Frostheim (3)
"Please wait here."
"Yes, thank you."
Rion sat in the office chair and looked around.
The room was filled with splendor on a completely different level from the slums.
Exquisitely carved furniture, paintings on the walls, soft carpets...
All of it was worlds apart from the life he had known.
Rion recalled the words the regiment leader had spoken to him on the street before he came here.
'To me, slum dwellers like you are all the same. No, actually... you're even more pathetic and disgusting for preying on those weaker than your weak selves.'
'The weak...'
That word burrowed deep into his chest.
In the end, to the Jin Gang Regiment leader, he was still just another powerless nobody from the slums.
That day—the day Crow died and even Mari was taken—Rion had etched a truth into his soul.
'The weak lose everything. The weak can do nothing. The weak get culled.'
That night, Rion had sworn an oath.
'Someday... I'll kill Astra.'
But he was still weak compared to him. He couldn't kill him now.
So Rion chose a different path.
He would observe him from even closer, study him, and bide his time for the perfect moment to strike.
For now, he would act like a loyal dog. He would obey every command, move as he desired. But it was all a mask.
Rion buried his inner murderous intent deep and checked his expression in the mirror. The face of an obedient, devoted subordinate. For revenge, he could discard his pride without hesitation.
Footsteps approached.
Rion quickly stood from the chair and assumed a waiting stance.
The office door opened, and Astra entered with Mari.
"You've arrived."
Rion immediately bowed his head deeply.
Perfect courtesy. Perfect submission.
But the voice that responded wasn't Astra's—it was Mari's, trembling with emotion.
"...Ri...on..."
Tears mingled in her voice.
But Rion didn't raise his head. Not without Astra's permission.
"You may look up."
With permission granted, Rion slowly lifted his gaze.
There was Mari.
Her eyes were puffy, tear tracks stark on her cheeks.
Mari approached slowly, hugged him, and sobbed.
"It must have been... so hard. I'm sorry, Rion. While I was gone... you were all alone..."
A warm embrace. Trembling shoulders. His collar growing damp.
But no tears came to Rion's eyes.
Since that night, when he'd shed his last ones, his tear ducts had dried up.
'I can't cry anymore, Mari.'
Rion mechanically patted her back, but his gaze remained fixed on Astra.
"That's enough. Sit down."
Astra's command came.
Mari reluctantly pulled away slowly. She looked at Rion once more with her tear-streaked face, then headed to the chair beside Astra.
Rion bowed his head in respect again before returning to his seat, straightening his back and neatly placing his hands on his knees.
Astra sat behind the large desk at the center of the office. He leaned back in an intimidating posture, gazing down at Rion with sharp eyes.
Mari sat cautiously in the chair next to Astra.
She still watched Rion with worried eyes, occasionally wiping away lingering tears with the back of her hand.
"Rion. You and Dust Rose passed the test I gave you perfectly. I'll grant rewards befitting that."
"Yes."
Rion replied in an emotionless voice.
"First, in my name, I'll support the slums. Food, medical care, housing improvements... everything you need. Discuss the specifics with Elbern and proceed."
Rion's pupils trembled faintly.
'Support for the slums?'
Support under the Jin Gang leader's name would be on an unimaginable scale. This wasn't mere charity—it was a chance to change the slums' fate.
"Second, from today, that place is no longer the 'slums.' It will be incorporated as an official district of Cheongam Castle and named Seowon-gu. No longer forsaken land, it will be part of Cheongam Castle, with the right to protection and development."
Astra paused, observing Rion's reaction.
"Third, Dust Rose will be recognized as Seowon-gu's autonomous organization. You will become my direct subordinate as its leader and manage Seowon-gu. Of course, this comes with regular reports and absolute obedience to my orders."
"Thank you, Regiment Leader."
His voice remained calm, but a storm raged inside.
Cheongam Castle's vast territory was divided into systematically organized districts.
The Central District housed administrative offices alongside Uncheon Castle, the heart of power.
The Commercial District bustled with shops and markets, the economic core.
The Residential District offered peaceful living for ordinary citizens, while the Industrial District thrummed day and night with forges and workshops, the production hub.
