The Spreading Fame (3)
Gibson Blackwood had recently found his worries easing. Many things within the territory were finally falling back into place. The forest, which had been eroded by magic after being struck by monsters, was gradually reclaiming its original form. The people who had collapsed under the weight of lost hope were rising one by one. The sounds of weeping had ceased, and the sounds of laughter were increasing.
All of this had been made possible by the sacrifices of the Red Flame Mercenary Corps and Neir. He continued his work to ensure the prosperity of the territory, hoping his daughter was holding up well.
—Knock, knock.
"Father, it’s me."
A slightly urgent voice echoed from outside. Gibson nodded and allowed his eldest son, Gidin, to enter the room.
"Come in."
As soon as Gidin entered, he spoke to Gibson.
"We have a visitor."
"A visitor?"
Gibson pondered for a moment, wondering if he had forgotten something amidst his recent busy schedule. But no matter how hard he searched his memory, there were no scheduled visitors.
"Who would be coming to see us?"
"It is the Selenbryen family. They are currently standing off with our soldiers at the border of the Blackwood territory."
Since Gibson had maintained smooth diplomatic relations with the Selenbryen family, he felt no immediate anxiety at their sudden appearance. He was simply curious as to why they had come in such a hurry. Having been plagued by the problems of the Blackwood territory for some time, Gibson was not well-versed in the affairs of other noble houses. ...Even so, he could make an educated guess. Perhaps the Selenbryens were acting with such urgency and aggression for the same reasons as the Blackwoods.
Gibson nodded and said to Gidin,
"Show our guests in."
Gidin nodded as well.
As time passed, Gibson watched the elves entering the mansion. They looked different from the usual Selenbryen elves, who always carried themselves with nobility and adorned themselves in splendor. They looked somewhat harried, and there was no ease in their expressions. It seemed they had ridden their horses hard; there were no carriages to be seen, nor a retinue of servants. Instead, the head of the Selenbryen house, Ascal Selenbryen, had simply appeared on horseback with only a few guards.
Tall. Lean. A young, handsome face. It was a bizarre phenomenon that Ascal, who had lived for hundreds of years, looked younger than Gibson.
Gidin, who had brought the elves, dismounted first and led Ascal before Gibson. Ascal touched his forehead lightly and bowed his head.
"Lord Blackwood."
Gibson also showed his respect, folding his tail and blinking his eyes twice to greet him in the manner of the wolf-kin.
"Elder, to what do I owe the pleasure..."
"..."
Ascal Selenbryen gritted his teeth. It was an expression of emotion from this elderly elf that Gibson had never seen before. Since Gibson had lived a long life himself, he could only be all the more surprised.
"...Could we speak inside for a moment?" Ascal requested.
Seeing the arrogant aura stripped away from Ascal, Gibson grasped the gravity of the situation. He could clearly guess the reason. Since he had been in the same position, he nodded.
Once they entered the private room, Ascal let out a long sigh. Gibson poured a cup of tea for his guest and asked,
"What has happened?"
Gibson had known Ascal since birth. It was said that his father and grandfather had known Ascal as well. As such, regardless of status, Gibson felt a sense of respect toward Ascal. It felt like looking at a sage. When such a sage revealed his emotions with such a serious expression, Gibson could not help but be deeply concerned.
"Gibson. Our territory is unable to withstand the onslaught of the monsters."
In the private space, Ascal spoke more freely. Gibson did not find it uncomfortable. Because Ascal had called him 'Gibson' since he was a child, it would have been more awkward and uncomfortable for him to use formal language.
"We are holding on for now... but we need a solution. Soon, everything will collapse at once. The World Tree will also... obviously be attacked by the monsters."
The World Tree. At that word, Gibson nodded. The World Tree was as sacred to the elves as the five gods they worshipped. They held the belief that if the World Tree died, the world would perish.
"I need help. Could the Blackwood family dispatch some soldiers? I promise that this grace will not be forgotten, even after hundreds of years."
Had it been any other time, Ascal would have spoken of the duty to protect the World Tree together. But watching the elf elder swallow those words, Gibson realized he was being extremely careful with his phrasing. He was not forcing his beliefs onto others. That made him seem all the more desperate.
"..."
