Chapter 47
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Chapter 47
The child did not yet understand what it meant to have awakened Baekho.
Under ordinary circumstances, this would have been cause for tremendous celebration. And yet....
'A calamitous beast from the Northern Lands has set its sights on Jeok Soya.'
If this fact became known while a beast was already hunting the child....
"Jeok Soya."
Sayeon called to her in a grave voice.
"Yes, Sayeon?"
"What you've done—awakening Baekho—must remain secret for now. If word spreads, we may face another crisis like today's."
"...!"
Jeok Soya's eyes widened in alarm.
"Then Baek Gahyun and the others could be in danger again?"
At her response, Sayeon let out a hollow, deflating laugh.
Even now, watching her worry for others before herself stirred both pride and ache within him.
"You're only concerned for others—not at all worried about your own danger?"
"...?"
For a moment, Jeok Soya blinked in confusion at his words before a belated gasp escaped her.
"Ah...."
Her face flushed as she fumbled for an explanation.
"That's not what I meant.... I simply hadn't thought of it. Is that strange?"
Her inability to care for herself stemmed from years spent in an environment where she had learned not to love herself.
Even now, surrounded by the warmth and affection of those at Baek Ho Palace, she had not yet fully grown accustomed to it.
"No. It's not strange. Such things happen."
Sayeon answered deliberately, his tone gentle, lest the child think herself at fault.
"I simply wish for you to think of yourself before others. You are a precious child."
A precious child.
At those words, Jeok Soya's lips parted softly.
"But if it's still difficult for you now, then it falls to me to worry for you."
Sayeon added with a gentle smile.
"Because I'm your father."
"Ah...."
An involuntary gasp escaped Jeok Soya's lips.
Father.
The most reassuring word in all the world.
Simply having a father made her feel like the most precious child in existence.
And simply having a father made her feel like the strongest person capable of anything.
Father.
The most magnificent and powerful word in all the world. A rare and glimmering word that made her yearn for things, despite her resolve to desire nothing.
"Your father worries about you more than anyone else, little cotton ball. So let's keep this secret until we understand who orchestrated today's events."
"Yes...!"
Jeok Soya nodded with spirited determination.
Sayeon chuckled softly, ruffling the child's hair with an affectionate touch.
"You're truly remarkable and splendid, little cottontail. Among all the little cottonballs I know, you're the bravest and most spirited."
At Sayeon's warm praise, the corners of Jeok Soya's mouth twitched upward in delight.
No matter how many times she heard Sayeon's compliments, they always lifted her spirits.
"And cottontail, would it be alright if we stepped outside the barracks for a moment? As long as you're not feeling dizzy or overly exhausted..."
"Yes, I'm fine."
Sayeon scooped Jeok Soya up in one arm and carried her out of the barracks.
Seol Yo, who had been waiting outside the barracks, spotted Jeok Soya and came bounding over with excited whines.
Sayeon, still cradling Jeok Soya, made his way toward the altar where the ceremonial rites had been performed.
The crowd gathered near the altar fell silent in unison at Sayeon's arrival.
"I now announce the champion of this year's Mountain Lord Festival."
At this sudden declaration, Ho Jeok Young looked up at Sayeon with a bewildered expression, as if to say, "What? All of a sudden?"
Not only Ho Jeok Young, but everyone wore expressions of confusion.
The mountain had trembled violently just moments ago, and the festival had been temporarily halted while they rescued the young master who had fallen over the cliff.
Yet now, suddenly, a champion was being announced?
"This year's Mountain Lord is Jeok Soya of the Baekho Family."
"What? But Family Head, this is far too abrupt..."
"If you decide the champion so unilaterally..."
"The one who succeeded in the most hunts was from the Gal Ho Family..."
Everyone murmured in bewilderment.
Among them, the most perplexed was none other than Jeok Soya herself.
"Sayeon? Why..."
However, instead of answering Jeok Soya's question, Sayeon turned to address the gathered kinfolk and retainers, continuing his words.
"The daughter of the Baek Family, Jeok Soya, has found the divine relic of Baekho."
"...!"
"...!"
"...!"
At Sayeon's next words, everyone gasped in unison, their mouths falling open in shock.
Sayeon held up the Baekho Divine Sword that Jeok Soya had discovered and explained to the now-silent crowd.
"The Mountain Lord Festival originated as an event to search for the divine relic of Baekho. Now that the daughter of the Baek Family has finally found it, should she not rightfully become the champion?"
