Chương 62: S.04 Memory of the Clock 11(03)

Scene 08. It was already evening before Hee-jin could finally rise from her seat. She wasn't quite at the point of staggering, but her steps carried no strength at all. She had walked with them as far as the dining hall, but the thought of eating had not arrived, so Hee-jin came to a firm stop at the entrance, intending to send Ji-young and I-seon in alone. Watching the pallor that had crept over Hee-jin's face, Ji-young nodded as if she understood. Ji-young: Strategist, head in and rest a bit.

Don't follow us — I'll have a bowl of porridge sent up. Hee-jin shook her head with violent force. It was a firm vow that she would not eat a thing. Ji-young, looking sheepish, scratched lightly at her forehead with her fingertip. Ji-young: Ah-ni, no matter what, you ought to have at least something — Hee-jin: Th-this is my chance. I'll, lose some weight — Ji-young's worried expression vanished at once, and she gave Hee-jin a thin glare. Ji-young: Captain. A small voice flowed up from Ji-young's shadow.

Chae-rim: Yes. The Oldest. Ji-young: Today I'll be settling a game match with the Martial Director, so I'll stay with him until it's decided. For the rest of the day, look after the Strategist. Chae-rim: Understood. Ji-young: And — make sure she gets at least some porridge into her. Chae-rim: I will, without fail. Hee-jin shook her head with a sorrowful look on her face. It was closer to a light grumble that this — this was the one thing she would not do.

Once Chae-rim had moved into Hee-jin's shadow, she forcibly turned Hee-jin's steps around. Hee-jin shook her head to the very end, but her wishes did not get through, and Chae-rim, ignoring that, steered Hee-jin's listless steps off by force. Stepping into the bustling dining hall, Ji-young loosened her shoulders and let her stiffness show for a moment. Picking up a tray and a set of utensils, the two of them joined the long line.

Officers from Headquarters passing through exchanged greetings with the two of them and went on their way. I-seon: The Oldest. You went through quite a lot today, so it would be best for you to rest. They'll just say you ran from the game match — Ji-young: Aigoo, this — what kind of nonsense are you spouting now?? I-seon: Ahem ahem. I have a great many sparring matches lined up today anyway.

And Eun-jae sis and Soo-a are coming as well, so even if you rest, The Oldest, it would be — Ji-young: You and I haven't even gone head-to-head yet. I-seon: But, The Oldest, you've never properly played a fighting game before. Eun-jae sis and Soo-a are seriously good. There likely won't be a moment for you to slip in. Ji-young: Ah, you pick it up fast — give it a try. Quietly. I-seon: Even so — Ji-young: Ha, seriously. I-seon: Hmm. Yes. Then, I won't go easy on you for a single second.

Hearing I-seon's brief vow, Ji-young carried a curious smile and followed the dwindling line forward. Soon enough Ji-young reached the serving counter, and she was loading her tray with side dishes just as she always did. Looking down with satisfaction at the heaped tray, she sat herself in an empty seat and set her tray down. Rising from her seat for a moment, she stepped into the kitchen and quickly waved off everyone's greetings.

Asking Head Chef Hye-ju to prepare the porridge for Hee-jin, Ji-young watched as Hye-ju lowered her head, unable to hold back her laughter, and looked away from Ji-young's gaze for a beat. After Hye-ju gave a courteous reply, Ji-young stepped back out. Pulling out one extra tangerine that had been inside, Ji-young returned to her tray and sat down again. The moment she sat, a fierce sound rumbled from Ji-young's stomach. Ji-young: Ah. I'm starving. Scene 09. Deep evening.

From beyond I-seon's quarters at the Martial Hall training grounds, I-seon's furious cries and shouts came bursting forth. I-seon: YA!! YOU!! YOU SCAMMER!!! YOU SAID IT WAS YOUR FIRST TIME!!! You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. Ji-young: Who told you to keep spamming the same move, huh?! Argh!! Seriously!! YOU FUCKING SUCK!!! Scene 10. A familiar car was pulling toward the front gate of the main hall of The Black Doctrine. Deep night.