Even though everything was flowing exactly as Gibson had anticipated, he could not answer easily. Since there was no race as noble and renowned as the elves, Gibson wanted to help Ascal. But the Blackwoods had no leeway either. It had been only a few weeks since they were trampled and struggling under the monsters. If not for Neir’s sacrifice, they would not have been able to rise like this.
Watching the silent Gibson, Ascal sighed.
"...I see."
Gibson opened his mouth as if to offer an excuse.
"...Elder, we truly want to help. But we are struggling, as it hasn't been long since we escaped the monster offensive."
"The monster offensive?"
As the monster attacks had intensified recently, the exchange of information had slowed down. Gibson had assumed Ascal knew about the monsters that had descended upon the Blackwood territory, but since he didn't, he continued his explanation.
"We were also struggling with a leader beast recently. Did you not see the ruined forest on your way here?"
"I saw it, but..."
"The Blackwoods were on the verge of total annihilation. If we hadn't been lucky... you might not be meeting me right now."
"...Such a difficult time you've had. I apologize for not noticing."
"It is fine. Everyone is in a difficult situation."
Ascal remained silent for a long time before inhaling and asking. Gibson knew he would ask this.
"...Then how did you escape that danger?"
"We hired a human mercenary corps."
"...Ah. A human mercenary corps."
Ascal was disappointed by the fact Gibson had revealed and sighed again. Gibson asked the reason for that sigh.
"Why do you sigh?"
"...We are not in a situation to hire a mercenary corps. Not a single mercenary corps has accepted our request so far."
Gibson explained the case of the Blackwoods.
"The Blackwoods didn't have much to offer a mercenary corps either."
"...?"
"...In the end, we had to give up one of our children."
"...The mercenary corps accepted a person as payment?"
"That is correct."
Ascal was surprised by that fact, but he wiped his mouth bitterly.
"...That is truly unfortunate. Or should I say fortunate, since it saved the territory."
"..."
"Who did you give away?"
"Neir. My youngest daughter."
"...Neir. The child who liked our Arwin?"
"That would be her."
Gibson felt a sense of wonder seeing Ascal remember such trivial facts. At the same time, he smiled while reminiscing about Neir. But as the conversation continued, Ascal’s sigh only grew deeper. Gibson asked the reason for his sigh again.
"Elder?"
"Ah, forgive me. I keep sighing."
"It is fine. I understand. I was in that position until just recently."
Ascal frowned and said,
"...It bothers me that they are humans, not any other race. We were prepared to make sacrifices, but I don't know if we will see results worthy of that sacrifice."
"Are you speaking of the mercenary corps?"
"...Indeed."
"If you are talking about their skill..."
Gibson pondered for a moment before shouting loudly toward the door.
"Gidin! Are you there!"
The reply came back.
"I am."
"Come in for a moment!"
The door opened, and Gidin entered. Gidin offered his own greeting to Ascal.
"Gidin here went into battle with the mercenary corps. It would be more accurate to hear about their skills from him."
Ascal nodded and looked at Gidin.
"Gidin, tell me about that mercenary corps."
Gidin blinked for a moment, pausing as if recalling something. Soon, he answered with a powerful voice.
"It is certain that they are more systematic and better trained than any other mercenary corps. You will know this the moment you see them, Elder."
"Being systematic is meaningless. I am asking about their skill. I am asking if they can protect our World Tree."
"..."
Gidin closed his mouth. He glanced at his father. When Gibson nodded, Gidin let out a long breath. Then, he spoke in a cautious voice.
"...It is about the... vice-captain of that mercenary corps."
"Vice-captain?"
"He is the one betrothed to my sister. He is also the human who leads the mercenary corps' elite squad."
Watching Gidin deflect, Ascal prepared to speak. He only wanted to know if they could be trusted. He wished Gidin would just answer the question directly.
"Tell me—"
"—He is a monster."
Gidin whispered first. There was a faint tremor in Gidin’s murmuring voice, like a maiden who had seen a ghost.
"I have never seen anyone fight like that in my life. How he creates such movements..."
Ascal looked at Gidin, the eldest son of the Blackwood family. Because of his race, Ascal knew the weight of such praise. Gidin was known as a celebrated general in this wolf-kin society. Yet, he was holding the vice-captain of that 'human' mercenary corps in high regard.
"...I have never met Gale, the greatest warrior of the dragon-kin... but I believe this vice-captain has talent on par with him."
Ascal felt a sense of absurdity but snorted.
