—————————————————————–
Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
—————————————————————–
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
With Master gone, my life became even more leisurely.
No more late-night summons meant more sleep, and with no specific duties, I had no reason to leave the palace.
I was living the dream life of a wealthy, unemployed person, something every modern person fantasized about at least once.
When I grew tired of lying around, I would take Mae-hwa and Yeon-hwa to the Head Administrator’s office.
The Head Administrator, buried in his work, always welcomed the snacks I brought, and we would chat about trivial matters while we ate.
Whether Master had instructed them or he was simply tactful, the Head Administrator rarely asked about my relationship with her.
I appreciated his consideration.
“Are you taking good care of the Young Cult Leader?”
The Head Administrator would ask Mae-hwa, as if part of a daily ritual, and she would always reply in the affirmative.
Yeon-hwa would be distracted by insects flitting outside the window, her head tilting and turning as she followed their movements.
It was quite endearing.
“You always seem to have so much work.”
“Well, someone has to manage the Cult’s affairs.”
He chuckled and munched on a snack as I gestured at the mountain of paperwork on his desk.
The wind rustled through the trees.
*Rustle, rustle.*
The forest swayed gently in the breeze.
A thought suddenly occurred to me.
“You can really hear the wind here. It’s especially calming at night.”
“Yes, sound travels well at night.”
We continued to chat, enjoying the peace and quiet, until we finished the tea and snacks.
Then, I finally revealed the reason for my visit.
“The sunset?”
The Head Administrator looked at me as if I had said something absurd.
I had asked him if I could leave the Cult grounds to see the sunset, the same one I had seen with Master on our way up the mountain.
Yeon-hwa had begged me to take her.
– Young Cult Leader, do you have a favorite place in the Black Heaven Cult?
She had asked after we had explored several of the walking paths.
The Cult grounds were surprisingly well-maintained for a mountain location.
At first, I had wondered how they transported all the building materials up here.
Then I remembered that this was a world of martial artists who could fly and cleave trees in half.
Moving heavy objects up a mountain was probably child’s play.
Anyway, there were many beautiful sights to see in the Cult.
As a former office worker trapped in a concrete jungle, this lush, green world was a refreshing change.
Everything seemed new and beautiful.
I was reminded of all those classical poems praising the beauty of nature.
I hadn’t really understood them back in school, but after living in the Black Heaven Cult, I was starting to get it.
Of all the places I had seen, the one that stood out the most was…
– The sunset we saw together on our way up here was the most beautiful.
Yeon-hwa had overheard me and begged me to take her to see it, which was why I had come to see the Head Administrator.
Leaving the Cult grounds required his permission.
Moreover, due to the protective formations, I couldn’t leave and return without him.
“We generally discourage personal outings, but if you insist, Young Cult Leader, I will accompany you.”
“I wouldn’t say I insist… but if you’re not too busy, I would appreciate your permission…”
I didn’t want to take up his time unnecessarily.
“Not at all. With the Cult Leader away, it is my duty to fulfill your wishes, Young Cult Leader. I’ve taken care of all the urgent matters, so I can spare half a day.”
‘A walk would benefit him.’
He smiled warmly and prepared to leave.
Yeon-hwa and I exchanged a look of triumph. She bowed to Mae-hwa behind her back, thanking her silently.
She was so cute.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Since neither Yeon-hwa nor I knew martial arts, the Head Administrator allowed for extra travel time.
I trudged down the same path I had taken with Master.
To my left, I could see the world stretched out below.
A sea of trees, dotted with villages in the distance.
A world of tranquility, far removed from the computers and cars of my previous life.
The Head Administrator walked behind us, his hands clasped behind his back, and Yeon-hwa skipped ahead, giggling.
Mae-hwa was still quiet, but she seemed to be enjoying the scenery, pausing occasionally to admire the plants.
By the time we reached the spot where Master and I had rested, the sun was setting, just as the Head Administrator had planned.
“Wow…”
Yeon-hwa gasped, raising her arms as if to embrace the vast, fiery sky.
She looked like a little bear cub.
– Isn’t it beautiful?
As I gazed at the breathtaking sunset, I could almost hear Master’s voice.
“I’ve seen it many times, but it’s still a magnificent sight.”
The Head Administrator murmured, his eyes fixed on the same point as mine.
He, too, was captivated by nature’s masterpiece.
“Master wasn’t exaggerating.”
I remembered her saying she wanted to show me this.
It was probably a promise she had made to her original disciple.
I felt a pang of guilt, knowing I wasn’t the one she had made that promise to.
The one she had truly wanted to share this with was no longer in this world.
The wind picked up, blowing from the valley below, carrying the chill of the approaching evening.
“It’s getting cold already,” I said, shivering.
The Head Administrator opened his eyes, which were usually half-closed, and looked down the mountain.
His gaze wasn’t fixed on any one point, but darted around, as if searching for something.
It was the first time I had seen his eyes fully open.
His yellow-green eyes scanned the landscape.
I followed his gaze, but saw nothing but trees.
“Mae-hwa, protect the Young Cult Leader,” he said, his voice flat and devoid of emotion.
“We’re under attack.”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
