In the late hours of the night, only the gentle hum of cicadas filled the air.
Ner was silently gazing at the moon through the window.
The moon had always been a way for Ner to connect with the man ntioned in her grandmother's prophecy, but it was also a source of solace for her.
Since she had developed a habit of reflecting on her day while gazing at the moon, it felt second nature to Ner.
Moreover, even without speaking, by gazing at the serene and shining moon, she could be captivated by its beauty and let go of all trivial thoughts.
It was still the sa now.
For a brief respite, she could forget about the impending marriage that would separate her from her destined partner, finding solace in the stillness of the night.
Perhaps she had shed enough tears in the past few days, so now they no longer ca out.
With a vacant mind, she slowly blinked her eyes and focused only on the moon.
- Knock, knock.
At that mont, a quiet knocking sound awakened her from her reverie.
Unlike the casual knock from her brother during the day, this ti the door didn't open right away.
There had been very few such cautious approaches.
With that alone, Ner could imdiately tell who the opponent was.
Co in.
Ner said without taking her gaze away from the moon.
Soon, the door opened.
A calm and firm footstep entered the room.
What is it?
Ner didn't turn around and asked without looking back,
"...Have you cald down?"
Ner's father, Gibson, asked.
Ner did not answer.
A mont of silence passed.
Gibson walked slowly and took a seat beside Ner on the bed.
For Ner, her father's behavior was quite unfamiliar.
Their relationship was not like this.
Ner could not say that she had cald down even with empty words.
If she took her eyes off the moon, she might start shedding tears again.
She had been waiting her whole life to find her fated partner, but now even that dream had crumbled.
"Ner, look at this."
Ner blinked and turned her head while taking a deep breath.
She could see her fathers stern expression that could only be described as cold.
Her father had always looked at her with that kind of expression.
It wasn't obvious, but it was a different gaze compared to when he looked at Ner's older sisters or brothers.
There was always a trace of resentnt towards Ner, the one who took away the life of his companion, Syllin Blackwood.
Ner could read that subtle difference.
Because she had gotten used to it by now.
But even so, there were monts when she couldn't help but feel envious as she gazed into those eyes.
Ner had also wished to experience such love soday.
If soone could harbor such resentnt towards their own child born from their blood, how deeply must they have loved their companion?
Ner, who had never experienced that emotion even once, had always been curious.
Although she had longed for her fated partner while gazing at the moon, she had never experienced love from soone she hadn't naturally t.
"In two days, the wedding ceremony will take place."
Gibson spoke slowly.
"...From now on, you need to prepare. Tomorrow, you will have a al with the other party. You can't keep crying like today."
As she realized that the inevitable reality was gradually approaching, Ners heart fluttered again.
As a result, words that seed impossible to say naturally flowed out.
Why ?
"Father, why ?"
There were unmarried older sisters as well, so why did it have to be her?
Actually, it wasnt that Ner didnt know the reason.
But she wanted to hear what ca out of his mouth.
She wanted him to spit out at least so excuse.
"...It's a sacrifice for the territory, Ner."
Gibson Blackwood turned around and said.
Ner was not surprised by that fact. But that didn't an it didn't hurt her.
Her strength and energy instantly drained away.
She wanted to give up everything.
Suddenly, Ner wondered why she had to be so unhappy.
It felt like she had been burdened with countless curses since birth.
She hadn't received her mother's love, her father's love, or the love of her siblings.
The only kindness she had ever received was from her departed grandmother, the kindness of the servants, and the etiquette of other nobles she t at social gatherings.
She always felt lonely even when surrounded by a group of people.
Sotis she even wondered if her grandmother had lied to her.
Perhaps there was no such thing as a destined partner.
It might have been her grandmothers rcy for her, who had nothing but misfortune.
Because dreams give hope for the future.
Of course, even that hope had recently disappeared.
Ner cautiously grasped Gibson's arm.
It felt like she was touching her father like this after a long ti.
The tears, which were thought to have dried up, once again flowed from Ner's eyes.
Father
"I... I really don't want to... sniff... please..."
"I've never wanted anything... so please..."
Gibson's expression gradually darkened.
He didnt change his words.
"...I'm sorry."
He just simply offered an apology.
Ner finally killed her emotions.
Her tears gradually ceased. With a blank face, she released her father's arm.
Then she turned her head back to the window and looked at the moon.
Please leave.
Ner requested, but Gibson remained motionless for a long ti.
Ner found solace in the faint sense of guilt her father had towards her.
She tried to change her mind.
Soone had to make sacrifices. She, who had nothing to be happy with, would have to take on all the misfortune.
Ner.
Suddenly, Gibson grabbed Ner's arm.
Ner was slightly surprised by the unfamiliar touch.
A long sigh escaped Gibsons mouth.
After contemplating for a while, he whispered quietly in a low voice.
"...If you ever felt that this father of yours didn't love you... it's a misunderstanding."
Its just It hurt more, so I couldnt show it for a while.
The seeds made with SyllinHow could I hate them
Hearing those words, Ner felt a complex mix of emotions.
If it had been a few days ago, her father's confession would have sounded touching.
But now, it seed like nothing more than an excuse.
"...So from now on, what I'm about to say is a secret."
However, the atmosphere abruptly changed with Gibson's following words.
A change transmitted from his hand, which held her arm.
"It ans giving up honor... but for the sake of our territory children and future..."
Father?
Ner, who was looking at the moon, turned her gaze to Gibson.
He whispered.
"...Can you endure... Betrayal?"
"...............Yes...?"
In that instant, Ner doubted her own ears.
Bring the information that can destroy the Red Flas. As the vice-captains wife, you will be able to access such information soday.
