Episode 941
A long shadow stretched behind the carriage as it rolled across the shimmering golden desert.
It was the second day since they had left Cheollyeo, heading toward the Bariel border. The carriage was heavily laden with gifts and goods meant for the Enrow family, their allied neighbors, which slowed their pace considerably.
Nersarn, riding alongside on his Kusile, leaned slightly inside the carriage window.
“Philia, are you alright?”
Even the harsh desert sun couldn’t burn her pale skin. Her complexion remained translucent and radiant, like polished jade. Philia cradled their newborn, who had just fallen asleep, and smiled softly.
“I’m fine.”
“If your arm hurts, I can hold the baby.”
“No, it’s okay. The baby just fell asleep, so there’s no need.”
Their first child—a blend of their features. The baby’s skin was sun-kissed like Nersarn’s, but the golden hair and green eyes were unmistakably Philia’s. Everyone who saw the child couldn’t help but murmur in admiration at such delicate, perfect features.
“We’re almost there. Just bear with the discomfort a little longer.”
No sooner had Nersarn finished speaking than a whistle pierced the air. In the distance, the Enrow family had come out to greet them.
Waving flags, they welcomed the travelers warmly, and the people of Cheollyeo responded with waves of their own. Two hawks soared high above, circling the sky in a graceful dance.
“Ah, you must be tired from the long journey.”
“It’s been a while, steward.”
“Yes, yes. You arrived just in time. It rained quite a bit a few days ago.”
“And the marquis?”
“He’s at the manor, eagerly awaiting the arrival of his esteemed guests!”
Nersarn chuckled quietly. The steward greeted Philia inside the carriage, but his expression softened completely upon seeing her.
“Philia, belated congratulations on the safe delivery. Oh my, just as the rumors said—a truly beautiful baby.”
“Thank you, steward.”
“The marquis will be delighted. Does he like children? Oh, and there’s a letter from the central government as well.”
“To Cheollyeo?”
“Yes. It was sent by Ian Hadel.”
The desert’s heat and dryness made direct communication impossible. To send messages to Cheollyeo, they had to go through the neighboring Enrow territory.
Nersarn’s face tightened with concern.
“What is it about?”
“I haven’t checked yet. It was addressed to both you and Philia. But don’t worry—the letter is on fine paper, tied with a pretty ribbon. I imagine it’s good news.”
The steward ordered the servants to unload the goods and added,
“Please, have Philia transfer to the Enrow carriage.”
Relieved, Nersarn helped his wife carefully climb into the other carriage, still holding their child.
“Lately, Hwan has shown great interest in Cheollyeo’s crafts. The payment for the last consignment was fifty gold coins, and the items you requested have arrived. You can take them back when you return to the desert.”
“Thank you, as always.”
“It’s nothing. The marquis values the long-standing ties with Cheollyeo deeply.”
They drove toward the Enrow estate. Outside the territory, farmers drew water and tended fields peacefully, while the town center thrived, rivaling any city in splendor. This change came as the bridge between Hwan and Cheollyeo shifted to Enrow’s influence.
Creak.
“Master! Guests from Cheollyeo have arrived!”
As the carriage entered the estate, the servants called out joyfully. Some had lovers from Cheollyeo; others were separated by marriage but still held ties.
The Enrow marquis, dressed lightly, came out to greet Nersarn and Philia personally.
“Welcome, old friends!”
“How have you been?”
“Well, well! By the gods! That child looks just like you, Philia. You must have had your reasons for keeping them hidden!”
“The weather was bad. There was a sandstorm.”
“I’m glad you made it safely. Come inside. I’ll have the servants prepare the payment and goods. You’ll stay the night, won’t you?”
Nersarn nodded. There was no need to rush, especially considering Philia and the baby’s condition.
They gathered in the parlor, sipping tea, while the marquis lifted the baby and asked,
“Have you named the child yet?”
“Not yet.”
“Why not?”
“Usually, the tribe chief names the child in Cheollyeo, but as you know, that position is vacant. We’re discussing whether to wait for the chosen one or find another way.”
“What about the other children’s names?”
“Usually, they take their parents’ names.”
“Like Roel? The chief’s name?”
“Exactly.”
“Then why not continue that name?”
Nersarn and Philia hesitated. It was something they had never considered.
Though the chief had passed over ten years ago, no one with the ‘God’s Eye’ had appeared. While many were uneasy, the matter was kept quiet since Cheollyeo’s progress remained steady.
“If the marquis offers the name, we would gladly accept.”
“Look at those green eyes. A flower blooming in the desert. Doesn’t it feel like a divine blessing? Roel—it’s a fine name. The previous chief lived a long life, didn’t he?”
“Yes, that’s true.”
“I recommend it. Roel is a beautiful name.”
The marquis poked the baby’s nose playfully, chuckling.
At that moment, a servant handed Nersarn a letter from Ian Hadel.
As Nersarn untied the ribbon and read, his brow furrowed in puzzlement. Philia leaned close, her eyes filled with worry and curiosity.
