Myth

M - 2

People are dumb enough to get fooled by their own trick.

***

"Damn it! My head hurts like hell."

"I thought you might reconsider using those words."

"And you should stop talking before I use this blanket to kill you."

"That's it, you're healthy enough."

"Ren, your voice is making my head worse."

"I should have said that. You didn't know that Yong almost strangled me when I didn't let him come."

"Yeah, it's a pity he didn't do it." You groaned in pain.

"Whatever, drink this." Ren rolled his eyes.

If there is someone close to you and Yong, it's Ren. He is the head of the medical department and your childhood friend. Yong and Ren are the same age, and they get along well. Sometimes, Ren joins you and Yong in the private room. He is one of your closest friends.

"I have good news and bad news for you," Ren said.

"I don't want to hear either. Yuck!! This tastes like s**t!" You sniggered at the drink Ren gave you.

"Quit complaining, Lin. Your presence here already makes my head hurt."

"And don't you at least want to hear the good news?" Ren added.

"Nah, that's fine. Everything that comes out of your mouth is always bad news."

"Oh God! Now, I know why Yong always takes those painkillers. You're a pain in the ass." Ren groaned.

"You two should get married, you're a perfect fit, totally overreacting about everything."

"Thank you, but I'm not into that kind of relationship."

"But Yong is a p***y well, let's say a coward."

"Ewww~ That would make me gay." You had a hard time holding back your laughter.

Thankfully, no one else was there; otherwise, it would have become a hot topic for the whole kingdom. You lay back down on the bed again while Ren checked your pulse. It had been two months since you last saw Ren. Either you or he was out of town, while Yong was always in the palace, so he met Ren more often than you did. "The Higher Court has summoned you once you recover," Ren suddenly told you.

"What now?" You groaned.

"They think you're the one behind the attack because you're the only one who survived."

"They what?!!" You yelled in shock.

"You heard me."

"I'm the only... Min-Minhyuk? Is he...?"

"Unfortunately."

"Damn it! Oh God!" You instantly sat up on the bed, ignoring the pain that shot through your head.

You buried your face in your hands. Your feelings were a mess in that moment. Flashbacks of the fight that night popped into your head, and you panted heavily. Ren quickly moved beside you and hugged you.

"It's not your fault."

"How do you know?! You weren't there, Ren! It's all because of me! They died because I was too weak!"

"You're not weak."

"But I let them die so easily!! I passed out because I was careless!!"

"There's something else I want to tell you," Ren said.

"You were poisoned and inhaled a high dose of a drug. I could smell it from your mask."

If you're wondering how Ren could smell it, no one besides your family knows that Ren is immortal. Not even your uncle and Wei know. Your parents found him injured when they were out hunting in the forest. There is one thing common among immortals: they're all good-looking. Every immortal has heightened senses, speed, and strength. So, he has the skill and the intellect, as he loves to read. That's also why Ren is the head of the medical department at such a young age.

"Poisoned?"

"Yeah, it's a rare one. It attacks your immune system slowly. That's how you passed out after inhaling that drug."

"But how?"

"Do you remember anything before your trip?"

"No. I—I met Wang, but I doubt he could do something like that."

"Well, anyone is possible in this case."

"Who else knows?"

"It's just me, you, and your brother. He told me to keep it a secret." You nodded at him.

You felt something fishy, and you knew that someone was behind this. Whoever he or she was, they were closer than you thought. That night, you couldn't sleep. The faces of Minhyuk and your soldiers appeared every time you closed your eyes. All sweaty and hot, you got up from your bed and looked out of the window.

"I'm so sorry."

***

You put on your cape and mask and headed out. Ren tried to convince you to rest for one more day, but he couldn't change your stubborn mind. Yong never left your side since then. Now, you and Yong walked to the court side by side. Along the way, Yong kept glancing at you.

"We're here. Are you ready?" He asked. You nodded your head without looking at him.

Yong let out an audible sigh before pushing the door open. Inside were the court members, councilors, and royals, with Wei in the middle of them. Your eyes displayed nothing but coldness. You moved to your seat, and Yong also took his seat beside the king. "Now that we're all here, we shall begin the meeting," the head councilor said.

"Marshal Lin, I congratulate you on returning safely," he added. You just nodded.

"We have all gathered here to hear your explanation about your visit to the border."

"I'm sure all of you have already heard the news. What's the point of asking me to repeat it now?" You asked.

"We all want to know exactly what happened at that time."

"We were attacked by a group, a group with cheap skills that used cheap tricks. I got drugged, and you know the rest," you told them.

"But how? They didn't even kill you?"

"Enough of this. Let's get to the point. What are you trying to say here?" You said.

"We have found some evidence suggesting that you are behind the attack since you are the only survivor."

"Wow, that's incredibly ridiculous."

"Marshal Lin, watch your words here!" The head councilor shouted.

"Forgive me, it slipped. May I know what evidence there is of my crime?"

"The civilians found something in your bag, to be precise, inside your official uniform. The letter informed us that you needed to take your men to the forest. The fact that you're the only one who survived without any physical injuries is also evidence."

"That's nonsense!" Yong burst out.

You shot him a glare, telling him to shut up and stay out of it. Lei pushed Yong back to his seat and whispered something to him. Yong quietly groaned and rolled his eyes. Wei remained silent throughout, but that small smirk on the corner of his lips made you certain he was more than happy at the moment.

"Is that all?" You asked.

