Official Tumblr blog for AnAngelicDay (a.k.a. Mr. Wolf, a nickname I use as a fan translator at LINE Translate). This blog will feature mainly fanarts and fanfics on, including but not limited to, Korean webtoons (notably Noblesse) and League of Legends.
This is my artwork for the Day 13 prompt ("Mafia") for SasuSakuMonth23. I started it last year, as it was supposed to be a submission for the same prompt when the event was going on, but my laziness kept me from completing it for a year LoL
And here's the backstory to this work:
Sasuke infiltrates a mafia gang to kill the boss for vengeance of his family. He manages to become the bodyguard of Sakura, the proudest asset of the gang, better known as "the Glassy Rose." At first he plans to destroy her as well as part of his revenge, but he becomes enamored by her as he discovers the loneliness and scars of traumatic past beneath her glamorous facade.
I might make more development on this story to write a fic on it - maybe, maybe not. As much as I wish I could, I can't guarantee I'll find time to do it.
You can also find this artwork on my DeviantArt, Twitter, and Naver blog.
(c) Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno belong to Masashi Kishimoto.
"But y'know, you're allowed to have wrinkles too."
I couldn't resist after finally watching that scene in the manga :D
It didn't turn out that great, but too bad I have no more time to work on it :'(
Sasuke's hand turned out a bit weird because I wanted a hand pose that shows him (1) brushing Sakura's lips, (2) fingering her hair, and (3) touching her neck at the same time. :P
Anyways, I'm glad I had a chance to work on SasuSaku fanart for once lol
You can also find my art here on my Twitter account and here on my DeviantArt account.
(c) Sasuke and Sakura belong to Kishimoto Masashi.
The month of November for this year was SaiIno Month, so I wanted to draw something for these two. Too bad the world decided to dump all sorts of issues on me that kept me busy - so busy I could only finish one fanart for a single prompt, based on this fanart that I previously posted.
Hopefully I'll find a chance in the future to try something new for these two lol
You can also find this art here on my DeviantArt and here on my Twitter account.
(c) Sai and Ino belong to Masashi Kishimoto.
This is my submission for the sasusakumonth2022 that is currently ongoing on Twitter, for Day 20 - Love Languages.
I originally planned a comic strip for Day 7 (Series of Firsts), but I ended up completing just a single image due to lack of time. Which unintentionally ended up as a birthday artwork for Sasuke lol.
I opted for the moment Sasuke and Sakura cross fingers for the first time after the war, as a reference to the chunin exam when Sasuke and Sakura hold hands right after Orochimaru bites and marks the Uchiha boy. I remember how I first fell for this ship when Sakura chastises Sasuke who was petrified in fear, unlike Naruto who had no fear in risking his life against Orochimaru.
Anyways, happy birthday, Sasuke! You and Sakura will always be my favorite ship and ship of life for me. <3
You can also find this work on my Twitter account and my DeviantArt account.
This is a character from the original contents I'm plotting, named "Haji." I wanted to set a new image for the background of my laptop, so I decided to work on this one. It was a great chance for me to try out the features of Photoshop I haven't worked with prior to this experience, especially regarding the blur feature. And yet again I learned that I've still got miles to go regarding Photoshop lol.
Btw I did not work on the bamboos at the background, branches on the left, bushes at the right, butterflies, particles, and the ground matter. They are from the files I paid for personal/commercial use. But the character is my original creation.
This is what my laptop looks like as of now. And it will probably stay this way for the next 2 years lol.
You can also find this art on my DeviantArt page here.
And this is the full image of Haji. I worked on him so he would meet my personal demands that I find attractive (black hair, slender legs, delicate hands, hanbok *traditional Korean outfit*). XD
It's finally done! This is a follow-up on this art, which is why I used effects and features identical to my previous artwork. But I doubt I'll use them again for my next art on this ship, 'cause I want to train my skills with other effects and features available on Photoshop.
You can also find this art on my DeviantArt and Twitter page.
Chapter 70 – Stepping Into the Daily Life (Last Chapter)
“Frankenstein...”
For the second time, Lunark and Muzaka sang in unison, the former out of anxiety and the latter out of fluster.
Lunark was making pretzels out of her arms and legs in her lord's presence, in snow-white dress shirt loosely curved around her form and black shorts that werewolves don when they must find themselves on examination tables or in experimental tanks.
Her style could not even meet the minimum demands to qualify as “stylish,” but Muzaka knew that she would never dress like this on her own.
Inevitably, his suspicion was directed to the man standing next to her, and Muzaka mercilessly spun his eyes and kicked at his head to blueprint the plan the blonde man was harboring.
And then Frankenstein fired a shot aimed right through his calm.
“Lunark and I are together.”
The unseen flame shattered Muzaka's eardrums, to hop and bounce between gyri and sulci of his brain and throw out his poise.
“Don't tell me... You mean, 'together' together?”
“'Together' together.”
“Frankenstein!”
I'd thought I told you to please make sure she'll give up on her feelings!
How can you do this to me?!
Muzaka could not do anything more than keeping his lips parted in frenzied shock, lest she learn about the secret deal he made with Frankenstein.
Much to his relief, Frankenstein knew how to keep a secret a secret.
“I'm aware of what you fear. Of course you'd fear. You should know very well what human-werewolf love is like. After all, - forgive me - you had to suffer grievous parting with Lady Eileen and Miss Ashleen.”
At once, Muzaka's lips furiously collided with each other, at the mention of names that had been flowers and thorns engraved into his heart.
Now the petals have fallen, the thorns removed, leaving behind only nostalgic perfume, which he can now relaxedly albeit rarely articulate.
In this case, however, perhaps because they came after Frankenstein's withdrawal from his request, Muzaka was quite unhappy.
He would have been caught in rage not long after, if it were not for his knowledge that Frankenstein will never break a promise unless there is a very good reason to.
“You wish Lunark wouldn't even catch a glimpse of what you had to walk through. There's no guarantee that she will be safe from the sabotage from her own kind. Love with humans is considered a taboo in your clan. But you don't wish to leave this pseudo-tradition untouched, do you?”
Right afterwards, Frankenstein was pinned with arrow-stares silently demanding explanations.
“I could feel various changes gliding over your domain ever since you returned to the throne. Such as, training warriors based on their natural-born power, untainted by experiments or body modifications. Improvement on relations with nobles. Demise of history of sacrificing your very kind, under orders of Maduke. And I bet amelioration of the counterpart with humans is included on your list. 'Cause lately the wolfkind has benefited from humans, not limited to me. And in order to do that, don't you think you must turn the table in favor of relationships with humans?”
“...So, you're saying I should make use of your relationship?”
“Consider it a destruction for creation. We'll destroy the wall that must now be brought down, to give rise to the seeds waiting to sprout from underneath.”
No sound came from Muzaka, but he was deliberating.
Frankenstein was right; with new era must come new rules, according to which he must remove the disconnection between mankind and wolfkind.
And Frankenstein was offering a hand in this matter, which as a werewolf lord he must accept it.
Lunark's face was a hint that Frankenstein was not the sole advocate of this suggestion.
As for Muzaka's secondary concern, he dreaded that Lunark will not be able to fully dedicate herself to the QuadraNet Project and post-eradication of the Union due to her unreciprocated love.
That is, unreciprocated love that will soon assume a wholesome relationship and thus serve no more as bars in her path, if Frankenstein is to make her emotions flow freely like thawed river.
And yet Muzaka could not help but weigh the pros and cons, as he was worried that Lunark's choice will eventually turn into a tragedy.
Lunark knew this, and hence she decided to be a lawyer for herself.
“I know you care for me, my lord. You have been caring for me ever since I was a child. But trust me when I say this - the reason why I choose this path is not because I expect only happiness.”
As Lunark put together her words, her hand slowly snaked its way towards the man standing next to her, to clasp his fingers and show how iron-hard their hearts are woven.
“When there's spring, there's winter. When there's light, there's darkness. In other words, when there's darkness, there's light. And when there's winter, there's spring. That is our world. That is life. So is love, I believe. When there's happiness, there's misfortune. When there's misfortune, there's happiness. Happiness is not the only treasure I expect inside the chest. I have simply chosen to open it.”
Tremor evaporated from Lunark as her speech carried on.
The pair of pink diamonds on her face was sparkling with conviction instead of credulity, with confidence instead of arrogance.
“It doesn't matter how stormy our path will be. No howl of rain or avalanche of water will make us release each other's hand. So please, put your faith in us and watch us. Nothing can stop us, as long as we're together.”
Tremor was gone from Muzaka as well, by the end of her deliverance.
But the werewolf lord's mouth was fixed in its place, not even as much as mumbling what is winding in his head.
And Frankenstein's patience was on a strike for the day.
“If this is how things will be, I will expend one of my wishes right now.”
Lunark merely let her head lean on her shoulder, clueless about Frankenstein's so-called wish.
In devastating contrast, Muzaka's eyes tumbled up and down, in overwhelming disbelief of what he had just heard.
“You said you will grant me any wish, as long as it's in an earthly power. I hereby state my first wish - I want you to be the carrier of banner in support of our relationship.”
Muzaka shook his head, while Frankenstein eyed Lunark as a promise of details after this.
“For the love of wolves, I bet no one can best you when it comes to stabbing my sanity at the least expected moment. How can you pull that one from under your sleeve right at...”
“So? Are you saying you can't?”
“...Of course not. I gave you my word. It only makes sense for me to keep it. But you don't need a reminder of what would happen if you so as much as even drive her to tears, do you?”
Muzaka half-heartedly laid out his warning, to which the pair responded with a beam.
A beam that ultimately urged a smile from Muzaka, which turned out to be short-lived thanks to Frankenstein's follow-up.
“And allow me to use my second wish. I need you to give Lunark holidays right now. Two months would do it.”
“Say what?! You can't demand it without any prior dis...”
“I already had a discussion. We already had one.”
“No, I meant...! Okay, sure, talking to Lunark is one thing, but you didn't discuss it with...!”
Muzaka could not even finish his words, before he pushed the palm of his hand into his forehead.
He knew nothing can beat Frankenstein when he is in his deal-with-it-for-all-I-care mode.
“No wonder Lunark is dressed like that. This is what you had in mind?”
“Obviously. Lunark's duties are not impossible at the hands of other warriors, are they? Not to mention Union can only watch themselves as the result of the recent trouble at Seoul; their manpower has already dwindled before the event. Which is why this would be the perfect time for Lunark to enjoy a vacation.”
Peaceful was his voice, but Frankenstein was basically rubbing - no, stabbing into Muzaka's face that he is more than willing to have a discussion involving fists and claws if he is not to issue a pass from the office for Lunark.
Soon enough, the werewolf lord nodded and waved his hand.
“Fine. I'll make sure Lunark's absence will not hinder us for the next two months. Now run along. Be free.”
“My gratitude, my lord.”
“Much appreciated, Lord Muzaka.”
Frankenstein and Lunark bowed and turned to leave, but then Muzaka unzipped his lips after a bit of delay.
“Lunark.”
“Yes, sir?”
A momentary silence captured Muzaka, gazing at Lunark with her body rotated halfway towards him.
“Nothing. You look beautiful today.”
Replied Muzaka, his lips curled into a somewhat nostalgic, wistfully affectionate curves.
'Ashleen... Eileen...'
As soon as Lunark and Frankenstein left with a brief smile, Muzaka scooched into his throne, to resummon the scent ghosting within his heart.
Lunark had no fear for winter or darkness, as long as she had Frankenstein with her, so she claimed.
It was reminiscent of his stance when he met Eileen. And when he had Ashleen.
A stance that was closed off into a tragedy.
Nevertheless, for some reason he could not help feeling this will not be the same for the two of them.
Which is why in reality, he had been smiling inwardly as Lunark was speaking in defense of their relationship.
And he was about to give in to their protest, which was preceded by Frankenstein's use of his wishes.
'Looks like my clan is now walking towards an actual change. Eileen... Ashleen... How I wish I could have met you two in this era.'
Regret cannot undo or do what is done or not done.
For now, the only thing he can do is to light up his hope for the future and pray for luck.
So that one day, relationship between humans and werewolves will be but part of daily life.
'I know you two can do it. So just stay the way you are, loving and beautiful.'
*****
Few days later, KSA headquarter
“What's up? I'd thought we've still got time until the departure.”
Yuigi was checking her bag for one last time, before she turned towards her visitor.
“Are you sure you won't regret this?”
“Of course I'm sure. You don't take me for some toddler, do you? I think you've gotten your standards too high, now that you're way out of the Union agents' league, including mine. You seem to have forgotten how I used to lounge at the top of the pyramid called the Union.”
“That's not what I...”
Takio could not hide his disappointment.
They had previously plotted a scenario of signing her name on the list of tenants at Frankenstein's house.
He was expectant to see her impeccably freed from the shadow of the Union, to relish an ordinary life.
And she knew what he was thinking.
Yuigi had been lost.
She had been lost between her life as Yuigi of Cerberus and her long-lost life as Raciela, like a frog unwelcome at both the earth and the water.
But now she was even convinced that the reason why she had been lost, crouched without direction and assurance, was simply to hop higher than she could ever pull off in the past.
“I'll be fine. I have found the new direction in my life. Now it's my duty to dedicate myself to my new mission and pay for my days at the Union. So don't worry and be faithful to your ordinary life. Do that for me. Besides, it's not like this is the last time we'll ever see each other. We'll be talking on designated basis, and I'll drop by whenever I need maintenance on my kits. I'll see you then.”
Takio's disquiet disappeared as he listened to her.
He was relieved.
She may not be able to take on an ordinary life, but there is no need to worry about or be sorry for her.
She just proved that she has landed upon the new agenda of her life as well as a respite of heart, and that was good enough for him.
“I like the coffee from that cafe we visited. I'll make sure to buy you back. So wait for it.”
And that was when Yuigi - that was when Raciela smiled.
For the first time, she smiled a smile full of a human heart, no longer an artificial sneer.
*****
“You ready?”
The 3rd Elder greeted Raciela upon her entrance to the KSA rooftop.
The white-haired man was donning a long coat identical to hers, hooded and furnished with a heavy backpack, surrounded by Tao, M-21, Taesik, the doctor, Yeonsu, Sangin, and Raizel, whose phone was connected live-time to Lascrea and the heads of noble clans standing in the Lord's Hall.
Then at last, the last of the gang made their arrival.
“Boss!”
“...Lunark?”
“What are you doing here...?”
Lunark's feet effortlessly glided upon the rooftop, and the 3rd Elder made a stiff, awkward recognition with his eyes, in acknowledgment of the length of hiatus in their encounters.
Pow!!!
At then the werewolf lashed out an unwarned punch, driving the man right to the edge of the building.
“M-miss Lunark! He's no longer sturdy enough to...”
“Handle my power. Yes, yes. I know. I knew that. My fist knew that. I heard how his perfection as a cyclist has been undermined, to the point that he now needs training wheels to ride a bike. Which is why I made sure you wouldn't get to hold a funeral for that guy.”
She was telling the truth, the 3rd Elder realized, as he put himself back on his feet, rubbing a side of his face.
His face did throb, so hard that he wanted to stick his hand and rummage through his head to check and see if his brain is intact.
Contrary to the pain, the only damage he suffered was abrasion that would take less than a minute for recovery.
Plus, he could see how Frankenstein was smirking behind Lunark, his arms crossed.
He and Frankenstein did have a word about his betrayal, which ended - sort of - with apology and forgiveness.
Apparently such process did not completely rinse off the grudge, and the 3rd Elder had no say in this matter.
