“Aha, I see.”
Before getting off the plane.
With about an hour left, the princess gave a brief lecture about the desert clans. While most people already knew about them, it was a useful lecture for newcomers like me and Daphne.
“It’s something you need to keep in mind this year as well, so make sure you understand them.”
Shortly after, palace officials circulated around, distributing papers. I scrutinized the paper that read ‘Warning! Caution!’ in bright red ink.
- At 8 o’clock in the morning, desert time, even if you hear cries near the historical ruins of the oasis, ignore them.
- At the entrance of the Kun tribe’s territory, there are a total of seven ‘Statues of Past Lakurums.’ If there are eight, do not look back, just pass by.
- Do not utter the number ‘8’ out of your mouth during Lakurum.
‘… It’s spooky.’
What could be inferred from this was that the people of the desert had an intense aversion to the number ‘8’.
I leaned over to Lacius and asked lowly.
“Do the desert people hold a grudge against the number ‘8’?”
“It was said that there were 11 successor candidates for the primordial Lakurum, who served in the desert. Among them, the most promising candidate was the eighth.”
Oh, I’ve heard this kind of story a lot before. In the truly eclectic and hybridized world setting, I simply nodded my head. Honestly, I felt like I knew what the rest of the story was going to be without even listening.
“However, the primordial Lakurum did not recognize the eighth. You’re not fully awakened yet. That’s what the primordial Lakurum always said.”
“Hmm.”
“Then one day, the day finally came when he had to choose a successor, and it was the ‘first candidate’ who he chose. The strongest was the eighth, but the primordial Lakurum chose the first, which was slightly weaker than the eighth, but had a good personality, was upright, and had a strong will, so it would not be swayed by evil. In the end, the eighth…”
“Did he betray?”
“Yes. He made a contract with a devil and planned to kill all the candidates except himself and even the primordial Lakurum. Of course, it was discovered early, and the rest of the candidates joined forces to seal the eighth.”
“Aha.”
“The place where he was sealed is where the Lakurum Festival is held every year, and it is a traditional historic site.”
What a foolish move. If he was going to betray, he should have done it properly without getting caught. Honestly, I believe I would have managed not to get caught if it were me.
‘Well, before that, I probably wouldn’t have bothered with a rebellion because it seemed like too much trouble….’
A simple, uncomplicated, and peaceful life is the best!
I will earn money, but I won’t get involved in politics.
Never!
“We’ve arrived. Altitude is descending!”
As the pilot shouted, I looked out the window of the plane and saw that the land was getting closer and closer.
“Wow…”
It really is a desert without a single blade of grass.
Enormous rocks and sand mountains captivated my eyes.
It was a sight I had never seen before, truly a magnificent landscape.
Then, as the altitude of the plane lowered further and further, a desert city where people lived came into view.
Houses with varying heights.
Short olive trees spread all over the place, and fig trees stretched along the riverside.
In a grove of palm trees near the oasis, several people were resting.
The plane landing site is a little further back after passing there.
It was a wide sandy field with several planes from other kingdoms that had already arrived.
“Welcome! Terran guests, please come this way.”
The door swung open and a carpeted staircase spread out.
In front of it was a man from the desert country who came out to greet us.
No, not just any man but a handsome boy.
“My name is Ram Ainur, the fifth prince of the Ram clan. I have come to greet you on behalf of the Ram clan.”
So, he’s a younger brother of Princess Ram Hertiti.
Hearing the unique pronunciation of the boy, I suddenly realized something.
“Lashin, does the desert country have their own language?”
“Ah, I’m not sure about that but each clan has their own language and script.”
“Wow, really?”
“The clans value tradition, so they never give up their language. One of the most respected non-warriors in the clan is a linguist.”
“Oh, I see. I didn’t realize this before because Princess Ram Hertiti is fluent in Terran language.”
“In the Desert Country, all members of the nobility are required to learn Terran. After the war, trade was greatly reduced, but until then, knowing the Terran language was essential for exporting things like olives and pomegranates, which were most abundant in the desert.”
“Then, during this opportunity, the desert will probably make an effort to normalize exports again. Then we should do well too, right?”
“That’s right. I’ve always known you’re smart but you’re really quick to catch on to things.”
This level of deduction might be typical, but compliments are always sweet to hear. I shrugged my shoulders and stepped off the plane.
“We prepared the highest quality ‘Kamal’. Please go up.”
The turbaned desert man pointed to a camel with an awning over its head.
It’s clearly a camel, but here they seem to call it a ‘kamal’.
“Since it’s your first time, you might not be able to mount it properly, so let me help you.”
“Mhm, sure.”
As soon as we got off the plane, an immense heat enveloped us.
A stifling sensation struck my chest, and my head felt like it was being cooked.
My skin already felt like it was burning, and the sand mixed with the breeze stung my face.
I had brought a cloth to cover my mouth, expecting this, but the desert was beyond anything I had imagined.
“You can grab this.”
“Thank you.”
Peridot and the princess, both seemingly experienced, effortlessly mounted the camel themselves.
I was a little envious of that, but I’m a beginner, so what can I do? I’ll just have to hope I don’t fall off.
Lacius held my waist, swiftly lifted me, and placed me on the cloth saddle placed between the camel’s humps.
Surprisingly, the intense heat that had made me sweat profusely was alleviated within just a minute. It was as if the scorching temperature had been mitigated.
‘Ah, so this awning is enchanted with a cooling spell’
The awning was made of a silver thread sewn onto a white background, and various colors of tassels dangled around its edges.
Being placed directly above the head, it not only blocked the direct sunlight on us but would also help to make the journey less tiring for the camel.
Prince Ram Ainur guided the camel with the princess from the front.
“The leader of the Ram clan seems quite meticulous.”
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