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Chapter 346
Sand and Stone
Hudret drew his sword and held it up to the sky.
"Captain of the Knights, inform the Holy Nation. That I shall open the prelude to a sacred holy war!"
The resonance of a man loving a single woman filled the audience chamber.
"This time, I'll put an end to those cowardly demons ever coveting this land!"
Hudret became a single massive wave, rising with heat.
Еn̄ um̊á. і̀ d̈_
'Did he accept seeing some political gain?'
It seemed he had his own convictions, in his own way.
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Strange, but... Hudret had something that resonated with Ferda.
"What are you dilly-dallying for?"
He suddenly said, looking at Ferda.
"Doesn't seem like we'll stop at being allies. Shouldn't we move a bit faster, Regent?"
Еn̄ ůmа̊ .i̇d̄
"Of course."
Nothing else matters.
The only thing to be grateful for is that he's on my side right now.
* * *
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
We moved to the next destination.
A city where scorching heat rose, reflected by the sunlight.
E ǹŭ m ä
'Halim.'
A city of pleasure, decadence, and sin.
Ferda stood at its entrance.
His heart felt even more stifled than when he stood before the gates of the Odograsado Holy Empire and the Hudret Kingdom.
He didn't know how to persuade the man he'd meet today.
'A southerner died in a foreign land.'
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The south and the empire have never been on good terms since ancient times.
When a merchant was beaten to death on the imperial border, the south united and splendidly smashed the empire's border, turning it into yet another desert.
Since then, there was a saying in the south.
'When those blessed by Set die in a foreign land, you must without fail make their grievance known, and repay a single drop of spilled blood with a river. This shall be recorded on eternal stone tablets.'
That meaning has been passed down through generations, and now Ahmed Hashim, the real power of the south, was upholding it.
'Ahmed Hashim......'
Ӗ n̄ŭm̆а . і.d
The man who made the city of pleasure great. A figure with that much cold political judgment.
I don't think he'll show a friendly face forever.
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He'll surely seize strategic advantage through this matter.
That was the common consensus.
I need to stay sharp.
At minimum, I need to get a spoonful.
W еb̈ n о̂vel Е̌ ñ umа
"I apologize for making you wait, Regent Ferda."
They called Ferda's name again as he waited for entry permission.
Behind him, a splendid rickshaw was placed before Ferda.
"The Lord bids me escort you. Please, this way......"
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Ferda climbed onto the rickshaw, and the wheels turned.
He goes before the owner of this splendid city.
Ẇ е́ b̊ n̂_ov̇е l̇ Е̃ ǹ um̂а
However, his destination was not the castle.
A place somewhat deeper than that.
A place with only a statue of Set and behind it, an entrance leading underground.
At a glance, it looked like an underground prison.
'A mausoleum.'
He could understand why it was a mausoleum.
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The corpses sent from Hestia should have arrived by now.
"Welcome, Regent Ferda. I apologize for choosing a place unsuitable for a meeting."
"Not at all."
Ahmed Hashim.
He looked down at the southerners' corpses.
"It's rare for corpses to enter this mausoleum. With their lowly status as mere laborers, it's near impossible. Do you know what the condition is?"
Е́ n ǔ ṁ a. і̇ d̆
"Those who met their deaths in a foreign land...... aren't they?"
Ahmed nodded.
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"That's one. Mostly, it's custom to hold grand funerals for those who've strayed from Set's blessing. It means to remember their deaths."
I knew it would come to this.
When the southerners said they'd participate, I should've stopped their participation by any means necessary.
"I know it's a serious matter."
Ѐ ń um̌а̄
"It is a serious matter."
Ahmed took his eyes off the corpse and looked at Ferda.
"Such a thing happened in the Far East, yet how could we stay still when we've formed a bond of brothers?"
The atmosphere and his words were different from what was expected.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Didn't you say a monster attack caused trouble?"
Wê b̄n̆ о v̌ё l̂ Е n ũ m̄а̌
"That's true, but."
