Chapter 30
Chapter 30
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: Tail
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"Wow, you live and learn. For the Young Cult Leader to say with his own mouth that he holds someone dear."
As Cham-su exited the elders' meeting hall, he wore a dazed expression, as if he couldn't believe the sight of the Young Cult Leader he'd just witnessed with his own eyes.
"He gave them a warning, didn't he? Telling them—even if they're elders—not to act rudely toward the new aide. He's the spitting image of the Heavenly Demon, right down to that. It's more astonishing that those two aren't actually blood father and son."
Thinking of Red Cloud, whose manner of speech was so similar to the Heavenly Demon's, Jak-hwa clicked his tongue.
"In any case, he must be quite the talent. To rise faster than Elder Ryu-on's sons, who are the Heavenly Demon Cult's promising stars. Ryu-on, you should put even more effort into training those twins of yours?"
Among the eleven elders, the muscular one wielding a massive axe, Cheol-geun—who gave off a wild, wolf-like vibe—teased another of the eleven elders, Ryu-on.
"It's intriguing that he's a talent surpassing our children, but I don't want to push them any harder. My boys are growing up just fine on their own."
In response, Ryu-on—the second sister of the North Sea Ice Palace's lord and a powerhouse hiding formidable strength behind her gentle face—appeared behind Cheol-geun, her short silver hair fluttering.
"I'm actually glad that such a young, outstanding talent has appeared—one who's already on everyone's lips while the Heavenly Demon is away. Honestly, after our children, hasn't the cult lacked any notable young prospects?"
"Well said, Elder Ryu-on. Someday, the young talents will shoulder the cult's future."
Five Elements chimed in agreement with Ryu-on's words.
"Joking! Joking! You guys always make me out to be the bad guy."
Cheol-geun grumbled at the two elders' words.
"Isn't it because you make jokes about our kids?"
"More importantly, where did that rascal Gwang-yu disappear to? He was all excited about meeting the new aide."
Caught off guard by Ryu-on's sharp retort despite her smiling face, Cheol-geun cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Isn't Gwang-yu the cult's official troublemaker? As long as he hasn't caused some incident somewhere, we're good."
Yakcha shook his head, recalling Gwang-yu, the most accident-prone among the eleven elders.
"Mother!"
As the elders' chatter continued, Jang-ryu and Chae-chae spotted their mother Ryu-on and came running toward her energetically.
"Yes, my lovely sons."
The moment she saw Jang-ryu and Chae-chae, Ryu-on's murderous aura—which had seemed ready to devour Cheol-geun—vanished completely.
"What incredible parental love. It's downright terrifying."
Watching this, Cheol-geun looked at Ryu-on with fearful eyes.
"Greetings to the elders. Jang-ryu."
"Chae-chae, at your service."
The twins greeted them politely, and the elders gazed at them with pleased expressions.
"Yes, you've grown up so well."
Even the grumbling Cheol-geun softened at the sight of Jang-ryu and Chae-chae.
"Thank you, Elder."
The twins responded humbly to Cheol-geun's praise.
"The old folks will just make the kids uncomfortable, so let's give them some space, shall we?"
"Sure."
At Five Elements' words, the eleven elders—save for Ryu-on—departed in their own ways.
Once the elders were gone, Jang-ryu and Chae-chae finally hugged their mother like children their age.
"Mother, I missed you."
"Me too!"
"Mom missed you both too. Any injuries anywhere?"
"Of course not! Whose son am I?"
Chae-chae answered Ryu-on's question with a cute grin.
"Right, Chae-chae is my lovely son. But that doesn't mean you have to push yourself every time. Got it?"
"I'm doing it because I want to. Anyway, I have a favor to ask."
Brushing off Ryu-on's worry, Chae-chae got to the point of why he'd come to his mom.
"Alright, let's hear what this favor is first."
"I want a little sister!"
"What? Li-little... keh. Little sister?"
Ryu-on, who rarely lost her composure, was flustered by the sudden mention of a little sister.
"A little sister out of nowhere? Chae-chae, you always said Jang-ryu was enough and you didn't need any other siblings."
"I did! But seeing Seol-i changed my mind!"
"Seol... you don't mean."
"Mother must have heard already. Seol-i, the one the Young Cult Leader took as his aide!"
"She's Seol the aide now."
"Still, that doesn't change the fact that I'm Seol-i's big brother!"
At Jang-ryu's words, Chae-chae shouted resolutely, tears welling in his eyes.