"Yes. Now, what do you have to defend yourself?"

"First of all, I apologize for what I'm about to say because it might be a bit off-topic," you said and bowed slightly.

"Go on."

"Before the meeting about the division of land for the royals, I saw the head councilor receiving a bag full of gold from the west royals."

"What?!" The head councilor exclaimed in surprise.

"I thought they simply owed the head councilor something, but then I found a letter. It told me that the royals wanted the head councilor to grant them more land and freedom in that land," you added.

"Do you have evidence?"

"I have the letter."

"It could be fake! You could have made it up."

One of the royals burst out of anger. You smirked in victory at that statement. The royal paled instantly, and the head councilor froze, along with the other royals implicated in the matter.

"It's not like that—I—I—"

"Enough!" The king shouted.

"Marshal Lin is exempt from this matter," he declared.

"But Your Majesty—"

"I want everyone involved in the fraud of the Land Meeting to step forward. I suggest you do so now, because if I later discover your involvement, your punishment will be even harsher."

The royals involved in the case began to panic. The head councilor couldn't do anything but move forward with his head down in shame. Lei returned to his place and held a brief meeting with the court members. The implicated royals hesitated to move forward, but the king's warning was more frightening. In the end, they stepped forward and stood together with the head councilor. You remained in your spot, mentally chuckling at their stupidity.

"Take them to the prison."

"NO—Please—Don't!!"

"Everyone is dismissed." Soon, the court was empty.

Yong walked to your side while the king continued his meeting with the court members. The councilors were under the court's power, aiding in ruling the kingdom, but the final decisions rested with the court members. The royals were divided into four regions: North, South, East, and West. The West land was the most fertile of the four, and most of the ruling royals there were greedy.

"Great show. Now let's meet with Ren," Yong said.

"I'm fine, Yong. There's no need to see him again."

"Well, we just want to hang out. It's been a while."

"Fine, but if you tell him to check on me, I'll kick your butt."

"Grumpy bitch." Yong muttered quietly.

"I heard that, idiot." You glared at him.

"Oops~" He said nonchalantly.

As soon as you entered the private room with your brother, you saw a familiar sight. You threw a book at the two figures in front of you, while Yong ignored them and took a drink. They both hissed and glared at you, but you gladly ignored them. You took off your cape and mask before throwing yourself onto the chair.

"What the hell, Lin!"

"Stop making out when you heard us coming."

"Sorry, I have a love life, unlike you."

"Then try not to flaunt it around me, Ren."

"Ha! I won!" Yong suddenly cheered.

"Jerk."

"Don't put your hopes high for her, she has no heart, Xin." Yong smirked as he took a small pouch from her.

"And you have no brain for betting on something obvious." Ren rolled his eyes.

"Quiet, you two." Xin shook her head and moved beside you.

Xin is Ren's girlfriend. She's not part of the Kingdom, but she provides the herb supplies for the Kingdom. She's also an immortal, which explains how she can enter the Kingdom unnoticed. You've come to think of her as your sister, albeit a crazy one. Both of you love to fight, and she has great skills.

"How was the meeting?" she asked.

"They're idiots," you shrugged.

"I heard that most of the West royals were taken to prison," Ren chimed in.

"Let's not forget the Head Council!" Yong added.

"Yeah." "But how?"

"Like I said, they're idiots."

"Completely! You should have seen their faces earlier." Yong laughed.

"Good to hear. You don't have to worry about removing them now since Lin took care of it," Ren said.

"Yup, one less problem to deal with," Yong nodded.

"You should get me a new horse," you said.

"But yours was already the best—"

"It died during the attack that night, in case you've forgotten."

"Oh, right. But still, it's hard to find one like that!"

"You have Ren to help you."

"Why me again!" Ren complained.

"You two make a great couple."

"Ewwwww~" Both Yong and Ren cringed in disgust.

"I only hear that in your fantasies," Ren added.

"Thank you, but I'm not into that." You laughed.

"Enough with the teasing," Xin interrupted.

"You two should really get married," she smirked at you and Yong.

"Not happening," Yong and you said in unison.

As soon as the teasing was over, you and Xin caught up with each other's lives. It had been a while since you last met her; she had been quite busy lately. Sometimes, you envied her for leading a normal life, living happily without the rules and burdens you had to deal with. You could say the same for Yong; he was working tirelessly because of his title. There was no room for mistakes for either of you, as there were many people who wanted to see you and Yong fall.

"You still have that pendant?"

"Of course, I won't lose it even if I have to lose my life." You said, holding the pendant close.

"It's beautiful, as always." Xin smiled.

"Indeed." You smiled back.

"Let's have a practice session. I need to work out some aggression," Xin said.

"I'm ready anytime."

"Yeah, be ready to lose this time." She smirked as she stood up from her seat.

"Well, try hard. I'm not planning on losing." You smirked back.

"Let's get going, then, loser."

"Says the one who's going to lose, Xin."

"Enough with your bickering, you two," Ren sighed.

"You're no fun." You and Xin laughed.

"Let's just get some training done," Xin suggested.

"Agreed," you nodded.

As you and Xin got ready to spar, Yong and Ren watched on. It was a familiar sight, and you couldn't help but feel at home in this moment, surrounded by your closest friends. Despite the challenges and chaos of your world, these moments brought a sense of peace. You were determined to protect the things that mattered to you, even if it meant facing more battles and struggles ahead.

“There they go again.” Ren and Yong chuckled and sighed.