He knew he deserved it; actually, he deserved more, he thought.
<Are you sure you will have no regrets?>
Lascrea's question chimed through the phone.
It was a rare occasion for her to start off a conversation with a voluntary question.
And not a syllable or a vowel has changed with the 3rd Elder's answer.
“I'm positive. This is what I must do. I must pay for the choice I made out of fear. And for the losses and sacrifices I called upon as a result.”
When he held Helga's hand, the 3rd Elder was full of fear.
He feared his followers' sacrifices, the Union's labor, and his tears would be wrong.
He feared his followers, the Union, and he would be wrong.
Wrong, fruitless, and in vain.
However, now he has accepted the truth.
He accepted that his followers, the Union, and he were wrong.
He accepted that he has been forcing himself to be deaf and blind to the truth that had been with him since long ago.
“The Union was originally based on the human crusade for the welfare of mankind. I admit the Union's standing point and pathway have been lethally distorted for the past few centuries. So now it's only logical to cleanse the Union's orbit and spend its final resources and manpower for what is truly meant for humans. So now there is only one thing the Union must do - making itself gone for the sake of mankind, and thereby protecting the ordinary world for the ordinary souls. And I shall take my responsibility for the past, the misdeeds, and the sin of the Union. And for the calamity at Seoul.”
Quoted the 3rd Elder, in solemn announcement of his motive for repentance.
“I'm afraid I can't set for you the date, but once the last shade of the Union is wiped off clean... I will gladly hand over my life. I know I am being more than shameless, but please, I'd like to ask you to wait until then.”
And he gave his word that he will never again betray these people.
He will never again betray the mankind.
He will never again betray himself.
The white-haired Icarus who blindly coveted the sun's position was saved from his plummet towards the sea by these people - those endeavoring to protect ordinary life - as well as the ordinary people.
The moment his steps were about to carry him off the concrete floor, the 3rd Elder whispered an addition.
“...Benjamin.”
All eyes and ears perked up at an unfamiliar name.
“It's Benjamin now. That is my true name. The name I shall answer to from now on.”
Sheepish but true, that was the smile from Benjamin.
That was the last of himself he exhibited before taking himself and Raciela away towards the horizon.
And Frankenstein was the one to break the still that lingered.
“You okay? Let me see your hand.”
He inspected her hand, his every contour and plane dripping concern.
“Aww, maybe I should have loosened up a bit. My hand stings a little.”
Lunark stage-whined, sticking out her hand free of any speck, let alone a wound.
A sight that gave the spectators an illusionary impression of watching how their sanity was being burned alive.
“We need to talk about this. When did they end up... Like that?”
“By 'like that,' are you referring to what I'm thinking?”
“Probably. Did you see his face when Miss Lunark punched Mr. Benjamin? He appeared ecstatic... And enamored. By her.”
“But is it just me, or do they actually look great together?”
After indulging in a brief moment of fluff and endearment, Frankenstein turned to face the crowd.
“Now why don't we scatter? We must go.”
“Go where?”
“Go out for our very first date.”
All listening mouths fell open at the fall of a four-character vocabulary they fathomed not even a pact with the devil could pull out from his throat.
That is, all mouths except for Raizel's lips.
Frankenstein made a serene smile as he met Raizel in the eyes, a sign that he had made his choice.
“I shall see you later, master.”
As always, Raizel responded with a gracefully breezy smile.
It did not take long for the rest of the audience to catch up with their atmosphere, curl the corners of their cheeks, and shower the two in celebration.
“To be honest, I was wondering when you two will officiate it.”
“Congratulations, Mr. Ex-Chairman.”
<Please send Lunark my regards. And those of my heads of clans.>
Not losing their focus on each other even a bit in the middle of the pleasant commotion, Lunark and Frankenstein jumped towards the streets.
*****
“Look. They're talking about the Noblesse's ex-sanctuary, aren't they?”
Lunark asked, her finger pointing a huge screen covering a facet of a building at the Gwanghwamun Square.
Frankenstein nodded after reading the headline, of the breaking news that the international environmental facilities and institutions have selected the Bermudan Treasure Chest as a special protection site, to perform and engage in extensive protection.
“Aren't you disappointed? You wanted to collect his power from that place.”
She was alluding to the proposal he made on the day she revealed the secret behind the resurrections following the nuclear missile incident.
The proposal on retrieving Raizel's power from his ex-sanctuary to replenish him was denied, due to the theory that taking away Raizel's power might lead to extinction of life at the place, since his power has already made itself a cradle, manna, and haven for the local marine creatures.
“Humans are now working together to save that place. So one day, things will settle down. Let's tell ourselves things will settle down.”
“At times like this, I feel perhaps humans are not hopelessly hopeless. Humans can be cannibalistic and destructive with their surroundings for the sake of their good, but on the other hand they know how to be altruistic and protective of the world. If I never knew you, I would have never known.”
Frankenstein gasped a laughter at her bashful comment.
“Now that's an honor. Speaking of which, I'd like to teach you more. For example, how human fare with their lives. How you can spend a daily life in the human world. What do you say?”
“Great. Please do. Teach me how humans... How a couple share an ordinary day.”
Lunark's words were confident, yet her face was blushing.
Frankenstein held her hand, his mouth arched in a gentle smile.
They knew they cannot make any promise on their future.
Just like how they did not expect the breaking news of the day.
They cannot tell what will be waiting for their discovery tomorrow. Or in an hour.
Still, they promised themselves and each other that they will devote themselves to this day to the best of their abilities.
They will hold their hands and be true to their love.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Frankenstein's and Lunark's hearts serenaded a duet of dazing flutter, as they walked into the crystal-clear sunlight illuminating their path to the ordinary life.
And the day could not be sunnier.
(Illustration by. RyO - you can find her DeviantArt page here)
I’m so sorry it took much longer for me to post this chapter. I was working on another series that I’m about to submit for a competition, and I had no idea it’s way past my usual posting time. I’m terribly sorry about the delay - what a way to wrap up the series. :’(
At last... My fanfic has reached its conclusion! I posted the first chapter of this fic on April of 2020, and it took me roughly a year and 4 months to finish it. And for the first time in years, I’m having a mixture of emotions cascading upon me as I write my final postscript, including but not limited to elation, bittersweetness, ruefulness, etc.
I made a lot of discoveries on what I lack as a writer throughout my journey with this fic. I had much more stories to include on my mind (most notably the relationship between Rael and Seira) but I had to delete them all from my outline for the sake of word count and constancy with the main topic of this fic. I might recollect them and write about them as a sequel to this fic, but right now I can’t think of any plot that I would find satisfying. And it would take a long time for me to land on a storyline that I would be confident in, enough for me to compose a fic with. And as the number of chapters grew, I ended up making mistakes regarding the details and plot. I remember how with chapter 68, I didn’t notice beforehand how I made several fatal mistakes that could compromise readers’ comprehension of the story, and I had to edit it for at least 3 times. Not to mention the story got kind of loose and lost its tempo over time. I happen to be working on a separate series (which has nothing to do with Noblesse) on a Korean website, and I’m having trouble with it due to the loose contents. This fic gave me an opportunity to look back on what I need to work on as a writer, and I will certainly do that.
On the other hand, this fic did not leave me fruitless. I think I did a pretty good job and could gain a lot of experience on making story-wise allusions and references throughout chapters, to weave separate scenes together and thus bind 70 chapters into a wholesome series. Most importantly, I’m satisfied with how I could make use of and investigate my personal interpretations and creations on what was left after the final chapter of the original webtoon (such as the reason why those that were engaged in the nuclear missile incident could make it back to life, the faint-but-surely-there romance between Rai and Lascrea, the last of the Union after its destruction, and most of all the relationship between Lunark and Frankenstein).
In all, I gained a lot of regrets while writing this fic, but above all I am happy with my creation since I managed to write about everything I want in the exact way I wanted.
My tremendous gratitude for those of you who have been staying with me throughout this fic. It was not perfect, and it came with a lot of words to read, but I thank each and every one of you readers out there for visiting my fic. Although I happen to be busy with an independent project of mine, one day I’d like to bring another Noblesse fic for you, short or not.
Once again, thank you so much for enjoying my fic so far. Thank you, and that is all! :)
“Man, I knew I was born with insight. And I knew you, sir, would pull this off like...”
“Shut up.”
“So you can't cope with compliments when they come from me? Did anybody ever tell you what comes around goes around? That applies to the manner of speech, you know?”
“Then allow me to rephrase myself. I would so very viciously appreciate it if you could please zip those teeth of yours.”
“...You might want to drop the manners, if that's how you're gonna use them.”
“I'll be happy to. Shut your pie hole.”
Despite being the victim of Frankenstein's curses-without-curses for 3 times in a row, Muzaka did nothing to bite back at him.
Few days ago, he received report from Frankenstein and Lukedonia in relay of the situations from Seoul and nobles, respectively.
And earlier in the morning, Frankenstein revealed himself in the werewolf realm without anybody's notice, to demand Muzaka to lead the way to the lab.
As flustered as the werewolf lord was, the blonde human seemingly very inclined to drag him towards the lab if he were not to comply, he had never been so happy to have an uninvited guest.
Because he could think of only one reason why Frankenstein would sneak into his domain to head straight to the lab - diagnosis and hopefully treatment on the mystery of his body's automated refuge during the nuclear missile incident.
And Frankenstein, based on the research files from Ignes he had obtained in advance and the results from his treatment on Yuigi, eliminated to perfection the nanochips in Muzaka's head.
A process during which Frankenstein wore that menacing, sinister looks from beginning to the end, which derived from Muzaka's testament on the behind-the-scenes through which Crombel's nanochips nestled inside his body.
He was aware of the fact that Muzaka had once stayed under Crombel's hospitality, but he has never got a chance to learn what exactly he had been up to with Crombel during the time.
And as soon as he was hit by the comprehension that Muzaka provided himself as a test subject for the dead doctor, Frankenstein held a show of how to directly bombard someone's head with every curse available in human language, minus any syllable that is definitely not meant for the underaged audience.
Muzaka knew he was guilty; now he understood how the Crombel's suggestion he had regarded as a give-and-take deal turned into more-than-troublesome sword and shield against Frankenstein and the RK during their final showdown.
Hence the werewolf lord assumed a silent rock this time.
He doubted Frankenstein would accept an excuse that he had no idea Crombel would develop a weapon to control 1st Elder out of the nanochips he was planted with.
Notwithstanding, Muzaka was a werewolf of manners.
His personality and conscience did not let him forget his gratitude.
“Thanks, Frankenstein. I owe you big. So does Adne. Don't you agree?”
Muzaka peeked at Adne, who had finally risen from his bed.
During his treatment of Yuhyung at Seoul, Frankenstein picked up from his patient that Adne fell unconscious due to the gas he concocted.
While he was treating Muzaka, he injected into Adne the antidote he brewed with Yuhyung's recipe.
Thus Adne opened his eyes, and even though he was advised not to force himself back on his feet just yet, he was watching how Frankenstein was wrapping up Muzaka's treatment, from which he could always learn something, according to him.
“Oh, and I still remember our deal. I will grant you one... I mean, two wishes that you have, no matter what it takes.”
Frankenstein's memory was just as fresh.
He had marked that Muzaka owe him two wishes - one from their deal regarding the latter's body state, and one from his request regarding Lunark's affection.
And Frankenstein already knew how he would expend the two wishes, before which, however, was something he must go through.
Which required more than his power.
He was reminding himself that it is about time for his helper to arrive, when the door slid open.
The resonance of footsteps raised its volume, like the set of notes on a piano, and he spun on his heels as the final footstep waltz-rolled into his heart.
And he was met with Lunark's face, not as startled as he had expected, although she did look as if she were faced with a person she had envisioned as deceased.
He was met with her pink pupils, wide open and spilling alarm from their cores, and her half-open lips.
The lips he once held in his own.
As Frankenstein kept himself busy, choking the outburst of suggestive images in his head, Muzaka greeted his warrior.
“You're back! You did good, Lunark. You did really good. What are you waiting for, Frankenstein? Shouldn't you thank your savior?”
Muzaka speared the air with his nose, copycating a father showing off his proud daughter.
Frankenstein gazed at him with annoyed, questioning eyes before he nodded.
“I'll do that. While I'm at it, let me borrow her for a minute.”
“...Say what?”
Lunark and Muzaka sang in unison as they gaped at Frankenstein.
“It won't take long. So excuse me, but excuse me.”
Frankenstein did not even finish his sentence before his arm extended itself towards its target, and the next moment Lunark was tiptoeing her way out of the lab, caught by Frankenstein's hand.
Muzaka and Adne could only stare at the door, dumbstruck by the event that befell in the speed of light.
“Couldn't you at least give us a hint what this is about?”
*****
'Why are we here?'
Lunark flung her eyes about her, unable to settle down.
Yet she could only retrieve her eyes at the pink poking her eyes.
She and Frankenstein happened to be standing in the sea of wolfsbanes, the site that held the memoir of their first kiss still oscillating with gorgeous pink.
Because of which Lunark could simply fumble in silence, lost in the details of the disaster from the past.
And that was a cue for Frankenstein to begin.
“First of all, thanks.”
“Uh... What's that?”
“Thanks for saving me at Lukedonia.”
“O-oh... D-don't mention it.”
“And sorry.”
“A-about what...?”
“You had to go through all that trouble because of me. And I almost killed you. Not to mention you had to break your long-lived bow.”
“Uh... Oh... You mean the fact that I accepted the Noblesse's power and therefore broke my bow that I shall nurture my natural-born power without any experiment or body modification? Don't be sorry. I knew what I was doing, and I have no regrets whatsoever. Even if I were to go back in time, I would have made the same choice, although I have to admit that was the only option available for me back then. And, uh... No need to be sorry that you almost killed me. It wasn't you. It was the Dark Spear.”
A hurried array of excuses naturally rendered Lunark speechless, which did not bring the same effect upon her company.
“When I drank the tonic with the components altered by 3rd Elder...”
Days were not enough to dilute his nightmarish memories from the time.
The moment he downed the liquid, he could feel sleep - no, he could feel vertigo looming towards him, giving no time at all for him to look for a spare awakening or tonic.
Like a tumult of unstoppable torrent from a dam cracked, the tsunami of sleep he had been long forcing in imprisonment engulfed him.
He could feel the Dark Spear screaming in glee even before he blacked out.
The weapon was screaming, Now it's all over!!!
As he felt his legs and eyelids giving in, the best and the most he could do was picturing a series of faces.
Raizel.
M-21, Takio, and Tao.
Regis and Seira.
Gechutel, Karious, Rael.
Razark, Rayga, and Tesamu.
And......
Lunark.
Soundlessly shrieking out her name was the last thing he did before his mind slipped away from his grasp.
“That was when I realized how distinct my feelings have grown. I realized that my feelings for you can no longer stay unspoken.”
As Frankenstein was stitching the air with a now-I-don't-care-whatever-happens tone, Lunark was still quiet.
This time, however, she could not speak up.
'Did I hear correctly...? Frankenstein loves me...?!'
Clutching tightly to her heart that had been fluttering like petals dancing in the moonlight since who-knows-when, Lunark kept attentive to Frankenstein's speech.
“I knew what my heart was telling me, but I could only play deaf. The Dark Spear in me has grown powerful enough to jeopardize my control, after it took over Crombel and his Blood Stone. I was afraid it will hurt those dear to me... I was afraid it will hurt you. But thanks to you, it has lost the Blood Stone and became tame enough -somewhat - so now I have no more reason to avoid you. And most importantly, my master told me this. We should live our lives to the fullest during the time given to us, without any regret. We must look into our hearts to determine what it is that we really want. And we must make a choice for ourselves.”
