Light, fire, wind, earth.
Four holy swords possessing the powers of the deities.
Reytan was chosen by Wyndis, the sword of wind, and became a Grand Master.
However, six years ago, when he retired to raise his child, Wyndis was stored in the sacred hall, and the sword has not chosen a new master since.
“Callet, about that holy sword. If it doesn’t have a master, won’t the accumulated power go out of control?”
“Yes. The holy sword’s outburst must be suppressed with divine power. It is said that over the past four years, a significant amount of the church’s divine power has been used for that purpose.”
Callet reported this information directly to Count Travel, who was looking at him.
Reytan was also aware that Wyndis had not yet chosen a new master.
However, he was now an outsider with no connection to the church. Although he felt sorry when he thought of Wyndis, he did not regret his past choice to protect Berry.
Reytan snapped his fingers as if shaking off any lingering feelings.
“Is the church wasting its divine power enough of a reason for Travel to act? Since when have you been so devout?”
The Travel family and the church had maintained a close relationship, but it was merely a connection based on mutual benefits.
Travel provided funds, and the church offered conveniences in return.
The church had now broken that relationship.
“They said that starting this year, they won’t bless the figureheads of ships anymore. They claimed that they couldn’t use the divine power, which is the power of the deity, exclusively for one family.”
Callet explained on behalf of Count Travel, who had clenched his teeth in anger.
One of the main businesses of the Travel family was maritime transportation.
The figureheads at the front of their ships, imbued with divine power, protected the vessels from natural disasters.
Because of this, Travel made substantial donations to the church each year in return for the blessing of the figureheads. It was an essential service for the Travel family’s ships, which frequently passed through typhoon-prone areas.
“Those shameless bastards.”
Count Travel gritted his teeth.
He remembered the words the High Priest had casually uttered a few weeks ago, while laughing.
*But things would be different for a family with a Grand Master. Since they have been allowed to use the divine powers by the deity, using the divine power for their family’s benefit would please the deity as well.”
It was a suggestion to find the retired Reytan and help him return as a Grand Master.
The church, knowing they couldn’t locate Reytan on their own, intended to use the Travel family to do so.
“How dare they say such things?”
They had already received billions of Kona in donations earlier this year!
And now they were saying that the money offered to the deity couldn’t be refunded!
Although I don’t like their hypocritical threats, there isn’t much I can do about it.
“Well, we’ll have to make sure they pay back that debt later.”
This came after they had lost a significant amount when their ship capsized in the middle of the sea after trusting the alchemists who claimed they had succeeded in developing a way to navigate through storms.
If they don’t receive blessings on the figureheads, such incidents will continue to happen, so this time, they’ll have to play along with their game.
“If Young Master Reytan handles this situation, it will greatly influence the next estate competition. Maybe even make it to second place without much difficulty…”
“Shut up, Callet.”
Reytan’s voice carried a lethal intent.
Achievement, family profit, successor ranking… For these, even blood relatives would tear each other apart in this world of beasts.
“Father! Please…!”
“Shut up! Why are you meddling in something that doesn’t even bring in money?”
I was fed up. That’s why I left.
Even after six years, nothing has changed here.
Reytan chuckled bitterly.
“Let me try to persuade the Great Master as you wish, to continue blessing the merchant guild.”
“Alright.”
“But this is the last time. Once this is over, Berry and I will leave, so don’t look for us again. If you don’t want to see your rogue son causing trouble everywhere.”
A faint blue aura briefly rose over Reytan’s shoulders before fading away. He had just warned his father.
It was when Reytan grabbed the door handle.
“Your child…”
Reytan turned his head. Lassek had a deep, thoughtful expression.
As expected, to the great Count Travel, my warning was no more than a mosquito’s buzz.
“How is her health?”
“…What do you mean?”
“I’m asking if she’s been in good health.”
“…………”
An awkward silence hung between the estranged father and son. The door handle didn’t turn.
The Count Travel stared at his second son.
“Her eyes look just like your mother’s, when the day she died.”
3. The Red Hawk Knights
When I woke up, the sun was already high in the sky. It was shocking that no one woke me up.
