"Clothes!?"
"All check!"
"Toothbrush!?"
"Check- Hold on, do you want the blue one or green one again?"
"I want the blue one! Now, snacks!?"
"Check! I even brought some taeg ppang we made last night.*
"Sweet! What about playing cards!?"
"Do we even have that?"
"Oh yeah! I haven't even retrieve it from Ae-Ri Unnie! Never mind then, gotta call her back later!"
"Are you two done yet?"
"Of course not! The sun haven't come up too so, we got time!"
Waiting for the glorious morning sun to shine upon the winter days. Juha who's waiting at me checking my luggage again just to make sure we miss nothing, rest on Yoo-Ah's bed already in her uniform but,
"By the way, Juha, what's with your uniform? It looks more... Fancier than the ones I use to see."
With a longer coat, cape, and medals hanging down her chest, jade patterns bigger stretching from her shoulders to her knees and some chains that looks like hooks, making her looks more like a commander than a soldier. Juha gets up replying:
"It is mandatory for full time officers like myself to use ceremonial uniform when visiting the capital. It is to differentiate our standing from the countless part time city watch and guards station there. Besides, all I did was just change my coat, my insides are still the same."
"Oh! Well, that coat do look pretty cool! Wonder if I get to wear cool clothing as an adventurer like that Tarkus guy."
(I wonder when will I get to show her my armour? Without raising any suspicion... Or should I? Get my mind clear, Sova! She already saw it anyways!)
"Thank you and I think you should prioritize practicality, utility, and ease of access than appearances. Now are you all done yet? Why do you even need to pack so many for just 1 night stay?"
As I realize how little items I have, I zip it up saying:
"Don't worry, I carry little!"
"Not you, Sova. You won't even have anything either for a while."
"That's rude! Sova will one day bring treasure and riches soon! Ah! Do we have extra money for souvenirs and shopping!?"
I hold the purse Yoo-Ah always carry replying:
"Check...? By the way, do I need to bring any weapon along? Like the spear?"
(I want to try and use my soul weapon much less).
"No need, we'll be in safe hands under the royal army. And besides, if you are in trouble, I'll protect you and provide you with some weapon. I have it all covered. AND in case some rotten individual tries to do something funny, I won't hesitate to lop his or her off."
Juha gestures at her neck and I nod to agree-
"Oh right!"
I rummage on the bag I carry and pull out the medallion the Colonel gave me. Showing it to her I ask,
"The Colonel said I can use this for protection as well. Do you know what this is?"
"Oh? That's Lord Song-Iseon's family token. It means you are now under his protection which is perfect. With both the IDB and the Colonel covering you, along with the adventures guild international shield. It would take no less than the Leaders of a Country or a high ranking member of the spirit church to poke at you. You're in safe hands now."
"Awesome... Wait, what about the adventurers badge?"
"That is fixed too, it's with me now! And, oh! I heard that the capital is still filled with Owlians right!? Who knows, you might actually meet some fans, Sova! Though it might still be little considering your new entry."
"R-Really? Me? Fans?"
"Yes, unlike the other cities, the capital is too massive and dense for some kind of forceful change, less the entire Kingdom's military is task to do so, or some sort of a coalition invasion, or some kind of massive epidemic, or maybe the endless rivers drying up."
"That's some very scary examples."
"Worry not, we have control of the river. And those that do, controls the people."
"Oh, is that some kind of saying in this kingdom?"
"Yes, since ancient sailor times, those that owns the river and some ships becomes the head of the tribe of sorts."
"Neat history."
(Does that mean most people live in rafts of sorts? Water nomads... Isn't that similar to those people living on the backs of monsters on the blasted south?)
"It's not that special, just like how the western peninsula where those that own the patty hills becomes king."
Juha folds her arms and nods to herself as she realize something and Yoo-Ah who finished zipping her baggage that looks like it would explode hugs it saying:
"Heh, history huh? Never really bothered with it! Too many names and too many minute details to memorize! I mean who the hell needs to memorize the name of the guy who carries the flag around and then who was it that raised it too!?"
"Really? Now that's just excessive."
"I know right!?"
"Sigh... I expected a better response from you, Sova. Being a noble and all. I don't know how the education is in Heaven but here, history is a mandatory subject in schools. Just be grateful that we can actually record that much."