Sounds just like something from a soul born with eternal time but bound to the burdens of Noblesse, thought Lunark as she nodded.
“And as I came up with your name in the course of my possession by the Dark Spear... I felt regret burning like hellfire inside me. I kept lamenting, if only I were honest with my feelings for just a little. If only I could at least give a signal of my feelings for you. Back then I'd thought my future is no more, so I'd thought I'll be losing you and the rest of my people.”
Lunark's lips were fastened seamlessly as she took in Frankenstein's voice, now turned into a whisper.
For she had gone through something similar rather recently.
When she was pouring Raizel's power into Frankenstein's body via kiss, she did not think about what will break beyond that point.
The only thing she could think of was saving Frankenstein.
Ironically, at the corner of her brain she could view a list of highlights from her life.
The list of every word and time she shared with Frankenstein, ever since they first met as enemies at Seoul.
Her survival instinct screeched at her that she can no longer carry or cumulate these memories, which left bitter regrets in her heart for a second.
She regretted that she did not confess her feelings or make more memories with him.
And here she was, figuring out that Frankenstein had felt the same regret that had haunted her.
His feelings were the same, so she could feel tiny expectation bloating like a balloon.
“And recently, I almost lost you. I almost lost myself. I almost lost everything I treasure... And I shall have no more regrets.”
So you mean...?
Lunark could only reiterate the question stuck in her throat, when Frankenstein at last turned his eyes towards her.
“You might be disappointed in me, since I've been staying single for more than 820 years. Nevertheless, would you take my hand now?”
Frankenstein's confession was quite direct, truthful to his claim of being single for more than 8 centuries, which was regardless faded in the feathery texture of his voice and the heart-melting perfume from Lunark's cardiac muscle.
Which was why Lunark let out a relaxed sigh of laughter in reply.
“I could say the same thing. I had no reason at all to familiarize myself with romance so far... Why would you opt for a terrifying woman like me?”
“Because you're terrifying. Or should I say fiery?”
Lunark did not expect him to remember the semi-jest she threw at him during their first encounter.
She could once again revel at how deep her love is, feeling no cringe at all at his delicacy, and her hand was bound by a quintet of huge, slender fingers.
“Which reminds me, isn't this near the spot we had our first kiss?”
A sentence was more than enough to drown Lunark's cheeks with streaks of red like bombs, and Frankenstein smirked.
“The first one was an accident. And the second one was stolen by the Dark Spear, during a situation that will allow no chance in hell for a romantic mood... Which is why this time I'll do it myself.”
What?! H-hold on a sec!!
The man did not spare a second for her to stop him.
As outgoing as he is, his arm was weighed with strength just as audacious, and its mind-blowing aftermath soon took over Lunark's lips.
And the werewolf was swept in the impression that the entire blood in her body was drawn to her lips.
For each of strokes and rubs Frankenstein's mouth made, a rumbling noise one would hear from a freight train spread from her lips throughout her wholesome form, to raise full blooms of elation to every corner and plain of her body, not a speck to be left desolate.
Lunark's hands, wobbling between sweetness and daze, soon secured themselves onto Frankenstein's chest, to slowly wind across his shoulders and around his neck.
The two figures basked in the kiss more electrical than the first and more ecstatic than the second, while the pink petals of wolfsbanes surrounding them rippled like dancers blessing them.
*****
A follow-up on their fluffy-soft and flowery-perfumed kiss in declaration of love, Frankenstein put on that signature full-of-poise smile of his.
“Now it's time for us to deal with the remaining obstacles. But first thing first - I need you to get changed.”
He pulled out from his jacket a white dress shirt, meticulously squared and folded in a clean bag of plastic.
“Sorry. I know I should've brought a brand new one, but I have no knowledge of your accurate size. So I had to opt for one from my own closet. And don't worry. It's washed.”
Lunark took the bag from him, locking her teeth from spilling that if it is from his collection, he is practically rewarding her.
“But you'll have to grab one from your possessions as for the fabrics to cover your lower appendages. And it'd better be something comfortable for you to move in.”
“Uh... Sure. But why would you offer this out of the blue...?”
Her eyes twitched in puzzlement, earning from Frankenstein an unexpressed pleasure of witnessing her loveliness, and he smirked and retorted with a brief explanation.
“...What?!”
And Lunark could once again realize how outgoing her man could be, as she rolled her eyes in bewilderment.
(next chapter)
At last, ladies and gentlemen, Frankenstein and Lunark are official in my fic! XD It took 69 chapters for them to be together, but guess what - next chapter will be the final chapter for this fic. :P
As for Raizel’s advice mentioned in the middle of this chapter, I made a reference to the theme message from the original webtoon during its early seasons. We must live our lives to fullest during the time designated to us, making choices by ourselves and for ourselves. Back when the webtoon was ongoing, the only impression I got was that it sounds good to me, but nowadays as days pass and seasons change, I’m growing to agree with this idea more and more. Which is why I personally wanted to make a reference to this message in my fic.
Anyways, next chapter will be the final chapter for this fic. I’d like to say you’ve been doing an amazing job of keeping up with me so far, and I’d like to ask you to please stay with me for just one more week. Thanks so much! :)
Chapter 68 – The Secret of Resurrection and the Outing
“Greetings to you, O Lord of the nobles. Pardon me, for I cannot rise from my respite.”
“Have no concern. We are all aware of the state your body is suffering.”
Lascrea raised her hand in a salute-reply to Lunark.
When Rael learned from Seira that the werewolf who was as immobile as a corpse finally opened her eyes, he scurried back to the Lord's Hall, which he had emptied for less than 10 minutes, to share the news with Lascrea.
Lunark also requested to the Central Knights stationed at the ward that she must speak to their lord, and their meeting was scheduled shortly afterwards.
And they were not the only participants for today's meeting.
“I pray for your patience, although this room is not big enough to allow all of us. Our speaker must not leave her bed.”
“Have no concerns, my lord.”
“We are alright.”
Kei and Rosaria were standing next to Lascrea, rendering Lunark's room rather crowded.
Her room may be the best that Lukedonia can offer, but it was designed for a single occupant.
And the room felt even smaller because they also had virtual guests for this meeting.
<May we begin?>
Lunark flinched at Frankenstein's voice, transferred through Lascrea's phone that was switched to the speaker mode.
No one would have missed it, yet no one pointed it out, for none of them paid attention to anything other than what Lunark was about to unleash.
“I believe all of you would know by now with what power I defeated the Dark Spear.”
“We all happened to be shocked and perplexed. How did a werewolf like you got to wield power that was most certainly begotten by Raizel?”
Everyone solemnly focused their sights and hearings upon Lunark.
Even she was still trying to wrap her head around what happened.
Upon accepting the mysterious power that offered its hand to her as she sunk deep into the sea, her abdomen punctured by the Dark Spear, Lunark realized the oh-so-familiar-for-some-reason power was none other than Raizel's power.
As of now the power was rinsed off her like snow met with summer sun, but her psyche had been etched with memories that had connected to her during her carriage of the power.
“This would be a long story, for I must start off from the Noblesse's disappearance into slumber 820 years ago.”
The nobles surrounding Lunark implied fluster with their eyes.
They knew discussion on Raizel is a must, considering that he is the source of the power Lunark made use of.
However, they did not expect her to wind back at least six books on noble history, to land right onto Raizel's slumber that took place 820 years ago.
“Noblesse, sir, you fell into sleep immediately following your duel against my lord, didn't you?”
<...I did. I chose dormancy as I was stranded upon the oceanic spot not far from Lukedonia, and the zone of water and salt directly beneath became my sanctuary.>
“Actually, I fell into the sea nearby after I was fallen as the result of my first showdown against the Dark Spear. Geologically speaking, it was near a human city called Miami, stationed in United States.”
<Miami...? It happens to be one of the three vertices composing the Bermuda Triangle, at the center of which Lukedonia lies.>
Lunark coerced her voice to activate, painstakingly shifting her attention away from the now-automated wince in her heart in reaction to Frankenstein's voice.
“As you were recovering in the ocean for 820 years, your power was leaking from your coffin little by little. And after 8 centuries, the underwater domain centering on your ex-sanctuary came to absorb your power.”
“What? You mean... Currently there is a submarine area not far from Lukedonia that holds power from Raizel?”
“Correct. And that happens to be one of the three reasons why you, the Noblesse, and two of your heads of clans could return from death. During the nuclear missile incident, the three of you stood in defense of your homeland right above the Noblesse's ex-sanctuary. Which also served as the vessel of your remains from the clash. There the three of you absorbed the power of Noblesse teeming within, to rise back to life. Speaking of which, don't you feel there has been an increase of your power?”
Silence heavily dawned upon the chamber as Lunark spoke; the three nobles knew she was absolutely right, their awareness of the phenomenon prevalent within them, unbeknownst to them.
Once they defeated death, in contrast to their resolve, they could feel their powers have become somewhat more durable, more invulnerable.
Which was forgotten momentarily due to series of huge events that promptly tagged along the nuclear missile incident, such as the downfall of Union and the QuadraNet Project.
Hence the question regarding the resurrection of the three of the five affiliates of the nuclear missile incident was gone, but their curiosity was yet vivid.
No, it has gotten vivider.
“I beg your pardon, but I need more details regarding what you mentioned earlier. Now I understand how my lord, I, and Kei could return to life, but... Are you saying the return of Noblesse is also related to the place where we met our temporary eternal sleep?”
No one emitted a breath at Rosaria's question-slash-accusation, for she touched on the spot that had been itching ever since Lunark held in her lips the “three factors” that had brought Raizel, Lascrea, Kei, and Rosaria back to the world of the living.
All ears grew keen on Lunark's mouth, waiting for her words to water their thirst for knowledge.
“Yes, but it wouldn't have been possible without the other two factors, one of which happens to be the half of Ragnarok that you yielded to the Noblesse.”
Lascrea's, Kei's, and Rosaria's mouths turned agape, for they did not expect to hear the name of the noble lord's soul weapon from a werewolf.
No sound could be heard past Lascrea's phone, an evidence that Raizel and Frankenstein would look no different from them.
“You permanently forfeited the half of your soul weapon to the Noblesse, did you not?”
“...I did. It was left behind for Raizel by my father the lord, which Raizel gave back to me upon his return to Lukedonia after 820 years. Nevertheless, I handed it to him in order to replenish his life force.”
“The power that used to compose the half of the Ragnarok would have by now changed into Noblesse's life energy, fully absorbed into his body. But it's not completely gone. Its remains must be there. Even though it is only half of its original form, Ragnarok stemmed from the bloodline of the noblest nobles in the lead of your kind, therefore forged with might beyond any mortal understanding. I'm sure you, O Noblesse, would have felt the weapon flowing within you ever since you received it.”
Raizel spoke no confirmation, which in turn served as a confirmation.
It was his habit of speech; whereas he does not necessarily confirm what is right, he will deny anything that deserves his denial.
<...Okay, so what's the final factor?>
“...The fact that the four of them met eternal sleep, albeit only briefly, on the same day, at the same hour.”
That was when Kei and Rosaria exchanged glances, their eyes flickering precariously, and Lascrea failed to conceal confusion marred with inquisitiveness from her face.
“The key is that you, O lord, and the Noblesse fell into eternal sleep at the exact same moment. As your remains dropped into the Noblesse's ex-sanctuary, the power of the Noblesse embedded in the area created a reaction with the remains of the Ragnarok, its power not far behind the former. And this reaction reached out to its twin - yes, it reached out to the Noblesse, now a biological container of the half of the Ragnarok.”
The three nobles listening to her gaped at her, looking as if they were hammered in their heads.
“The point is that the bond between the two parts of Ragnarok still exists as we speak, even though a half of it now pulses through Noblesse's blood and soul. As the two Ragnarok's caused a chain reaction of resonation with the Noblesse's power under the sea, there formed a temporary spiritual bond between you and the Noblesse.”
<...So are you saying the resurrection allowed by the power from my master's ex-sanctuary managed to apply to my master as well?>
“...Precisely.”
As Lunark's speech was closed, no one did not as much as mumble, too starstruck by the elements that felt so much like part of destiny, in joint with coincidence like fate.
At then Lascrea's eyes gleamed in remembrance.
“That reminds me of the tale I picked up from the human reporters who used to be short-term tenants of Lukedonia. There is this marine zone near Lukedonia dubbed as 'Bermudan Treasure Chest' among humans, flaunting innumerable number of rare marine species, its individuals much bigger than those from the identical classification inhabiting other areas. However, recently there have been mysterious shifts in the ecological system of this zone, such as mass deaths of marine species, including the blood-red corals exclusive to this zone.”
“True. This place you speak of happens to be a favorite dining spot of mine, where I would often drop by to feast on the fish.”
“...Now I am reminded of how it all began upon our homecoming.”
<...I see. That zone must have flourished thanks to the power from my master's ex-sanctuary, which is not surprising. It has been bearing the greatest force of life on Earth for more than 8 centuries. But now its power is lost to you, two of your heads of clans, and my master, thanks to this spiritual bond thing, resulting in the end of the golden age for its marine population.>
“...Don't forget that I received unimaginable amount of power from that spot as well. So things can only take the worse turn for the natives of that zone.”
Kei started to speak as soon as Lunark finished her mutter.
“Quick question - how do you know all this? And how come none of us remember this?”
“...The ex-sanctuary of the Noblesse absorbed along with his power the psyche he had harbored. I'd say the power that is held there is basically semi-animate. So after the nuclear missile incident, the entire process of spiritual bond and resurrection that touched on your lord and the Noblesse was engraved into the power within the ex-sanctuary. I managed to absorb all this when I accepted this power. But the reason why none of you remember this is because... I'd compare it to the rupture of glasses that could not stand the multiple resonance of sound waves. What you had gone through was a miracle that transcends life and death. So it'd be no wonder that it left an unseeable scar upon your memories.”
Kei was not the last one to fling questions, and Lunark answered all of them.
The meeting was closed following Frankenstein's offer that Raizel might be able to gain more life if they are to make use of the power that is left in Raizel's ex-sanctuary (and they sort of saw it coming).
Lunark was left alone, and only then someone approached her.
“Lady Lunark.”
“You...? What are you doing here? Your lord and your fellow heads of clans are gone.”
Lunark's pink pupils were sketched with puzzlement as she recognized Rael.
“There's something I must tell you.”
The werewolf warrior tensed, in understanding that Rael chose to confront her after Lascrea, Kei, and Rosaria at last went away.
On the other hand, Rael was fairly calm, for there was no trouble that required his presence.
It was but a small reason that he requested the Central Knights from the ward to notify him as soon as she awakens, even though they share nothing in common except for the QuadraNet Project.
It was but a small but legitimate reason.
When Lunark awakens, relay her a gratitude from me, I pray.
That was the concise yet packed-with-meanings request from Raizel, as he sent Rael away to Lukedonia.
That was supposed to be the sole reason why Rael was waiting for the moment Lunark opens her eyes, but lately things have changed a little.
During the course of arrest of Deneb, the Central Knights confiscated the walkie-talkie he forced away from Yuhyung's bag.
Which was passed on to Rael, before it can return to its rightful owner.
The QuadraNet Project may be on a hold, but everyone knew it would be on a hold only for the time being.
When the project is to commence again, the chances are high for Rael to reassume the ambassador of Lukedonia.
So it would be logical for Rael to keep the walkie-talkie for now, though no one can certify until when he must keep it with him.