"...There is no one who can compare to Gale. I, who have lived for hundreds of years, guarantee it. Even the Hero received teachings from Gale. So, do not speak Gale’s name so lightly."
"...That may be so. But that vice-captain has a subjugation record approaching 200 monsters."
"What?"
"And having seen that skill myself, I don't even think it's a lie. If you are looking for a mercenary corps to subjugate a leader beast, I would recommend that one."
A long silence hung in the air following Gidin’s words. Ascal stood there for a long time, pondering something. And soon, the elf elder’s voice, when he finally opened his mouth, was filled with resolve.
"...I have no other choice. What is the name of this mercenary corps?"
"The Red Flame Mercenary Corps. They are based in Stakpin."
Ascal nodded and turned around. His urgency was apparent.
"Gibson, thank you. Gidin, you as well."
Gibson rose from his seat and said,
"I wish you luck."
Two weeks passed. Neir and I were getting to know each other day by day. There was still a certain wall between us. It seemed we would have to wait a long time to live like a normal married couple. Still, a comfortable atmosphere and occasional laughter flowed between us. I was gradually discovering Neir’s charms one by one. Since she had stopped watching my every move, she began to reveal her true self more freely.
"Neir. I'm home."
Neir ran up to me as I entered after finishing training and said,
"Berg! I told you to put the rag in the water after you use it!"
The daily life of a noble lady nagging about laundry. A remark that would have been nothing coming from anyone else became amusing when Neir said it.
"I left it out because I was going to use it one more time."
"How can you use it one more time when it's this dirty? Seriously..."
"Can't you welcome me home first?"
I had just finished grueling training, so I offered a light complaint.
"..."
Neir blinked, turned her head, and said,
"....You're back?"
I smiled and handed her the snack I had hidden behind my back. Neir’s ears perked up, and her tail wagged.
"Oh...? Berg, that is..."
"Honey pie. You said you liked it. Someone made it and gave it to me."
Her snack, contained in a small mold. Neir blinked with eyes full of anticipation, then approached me hesitantly.
"...Is it really for me? What about you?"
"I don't really eat things like this because they're too sweet."
"Ah... really? Do you still want a bite?"
It was obvious from her expression that it was just a polite offer. I could tell just by how worried she was about what answer I might give. I walked over to her, as she couldn't bring herself to approach. I set the snack on a nearby table and said,
"No. You eat it all."
At that answer, her tail wagged again. I finally understood why wolf-kin sat on their tails when they sat down. It would be troublesome if their emotions were so easily visible. It didn't matter to me now, as it only made me laugh. I brought a wooden fork from the kitchen and placed it next to the pie. Neir, who had already taken her seat, was waiting for me.
"...Thank you."
That was what Neir said as I handed her the utensil. I smiled and nodded. Then, I sat across from her and began to watch Neir enjoy the pie.
"...I'll let the rag thing slide this time."
Neir playfully brought up her earlier words. I burst into a chuckle again. Neir realized her joke had landed, smiled, and began to eat the pie. In truth, when we were together like this, there was no problem because neither of us felt uncomfortable. The problem arose when we had time to ourselves. That was when my head became complicated. Neir was likely the same.
Recently, the frequency of her sighing when I wasn't looking had increased. I had seen Neir’s back as she sighed while walking around the house more than once, and these days, she let out three or four heavy breaths before falling asleep. I could vaguely understand. She was struggling in her own way. Putting aside the fact that she had married someone she didn't love... Stakpin was a human-centric town. It was so different from the region where she had lived. As a noble, her standard of living was also different. I also realized that she had nothing to alleviate her boredom. While I was fine because I had training, meetings with executives, and friends here, Neir sat at home all day long. She only smiled a little when I was by her side.
I didn't know how many worries she was keeping to herself. I felt sorry that she was suppressing these dissatisfactions, but I was grateful that she was enduring them. However, I didn't know how she would change in the future. It was like watching an active volcano. I hoped that the emotions she would eventually erupt would be within a range I could handle. I didn't think we would live smoothly without any conflict. A problem that would eventually need to be addressed would come. Depending on the culture, a moment might come when I would have to force her to do something she didn't want to do.
"...Is it delicious?"
"Yes."
But at least for today, we spent the time smiling. Perhaps I needed to find a proper solution for a peaceful married life. I felt I needed to think of ways to become even closer to her, ways to treat each other with care. Because that is what a married couple is.