042
No one refuted the assertion.
The inevitability of war was a given; the only question was when it would happen.
When would it break out?
“The imperial family’s oppression of non-human races is becoming more severe by the day. Although we’ve managed to protect the merfolk from harm, the same cannot be said for other races.”
“When I spoke with the half-elves, they mentioned that the elves’ animosity towards humans runs deep. From what I heard, it wouldn’t be surprising if something happened at any moment.”
Diegon hadn’t accepted the half-elves into the navy simply because his daughter had saved them.
He had gained information from them and provided them with a place to stay in return.
While half-elves were ostracized within their own race, that didn’t mean they were oblivious to everything.
After all, they were over a hundred years old.
“About three years ago, the captain of the Genome Knights reportedly cut down a tree they held sacred.”
“Oh.”
This incident, which marked the open conflict between the elves and the imperial family, wasn’t something orchestrated by the emperor.
The captain of the Genome Knights had had a disagreement with the elves and, as an example, felled the tree—but it just so happened to be one of the untouchable ones.
Naturally, the imperial family couldn’t simply hand over such a high-ranking knight.
They issued a suspension and pay cut as punishment, but the elves weren’t the type to care about such measures.
“Elves, being long-lived, are wise. They wouldn’t fight humans alone. They’ll likely form alliances with other races, such as the dwarves, who are skilled blacksmiths.”
“That’s entirely possible. Recently, the imperial family has been increasing the weapons quota imposed on the dwarves every year. The first emperor spoke of coexistence with non-human races, but the current emperor’s actions lean more towards oppression.”
After Galizard and Diegon finished speaking, Violet’s sapphire-blue eyes sparkled.
“The emperor is constantly looking for an opportunity to diminish Pashayen’s power. As soon as the conflict with the elves surfaces, he’ll likely ask us for military support. When Pashayen is left vulnerable…”
“Territorial wars will erupt. Many families will take advantage of the chaos. Tsk.”
It was a simple chain of events.
The imperial family fights the elves.
To minimize their losses and weaken the major families, the imperial family requests troops.
With Pashayen left defenseless, territorial wars ensue.
“If war with the non-human races breaks out, why not deploy Cecilia? She would be more effective on the battlefield than here.”
At Violet’s gentle suggestion, Galizard chuckled heartily.
“That might actually be for the best. Once she loses her temper, there’s no controlling her.”
No matter what happened outside their territory, the head of the family and the Resonator never intervened.
Engaging in wars beyond their lands was the responsibility of the head or the admiral—a custom that Pashayen strictly followed.
The appointments for such matters were solely determined through discussions between the head and deputy head.
It just so happened that Cecilia’s ability was particularly suited for large-scale warfare.
“But Cecilia might resist. Joining a war against non-human races would jeopardize her standing in Pellun. No matter how much merit she earns outside, it wouldn’t help her gain influence within the family.”
When Maliasha voiced her concern, Galizard stroked his beard again.
“I’ll think about it. Nothing has happened yet, after all. The problem is her greed—it’s far too excessive for what she can handle.”
Although no one said it out loud, the four of them were thinking the same thing.
Cecilia’s personality.
To put it nicely, she’s ambitious. To put it bluntly, she’s ruthless.
She wouldn’t willingly go to the battlefield, and if forced, she might choose to start a civil war instead.
“It would be nice if this could be resolved peacefully, but the emperor isn’t that kind of person. He’ll try to exploit any opportunity that comes his way.”
As Violet spoke softly, she refilled everyone’s teacups.
A brief silence followed as they sipped their freshly poured tea, and then Diegon stood up.
“We don’t know if war will break out today or tomorrow, but we must focus on raising the next generation well.”
He didn’t consider the possibility of not returning.
After all, he had a young daughter. Whatever happened on the battlefield, he had to survive and come back.
But… there’s always that ‘what if.’
If he were to lose his life, Mikard would immediately have to take command of the entire army.
