Chapter 47
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 47
The child did not yet know. She didn't understand what it meant to have awakened the White Tiger.
Under normal circumstances, this would undoubtedly have been a cause for grand celebration. However…
‘The Peril Beast of the North targeted So-ya.’
With a Peril Beast already after the child, if this fact became known…
“So-ya.”
Sa-eon called her name in a grave voice.
“Lord Sa-eon?”
“I think we should keep the fact that you awakened the White Tiger a secret for the time being. If word gets out, what happened today might happen again.”
“…!”
So-ya’s face filled with sudden alarm.
“Then… could Brother Hyeon and the others be in danger again?”
At her reaction, Sa-eon let out a soft, airy chuckle.
Even in a situation like this, she worried more about others than herself. It was admirable, yet it tugged at his heartstrings.
“You’re worried about everyone else, but aren't you worried about yourself being in danger?”
“…?”
So-ya blinked, failing to understand his words for a moment, before finally letting out a small gasp.
“Oh…”
She looked embarrassed as she tried to explain.
“It’s not that… I just didn’t think about it. Is that… a bit strange?”
Her inability to look after herself stemmed from an upbringing where she hadn't been able to love herself for a long time. Even after coming to the White Tiger Palace and receiving warm attention and love, she still hadn't fully grown accustomed to it.
“No. It’s not strange. It happens.”
Sa-eon spoke in a deliberately casual tone, making sure the child wouldn't think there was something wrong with her.
“I just want you to think of yourself before anyone else. You are more precious than anyone.”
A precious child.
So-ya’s mouth parted slightly at those words.
“But if that’s still difficult for you, then it’s my job to worry about you,” Sa-eon added with a grin. “Because I’m your dad.”
“Ah…”
An involuntary gasp escaped So-ya’s lips.
Dad.
It was the most reassuring word in the world.
Just having a dad made So-ya feel like she had become the most precious child in the world. And just having a dad made her feel like a powerful person who could do anything.
Dad.
It was the coolest, strongest word in the world. It was a precious, sparkling word that made her—someone who had tried to never be greedy for anything—want more and more.
“To Dad, our little Cotton Ball is the biggest priority. So, let’s keep this a secret for a while, at least until we find out exactly who was behind today’s incident.”
“Yes…!”
So-ya nodded vigorously.
Sa-eon chuckled and reached out to ruffle her hair.
“You really are a magnificent and amazing little Cotton Ball. You’re the bravest and most spirited Cotton Ball I know.”
At Sa-eon’s warm praise, the corners of So-ya’s mouth twitched. No matter how many times she heard his praise, it always made her feel wonderful.
“And Cotton Ball, would it be alright if we stepped outside the tent for a moment? Unless you feel dizzy or too tired…”
“No, I’m okay.”
Sa-eon scooped So-ya up with one arm and stepped outside.
Seol-yo, who had been waiting outside the tent, spotted So-ya and came running over with a whimper.
Holding So-ya, Sa-eon headed toward the altar where the ritual had been performed. The crowd gathered near the altar, buzzing with hushed whispers, fell silent the moment Sa-eon appeared.
“I shall now announce the winner of this year’s Mountain Lord Festival.”
At the sudden declaration, Ho Jeok-yeong looked at Sa-eon with a face that said, ‘What? Right now?’
Everyone else looked just as bewildered. The festival had been suspended after the mountain suddenly shook and the young masters fell down the cliff, necessitating a rescue operation.
And yet, he was announcing a winner now?
“This year’s Mountain Lord is Baek So-ya of the White Tiger Clan.”
“Pardon? But Clan Head, this is so sudden…”
“To decide the winner so unilaterally…”
“The one with the most successful hunts was from the Galho Clan…”
The crowd murmured in confusion.
Among them, the most bewildered person was none other than So-ya herself.
“Lord Sa-eon? Why…”
But instead of answering So-ya’s question, Sa-eon looked at the gathered kin and retainers and continued.
“So-ya, daughter of the Baek family, has found the Divine Object of the White Tiger.”
“…!”
“…!”
“…!”
At those words, every mouth in the crowd hung open in collective shock.
Facing the suddenly silenced crowd, Sa-eon held up the White Tiger Divine Sword that So-ya had found and explained.
