As the silence in the room stretched, the King's frustration grew. Ik, regaining his composure, finally asked, "So what advice did Seoh offer?"
"Chief!" the King roared, barely suppressing a string of curses. "Stop it. I understand enough."
Ik remained calm. "Surely you haven't been sitting idly since receiving this report," he pressed.
"Indeed, I haven't," the King retorted. "I emptied the Royal Treasury and sent Iridescent-black Stone to Sahpung."
Before Ik could respond, the King tossed another letter towards him. "Read this as well," he said. "It's the first one Kyeong'ui sent."
Ik picked up the letter and carefully read through it. As the King had explained, it primarily focused on House Myeonghyeon. Though it lacked the fantastical claims of Song'un Wu's letter, it was still concerning. Both letters centered around the Sphere retrieved from the sea, the object Song'un Wu referred to as the "Ji'uigeum." What troubled Ik most was Song'un Wu's silence regarding House Myeonghyeon.
There were several possible explanations. Perhaps the existence of House Myeonghyeon was a closely guarded secret among those in Birahng. Or maybe House Myeonghyeon had managed to gain everyone's trust, even the princess's, through cunning manipulation, remaining above suspicion until the rebellion. Or perhaps Song'un Wu was simply too preoccupied with the Sphere to even mention House Myeonghyeon. The first two possibilities couldn't be confirmed from the letters alone, but Song'un Wu's desperation was evident in her plea for help to Seoh, someone she wasn't particularly close to, and in the urgent tone of her letter. However, her desperation didn't necessarily indicate the authenticity of her claims.
"You were wise not to disclose the contents of Song'un Wu's letter," Ik conceded. "I acknowledge that. But the contents of this secret correspondence should have been shared with the court."
"Indeed," the King agreed coldly.
"Have you verified the authenticity of their claims?" Ik asked.
"Which claims?"
"All of them. Most urgently, the High Emissary's memorandum."
Seoh, who had been sitting quietly, interjected, "We have confirmed the authenticity of the memorandum against the original document in the Court Library."
"And the rest?" Ik pressed. "Those absurd claims about whirlpools swallowing warships and soldiers? None of that was mentioned in Gahngyun Yeol's report."
"Whether Gahngyun Yeol omitted those details from his report or was genuinely unaware of them can be easily confirmed by dispatching an investigator," Seoh replied. "But even if he did hear those accounts, there's no way to verify their authenticity at this time. However, as I mentioned to His Majesty, Song'un Wu wouldn't make such a request for a trivial matter, nor would she fabricate such a story. She's a Royal Scholar, not a storyteller."
"Is that why you advised His Majesty to offer support without further investigation?" Ik accused.
"There's no way to verify the truth before the monsoon season ends," Seoh argued. "And the moment we dispatch an official to investigate, the matter will become public, beyond our control. Imagine if those claims are true. How long would it take to respond if we had to go through the chaotic public discourse of the court? It would be too late."
Seoh's urgent pleas were met with Ik's stern rebuke. "I must remind you once again that this matter exceeds your authority as Chief Royal Secretary."
Seoh, who had been patiently enduring the reprimands, finally erupted in frustration. "Then whose responsibility is it?" he demanded. "The Board of War's? Or the Sanctuary of Intellect's?"
"Baekyang."
"I cannot stand idly by and offer no counsel while His Majesty grapples with this situation alone," Seoh argued. "Surely you understand that this is not a matter to be handled within the confines of protocol. This situation demands unconventional solutions."
"You wouldn't be making such a judgment if you didn't blindly trust Song'un Wu's words," Ik accused. "She was suspended for studying the Azure Scripture at the Sanctuary. And it was you who recommended her, wasn't it?"
"She was merely caught," Seoh countered. "Which scholar hasn't looked at the Azure Scripture? But she wouldn't fabricate such a story. She's not insane."
"That's your judgment, either, and yours alone!" Ik retorted. "How can you be so certain of your own assumptions? Do you intend to bring the downfall of a fallen dynasty upon us? You claim this matter cannot be controlled if it becomes public? Are you confident you can control it alone, assisting His Majesty in secret? Such arrogance!"
"But!"
The King slammed his fist on the table, silencing both. The King's voice, low and dangerous, filled the room.
"What is the meaning of this behavior?"
Seoh bowed his head. "I apologize, Your Majesty."
The King turned to Ik. "Now that you're aware of the situation, tell me your assessment. How should the court proceed?"
"Give me time to consider," Ik replied cautiously.
The King scoffed. "How much time? The entire summer?"
"It won't take that long."
