Episode 244

Hours passed, and soon the ship began to depart.

They had rented the largest ship among those docked, ensuring the journey’s comfort was top-notch.

For them, who had always viewed the sea as a source of suffering and pain, the satisfaction was indescribable.

A refreshing breeze combed through their hair, and the dazzling sunlight reflected off the sea, revealing an unbelievably beautiful scene before their eyes.

The ship’s old decorations also exuded an inexplicably antique atmosphere.

Those who came out to the deck couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.

“Ah…”

“The outside of the island is this beautiful…”

The distant view of a small village blending with the vast sea evoked a simple yet liberating feeling.

It was a sight far removed from the tragedies of ancient wars they had remembered and recorded for posterity.

The elders shared this sentiment, casting a somewhat disillusioned and distant gaze towards the sea.

On one side of the deck, Ray handed a drink to Ha-el, saying,

“Quite a nice view, isn’t it?”

Without turning his gaze, Ha-el nodded in agreement.

“They say there are all sorts of beautiful scenes and cultures outside. This view proves it right. I quite like this scenery.”

“Though it’s not all as nice as it seems.”

A laugh escaped at the world-weary tone.

“How could a place inhabited by people have only good things? But what about the report you mentioned last time?”

He answered while sipping his drink.

“Ah, it’s the Holy Kingdom we’re talking about. Wouldn’t they have space for just two hundred people? If it’s a simple report, I’ve already finished it, so don’t worry too much.”

Ha-el shook his head at his words.

“What I’m worried about is not that. Whether we, who know nothing of the outside, can manage… Honestly, thinking about what comes next is a bit worrying.”

At that moment, Elder Xian, who had been quietly listening, stepped forward.

“Elder Ha-el need not worry. Though our experience is limited and we know little of the outside, haven’t we always managed to get by? This time will be no different; we’ll safely overcome it.”

Comforted by the elder’s words, Ha-el showed a slight smile.

“…You’re right. It seems I’ve become a bit weak upon coming to a new place.”

“Ha-ha-ha. To think there’s a time when the elder feels weak, what a rare sight.”

After exchanging a few more words, Ray quietly left the deck.

He headed to the room where the clan leader was.

Recently, the words of Elder Mead, who was on his deathbed, weighed heavily on him, so he had been spending time talking with the clan leader.

As usual, when he opened the door and entered, the clan leader awoke from meditation.

“You’re here again.”

“Checking on the patient’s condition is part of a doctor’s duty.”

He still spouted lots of incomprehensible things.

The clan leader sighed deeply.

“Haah… Haven’t I told you before? I’ve recovered enough that you don’t need to come anymore.”

Ray nodded in agreement.

It was natural for the clan leader’s condition to be good.

He had not only corrected the misaligned qi but had also completely redefined it with a new concept.

Having revamped him entirely, it would have been problematic if he hadn’t recovered.

He smirked and said,

“Sharing a pleasant conversation between old friends isn’t too bad, is it?”

“Conversations shared in boredom can have both charm and annoyance. What is it that you always come wanting to talk about?”

Catching the flow but pinpointing the essence, he broached his purpose.

“We haven’t been on the ship for long, but I was thinking it’s about time to start teaching you things necessary for your livelihood.”

The clan leader thought for a moment at Ray’s words, then readily nodded.

“If it’s about that, I’d rather ask you a favor.”

The clan leader showed a more positive response than expected.

I had feared rejection, but it seems my worry was unnecessary.

However, the clan leader soon showed signs of discomfort and spoke,

“I’m sorry, but could you leave if your business is done? I need to finish my meditation.”

I didn’t understand why meditation was so important, but the elder’s gaze was firm, leaving no room for disagreement.

There will be time and opportunities to harvest in the future.

There’s no need to rush things, especially since there will be more chances to talk in the future.

“Today should be enough.”

He bowed lightly and then left the room.

Despite visiting daily, the cold response remained unchanged.

It’s astounding how a person can consistently be so cold, enough to make one’s tongue curl even by Gyujung’s standards of Huajunghwa.

He shivered at the coldness that could kill an ice troll with a single blow.

As Ray finished all the pilgrimages and was returning to the Holy Kingdom with the hero’s tribe,

The Silia Kingdom was in turmoil.

Nobles seated around a long table were raising their voices and arguing with each other.

“The Saint must be acquired at all costs.”

“Just the news from the Holy Kingdom is unbelievable, let alone that the Saint personally handled the Wyvern Mountains and the imperial power struggle in the Lesian Empire. If we miss this chance, we’ll regret it for a hundred years!”

“Besides, wasn’t the Saint originally not from the Silia Kingdom?”

Opposing them, some voiced their frustration,

“But how do you propose we bring him? The target is now fully integrated into the ranks of powerful countries, and the subject is their Saint. If you have a concrete plan, let’s hear it.”

“That is…”

Though they were vocal, they lacked any feasible plan.

As the nobles fell silent like mute bees, the king, who had been quiet, stepped forward.

He spoke softly, glowing with an idea,

“It is said that heroes in any era have a fondness for women. It’s an old and secluded method, but above all, it’s a certain one.”

After a moment of silence, the king continued,

“I am considering sending Princess Celestina. What do you think?”

The nobles were stunned by this radical suggestion.

Princess Celestina! She was renowned both inside and outside the castle as a talented lady and the most beautiful woman in the kingdom.

So perfect in the eyes of others that she hadn’t been properly matched for marriage due to the overwhelming proposals, and suddenly there was a foreign candidate.

Several nobles, coveting Princess Celestina internally, vehemently opposed,

“It’s unacceptable. Regardless of the Saint’s stature, his origins lie in the common folk of our kingdom. How could we pair such a person with Princess Celestina?”

“That’s right. The events in the Lesian Empire must have been mere coincidences. It’s impossible for a human to achieve such non-human feats.”

Despite their desperate opposition, the king shook his head.

The Saint’s act of repelling the necromancer at the border was a well-known fact.

With that alone, he more than deserves a duchy, not to mention his exceptional intellect making it a deal not to be missed.

Of course, the king was bitter about sending his most beloved daughter for a political marriage.

Ultimately, the council was divided into supporters and opponents.

“It’s a brilliant idea! Princess Celestina could certainly win the Saint’s heart.”

“If we can secure the Saint, it would significantly strengthen our kingdom’s power.”

“Joining the ranks of powerful nations wouldn’t be a dream.”

The phrase ‘powerful nation’ amplified the voices of the supporters.

However, the opponents came back stronger than before,

“It is said that too much is worse than not enough. The Saint has surpassed being under someone’s command; forcing him might only breed resentment.”

The clan leader showed a more positive response than expected.

I had feared rejection, but it seems my worry was unnecessary.

However, the clan leader soon showed signs of discomfort and spoke,

“I’m sorry, but could you leave if your business is done? I need to finish my meditation.”

I don’t understand why meditation is so important, but the elder’s gaze was firm, leaving no room for disagreement.

There will be time and opportunities to harvest in the future.

There’s no need to rush things, especially since there will be more chances to talk in the future.

“Today should be enough.”

He bowed lightly and then left the room.

Despite visiting daily, the cold response remains unchanged.

It’s astounding how a person can consistently be so cold, enough to make one’s tongue curl even by Gyujung’s standards of Huajunghwa.

He shivered at the coldness that could kill an ice troll with a single blow.