So Rael had no idea the walkie-talkie dropped right onto his hand would spill Frankenstein's voice all of a sudden.
I decided to bet my hopes on Mr. Jang's walkie-talkie just in case. Boy, am I glad it didn't turn out to be a fool's hope.
S-sir...? What's going on...?
I need a favor. And don't fret. It's nothing huge.
Back then Rael was busy trying to think of a favor that Frankenstein could possibly ask from him.
He knew Frankenstein was a man of reasons, but he could not help getting anxious, in consideration of the speaker.
When Lunark wakes up, tell her to go back to her homeland as soon as she becomes mobile.
Sir...? What do you...
Tell her not to even think about sticking around Lukedonia and go back as soon as her body becomes good enough for her to move around like usual.
Frankenstein did not assume any coldness in his words, but Rael could not ask what is the matter, due to the just-deal-with-it attitude he wore at the time.
Nonetheless, Rael presumed there was no misfortune or problem that Frankenstein had in mind that had urged him to make such delivery to Lunark.
But please tell her that she doesn't have to run back home right as she opens her eyes. Please.
He could feel generosity, not at all feigned or halfhearted for the sake of the least of the courtesy he could pull off, as Frankenstein added one more “please.”
Retracing his experience, Rael finally started off with his job as a messenger.
*****
Few days later, KSA
“And that's it for the whereabouts of the remaining lots of the Union.”
A series of nods and regards from the table headed to Tao, who had been making his laser pointer busy with the satellite images from the beam projector.
Seoul at last regained its daily life, thanks to KSA and RK's joint administration.
All boxes on the to-do list of treatments and examinations were checked off, and the protocol on media management and operation in case of national crisis met its closure.
And today, the key personnel of KSA, the RK, 3rd Elder, and Yuigi were gathered at the meeting room for the briefing on the progress up-to-date.
First of all, Yuhyung was officially discharged, permanently expelled from the registered catalog of KSA employees and staff, imperatively relieved from all his duties and privileges.
At the same time he was charged, with the recent case in Seoul, as a result of the internal investigation on the matter.
His true crime will never be printed on the public document housing the details of his charges, but he will be legally punished in one form or another, via the man's request.
I don't care what or how. I want the heaviest penalty you can throw upon me.
They have yet to decide on the exact what or how, but Yuhyung's career and life are now as good as over.
And the Union agent who was captured at the end of the calamity at Seoul was eliminated the day before.
Before which came the interrogation on the location of and the melee force possessed by the remainder of the Union, which provided a basis for Tao to plot a satellite map.
“The international summits over the globe are not yet very cooperative, which means we are the only manforce we can hire for this job. So my opinion is that in terms of efficiency, it'd be much better for us to select and dispatch people for extermination and shutdown, rather than to have us travel back and forth for the job.”
“So you're saying the said people must live as wanderers until the Union is completely gone, keeping in touch with us for the sake of communication and progress report.”
“Which is why we need someone equipped with the energy and combat abilities that will allow them to cope with years-long travel and non-stop combats, as well as flexibility in improvisation against the unexpected. And thorough knowledge in the a's-to-z's of the Union would be a plus.”
The second Tao, Yeonsu, and M-21 finished their speech, a hand was raised in the air.
“I'll do it.”
The hand belonged to none other than the 3rd Elder, gaining a dozen spotlights from the spectators' wide-open eyes.
“I'll join him.”
And Yuigi was the second to raise a hand.
“W-what do you mean by that?”
Takio - obviously - posed a question in alarm.
“I'm the perfect candidate for the requirements you just listed, M-21. And unlike you and your team, with duties to protect this place, I have no requisites that will bind me from travels.”
“Same could be said of me. Since the 3rd Elder has lost his power, he would need a bodyguard to carry on with his mission against the modified humans potentially as powerful as Helga.”
Their logics were without a flaw; in fact, they made an appeal that was only essential.
The results for 3rd Elder's check-up revealed that his power did not altogether vanish; however, now he has become weak, no longer capable of firing an impact on par with that from a tank upon a single glance.
Not to mention they learned through Helga that Union was still armed with combatants including her teammate named Sol.
A proof that it will take a miracle, not hope, for them to bypass any physical collision during their mission.
A proof that the 3rd Elder and Yuigi are basically candidates sent from above for the job.
And they knew they would not need to be apprehensive for another betrayal, as the two ex-agents were the ones who supplied the key solutions for the catastrophe at Seoul, thereby earning themselves virtual badges that will certify their allegiance.
The briefing took itself through the introduction, body, and conclusion without a haste, until the 3rd Elder and Yuigi were classified into a special team to search and destroy the hidden survivors of Union around the world.
Partially because Frankenstein curiously hurried with the briefing.
“Now, I shall take my leave. You guys stay here and... Do whatever you need to.”
“What? Where are you off to, boss?”
“Outside.”
“Outside? You mean outside Korea?”
“Yup. But don't worry. I'll make sure I'll be there to say good-bye to the special team as they leave.”
The three men of the RK could only tilt their heads in confusion, staring as Frankenstein hustled away without even telling them where exactly he was headed to.
“But is it just me, or... Is he kind of excited?”
“Thought I was the only one.”
“Well, you weren't.”
The three men felt their curiosity stacking up by the end of their chat.
Just what could urge the blonde human to leave in urgency, with a face in full bloom with such roseate excitement so very pronounced?
(next chapter)
There you have it - the secret behind the four nobles’ return from death. As a reminder, in this fic Muzaka was not dead during the nuclear missile incident, which was mentioned in chapters 1 and 2. It took more than 60 chapters for me to finally unleash the secret for the remaining four. XD
This is part of the reason why I wanted to write this fic. I wanted to talk about Frankenstein and Lunark’s relationship, which was never officiated or portrayed in further depth in the original webtoon, and also attempt my take on the why’s and how’s on the nobles’ resurrection. As I was coming up with theories, I was reminded of the half of the Ragnarok that Lascrea gave to Raizel, and then I remembered how Lascrea, Kei, and Rosaria stopped a missile headed to a human city. The name of the city was left unknown in the webtoon, but I decided it’s Miami, since it didn’t take that long for them to stand upon the ocean to stop the missile (meaning it’s nearby Lukedonia and stationed at the coast of the continent, which would meet the demands to describe the American city that happens to be one of the three vertices making up the Bermuda Triangle). Thus I could come up with the grand secret behind the nobles’ return from death. This “Bermudan Treasure Chest” that I created was in a way a huge spoiler, and the blood-red corals that inhabit this zone was also a hint, in a way. And of course, none of this is canon; this is purely my theory, my creation.
At last I revealed the secret behind the return of the four nobles from the nuclear missile incident, and the two villains of this fic - Helga and Yuhyung - made their official exit. And you also know what will become of the 3rd Elder and Yuigi, and now all that remains is the relationship between Frankenstein and Lunark & the reason why Muzaka’s body moved on its own for survival during the nuclear missile incident. Which means that once these two are settled as well, this fic will be over. There are only 2 more chapters to go, and I can’t tell you how thankful I am to you for staying with me all this way. I’ll see you next week and the week after that with chapters 69 and 70, respectively! Thank you so much! :)
Lascrea's voice, forceful and regal, decorated the entire hall with ice galore.
It held not a speck of warmth or mercy, as expected from the one and only sovereign standing tall above the sinner who caused harm past the Lukedonian shoreline, across the human domain.
Which was a sentence of doom for the man kneeling before her.
“Deneb Illiness. You have wrested as your eyes, for the sake of your personal ambition, the farmer sent to nurture the very first seed that will bloom into the harmony of noblekind, wolfkind, and mankind. Moreover, for the sake of your personal gain you attempted to murder another head of a clan, feigning sightlessness to the bloodshed of innocent humans, as proven by this gadget.”
Lascrea was holding a voice recorder as she gazed down at Deneb.
It was a submission from Rael, upon his homecoming with Deneb on his shoulder.
It held every face-to-face conversation that took place between Deneb and Yuhyung, by the latter who had to struggle to hand it over to Rael prior to his departure.
“Taking into account all of the sins attributed to you...”
Imperial and resolute was Lascrea's voice, causing all heads of clans lined up by either side of the red carpet to thin their own breaths.
“I hereby take away all rights and properties from the name of Illiness. No command in the future will be able to nullify my words, and in no historical circumstances will the name of Illiness be articulated in the heritage and lore of noblekind, unless the case calls forth the discussion of the weight of sin the name will carry from now on. And you will be sealed away from your own powers, locked behind the bars of punishment, to never again touch the light or air beyond the walls that will trap you.”
Lascrea, apparently willing to waste no more word or second with him, swiftly waved a sign to take out the sinner whose judgment was over.
Deneb spat out a gasped chuckle, teeming with dejection, disdain, and despair, as Central Knights summoned by Ludis dragged him outside.
Some would suggest he should be glad he could at least stay alive, but Deneb knew what awaits him is worse than death.
'I have given my all for the rise of the lliness clan... I have dedicated all my determination and power to make Illiness the name that becomes the first addition to the octaclans... I have sacrificed my all to end up like this...!'
Exactly contrary to his wish, Illiness was nothing more than a traitorous name, faded in glory and might - the worst of the worst humiliation he could suffer.
In fact, he wanted to shout out to Lascrea to rather put him into imperative eternal sleep.
'This is all because of you, Rael Kertia...!'
Denying any self-reflection or acknowledgment of his crime, Deneb gritted his teeth, glaring murder at the blonde noble gazing at him ever-so-peacefully.
Which did not last long, for Rael did not continue their staring contest.
'Now I'm not even worth a split of your time?'
Deneb twisted his lips marred with both bitter smile and sob, and that was the last of the head of the Illinesses.
Lascrea gave the voice recorder back to Rael and highlighted his accomplishments before closing the gathering, and Rael did not linger.
He neither complained of the troubles he had thanks to Deneb nor claimed his feat was nothing but a duty of a head of a clan.
He simply accepted and replied to the hi's and good-job's offered by fellow heads of clans, to turn away in order to “tend to an urgent business at home.”
“Just what could be this urgent business of his?”
“Whatever it may be, I do not believe it was an excuse to merely escape from this scene.”
“I'd thought I was the only one who felt that.”
As Gechutel nodded to Regis's comment, Seira peeked at the former head of the Landegres.
At first she was not sure whether the impression she had was delulsion or diagnosis, but now that Gechutel gave his affirmation, she knew there was no more reason for her to remain undecided.
She could feel from Rael determination that not even his mask could veil - determination as blazing as the sun that soars through the shroud of darkness barricading the horizon.
But she could not fathom why his determination would lead him to his own clan.
Even as she stepped outside the Lord's Hall, she could not free her mind from her questions, looking ahead towards the path that Rael would have walked upon as he scurried away.
That was when Seira - or rather, when Seira, Regis, and Gechutel, clustered together as always, heard someone's voice.
“Umm...”
They turned around, pleasantly insouciant, and spotted a Central Knight fidgeting in his place, shy and awkward.
His attire told them that he was a Central Knight stationed at the ward.
It is requisite for Central Knights to stand guard at all corners of Lukedonia, including the ward that usually houses humans that have lost their ways into the noble boundaries.
So it is not surprising for them to see a Central Knight from the ward.
However, they could not think of a reason why a Central Knight from the ward would seek them.
Although the ward was currently accommodating a visitor like none other, even she did not serve as a reason for his visit.
And his demeanor told them there was no emergency or need for an urgent assistance.
So Seira, Regis, and Gechutel could only gape at him in silence and puzzlement.
“Uh... Did Sir Rael leave already?”
Their bafflement grew only bigger now that Rael's name came up.
“I... I have brought something by request of Sir Rael...”
The three pairs of crimson eyes demanded an answer, and the Central Knight took his time to open his mouth, barely holding his ground as he was showered with pressure exclusively endowed to the heads of noble clans.
*****
“...Welcome back, Sir Rael.”
Patriarchs bowed as they sat in rows by the table, and Rael courteously eyed them in reply, occupying the chair at the topmost end of the table.
“Something very urgent must have kept you, since you were summoned by the Lord right upon your return.”
One of the patriarchs started off with a flat, 'for-all-I-care' look.
Rael did not miss what lay beneath his countenance.
The speaker was not daring to evaluate the urgent gathering commanded by Lascrea.
He was pointing out how Rael had been elusive from Kertian eyes, once again roaming outside their motherland for the sake of the QuadraNet Project.
In other words, he was complaining how he came to share his greetings with his own clan only after his visit to the Lord's Hall, when he is nothing more than a pigeon for the said project.
And he was probably worried that Rael would have caused another trouble outside, forsaking his responsibility and duty nevertheless thrusted upon him as part of the project.
Instead of flinching like he had used to, Rael explained for them what he had gone through, and once he was done vocally conveying how Deneb was taken away, patriarchs murmured, not even trying to lower their voices, in oblivion of their place.
Some sent Rael looks of elation and awe that he has finally grown, but the others - actually, most of them - did not clear their eyes of doubt.
They were in doubt when this case concerned a judgment orchestrated by the lord herself, which means that their memories on Rael's past are very much alive.
Knowing that, Rael did not accuse them.
The purpose of this meeting was far from accusation, and he heeded not whether they would continue their mistrust in him.
For now he knew what he must do.
And thankfully for him, another patriarch removed the curtains from the stage for him.
“We heard that this project was put on a hold for the time being. Does that mean we are welcome to expect no more of your absence?”
Rael was poised as he stared at the Kertia who just exhibited now-habitual gut reaction of concern regarding his future plans.
He could carry on after a start, for he had not supposed Rael would not falter at all.
“We are well-aware that there is not much you can do as of now, but we are hoping you would make use of all of your time to demonstrate what a true head of the Kertias should be gifted with.”
“Indeed. If you plan to head outside once again, we would like to take this opportunity to stop you by all means.”
“That is not at all like what our former heads of clans would do. They would never do that without a good reason.”
And Rael was wondering why they would wait until they would pull out the phrase once again.
And that was a sign for Rael to commence his speech.
“Precisely. I am not my father. And I am not my brother, either.”
The patriarchs' eyes snapped wide open, their heads jerking in elevation, at the sudden rush of steel into Rael's voice.
They went ahead and turned pallid when they spotted a pair of steel in Rael's hand, as the blonde noble was standing since who-knows-when.
Twang!
Half of Grandia thundered upon the well-sculpted table.
The motion was not huge or powerful, its impact hence rather small.
Yet the brief gesture of ejecting Grandia onto the table dove into the patriarchs' hearts sharper than any blade could.
“Why do you think is the reason I called forth my Grandia?”
The patriarchs were ready to emit the very first answer that came up to them - Rael reassuming his die-hard habit of brandishing his power - but they could only roll their eyes, too daunted to dare spill it out.
“Do you expect me to flip and mince and shred this table, this room, and all of you?”
A majority of patriarchs winced at his remark.
“Even if that were to be the case, none of you should have a say with my behavior. As much as I am aware I would be far below the minimum demands you would expect from the head of the Kertias, you should be keenly aware that your attitude in treating me has far passed the range of adamancy, to meet the criteria of insolence.”
The patriarchs winced for the second time.
They were both smart and attentive enough to realize that Rael had been struggling to show them he has become a new noble ever since his permanent return to Lukedonia.
Despite that, they did not - or could not - place their faith in him, in fear and consideration of the history of his delinquency and their despondency.
Which was why they had been treating him rather too rigorously, to the point they would surely earn a criticism or two if other nobles are to learn of this.
And Rael was just as smart and attentive as well.