“Ilyad and Naiad are excellent children. And who knows what abilities the other children might develop as their potential blossoms… I look forward to it, Di.”
It was the deputy family head’s responsibility to place children with awakened abilities in the right positions.
With war looming, the deputy family head’s role was even more critical.
In the event of territorial conflict, no matter how young, the children couldn’t just remain safe and hidden.
As awakened individuals and rightful heirs of Pashayen, they had to step up to protect their people.
Living sheltered lives like greenhouse flowers wasn’t the Pashayen way.
That was the behavior of lower-ranking families.
Pashayen bore pride in its name and carried responsibilities equal to its privileges.
No one would turn a blind eye to their duties.
“We don’t know when the elves will start a war, but let’s hope it happens as late as possible.”
Finally, Maliasha held the hands of her daughter and husband. Diegon bowed to his parents and slowly walked out.
‘I hope things go smoothly at Shupetty.’
Of course, with Leviwood in charge, he didn’t think anything major would happen. Still, a father’s worry was inevitable.
‘The child hasn’t even called me ‘Dad’ once, though…’
Don’t rush things.
Someday, she will open his heart.
Even though he understood he couldn’t shelter the children forever, not being able to watch over them as they went on a picnic weighed heavily on his heart.
***
“This must be heaven, no doubt about it.”
“Heaven? What’s that?”
“It’s a really, really good place!”
At that moment, at the picnic site.
Sunlight filtered through the large rows of old nook trees along the riverbank.
There were also many small bushes bearing blueberries, so I wandered around picking berries until my fingertips turned purple.
Lina washed all the berries I picked.
I smiled brightly and ate the blueberries one by one.
I even shared some with Ilyad and Naiad without being greedy.
Because after eating salmon sandwiches, lamb skewers, two apples, and ice cream, my stomach felt just right.
“This area is regularly maintained by the family. That’s why there’s hardly any weeds or bugs,”
“Ah, I see.”
Listening intently, I gathered the remaining blueberries and waddled over.
“Brother, Joy, eat this.”
“You picked this much? That’s amazing.”
Brother Elzen and Joy were inseparable, even here. But when I approached, they made space for me between them.
I nestled in and grabbed a handful of blueberries, munching on them happily.
“For someone so small, you sure eat a lot. You’ve been eating non-stop since earlier,”
“Yeah. I’m a big eater!”
Joy looked at me curiously as I ate and then handed back the blueberries I had shared with her earlier.
She propped her chin on her knee and let out a thoughtful “Hmm.”
“This feels strange. Are you really four years old?”
“Yes!”
“I don’t think so… Are you a half-elf?”
Joy twirled a strand of my hair around her finger. Watching this, brother Elzen picked up a blueberry and popped it into Joy’s mouth.
“Shupetty doesn’t show any characteristics of a half-elf, Joy.”
“That’s true, but… I don’t know. For some reason, she gives off a similar vibe to the half-elves. Like her actual age and physical development don’t match.”
Huh, what’s that supposed to mean?
“But the teacher in the Carrot Class said I seem to be four years old.”
“She said you ‘seem’ to be, but there’s no way to know exactly when you were born, right?”
“Hmm.”
Swallowing a blueberry, I glanced into the air.
But the glittering letters were silent.
“Well, it’s not like your age really matters,”
Joy said with a shrug.
At that moment, however, brother Elzen spoke up with a serious expression.
“Can you repeat what you just said?”
“What? That her age doesn’t matter?”
“No. You asked if she was really four years old. So, what do you think? How old do you think Shupetty is?”
Brother Elzen looked more serious than I had ever seen him.
The atmosphere was heavier than even when he defended me in front of Angela, and I found myself shutting my mouth without meaning to.
“Hmm, let’s see. Judging by how much she’s eaten in this short time, how much would she eat in a whole day? I’d say she’d need to be at least ten years old for this appetite to make sense. Hasn’t anyone else found her eating habits strange?”
