Chapter 27. Southern Continent
The Southern Continent was blanketed in fertile plains, vast expanses of golden wheat fields stretching as far as the eye could see. When the wind swept through, whispering shoooo across the stalks, waves of tawny light rolled like crashing ocean swells.
Rozalia, beholding the Southern Continent for the first time in her life, was utterly entranced by the outside world rushing past.
"Having that much fun just looking around?"
"Yes—!"
Rozalia adored the gentle touch of her captain's hand stroking her hair. It felt just like petting a shy little dog that wandered to the roadside in search of scraps—tail wagging timidly.
I wish my little sister could see this...!
It had been a month and a half since they'd left the capital. She'd never been separated from her sister for so long, and worry gnawed at her constantly. It was as if she'd left the world's most precious treasure behind.
Of course, she knew the kind, capable servants would care for her well, but seeing was believing—absence bred anxiety she couldn't shake.
"Looks like we're getting close to Eretria now."
Merchant caravans coming from the opposite direction had indeed multiplied. Every one groaned under mountains of wheat piled on their wagons, trailed by escorts and mercenaries in no short supply.
There used to be a proverb: no thieves in the Southern Continent, for all lived in plenty. But a decade ago, waves of territorial wars birthed floods of refugees—and from them, several large bandit gangs emerged.
In short, the Southern Continent had lost its former peace. Incidents piled up more than on any other continent.
That explained why no one had properly hunted down the necromancer, even as he ravaged village after village for so long.
The carriage reached a nearby small city before evening. With Eretria—the city of beginnings—just a day's ride away, inns brimmed with caravans. Even the upscale ones were packed, leaving only two rooms. They split three men per room, three women per room.
After that cramped night, they set off for Eretria at dawn. Traffic swelled even more. And that afternoon, they finally arrived: the starting city, Eretria.
Kayak, revisiting after over a decade, gazed with a distant, nostalgic glint in his eyes.
Ji-hyuk led the team to the Cheonma Guild's mansion. They planned to impose for a couple of days.
Even so, the Cheonma Guild ranked among the continent's elite, its prestige rivaling that of heroes themselves.
Yet the mansion felt oddly hollow. Gardens and courtyards lacked what should have filled them—only the barest essentials remained.
Everyone shot puzzled glances but followed the hero in silence.
Hero Kang Ji-hyuk's sudden arrival threw the guild into joyful chaos. The guild master himself—Cheonma—emerged to greet him personally, welcoming Ji-hyuk with genuine warmth and ushering the team inside.
In the hall, guild members stood in neat ranks, bowing deeply to the honored guest. True to their serious leader's nature, they carried themselves with gravity. Roughly twenty strong, including Cheonma's disciple, Rarosa.
"Had I known my hero was coming, I'd have prepared a grander welcome. A pity."
"No need. A decent bed is more than enough cause for gratitude."
"I've ordered the best we have. It'll take time, so unpack, bathe—make yourselves at home."
"Thank you."
They were shown to rooms. Naturally, the hero claimed the largest and finest.
Ji-hyuk unpacked and bathed thoroughly. True comfort after a month and a half.
As he emerged ready, someone waited outside: Cheonma's disciple, Rarosa.
"Long time no see, Rarosa."
"Have you been well, Your Excellency?"
"Fine. You?"
"Well enough myself. ...Allow me to escort you. This way...."
Ji-hyuk eyed Rarosa's back as she walked a few steps ahead, scanning her up and down. Her presence had shifted. Months of bloody, grueling training since returning here, no doubt.
"Your skills have sharpened a lot. The aura's completely different."
"...Your words honor me beyond measure, yet I remain woefully deficient."
"If only I had a disciple like you...."
"Such praise overwhelms me utterly...."
Rarosa was solid in every way, but that overly mature, elder-like demeanor was her one snag. With an aged master like Cheonma, she was molding in his image.
...Wonder if she even moans during sex like 'It pleases me, sire' or 'It hurts so good, my lord'—
Ji-hyuk snorted at the idle, lewd thought. As a guy with a cock, such vulgar fancies popped up now and then.
