When the Black Moon Rises - Side Story 11
Side Story 11
As he approached his residence, the inferno engulfing it became clearer.
The courtyard was a chaotic scene of servants running with buckets of water, trying to extinguish the flames, and others carrying valuables outside.
“L-Lord Left State Councillor!”
“What in the world is going on?!”
“Th-the fire started in the main hall, sir. We tried to put it out, but the flames spread too quickly…”
“Useless fools! Out of my way!”
Pushing past those who tried to stop him, saying it was too dangerous, he ran towards his quarters.
“Cough, cough.”
The fire was so intense that his skin felt scorched just by getting close. It seemed impossible to extinguish the flames.
Suspicions about the strange timing of the fire, coinciding with the unsettling looks from the townspeople, briefly crossed his mind, but that wasn’t important right now.
‘Why did the fire suddenly spread so quickly?!’
Stepping onto the main hall’s platform, he quickly opened the door and rushed inside.
He couldn't give up the fragments. Not those.
Crawling through the flames engulfing the walls, he fumbled for the key in his pocket and unlocked the multiple locks.
He retrieved the wooden box, tucked away deep inside his chest, and clutched it to his heart, a wave of relief washing over him.
Dizzy from the heat and smoke, he stumbled outside without looking back.
He kicked open the inner gate and tumbled out.
“Cough! Hack!”
As he curled up, coughing and gasping for air, servants rushed over and patted out the flames on his clothes.
Ignoring them, he checked the wooden box again. There were no signs of it being opened, and the faint black aura still emanated from it.
He clutched the unharmed wooden box tightly.
‘Thank goodness. Thank goodness.’
It was then that he heard a quiet chuckle.
‘Laughter? At a time like this?’
He looked up and his eyes met those of the shabbily dressed people gathered by the main gate, watching him.
‘Those damned scoundrels! The fire is raging, and they’re just standing there instead of helping? And laughing amongst themselves?’
‘Who brought those lowlifes here?!’
Refusing the servants' help, worried about anyone touching the wooden box in his arms, he struggled to his feet and shouted,
“Get those wretches out of here! Now!”
But the shabbily dressed people showed no fear at his command.
They were clearly brazen. He would capture them all and feed them to the fragments.
Pushing away the servants who tried to help him up, he shouted again,
“Throw them out! Now! I said, throw them out of my house!”
It was at that moment,
“I’m afraid I can’t let you do that.”
Someone emerged from the crowd.
A handsome man in a jade-green robe. The vibrant color suited him well, but the Left State Councillor frowned, sensing something amiss.
Today was the day of the Funeral, a joint Funeral attended by the entire capital. It wasn't a day for such flamboyant attire.
‘Who is this?’
Judging by his clothes, he seemed to be from a noble family.
But he, Kim Heung-soo, was the Minister of Personnel.
How dare this young man speak to him so disrespectfully?
“Who are you to trespass on my property and speak to me with such insolence?! And how dare you address me so informally?!”
“That’s none of your concern.”
“What?!”
“I’m interested in that wooden box you’re holding. I'm so curious about its contents that I had to come see for myself.”
“!!”
“Would you be so kind as to tell me what’s inside? Lord Left State Councillor.”
The man stepped closer, his gaze fixed on the Left State Councillor. His hand instinctively tightened around the wooden box.
‘Something… is strange.’
The sudden fire, the raggedly dressed people surrounding him,
It was odd that the fire had spread so quickly and uncontrollably with so many servants in his residence.
And this young man, suddenly appearing and addressing him so disrespectfully.
‘And my guards aren’t here.’
Even if he had arrived first because he rode quickly, his guards should have arrived by now. But none of them had entered the residence.
‘They’ve been subdued outside.’
‘…Is my residence surrounded? But by whom?’
‘Whatever it is, I need to escape.’
“Guards!”
He called out to the servants fighting the fire.
“It’s too late to extinguish the flames! Seize those people standing there! Now!”
“Seize us? Just for standing here? That’s outrageous.”
The Left State Councillor’s eyes widened at the continued insolence.
With Minister Jung gone, there weren't many who could stand shoulder to shoulder with him in this capital. How dare this young man act so presumptuously?
He was only tolerating this because he suspected this audacious man might be connected to the strange fire.
Moreover, despite his repeated commands, none of his servants obeyed.
As if they had been instructed beforehand not to interfere, prioritizing someone else’s orders over their master’s.
“You’re more interested in someone else's valuables than helping with the fire? You must be out of your mind. Who are you to so brazenly attempt theft in the capital, under the King's protection?!”