"Well, tough luck, never went to one!"
"Huh!?"
"Wait, you too? Really?"
Catching both our attention, Yoo-Ah shakes her head replying:
"Yup! Only my Sis went with her scholarship! Our parent's savings don't have enough to school all of us! After all, their investment and treasury went kapoot when the war broke out. But Sis did say she has around 4 degrees and is much better than the average scholar so I have no worries! I guess the closest thing to school is the Adventurers Guild Staff training classes!"
Juha slowly nods replying:
"That is... True."
"I'm sorry, is it hard to get to school here?"
"Yes, discounting the myriad costs, 8 years ago when the war ended kids are still not allowed out of their homes or shelters so elementary schools had to shut down for years. Though you could immediately went to the next level as long as you know how to speak and write. Though, aren't you acquainted with many influential people?
Like Lord Hwang-So, that baker Yi-Il? And yesterday I heard you know the famed Marshal and Hero of the Coalition, Lord Gum-Soo... And I cant forget you said former Commander General of the army, Lord Won-Yok as well during our lunch. With just one of their word the academy would easily gave you a scholarship like your Sister. (They could even let you live in the palace for that matter)."
Juha who is close to me rest her chin softly mumbling,
"(Heck, if anybody knows who supports you, they would have elected you as one of the senior princesses. How did she even got under our IDB's radar when she spouts all those ridiculous names so casually? That would explain how her brother is treated like royalty)."
Hearing Yoo-Ah softly murmur that last sentence while facing away, I can't help but tilt my head wondering,
(Yoo-Ah, elected as princess? I mean, Sis Fei is a princess and she doesn't fit that part- Wait, are princesses here not blood related to the king!? Maybe, I should read the Hwansea and Pyoyeo dictionary again for the meaning of their words... If I found one).
Before I could ask anything to confirm, Yoo-Ah slams at my pillow shouting:
"That's the problem! I can't live up to the standards they want! Sis gave me the questions and I suck bad! Turns out I gotta be good in all the subjects if I want to keep the scholarship! If they gave me that I doubt I could keep being the top scorer like my Sis!
Though, I doubt I want to spent endless nights studying from sun rise to sunset till graduation, my mind wouldn't be able to take it! And most importantly, everyone told me that the kids in my generation are bad chums to get affiliated with at the schools around us."
"Ah... That is... True as well. That means you tried enrolling around 3 years ago huh?"
"Huh? What does that mean? Bad chums?"
"Well, you see, many of the Nobles younger generation or what's left of them has finally come of age and were sent to school. Just like that both the private and national academy became a playground for them where bullying and abuse is through the roof for the commoners and lower nobility. There are even multiple recorded incidents of planned murder, blackmail, forced prostitution, child abduction, and something even worse.
And in school where only the olden and Ring Nobles has direct control. Lord Gum-Soo cannot extend his influence there, maybe Lord Hwang-So and Lord Won-Yok could do something but they could only do so much from faraway and both are busy people.
And now that she's a year late, it is hard when the post war grace period is over so everyone is now enrolled according to their year of birth."
Feeling a bit jumbled and confused by the burst and amount of knowledge being spewed by her, Juha ponders again before saying:
"Hmm... Actually, you might be able to keep your scholarship even when you don't keep your scores high, there's cases of many scholarship students actually not fulfilling their desired grade yet keep doing it out of sheer nepotism and favouritism.
Honestly, if your brother didn't pull that stunt you said. You might be one of the important students in school. But now, I doubt any of them would let you off scott free even knowing who you're affiliated with."
(What the fudge! School sounds like a lawless district than a place where you actually learn! If this place has that much crime and record I can only imagine what is school like in heaven where Aunt and May told me it's bad. And Juha knows a lot about events. I wonder if she excel in history?)
"Oh, wait! Does that mean the reason Yoo-Ah can't go to school is because Yoo-Gisa as well? You know, his stunt of running away?"
"Hmm, now that you two said that! You're both right! Stupid Oppa!"
*Slam*
"Even when you're gone you ruin your family! But... I still won't accept such scholarship! I want to be honest about my work and I want my family to be proud of my own effort! Just like a baker who's not afraid to admit he burned his bread! And one day when I make my own recipe, I can proudly say it's mine!"
