Frostheim (5)
"...There are conditions."
Finally, Baekseol slowly opened her mouth.
"Speak."
"First, I come with you. Second, whatever you find there, you take nothing without my permission."
"Accepted."
In any case, if things went as I planned, Baekseol would have no choice but to permit it, even if she hated the idea.
"Third..."
Baekseol continued.
Another one?
Well, it was that important a place, so I could understand her feelings...
"...Fourth... Fifth..."
Baekseol's conditions seemed endless.
"...The eighteenth is..."
How many are there, exactly?
At some point, her voice faded into background noise. The conditions blurred together until I couldn't even distinguish what she was saying.
"...The twenty-third is that Ria comes along too."
The name Ria snapped me back to attention.
I blinked blankly for a moment before nodding hurriedly.
"Fine. Are those all the conditions you want?"
"Yes, that should be enough."
Baekseol smiled.
"There are quite a few, but I trust you'll uphold them all, Astra."
Quite a few? That's an understatement...
Out of twenty-three conditions, I'd only properly heard the first two and the last one.
The rest had flown right past me.
I quickly changed the subject.
"By the way, you said you had something you were curious about me."
"Yes, that's right. But..."
She glanced at Lilia as she spoke.
"It might not be suitable to discuss with Ria here... It's that kind of topic."
I caught her meaning and turned to Lilia.
"Ria, wait outside for a bit. Elbern should be there—you can stay with him."
"Yes, Astra."
Lilia rose quietly and left the room.
As the door clicked shut, a heavy silence settled over the room.
Baekseol leaned forward in her chair, fixing her gaze on me.
"Astra."
Her voice deepened gravely.
"Demon Eyes and the Demon Seed... What exactly are you planning?"
How should I handle this?
I pondered for a moment.
In this world, the rule of "one person, one Supernatural Ability" was as fundamental as two plus two equaling four. An absolute, unchanging law.
If I suggested the possibility of two abilities in one person, predicting Baekseol's reaction was impossible.
But...
She'd already pieced together quite a bit on her own.
Better to satisfy her curiosity now than have it explode later at the Lords' Conference.
I took a deep breath, met her eyes squarely, and asked,
"Baekseol, do you think it's possible for one person to have two Supernatural Abilities?"
"Impossible."
Her immediate response held no hesitation—like answering if the sky was blue.
Baekseol's resolute expression betrayed not a shred of doubt. It wasn't mere belief; it was conviction in the world's core law.
"Is there a reason you're so certain?"
"Supernatural Abilities are manifestations of the soul. One person has one soul. Thus, one ability."
I fell silent for a moment, then slowly spoke.
"Right. It would require two souls."
I continued meaningfully.
"Like Lilia right now."
"...!"
Baekseol's eyes widened in shock.
Shock and realization flashed across her face.
"No way..."
"Yes."
I nodded, cutting to the core.
"Demon Eyes are the natural predator of demons—the only ability that can dominate them..."
I paused to catch my breath before going on.
"What if the demonic essence imprinted in the Demon Seed is fully absorbed and subjugated by the Demon Eyes?"
Baekseol swallowed hard.
I could see the puzzle pieces clicking into place in her mind.
"Subjugating the demon's soul with the Demon Eyes... making two souls coexist in one body."
She murmured softly.
"Theoretically... it might be possible. If the Demon Eyes absorb the demonic essence without fully annihilating it, but instead place it under control..."
She looked at me, her eyes filled with complex emotions.
"But Astra, that's an incredibly dangerous gamble. If it fails..."
"She dies. Lilia does."
"...And you're okay with that? If Ria dies?"
"..."
Okay with that?
I fell silent again.
If Lilia truly died, I'd carry that guilt forever. Her face would haunt my nights, robbing me of sleep, drowning me in endless regret.
But...
"Baekseol."
I spoke calmly.
"This isn't a gamble. The outcome is already set."
"..."
"A bearer of Demon Eyes dying to a demon is a contradiction in itself."
I stated with unwavering certainty.
"Especially since what Lilia faces is merely a mid-grade demon. Demon Eyes are its predator and master. Even if there's temporary chaos during the absorption..."
I locked eyes with Baekseol.