Does this mean it’s okay to be lazy in Travel?
The excitement I felt was quickly crushed.
“Sleeping in is only for today.”
My dad said as he picked out cufflinks from the velvet case held by the maid.
I couldn’t help but be awed by my dad, who was dressed impeccably from head to toe.
Apparently, I wasn’t the only one thinking this. The maids around me were also sneaking glances at my dad.
“And from tomorrow?”
“Wake up and have breakfast. Even if you don’t change out of your pajamas.”
While I was sleeping soundly, my dad had already washed, eaten breakfast, and changed clothes.
I’m still in my pajamas, getting my hair brushed by sister Sherry. I stretched out my legs on the sofa in my dad’s room, covering my face with both hands.
“Ugh. Life is so tough.”
I complained, and my dad lightly placed his hand on the crown of my head and gave it a gentle shake.
“You’re in your growth period, so it can’t be helped. They say it’s good to get up in the morning and eat breakfast.”
The citrusy scent of his cologne, sprayed on his shirt sleeve, tickled my nose.
Sniff, sniff. My dad smells like nobility.
“But why are you dressed up? Where are you going?”
I asked even though I already knew the answer. The high priests from the nearby temple were waiting for him because of Wyndis.
“To a nearby village. I’ll be back before dinner. Sherry also needs to go to the main house, so you’ll be fine playing alone, right?”
Dad lifted his hand off my head and lightly flicked his thumb and middle finger together. This was a secret signal between us.
It’s our secret code: act immature when others are around.
I nodded in agreement.
“Okay! Why does Sherry need to go to the main house?”
“She needs to get more food supplies from the head butler.”
Oh, that was great news.
‘So, for a few hours, not only will Dad be gone, but even the head butler won’t be able to keep an eye on Stone House?’
I cheered inwardly. With fewer eyes on me, it was a perfect chance to meet the future ally hiding somewhere in Travel.
The only small problem was that one of the remaining people might be a spy from our relatives?
“Then what should I do for fun… It’ll be boring without Dad and Sherry…”
As I looked around the room as if searching for a toy, I made eye contact with one of the maids.
‘The maid that Aunt Marian planted, Anne.’
I smiled sweetly at Anne.
“Sister, will you play with me?”
“Huh? Should I?”
Anne, who didn’t expect me to talk to her, couldn’t hide her delight.
It made sense; ever since she came to Stone House, Anne hadn’t found anything worth reporting to Aunt Marian, and it was making her anxious.
It seemed like Anne was keeping an eye on me, the easy target, to figure out a way to approach me.
‘But I know her weakness~’
Anne had a big weakness for cute things.
And though it’s a bit embarrassing to say, in about a month, Anne will find me so adorable that she’ll want to carry me around in her pocket.
***
Travel Estate.
The Travel estate spanned over 300,000 pyeong (around 991,800 square meters).
The vast land was divided by a large stone wall into two areas: one for the direct descendants of the Travel family and another for those associated with the estate.
Guarding this estate was the Red Hawk Knights, who belonged to the Travel family.
Their training grounds were within the stone wall, to the west of the Travel mansion.
“Hrah-cha!”
“Hup!”
The indoor training hall on the first floor of the annex was filled with the sounds of knights shouting and sweating as they trained.
In front of the more than thirty knights stood the Chief Commander, Rex, with his short gray hair.
“Focus! A knight’s strength comes from both mental and physical endurance!”
Rex’s booming voice echoed through the training hall.
His large build suited his nickname, ‘The Charging Gray Bear.’ His log-like arms rippled with muscle.
“Anyone caught slacking off will face special training!”
“Yes, sir!”
Special training.
“You’ll be reminded of how comfortable the dirt floor of a battlefield can be!”
Definitely something to avoid!
“Yes, sir!”
However, despite their enthusiastic responses, the knights’ attention had been repeatedly drawn elsewhere for a while now.
Pop. Pop.
By the window facing the hallway, something pink kept appearing and disappearing.
‘What is that?’
‘Pink….’
‘A ball of fur?’