“I simply asked what it was. You’re the one who refused to show me what you're hiding.”
Even hearing the chillingly sharp voice, the man didn’t seem afraid.
“Judging by how preciously you’re holding onto it, it must be something quite extraordinary. It makes me even more curious about what’s inside, doesn’t it?”
The man chuckled and stepped closer, his gaze fixed on the wooden box.
The Left State Councillor, feeling more threatened by that direct gaze than by a drawn sword, instinctively took a step back.
The man took another step forward, and he retreated again.
His throat went dry with fear, terrified of losing the wooden box.
“You should think carefully. You must have powerful backing to act so brazenly, but whoever it is, they can’t stand against me, Kim Heung-soo. I’ll make you and your father kneel before me.”
“Ah, you shouldn’t speak so carelessly.”
“Carelessly? You’re the one who doesn't understand your place! Guards! Why aren’t you following my orders?! Half of you protect me, and the rest, get rid of those scoundrels! Now!”
It was at that moment,
“His Majesty the King arrives!”
“!”
At those words, everyone present, including the hesitant servants, knelt. Only the Left State Councillor, stunned, remained standing. He stared at the newcomer.
“Y-Your Majesty?”
Why was His Majesty here, when he should be busy preparing for the Funeral?
“Y-Your Majesty… what brings you here?”
“Why do you ask? You know the answer.”
“I… I am too dull to understand… Did you come to oversee the firefighting efforts?”
“That’s strange. I distinctly heard what you whispered to my son just now.”
“Pardon?”
His son? The Crown Prince had died during the drought, which was why the Funeral was being held…
His thoughts trailed off, and his eyes widened.
‘Prince Yeong… has returned? That was Prince Yeong?’
As the Left State Councillor stared at him in shock, the man in the jade-green robe chuckled.
“It’s been a while, Lord Left State Councillor.”
“Prince… Yeong… Your Highness. I apologize for my disrespect.”
But even if he was Prince Yeong, he was still just the son of a mere court lady.
It seemed he had rushed back, eager to fill his brother’s vacant position.
‘He used me as a scapegoat to gain favor upon his return, is that it? But on what charges? Surely not based on those absurd rumors?’
It was so preposterous that he almost laughed. He struggled to suppress his murderous rage as Prince Yeong stepped towards him.
“I won’t hold your disrespect against me. But I will be taking that wooden box.”
“...”
“You finally confirmed who’s backing me, didn’t you? As you guessed, I’m going to do some stealing today, so hand over the box.”
‘This madman!’
The Left State Councillor clutched the wooden box as if it would explode.
This was his lifeline. He couldn’t give it to anyone.
Seong Ik-gwon, his face grim, spoke,
“Left State Councillor. Hand over the box.”
“…Your Majesty.”
“Now.”
“Your Majesty, this is my parents' keepsake. How can you ask me to hand it over?”
“You’re wasting time. Do you think I don't know what’s inside? Give it to me.”
“You suddenly appear and demand I hand over my belongings? None of this seems coincidental. What about this fire? Did you start it? What’s next? Are you going to accuse me of treason if I don’t hand this over?”
“Left State Councillor.”
“Do you know how long I’ve served this court?! If you remember even a fraction of my devotion, you wouldn’t demand I hand over my keepsake so ruthlessly…”
“Left State Councillor! That thing shouldn’t exist! And you covet its power?! How dare you?!” Seong Ik-gwon’s face contorted as he stepped forward.
“I told you I know what’s inside! And I know you’ve been feeding it the flesh and blood of my people to strengthen its power! For a mere fragment of the disaster! For a sliver of evil that shouldn't exist! You, the Second Minister of Personnel, supposed to serve this country and this court, filled your own pockets during that horrific drought, instead of saving my people! And now you’re treating this fragment of disaster, which should be destroyed immediately, as a treasure?!”
“…Your Majesty.”
“I won’t ask again. Hand it over!”
“I won’t… I mean… I can’t.”
“Left State Councillor!”
“No!”
The Left State Councillor stumbled back, shaking his head.
“Your Majesty, I think there’s been a misunderstanding. What’s inside this box isn’t what you think. It’s something precious that gives strength and makes life beautiful. You’re only listening to the lies spread by those who seek to divide us…”
“Left State Councillor! I said I won’t ask again! Give it to me!”
“Get it from him!”
At Seong Ik-gwon’s shout, the officials surrounded him.
The Left State Councillor looked around. There seemed to be no way out.
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