Those who had been frozen in disbelief soon realized that the sword held in Sayeon's hand was indeed the divine relic of Baekho.
In that moment, cries of joy erupted from all around.
"Ohhh! To find the divine relic that couldn't be located for hundreds of years...!"
"A blessing upon the Western Lands!"
"Now we can finally show those arrogant Southern fools and those Eastern fish-heads a thing or two!"
Unlike the other three directional lands, the Western Lands had often been looked down upon for lacking a guardian deity's divine relic.
Of course, because the Baekho Family's influence was considerable, few dared speak of it openly, yet the denizens of the Western Lands had frequently suffered subtle wounds to their pride.
But now, after all this time of searching fruitlessly, the divine relic had been found!
And by such a tiny, cottontail-like young lady at that!
"My lady has brought good fortune to the Western Lands!"
"Indeed, the Patriarch did not invite the young lady without careful consideration."
"We were mistaken, not understanding the Patriarch's deeper intentions."
"Heh heh. I thought the Patriarch had made a hasty decision, blinded by the cuteness of that fluffy little thing... but it seems I was wrong."
Even those who had cast suspicious glances at Jeok Soya now added their own words with faces full of joy.
'Just moments ago, they were saying she couldn't even transform into her human form, calling her a mere beast.'
Sayeon was displeased with how these people had suddenly changed their attitudes after witnessing Jeok Soya's accomplishments.
The fluffy one was already remarkable without doing anything special.
She was the cutest and most magnificent thing in the world just by breathing.
Sayeon, who had been watching them with disapproving eyes, soon changed his mind.
'Well, it's enough for us family to cherish and love the fluffy one without needing any reason.'
With that thought, Sayeon turned to look at Jeok Soya, who was nestled in his arms.
"Congratulations on becoming a Mountain Lord, fluffy one. You were the most magnificent and valiant young beast-human at this Mountain Lord Festival."
Sayeon placed the Baekho mask upon Jeok Soya's head in celebration.
Amid the cheers of the crowd, Jeok Soya looked around with a somewhat bewildered expression before breaking into a shy smile.
"Fluffy one!"
"Jeok Soya!"
"Squeak!"
As Sayeon set Jeok Soya down, Baek Gayul, Arang, and Seol Yo rushed toward her all at once.
"Are you alright? Is your body okay?"
"You fell off a cliff with your brother!"
"Squeak, squeal...!"
They seemed to believe that Jeok Soya and Baek Gahyun had simply taken a wrong path and fallen down the cliff.
"My brother kept telling me he'd lost you, going on and on about it, and then he shows up all injured like this..."
Beneath Baek Gayul's grumbling tone lay genuine concern for Baek Gahyun.
"Your brother will recover soon. Please don't worry too much."
"W-worry? What nonsense! The tigers of the great Baekho Family don't concern themselves with such things!"
Baek Gayul, caught red-handed by Jeok Soya, cried out with both ears flushed crimson.
Watching Jeok Soya giggle at his reaction, Arang suddenly pulled her into a tight embrace.
"Seriously, you were amazing, Jeok Soya! Finding the divine artifact!"
"Oh, Lady Arang...!"
Under Arang's weight, Jeok Soya's body tilted for a moment, but she quickly regained her balance.
"You're truly incredible! It would be such a waste to let the Baekho Family keep you! Come live with us instead!"
"Squeak! Squeal!"
Seol Yo beside her also made indecipherable sounds, squeaking along with her.
"And Jeok Soya! I saw you transform into your human form—you were so incredibly cute!"
Arang exclaimed with sparkling eyes.
"See? I told you so. The fluffy one is cute even normally, but when she transforms, she's even cuter!"
Baek Gayul spoke with an arrogant expression, as if he himself had been complimented, laughing proudly.
"Squeak, squeal!"
Seol Yo mirrored Baek Gayul's expression and chuckled softly.
"This is unfair! Something so adorable, and you're only showing it to me now?"
"Hehe! Your household doesn't have such a cute little fluffball, does it?"
"Ugh! This won't do, Baek Gayul! I'm going to take you down and steal the fluffball!"
It was the moment Arang, provoked by Baek Gayul's taunt, lunged at him without restraint.
Jeok Soya, who had been standing in silence, failed to comprehend their words and asked in confusion.
"Adorable...you say?"
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