Thud thud
With each step Ian took, the sound of dry branches snapping underfoot filled the air. Amidst the cacophony of sumr insects announcing their presence, Ian wiped away his sweat and called out to Beric.
Beric, are you sure this is the right way?
Probably?
Probably? Is that what you call an answer?
Yes, yes. Theres a black stone here. Ah, yes.
The secluded forest didnt even have proper trails. Since it was impossible to ride horses, they had been walking for what felt like hours. They seed to have crossed the territorial boundary by now.
Although Beric had recently suffered a side wound, he looked as if he had fully recovered. The several days of rest and treatnt, under the guise of healing, appeared to have done him good.
We really should be hiding, right? No one would find us here, would they?
Among the natural hues surrounding them, Ian spotted a foreign color: a light purple skirt hanging from a branch in the distance. Beric waved his hand excitedly, shouting, Found it!
Here it is. Good!
Leading the way by hacking through the bushes with his sword, Beric eventually ca to flat terrain. An old, rundown cabin stood before them, with a small garden plot in front of it.
You managed to find a place like this?
Its an old ho where a lumberjack used to live alone. He ca to sell wood but lost his way due to ntal illness. If its true, there might be other hos nearby. The tavern owner once ntioned it. I dont have a ho anyway.
The cabin looked as if it would collapse with the slightest wind, but a palpable warmth told them soone was living there.
Is anyone ho?
Beric looked around for Philea. Since the kettle was boiling, she couldnt be far off. Ian also examined the cabin, searching for any signs of red herbs or Silasque.
Nothing.
The belongings they had brought from the village didnt seem like much. But what could Philea have taken with her, anyway?
Whowhos there?
Just then, a trembling voice sounded from outside the door. Ian opened it and found himself facing a green-eyed blonde woman who resembled him closely.
Ah!
Philea, apparently caught by surprise, dropped the flowers she was holding and hugged Ian tightly. With extraordinary strength emanating from her small, frail fra.
Ian! Ian!
Have you been well?
Ian! Ahhhh! Thank you! Thank you!
Clutching Ians face with both hands, Philea sobbed as if she were mad. Her reaction was only natural, seeing her son, whom she had feared she might never see again.
Ian what on Earth happened? Huh?
Philea was as beautiful as ever. Looking more like Ians sister than his mother, he lovingly brushed aside her disheveled hair.
Its a long story, Mother. Why dont we sit down and talk?
Did you eat well?
From the looks of it, youre doing fine, arent you?
Beric pulled out a chair with an incredulous look. Philea, too, seed to be in good health. Ian muttered as he observed the simple and neat ho.
Im glad youve adapted to life in the mountains.
It was tough at first, but just being in the semi-basent waking up to the morning sun is nice, and the cool valley is also pleasant. If you forage a little, there are plenty of fruits.
Ian comforted Philea by patting the back of her hand. She burst into tears again, overco with emotion at being able to see her son, who she had t only through disguise.
Ian. Tell about you now. What happened?
Ian briefly explained the events that had transpired. His dealings with Molin, crossing the desert to spend ti with the Heavenly Tribe, the judgnt and battles with Dergha, and finally the execution. Philea couldnt hide her surprise when she heard that Count Bratz had been executed.
Count Bratz is dead?
Mary and Chel had likely t the sa fate.
My God, Ian. We must offer prayers to the gods.
She looked genuinely happy and seed to understand why Ian was safely here.
Mother, theres sothing I need to tell you.
Anything, my child.
Ian smiled sadly. She didnt know that her angelic son was Emperor Ian. He felt a strange emotion at her innocence.
Derghas flag has been broken, but there are still many tasks ahead. People are coming down from the central regions.
I see. Okay.
I plan to go up to the central regions later, following them.
Tsk. Beric clicked his tongue as he poured tea. A shadow of despair descended upon Phileas face once again. Her eyes moistened, but she waited, knowing her son had not yet finished speaking.
I cant be sure whether or not youll be able to accompany .
Even so
What does it an, even so?
Philea looked at Ian with teary eyes.
If you still want to, you can see , right?
Of course.
Its not dangerous?
It wont be.
Then its settled. Im content. I dont even want to go down to the village. Im very satisfied with living in the forest. If you can live through the sa ti without dying, then thats enough for .
As a mother, how could she harbor any other feelings when her child has chosen this path? She was grateful enough that he had returned alive.
Once the situation clears up, youll be free to live as you wish. It wont take long. Ill arrange a place in the village before I leave.
Its alright, Ian. Im really okay.
After Dergha died, Ian had returned alive.
To wish for more would be to invite divine punishnt.
Theres sothing else Id like to ask.
Hmm. What is it?
About the red potted plant you gave at the park.
The Silasque, a never-wilting red flower. As extraordinary as that was, there was even a jewel necklace buried beneath it.
Do you rember where you got it?
