259. Regina's Crossroads (3)
The space that unfolded before his eyes clearly resembled the [gap] that Seongjin had seen before.
However, unlike the gap that disturbs the view like a broken kaleidoscope, this was a static world like a well-crafted piece of glass.
Cross sections of the cold, frozen world are scattered here and there. It was so motionless that it just seemed like a decorative relief carved into a stone wall.
[This place... ... .]
[This is the gap I mentioned earlier. It is definitely a place where the owner resides, so it is a personal space where he creates and manages the rules.]
Moreover, surprisingly, there was a 'floor' in this world that one could step on. Seongjin stepped on the floor, which he couldn't tell whether it was granite or marble, and looked around blankly for a moment.
Suddenly, what Ricardo said to Seongjin, written in Sigurd Sigurdson, comes to mind.
-In this frozen world, you were the only friend who could understand me.
Did the young bard Laurent once say this?
-Passion! love! craving! I couldn't feel any strong desire there! That's why my songs left me!
They all said that Delcross was a world that had stopped. But will you really hear that sound even if you look at this place?
Aren't the countless fragments of the world hardened in gray like tombstones commemorating a dead world?
[okay. The most stable state probably means that it has completely stopped. It may not be much different from death.]
Seonghwang explained how he knew what Seongjin was thinking.
It no longer occurred to him to shed faint thoughts like before. His gray eyes, having regained their complete composure, carefully examine Seongjin with a hint of doubt.
[Are you okay?]
[...] Um, yes.]
Seongjin's reaction was a little slower than usual because he was consciously clearing his head in case his thoughts were read.
Then, the Holy Emperor, who tilted his head for a moment, came closer and suddenly poured divine power on his head. It looks like he must have received a big shock while moving through space.
[It's okay, you can stop now.]
Seongjin, engulfed in bright light, quickly opened his mouth to clear his mind.
[Isn't sacred power too precious to be wasted like this on a healthy person?]
[What do you think? It's not difficult, but it's also not something you can put a separate price on.]
[It's even more of a waste in that it can't be valued!]
[Is that so? Since you say it's such a waste, I'll do it one more time when I have the chance.]
Wow.
Seongjin's eyes widened in the white light that poured down again.
No, this guy!
[ruler... you!]
It was right then. An old man appeared behind them.
He was an old man wearing a plain robe who suddenly appeared out of thin air. His sharp facial expression and neatly slicked back white hair reminded me of a stubborn scholar.
[How on earth did this happen?]
Although his mouth was wide open in shock and his awkward standing posture greatly damaged his seemingly gentle dignity.
'what? 'It's strangely strong?'
Seongjin, who was nervous, was in high spirits, and then suddenly. Seonghwang, who put his hand on his shoulder as if to comfort him, bowed lightly to the old man with a calm expression.
[See you again, old man. After saying that I wouldn't respond to calls for a while, I suddenly came here like this, so I'm offended.]
[...] ... .]
[Ah, I brought my son with me today. I was wondering if I could show you around the old man's 'workshop.']
Only then did the old man look back at Seongjin's face and open his mouth in astonishment. His eyes are so wide open that it seems like they will pop out at the slightest touch.
'Is it okay to not be on guard?'
Seongjin slowly relaxed his body as he faced the old man.
Probably not an ordinary human. The thing in the gap, as well as the vertically slit pupils, reminded me of Cadmus.
'Well, Cadmus is very strong, but in reality he is just a useless insect eater.'
While I was thinking about this while looking at the old man, the old man suddenly rushed towards me, grabbed Seonghwang's arm, and dragged him to one side. Then he urgently whispered a faint thought into his ear.
Of course, Seongjin, who was skilled at catching thoughts, was listening to everything.
[Hey, what on earth are you doing?]
[As I said before, I apologize for the sudden visit. Since I made a promise to my son, I plan to borrow a little of the elder's workshop.]
[no! Even though it's a workshop, why are we bringing 'that' to this point?]
While saying that, the old man's sideways glance at Seongjin was extremely cruel.
Then, Seonghwang's expression suddenly hardened and he quietly gave him a warning.
[Please be careful what you say and do. Isn't the child listening?]
[...] No, look! That... ... !]
[I just made it clear. This is 'my son'. Do you understand?]
[...] ... .]
Then the old man looked at Seonghwang with shaking eyes, as if he was very shocked.
Anyway, Seonghwang removed the old man's arm, looked back at Seongjin, and made a light gesture with his hand.
[Come here and say hello, son. This person is an 'elderly person.' He was the one who first organized the 'meeting of six' that I mentioned earlier. He is currently leading the meeting in an impractical manner.]
... Impractically?
So does that mean it's nothing in the end? Somehow, it seems like the little dignity is being diminished further.
[You don't need to be overly polite, but you're also not someone who should be rude. Just because he devotes himself to a fruitless task for this long, he is a person worthy of a little respect.]
[...] ... ?!]
Seongjin looked at Seonghwang with round eyes.
Father, were you always like this? Why do people seem to change when you meet them somewhere other than Delcross?
At that time, the 'old man' urgently grabbed Seonghwang's arm.
[Hey, Nate. Let's talk for a moment.]
[There is no time for that. My son and I have to do some finishing touches on the souvenirs to give to the children.]
[It only takes a moment! Can't you bring your son again next time?]
When the desperate old man raised his voice, only then did Seonghwang look at him with cold eyes.
[The 'next opportunity' you are talking about is not something I can easily guarantee. As you know, for me, not only time but also cause and effect are tight.]
