Chapter 129
In each generation, there is only one. The Acacia, which can only continue its lineage through a sole heir, naturally has very few members. One would think they should hastily marry to continue the line, but that was not the case. Most of them lived their lives to the fullest until others began pressing them, and then they reluctantly looked for an heir.
As a result, only two Acacia currently exist in this world.
A race with a lifespan of a thousand years, yet just two members.
Considering one of them was an accidental occurrence, it’s hard not to think of the family as having no strategy at all. Especially given that their existence is critical to the race’s survival.
‘… But why is this my story?’
The face reflected in the spring water looked gaunt, as if it hadn’t eaten properly. I wondered if this was the face I had in the meeting hall, and I let out a sigh.
As I rose to my feet, barely drying off, a towel was handed to me. I thought it was Epethes, but it was Kalph. Behind him, Aska and Syran were also sending concerned looks my way.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes.”
I couldn’t say I felt great, but there was no real reason to say I wasn’t okay either. When I thanked him and accepted the towel, Kalph, who had been hesitating, finally spoke.
“I’m sorry. We didn’t want to burden you with this.”
“It’s something that can’t be helped. I’m the only one who can heal the King.”
Thinking of it as saving a life, it wasn’t entirely something I despised. From the mission to save the Emperor to now a mission to save the King, it feels like I was born to save rulers.
What worried me more was the situation worsening. If the treatment didn’t work and the King died, I would naturally become the next King.
In fact, my journey to the sealing grounds had a lot to do with preparing for such an outcome. Even for Acacia, the throne could only be succeeded through a specific ritual, one that required being face-to-face.
‘King, huh.’
Was this really the right thing?
Just thinking about the word was suffocating; I couldn’t even imagine how it would feel if it became reality. It might be better to re-investigate the lineage of the predecessors. Surely there must have been an Acacia who skipped succession somewhere. There can’t really be just two of us in this vast land.
“Sorry, but it’s really just two.”
Reality remained stark as ever. The response was firm and immediate, extinguishing my hope before I could even fully entertain it. I closed my eyes for a moment.
“… Is that a confirmed result from thorough investigation?”
“Yes, we checked all the lineages and records thoroughly before reaching this conclusion. I personally verified it, so I’m confident.”
“You personally verified it?”
“Yes, because Rafiel had the same doubts as you before he inherited the throne.”
“……”
‘Like father, like son,’ was written clearly on Kalph’s face. It seemed my father had greatly disliked the idea of becoming King. Perhaps that’s why he often left the mainland, which left a bitter taste in my mouth. I felt I wouldn’t be much different.
“Rafiel is not going to die.”
The voice halted my complicated thoughts. Syran was muttering quietly with his gaze fixed on the ground. When everyone turned to him, he looked up with a tearful face.
“Why is everyone thinking about succession? Rafiel is the strongest person there is. He won’t die.”
“Syran.”
“He will recover and come back to us. So, don’t even think about succession. It’s not going to happen.”
His resolute words caused Kalph, who had been trying to stop him, to swallow a groan. Clutching his clothes tightly, syran looked straight at me, as if bracing himself to face any response.
“Yes, I hope so too.”
For some reason, he seemed even closer to tears after hearing this.
* * *
We decided not to have a large expedition team. Since the seal’s location was in Bukryeong where plants are vulnerable, a larger team wouldn’t be effective and could increase the chance of complications. Additionally, since the Demonic Beasts was aware of the seal’s location, we needed to approach without being detected.
“So I think a team of around five or six people should suffice.”
“Counting Guardians, that makes up to about ten people. Not bad.”
This plan was feasible mainly thanks to Epethes. His ability to transport us would significantly reduce travel time. Even if something went wrong, we could quickly escape or call for reinforcements. Essentially, this expedition was akin to a scouting party.
