kuzuhaTL Notes:
Uh, I just wanted to say that I forgot to link the prologue in NU (-_-;) so I suggest reading it first before diving into this chapter. I divided the chapters because they’re lengthy. This is part one.
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With a tall stature, a neat face, a cheerful personality, and diligence, eighteen-year-old Lee Hwan was a boy who could thrive anywhere. However, he never dreamed that ‘anywhere’ would include another world.
If he had known, he should have read the fantasy novels recommended by his friends. On the first day in this new world, he somewhat regretted his past of diligently studying only.
“Sometimes, things like this happen. They call it a dimensional wanderer…”
Around the time Lee Hwan found himself understanding the unfamiliar words of this strange world, his assigned teacher explain.
“There must be a way to return, right?”
In response to Lee Hwan desperate question, the answer he received was that matters related to the realm of gods were difficult for ordinary people to comprehend. Therefore, he relied on the authority figures in the palace where he currently resided.
Crown Prince Charles, who was the same age as Lee Hwan, willingly listened to the request of this peculiar guest from another world. Although it took a considerable amount of time for the scholar, who claimed to have invited Lee Hwan, to visit, eventually, he obtained an answer.
“According to ancient records, there have been instances of sending dimensional wanderers back.”
“There isn’t absolutely no way, is there?”
“Well, there is, but…”
Even from Lee Hwan’s perspective, the history book, which was said to have been around for a thousand years, was on the verge of extinction. He stared as if licking the letters, which were smudged and smeared and could not be read properly. When he thought searching for documents from the same era might reveal more clues, the scent of musty old scrolls became pleasantly fragrant.
However, the investigation encountered difficulties. It was due to a lack of manpower.
The empire where Lee Hwan resides, Pifierniak, is currently at war against monsters with cannibalistic tendencies. Given the situation, it was difficult for Lee Hwan to request manpower for the investigation.
“Sorry. Considering the guest, we should somehow deploy people…”
One day, the crown prince conveyed an apologetic message. It wasn’t his fault. Even with such formal words, Lee Hwan couldn’t dispel his anxiety. To ease that, what Charles recommended to him was physical training.
Surprisingly, Lee Hwan had a talent for the sword. It was a skill he wouldn’t have known if he hadn’t come to this world. Moreover, inexplicably, his strength had become several times greater than on Earth.
On the day he achieved victory under the command of the Imperial Knights’ leader, Lee Hwan thought. If it was challenging to investigate during the war, wouldn’t ending the war as soon as possible be the solution? With that in mind, Lee Hwan threw himself into the battle.
Lee Hwan didn’t know. The decision he thought he had made by thinking and judging for himself was, in fact, the result of meticulous calculation. Right around the time he began to doubt it, he was already known by another name.
“Lord Alexander.”
The seventeen-year-old 5th prince approached Lee Hwan with his round face.
Lee Hwan Alexander. This unbalanced name was the reward bestowed by the Emperor upon him for his first battle victory. People in this world called him Alexander instead of Lee Hwan, which was difficult to pronounce.
It was a fancy name that made Lee Hwan, who was born and raised in South Korea, feel a bit embarrassed. However, Lee Hwan did not dislike the extravagant sound.
“Where have you been all this time? Do you have any idea how long I’ve been waiting?”
It was the adorable prince who called out.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
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And now, in front of the twenty-seven-year-old Lee Hwan, a new chapter unfolded.
Cough, cough—
The sound of coughing echoed within the barracks. It was a sound as if something was blocked, simultaneously accompanied by a damp, moist sound. The coughing that had briefly continued soon subsided. Shallow breaths followed.
Lee Hwan looked down at the blood-soaked towel with a vacant expression. No matter how many times he looked at it, the color never became familiar.
The bloody coughing, which had started last year, was progressively getting worse. Last month, there was even hemoptysis. The doctor Lee Hwan secretly visited, hiding his identity, had told him it was already too late for any intervention. Since his illness could affect the morale of the entire human race, Lee Hwan had concealed the traces of his illness since then.
