Ranker Who Lives Twice

After the Round Table conference was over, Artichoke narrowed his eyes as he walked out the door. “He’s still arrogant even though his master is in that state.” His expression was covered by his mask, but his voice showed how displeased he was with the current situation.

Rafflesia smirked from behind Artichoke. “It’s understandable if ‘Acacia’ thinks this is an opportunity too. Wasn’t Acacia able to enter By the Table thanks to the Death King? It’s rumored among the servants Acacia was quite obedient to him.”

Acacia—it was the code name of the man sitting at the highest seat, Yul. Most of the leaders of By the Table didn’t want to reveal their identities, so they used code names of flowers.

“Unless he’s an idiot, he must know Freesia will get hurt if he mentions us to the Death King, so let’s not worry too much. His being so indecisive is already evidence that he’s scared of us, isn’t it?”

Artichoke nodded at Rafflesia’s cold words, saying, “All in all, this might be the best outcome for us. If By the Table and the Death King clash, the confusion will become greater. We can just take what we need during that time.”

No matter how much By the Table was changing its objective, they had begun out of alliances. Naturally, problems would occur based on who would get the greater profit. The two were simply standing on the opposite side of Freesia.

The only reason why they joined By the Table was that it was profitable; if they couldn’t gain any profits or thought there was a more profitable group, they could abandon By the Table instantly. Fortunately, there was a place they could switch over to any time. But before that, there was something they needed to obtain. That was the condition to joining.

“First, let’s get rid of the thorn in the side that keeps on picking on our every action.”

Artichoke and Rafflesia exchanged cold smiles. Though neither of them mentioned anyone explicitly, it was clear who the “thorn in the side” was: Bush Lily. They needed to get rid of the elderly man who kept on getting in their way.

“At his age, he should be living quietly, playing with his grandchildren.”

* * *

“Someone must be talking behind my back. Why is my ear so itchy?”

After all the leaders were gone, only Yul and Bush Lily were left at the table. Bush Lily scratched his ear with his pinkie. He looked like a grumbling old neighborhood bum, and Yul found himself bursting out in laughter. It was the first change in emotion he showed since the conference began.

“Is it so strange to see an old man itching his ear? Huh. You should be helping me, not laughing at me.”

Bush Lily griped as if he was displeased with Yul, but Yul knew this was how he expressed affection, so he smiled faintly.

“Thank you. As always.”

“Is the ear wax in too deep? Why is it so ticklish?” Bush Lily complained about his ear to hide his bashfulness and spoke up again. “Anyway, what are you going to do now? I did postpone their decision with the Death King’s reputation, but they’ll continue to act up.”

“Right. We did manage to buy some time and lessen the burdens with the Death King having caught on…but I feel frustrated that I can’t see any solution.” Yul smiled bitterly. He was the most frustrated out of all. People on the outside whispered that he changed the objective of By the Table and privatized By the Table’s forces out of his greed for power. They called him a tyrant, but truthfully, he was just a puppet pushed to the frontlines—a puppet who did as he was ordered to.

‘I hope Master is alright…’

After Freesia and Anastasia returned, helping Yeon-woo’s party escape, a small undisclosed “rebellion” occurred within By the Table. Artichoke, Rafflesia, and a few other leaders had been lying in wait, then attacked Freesia when she returned with mysterious enemies helping them. In that process, Anastasia escaped with critical injuries, and Freesia was captured. Under normal circumstances, they wouldn’t have been defeated so easily, but they were exhausted both physically and mentally after activating the ark, and they hadn’t been on their guards while they returned home.

From then, Yul’s hell began. Artichoke and Rafflesia didn’t want their “rebellion” to be revealed to the public. Although they had captured Freesia, By the Table was too large for them to completely take over. Instead, they announced that Freesia would be resting due to injury, and they began to rule behind Yul.

Political decisions were made as the two wished, and those who didn’t agree were kicked out. Countless conflicts arose as a result, but they didn’t care. Ten years passed like that. They occasionally confirmed Freesia was alive with videos or audio, but recently, they had all but stopped.

Yul became more anxious. He was worried that something had happened to Freesia. He considered his master, Freesia, and Yeon-woo more important than his own life.

“There’s still nothing you’ve learned about them?”

Bush Lily smiled wryly and nodded.

Yul sighed. “Then I suppose we can’t ask the Death King for help.” Artichoke and Rafflesia would most definitely send their people with Yul during his meeting with Yeon-woo. If Yul said anything, they wouldn’t stay still.

“I heard the Death King is so sly it’s as if he has multiple snakes in his head, and he’s well versed in things to do with the mind as well. Is there any possibility he’ll catch on before we tell him?”

“It’s possible. But since he doesn’t know anything about them… it would be difficult for him to attempt anything.”

“Indeed.”

“It’s very frustrating.” Yul covered his face, but his troubled gaze soon flashed again. These were the same eyes he had when he defeated all his competitors and took the position of Freesia’s successor. “That doesn’t mean we should do nothing. And perhaps…!”

“Perhaps?”

Bush Lily looked at Yul with expectation, but Yul just sat back down saying “Never mind.” However, his gaze had changed. ‘When I was lost in the Tutorial, he held his hand out to me. If it’s Cain hyung…he might be able to do it.’ Yul believed in Yeon-woo.

* * *

After the ruling that a group led by Yul should meet with Yeon-woo was passed, their rendezvous point was quickly decided: Planet Kanaran. It was a planet located four million light-years away from Earth. Its civilization and vitality were some of the best in the Andromeda galaxy. Many societies yearned for it, but it was under By the Table’s control. And naturally, it was currently the headquarters for Artichoke and Rafflesia’s forces.

“I trust you won’t say anything needlessly. Please remember this isn’t the ‘garden.’”