Childhood Friend of the Zenith – 592 (Part 1)



592 (Part 1)

”’〈 Chapter 593 〉 Zhuge.

Red Feather.

He was a well-known figure in the North Sea for a while specifically within the Ice Palace.

[No one in the Central Plains doesn’t know that guy.]

The ‘friend’ explaining things to him had an unusually joyful expression.

Though it had been over a decade since they last met he still looked bright and refreshing.

[Anyway he’s quite an impressive friend isn’t he?]

Perhaps it was due to the passage of time.

The friend who had once been deeply immersed in his own self-importance had shed that demeanor and was now busy bragging about a new acquaintance.

[That guy is definitely going to make it big. So there’s no one in the Central Plains who doesn’t know him already.]

[Red Feather you say?]

[That’s right. Red… *snort* Feather.]

Though the sound of his breath was somewhat annoying he chose not to pay it any mind.

His friend had always been a bit odd.

However.

If that strange friend was praising him to such an extent.

Yuri felt a certain curiosity stirring within her.

So she decided to ask.

[White Fox.]

As Yuri called out the ‘guard’ in the back turned her head.

Tall for a woman with a slender figure.

Yet her curvaceous body lines stood out prominently.

She was the person commonly referred to as White Fox.

Always wearing a white fox mask no one knew the face behind it.

Her friend had mentioned that she wore it to hide a terrible scar from a childhood burn.

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Having heard that Yuri had never insisted she take off the mask.

[Do you know about Red Feather as well?]

[…]

Upon hearing the question White Fox nodded.

Her words were notably few.

Yuri herself was not one to talk much but White Fox spoke even less.

In fact that made it more comfortable.

She didn’t indulge in unnecessary flattery nor did she show any signs of distress.

Moreover she was said to be a martial artist from the Central Plains with immense strength.

Yuri found herself liking White Fox.

So much so that she was bothered by the fact that she would soon be leaving for her hometown again.

[…If you know about him he must really be a famous figure.]

[Even if she didn’t know Red Feather she would know him well.]

[Hmm?]

Yuri tilted her head at her friend’s words.

She was curious about what he meant.

[That’s because they…]

Clack.

Just as her friend was about to say something.

A sound came from White Fox’s waist.

She had suddenly grasped the hilt of a sword.

Seeing that her friend flinched for a moment.

[…They’re… close.]

[Ah.]

Yuri didn’t catch on to that.

[Close huh.]

So White Fox was also a famous figure in the Central Plains.

That made sense.

After all it was hard to believe that such an outstanding person wouldn’t be famous.

Yuri nodded and asked her friend.

[Are you famous too?]

[I… am.]

Her friend pondered for a moment over Yuri’s question.

[…A little?]

[Hmm. I see.]

Then that must be the case.

Yuri believed her friend. She thought he was someone who wouldn’t lie.

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That’s why she was curious.

Was Red Feather really that impressive of a person?

If he was impressive to what extent? That curiosity arose.

[What kind of person is he?]

Yuri asked White Fox.

Since they were said to be close she thought she might learn something.

After a brief silence White Fox finally spoke.

[A puppy.]

[…Huh?]

It was an unexpected remark.

[A cute puppy.]

For some reason her tone was resolute.

In contrast to what her friend had said she gave off a rather fresh impression.

Did that mean he was gentle and kind despite his strength?

Just as Yuri was trying to perceive him that way.

[Snort… Hah… Hah…!!]

Her friend who was beside her turned his head and began to stifle his laughter.

It was clear how hard it was for him to hold it in as his shoulders shook.

Knowing he was not in his right mind Yuri chose not to pay it any mind.

[A puppy huh…]

[So cute.]

Only White Fox’s words lingered in her mind.

A superhuman who could manipulate flames.

A kind-hearted person who couldn’t just pass by the weak and injured.

A hero wanting to save the world and at the same time.

A remarkable genius who would go down in history.

And yet a man with a puppy-like cuteness.

[How intriguing.]

Saying that Yuri smiled.

Stories from the Central Plains were always fascinating.

That’s why she didn’t expect it at all.

A few days later.

The bloody winds of the North Sea would sweep through.

And she would find herself heading to the Central Plains in search of the man she had called a cute puppy.

Sitting quietly at her desk Yuri muttered.

“…They said he was a cute puppy.”

Her tone was filled with grievance.

How could she not feel wronged?

“Not even a puppy but a viper and a venomous one at that.”

What part of him was a puppy?

At best he was a ferocious beast and at worst a malevolent spirit.

Yuri had never encountered such a violent person in her life.

What about his tone and gaze?

He looked like he could overturn everything in an instant if he felt like it.

A tyrant.

Or a rogue.

Words she had never thought of in her life came to mind.

Had she seen him in the North Sea she would have surely dealt with him.

“Of all times….”

But of all times.

Right now she needed him.

Thud.

She slammed her thin hand on the desk.

“Your Highness.”

At Yuri’s action the person in front of her.

Woobum cautiously spoke.

“I’m sorry….”

The first thing he offered was an apology.

Yuri shifted her gaze to Woobum.

“I failed to do my job properly.”

Unlike the chaotic scene from earlier Woobum’s demeanor was serious.

Seeing that Yuri said.

“Don’t apologize. It’s all my fault.”

“How could…!”

“I didn’t grasp the situation well.”

Everything had gone wrong.

None of the actions she had taken to appear foolish had worked.

“…Even the situation you tried so hard to create I ruined it all.”

On the way to the Trading Company the chance to escape from there was also due to the power of the artifact and the efforts of Woobum and Wooseok.

And the subsequent situation was ultimately Woobum’s sacrifice.

Woobum had deliberately acted like a vain and arrogant person to draw people’s attention.

There were several reasons for this.

One was to make people perceive her as a foolish young lady who needed such guards.

And the second was to divert attention from Wooseok who was injured.

All of this was meant to lead the negotiations in Yuri’s favor.

“…Nothing went right.”

“Your Highness….”

“I really didn’t expect it.”

Along with the realization that Red Feather was not a cute puppy.

“He was much smarter than I expected. And persistent.”

This was also her mistake.

She had made several errors in her actions and the opponent had noticed every single one of them.

This meant.

‘He’s arrogant but not incompetent.’

He was fully aware of his strength and talent maintaining a somewhat arrogant demeanor.

But it also meant he had the power to back it up.

This was troubling.

Yuri thought of him as a person who was difficult and unapproachable in a different sense.

‘Those born to be kings.’

Most people with such a feeling were like that.

Those destined to sit above others.

Those destined to be the heads of dragons.

They were the beings Yuri feared the most.

Yes just like.

‘…Like the Palace Head.’

The Red Feather she had encountered was like a figure resembling her father.

The way he looked down at her.

The atmosphere he exuded.

The confidence that nothing could stop him.

Yuri couldn’t forget the feeling of the young man she had met just before.”’