Even without listening carefully, she could sense what Gibson was thinking.
"...We're in a situation where we need to extinguish urgent grievances. The war with the Demon King will soon co to an end. If we just get through this last crisis, we can gradually regain our past strength. Not only us, but many other nobles will be the sa."
"...F-Father..."
"Naturally, the influence of the rcenary units will diminish accordingly. Knowing this fact, the Red Flas is also taking you with them. They are seeking a way to survive. Carrying us on their backs."
"Endure quietly until the war is over. Wait until Blackwood regains its strength. Afterward, if you find the weaknesses of the Red Flas and send information... by any ans necessary. Whether by shattering the Red Flas with another rcenary group or by joining forces with other families to dismantle and annihilate them... however it may be, I will break them, and save you."
It was a sincere proposal from her father.
For the first ti, Ner felt as if his own voice had reached her.
Emotions she had suppressed surged forth again.
Despite how pathetic it seed, she made a request once more.
"...Is there truly... no way to avoid marriage...?"
Gibson showed no reaction at all.
Marriage was now inevitable.
With tears in her eyes, Ner asked about his next best solution.
"...Sniff... Will you rescue later?"
Ners voice was sinking, and she had no choice but to hold on to the rope. There was no other way.
Gibson slowly pulled Ner's head close to his chest.
For Ner, it was the warmth of her father that she felt for the first ti.
"...I sincerely apologize for putting you in this situation. I... didn't want to sell you either."
While feeling sobbing heart, Ner still pointed out the unresolved issues.
Although there was hope with the ergence of an escape route, there were things that wouldn't change.
"...What about my purity all this ti?"
"...Sniff... Father... What about my dignity?"
Even if things worked out and she escaped from the Red Flas, her innocence would not be restored.
She couldn't expect such a thing from a savage human filled only with lust.
During the war's end and while Blackwood regained its strength, it was certain that she would be violated as much as he pleased.
Could her fated partner, whom she would et soday, accept her impurity?
Ner was not confident.
"...Deceive him sohow. He can't treat you recklessly either. If he makes a mistake there, it will be like opposing all of Blackwood's allies, in other words, the nobles... He will respect your opinion."
"How can you know that? He is ... a human."
Gibson didn't answer.
For Ner, that was enough of an answer.
It was ti to prepare ntally.
Ner wiped her tears and asked for clear information.
"...Haaa... How long... how long do I have to wait?"
One yearOr two years
"When the ti cos... will you let know that you are ready?"
Even in the midst of this, Ner doubted Gibson's words. It might have been a lie to make her obedient and then discard her.
"Of course. I promise on your mother's honor."
But Gibson's promise was not false.
Uhhhhh
Ner shed tears by her father's side, who promised a definite end.
Gibson continued to console Ner and explain.
"But above all else... I hope you find happiness there. That way no one will get hurt
Ner shook her head.
"My partner... My partner is not a rcenary."
Even if there was only one thing she knew, the vice-captain of the Red Flas was not her destined partner.
He wasn't even a noble.
Gibson seed to be moved by Ner's response.
"...Then find the information."
Ner's body relaxed entirely.
It was the mont when she finally accepted the marriage.
If it was a hell that would end soday, she decided to endure it again this ti.
Her grandmother said her destiny opponent cherishes herself.
Even if she t him without her purity, she believed that he would surely treat her with care... She had to believe in it.
Once again, she had no choice but to believe in her grandmother's prophecy and gather her strength.
Once again, she had no choice but to believe in the prophecy and endure.
After all, she was accustod to waiting.
****
Berg, can we beco nobles too?"
It was late at night.
I was gazing at the moon from the room I was guided to.
As the mbers of our group passed around the light liquor they had brought, I joined in on Adam Hyungs sudden, out-of-context remarks.
"Why all of a sudden?"
He spread his arms and pointed around.
"This kind of life is good."
The mansion that served as our residence was a grand mansion.
Adam Hyung continued to look around the elegantly furnished room.
I raised my head and asked again.
So, why?
The question about nobility wasn't because of a good house.
Having known Adam Hyung for a long ti, that was clear.
Adam Hyung sighed with a sense of frustration, licked his lips, and whispered.
No. When I look around the Blackwood Territory... everyone seems happy."
"They may seem happy. But they called us right before they were about to die."
"The soldiers died, not their families."
"...So what does that have to do with us becoming nobles?"
"I'm just wondering if we could live stable lives if we had independent power."
"The Red Flas is great... But we are rcenaries, so there are too many people dying.
Compared to other rcenary groups, the casualty rate was incredibly low... but as close-knit as it was, the death of each individual had a significant impact.
I sympathized with his words a hundred tis.
I continued to listen attentively to Hyung's words.
"It would be nice if we had land we could rule over."
I snorted.
Within my laughter, there was also respect for him. He always seed to be thinking only about the mbers.
Since I am not a noble, I have no land. I cant even farm. That's why we keep being rcenaries like this."
"Sounds like you want to live by farming soday?"
"If I could, that would be the best, Berg. But I said, when the war ends, we'll have to find a new path."
I sensed the sincerity in his words.
I didnt spit out any jokes I was about to throw, nor any insincere replies.
Instead, I spoke with the best answer I could co up with using my stubborn head.
"...Maybe you should marry a noble, Hyung. That might give us so hope."
"Forget about that. Even if I beco a noble that way, I won't get land."
"Then what do we do?"
Adam Hyung shrugged his shoulders.
"I don't know, Berg. I just wish I could be born again."
While we were sincerely discussing our worries together, unable to bear it any longer, I burst into laughter at Adam's nonsensical words.
End of Chapter
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