"Judging by your reaction, that's not why you asked. Perhaps...... you want to speak about blood revenge?"
Blood revenge.
A rule written using the southern merchant who died in the empire as a catalyst.
The grievance of one who died in a foreign land must be made known without fail, and a single drop of blood must be repaid with a river.
"At least from my standpoint, that's how it is."
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At that, Ahmed laughed, "Haha."
"Regent. That blood revenge is a story from when we were branded as a heretic group by Alte's followers. Back then, they treated southern humans as nothing but black beasts. That's why that warning was needed. If we didn't treat it that seriously, who would protect our rights?"
I know that's the intent of the rule.
Since experts said Ahmed would use it, Ferda had kept it in mind.
"Imperial citizens think southerners are uncivilized things that just scoop sand in the desert. Our ancestors made money stripping away those damn bastards' hypocrisy. But even with that much money, the habit of looking down on us wouldn't stop. Calling us greedy goblins and all."
There's a greedy goblin in fairy tales.
Wе b̂ n̄ о v̂ еl Е̇ n u m̀а̊
Engaging in usury and gambling, appearing as villains who corrupt good people - that was the Hashim family's story.
Even possessing power to make kings kneel, he's depicted as a single goblin.
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"But you didn't. Unlike the arrogant imperial humans, you respected everything without discrimination. Like that solid wall woven from sand and stone."
Ahmed grinned.
"They say that solid wall gave our artisans new inspiration too. Didn't know those haughty artisans would say such a thing."
"........"
Ёn̂ u m̌ ӓ.i̇d
"I heard there were threats to your life, but I know it was bluffing for the Regent to crack the whip, so no need to worry."
Coincidentally, it wasn't just empty words.
Ferda had truly been prepared to kill them, and that's why they recognized each other as sharing a common enemy.
"The south and empire have never been on good terms since ancient times. I was certain that place would become a new venue for harmony. If we miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, it'll never come again."
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"Will you help us?"
Ferda asks directly.
Ѐ n̊ ǔ_ṁ а
Ahmed smiled and looked down at the corpses again.
"As I said, there aren't many ways for them to enter this mausoleum with their status. And they didn't enter because they died in a foreign land."
"Then......"
"They came here as warriors who devoted themselves to protecting the sacred sanctuary."
Sanctuary.
Hestia had Set's sanctuary.
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And they died protecting that sanctuary.
"The sanctuary is the southerners' haven. Wherever the haven is, there's a duty to protect it."
Ahmed placed a hand on Ferda's shoulder and spoke softly.
"As long as the sanctuary is in Hestia, Set's blessing will remain in Hestia."
Saying that, Ahmed added a codicil.
"Of course, for future business, there'll be things you must give up, but I believe you'll turn a blind eye out of brotherly affection. Haha!"
Ё ńu̇ m̊а̂
It was less his true feelings and more words to lower his guard.
Ferda quietly bowed his head to him.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
"I won't disappoint you, matching the value you've placed on this precious connection."
"If you do that, I'll be grateful. And......"
He smiled slyly.
"There's one gift. There's someone here you'll like."
Е ñumа.іd
"I don't mean to embarrass you, but I already know."
"Aah, as expected."
Ahmed laughed meaningfully.
"Shall I attach an escort?"
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Ferda shook his head.
"No. I'll go alone."
Е́ǹ u m̂.a
"As far as I know, it didn't end well."
"An escort is already enough. And there probably won't be bloodshed."
"I see. May Set's blessing be with you."
Ferda bowed his head in courtesy to him and turned around.
The place Ferda headed to was a luxury suite in a hotel connected to the casino.
He received a key but didn't need to use it.
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He hadn't locked the door.
Ferda opened the door.
The thick southern scent mixed with alcohol made his head dizzy.
No, with the foul stench of vomit mixed in between, you could tell how many times he'd drank and thrown up.
That self-destructive behavior must stem from guilt.
In the center, fragrant with the scent of guilt, was a single man.
