done. It's impossible for a Divine Beast to feel tired from such a thing! That child fell for his tricks.’
Although his anger was about to burst, Ju Kyunghyun couldn’t go to Sehwa.
Because he was afraid of being ignored by that child in front of all these people, or that she would make him suffer a fate worse than death.
‘If you would just come to me and ask for forgiveness, and tell me everything, I could help you. You just don't know such a thing.'
As he turned his eyes away with those thoughts, he noticed Sehwa's cousin, Sa Yeonju, standing against the wall, looking pale.
'Right. I could use that girl.'
For the first time, a slight smile appeared on Ju Kyunghyun’s face.
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