And now, a new name was added to that system.
'Seowon-gu...'
What was once abandoned land, a den of criminals, and a stain on Cheongam Castle had become an official district under the Jin Gang leader's name.
This wasn't just a name change.
It meant incorporation under Cheongam Castle's laws and order. No longer a lawless zone, but an official district with rights to protection.
At the same time, it meant bearing Cheongam Castle's rules and duties.
With that announcement-like declaration, Rion and Mari left the office.
As soon as they stepped out, Elbern approached silently.
"From now on, report all matters regarding Seowon-gu's development to me. Also, submit a list of required support items."
"Yes..."
As Rion turned to head back to Seowon-gu, Elbern called out softly.
"Ah, I almost forgot one thing."
In that instant, terrifying killing intent exploded from Elbern's entire body.
Rumble!
The air grew heavy, the corridor's temperature plummeting.
Goosebumps erupted across Rion's skin. Mari clutched his arm, barely able to breathe.
"Since this is done in the Regiment Leader's name, Seowon-gu must prosper on par with the Central District. Spare no resources. But if it falls short of expectations despite his support..."
Gulp.
Rion swallowed hard.
'The steward is this strong...'
He'd prided himself on considerable growth using his ability. But reality was cruel. Astra still felt like an unreachable sky, and even Elbern—the mere steward—was an insurmountable wall.
"Hahaha, just kidding. No need to be so tense."
The killing intent vanished in an instant.
Back to his mild-mannered steward self, Elbern smiled and continued.
"Still, keep it in mind. In Haven, invoking the Regiment Leader's name carries immense responsibility. Failure tarnishes his honor, and that is..."
Elbern paused, staring straight into Rion's eyes.
"...an unforgivable sin. No different from betraying the grace he has bestowed."
Rion clenched his fist. For revenge, and for survival, he had to develop Seowon-gu no matter what.
"Don't worry."
His voice carried cold resolve.
"I'll trust those words and wait. Farewell, Seowon-gu Leader."
Elbern bowed politely.
Rion paused at the sight. The Jin Gang steward, a man of such high standing, was showing him respect.
'Is this power...'
Just days ago, he'd been treated like slum trash. Now, he was the official leader of a Cheongam Castle district. Elbern's bow wasn't mere courtesy.
It was like a ritual acknowledging his new status.
"Then."
Rion replied curtly and turned away. Mari followed quietly behind.
* * *
After Rion and Mari left the office, I leaned back deeply in the chair and stared at the ceiling.
Knock knock.
I turned at the sound of the door.
"Regiment Leader, it's Elbern."
"Come in."
I straightened my posture.
"What do you think of that kid, Rion?"
I asked indifferently. But I was curious about Elbern's answer.
He had sharper observational skills than expected.
"He possesses considerable strength for his age. Decisiveness too. But whether he'll handle being Cheongam Castle's first autonomous district leader remains to be seen."
"He will."
I stated firmly.
'Rion will do anything for revenge. Even if it benefits his enemy—me.'
Elbern gazed at my confident demeanor for a moment before bowing his head.
"If you're that certain, you must see something I missed. I'll do my utmost to support Seowon-gu's development as well."
"Good."
I changed the subject.
"By the way, what is Baekseol doing now?"
I'd left Lilia with her since she seemed to take a liking to Baekseol, but it was time to check.
"Lady Baekseol is still at the lake with Lilia."
"I see. Bring them both here with Lilia. I have something to say."
"Yes, understood."
As Elbern bowed and left, I leaned back again and stared at the ceiling.
'I was worried Lilia might suffer sending Mari back to the slums...'
Fortunately, Lilia was taking well to Baekseol.
'When she saw Rion and felt nauseous, one word from Baekseol calmed her instantly.'
"I'll bring Ria too."
For Baekseol, visiting her territory with me alone would be less appealing than going with Lilia, whom she was interested in.
Above all, Baekseol was the continent's greatest physician.
If anything happened to Lilia, she could respond immediately.
"We depart for Frostheim tomorrow."
I'd finished everything I needed to do in Cheongam Castle.