Chapter 13 Obligation

[Wait, didn’t you say yesterday in front of everyone that you wouldn’t join?]

Xie Shenhong felt as though he was on the verge of losing his mind.

Lyte had actually joined that notorious fan club.

The thought of being pitied by an enemy because of his own incompetence, under the guise of being helped, was utterly nauseating and unbearable.

[That’s why I joined in secret.]

Lyte picked up his phone and replied.

[Quit immediately. I don’t need you to do anything so superfluous.]

[No. Or rather, give me a reason not to join.]

‘That would, of course, be…’

Xie Shenhong found himself unable to type further, his words trailing off mid-sentence.

He simply could not bring himself to slander others.

This wasn’t due to any elevated moral compass, but rather his inherent duplicity, a trait that ensured he never exposed the darker recesses of his heart.

Consequently, in the eyes of others, he always appeared remarkably gentle and courteous, even proactively offering encouragement and comfort… ‘You mean Lyte?’

‘That guy was an exception, an adversary.’

‘He could never tolerate him.’

‘Right, he should act the same way now.’

‘After all, there was no benefit in maintaining a facade before Lyte.’

He decided to reply with something utterly unreasonable, threatening to cut ties if Lyte didn’t comply.

[Could it be that this Crimson Knights club is a terrible club? Are the people inside all disgusting?] Lyte had preempted him.

“Silence!”

Xie Shenhong, no longer caring what others might think of him, snapped, “You are not to insult them!”

Yet, he instantly regretted his outburst.

“My apologies, I didn’t mean it that way. I merely heard some unfavorable rumors about you all.”

Lyte offered a small, knowing smile. “However, it seems now those were nothing but rumors.”

Gazing into Lyte’s eyes, which seemed to pierce through every pretense, Xie Shenhong picked up his phone in exasperation, reverting to their chat application for communication.

[Do you truly enjoy provoking my anger so much?]

[That wasn’t my intention… but I am somewhat upset.]

[Are you trying to play the victim here?]

[Consider it so… I simply can’t bear to see you disparage yourself in your heart any longer.]

[…]

Xie Shenhong instinctively touched his face, a visage he considered utterly useless save for its cuteness.

Most people merely harbored duplicity, saying one thing aloud while thinking another.

He, however, operated on yet another layer of divergence: his inner voice often contradicted his true thoughts.

‘But was his expression… truly that transparent?’

[Quite obvious, actually.]

Xie Shenhong sighed, relinquishing his struggle.

[How much have you learned?]

[The Crimson Knights are a highly reputable club within the school.]

[Is that so… I wasn’t aware.]

[But you’re not surprised, are you?]

[No.]

‘The individuals who first established the Knights’ order… they were all his former friends, exceptionally reliable and upright.’

‘But those were matters of the past; now, reflecting upon it…’

[My apologies. They haven’t changed for the worse. The matter of Zhang Lili being bullied… that was me misleading you.]

[You bastard!]

Xie Shenhong could no longer contain himself; he had to at least scold Lyte fiercely through the chat application.

Lyte offered no rebuttal, silently enduring Xie Shenhong’s outburst.

After a moment.

[Tell me, what’s the point of letting me know this now, after all that’s happened?]

[They still deeply admire and appreciate you… and they are still waiting for you.]

[Are you suggesting I use them as personal connections?]

Xie Shenhong recalled their conversation from the previous day.

[Ultimately, it might evolve into that, but as I said before… I’m a little angry.]

[Angry about what? That I concealed the truth? Or do you think I’m foolish for not utilizing connections, for abandoning my supporters over a trivial matter, then retreating into myself to the point of refusing to even attend school?]

Xie Shenhong sent his reply, a cold sneer playing on his lips.

[All of the above, but what angers me most is… your impossibly high standards for yourself.]

Xie Shenhong’s smile froze.

His body followed suit.

It was a long moment before sensation returned to his fingers.

[What’s wrong with that?]

[Zhang Lili was indeed harassed at first, with people claiming her mistakes had ruined your reputation… but you immediately stepped forward to resolve the situation, didn’t you?]

[No, I merely leveraged the influence of the Duanmu family to intimidate everyone and silence them. If anything, they were still willing to trust me, despite my perverse remarks… I truly feel unworthy.]

[Let me ask you one thing: what did you give them that made them so utterly devoted to helping you?]