[that... ... !]
[Or would you rather hand over the [Key] of the Lycanslope race to your son? Then, my child can come and go here whenever he needs to... ... .]
[Huh!]
The embarrassed old man grabbed both of Seonghwang's arms. A look of disappointment appeared on his face when he realized that this friend was truly talking nonsense.
[iced coffee! A workshop? Yes, use as much as you want! It will be an unfamiliar environment for your 'son', so you will probably need a competent helper, right?]
[No need. If I see it myself... ... .]
[no! I'm sure your thoughts will change. The best engineer in existence will take a look at it in person!]
The elderly man shouted urgently, waving the sleeves of his long robe.
Then, suddenly, a huge door appeared before their eyes.
It is an antique door with precise reliefs engraved on the surface and two golden lions holding doorknobs in the center.
Bang bang!
The old man shouted loudly as he banged on the tightly closed steel door.
[Dexter! Hey Dexter! Are you inside now?]
Then, a faint answer was heard from inside: 'Yes, old man.'
There was still nothing behind the door, but it was truly amazing that sounds could be heard from inside.
As Seongjin was looking at the steel door with curious eyes, the old man frowned and glared at him for a moment. Of course, when I saw Seonghwang's attention, I slowly turned my head back.
[If you have time, come out here and help the customer! Just give me a quick tour of the workshop!]
[There is no time for sightseeing, old man. Hurry up and fix things... ... ,]
[This is an important guest, so take care of everything! Listen to what he wants as much as the workshop facilities allow! I won't say anything if I use any ingredients!]
Only then does Seonghwang nod his head with a firm expression. He had an attitude as if he had been waiting.
[Thank you for your consideration.]
The old man glared at him for a moment as if he was disgusted, then sighed and shook his head.
[No, thank you. Now that the problem is solved, you can come and see me!]
[yes. All right. Now, go inside, Mores.]
And Seonghwang disappeared somewhere, dragged by the man called the elder.
[...] ... .]
It happened so quickly. Seongjin, who was suddenly left alone, stood blankly in front of the tightly closed iron door.
By the way, since he is an old man, this is the first time I have seen him treated with respect by the Emperor. I guess that means he's quite an amazing being in this world, right?
Well, maybe it's because of the first introduction, but it looks oddly dignified.
And after a while, the thick steel door opened softly with a small sound, making you wonder if a person could really push it open.
Creak.
A thin voice is heard next.
"So, what's your business, kid?"
what?
Seongjin's eyebrows twitched.
A kid in the first meeting? Me, who is over 60 in terms of mental age?
At that moment, the spirit of Jang Yu-yu-seo, which was engraved deep in my bones, surged up, but when I tried to get angry, the other person's gaze was quite low.
So, much further down than you might think.
[...] ... !]
The person who pushed the steel door and came out was a short dwarf.
He is wearing thick work clothes, carrying a set of tools of unknown purpose, and wearing goggles the size of bells on his eyes that cover half of his face.
Seongjin looked down at him in bewilderment and blinked.
'Who on earth is this person calling him a kid?'
Then the dwarf spoke again in a dissatisfied voice.
"If you have any business, speak up quickly, kid."
hmm?
At that time, Seongjin felt a strange sense of discomfort and tilted his head.
what? Something is strange.
"...hey!"
Seongjin could clearly see that his mood was suddenly becoming uncomfortable, so he quickly took out the ice heart he had brought with him.
Although his harsh attitude was annoying, Seongjin calmed down. First of all, let's be polite. I am now a son visiting my father's friend's house.
[Oh, sorry. Dexter... Seed? I would like you to take a look at some of the items from the normal world here.]
"Well, of course you came because of the items from the normal world! This is a workshop, right? Is that all you have to say?"
Every time he says something nervous, his short mustache twitches in the wind.
Only then did Seongjin realize the cause of the discomfort he had just felt, and his eyes widened.
what? Are you speaking with your mouth and not with your thoughts?
"So, is that the only thing you want to show Dexter? Give it to me."
"Sniff."
Is this an atmospheric space? Am I breathing now?
While my nose was crying with a surprised face, Dexter pulled up my goggles and asked me as if I was pathetic.
"What on earth are you doing? Is now the time? How do you introduce yourself when you first meet? How do you greet your elders?"
No, actually, maybe I'm older? No matter how I look at it, that dwarf doesn't look like he's over sixty.
Seongjin thought for a moment and then answered obediently. Now I am visiting as father and son, and I look completely like Mores. Also, the author may be a race that ages much more slowly than you think, right?
[Uh, no. excuse me. [It's the first time I've seen someone speak directly from their mouth.]
Then Dexter rolled his eyes as if it was absurd.
"What? Then people speak with their mouths or with what?"
There is definitely a vivid feeling of the air vibrating and making your eardrums vibrate.
Seongjin moved his mouth carefully.
"iced coffee......."
Oh, you really have a voice?
"What the hell is this? You idiot."
Seongjin asked with a cautious voice, looking down at Dexter who was snoring. It was a question she had been itching to ask for a while.
"By the way, Mr. Dexter, are you... a dwarf?"
If you're a short human from another world, aren't they the only species that comes to mind at first glance?
But something unexpected happened. The dwarf took off his goggles, threw them on the floor, and screamed.
"Oh, this is so crazy! How many times has this happened? This is just achondroplasia! You ignorant otherworlder who is steeped in this fantasy!"
"......!"
Seongjin opened his mouth in bewilderment.
Throughout my life, I have been told by people in other worlds that I am steeped in fantasy!