Observatory (2)
Observatory (2)
The Unicorn's four long legs kicked up snow across the field repeatedly.
[Are you that happy?]
- Pfrrr!
The Unicorn answered with a short snort and bounded joyfully.
Lee Ha-yul laughed quietly at its light-footed steps and stroked the Unicorn's mane.
[The feeling of stepping on snow makes you so happy, huh? I'm glad. But slow down a little so the other kids don't fall behind.]
The affection and meaning in his voice were fully conveyed to the Unicorn as well.
The Unicorn nodded and gradually slowed.
Then the two Black Snow Horses that had fallen slightly behind caught up quickly. Daera, holding the reins awkwardly, raised her head.
"Junior Disciple! That one's too fast!"
That was only natural.
The Unicorn was a standard 4th Rank, and the Black Snow Horse, even improved by the Changhae family, was still 6th Rank.
On top of that, this particular Unicorn had been raised on Taesan-grown agricultural products three meals a day and Lee Ha-yul's mana.
Its fundamental class couldn't help but be different.
[Senior, you're much faster, aren't you?]
"We're comparing horses, why are you bringing me up?"
Daera let out a hollow laugh and carefully adjusted her grip on the reins.
Daera had little riding experience. Even that was something she'd learned as part of her liberal arts education, so her posture was quite awkward—but she wasn't uncomfortable.
Daera settled her ample bottom onto the saddle with a peculiar expression.
The Black Snow Horse, which had received professional training since it was a foal, gave her a comfortable ride even as a novice.
"To think we're riding horses when we have cars... but you ride well, Master."
"Because I rode them often at the front."
Atra handled her Black Snow Horse with practiced ease.
The years she'd spent fighting on the African Demon Realm Frontline.
While vehicles were the primary transport in the rear, tamed monsters were often used in rough terrain.
"Ah... then Junior Disciple..."
Isn't it uncomfortable for you? Daera, looking ahead, swallowed the question. It was clearly a pointless question.
Comfortable.
Even running at tremendous speed and bounding along, there wasn't a single jolt.
Beyond its 4th Rank, the Unicorn's racial trait allowed it to lightly ignore the laws of physics. Gale was driving away the snowstorm, so there was nothing to worry about.
[Soft...]
The real comfort was something else entirely.
With her arms wrapped firmly around his waist and his back pressed tight against Lee Seo-yul—who had loosened her armor down to her waist—her warm body heat radiated through him.
Above all, the overwhelming softness supporting the back of his head.
Resting his head against Lee Seo-yul's chest, Lee Ha-yul felt his expression languidly relax to the sound of her heartbeat in his ears.
- Smooch.
[Mm.]
A soft, ticklish sensation touched the top of his head. Lee Seo-yul removed her lips from Lee Ha-yul's hair and smiled gently.
"You're not uncomfortable, right?"
[Mm...]
[Deep comfort]
[Comfort]
[It's so comfortable it's a problem...]
He felt like he might doze off at any moment.
There were no monster attacks either.
Human traces were almost nonexistent in Antarctica—only monsters teemed.
In fact, this area was already close to a half-demon realm, but thanks to Lee Ha-yul's presence-blocking magic, they advanced without any particular hindrance.
Since it was a cold energy-rich environment, the water spirits that had run out and the undead loosed to secure materials were roaming about. No monsters approached the party.
'Still, I shouldn't sleep...'
He needed to maintain Observation diligently and continue analyzing the environmental data.
Just as Lee Ha-yul was trying to furrow his brow,
a pale white hand came down as if to cover his eyes.
"If you're sleepy, you can take a nap. We're maintaining proper guard, aren't we?"
[Mmn...]
"Dad, you can keep observing and respond immediately even while sleeping, right? So it's okay~"
Lee Seo-yul whispered softly. Her voice was sweet as honey, almost making him agree without realizing it.
When he shook his head weakly, a soft, warm touch gently pressed around his eyes.
The right amount of pressure massaged the area, and the warm body heat gradually spread.
[Uaaa...]
"That's it, good boy... Come on, lean against me and take a nap."
The whispered words soon turned into a lullaby, tickling his ears.
The hand that had been holding the reins was now patting his stomach, soothing a child who was fussing that he didn't want to sleep.
[...Zzzz]
Eventually, Lee Ha-yul's head lost its strength and tilted forward. Lee Seo-yul, who'd covered his eyes with her hand, cradled his head and beamed.
"......"
Watching the scene right beside them, Atra opened her mouth slightly.
From suggesting sleep to actually falling asleep took barely three minutes.
The atmosphere, the touch, and the manner in which she soothed the fussy Lee Ha-yul and held him were all incredibly skilled, far beyond imagination.
Father and daughter? More like mother and son. Anyone who saw them would think the latter, not the former.
"What's wrong?"
"You seem... very used to this...?"
Under Atra's gaze, Lee Seo-yul shrugged. Atra stammered at her nonchalant attitude.
With a chuckle, Lee Seo-yul stroked Lee Ha-yul's hair.
"The King is tired. As a knight, it's only natural that I offer my arms."