Wе b̀n̆ о̌v́ еl̈ Ē n úmа̇
The same room as back then.
The same sofa.
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But a different feeling.
Ferda spoke what he saw as-is and approached.
"No handsome man in sight, just a haggard old man left. If you'd looked like this at first, I wouldn't have felt like hiring you."
Except for the brown ponytail, the atmosphere was completely different from the first meeting.
Ŵ е̇ bnо ṽel̃ Е̂nũḿ ӓ
No one would think this is the sociable Jed Swallow.
Jed's eyes quietly gazed at Ferda.
The smell of mixed alcohol came from his mouth.
"Did you come to handle it personally? Someone so precious?"
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"I don't have many hands and feet I trust."
"Was I in there too, by any chance?"
Eńūm̆a . і d̄
"Someone like you was plenty trustworthy."
"That's unfortunate, then."
Jed brought the liquor bottle to his mouth.
But realizing it was empty, he dropped it on the floor and took out a new one.
"Don't just stand there awkwardly, sit down. Want a drink?"
He knew well that Ferda didn't drink.
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It was just a cliché phrase like asking if you've eaten.
"I'll drink."
"......Eh?"
"I said I'll drink."
"........"
Unable to hide his bewilderment at that action, Jed brought a glass from the table corner and handed it to Ferda.
E ń ù mа
Ferda brought the liquor Jed gave to his mouth.
The thick alcohol scent tried to burn his olfactory cells to death.
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Knowing it wasn't something to just drink, Ferda downed it anyway.
"Cough, cough!"
His fragile throat felt like it was on fire, and he coughed for about a minute.
Just one sip led to such an unsightly display.
W̌.е b̊n̊o̊v̌.е̊ l Е_n ů.m а́
"Strong stuff."
"It's not easy for a human who doesn't drink. I shouldn't have offered."
"No. If not now, when would I ever drink something like this?"
Ferda set the glass on the table.
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"Was the princess's kidnapping at Angrem's instigation?"
"Yes."
E ń û m̃ а̊
"He must've threatened you with your younger sister. And he knew who your sister was too."
"A kid named Yubel......"
Jed seemed to already know.
"That woman said. That it was in the Regent's hands."
"That's how it actually turned out."
"........"
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His lips twitched.
He wanted to ask if his longed-for sister was alive, but couldn't dare.
Because of Garnet, a single woman.
The man called a swallow tribe who'd hurt countless women was hesitating over a single woman.
"Yubel is alive."
"........"
W̌ е bnõv́е̊ l̃ Ёň u m̈ ȧ
"And Garnet is still alive too."
"......!"
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Jed's eyes widened momentarily.
"Thanks to you firing the signal flare in time, that woman survived. Didn't you expect that?"
"......I expected it. But it was a dangerous stunt impossible with a sound mind."
Jed looked down at his own hands.
Wё bn̈ ô v еľ Е̂ ň û ṁ a
"Do you know what it feels like to drive a dagger directly into the chest of a woman who trusts you?"
I know a little.
I didn't love her then, but that sensation is still vivid even after time passed.
"I thought betrayal would be easy."
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"........"
"After all, our contract was just finding my sister, so I thought if I just found her, someone like you would be nothing."
Wӗḃ n̄_о̌v́ еl Е̂ n̄u̇ ma
"I see."
"But it wasn't just you I had to betray. How foolish I was......"
Seeing that, Ferda said to Jed.
"Once this is over, Garnet will be executed."
Jed's crumbling head snapped up.
The unfocused eyes gradually sharpened.
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"What...... did you say?"
Ferda calmly threw a lie.
A face with no capacity to even check if Ferda was lying.
"She confessed herself. That she agreed to Jed's plan. She won't survive as an accomplice to the princess's kidnapping."
"No, that can't be. You wouldn't so easily kill a close aide over a mere false confession......"
"Someone has to take responsibility."
Е̃n ů ḿ а̇
"No, Garnet is...... like that...... You would......"
Ferda said nothing.
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Jed's rambling tremors turned to anger.
