Chapter 98
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Chapter 98
After learning about the Black Tortoise and Evil from the divine beasts, Jeok Soya became consumed with finding a way to reach the Northern Lands.
'Simply reaching the Northern Border is already a monumental challenge.'
To reach the Black Tortoise's domain, she would have to cross the Empire's northern boundary, which was guarded by the Imperial Army.
Yet without an imperial decree, she couldn't travel to the Northern Border at all.
Moreover, even if she reached the border, crossing it to enter the Northern Lands could be considered treason.
As Jeok Soya walked through the Garden lost in thought, a sound from the front gate made her snap her head around.
It was a messenger bringing letters and supplies to her older brother at the Northern Border.
'If I slip in among them, I might be able to reach the north.'
But sneaking in with the messengers would obviously be discovered in no time.
'No, that won't work! I need to tell Father!'
After deliberating, Jeok Soya went to find Baek Sayeon.
'Baek Gahyun said it himself—because we're family, we face difficult challenges together.'
Then she spoke with confidence.
"To awaken the Black Tortoise, I need to go to the Northern Lands. Please help me, Father."
At her words, Baek Sayeon wore a thoughtful expression for a moment before responding.
"Very well, my little cotton ball. But you're going with me."
He immediately retrieved brush and ink, composing a letter to send to the Emperor.
"If I tell His Majesty that a father wishes to visit his son, surely he will grant permission."
Knowing her father would accompany her, Jeok Soya felt immensely reassured.
Not long after, the Emperor granted his consent most graciously.
The official purpose of Baek Sayeon's journey north was to deliver supplies to Baek Ho Palace and boost morale.
The fact that Jeok Soya was accompanying him was kept secret within and outside Baek Ho Palace.
If word reached the ears of those malevolent beasts that a young girl was being taken to such a dangerous battlefield, it would certainly invite suspicion.
* * *
At last, the day Baek Sayeon set out for the Northern Lands arrived.
Jeok Soya transformed into a small bird and nestled snugly in Baek Sayeon's embrace.
While the workers of Baek Ho Palace loaded supplies onto carts, Baek Sayeon departed ahead, telling them he would meet them at the Northern Border.
Once the eyes of the people could no longer see them.
"Chirp!"
Jeok Soya poked her head out from Baek Sayeon's embrace and cried out.
"We made it, Father!"
"Little cotton ball, weren't you uncomfortable hiding in there?"
"Not at all! It was as fun as playing hide-and-seek!"
Jeok Soya's laughter bubbled forth like a clear stream.
Baek Sayeon gently stroked her head once, then quickened his pace toward the Northern Lands.
As they drew closer to the Northern Border, the desolate black sandstorm of the north came sweeping toward them.
"Screeeeeech!"
At the appearance of a horde of demonic beasts in the form of black creatures, Jeok Soya pointed at them with her small wings and cried out.
"Father, there are demonic beasts!"
"Move back for a moment, Cottontail."
Sayeon immediately drew his sword and rushed toward the demonic beasts.
Soya hovered in the air, fluttering her wings enthusiastically to cheer him on.
Watching Father dispatch dozens of demonic beasts with a single movement, Soya marveled at his prowess.
However, it wasn't long before a problem arose.
A centipede-like demonic beast with an abundance of legs had appeared.
Sayeon's face, which had been fierce and commanding just moments before as he slaughtered the demonic beasts, suddenly turned ashen.
Each time Sayeon cut down the centipede beast, he squeezed his eyes shut as if in agony.
"Father, are you alright?"
"There are just... so many legs..."
"Let me help you!"
Unable to bear watching any longer, Soya released her human form with a pop and stepped in front of Sayeon.
Then, wielding the Baekho Sword, she methodically dispatched the centipede beasts one by one.
As the demonic beasts were nearly all cleared, Soya turned back to Sayeon and spoke.
"It's all done now, Father!"
"...Thank you, Cottontail."
Sayeon replied, his face haggard from the brief ordeal.
Despite having effortlessly defeated far more terrifying demonic beasts, Soya couldn't fathom why Father feared this small centipede creature so.
"...Cottontail, aren't you afraid of centipede beasts?"
"No! You just have to defeat them like this!"
Soya found a still-writhing centipede beast and stabbed it repeatedly with the Baekho Sword—thwack, thwack—as she answered.
Each time she did, Sayeon flinched as though he himself were being pierced by the blade.
"My brave little Cottontail is so courageous. Defeating even these dreadful centipede beasts..."
Father must truly be terrified of centipede beasts.
The way he could barely watch the legs of the already-dead beast convulsing was proof enough.
"Father, please rest here."
Soya had Sayeon lean against a wooden post to sit, then set off toward the riverbank to fetch water.
It was oddly surprising to discover that even the ever-dependable Father had something he feared.
'I suppose I'll have to protect him.'
Following the gentle sound of flowing water, Soya soon found the riverbank.
It was just as Soya crouched down to fill her water pouch.
Rustle.
