Chapter 29: Human Village (2)

 

Ner received Gibson’s call and went to his room.

 

– Knock, knock, knock.

 

The servant announced her arrival to Gibson.

 

“Master, Ner-nim has come to visit you.”

 

- ‘Let her in.’

 

Ner nodded her head to the servant and stepped through the open door.

 

It had been a long time since she visited her father’s room.

 

It was a large room for one person, with a large, solitary bed, almost as if it mirrored the emptiness he felt without his wife.

 

Gibson, dressed comfortably, sat by the window at a table, waiting for Ner. As she entered the room, he poured tea into the cups.

 

Without looking at her, he said, “...I heard you’re leaving tomorrow.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

“…Come and sit down.”

 

Ner stopped for a moment to look at his eyes, then slowly approached the table where he was sitting.

 

Seated across from Gibson, Ner alternated her gaze between him, the steaming tea, and the view outside the window.

 

For a long time, Gibson remained silent.

 

He was just looking out the window and enjoying the tea as if reminiscing about something.

 

Ner didn’t feel the need to break the silence either, as it would have been awkward.

 

Although there were moments when she felt her father cared for her, their relationship was never truly comfortable.

 

“It’s a farewell.”

 

After a while, Gibson finally spoke.

 

Ner, who had been idly playing with her tea, looked up at his words.

 

The word “farewell” weighed heavily on her heart.

 

She knew she had to leave for the human Village tomorrow, but every time she thought about it, her chest felt heavy.

 

Despite not having the closest relationship with her family, the sense of anxiety about being separated from them remained.

 

She might even miss Gidon. Perhaps it was an odd sentiment, but could even unpleasant memories become cherished in their absence?

 

“…”

 

Ner nodded silently.

 

Gibson asked.

 

“…Are you ready?”

 

Once again, Ner nodded in response.

 

She had packed numerous belongings, including various herbs and medicines she would use for the person she would love someday.

 

She wasn’t just waiting for her future partner either. Ner studied medicine and memorized spells, and acquired knowledge comparable to that of a doctor.

 

Of course, she had never healed anyone with that knowledge… But she believed that there was nothing she couldn’t do.

 

“…Alright.”

 

Gibson nodded.

 

“…Alright.”

 

Gibson repeated his words once again and looked as if he was reassuring himself.

 

Ner hesitated for a moment, carefully considering her words. She, too, had something she wanted to say.

 

She wanted to revisit the conversation they had a few days ago.

 

Ner glanced at the room’s door, confirming that it was tightly closed, and began to speak.

 

“…Father.”

 

“Tell me.”

 

“A few days ago... we had a conversation.”

 

At her words, Gibson closed his eyes and nodded.

 

“…Yes.”

 

Ner swallowed her saliva and continued.

 

“…Can it be done without betrayal?”

 

Over the past few days, Ner’s perception of Berg had completely changed.

 

He wasn’t cruel or cold, just somewhat gruff and easily misunderstood. If he had been as heartless and cold as she had initially assumed... betraying him might have been easier, but in reality, if that were the case, she might have found herself struggling with even deeper wounds.

 

However, now that she had learned more about what kind of person Berg was, she was increasingly reluctant to betray him.

 

She already thought that something like betrayal would be difficult.

 

Ner expressed her thoughts.

 

“If Blackwood rises again...”

 

She said it even though she knew it would be challenging to ask him this directly.

 

“...Then, could you pay my price and bring me back?”

 

Gibson didn’t hesitate for long and offered a faint smile.

 

“...It seems betraying him has become difficult for you.”

 

Ner didn’t try to hide her feelings and nodded.

 

Gibson reached out and held Ner’s hand.

 

“…In conclusion…Nothing is impossible, Ner.”

 

“Really?”

 

“We are family... It’s not a question of if I want to, but rather, can I do that?”

 

Ner asked back to the strange resonance.

 

“What does that mean?”

 

“It’s not just our problem. The Red Flames have to agree too.”

 

“…”

 

“The Red Flames and even the vice-captain have to agree. For that to happen, there are some conditions to be met.”

 

Gibson continued his explanation slowly so Ner could easily understand.

 

“For example, if the Red Flames is short of money... or if the vice-captain doesn’t have a good relationship with you, that you both don’t get along.”

 

“…”

 

“If things work out that smoothly, we can resolve it peacefully without anyone getting hurt. For your sake, I will spare no expense. However, if things don’t go that smoothly, that’s the problem. If the Red Flames don’t want to let you go no matter how much money I offer, and they insist on keeping you there, then you won’t be able to escape.”

 

Ner slowly lowered her gaze from Gibson’s eyes. The more conditions were imposed, the more she felt that it would be difficult.

 

When she thought about it, she felt that the Red Flame would never lack resources.

 

“So, remember this conversation. There might be unforeseen circumstances, so you should find their weaknesses. We can’t predict if their minds will change... But there’s nothing wrong with being prepared. It’s your choice. As your father, I will support you no matter what choice you make.”

 

“…”

 

“Ner, I’ll say it again... I hope you find happiness there. Don’t you already feel that you don’t hate the vice-captain?”

 

“…”

 

“Perhaps that’s the best choice. I know it might sound really irresponsible, but it’s a sincere wish without any lies.”

 

Ner nodded.

 

With that, the conversation on this matter came to an end. There was nothing more to discuss.

 

Gibson let go of Ner’s hand and took a sip of his tea.

 

Ner tried to capture the scent of the tea and the view of Blackwood Territory outside the window in her memory. It still didn’t feel real that she would be leaving this place tomorrow.

 

While she was lost in her thoughts, Gibson spoke.