[Nothing, but I have the Duanmu family and the Dongfang family backing me.]

[Then what did the Duanmu family and the Dongfang family give them?]

[Perhaps some minor assistance through acquaintances… I’m not entirely sure.]

Xie Shenhong began to feel irritated.

[Do you truly believe such a reason holds water? Or are you implying that if they didn’t stand with you, the Duanmu family and the Dongfang family would simply eliminate them?]

[Don’t talk nonsense! They would never do such a thing!]

Xie Shenhong typed out his reply with a surge of minor agitation.

Yet, much like every time before, regret swiftly followed his burst of emotion.

[Indeed, the Duanmu family and the Dongfang family have always held a reputation for wisdom and benevolence within the kingdom. They never oppress others with their power, standing as one of the most benevolent noble houses towards common folk.]

Lyte typed, his expression one of profound reverence.

[The sole exception, of course, is when they are looking out for you.]

‘Yes, that’s right.’

Xie Shenhong thought, a pang of sadness in his heart.

‘So, they shouldn’t bother with him anymore.’

‘He was already fortunate enough.’

‘Now, his task was to find a way to repay all of this, and beyond that—’

[Then, I ask you: if they truly took action against those who defied or insulted you, what would you do?]

[I would stop them, of course!]

Xie Shenhong replied without a moment’s hesitation.

[Why stop them? Is your dignity not important?]

Xie Shenhong was left speechless, only finding an opening after a long silence.

[This matter originated with me; the fault lies entirely with me.]

[As I’ve said, outsiders shouldn’t gossip about personal preferences, nor do I believe this is something that should be blown out of proportion.]

[It brought about so many negative consequences, how could it possibly be considered making a mountain out of a molehill?!]

[Indeed, and later, when others mocked you as someone without magic, you again prevented anyone from denouncing that insolent fellow… Do you truly wish to negate your own reason for existence so completely?]

Xie Shenhong found himself unable to respond, yet he truly believed it.

‘If he weren’t the only one privy to future events, if he couldn’t recharge the Hai Zhu automaton… a useless burden like him would be better off dead.’

[This mobile chat application… you developed it, didn’t you?]

[What are you talking about?]

[And household computers, magic-powered cars, high-speed rail, hydro-powered mana generation, the theory of artificial infinite magic stones…]

Lyte ignored Xie Shenhong’s feigned ignorance, typing out a list of new inventions and concepts that had only emerged in recent years.

[Enough. None of that is my accomplishment… or at least, not mine alone.]

‘Perhaps ancient technology was discovered when the Hai Zhu automaton was unearthed.’

‘The technological advancement in this world differed significantly between the Empire and the Kingdom.’

‘When he transmigrated five years ago, the Empire was reportedly still in a late medieval state, while the Kingdom had already reached the level of early 20th-century Earth.’

‘Some technologies, such as mobile phones and computers, had even appeared anachronistically.’

‘However, many areas remained underdeveloped.’

‘Despite the presence of magic and clean energy sources like magic stones, they still relied on resources such as oil and coal, which were scarce in this world and polluted the environment…’

‘Thus, while studying at school, he simultaneously assisted in their improvement.’

‘Even after he stopped attending school, this much remained unchanged.’

‘Indeed, everywhere one went, Xie Shenhong’s technological achievements were visible.’

‘Even the mass-produced magic-powered firearms of later generations were his own developments.’

‘But what did any of that matter?’

‘Three months later, the kingdom still fell, and three years after that, humanity remained powerless to halt the demonic invasion!’

‘Ultimately, this world was one where magic reigned supreme—’

[Shenhong, stop disparaging yourself. You’ve already done more than enough.]

‘It’s not enough.’

Xie Shenhong shook his head internally.

[I don’t know what great responsibility you bear, nor do I understand what you’re so anxious about… Perhaps all of this is still far from your ultimate goal, but please, stop being so arrogant.]

‘Arrogant?’

Xie Shenhong was stunned. It was the first time he had ever heard such an assessment, yet upon careful reflection, he found no grounds for rebuttal.

[Don’t try to shoulder everything alone, and don’t think you must accomplish everything by yourself. Behind you, there are many whom you’ve cast aside, whom you’ve ignored, but who still hope to fight alongside you.]

Xie Shenhong turned his head.

He once again saw the sincere gaze of the blond youth.

[This kingdom belongs to every one of us.]