...Well, over a month without pussy, and biologically, yeah—time for the itch to hit.
They reached the dining hall. The three women weren't ready yet; only Cheonma, Gid, and Kayak sat waiting. Then Ji-hyuk and Rarosa entered.
"Ah, come sit, hero."
Cheonma patted the seat beside him.
Ji-hyuk took it. The massive round table already brimmed with steaming, aromatic dishes.
"Room to your liking?"
"Perfect. Truly grateful for the hospitality."
Cheonma beamed. "For Hero Kang? I'd yield my own bedroom gladly."
"How could I usurp the master's quarters? A dry floor suffices."
Bald Gid clicked his tongue—fucking noble talk's a bitch. He looked lost, like he couldn't parse a word.
"What language is that?"
Gid whispered toward Kayak, hand half-covering his mouth.
The lizardman Kayak chuckled softly.
Then the rest of the team filed in: the three women, fresh-scrubbed and powdered. Grace especially radiated aristocratic poise and nobility no garb could conceal.
Rarosa personally seated them one by one.
With everyone settled, the feast began.
They stuffed their famished bellies, savored tea and sweets for dessert, then scattered to rooms.
As Ji-hyuk headed back, Rarosa called out.
"Your Excellency, a private audience awaits. If it pleases you...."
"The elder's there?"
"Yes."
Some confidential matter, clearly. Ji-hyuk had a question burning anyway—perfect.
"Lead on."
Rarosa took point once more. They wound through the mansion.
"Here. I'll stand guard until your discourse concludes."
The disciple indicated the door with a deferential gesture, standing sentinel.
Ji-hyuk knocked twice lightly and entered.
Dusk had fallen; candles bathed the room in warm flicker. Serenity hung thick in the hush.
Cheonma sat sipping tea, his gaze sharper than before.
Ji-hyuk took the opposite chair.
"Sorry to summon you again."
"No matter. I had a question myself."
"What?"
The hero tapped the table idly.
"Planning to leave this place?"
"...Aye."
"It looks stripped bare. Like you're liquidating."
"Selling off goods, land, odds and ends. Over twenty years rooted here—plenty to unload, takes time."
"Speak freely. Just us."
"...May I?"
"Of course. Friend of the master—no need for ceremony, even here."
"Fair enough."
They sipped tea casually.
"Moving the guild to the capital."
"...The capital?"
"Aye. But I'll keep the mansion, should I need return."
"Mind sharing why?"
Ji-hyuk got necessity for himself, but Cheonma? No such bind. Talent flowed fresh here; ideal for guilds.
Yet he was ditching it all for the capital. Baffling.
And unprecedented for Cheonma.
"For the disciple?"
"...One reason, sure."
"Another?"
"No more expansion. This scale suffices. Capital recruits if needed. Done raising new blood."
"But why forsake your hard-won base?"
Cheonma eyed Ji-hyuk with a deep smile.
"Want to stay close to you."
—!
"Watch over you, side by side."
Such frankness was new. Ji-hyuk chuckled.
Cheonma grinned back.
"Sorry—caught me off guard."
"Expected what?"
"Leisurely retirement."
Hahaha—. Cheonma laughed heartily.
"Hardly. I'll die in battle. Ease ain't my style."
"Rarosa's in for hardship."
"Master's curse."
Silence settled. Tea poured with a soft trickle over the gloom.
This quiet moonlit exchange of cups felt profoundly intimate.
Cheonma had once been his master. Ji-hyuk recaptured that bond.
Master and disciple. Textbook image.
Cheonma tossed back his tea like spirits, set the cup down with a soft clink, and fixed Ji-hyuk with a piercing stare.
"...I'll be your strength."
From a top-ten continental guild master, those few words carried immense weight.
The hero bowed his head once more.
"My road won't be smooth, elder."
Cheonma's smile deepened.
"Just what I crave."
Pure Cheonma.