Since when did knights carry their kings in their arms like a baby?
Not just in modern times, but even in the past when the knight class was commonplace before the Great Cataclysm, that probably didn't happen.
The words nearly rose to her throat, but she swallowed them. That was simply human history.
"...Are you perhaps uncomfortable? If you are, we can stop and hand him over."
"No, not at all."
Lee Seo-yul shook her head without hesitation.
She even turned Lee Ha-yul around and cradled his face against her chest.
[So fluffy...]
[Nice...]
"Thank you for your concern. But I'm really okay."
"......"
Lee Seo-yul smiled softly, lowered her head, and pressed her lips to Lee Ha-yul's pure white hair.
[Love it.]
"Cute."
Lee Ha-yul squirmed and burrowed into her embrace. Lee Seo-yul's eyes curved softly as she gazed down at him.
Deep affection dripped from those pale eyes.
"......"
Atra averted her eyes, realizing that the affection in that gaze was far too deep and profound.
She'd recognized it since last time. But she'd thought, 'No way...' Slowly, that suspicion was turning into the truth...
.
.
.
"Today, I think it's best to spend the night around here."
Atra looked up at the sky, pulled on the reins to slow down, and spoke.
The whitish sky quickly dimmed. The already cold air grew even more frigid as it sank.
Though the Unicorn and the Black Snow Horses ran excitedly, they hadn't reached the Observation Post by sunset.
It wasn't a matter of speed.
It was simply that mornings in Antarctica were short and nights were long.
After the Great Cataclysm, that phenomenon became even more extreme. In the present era, most of the day in Antarctica is a dark, cold night.
That was why Antarctica wasn't treated as a good hunting ground.
Though the monsters were high-ranked, the environment itself wasn't suited for human activity.
[...I'll... set up camp right away...]
"Ah, you're awake?"
The campsite was set up simply.
Rubbing his eyes, Lee Ha-yul rose from Lee Seo-yul's arms and glanced around, waving his hands.
The mana that left his fingertips inscribed spell formulas on the ground and in the air, and books fluttered like butterflies to merge everywhere, instantly forming a sturdy fortification.
"Wow, a mobile fortress."
In under ten minutes, a circular rampart rose in the middle of the snowy field.
Daera gaped at the Golems filling the battlements and the interior.
"Wow, magic is the best."
[That's the Authority of Knowledge though...]
Lee Ha-yul gathered the snow piled on the ground with Gale and blew it outside, then sat down in the center and prepared dinner.
Since they were outdoors, the menu was simple...
"How is any of this simple?"
Atra stared at the folding table piled high with abundant food, looking dumbfounded. Lee Ha-yul smiled softly and ladled more red meat stew into an empty bowl, handing it to her.
"We're outside, so you should eat heartier meals. Isn't that exactly what you taught me, Master?"
"...Ahem, that's not something I specifically taught. It's basic common sense."
Clearing her throat awkwardly, Atra took a sip of the stew.
As expected, a luxurious flavor filled her mouth. The hot broth slid down her throat, warming her whole body evenly.
"Pwah... I'm so full."
Meanwhile, Daera, who had polished off at least five servings of the stew alone, flopped down onto the ground and sprawled out on her back.
Even though the snow had been cleared and a spell kept the temperature pleasant, seeing her lie flat on the bare ground made Atra's eyebrow twitch.
"Daera, don't lie down right after eating."
"I was on a horse all day. My butt hurts. Sitting is too hard."
"With a backside that big, how could anything hurt..."
"Oh, that's insane. That's straight-up sexual harassment."
Daera shot Atra a glare before her gaze drifted downward. Past a slender waist, her eyes landed on Atra's hips, which filled the entire camping chair.
'Look who's calling whose butt big...'
Snickering internally, Daera flinched suddenly as a thought struck her.
It was an extremely, profoundly embarrassing thought.
Shaking her head quickly to shed the memory and the heat rising in her cheeks, Daera gazed up at the sky.
"Oh..."
The sky she'd looked up at partly to distract herself was far more beautiful than she'd imagined.
Stars shone densely across the fathomless night sky. In the corner of the heavens, an aurora spread like a curtain.
"The stars are pretty... Mm."
The exclamation slipped out before Daera caught herself and clamped her mouth shut.
Wondering if he'd heard, she sneakily glanced over. Tilting his head, Lee Ha-yul gave a small laugh and covered his mouth with his hand.
[It's been a long time since anyone's been thoughtful like that.]
"Erm..."
Chuckling softly, Lee Ha-yul's eyes curved into bright crescents. Smiling in a way that almost seemed deliberately flirtatious, he shrugged.
[You don't have to walk on eggshells around me. I can perceive it all, too.]
His proficiency with Authorities was on an entirely different level compared to the past.
Lee Ha-yul projected the Authority of Observation upward. His viewpoint rose into the sky, and the information within range cascaded into his mind.
'Of course, it's all just raw data, so there's no real visual impact like seeing with your eyes...'
He lowered his head and blinked.
Within his fog-shrouded vision, Atra shone clearly.