"Aaaaargh! Damn it! If you lay a hand on Garnet, I'll......!"
He drew a dagger and pointed it at Ferda.
Ferda said nothing.
Е num̌ а̊
No response at all, just looking up at Jed.
Jed's dagger trembled.
The blade that lost its way stabbed into the innocent table.
"Please."
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Jed's head hit the floor.
"That woman...... did nothing. She never betrayed you. Rather, she devoted herself with the resolve to drive an arrow into her own chest for you. If someone dies, let it be me, so please......"
Е̇ ñumӑ . і d̀
The moisture-laden voice finally broke into tears.
"Please spare that woman's life at least."
Ferda was curious how Jed thought of Garnet until the end.
Seeing him beg with his head on the floor now, he was certain.
A misunderstanding that started with threats.
Feeling it go more and more wrong, but no way out once your foot's in the swamp.
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Like struggling in a swamp, the more you make choices, the deeper you're sucked in.
Ferda saw himself in Jed's figure.
What he needed back then was just one thing.
"There's a way to turn everything back."
A chance to undo it.
"This is a way to wash away Garnet's and your sins, and save your sister too."
Еn̄ūm а
Ferda gave that chance to Jed.
"It won't be easy. Just as you staked that woman's life, this time you must stake your own."
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"Dying......"
He can't say he's not afraid.
What person in the world isn't afraid of death?
If I die and become silent, unable to convey words to those who'll shed tears for me,
Wёb̀ n̂.ӧ v̌ ёl̈ Ĕn ům̄а
I just wanted to leave after at least apologizing to my sister's face, or saying sorry to Garnet.
What happens to the two of them without me?
Vague anxiety tormented Jed.
"Don't worry."
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The one who lit a lantern in that darkness was none other than Ferda.
"Even if you die, I'll help Emilia escape from Sierra's hands. And as her guardian, I'll look after her."
Е̊nuḿа́
His foggy head cleared.
He raised his head, and there stood a man with rising intoxication.
The eyes of a rookie who can't even handle a single strong drink properly.
Deep within those eyes lies a deep lake.
"This is the least I can do for a knight who served me."
Jed rose from his seat, overwhelmed with emotion.
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He knelt before Ferda and carefully took his right hand.
"Great Regent of the Valdrova Grand Duchy."
What comes from his mouth is the acrid smell of alcohol.
Yet a sentence with more sincerity than ever flows out, sworn upon Ferda's right hand.
"I will not forget the mercy you bestowed until the day I die."
* * *
Ẁ è b̈n̆ о̇ v́ е l Е n ům а
Northern Serdes Continent, Silverwind's land, Eisenfels.
It was a land where clear skies were hard to see, but sudden dark clouds gathering wasn't common either.
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The thick black clouds that suddenly covered the sky signified clear intervention, and who that intervention was from was obvious.
"Everyone, battle stations!"
At the captains' shouts, the spawns took up weapons and stood on the castle walls.
Soon after, a single lightning bolt struck before Eisenfels.
Е̄.ñ um̀ а .і̂ḋ
A single man stood where the lightning struck.
Deep navy hair and a pair of horns.
His muscular body was clear enough to need no introduction.
That man raised his eyes and looked up at the castle walls.
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Seeing the spawns on guard with weapons, he scoffed a laugh.
"Puppies who don't know to fear a tiger baring their fangs."
Еn̊ u̇m̂а
Storeus walked over with a mocking air.
He gave off the pressure that it wasn't him who should step back, but them.
"Well then, guess I should play with you a bit?"
At that moment, surging current at Storeus's feet.
Crackle!
Lightning streaks surged up over the castle walls.
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They weren't simple lightning streaks.
At the tip of the surging lightning was Storeus, and
Crunch!
One soldier's head sticking out was crushed by Storeus's knee.
Storeus threw off his coat and shouted.
"Come, you worms! Let's enjoy a battle feast!"
Wе̂b ñо̂ v̆ë l Е n̊ u mа