The car that had run along the dirt road slowly eased its speed, but the moment the great gate opened, the car was able to slip inside without coming to a halt, matching its pace. The instant it crossed the gate, the heavy wooden door drew shut with a sound. Driver Lim, who had stepped out of the car first, opened the rear door on the side where the Bishop was seated. Jeong-seon — pillowed against the Bishop's thigh — lay deeply asleep, unaware that they had arrived. The Bishop slowly lifted herself with effort.

As if hoping Jeong-seon would not wake, she carefully drew the hem of her 한복(Han-bok_Traditional Korean dress) skirt away and propped Jeong-seon's head with the coat she had been wearing. With Driver Lim's help, the Bishop was able to step out without rousing Jeong-seon. Driver Lim shut the door without a sound and, in time with the Bishop's quiet gesture, walked alongside her. When they had drawn a fair distance from the car, the Bishop spoke in a hushed voice. A familiar pond lay before them.

With the bitter cold of the day, the water that had filled the pond was solidly frozen. Bishop: Thank you. Gi-hyeon. Driver Lim: It is nothing, Bishop. Thanks to you, I had a good time as well. Bishop: The cares you carry — I'm well aware of them. As I am well aware that this could not have been a time you were able to enjoy. Driver Lim could not bring himself to answer. Bishop: For I saw you weeping like a small child for the very first time. Driver Lim: She was to me as an older sister.

It felt as though I alone had escaped, as though I alone was living wholly unscathed. It felt as though I had, with my own hands, cast my older sister's children into a pit. The Bishop's steps slowly came to a halt on the bridge that ran across the pond. Bishop: Not a single soul thinks of it that way. Driver Lim: I know. The Former The Oldest. Ji-young. So-hui, Yeon-hui, Si-yeon. None of them would point a finger at me — that, I know well. I, more than anyone, know it. But surely you understand.

Whether seen across years or only days, those children — to me, those children were as precious as the daughter I had carried in my own heart, on my own. What sort of father in this world could knowingly drive his own daughter into a pit, knowing full well she will suffer? Bishop: Indeed. Driver Lim: It was the moment I, for the first time, came to resent the Former The Oldest. For I had not known, until the very end, that she would go in such a way.

The Bishop let out a low sigh and let a faint smile rise to her lips. The Bishop, without a word, drew a small slip of paper from her pocket and handed it to Driver Lim. Driver Lim: What is this. Bishop: It is a treasure map. Driver Lim: What? The Bishop only smiled without a word. Bishop: It is my repayment to you, given because I wished to ask just a little more of you.

Driver Lim: I did not seek any such recompense — He moved to return it, but the Bishop carefully caught his hand and helped keep him from pulling the slip out. Bishop: Don't throw it away. Hold on to it well. Before long, it will prove of use. At the Bishop's urging, Driver Lim — with a reluctant gesture — closed his hand tightly around the slip and slowly bowed his head. Bishop: Bear with me a little longer. I find that I have grown rather fond of spending time with Jeong-seon. Driver Lim: Yes. Understood.

Do not worry. Watching from afar as Jeong-seon opened the rear door of the car and clumsily made her way out, the Bishop began moving toward Jeong-seon along the bridge that spanned the pond. Scene 11. Ji-young finished the remaining color makeup, looked at herself in the mirror, and was carefully fixing ornaments into her braided hair. It was the start of her workday, but the morning before the last day of December was draped in a dusky cast.

The 인불(In-bul_Ghost Light) hung outside flickered, swaying as if pulled by short shadows. Chae-rim: The Oldest. Chae-rim's small voice came from beyond the window. Ji-young, settling the ornament in place, answered the call. Ji-young: Yes. Chae-rim: Word has come in that, alongside the internal preparations, all preparations on the Secret Agent side are also complete. Ji-young: Understood. Well done. Just as Ji-young's brief reply was ending, the gate opened with a small sound.