At the sound from across the way, Soya reflexively lifted her head.
And in that instant.
"...!"
Upon discovering the beautiful young man frozen before her, Soya's eyes widened in astonishment.
Hair as white as snow. Eyes as blue and transparent as the sky itself. And though his expression held a certain coldness...
The young nobleman before her bore a striking resemblance to someone Soya held very dear.
Father—Baek Sayeon.
'Could it be...?'
Jeok Soya somehow sensed she knew who this person was.
In the next moment, both Jeok Soya and the young man opened their mouths simultaneously.
"Baek Ga Ya... Older Brother?"
"Softy?"
* * *
Baek Sayeon was resting against a wooden pillar, his stomach churning from seeing far too many centipedes.
"My little cotton ball is quite remarkable. To think she could slay those centipedes so skillfully."
Recalling how Jeok Soya had drawn the Baek Ho Sword and charged at the centipede beast to save him, a faint smile crossed his face.
"She was so brave, insisting on protecting her father. My little cotton ball has truly grown up now."
He was chuckling softly as he recovered when it happened.
"Father! Father!"
From afar came the sound of quick, light footsteps and Jeok Soya's voice, brimming with excitement.
Baek Sayeon lifted his head absently and spotted a young man walking alongside Jeok Soya, their hands clasped together.
"...!"
His eyes widened slightly before he suddenly rose to his feet.
His trembling gaze soon glistened with emotion.
"I met Older Brother on the way here!"
"Father."
Baek Ga Ya, the firstborn young master of the Baekho Family, stood before Baek Sayeon.
"Ga Ya."
Baek Sayeon pulled his son into a tight embrace and exchanged greetings.
"How you've grown, my son. I've missed you so much."
"But we saw each other last year?"
Baek Ga Ya replied as if it were obvious.
In truth, Baek Sayeon had visited the Border Region last year as well, and the year before that, always finding some excuse or another.
"Yes, we did see each other last year."
Yet despite his son's lukewarm response, Baek Sayeon simply burst into laughter.
It was customary for the heirs of the Four Great Families to leave their families after completing their first growth phase and serve the Imperial Family's commands.
So for Baek Ga Ya, this was simply his natural duty as the family heir.
Baek Sayeon had once believed the same when he was that age, but now that he was a father, he understood.
How precious each moment of watching a child grow truly was.
How moving it was to face a child who had grown so much in the time they hadn't seen each other, and how bittersweet it was to realize he hadn't been present for every moment of his son's growth.
Though his son, looking at him with that fresh expression, seemed oblivious to these feelings.
Baek Sayeon grinned widely and ruffled his son's hair.
* * *
Baek Ga Ya guided the two of them to the Imperial Army's barracks.
Jeok Soya had to transform back into the shape of a small bird to avoid being noticed by others.
While Baek Sayeon spoke with the commander of this place, Baek Ga Ya took Jeok Soya for a walk through the forest near the barracks.
"I've always been curious since hearing that I gained a younger sister."
Baek Ga Ya said, turning to look at Jeok Soya perched upon his shoulder.
"Much smaller and rounder than what Baek Gahyun told me about."
"Chirp?"
"Thank you for the handkerchief, little Fluffy."
He chuckled softly and produced the handkerchief that Jeok Soya had gifted him not long ago.
Jeok Soya's face brightened instantly at the sight of it.
"You've been keeping the handkerchief I gave you all this time?"
"Yeah. It looks a bit like a tiger that's only half-finished, but the more I look at it, the cuter it gets."
At his words, Jeok Soya burst into delighted laughter.
Since no one around Jeok Soya spoke to her in such a manner, Baek Ga Ya's words sounded like an amusing jest.
"But why do you call me Fluffy?"
"Everyone calls you a cotton ball, right? I don't like being the same as others. This suits you better, and it's cuter too, Fluffy―."
"...?"
Jeok Soya tilted her head, not quite understanding Baek Ga Ya's words.
'He seems like quite an unusual person. And yet....'
"Older Brother Ga Ya seems like such a kind and wonderful person, just like Father."
Jeok Soya truly believed this.
The eldest older brother she was meeting for the first time, who had never seen his youngest sister's face, treasured her gift so dearly—he was truly a kind and wonderful person.
"Hmm."
At her words, Baek Ga Ya's expression became meaningful.
"That's not it."
"...?"
As Jeok Soya blinked in confusion, he smiled broadly and said:
"I'm kinder and more wonderful than Father. Remember that, Fluffy."
Jeok Soya burst into delighted laughter once more.
Just as a soft smile was blooming on Baek Ga Ya's lips at the young bird's bright, cheerful laughter—
'Huh?'
Jeok Soya, perched on Baek Ga Ya's shoulder, suddenly froze upon spotting a man walking in the distance.
'Who is that person...?'
Hair as brilliant and blazing as roaring flames—a characteristic that marked the direct bloodline of the Jujak Family.
Without thinking, Jeok Soya quickly burrowed into the folds of Baek Ga Ya's collar.
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