The disappointing part was that no one knew the exact coordinates of the seal. At the time of the incident, a thick fog had settled everywhere, causing everyone to lose their sense of space. The Knights believed that the fog had been created by magic.
“Bukryeong’s natural magic is quite strong. That’s why it seems like it took us longer to notice that something was wrong with the fog.”
Kalph explained. Aska nodded calmly in agreement. Apparently, the fog had already been dense even before they arrived. It was a meticulously prepared trap, calculated well ahead of their arrival. With that, I couldn’t help but ask the question that had been bothering me.
“Why did the King go to Bukryeong in the first place?”
Bukryeong, where it was winter all year round, was the harshest land on the four continents. It was said to be covered in snow and ice everywhere, making it the worst environment for plants. I couldn’t understand why he would willingly go there. Kalph and Syran looked at Aska for an answer, and after a moment of silence, he spoke.
“… He went to meet a dragon that lives there.”
“A dragon?”
“Which dragon? There are many dragons residing in Bukryeong.”
“Temperas.”
At that moment, the faces of the two Knights twisted in identical grimaces.
“Temperas? You mean that mad dragon?”
It seemed to be a notoriously bad dragon, even from the sound of it. Epethes, who had been disinterested until now, looked over with sudden interest.
“Rafiel went to meet that one? Why?”
“… It seems there was something he needed to hear from him.”
“Something he needed to hear?”
His initially forthcoming answers halted. Staring silently at the ground, he appeared unwilling to continue the conversation. Kalph and Syran also refrained from probing further, perhaps sensing this was not a topic for public discussion. I decided it was best to steer the conversation elsewhere. After all, I wasn’t particularly curious about the King’s personal matters.
“Besides, if no one knows the coordinates, how will we find the seal’s location? We can get to Bukryeong through direct travel, but can we determine the precise location?”
“… There’s no need to worry about that.”
Fortunately, Aska was willing to answer other questions and resumed speaking.
“The seal was made with the blood of Knights and resonates with us. As we draw closer, we will be able to feel it.”
Silence followed the explanation. It was clear everyone was thinking of the being that had been sacrificed for the seal. Though I had never seen this person, I too felt a heavy heart at that moment.
“So, what will the team composition look like?”
“Well, um, since it’s a small group, we naturally need to select the best. However, I’m still recovering and unable to participate. Syran should stay to protect the main territory in case of emergencies. Thus, the only Knight available to depart immediately is Aska.”
Kalph, who had been pale-faced, managed to regain his composure to respond. Some aspects of the situation were as expected. Semeion’s participation could only be determined once we established contact, though I didn’t harbor much hope.
‘If he were in good condition, he would have contacted us by now.’
Since his health hadn’t been great to begin with, it was hard not to think of the worst-case scenario. It seemed that Kalph and the other Knights shared a similar sentiment, as they refrained from discussing it further.
“There is one suitable person. He were a strong candidate to become a Knight but narrowly missed the selection. Skilled in combat and seasoned in travel, he’ll be a great asset for this journey.”
“I see.”
“The problem is that we’ve lost contact with him for some time now… Anyway, I’ll find a way to get him involved. It shouldn’t take too long to finalize the rest of the composition.”
“Alright, I understand.”
“… I’m sorry again, Sei. Us incompetent adults have placed too heavy a burden on you.”
I looked at Kalph, hearing his somber voice. There weren’t many people who’d asked me for something or felt sorry for me, and having someone apologize repeatedly was a strange experience. I realized I was weak to this sort of thing.
“I’ll say this again, but it really is okay.”
The fact that the answer, which would normally have tangled in my throat, came out smoothly indicated I genuinely felt okay. In truth, I found it more reassuring to have something I could do, rather than being someone utterly helpless. Though this might change once the journey began.
No, it would undoubtedly change. The moment I arrived at the sealing location and saw the King’s face, I might want to flee immediately. But for now, I decided to comfortably accept this unfamiliar feeling. Even if it stemmed from resignation.