“What does Ian say? Is something wrong?”
They knew Ian and the Magic Department had struggled with the recent monster outbreaks, so she feared bad news.
But Nersarn soon smiled and handed her the letter.
“Romandro is getting married.”
“Oh! Really?”
“The bride is an administrative officer. They’d like us to attend. Will you go?”
“Of course! That’s wonderful news!”
“They said we can either take the carriage or use a portal…”
“I’d prefer the portal.”
“So do I.”
With a newborn, traveling nearly two weeks by carriage was too much. Seeing Philia’s joy, the marquis interjected.
“Romandro?”
“He’s a Magic Department officer and has connections. He assists Lord Ian closely.”
“Will they be going to the capital?”
“I believe so.”
“In that case, wait a moment!”
The marquis raised his hand, signaling everyone to pause. Philia’s eyes widened, and even the baby in the servant’s arms stopped, mouth agape.
“If you’re heading to the capital, could you take our second son with you?”
“Siaoshi?”
Siaoshi Enrow, the second son, named after the family’s founder, sharing his eye color.
In the Enrow family’s primogeniture system, the second son had to carve his own path. Fortunately, he showed promise in swordsmanship and was considering joining the Imperial Defense Corps.
“The joint imperial recruitment period is coming soon, isn’t it? We planned to send him to the capital anyway, but if you’re going, I’d like to send him along.”
Using the portal would save his energy, helping him perform better in the exams. Plus, having connections through Nersarn and Philia in the Magic Department would ease his transition.
The couple nodded eagerly.
“That sounds good, as long as the timing works.”
“When is the wedding?”
“In two months.”
“Perfect! You’ll be heading up a bit early anyway, right?”
“That would be best, I think.”
Philia glanced at Nersarn for agreement. Rather than arriving just in time for the wedding, it would be better to go early—to reunite with old friends and get a sense of the capital’s affairs. Nersarn nodded, and the marquis signaled a servant.
“Send for Sia.”
“Yes, master.”
The marquis wasn’t close with his children, who were absorbed in their studies and often away. They only saw each other occasionally when the family gathered.
“Sia is excellent with the sword.”
“A future blade of the empire.”
“Yes, indeed! Ha ha ha!”
The marquis laughed proudly.
Soon, Siaoshi, who had been studying upstairs, called out from outside.
Knock, knock.
“Did you call, Father?”
“Yes, yes. Come here. Friends from the desert have arrived.”
“I heard, but I have a tutor and couldn’t come out. Sorry.”
The boy was fair-skinned with heterochromatic eyes—one brown, one blue—and gray hair, speaking with a refined tone.
Philia recalled the portrait of Siaoshi Enrow the First hanging in the manor’s lobby and covered her mouth in surprise.
“Madam, I suppose this is what they mean by blood not lying.”
“Yes, truly… he looks just like his ancestor.”
“As far as I’m concerned, just imagining Sia galloping across the battlefield on horseback sends a thrill through my entire body. Our son will grow up to be a pillar of the empire! Hahaha!”
What a fool, Nerzarn thought, a faint smile tugging at his lips. But he understood perfectly well. Warriors have a certain aura that radiates from them, even without drawing a sword. The boy’s energy was so solid, it was hard to believe he’d only just come of age.
“Well then, when you head to the capital, could you look after our son a bit?”
At the marquis’s request, Nerzarn nodded as if to say, “Don’t even ask twice.” Filia returned the gesture warmly and greeted Siaoshi.
“Let’s go to the capital together. I’ll introduce you to lots of good friends there. There’s a fellow named Ian who’ll be a great help.”
“Yes, ma’am. I look forward to it. Thank you.”
Siaoshi bowed slightly, his gratitude clear in his refined, noble manner.
A day off from work. Ian, dressed casually, sipped tea on the terrace. In the distance, he spotted Berrick rolling and training hard on the field.
“Ha! Hah!”
Swinging his sword alongside Barsave, Berrick repeated sprints at the teacher’s signal. They’d been at it for hours, yet neither showed any sign of fatigue. If anything, they bit down hard, each wary of the other, unwilling to show weakness.
“…Strange,” Ian murmured.
According to Barsave, Berrick seemed to convert the magic Ian had passed on into pure energy and wield it. No matter how talented a magic swordsman he was, could that really be possible so soon after his awakening?
“Exactly. Truly strange.”
“Ah, Count,” came a voice.
Count Jacques had quietly approached and joined the conversation, sharing Ian’s gaze fixed on Berrick.
‘His healing ability, and beyond just his talent as a magic swordsman, there’s something else.’
Jacques’s thoughts mirrored Ian’s. His face darkened as he pondered deeply.
“It’s strange. I just can’t figure it out.”
“Count,” Ian said, turning to share his insight on this anomaly.
Jacques muttered with a serious look in his eyes.
“…He’s consumed too much. Too much… it’s beyond what any human could endure… far too much…”