“You have been neglecting my endeavor to find appeasement in your eyes. You have ruthlessly fired and launched shrill words and biting attitudes to shoot down and take down the wings I have donned to ascend with this new will of mine. And you have forgotten your manners and solicitude for your current head, coercing me to deliberately appeal myself to the head of the Loyards in order to keep the ground of the Kertias safe, jeopardized by the loss of our former head.”
Rael was not at all yelling, but his voice resonated in the immense room, empowering enough to zip the lips of all listeners.
“This soul weapon is a legitimate token of succession from my father and brother. And by denying me as your head of the clan, you have thereby denied the last wills of my father and brother, breathing in slumber within my Grandia. And have you forgotten they would have watched and heard everything within? So I hereby ask again. Why do you think is the reason I called forth my Grandia?”
The room was silent, except for the echo of Rael's voice.
“The purpose of my summon of Grandia is not to take revenge upon you by force. This action is a promise that in consideration of your service for my father and brother during their times, and in consideration of the honor and value they had placed upon you, I shall forgive you just this once.”
At then the patriarchs's faces were struck by appalling enlightenment, for they have indeed forgotten the obvious.
Rael was the legitimate successor of Rayga and Razark, having received their souls, seats, and wills; to deny him is no different from denying his two predecessors, as he has declared.
If they could not put their faith in Rael, they should have put it instead on Rayga and Razark, now serving Rael in the immaterial yet material form.
They have been failing the two former Kertias as they were trying to nurture Rael and the clan in a way neither of them would be a failure.
Some patriarchs were even shedding tears of shameful realization.
Twang!
That was when the other half of the Grandia cross-landed alongside its twin.
“And I hereby take this opportunity to beseech all of you.”
The patriarchs once again lifted their bulging-out eyes towards Rael, who was asking them a favor.
“I know what it is that you fear. I know what my past is like, and I know the mileage of the trail I have walked upon so far is not good enough to convince you. Nonetheless, I ask each and every one of you to guide me with your experience and knowledge. I, Rael Kertia, give you my word that I will put my faith in you and protect the Kertia clan to the best of my capabilities. So please, spare me some of your faith in my words and actions from this point and on.”
Rael was imploring, but he did not seem servile.
He did not fawn, but he did not have to try harder to show that he was serious.
As Rael's speech, having broken out from remnants of Rayga and Razark, ended with his determination, a chair dragged itself across the floor, and its occupant stood in silence and stared at Rael, before he spoke with unwavering decision.
“I pledge myself to you, sir.”
As he knelt, the other patriarchs did not hesitate to follow suit.
“We pledge ourselves to you, sir!”
Rael smiled, having felt the tug-of-war between them has finally ended, as guaranteed by the wholesome smiles upon their lips and their shift from “Sir Rael” to “sir,” as they would address the head of the Kertias.
Rael, having successfully proven that he was now a fully grown head of a clan, dismissed the meeting.
He was the last one to leave the chamber, and he stopped shortly upon noticing someone waiting outside.
“...Seira?”
“...Sir.”
“What are you... Wait, did you hear all that?”
“...I didn't mean to. The servant let me in, insisting that the head of the Loyard clan shall not wait outside, and I was led here to wait until...”
Rael's shoulders shivered; he knew this was nothing to be ashamed of, but he felt as if his crush had landed upon his secret diary.
Meanwhile, Seira scrutinized the Kertia.
She caught how both his vocabularies and hairstyle had returned to their original shapes.
“I believe you pulled out your soul weapon in there.”
“...I did.”
Now Rael was so very inclined to fly from the scene, his embarrassment growing thicker every second.
He began to curse himself for revealing his Grandia merely 10 seconds ago, for he remembered Seira was no fan of pointless display of brawl.
“Although I do not like showing off a soul weapon for no particular reason... For this case I liked it. In fact, I would say what you did in there was my type.”
Rael's head rotated, the noble questioning his own hearing.
And his embarrassment compounded at how dead serious Seira was.
“That... That doesn't sound like you, Seira.”
“...I must be changing, just like you.”
As she retorted, Rael could see her face blooming into a smile.
He had never seen her smile at him; hence he was not ready for the shake that nearly unrooted his heart.
Rael's mind turned hazy, but he was not too hopeless to continue making a fool out of himself in her presence.
“A-anyways, what brings you here?”
“...A Central Knight from the ward was looking for you. But since you were already back in your mansion, I volunteered to carry the message for him.”
From the ward?
In truth, the very first place Rael visited upon his return was the ward, not the Lord's Hall.
He had begged the staff at the ward to come find him as soon as they could deliver him the news, although he did not foresee Seira's volunteering at all.
Wait... So they have a message for me? Don't tell me...
As Rael was pondering upon the reason for the Central Knight's visit, Seira dispensed for him the news he was waiting for.
“Lady Lunark has awakened.”
(next chapter)
Our Kertia boy is all grown up! XD
Actually, I had trouble writing this chapter so that the course of actions and thoughts for Rael and the patriarchs of Kertia would make sense. Some of you might wonder that the patriarchs have been too rude, even if they are concerned for the Kertia clan, and that Rael forgave them way too easily. When I was first brainstorming for this fic, the patriarchs were supposed to be more power-thirsty, enough to rival Deneb. My original plan was to make them plan total possession of the Kertia clan, as Rael’s ground as a head of his clan is yet shaky. One of the initial plots included a scene in which they steal the seal that only the head of the Kertia clan can use, in order to send a letter for Seira’s hand in marriage. And if I stuck to my initial plots, I would have made Rael use force to make the patriarchs his loyal servants in this chapter. But I felt this would give way too much spotlight for Rael and Seira in a fic meant for Frankenstein and Lunark’s shipping. So I took out portions I had allocated for Seira and Rael, to instead make Rael and patriarchs make up peacefully in this chapter.
Btw I’m close to a Rael x Seira shipper, which is why you’ve been seeing a lot of scenes featuring just the two of them, including this chapter.
Personally I feel I could have done better for this chapter. And I once again realize how much more work I need as a writer.
Anyhow, I’m wrapping up the final chapter for this fic, and chapter 70 will be the last of this fic. And I shall do my best until the very last sentence is all polished up. Thanks for staying with me so far! :)
A request by anon, and here it is! This person requested a kissing image of Naofumi and Rishia from The Rising of the Shield Hero.
I tried out some adornments with the background for this one, and yep - I still need a lot of practice regarding the background.
It took a lot of time and effort for me just to get the outline for Rishia's hair in a way that wouldn't make me stab ctrl+z like crazy, but I actually had fun with it during the coloring and shading part lol.
My deepest apology for the anon who requested this for taking terribly long to finish it! :’(
You can also find this artwork here on my DeviantArt page.
(c) Naofumi and Rishia belong to Aneko Yusagi.
Upon Frankenstein’s murmur, Takio and M-21 stuck out their faces from behind him towards the papers he was holding.
Alas, they gave up straight away as their eyes locked upon the numbers, graphs, and charts incomprehensible for their level of knowledge.
Tao, the only person they could count on to translate them into human language(?) was busy fidgeting with the machine that just printed out the papers.
Which is why they had to wait for Frankenstein to explain.
And they showed the generosity of waiting until Tao could bring Yuigi from the machine.
When the subject of the tests finally arrived, Frankenstein nonchalantly raised his glasses and began his lecture.
“Simply put, I need to take a look at your head.”
“What?”
“Huh?”
“Hmm?”
Yuigi retorted in fluster, with Takio and M-21’s bafflement resonating in the background.
Tao’s mouth was hanging open as well, his eyes very close to popping like a pair of balloons.
“That was meant to be literal. There’s something in your head.”
“...So Yuri that bastard did something under Crombel’s order, when I was imprisoned at his temporary lab.”
Yuigi scowled as hard as she could and moved her hand to her temple.
She could not remember what happened back then, her memories blurry due to pain.
She tried scrutinizing what was left of the pieces of her memories, but she could not find any scene holding Yuri doing something to her head.
Assuming it happened when she finally succumbed to pain, Yuigi focused her gaze upon Frankenstein, demanding more details.
Flapping the papers, Frankenstein landed upon the page about in the middle and turned it around for his small audience, displaying CT and MRI pictures of Yuigi’s head.
The pictures were not so big, but the four of them could see very clearly something was there, their vision much more superior to normal human vision.
They could see an array of spots, each of them much more miniscule than grains of sugar, scattered in the area where her frontal lobe would be.
“I don’t need to tell you what I want you to look at, do I?”
“No. But what’s this? Did something get into Miss Yuigi’s head?”
“Yup. I recalibrated that machine according to my manual, and I believe Crombel planted nanochips in your head, Yuigi.”
“Nanochips...? Are you saying all those spots are...”
Yuigi’s body heaved, as if she were just notified that the dinner she had yesterday was infested with cockroach eggs.
“When I...”
Frankenstein’s lips were shut in the course of his reply.
The pull between his lips were so natural, like the sort that would exist only between two poles of a magnet.
Which is why no one noticed that it was not his intention to halt in the middle.
Calming himself by fingering his glasses, Frankenstein restarted himself as smoothly as he could.
“When I left this place, I could get my hands on several files and data on the Union. Some of them were about Union arts and crafts we weren’t aware of, including this technique that employs nanochips. Since Union's main focus was on the mastery of body modification, nanochips were not exactly the favorite from Union’s shelf of goods. But I wouldn’t say they completely disregarded this technology, since it’s on the list of items that none other than Ignes took her time and effort and resources to study.”
“So are you saying the nanochips in my head are Ignes’s creation?”
“Either Crombel snuck away her recipe to dissect and put it back up in a fashion he prefers. Or she stole some of the ingredients he was handling.”
“So what exactly does this thing do?”
“Consider it a remote control to make a marionette out of its host. One of the features of this nanochip happens to be automatically appropriating the host’s control over its body when the host finds itself in mortal danger, so to make sure the host will stay alive as long as its puppeteer wants.”
The four humans gaped at him, confusion clear on their faces, and Frankenstein continued on, probably having foreseen this.
“Remember what happened when I had a rematch with the 1st Elder right before our final showdown against Crombel? Back then he was under Crombel’s control. He served as Crombel’s battle figure, his mind in one piece, with only minimum amount of life force left in him.”
“...With his willpower trapped within, watching and hearing and experiencing how his body is not his...?”
Yuigi muttered, the only one who did not take part in the aforementioned battle, apart from Tao, who had had wire updates on the situation.
The three members of the RK knew why she looked so stunned when she had nothing to do with this occasion.
“So... You’re saying the nanochips that Yuri injected into Miss Yuigi are...”
“They were probably the prototype of the technology Crombel used upon the 1st Elder. You said when you were fighting with that Kornel guy, you couldn’t even speak before you had an outbreak of emotions and broke free from the unwelcome disconnection of your mind from body, right? Unlike you, at least 1st Elder could offer some words to me back then.”
“Wait a minute. The gas we fired was based on a sample of Yuigi’s DNA.”
“So maybe all the people who went through body modification are plagued with...”
“Oh, don’t worry. The results show that the mechanism of body appropriation derives solely from these nanochips. And as you can see, these nanochips were inserted only in specific parts of her brain. So the victims won’t turn back to pseudo-zombies.”
“So once these nanochips are gone...”
“You can return to who you are. I’ll soon come up with a treatment, so I’d appreciate it if you could take your time and wait.”
Yuigi nodded in affirmation, but in reality Frankenstein knew there was no need for a treatment.
The only thing Frankenstein had to do was to draw out just enough power he needs to destroy the nanochips within all at once.
However, he had to coin a specific treatment for the sake of another soul who was unofficially booked for a doctor’s appointment with him.
Another reason why Frankenstein scurried from Lukedonia upon hearing Yuigi’s symptoms from Tao.
And something that had been poking needles into his sanity way before the QuadraNet project joined to add trouble to his side.
‘Lord Muzaka said that during the nuclear missile incidence, his body scrammed from the site on its own. Which would most certainly mean his body saved itself from mortal danger. I bet I can find the exact same nanochips in his head as well.’
If he were to be honest with himself, Frankenstein was dying to use this opportunity to his benefit, to broider the front and back of the werewolf lord’s head with big, fat, angry marks from his grasp.
‘But I have no reason to turn the entire wolfkind into my enemy, after everything that has happened. Not to mention Lunark won’t be happy if she later finds out what...’
At then his hand froze in the middle of its frenzied waltz across Yuigi’s test results.
It was neither in his intention nor in his cognition, yet his thoughts darted themselves right back to Lunark before he could stop them.
In fact, he was stunned for a moment back when he mentioned Ignes’s studies, for he was reminded of the werewolf warrior who visited his island to hand the files of the noble whom he destroyed himself.
Now that his mind summoned Lunark twice, everything he regarded he had left behind in Lukedonia – his thoughts about her, his deliberation on her, and his feelings for her – cascaded right into his heart to cause furious ripples.
He came back to Korea to seek time to himself, but seemingly fate did not want him to waste his time taking refuge.
Towards the room that the RK and Yuigi emptied, the sound of footsteps that Frankenstein would always notice regardless of time and place drew near.
Which was a sign that he could hide no longer.
“Master.”
Raizel’s face was blank despite Frankenstein’s greeting, a natural response from a non-talkative noble.
Which was why Frankenstein momentarily lost his control over his facial profile when Raizel dispensed a verbal reply to his greeting.
“Still afraid, are you?”
Raizel’s words drew Frankenstein’s ears right back to Earth, the blonde man mincing his lips.
“Frankenstein. You treasure her.”
Raizel usually leaves others untouched in terms of their emotional states, in respect of their respective owners.
Yet here he was, volunteering to unwrap the subject as soon as he made his arrival, especially at a time like this, which gave Frankenstein good idea of how much he had been in anguish.
And now that the topic was out in the open with Raizel’s courtesy, Frankenstein knew somehow sneaking past this topic is not an option for him.
Considering where he was standing at this point, he knew he should at least touch on – no, definitely put an end to this dilemma.
“I believe you already know she treasures you just as same. You would know the colors of symphony in your hearts have been identical for a long time.”
Frankenstein’s lips were unmoving, his tongue dormant.
“Know I well what you dread. You must have dreaded harming Lunark even little under the influence of the Dark Spear, as Lascrea attested. Remember I of how the Dark Spear absorbed Crombel and the shards of Blood Stone to attain greatest power in its history. And with Lunark recovering from the harm caused by the Dark Spear, I can feel how haunting the guilt of your heart is.”
“...Then you would know. You would know that is exactly why I don’t deserve to...”
“Do you still believe you will be a harm to her?”
As mellifluous as crimson silk was Raizel’s voice, but Frankenstein had centuries of experience with his master to pick up how his tone steeled by the smallest of the shade.
Which is why he unconsciously began retracing the facts instead of losing his words.
“...No. I can no longer detect Crombel or Blood Stone within the Dark Spear.”
Frankenstein was telling the truth.
Although he had no chance to look back on exactly what Lunark did to him, too occupied with agony while standing guard by her bed, he could feel how the Dark Spear returned to how it used to be before it absorbed Crombel and the Blood Stone.
“Then no more is the reason for you to hesitate, is there?”
Frankenstein was dumbstruck, the answer so very simple and clear.
The reason why he had been staying away from those dear to him, Lunark included, was because he feared he will lose his battle of dominance against the Dark Spear and manifest as a weapon threatening them.
His fear grew even more humongous ever since the nightmare of effigies the Dark Spear staged for him.
But now that the Dark Spear can no longer be a nightmare for him, there was no reason for him to keep himself isolated any longer.