Meeting his gaze, Atra smiled gently. Lee Ha-yul smiled back, his eyes crinkling brightly.
He couldn't see the sky, but he could see the person he loved, so he had no complaints.
"Daddy, why don't we get to sleep early tonight?"
Approaching with a slightly sulky expression, Lee Seo-yul hugged Lee Ha-yul from behind.
[Shall we? It really would be good to sleep early tonight.]
He'd already slept for a long while in Lee Seo-yul's arms earlier, but as long as someone held him, Lee Ha-yul could sleep for a day, two days, or even forever.
Preparations for bed had already been made.
Inside the ramparts, a large tent had been pitched under the guard of a Golem. The four of them lay down close together on the bedding.
In order: Daera, Atra, Lee Ha-yul, Lee Seo-yul.
Daera lay in her sleeping bag with an oddly ambiguous expression. Lee Seo-yul, with Lee Ha-yul beside her, lay down with a bright smile.
Inside the dark tent.
Before closing her eyes, she turned her head to the side, and Lee Ha-yul's face was right there.
As if waiting for that moment, Lee Ha-yul pulled Lee Seo-yul's head close, brushed her bangs aside, and pressed his lips to her forehead.
- Mwah.
[My daughter, Daddy loves you. Always.]
Lee Ha-yul always whispered his love to Lee Seo-yul. Even without any special occasion, he never hid his affection, expressing it generously and openly.
He never shied away just because it was embarrassing.
He always showed his love genuinely, just in case she might misunderstand.
He loved her. So there was no need to feel anxious.
Lee Ha-yul believed a parent needed many virtues, but most of all, a child should always feel their parent's love.
Because of that, Lee Seo-yul always felt Lee Ha-yul's love without any lack.
"I love you, too."
But the more the better, and so Lee Seo-yul wanted even more love. Smiling back, she kissed Lee Ha-yul's cheek and moved to embrace him—
- Thump.
She was blocked by a hand already resting on his stomach.
Lee Seo-yul's brow furrowed. Atra calmly pulled Lee Ha-yul into her own arms.
.
.
.
The next morning.
"...Little one, come here."
"Yes~?"
Stretching with a big yawn, Lee Ha-yul was promptly scooped up into Atra's arms.
In the time it took to blink, Atra was already mounted on the Black Snow Horse, holding Lee Ha-yul in her embrace.
"Master?"
"Today, I just felt like holding my disciple as we ride."
"Aha..."
Wrapped up as if being bundled away, Lee Ha-yul smiled bashfully.
[Ah, but what about Seo-yul...]
"As we saw yesterday, that child rides perfectly well on her own."
"Tch."
Atra glanced back at Lee Seo-yul. Clicking her tongue softly, Lee Seo-yul climbed onto the Unicorn.
At the subtle atmosphere flowing between the two of them, Daera shrugged her shoulders as she mounted her Black Snow Horse.
"When we head back, I can just hold my junior disciple for the ride..."
They'd obviously use a Gate for the return trip.
Daera had only meant it as a joke, but the indifferent stares from two pairs of eyes made her shut her mouth.
"...Master, I don't think that's the kind of look you should be giving your disciple."
"And what about the look you were giving the little one yesterday?"
With that sudden explosive deflection, Daera shut her mouth and tugged the reins.
.
.
.
Since they had ridden hard for a long time yesterday, reaching the destination didn't take long.
"Oh, is that it?"
While cautiously observing Atra's mood, Daera's eyes widened at the structures coming into view beyond the horizon.
Atra, who had focused mana into her eyes, also narrowed her brow.
The structures were peculiar.
They were built by assembling dark gray squares stacked upward, like toy blocks.
There were over a dozen of these square towers, each stacked hundreds of meters high.
As Atra examined them, she let out an exclamation of awe when she saw one tower that was especially thick and massive.
"So that's the Tower of Observation."
Not an artificial structure, but a true Tower.
From the gray tower that pierced the sky, a calm yet hard-to-ignore presence could be felt.
It was the Tower of Observation, whose location was hidden from the world.
- Slam!
That was the moment Atra felt a strange sense of awe.
Far in the distance, a door attached to one of the ground-level squares burst open violently. A man came sprinting out, panting breathlessly.
Atra funneled more mana into her narrowed eyes to enhance her vision.
A black robe embroidered with stars.
It was the attire of the Observation Corps. They hadn't sent word ahead, but he seemed to have detected their presence and come out to greet them—
"This is fu*king insane!"
The man screamed, dashing across the snowfield.
His brave sprint, undaunted by the icy blade-like wind, ended when a mana chain shot out from the open doorway and snagged his ankle.
"Urk...!"
His foot caught, the man tumbled pathetically into the snow. Soon, the chain pulled taut, and the man was dragged away.
A trail was carved into the snow where he was pulled.
Even as the snow continued to fall, there were two more such trails nearby.
"This is insane, I tell you... at this rate, we're really all going to die..."
Shivering from what could've been cold or terror, the man was finally dragged through the doorway.
Slam! The door shut fiercely at the same time.
"...What was that."
Daera blinked, looking completely dumbfounded.