"Now that the Demon Eyes have awakened, no mid-grade demon can harm Lilia."
"How can you be so sure? You've never even seen Demon Eyes before."
"..."
True, to her it might seem reckless. I couldn't explain the source of my knowledge.
I shifted the topic.
"By the way, Baekseol, I have a question."
"...What is it?"
"Why do you care so much about Lilia? Aren't you an outsider?"
I said it coldly on purpose.
"Even if she dies, what does it matter to you?"
Baekseol's expression hardened instantly.
"...Is that really what you think, Astra?"
"No. I'm just curious about your answer."
Baekseol let out a deep sigh.
She dropped her gaze for a moment, then met my eyes again.
"Because... I was a child once too."
An unexpected answer.
"There was a time when I was alone, scared, and needed someone's protection. So when I see Ria..."
Baekseol gave a wry smile.
"It doesn't feel like someone else's problem."
Her voice carried the weight of old wounds—not the cold commander of Haven, but the shadow of a child once left unprotected.
"If someone had saved me back then... things might have turned out very differently."
"..."
I was at a loss for words.
Baekseol's past was shrouded in mystery even in the game. Endless player speculation, but her true story never revealed.
The loneliness on her face now was heartbreaking. I wanted to ask about those deep scars, but the words wouldn't come.
Some wounds shouldn't be prodded carelessly.
"Don't worry, Baekseol."
I said quietly.
"I care for Lilia. Not as a mere subordinate or tool, but as a precious child."
I looked at Baekseol, infusing my words with sincerity.
"What you fear won't happen. I promise."
* * *
The next morning.
The sorrowful Baekseol from yesterday was gone, replaced by her usual vibrant self, urging me on relentlessly.
"Astra, hurry and get ready! I want to return to my territory quickly."
"Wait."
I approached the group gathered outside the castle.
Beneath the dawn light stood the key figures who had guarded the fortress in their posts.
Defense Captain Rynel stood rigidly in his sturdy armor, Combat Captain Scarlet scanned the surroundings with sharp eyes.
Steward Elbern waited in his impeccable posture as always, while Hanji and Leina stood side by side a bit further off.
"It'll take time to return."
I addressed them one by one.
"At least a month, maybe two at most."
Rynel bowed first.
"Worry not, my lord. Jin Gang Regiment is in my hands."
Scarlet saluted with her sword to her chest.
"Any external threats, I'll handle them. Go with peace of mind."
Elbern smiled his signature gentle smile.
"All castle affairs will proceed as usual. I'll manage everything perfectly until your return. Seowon-gu will develop even further by then."
"Good. I leave it to you."
My gaze reached Hanji and Leina.
"Glad to see you're settling in well."
"Settling in well... haha, I'm so happy these days it's like a new lease on life."
Leina smiled awkwardly, glancing at Scarlet.
"Yes, thanks to you, I'm living happily with the spirit beasts, Captain."
Hanji beamed with genuine joy.
The spirit beasts circling him caught my eye.
Gyeopsal, Mallang, Nalcheong.
They'd grown noticeably larger since I first saw them, their auras much stronger.
They've evolved to mid-grade.
Spirit beasts' growth depends heavily on their bond with their master.
This rapid progress was proof of Hanji's affection.
"The spirit beasts have grown a lot too."
"Ah, yes! They all evolved together recently."
Hanji's face shone with pride.
Wonder when Fenrir will evolve...
Thinking of Fenrir slumbering quietly in my shadow brought a faint smile.
As a mid-grade spirit beast, it would need more time and experience, but someday it would grow even stronger.
"Keep building your strength. I'll be off."
"Safe travels, my lord."
They all bowed in unison.
Rynel and Scarlet at knightly angles, Elbern gracefully, Hanji and Leina a bit awkwardly but sincerely.
Baekseol was already aboard the carriage, waiting, with Lilia quietly seated inside.
"Astra! Hurry!"
Baekseol poked her head out the window, urging me.
I gave the castle one last look.
Against a sky streaked with red and purple, the fortress stood like a painting.
Stay well. Until I return.
As I boarded, the wheels began to turn.
The rhythmic rumble carried us away as the castle receded.
Oh, right—we were supposed to hold the lords' meeting...
Eh, Elbern will handle it.