After rinsing his mouth with water and familiarly burning the towel to dispose of it, the sound of familiar footsteps approached the barracks. Lee Hwan once again discreetly wiped around his mouth with his uniform sleeve. Just as he was about to be sure his lips were clean, the footsteps stopped in front of the barracks.
“Permission to enter, Commander Alexander. May I come in?”
“Come in.”
As Lee Hwan expected, the officer was Sub-Lieutenant Ducre Langbue. Upon entering the barracks, Ducre opened his mouth without even offering greetings. It was something unusual for the usual Ducre. It hinted at the gravity of the news he was about to deliver.
“We have received urgent news from the Imperial Capital. It’s reported that a dragon has conveyed a proposal for a ceasefire to His Majesty.”
“A ceasefire proposal? Between whom?”
Knowing that diligent and sincere Ducre wouldn’t make an inappropriate joke, Lee Hwan couldn’t help but question. He doubted his ears. Ducre, with a complex and uneasy expression, responded, perhaps sharing similar sentiments with Lee Hwan.
“The dragon approached His Majesty… it seems.”
Lee Hwan gazed down at the sword at his waist. It was the same sword adorned with gold and rubies that had been stained with monster blood just two hours ago. Yet now, a ceasefire was being proposed.
As Lee Hwan opened his mouth again, an urgent voice from outside the barracks interrupted.
“Commander Alexander! Monsters!”
Lee Hwan clenched his sword and rushed out of the barracks. Today, his adversaries were agile monsters known as Gargoyles. Any delay on his part could result in significant harm to his allies.
However, once Lee Hwan stepped outside, he came to a sudden halt. The situation unfolding before him was the opposite of what he had anticipated.
The Gargoyles, with blood-soaked wings spread, were retracting. Though the leading Gargoyles seemed alert toward Lee Hwan, the rest of the group had already flown far away. Ducre inquired.
“Shall we pursue them?”
“Wait.”
After hesitating, Lee Hwan gave the command.
An hour later, only Lee Hwan’s knights remained on the vast plain. He stared in the direction where the monsters had disappeared, then spoke.
“We will return to the capital.”
Back in the capital, Lee Hwan and his fellow knights were put on standby. The other knights had all gone home.
Lee Hwan, as always, headed towards the place he could call his own.
However, his beloved, Lucian, who never ceased to love him, was not there.
“Did he go on an inspection to the territory?”
Lucian’s territory was in a distant southern region. Although small, it was a well-established place, causing some jealousy among his other brothers. That’s why he often visited the territory several times a year.
“If it’s urgent, I can send a pigeon to inform him.”
The servant said so, but Lee Hwan shook his head. He couldn’t summon someone who left for official duties just because he missed them.
“When he returns, let him know that I had visited.”
“I will definitely convey the message.”
Lee Hwan returned alone to his residence. In this world, his dwelling was a small Star Pavilion within the palace. Despite having attendants, it always felt chilly whenever he returned. Passing through the door adorned with a winged wolf, a creature symbolizing protection, he entered.
After cleansing his dust-covered body in the bath prepared by the servants, he headed towards his bedroom. Having run tirelessly for days without proper rest, he felt incredibly fatigued. However, as he laid his head on the pillow, sleep oddly embraced him. Lee Hwan tossed and turned, contemplating various thoughts.
The first thing that came to mind was the urgent report conveyed by Ducre. Confirmation from the prince, whom Lee Hwan had sought out to report his return, verified the authenticity of that urgent message.
The king of monsters, the Dragon, proposed a ceasefire.
Perhaps the tension released upon returning home contributed to this realization. Now, Lee Hwan could truly grasp the meaning behind that message.
He whispered to himself, “Ceasefire.” Although it meant a break from the war, being from South Korea, he interpreted it as a sign that the war was coming to an end.
The war is ending. That meant he no longer had to wield a sword.
Suddenly, a gripping pain surged within Lee Hwan’s stomach. He hunched over, overwhelmed by unbearable nausea. Crimson spilled onto the clean sheets.
If a ceasefire could be achieved, perhaps his ailment would improve. Then, he could fulfill the dreams he had cherished.