“What is the bidding of your heart? The choice is most definitely yours, but I have had my lessons from 820 years of sleep. Only logical for us it is to live our lives to fullest, with no regrets, during the time that is given to us. We must listen to our hearts for what they wish. We must follow the choices our hearts seek.”
Raizel gazed at his most trusted follower, unmoving and silent.
“I have already told you. The last thing you can save at the moment is time. So do not save your time. Use it well to look into your heart in wholesome.”
“...Yes, sir. I shall do that.”
Raizel, as always, did not linger after delivering all of his messages.
Frankenstein stayed muted in solitude until he got moving; it was time to take a look at another patient he was tasked with, and Tao joined him in the middle, rather faster than what either of them expected.
“Right now, we are the only ones tending to Mr. Jang. Now everyone at KSA knows about his betrayal, so nobody’s visiting him. Well, Sir Rael was the only one apart from us that...”
Thanks to Tao, Frankenstein was reminded of the lesser son of the only one he could ever dub as his true friend for his life.
Rael already left prior to his return to Korea, and being the heir of Kertias, the fastest of nobles, by now he would be officiating his homecoming in the Lord’s Hall.
And Frankenstein heard from his team about the skirmish Rael had with none other than his own kind – with none other than a head of a noble clan.
Tao was about to voice his concern for Rael while he was at it, but then he suddenly heard Frankenstein puffing out a ball of air.
Did he just laugh when we’re discussing Sir Rael here?
Tao’s eyes bulged out, but Frankenstein did not let him stare at him, wiping off his face of his laughter and concern.
‘What am I worried about? I should worry about myself. As of now, that boy will have no trouble at all.’
After a brief self-reprimand, Frankenstein began to strut ahead, with Tao tagging along and complaining at him to wait up.
(next chapter)
Previously Raizel asked Lunark to take good care of Frankenstein. Now he’s telling Frankenstein to follow his heart. I didn’t plan or see this coming, but I made Raizel a matchmaker in my fic. XD As you would’ve noticed, next chapter will be featuring on Rael, through a scene that I had been dying to compose since the brainstorming stage for this fic. Stay tuned and find out how my boy is going through another growth in his career as a head of his clan!
(Edited) I just realized I posted this chapter instead of saving it as a draft - my mistake, and I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again! My apology for whoever that got confused with the early upload!
Takio adjusted his gaze into the direction that Yuigi’s eyes and voice were headed to.
A white-haired man dressed in a hospital gown wordlessly gave them an acknowledging look, right after which he returned to his play-meerkat stance.
The course of his action was as swift as a lightning, enough to convince some spectators, if there were to be more besides the two visitors, that he was a man who knew nothing of manners.
Hence Takio and Yuigi mimicked his behavior out of curiosity, and understanding lit across their faces.
They happened to be standing in the area within the KSA infirmary, at the corridor with the wall partially made of glass for bystanders and passersby to observe what is taking place inside.
And Tao was tending to several civilians sent to KSA on the other side of the wall.
Takio and Yuigi were in the middle of their search for the rest of the RK, to discuss how they should wrap up the calamity at Seoul.
Since they were unaware that Rael had a small business with Yuhyung in the ICU, they sought Tao.
They have found him, only to remain immobile in their places.
It was not because Tao was putting up a show of “how-to-make-a-back-and-forth-marathon-in-a-hospital,” doing nearly as thrice as much work than others, checking up on patients and assigning drugs and orchestrating treatments.
Their eyes were locked upon a child.
Back when the gas launched by Tao finally put an end to the disaster at Seoul, the 3rd Elder was lying flat on the earth as an aftermath.
But he was more concerned about the well-being of the bodies around him, and on the other hand he pled that they send the fastest among them to the site he had in mind.
Not long after, Rael retrieved from the coordinates he provided a girl and a woman the former addressed as her mom, whose blood pressures were being measured by Tao.
“If it does not concern you, may I ask what is your relation to that girl?”
Asked Takio, who remembered how the 3rd Elder was visibly relieved after he was shipped to KSA, to witness that Rael performed his commission to perfection.
Could they be a family?
Yuigi was also waiting, her question tugging at her nerves.
“If the relation you speak of is a biological type, I assure you that me, that girl, and her mother does not share any sort of genetic bond.”
“...Really? Then why would you ask me – ask Rael to prioritize that girl and her mother in collection?”
“...I owe that kid a debt.”
“A debt...?”
“...If I were give you the details...”
At then 3rd Elder’s lips emitted a poof that was most certainly meant to be a smirk, making Takio and Yuigi wonder what in the world could the man be planning to tell them.
“I’d say that kid is my master in shopping.”
Two pairs of eyes, one cyan and one light olive, rippled with confusion at the series of words that they deemed impossible to hear from 3rd Elder, whether it is a jest or not.
Their confusion grew harder as they ascertained that his claim was as unfeigned as it could be.
The 3rd Elder was wearing a smile deriving from his heart as he regarded the kid.
He was truly grateful that she was safe.
And he was truly abominating himself for what the girl and her mother had to go through.
*****
By the time Frankenstein took to his mouth the wolfsbane tonic that he changed the components of, the 3rd Elder was sprinting out of his island, wrenching himself by force from the purgatory of his heart.
Snapping at himself that a bowl of water once toppled is no longer worthy of carrying, he did not cease until he joined Helga in Seoul.
It’d be preferable to have our enemies learn that you are now with us as late as possible. So for now, I must ask you to stay here. We’d appreciate it if you could back us up when you determine it is necessary.
After the brief briefing, 3rd Elder assumed his position on top of a building not very far from KSA.
When the cataclysm Helga mentioned broke in the city, he observed everything from where he was standing.
During the briefing, he was told that everything was simply one of very small steps that will help them unlock the new beginning of the Union.
In fact, that was what he had been lecturing himself even before the briefing.
‘But why...? Just why would I feel this way...?’
Ever since his lodging at Frankenstein’s island, he had been tormented by sense of loss and melancholy stasis that he could not fathom the end to.
He had given his all to the Union, for mankind’s evolution and growth, and ultimately for mankind’s peace and welfare.
Union has been his alpha and omega, the commanding key in his every steps and choices and words and actions.
Alas, now nobody could ever promise that Union will have a future to look up to.
Instead he had accustomed himself to the ordinary life that had been perfusing into his days and nights; however, he chose to shake himself off from such life to finally lend a hand to the rise of Union back to heaven.
But why?
He knew that some sacrifices are a must, as he and Helga intended to critically sabotage the force that must be gone for Union’s revival.
Besides, he had hundreds of experiences in watching, apprehending, administering, and forgetting such sacrifices during his time at the Union.
Nonetheless, he could feel his heart moaning as he took in how civilians erratically deformed and disfigured were spraying and spreading blood about them.
He had to fight an iron-hard urge to abandon his post, against which he miraculously managed to prevail as victorious.
‘Don’t you dare. Now there’s no going back. You can only go forward. You must.’
The man hammered his lips with his teeth, forceful enough to draw blood, and even shut his eyes tight, until a horror-stricken voice shrill enough to rend anybody’s heart menacingly pierced his eardrums.
His eyes snapped open at the suggestion from the voice that its owner was no older than ten.
When the breath that was stuck in his throat restarted its circulation, he had already hopped onto the street into a sprint.
Soon enough he could lock on the origin of the shriek, and his heart twisted as if it were struck by a meteor.
“Mommy...! Mommy...!!!”
A girl was dripping tears at how her mother, as loving as any mother would be just a moment ago, was growling at her.
As much as she was shuddering in terror, her natural-born affinity to the center of her world forbid her from refuge.
Nevertheless, a parent who lost her abilities to tell her daughter from her foes revealed her sharpened teeth and lunged towards her.
At the same time, 3rd Elder hollered at the top of his lungs.
“NOOOO!!!”
Instantly his eyes flashed, keeping his power just about right to keep the woman fixed on the ground.
Yet his power was far too great for a puny girl to take, and she fell to her feet, to safely stumble onto her savior who had dashed right away to her side.
And his eyes started during the course of his anxious, hurried inspection.
‘You...?!’
Fate could be cruel at the most unappreciated moment, thought 3rd Elder, who was too hasty just before to study the profile of the girl.
The girl was his little helping hand.
The girl who taught him how to use a self-checkout machine, on the day when he first met Helga in this country – the day when he was almost drowned in the questions about the Union, Union’s purpose, and Union’s future as he stood in the middle of ordinary people busy with their ordinary lives.
The girl whose face was marred with tears, shocked beyond her sanity that her mother got very close to ripping her head from her shoulders.
The girl who was nearly made victim to the bloodshed that none other than 3rd Elder himself was part of.
‘She knows nothing about my world... She has nothing to do with my world. She has done nothing wrong. And because of me, this girl...!’
The man’s head drooped, boneless, until a cacophony from humans attempting to maul him hit his senses.
Pushing them away with a single glance, 3rd Elder could at last take in the view surrounding him.
A wife and a husband were chomping on each other’s limbs, tramping over the bag of fried chicken that was supposed to serve as their late-night snack.
One of the duo of students on their way home had his shoulder bitten by his friend, who was equally spilling blood from his arm nailed with a row of teeth.
A group of young men , strangers to each other, were scrambled into a ball of flesh and blood.
They were all innocent people, who should have had no business at all with what 3rd Elder and Helga had planned.
‘This is for the sake of mankind’s evolution and growth, and ultimately for peace and welfare...? This is the inevitable gateway to Union’s return, future, and purpose...?’
The white-haired elder recounted what Helga guaranteed him.
At the same time, he beheld the catastrophe no different from what he had familiarized himself with at Union, or perhaps worse, considering how these were all ordinary people.
And slowly his head began to turn sideways.
Once.
Twice.
And again and again.
‘No... This is wrong!’
Finally the realization of what he had unleashed upon Seoul – in reality, what he had been endeavoring to ignore – crushed upon his shoulders.
Unconscious of what he was doing, 3rd Elder held his head low, to gaze at the girl who was still listless in his arms.
He also held in his eyes a tiny lollipop she was clutching in her fingers even now, probably a gift from her mother.
A sight that pushed a cloud of heat and moisture to the corners of his eyes.
A child perfectly aged to fool around, have fun, and gorge herself on a bunch of sweets was caught in a night of horror like nothing else.
All because of him.
‘This isn’t what I wanted...! I...!’
This isn’t what you wanted?
Don’t play innocent. You’re the one who brought this upon her.
The voice within him yelled into his head, as if it were waiting for the moment, and 3rd Elder’s entire body shook in dreadful tremor.
‘What have I done...?!’
He almost lost his breath, nearly swept away in the tsunami of regret; however, he persevered like never before to still and keep himself standing.
Sealing his lips, shedding blood as the result of his ruthless mincing, he started to move.
He stacked all the modified humans in the largest crossroads, and he ran into Yuigi in the middle, seemingly trying her best to find an exit from this situation, and they shared what they knew, before he handed her a spare communicator he had.
He did not forget to pick up the girl and her mother, to safely tuck them away from the rest.
When he managed to reach Tao and learn his plan, he did not wait to urge him to do it, despite Tao’s warning that he could lose his power.
He figured it is a must-have sacrifice.
In fact, he did not care if he were to lose his powers.
His powers were what represented him as the elder of the Union.
They were the most powerful, essentially the only connection he had to the Union.
Yet here he was, willing to lose – no, willing to give up on his powers.
For he knew they were not what truly mattered.
‘How I wish I learned sooner what truly matters... What Union truly had to do... What I truly must do.’
Which was why he did not regret at all that he might lose his powers.
Which was why he accepted it as natural as the sun rising from the east.
Which was what he was ready to do in order to pay for what he had done, if it could be paid for.
Feeling how his heart was being steeled in wholeness, somewhere between guilt and relief, 3rd Elder smiled until Tao’s missile landed.
*****
Knock, knock.
Tao drummed the glass Takio and Yuigi were also looking into.
In notice of the sound, 3rd Elder scrubbed the smile off his face, to whom Tao waved his hand in invitation.
“What is it?”
“Someone’s looking for you, sir.”
I don’t think there is anyone who would require my presence, thought 3rd Elder as he followed Tao, and he flinched upon reaching his destination.
“Mister!”
The girl jumped off her bed and threw her arms around his waist, not giving any hint whether her recognition is based upon their encounter at the market or from her vague memory about her savior.
The man froze, unresponsive, feeling too guilty to show any welcoming gesture, and the girl rummaged her pocket.
“Here!”
From the girl’s pocket was revealed a lollipop, the one that she was holding during the disaster at Seoul, and 3rd Elder’s eyes momentarily bulged in surprise.
“...Is this for me?”
“Yeah! Mr. Handsome over there (At then 3rd Elder’s hesitant, unconvinced eyes shifted towards Tao very shortly, who was smirking in glory and pride) told me that you took away the bad stuff in me and my mom! So you can have it!”
He knew she would otherwise hate to give away a single treat, given her age.
He knew he should thank her at once, but he spoke of something else, completely barred from innocence in the presence of the girl.
“Are you sure you want to give this to me?”
“I’m okay! I can ask my mommy to buy me new one!”
Exclaimed the girl, until her face grew a shade closer to a frown.
“So I want to get out of hospital fast. I want to go have picnic with mommy. And buy candies.”
Her spectator’s lips were ironed taut at an instant, as he stared at how the girl pouted with her cheeks puffed up.
However, he soon placed his hand on her head and beamed at her.
“Don’t worry. You’ll soon get to do that.”
“Really? You promise?!”
“Promise. I promise you.”
You will get to do what you want to. What you have to.
You will get to enjoy your ordinary life, as you should.
“Luckily, the kid is practically clean of the effect of the gas, probably because she is not completely grown up. Of course, I’m keeping my eyes on her just in case. No need to worry.”
Quoted Tao for the 3rd Elder, as they walked away from the girl and her mother.
“By the way... I’m hoping to run more thorough tests on you. I know you went through the most basic ones, but you need to go through ‘check-ups’ check-ups to figure out how much damage that gas caused upon...”
“Sure.”
Tao and Takio and Yuigi, who were waiting for them to finish, gaped at the 3rd Elder, their eyes wide open, for they expected him to decline at least once, genuinely or not.
“Uh... Sure. Why not?”
“And make it happen ASAP, please.”
“Uh... Yeah. Sure thing. But why did you suddenly change your mind?”
“...Let’s just say there’s something I must do, before I die.”
The three listeners silently flipped but said nothing, seeing how he was so very blasé for a person who was expecting death.
They could only tail him with teetering steps, as he led the way to the lab.
And thus things were projected and progressed in order, and by the time the examinations and treatments were complete on people sent to KSA and hospitals under association with KSA, the one person they had been waiting for finally made his comeback.
At last Frankenstein returned to Korea.
(next chapter)
This chapter shows the process through which 3rd Elder changed his mind and sided with the RK, as he has been getting familiarized with ordinary life and starting to question Union’s purpose and existence. Like I mentioned in my previous chapters, in the early seasons Noblesse focused on the value of ordinary life, so I wanted to highlight this through 3rd Elder and his characterization in this fic. Now his story has been almost wrapped up, and I have a few more stories to unravel for this fic. I’ll do my best until the final chapter, and thanks for staying with me so far! :)
It was Rael that Raizel’s steps were destined at, following his talk with Frankenstein.
“...Rael Kertia. It was of an honorable accomplishment that you have brought.”
Rael sheepishly nodded in response to his commendation.
On the first day ever he stood in the Lord’s Hall as the head of his clan, Rael cursed the fact that he had nothing to present as a medal unlike other heads of clans.
But now he finally got for himself what Raizel would dub as an accomplishment.