Of course. Isnt it the paynt I received for running an errand for a rchant?
A rchant?
When Ian asked, Philea seed to get flustered as if she should rember such a not-so-distant event.
It was a pretty big rchant. I dont rember the na, but they were short on hands so even you had to go. But the rchant was generous enough to give even a potted plant.
Is there anything more you rember?
Um Ah! There was soone really valuable in the rchant group. Ma, Ma.
Philea frowned as if she were choking. She tilted her head, trying to dredge up the mories of that day.
All I rember is that you were very happy that day.
I see.
There were no certainties, but it was clear that the mysterious rchant had sothing to do with both the Silasque and the jewel. Considering its large scale, there should be soone in the village who rembers.
Feeling that this was enough, Ian stood up.
Leaving already?
I have so things piled up.
Philea couldnt hide her disappointnt. The tea hadnt even cooled yet. Ian felt a bit regretful and added, Ill send so chickens through Beric. It might be lonely in the forest; you can raise them.
Oh, that would be great!
If theres anything you need, please feel free to tell .
Ah! Ian, do you need any grula seeds?
Caught off guard by the unexpected question, Ian paused. Philea lightly walked into the inner storage room and brought out two large sacks.
You said to collect grula seeds if I had ti. There are two more bags outside.
The sacks were filled with tiny seeds, about the size of cherry tomatoes. There must have been hundreds. It was as if she had harvested all the grula in the vicinity.
Where are the grulas, from which the seeds were removed?
I took them to the cliff.
Beric, too, upon sweeping his hand over the seeds, was astonished. He couldnt believe Philea had collected so many useless grula seeds all by herself.
It seems you have a talent in horticulture.
Tis all I have after three als a day, so I did it as a pasti, and here we are.
Indeed, Philea had hidden herself since before Ian crossed the border. He hadnt noticed because of the whirlwind of events, but several peaceful yet lonely months had passed here.
Dont you need them?
Philea cautiously observed her sons expression as she asked. Despite having gathered the seeds as instructed, the response seed less enthusiastic than she had expected.
No, Mother. Youve really done a great job.
Smiling towards Philea, Ian tied the mouth of the sack. He was impressed that she rembered his casual request and acted on it. Feeling as if she had received so sort of reward, Philea smiled warmly back.
The timing is perfect.
Is it? Thats really fortunate.
It was a sumr when farrs would normally be sweating in the fields. However, they were busy with the reconstruction of the village. Moreover, the crops that had sprouted in spring had been trampled by military boots, hadnt they?
Mother, actually, these seeds are edible.
Huh? What are you talking about?
The poison is not in the seeds. They can be stir-fried, grilled, or boiled.
Is her son joking? Philea scrutinized Ians face but saw no signs of jest. Beric also narrowed his eyes and questioned Ian.
Have you gone mad?
Actually, they taste good even when eaten raw.
Instead of answering, Ian popped one of the seeds into his mouth. Beric and Philea simultaneously rushed toward him in alarm.
Oh my, Ia, Ian!
Spit it out! Quick, what are you doing?
Crunch crunch
However, unfazed, Ian savored the nutty flavor as he chewed the seed. He looked into the sack and assessed the number of seeds before giving instructions.
Beric, looks like youll have to do so hard work.
What, what is it?
Given that youre using honorifics, it seems youve caught on.
Do you want to move this below?
Yes. Secretly, discreetly. Hide it in the manors storage.
Ah.
Crunch
Once more, Ian grabbed another seed and popped it into his mouth. Stuck in a situation where she could do neither this nor that, Philea panicked. anwhile, Beric lay down, cursing and swallowing his words.
Smirking, Ian looked far off below the ridge, confirming the clear view of what used to be the Bratz territory.
***
anwhile, Romandro, dispatched as a reconstruction expert and adviser, had a frown as he looked out of the carriage. He was so frustrated that he wanted to jump out and run back to the capital right now.
Im going insane, really.
Given that he was in a remote area, that was one thing, but the situation at the site was unusual. The most problematic thing was his travel companion, a high-ranking mber of the administration.
Seriously, His Highness 1st Prince Mariv is too much. I just ca back after restoring the temple from the earthquake, and now hes sending here I want to go ho.
And as if that was not enough, Mariv had secretly ordered to keep tabs on him. He hadnt even arrived yet, but already he wanted to go back.
What do you think the situation is in the forr Bratz territory?
Well, according to the report from Commander Erica, its quite severe. I dont know how its being handled, but it would be fortunate if I dont get stoned when I get there.
Romandro muttered under his breath, barely audibly.
Only Sir Molrin knew that Ian was stationed in Bratz territory with Cheonrye. If this got out, the imperial palace might send a large force, making any plan for rebellion futile.
I hope nothing surprising happens when we get there.
Molrin recalled the old days in the Bratz territory as he turned his head. Then he fondly fingered the letter from Erica that he had kept in his possession.
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