Hee-jin, looking considerably tidier, came in alongside I-seon — who, on the contrary, looked haggard, as if he had not been able to sleep at all. Stepping up onto the wooden veranda, Hee-jin and I-seon called through to Ji-young from beyond the door. Hee-jin: The Oldest. The Strategist. Ji-young: Come in. Sliding open the 창호지(Changhoji_Traditional paper-paneled door) door framed in wooden lattice, Hee-jin stepped inside.

The two — rising slightly earlier than Ji-young — entered Ji-young's quarters fully prepared, took out two cushions, and carefully sat themselves on the floor. Ji-young, as if she too had finished all her preparations, set aside the mirror she had been using and straightened her seated posture neatly upon the 보료(Bo-ryo_cushioned mat). Hee-jin: The Oldest. How shall we handle today's weekly briefing. Ji-young: Hm.

Originally I should be receiving it, but as I mentioned before, let's do it after all the upheavals are settled. I'll head over to the office building myself. Hee-jin: Understood. I-seon: Tomorrow is the year's end. How shall we handle the proceedings. Ji-young: This year, we'll forgo the year-end ceremony. In its stead, the year-end gifts we send to the educational foundation we operate and to the residents nearby — please deliver those as planned. I-seon: Understood.

Hee-jin: As you know, today at noon the audiences with each Master of the Province are scheduled. There are no other engagements after that, but should you have any to add — Ji-young: Nothing yet, but if any come up, I'll let you know. Hee-jin: Yes. Understood. Ji-young: The Martial Director must've been so frustrated he didn't sleep a wink — let him rest a bit before coming. Nothing's likely to come up before noon anyway. I-seon: Sleep. Will. Not. Come.

At I-seon's reply — which sounded as if his back teeth were faintly clenched — Hee-jin alone held back a small, quiet laugh. Ji-young, too, twitched the corners of her lips for a brief moment, but rather than letting it show first, she pressed her advice to I-seon once more. Ji-young: Even so, you should rest. I-seon: Hmm. Ji-young: The Strategist will be by my side all day anyway, so don't worry — close your eyes for a bit before noon and come out then. Have your Deputy wake you. I-seon: Ahem ahem.

Ji-young: And don't go nodding off sitting up like last time. I-seon: Th-that day. I just. Wasn't quite used to. The desk work — Hee-jin: Just. Sleep. Quietly. I-seon nudged Hee-jin's thigh lightly with his knee, throwing her a warning look. Hee-jin, paying him no mind, steadied her unflappable voice and conveyed another matter to Ji-young. Hee-jin: The Oldest. Ji-young: Yes. Hee-jin: Apart from the Guard Corps, the outer perimeter is also fully prepared. Ji-young: Understood.

By all means, I hope everyone passes the day safely. Hee-jin: Do not worry. Ji-young gave a light nod and rose from her seat. Hee-jin and I-seon rose along with Ji-young. Hee-jin took a navy 두루마기(Durumagi_Traditional outer coat) down from the wall and held it open for Ji-young, who had stepped out from the cushioned mat. Receiving Hee-jin's help, Ji-young donned the light yet thick navy outer coat, slipped on white 버선(Beoseon_Korean Traditional socks), and stepped out of the room.

A crisp wind blew across from beyond the wooden veranda. Ji-young carefully eased her white-stockinged feet into her navy 운혜(Unhye_Everyday traditional shoes) set on the stepping stone. Five butterflies trembled. On the large ear cuff seated upon one ear, a simple butterfly-wing ornament was set in place. White tassels matched to her white modern-style 저고리(Jeogori_Korean Traditional inner jacket) hung from the end of the ear cuff.

With each step Ji-young took, the five butterfly ornaments swayed gently along with them. Ji-young crossed the courtyard and stepped through the open gate. The roof tiles of some tall building's eaves stirred and left a small trace of presence, but it was not loud enough to reach Ji-young's party.