Even with something he could carve upon a new trophy for himself – something that he can proudly present to the patriarchs of the Kertia clan – he did not feel elated or proud at all.
His head was endlessly winding and rewinding a marathon of what he had gone through during his showdown against Deneb, pumping into his atriums and ventricles a myriad of feelings for each heartbeat.
The last of his curiosity for Grandia that has finally made its comeback.
Indignation at Deneb’s unspeakable plan.
And......
“Seem tremendously troubled you do.”
Just before he was once again conquered by the emotional chain most intricately bound to his mind at the moment, Raizel’s velvety call dragged him back to reality.
“Apologies, sir. I’m afraid I failed to attend to your words.”
“From your body I feel the edge of energies of Rayga and Razark.”
Rael’s head twitched, bowed in the presence of the Noblesse.
His soul weapon was tucked in hiding, waiting for the next summon its master would issue.
And just because a soul weapon is on standby for a summon does not mean its energy is completely intact within its outline.
However, in order for the energy within the soul weapon to leak, its owner must engage in a battle to unleash even the least portion of power he or she could afford, which will whisk only the faintest of the soul weapon’s energy.
Like the very first time Rael put himself against Frankenstein in Seoul, for example.
Compared to what happened back then, Rael’s Grandia is half-asleep, if its state is to be transcribed into a medical state, and Rael did not even attempt to dispense his power.
Yet Raizel claimed he picked up traces of Rayga and Razark, permanently asleep in Grandia.
Rael’s head wobbled back and forth, driven by the thought that his father and brother must have been aware of the anguish and deliberation he had suffered.
As expected.
And now he knew why Grandia had been serving as a thorn in his path.
“Sir, could you please spare me some time for me to open my heart...?”
What he had experienced was not the sort to rub into anybody’s nose, but Rael saw no reason to keep it a secret any longer.
Thus he unraveled the entire history of distress and woes he had with his soul weapon.
He also unleashed the sorrow, disorientation, and pressure he had to bear in relation to his conflict with the patriarchs of his clan.
Even though he was made an audience for something he had never asked for, Raizel kept his ears as focused as possible, his eyes never once blinking.
Rael’s speech met its end, but Raizel remained silent.
From his mouth as well-reserved as his nature, and from his eyes as serene as his physique and psyche, Rael could read Raizel’s intention.
The Noblesse was serving himself as a well – a well that never retorts or rebukes or rejects, regardless of the words that are poured into it.
A well that will simply accept whatever its visitor throws in and wait where it is until the visitor completely empties his or her monologue.
Rael realized a tad late that he was puffing up feeble gasps, now that he was done speaking.
It was not of the rate that would tail unimaginably rigorous physical labor.
It was closer to a physical and mental closure to a long, long mediation.
In fact, Rael could feel his heart clear like never before – at least he had never felt like this since his perpetual return to Lukedonia – reminiscent of the heaven made clean with a tempest.
As of now, he felt like he could do anything – including, for instance, dealing with his struggle against the oh-so-fearful patriarchs of Kertias once and for all.
‘I see.’
That was when Rael caught up on another motive behind Raizel’s quiet toleration of his narrative.
‘He’s helping me with my practice. After all, second is always easier than the first.’
And he even took caution to be considerate of Rael’s dignity, to allow him to figure out his purpose.
Rael met Raizel in the eyes, the Noblesse pleased that his treasured follower’s son earned an enlightenment.
“My Grandia had been unresponsive because my will was not what I should have carried. I should have held my blades with nothing but the very essence of the will of Kertias. Since who-knows-when, I’ve been captivated by this obsession that I must be a head of my clan that will not shame my father and brother. I have forgotten about myself as the head of Kertias, even committing shame of mimicking my brother in every aspect of my life, copying his hair and manner of speech.”
Rael’s voice was devoid of its past weight, instead firm and well-grounded.
“When I discarded all my obsession and corrected my path into the direction that will lead me to the Kertian will, albeit uncoordinated and inexperienced... That was when Grandia returned to me. And now... I think I know what path I must follow as the head of my clan... What I should do to truly return my gratitude to my father and brother, who gave me an ordeal of a lesson from my blades.”
It had been less than 24 hours since his steel reassumed its position, but Rael’s eyes were glowing with unmeasurable profundity.
“There is no need for perfection. There is no need for reenactment of my father and brother. What I need is self-discovery in my own path and will as a head of my clan. And I will never forget what truly matters. My deepest gratitude, sir, for being a company to my account.”
Raizel at last parted his lips, illustrating a subtle smile as if he was elated to be of help.
“Now go.”
Go? Go where?
“Concerned of him, you have been.”
Yup, he is impossible to fool.
“In that case, please excuse me.”
Keeping his manners functional to the very last moment, Rael showed the most well-shaped bow he could perform and turned his course, to the most seriously injured person among all people hospitalized as urgent patients within KSA’s infirmary.
*****
“...Sir... Rael...”
Rael was greeted by a vocal beckoning so very thin, not strange at all to be gone in mere seconds, the speaker’s every plane supposedly naked for the noble to see clad in bandages.
Had Rael been born from a different race, he would not have caught that Yuhyung was making a sound, let alone comprehend what he was making sounds for.
That was just how disastrously his voice box – no, how his entire body was compromised.
“Hang in there for just a little bit. Sir Frankenstein will be here soon.”
Rael offered a notice on Frankenstein’s return, by courtesy of Tao.
No punishment ever coined would be enough upon the human, considering what he had wrought and hence brought upon Korea.
Nonetheless, the RK’s reached an agreement to show the felon to Frankenstein.
After all, neither legal penalty nor physical retaliation would be possible if he is to die.
And Rael took out that part in his news; he did not feel this is the time to reveal the fact.
“And I recommend you to brace yourself. Lukedonia may summon you as an affiliate to Deneb’s act of treason, So...”
At then, Yuhyung spat out eccentric pieces of coughs.
If his throat happened to be better even by little, Rael would have noted immediately that it was meant to be a self-sneer.
That it was meant to be a self-scorn of immense regret, for making an irrevocable, erroneous choice and marking upon hundreds of people humongous bitterness of betrayal and scars.
‘Just how blind have I been...?’
The day he lost his colleagues to nobleborn and wolfborn elders of the Union and begot the blade called vengeance in his bosom.
That was the day Yuhyung got to define the noblekind and wolfkind as his nemesis.
He swore he will never forgive them.
He swore he will have his revenge.
He swore he will pry out the hearts of his nemesis with the blade within him, on the day he finally gains power.
So on the day Taesik and the doctor suddenly called him and assigned him business trips to nobles and werewolves, he burned with cruel passion.
And he even got to meet a Union agent called Helga, everything seemingly a golden chance from Lady Luck.
Which is why the moment he began his duty with the QuadraNet project, he deliberately shaped himself more uncoordinated and frantic.
He never stopped smiling and dispersing goofy laughs, as if his mouth was full of honey, but he painstakingly waited for the day he would get to reveal the blade within him, very much alive and hissing like a snake.
That was the way he had been, until he got to learn about Rael.
He felt his vindictive stance crumbling, in the face of a noble very far from arrogance or vanity.
He even felt for sure how he was wavering when he met the beautiful lord of the nobles.
Because when he was demonstrating for her Tao’s phone and apps, she was not hugely different from the human girls from his world, shy about her affections for her certain someone.
And then he ran into an unexpected addition to his quest – a noble named Deneb who forced him to be his spy on Rael.
Because of whom Yuhyung was half-coerced to yield from his set of equipment a walkie-talkie and the extrasensitive thermal detector, in case there were to be a future collision with Rael.
‘I almost had a heart attack when I realized Sir Rael rummaged through my bag, upon the sea where he was to hand me over to Miss Lunark, when I had a seizure. I was scared he might have realized my bag lost some weight.’
Apart from his apprehension towards an unwelcome ally, back then Yuhyung was actually thankful for Deneb.
For he became the reason for Yuhyung to scold himself that nobles cannot be trusted at all (and he should know it), the Illiness reeking of desire for Seira in every composition of his being, upon the sight of which Yuhyung regrounded his attitude that was swaying ever since his encounter with Rael and Lascrea.
Notwithstanding, he found himself hesitating once again, as he watched how Lunark was basically screaming into his eyes how she had a crush, with Garda making a huge show of teasing her.
He felt that they are basically werewolf versions of his own kind.
And he could feel himself precariously dithering, as he could practically hear the word “maybe” in his head at least dozen times.
He even had to shake his head as if there were a tarantula sitting upon it, but in the end he was met with a trial.
When Lunark escorted him back to Lukedonia, they had stopped in the middle of their marine trail.
He was horrified that she might have detected what lurks in his heart, but to his utmost surprise she brought herself upon her knees.
I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry about the death of your colleagues and devastation of your homeland, because of the assault that I was part of on that day. I know it’s too late to apologize. I know my apology does not bring back your colleagues. Still... I’m so sorry. I really am.
Never has he seen it coming.
Never has he even imagined that the very assailant of the tragedy would kneel before him.
What shocked him even more was that he almost offered her his hand to raise her up before she did.
As he put on a masquerade of every frenzy he could muster, he internally gritted his teeth.
That’s right, werewolf. This doesn’t change anything.
I’m not changing my goal, no matter what you do.
And how do I know if you’re being serious?
So I’m going to stick to my plan.
I will bring power to the KSA and stab your heart with this blade of mine!
‘I should have known that I was being stubborn... I should have known that I knew I was being stubborn. I should have stopped myself from ignoring what my heart was screeching at me.’
It was because of this incident at Seoul that he finally realized his heart could no longer stay as the sheath for his blade.
As he watched how the blade he was so certain was meant for nobles and werewolves ironically butchered his own kind and his beloved motherland, and as he grew delirious with pain and despair, as if the heaven had forsaken him, he finally had the enlightenment.
‘Not all nobles are evil. Not all werewolves are morally castrated. It is not right to dump individual evil upon the entire kind. Most importantly... I knew it deep down inside. But I’ve been playing deaf and blind.’
Which was proven by the fact that he unconsciously shifted his eyes towards Rael when he was pleading to Deneb to save this city.
For a reason unbeknownst to him, he knew that Rael is the one he should be begging to, not Deneb.
Which is why when Rael saved him from being pushed off the brink of death via Deneb’s hand and speedily carried him to KSA, Yuhyung did not waste his time at all in providing something to him.
Something he had earned during his quest at wolfkind’s realm, when he found from Adne’s computer the most recently printed file during the course of his work with QuadraNet project.
A file on something called GC chip.
It was the Union technology he found to be most enchanting, so he even took his separate notes about it.
That was what he handed to Rael, and the latter lived up to his expectations, saving Seoul with his team.
‘Even now he’s caring for a criminal and a traitor called me... Brace myself? I’ve already given up on myself, whatever it is that is waiting for me.’
Enemy to him. Enemy to Korea. And enemy to the mankind.
One of the subjects he had deemed so in fact saved him. He saved Korea. And he saved the mankind, at least those inhabiting this city.
And he could collect fragments of words that Tao, Takio, and M-21 shared as they visited in turns to take a look at him, to learn that Lunark did something similar at Lukedonia.
‘My true enemy wasn’t the nobles. Or werewolves. It was my thirst for vengeance twisted and distorted into obsession and obstinacy, refusing to accept that not all nobles and werewolves are my enemies.’
Which means it is time for him to throw away the blade he had been tucking deeply in his chest.
‘No... I shouldn’t throw it away. I must free it from the sheath called obsession, wipe off rust called obstinacy, and pass it on to the new wielder. To somebody who is directly affiliated with this matter and thus scheduled with a hell of a round of toil. Not to mention how he was discussing with Mr. Tao and his team that he must return to Lukedonia as soon as possible and bring judgment upon Deneb.’
With his decision made, Yuhyung croaked repeatedly to draw Rael’s attention.
His eyes bulging, the Kertia approached to look into the man, and Yuhyung for first time ever gave it all he had gotten to clutch onto his garment.
Or rather, he managed to barely place two of his fingers on Rael’s sleeve.
At first Rael tried to stop him from speaking; speech was on the list of not-to-do’s for the human in his current condition.
But the fact that Yuhyung would know very well how he is doing and yet is struggling to say something made him change his mind.
Which resulted with Rael’s eyes, already bulky enough, growing so enormous that it was a wonder they did not burst.
(next chapter)
Once again, I’ve brought you a chapter on how much Rael has grown lol. He happens to be my 3rd bias from Noblesse, so I’ve been waiting to compose and post this chapter. And at last here it is. :) Once I’m done describing the internal shifts the characters have gone through, this fic will finally meet its end. Actually, I assume Ch. 70 will be the final chapter. I have several projects I must get busy with, so it’s about time for me to finish this series. Although I don’t feel like I’m getting there yet, by the time I post the final chapter I’d feel immensely rueful that it’s over. Until then I will do my best as a writer. Much gratitude to those of you who would read my fic!
<As for the tidings of this place... I believe we should resort to the soul with better knowledge to provide for you.>
Raizel answered oh-so-serenely to Frankenstein’s question, Frankenstein and Lascrea tilting their heads.
And then a rustle, so dim that no ordinary human ear would have detected it, spread through Lascrea’s phone.
Immediately following was an ear-splitting shout, which broke the calm of the listeners’ faces for a moment.
<Aaaaand here I am, boss! Bahahahaha!>
“...You’re laughing. Is it safe to assume that the worst is over now?”
<Haha, so is my voice like a yes-or-no sign to determine whether we’re out of the woods? That’s not so bad.>
Tao sounded like the usual, the auditory depiction of his usual stance, making a good-hearted smile while scratching the back of his head.
But of course, everyone knew that it was not the time yet to relieve their shoulders of the tension.
When Lunark was urgently hospitalized after her life-dealing battle against the Dark Spear, Lascrea had a chance to receive Tao's post-disaster-report from Seoul – or rather, she had a chance to talk to Raizel over the phone, who was reported by Tao.
She relayed to Frankenstein how Seoul just suffered a calamity out of norm, and thanks to her he was now aware of what took place in the capital city of the Republic of Korea.
However, Frankenstein had not the faintest idea of why Raizel was with Tao.
The only scenario he had expected from Raizel was to leave whatever that is to happen in Korea to KSA and RK and wait and rest at home.
Since Tao is in charge with everything whenever Frankenstein is not present, there is no chance at all for the said RK to leave the scene too soon.
Which led to a conclusion that Raizel decided to leave his respite and join Tao.
Which was not at all a good sign for Frankenstein.
“I give you a chance to show what a talented diplomat you can be, Tao. So let’s hear it – give me the 5 w’s and 1 h regarding why I’m listening to both your voice and my master’s voice.”
<Haha... Boss... You do realize Master Rai is right here, don’t you?>
“Of course I do. And he would be bewildered if I don’t say something like this.”
<...How unfortunate that there’s no way for me to counter that.>
Despite his half-hearted tantrum-slash-jest, Tao was already waiting for his moment to dispense what Frankenstein was anticipating.
<The Lord told you everything what happened, didn’t she?>
“Yes, but I’d thought there’s nothing that requires my master to take a late-night trip.”
<Now nobody is suffering from body modification, though we’ll have to take time and observe their prognosis. After all, their body modification happened out of nowhere, based on the research that was by no means safe.>
“That is good.”
Lascrea broke her silence to add to the conversation switched to the speaker mode.
Frankenstein nodded in agreement and kept his attention on Tao’s speech.