'That child Seol-i has already set the entire cult abuzz. But for my son Chae-chae—who's always kept others at arm's length—to grow so attached to her... Just what kind of child is this Seol-i?'
Ryu-on was more shocked that Chae-chae, who built iron walls around all relationships outside the family due to his nature, had taken an interest in Seol-i than the cult-wide commotion.
"Mother, can't you take Seol-i as my little sister? You're one of the eleven elders, so you can make it happen!"
"Chae-chae, calm down. That child Seol-i has a family too, so this isn't something I can decide alone."
"Even so, for such a young kid to come here alone to this harsh place, it doesn't seem like she grew up with good parents. She prays so fervently, so they probably aren't well-off financially either. I just want Seol-i to have a better environment."
'Was Chae-chae always this sensitive child?'
Ryu-on felt her heart swell at this new side of Chae-chae.
'Did this child Seol-i make Chae-chae grow like this?'
If so, even Ryu-on found Seol Cheon-seong appealing.
"For now, I'll discuss it slowly with Aide Seol."
"Thank you, Mother!"
"If Seol-i becomes our little sister, we'll be the best big brothers in the world."
Jang-ryu, who had been quietly watching Chae-chae's behavior, carefully added his words.
'I thought it was just Chae-chae's wish, but even Jang-ryu is stepping up so eagerly...!'
Ryu-on's curiosity about the unseen Seol-i grew even stronger.
'Hearing the name Seol-i brings that child to mind.'
Ryu-on thought of her older sister's only daughter.
'Right now, her father has taken her somewhere to protect her... But she's still these boys' cousin.'
Yet Jang-ryu and Chae-chae were too young and innocent to accept their sole aunt's wrongful death.
'For now, I want to protect these boys' pure smiles.'
"Alright, now Mom has to get back to work, so you two can't slack on your training, okay?"
"Yes, Mother!"
"To become cool big brothers, we'll train super hard!"
Ryu-on, hiding her sad past behind a smile, watched the twins return to their spots with a bittersweet expression.
'I'm sorry I couldn't protect you, Sister.'
But Ryu-on's bitterness soon turned to vengeful fury.
'Though I failed to protect you, Sister, I'll protect your bloodline no matter what it takes.'
"Whoa, there are so many people!"
I let out exclamations of awe at the swarming crowds, like a horde of ants.
Coming to the market with Daddy was something I hadn't done since I was little.
'Daddy was always worried even about me going out to the market. So when he suggested we go together, I thought it was unexpected.'
Had some change come over Daddy's heart?
"Star, you absolutely can't leave Daddy's arms."
But seeing Daddy holding me like a newborn and vigilantly scanning the surroundings, he still seemed as anxious as ever.
'Right, Daddy's severe neurosis and fragility aren't going to heal overnight.'
"Daddy, I can walk on my own."
"No. What if you get trampled while walking alone?"
'Me getting trampled by people's feet just from walking in the market? Does Daddy see me as an ant?'
"I'm not that small! If you don't put me down, I'll hate you, Daddy!"
"Star hates Daddy?"
Daddy looked shocked, as if the world had crumbled.
"That face won't work! I can shop on my own now too!"
As I took a firm stance, Daddy—who had been seriously pondering with a grave face—finally set me down, as if making a momentous decision.
"Alright. If my Star says she can do it, let's give it a try."
Daddy pulled a money pouch from his sleeve and handed it to me.
"Today, Star will buy her own flower shoes."
"For real?"
"...Yeah."
'He looks like he wants to take back his words any second. I need to seize the chance while Daddy's offering it.'
"I can do it on my own! Believe in Star, Daddy?"
"...Of course!"
'Why that anxious face again?'
"Daddy, don't be scared while Star's gone—stay safe! I'll just buy the flower shoes and come right back."
"I'll try."
"Then, I'm off!"
Before Daddy could change his mind, I dashed energetically into the crowd.
'I was worrying how to buy shoes to wear in the cult—perfect!'
As I excitedly pushed forward, I paused and glanced back.
'No way Daddy's following me, right?'
...Nah, no chance.
Having sent Seol Cheon-seong on her errand, Dang Hwi stood rooted to the spot like a stone statue, staring only in the direction she'd disappeared.
'I want to scoop her back into my arms right now, but she said she'd hate me if I did, so I'll hold back.'
But that lasted only a moment. Dang Hwi's long legs, which had been rigid as stone, began moving silently.
Before long, a meaningful smile spread across Dang Hwi's lips.
'She never said anything about secretly following her.'