 

“…Ner.”

 

She turned her head towards him.

 

Gibson wore a small smile, as if reminiscing about something, and asked, “...Do you know that your name was given by your mother?”

 

At that fact, Ner shook her head.

 

“…I didn’t know.”

 

Gibson did not add a detailed explanation.

 

He just simply smiled, nodded, closed his eyes, and spoke lightly.

 

“Now you know.”

 

Ner couldn’t understand what he was trying to convey, but with the strange warmth of a name given to her by her mother, she nodded her head in acknowledgment.

 

****

 

“Depart!”

 

As Adam Hyung shouted, Baran, who was leading the mercenaries, moved forward.

 

Adam Hyung and I were at the back of the mercenaries, facing the Blackwoods.

 

From the start, given the size of the mercenary unit, it was essential for the front to depart first.

 

Time wasn’t overly pressing.

 

Adam Hyung shook hands with Gibson.

 

“Thank you once again.”

 

“I’m only glad our paths have crossed.”

 

This time, Gibson turned to me.

 

“…Please take care of my daughter.”

 

“Yes.”

 

I also shook hands with him.

 

Ner stood behind me, looking at the rest of the family members with a sad expression.

 

The night before, Ner had a final conversation with Gibson. They exchanged glances and nodded without saying much else. Gidon and his younger brothers were next.

 

“...Be safe.”

 

Gidon said quietly.

 

His head was also slightly lowered, and his younger brothers followed suit.

 

Laan and Swan looked surprised at the sight, but Gidon paid no attention to them.

 

I looked at Ner and gave a slight nod.

 

No matter how much they acknowledged me, it didn’t matter to me.

 

Then, Gidon looked at Ner.

 

“…”

 

“…”

 

The two exchanged awkward glances for a moment.

 

Ner felt uncomfortable facing him and instinctively turned her body away. But Gidon’s hand moved first.

 

– Tap.

 

He placed his hand on Ner’s shoulder.

 

Ner was taken aback and looked at Gidon in surprise.

 

That was it.

 

Gidon retrieved his hand and stepped back.

 

Only Ner was left standing still in shock.

 

Gradually, the moment we had to set off arrived.

 

Shawn and Jackson brought a horse.

 

It was the horse Ner would ride.

 

I placed my hand on Ner’s stiff back and said, “Ner, it’s time to go.”

 

“…Ah…Yes.”

 

She slowly turned her body... and suddenly looked surprised to see the horse in front of her.

 

“Uh…? Ah… I…”

 

In an instant, Ner moved her head anxiously and grabbed my sleeve with her hand.

 

I could tell what she was trying to say.

 

“...Don’t know how to ride a horse?”

 

Ner nodded without saying a word.

 

I took a moment to pat the horse Ner would ride and said.

 

“It’s okay. This horse is gentle. You’ll be able to get on easily.”

 

Ner swallowed her saliva at those words.

 

Her anxiety was evident in her eyes

 

Her gaze kept shifting to the departing carriages ahead and the carts filled with goods.

 

I hoped Ner would at least try.

 

“Ner, just try getting on. It’s not bad to experience it once.”

 

Finally, Ner nodded, seemingly resigning herself to the idea.

 

While this was happening, Gibson and Gidon were quietly watching us.

 

Whenever Ner exhaled, she flinched and pulled her hand back.

 

Her innocent and timid demeanor brought a smile to my face.

 

Ner finally stuck close to the stirrups.

 

She looked at the stirrups and looked at me.

 

It seemed unreasonable to step on the stirrups that came up above the waist.

 

I stuck close to her and instructed her step by step.

 

“Okay, hold the reins firmly.”

 

She placed her hand on the horse’s reins.

 

“And your foot...”

 

The stirrup seemed out of reach for her legs.

 

I offered her my hand and said, “Step on my hand.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“Step on my hand with your opposite foot, then lift yourself up and put your foot into the stirrup while pulling the reins.”

 

“...Your hand... it will get dirty...”

 

“It’s okay, so hurry up. We’re about to depart.”

 

Ner continued to hesitate, then slowly raised her foot.

 

I lifted her foot, and Ner’s body floated in the air.

 

With an uneasy posture, she managed to put one foot into the stirrup.

 

“Okay, now swing your leg over to the other side... like that.”

 

Ner soon got on the horse.

 

She took a deep breath for a moment and then looked at me again.

 

Directly staring at me, she seemed like a child asking for praise, and I found it amusing.

 

“You did well.”

 

As I said that, Ner’s tail flickered slightly.

 

After Ner got on the horse, Adam Hyung, Shawn, Jackson, and I also mounted our horses.

 

Looking back once again, we exchanged farewells with the Blackwood family.

 

“We’ll be going.”

 

Adam Hyung said.

 

“Take care.”

 

Gibson replied.

 

Ner looked at her remaining family members before finally turning her head forward.

 

I stayed close to Ner’s horse and informed her about the key points.

 

“Don’t hold the reins too tightly because you’re nervous. Relax. The horse will know what to do even if you don’t do anything.”

 

“...Y-Yes...”

 

“Keep your back straight. That way, you won’t feel sore later. Hold the saddle with your thighs.”

 

“…Okay.”

 

Ner quickly grasped the reins and began guiding the horse.

 

She seemed to have quite a talent for it.

 

“You ride well.”

 

I praised her.

 

“...I’m a little scared.”

 

She honestly expressed her feelings.

 

I reached out and patted the horse Ner was riding.

 

“It’ll be alright.”

 

I reassured her.

 

Then, we set off on the journey back.

 

– – – End of Chapter – – –