<But we had a problem. The victims of body modification spread about the city and attacked civilians, so...>
“So there must be loads of witnesses. And tons of footages taken by passersby. Since it broke out in the middle of a night when KSA had only a limited number of personnel, not enough to control the perimeter or the media.”
<Exactly. As for the footages, we can deal with them with the common protocol. Besides, I’m here to help, so no worries there. But as for the memories of the victims and witnesses...>
“...So you’re saying my master...”
No sound could be heard past the phone.
However, sometimes silence can serve as an assurance more functional than any syllable spoken.
And sometimes silence can serve as a weapon deadlier than any vowel articulated.
Especially when it comes from Frankenstein.
“There must be at least dozens of victims from this case, and if master applied his power to every single person included...!”
<Frankenstein. I am fine.>
Right when Frankenstein’s voice was about to skyrocket, Raizel’s words flickered like a crane settling down on its nest, so very smooth and effortless.
As much as Frankenstein was enraged, he knew he could not stay enraged if Raizel himself seeks to drop the subject.
Although that did not mean his rage met its demise; now he was upset.
His rage, having lost its exit, moved onto a topic not very far from its original prey.
“Anyways... You’ve been keeping it a secret that you’ve made a tenant out of a member of Cerberus.”
<Uh... Well... Yeah. It just happened. Hahaha...>
Tao retorted with a laugh, but Frankenstein could clearly see Tao in deepest regret.
Regret that he should not have opened everything in relation to the trouble at Seoul, in fear that something else might happen if he does not share everything to his boss.
And no reminder was needed that to Frankenstein, this was far beyond a mere disobedience.
“Forget it. What can I say, after everything that has happened? If it weren’t for that Cerberus friend of yours, we wouldn’t have dealt with the disaster at Seoul. In fact, I should be rewarding Takio for winning her over.”
<Oh, speaking of which, maybe you could really do that for Takio, boss.>
“What? Did he beg to me to forget about how one of my safehouses was blown up because of that fiend called Kornel?”
<Uh, no, but... He has a favor.>
“A favor...?”
Right after the pseudo-zombie breakout at Korea was officially closed, naturally all victims were immediately sent to KSA headquarter or hospitals in association with KSA for check-up and treatment.
Which resulted in the overflow of all beds available with victims of body modification and victims of the aforementioned victims.
Because of which the RK, Yuigi, and KSA agents that took part in the incident could only sit and get in line.
Which naturally served as a reminder for Takio.
<Takio heard from Miss Yuigi that she has this... This mysterious symptom. And Takio was hoping you’d take a look into it. We suspect Crombel did something to her during her time spent as his test subject. She told Takio that Crombel did play tricks on her, though she has no idea what, via Yuri’s hands. If you were serious about this rewarding Takio thing, can’t you lend him a hand with this?>
“...That was meant to be a joke. Sort of. Thanks a lot for making a real deal out of it. So, what is this symptom that you’re talking about?”
<So here’s the thing...>
Tao retraced his memories – that is, he retraced Takio’s memories based on Yuigi’s testaments, on what she had gone through during Kornel’s raid on the safehouse.
Which resulted in Frankenstein’s silence, something that Lascrea and Tao found as a puzzlement.
There is not a soul left upon Earth who can match Frankenstein with research, so they doubted this would be something not even he can do something about.
However, their concern was proved as meaningless, at least hinted by what Frankenstein said.
“Are you sure...? You swear that she lost control of her own body? With her conscious alive, trapped in her own form to watch and hear and comprehend everything that her own flesh and bones were wreaking?”
<Yep. That’s what she said.>
They knew what Tao spoke of was strikingly similar to what followed Frankenstein’s loss of his body to the Dark Spear.
Hence Lascrea and Tao felt their hearts wince and shrivel, dreading the potential connection Frankenstein could make between Yuigi’s mystery and the Dark Spear.
However, the next moment they could make out a perplexing mixture of anxiety and excitement in his voice.
“Tao. I want you to prepare everything I’d need to run full examination on her, on the double. I want to get started as soon as I make it. I'll be on my way soon enough.”
<What? You mean... You're coming over right now?>
“Frankenstein, I fear your body yet requires...”
Lascrea, perhaps having waited for a moment to make the suggestion, offered as Tao posed a concern.
Nevertheless, Frankenstein was already smoothing out his attire, the gesture adamant.
Upon which Lascrea chose to give up on reasoning with him.
Her history with Frankenstein was neither old nor thick; yet she had an advice from Gechutel that it is impossible to make Frankenstein give up on his resolve when he looked like what she was beholding.
Most importantly, even Raizel himself was remaining wordless on Frankenstein’s decision, and her intuition was telling her that it is futile to talk to him anymore.
Still, Frankenstein was not the type of a man to keep his people worried, especially his master, regardless of his speechless stance.
“I’ll be right there, as soon as I finish treatments and check-up that won’t hold me for more than 10 minutes.”
“...In that case, I shall relay the message to my medical personnel.”
“That will be more than appreciated.”
<Then I’ll get ready as well. Have a safe trip, boss.>
“Sure thing. I shall see you in a bit, master.”
<...No need to hurry, Frankenstein. The last thing you can save at the moment is time.>
As he watched how the voice chat on Lascrea’s phone was terminated, Frankenstein could feel the edges of his eyes trembling, in reminiscence of Raizel’s final words.
When Raizel said there was no need for him to hurry, it meant more than the fact that Frankenstein did not need to be so impatient with his return to Korea.
After he returned the phone to Lascrea, Frankenstein was all alone, free to shift his eyes back to Lunark’s bed.
‘Time...’
The blonde man went over the term again, as he felt how the vessels and ventricles in his body were flinching and twisting.
Time.
That was what both he and Lunark needed.
There was no telling when Lunark will awaken, but he knew once she does, he will not have time.
He will not have time to settle with his feelings for her, to decide whether to let go of them. Or explore them. Or accept them.
‘Wait... What did I just say?’
Accept my feelings for her?
Frankenstein ferociously rubbed his face, realizing how he forgot about Muzaka’s request regarding Lunark’s feelings for him.
At then someone called out for his name, and he half-forced his eyes off from Lunark.
Whatever his conclusion may be regarding the werewolf, there was no denying that he needed time.
And he needed to stay away from her for the time being.
(next chapter)
Now the time has come to unravel the mysteries introduced in this fic so far, and the next chapter will feature a puzzle that was flung in Frankenstein’s face in the very beginning chapters of this fic, which is the reason why he decided to return to Seoul asap when he learned about Yuigi’s symptom. Actually, there are so many mysteries that I wanted to discuss through this fic, and I happen to be writing about one of them right now as I compose Chapter 68. I took a lot of care as I came up with this one, but it did not make it any easier for me to write about it. :P But I promise I shall do my best. :)
The cadence from the machine was as steady as it could be.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Frankenstein’s heart was just as steady, its beat placid like the surface of water.
In reality, at least from Frankenstein’s standing point, for each pulse his blood was being drained away by a droplet.
He felt as if the entire room, beyond the spot he was marking with his legs, was already flooded with the red from his body.
Which he should have expected since his entrance to Lunark’s room.
The day after the destructive arrival of his body occupied by the Dark Spear to Lukedonia, Lunark was hospitalized in the Lukedonian ward, having yet to wake up.
It had been merely hours since the battle was officially closed, so it was too soon to see her waking up.
Frankenstein knew that; after all, she was against none other than the Dark Spear that had unchained itself from his command.
The Dark Spear that had absorbed Crombel and pieces of Crombel’s Blood Stone.
No one would deny that it was a life-threatening opponent, even for Lunark.
Not to mention she suffered a wound from Dark Spear, deliberately meant to kill her.
A wound that sent Frankenstein’s sanity to the nether world when he finally regained his senses.
A wound that was more critical than it should have been, for Lunark did not care about anything other than getting Frankenstein back, paying no attention to her own survival.
Lunark may be top-tiered among the current werewolf warriors, but it is not time yet for her to wake up.
Frankenstein knew and understood and accepted it in his head.
However, his heart refused to comply.
The cardiac monitor that was linked to her was signaling how she was at least stabilized, but Frankenstein felt he would die unless she provides a hint herself that she will be fine.
Which is why he could not leave her, when she was not the only patient in the chamber.
He had been receiving multiple suggestions and offers for breaks, if not treatment, from the hospital’s doctors and medical staff, Central Knights, and even few of the heads of clans.
And of course, he would not heed them at all.
Or he would answer he will not be staying long, to go ahead and stay transfixed as soon as he was left alone.
‘Looks like the story about me has spread to all corners of Lukedonia.’
Thought Frankenstein as he reckoned the next visitor.
“I anticipated you to be here. I am glad I did not waste my time walking into your own room.”
“...Please forgive me. I was supposed to keep better vigilance upon myself. The damage I caused upon your land is of no small...”
Though what happened was as far as it could be from his intention, knowing that he had caused lot of trouble – in fact, heaps of trouble – Frankenstein willingly bowed to Lascrea.
In the meantime, he was plotting whatever excuse he could yield to thwart yet another trial to send him to bed.
Alas, this time he was told incorrect.
“This is for you.”
Frankenstein blinked in puzzlement upon locking his eyes on the phone Lascrea handed.
‘Oh. Right. Tao said he prepared a phone and a couple applications for her in extension of the QuadraNet project.’
He was questioning the timing of Lascrea’s presentation of her phone when something caught his eyes.
The screen was not the sort he identified, but the interface told him it was an application with a vocal chat activated, ongoing.
And there is only one soul that is connected to Lascrea’s phone.
That moment Frankenstein could feel his throat strangling itself.
However, he knew who was waiting on the other side of the phone; not even the end of the world can serve as a reason for him to turn it down.
Thus he took Lascrea’s phone, his heart heavy like never before in the most recent times.
“...Yes, master?”
<Frankenstein. You do not sound well.>
“...Forgive me, master.”
<Forgive you...? For what?>
Frankenstein’s eardrums shriveled.
He could list in his mind more than a handful of things he should be begging forgiveness for, but for some reason he could not name any of them.
Raizel changed the topic, his previous question obviously meant to be rhetoric.
<Lascrea relayed the news. You were brought to Lukedonia, your body lost to Dark Spear, until Lunark arrived for your redemption following a blood-spilling battle. Because of which Lunark has met another battle, this time her conscious as a captive.>
Frankenstein could tell Raizel was being gracious to him on the smallest scale he could afford.
He may have put the cause behind Lunark’s blackout as an aftermath from her battle, but he would know the truth.
After all, Lascrea was one of the witnesses for Lunark’s wound, and she would have had enough knowledge to testify for Raizel how she ended up suffering the wound.
He would know that what forced her into blackout is not the aftermath of the battle; it is the one who was engaged in the battle.
<Are you all right?>
<...I’m fine, sir. Lukedonia boasts medical skills good enough to...>
<My question was posed for more than your body.>
And he knew how Frankenstein’s vessels and heart were being pulled apart every second with guilt.
He knew how Frankenstein’s nightmare came true – his hand lost the reins he had placed upon Dark Spear, waiting for a chance to prevail from within.
He knew because of which he is feeling for himself hatred like never before.
Frankenstein could still remember the moment when the dam finally started to break down. And when he woke up once it was all over.
Upon his return from the werewolf realm – rather, not long after he had finally recharged himself with wolfsbane tonic, the substance that should have kept him insomniac, he felt how a venom called sleep yanked his head with an invisible lasso towards the thick, unbreakable swamp of slumber.
He panicked, a rare occasion for him, realizing something had gone horribly wrong, but he was already swept away by the rapid current of sleep.
Without any rope or boat to save him, he fell deeper and deeper into sleep.
After who-knows-for-how-long, he was beckoned by a thin sensation from somewhere beyond his conscious as if something had shattered.
Now that he had thought about it, he was surely fast asleep back then, but he could swear he felt something shatter.
Promptly, his eyelids shot open as if under electrocution, exactly in the manner of a person miraculously dragged back by the AED from the brink of embarking on Charon’s boat.
Furiously panting from the bottommost of his lungs, he waved his head in circumspection of his surroundings.
He knew all too well what he would unleash once he is asleep, and as he feared his perimeter was nothing short from the definition of cataclysm.
And he needed not to check how he was doing.
He noticed how the soil and dirt he was thrown upon was of Lukedonian origin, and he wondered how he ended up here until his face grew cold, for he got aware a tad late of an unfamiliar weight upon his body.
He could not see the face of the one lying upside down upon his torso, but he could make out a flock of hair scattered about where his hugger’s head should be.
And he did not need to try at all to recognize the color, length, and curves of the hair.
Immediately his heart froze up, turned much colder than his face.
Soon enough he discovered a black hole rooted deep into her back, partially hidden by her hair, which filled him from head to toes with ice.
He could not recall what befell right after.
He ripped her off his body and ran with no direction or sense to coordinate him, to shriek dozen times and plead as twice as much, to ultimately reach here.
<Know I it was not your will to hurt her. She would not blame you.>
“...No. She wouldn’t.”
<But you would.>
Frankenstein’s throat grew strained at Raizel’s remark.
Just as he said, Frankenstein felt highly inclined to wrench off his own head if he could.
He wanted to drive his nails into his chest to pry out his heart.
He could not remember the last time when his heart was jeopardized every minute by miserable, violent impulse concerning what did not happen to be Raizel.
He could not stop thinking that he might make his impulse come to reality if Lunark is to never again open her eyes.
Lascrea tightened her lips, having never seen such a slick, flawless man speechless for once.
That was when she was reminded that she did not have much history with Lunark.
She did have a light clash against her and the 3rd Elder, on the day she visited Raizel to fill his life with the half of her Ragnarok.
After that, she ran into Lunark when she made her way to the werewolf realm with Kei and Rosaria, when Lunark brought Frankenstein, Muzaka, and Raizel, for them to ultimately reap away Maduke’s life.
Apart from those occasions, she could not even get to hear Lunark’s name.
So Lascrea was clueless why Frankenstein would have such a conversation with Raizel with Lunark unconscious before him.
After all, she was looking at none other than Frankenstein, which made it more challenging for her to determine the exact relation that he and Lunark would share.
With everything pushed to the side, however, she equally prayed that this werewolf warrior who was making THE Frankenstein spill out his guilt to open her eyes.
Partially because she had something she had to check with Lunark.
And she could see she was not the only one.
<It seems your heart as of now is not available for an uninterrupted, untainted reflection. For now best would it be for us to wait for Lunark to rise again. Wish I to hear that she awakens.>
“...Of course. I believe we have a discussion ahead of us.”
That was when Frankenstein and Lascrea sharpened their eyes with pregnant glare.
But the latter soon redirected the spotlight to something more important than the business they had with Lunark.
“Have no concern, Frankenstein. Cadis Etrama di Raizel. I shall help our guest and savior to rise again with body as good as new, even if it takes all of Lukedonia’s art in medicine.”
<...My gratitude, Lascrea.>
Lascrea’s phone chimed with a brief word of appreciation.
Poised were Raizel’s words, but Lascrea could detect softness as light but certain as moonlight, and her cheeks flushed like ripe tomatoes for a second.
Thankfully for her, Frankenstein was too caught in his own complicated mind to notice her blush and failed to print it in his head with his eyes.
He thereby unintentionally kept the noble lord’s dignity safe and asked, “Speaking of which, how is everything going at Korea?”
(next chapter)
Now it’s time to wrap up things that follow the battle one by one, including the relationship between Frankenstein and Lunark. Also, I’ll be highlighting all the events that have yet to be explored in this fic (especially the events mentioned in the early chapters). Which means even though the highlight of this fic is over, I still have lots of work to do. Nevertheless, I shall do my best! :D