“The Mountain Lord Festival originally began as an event to search for the White Tiger’s Divine Object. Since a daughter of the Baek family has finally found it, is it not only right that she be the winner?”
The people, frozen in disbelief, soon realized that the sword in Sa-eon’s hand was indeed the legendary Divine Object.
In an instant, cheers of joy erupted from all sides.
“Ohhh! To find the Divine Object that has been lost for hundreds of years…!”
“This is a blessing for the Western Lands!”
“Now we can finally show those arrogant bird-brains of the South and the fish-folk of the East a thing or two!”
Unlike the other three regions, the Western Lands had often been looked down upon because they lacked their guardian deity’s Divine Object. Of course, no one dared to say it to their faces given the White Tiger Clan’s immense power, but the beastkin of the West had often felt their pride wounded in subtle ways.
But now, the Divine Object they had searched for so long had been found!
And by this tiny, cotton-ball-like young lady!
“The Young Lady has brought great fortune to the West!”
“As expected, the Clan Head didn't bring her into the family for no reason.”
“To think we misunderstood the Clan Head’s deep insight.”
“Haha. I honestly thought the Clan Head had made a hasty decision because he was blinded by the Young Lady’s cuteness…”
Even those who had previously cast suspicious glances at So-ya now added their voices with faces full of joy.
‘And yet not long ago, they were gossiping about how I adopted a mere bird who couldn't even undergo beast transformation.’
Sa-eon wasn't particularly pleased with how quickly they changed their tune after seeing So-ya’s achievement.
His Cotton Ball was amazing enough without having to do anything special. She was the cutest and coolest Cotton Ball in the world just by breathing.
Watching them with a dissatisfied gaze, Sa-eon soon changed his mind.
‘Well, as for loving and cherishing her for no reason, that’s a job for us, her family.’
With that thought, Sa-eon looked down at So-ya in his arms.
“Congratulations on becoming the Mountain Lord, Cotton Ball. You were the coolest and bravest little beastkin in this festival.”
Sa-eon congratulated her as he placed the tiger mask on her head.
Amidst the cheers of the crowd, So-ya looked around with a slightly dazed expression before breaking into a shy smile.
“Cotton Ball!”
“So-ya!”
“Whimper!”
As soon as Sa-eon set So-ya down, Ga-yul, Ah-rang, and Seol-yo rushed her all at once.
“Are you okay? Is your body alright?”
“I heard you fell down the cliff with my brother!”
“Whimper, whine…!”
They seemed to think that So-ya and Ga-hyeon had simply taken a wrong turn and fallen.
“He told me I wasn't fit to be a brother because I lost you, and then he goes and gets himself hurt like this…”
Despite Ga-yul’s grumbling tone, his words were laced with worry for Ga-hyeon.
“Brother Hyeon will be up soon. So don't worry too much.”
“W-who’s worried! A tiger of the great White Tiger Clan doesn't do things like worrying!”
Caught in his true feelings by So-ya, Ga-yul shouted with his ears turning bright red.
As So-ya giggled at the sight, Ah-rang suddenly pulled her into a tight hug.
“Anyway, you were so cool, So-ya! Finding the Divine Object!”
“Oh, Lady Ah-rang…!”
So-ya wobbled for a moment under Ah-rang’s weight but quickly regained her balance.
“It’s truly amazing! As I thought, it’s such a waste to let the White Tiger Clan keep you! Come to my house instead!”
“Whimper! Whine!”
Beside them, Seol-yo let out some unintelligible sounds, whimpering along.
“And So-ya! I saw you transform, and you were so cute!” Ah-rang cried out, her eyes sparkling.
“Hmph, what did I tell you? Cotton Ball is cute normally, but she’s even cuter when she transforms!” Ga-yul said with a smug grin, as if he were the one being praised.
“Whimper, whine!”
Seol-yo mimicked Ga-yul’s expression and let out a huffing laugh.
“No fair! You’re this cute, and you only just showed me!”
“Hah! Your family doesn't have a Cotton Ball this cute, does it?”
“Ugh! That’s it, Baek Ga-yul! I’m going to take you down and take the Cotton Ball with me!”
Just as Ah-rang, unable to take Ga-yul’s provocation any longer, was about to pounce on him—
So-ya, who had been standing there quietly, asked a question, unable to understand what they were saying.
“I’m… cute?”