The King's stern gaze softened slightly. Ik, about to rise, offered another piece of advice. "Before I leave, allow me to add one more thing. Even if the rebellion in Birahng is successfully quelled, I believe Princess Kyeong'ui should not return to Sunyahng."
The King's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"
"Everyone knows why you sent her to Birahng," Ik stated.
The King opened his mouth to protest, but Ik cut him off. "Don't deny your intentions to me. But Your Majesty, she is the one who witnessed and experienced these events firsthand, whether she was deceived by illusions or, in the worst-case outcome, everything is true. If such a princess were to return and ascend to the throne, how do you think she would rule?"
"We'll discuss that after we rescue her safely," the King said dismissively. "You yourself said that verifying the truth is our priority. You're getting ahead of yourself."
"This is a matter that demands foresight," Ik insisted. "You must consider the long-term consequences."
His gaze was firm and unwavering, and the King avoided his eyes. Ik, seeing no need for further argument, bowed and left.
The King sat in contemplation, Seoh by his side. The words of the Moonseong father and son echoed in his mind, but it was Ik's final remark that troubled him most. As the fourth son of the late King, he had been given no opportunities besides bloodshed. The chances his elder brothers had received had all led to their demise. He had hoped to offer Kyeong'ui a different path, but it seemed he was already repeating his father's mistakes.
"Your Majesty," Seoh said softly, breaking the silence.
"Speak."
"If I have overstepped my bounds with my counsel..."
"Enough," the King interrupted. "Even if you offered advice, the decisions were mine. To think I was swayed by your words is presumptuous."
"I apologize, Your Majesty."
Seoh lowered his head, and silence fell over the room once more. After a long, uncomfortable pause, they heard footsteps approaching from outside. An attendant announced, "Your Majesty, General Wonho Hyeong of the Shadow Legion has arrived."
The doors opened, and Wonho Hyeong entered, his imposing figure making the room feel smaller. He bowed deeply before the King, then sat facing him.
"I am ashamed to face you," the King said.
"Casualties are inevitable in war," Hyeong replied flatly.
The troops sent with Kyeong'ui had been the elite half of the Shadow Legion, supplemented by the Central Naval Division[1]. According to Gahngyun Yeol's report, which stated that the scouts found no prisoners of war within the city, the losses were significant, especially for Hyeong, who had lost half of his forces, including his most skilled soldiers. The Shadow Legion was the only force the King could mobilize without the court's approval, making the loss even more devastating. Yet, he had no choice but to deploy them again.
"I must ask another unreasonable request of you," the King said.
"Command me, Your Majesty."
"Is there a way to select a small force from the remaining troops to rescue Kyeong'ui?" the King asked. "I understand your difficult situation, but the other forces lack the justification to mobilize."
Hyeong didn't refuse outright. "The Shadow Legion alone cannot reach Birahng," he explained. "Even with support from Sahcheon or the Central Naval Division, and even if we select the most elite soldiers, it will be difficult to infiltrate Birahng before the monsoon. If you command it, Your Majesty, I will obey. But it's highly likely they'll perish at sea before reaching the shores."
"I'm referring to autumn, of course," the King clarified. "Before the main forces launch their attack. You're aware of the situation in Yahngbuk. We cannot be certain when we can deploy troops to Birahng. And even if we set a date, there's no guarantee of success once the battle begins. I cannot negotiate with those rebels for my daughter's life. But nor can I allow a royal of Dahn to die in disgrace."
"It depends on Her Highness's location," Hyeong replied. "If she's in Nahmgyo or one of the other old cities, infiltration will be difficult due to our unfamiliarity with the terrain. However, I believe detailed maps and schematics of Hyangdo are available within the Seven Boards."
His words offered a glimmer of hope. Hyangdo was a fortress built by the Founder himself, and there might be secret passages. It was a desperate hope, but the King clung to it. He glanced at Seoh, who nodded in understanding.
"I entrust this task to you," the King said to Hyeong. "Inform me immediately if you require anything."
Hyeong bowed and left, followed by Seoh.
Yeongshin Won, the King of Dahn, was determined to rescue his daughter, Princess Kyeong'ui, Yeongshin Mihn. As a King, her capture was a humiliation; as a father, it was unbearable. He was willing to utilize every resource at his disposal, beyond those requiring the court's approval, to bring her back. But he was uncertain about the consequences of her return. Moonseong Ik's words reflected the sentiments of the court. Yet, despite the uncertainty, Kyeong'ui's fate couldn't be left in enemy hands. No enemy blade could be allowed to end a royal life.
On the fourth day after the envoy's departure for Dong'gyeong, monsoon rain began to fall in Sunyahng.
[1] A naval unit overseeing the coastal areas of Sunyahng and Royal Province, and Sun River.