Dreaming of going south with Lucian, finding peace there, he let out a groan of agony.
It had been around two weeks since Lee Hwan’s return to the palace. Lucian had yet to come back. With little else to do besides fighting monsters, he passed the time immersed in reading.
With the slow passage of time spent with books and unable to practice due to illness, Lee Hwan decided to secretly meet with a friend.
Dressed in worn-out clothes, he left the palace and headed towards the bustling streets. Upon entering the familiar tavern, the owner nodded knowingly. Lee Hwan took a corner seat, ordered beer and a simple mushroom dish, and fixed his gaze towards the entrance.
How long had he waited? Observing the constant flow of people, he experienced a cycle of anticipation and disappointment. The face he had been eagerly awaiting only appeared deep into the night. Lee Hwan raised his hand with a faint smile.
“Over here.”
Whether heard the soft voice or not, his friend turned towards him. The possessor of a beauty that never ceased to amaze, Absalom, was there.
“Here, Rom
Absalom approached Lee Hwan, and with every step, the gaze of those around shifted. However, he seemed oblivious to such attention, keeping his eyes fixed on Lee Hwan.
“It’s been a while.”
The last time Lee Hwan saw Absalom was last month. Back then, he had made strange remarks with an odd expression.
‘It’s no longer a concern.’
At the time, Lee Hwan harbored fear without understanding the exact meaning of those words.
‘Are you saying you won’t see me again?’
Looking back, it was quite an urgent question, almost embarrassing. Absalom, observing Lee Hwan’s desperation, twisted his red lips into something resembling a smile. Lee Hwan sensed weariness in that expression.
‘There’s no way I’d say that.’
Recalling the face from that moment, Lee Hwan scrutinized Absalom. Perhaps due to the reminiscence, the face seemed troubled.
“Your complexion doesn’t look good. Is something hurting?”
Upon that, Absalom laughed. It was a laughter similar to what Lee Hwan had seen last time.
“That must be about you, Lee Hwan. Do you know how your face looks right now?”
Lee Hwan touched his face; the rough skin was evident. It was a time when he thought Lucian wouldn’t appreciate it.
“What are you thinking right now?”
The voice was sharp. Lee Hwan looked at Absalom, whose deep blue eyes were gleaming with intensity.
“I am the one in front of you now. So, don’t think about anyone else.”
“Sorry.”
Lee Hwan knew that Absalom’s words didn’t fit their friendship, and he didn’t need to dwell on it. However, Lee Hwan apologized immediately.
Three years ago, Lee Hwan heard a confession from Absalom. At that time, Lee Hwan was already dating Lucian, so he naturally rejected Absalom. More than anything, Absalom was just a friend to him, so even if it were someone else and not Lucian, Lee Hwan might have given the same response.
Since then, the two had remained friends. Thanks to Absalom, who understood Lee Hwan’s wish not to lose the only friend in this world.
And Absalom’s unrequited love was still ongoing.
Lee Hwan looked at Absalom. Silver hair, eyes of azure, beauty that could be mistaken for the opposite gender. No matter where Lee Hwan looked, he couldn’t find a reason for Absalom to be infatuated with him. Nevertheless, Absalom confessed his love again. The last confession was just a few months ago.
Sometimes, it seemed like there were ashes left in Absalom’s eyes. Each time, that happened, Lee Hwan felt as if his heart, burned by a long-time unrequited love, had been thrust before his eyes.
‘If everything burns down, what will be left?’
Shocked by a thought that suddenly occurred to him, Lee Hwan quickly grabbed his beer.
“After such a long time meeting, do you think I would be holding onto anger?”
Absalom laughed, making a deflating sound. It meant he would let it slide. Finally relieved, Lee Hwan ordered more drinks.
***
Gargoyles are mythical creatures found in European folklore, often depicted on Gothic buildings. Serving as decorative water spouts, they were believed to ward off evil spirits and protect the structures they adorned, becoming iconic symbols of medieval art and mythology.
Nothing is happening but I already feel so troubled!