Yoo-Ah body slam her bag as to flatten it more and Juha then smile before laying down again saying:
"That is a good attitude to have and I am happy to hear that."
(I still have no idea what in the world are they talking about but seeing her honest makes me happy too! Hmm, didn't Abe said something how Yoo-Ah is now different than whatever it is? So is she suppose to be something else?)
"We would be living on the streets if my Dad's friends didn't help, so much so All of the stuff we own now is thanks to them too... Besides, we don't want to be more indebted to them when they are all also suffering in their territory. But enough about that! I don't want to hear the word school no more! Talk about something else!"
"Alright, and that explains why your friends are all so much older than you. I hate to say it but you are... Talented."
Yoo-Ah dash infront of the resting Juha lending an ear with a huge smug shouting:
"Hmm!? What was that!? Your voice is too soft at the end~!"
Juha jumps away and turns to me asking:
"Wait, Sova, what do you mean "you too?" Did you not went to school as well?"
I shake my head saying:
"No, I spent my entire childhood moving from places to places every year before arriving at what you call Heaven. So I learn from my family. I never really know the cost of schooling but they say it is expensive in Heaven and other circumstances as well."
"Oh, Sova! Hum! Hum! We really are a fish sharing their gills!"
Yoo-Ah jumps to hug at me and I return the favour replying:
"Whatever that means, Sure."
"Sigh... That is not something to celebrate! Though, I'm surprised considering your ability to speak, write, and in combat. I suppose I'm pretty grateful for my parents then. I'm also impressed you two know so much despite home schooling. You're both quite amazing."
"T-Thanks."
(Then again.. I and May learned from Sis Rubeca who studied supposedly from the best academy in the whole known world, Grand Lunar Academy... I know May is doing fine).
"Hear that!? Amazing, Sova! Amazing~! Wait, why do you say that louder to her!?"
"Hmph! Can't hear you."
Juha turns and stand saying:
"Then again, many of the adults taking charge now never went to school either thanks to the Coalition war reaching Silla 13 years ago. Like the Colonel and my brother never finish elementary, so they just use their medal of service and family influence for bypassing their lack of education."
"Oh yeah! Sis only went to school after the war so... 8 years ago, I think? The age range is pretty large! Like there's this old dude who is a father with 3 kids sitting next to her!"
(That sounds... Pretty tragic and weird).
"True, now grab your bags! We're leaving! The sooner we arrive the better!"
"Yes! Lead the way!"
"Y-Yea!"
Seeing Juha left the room, I pack up and rush out when I notice Yoo-Ah still hasn't budge.
"Um, Sova, since you're okay now can you help me carry this? I'll carry your bag."
"Oh, sure..."
(What did she carry there that she can't even lift it? She didn't carry this much when we were coming here).
*************************************
"Woah! What is that blue forest!?"
"Oh! That's the Ja-Jaji forest. They say a very old and powerful spirit lives there and the forest is now some sort of national park overseen by the spirit church."
"I see..."
(Spirit church... I wonder what they're like here? Last time I help at their sermons I was kinda thrown out because the spirits hates Owlians).
With all nature's beauty laid before me, the range of colours despite the blanket of snow makes me wonder how much colorful this place could be in spring.
*Clang* *Clang* *Clang* *pssh*
The sound of steel and compressed air exiting around us, I look over the window and felt the cold touch of its glass.
"Oh! Sova there, see those mountain range?"
"Huh? Y-Yea, what about it?"
"Those are the extension of the Ju Mountain that separates the north and south. Hundreds of rivers in the capital comes from the myriad of lakes that form under their waterfalls!"
"Yes, I should bring you there. That place also got turn to some attraction for this winter. Looks like the kingdom is slowly being revive."
"Really!? We should go there!"
"Yea! Wait... I just realize this but none of it is free right?"
(I feel like I've been getting a lot of stuff for free I kinda forgot the pricing of things).
"Of course not, but don't worry, it's not that expensive and there will be massive discounts everywhere. Especially after Martial Law where everyone has their possession's taken away, and that apply to nobles too. They don't want to tip the already over the edge populace."
"Really!? That's good then."
"Yeaaaah! Wait, what attraction is there first? Don't tell me it's fishing!?"
Juha feeling tired leans at the wall on the side of her seat replying:
"Sadly no, I heard it's a ball sports of some kind. The Chamchi family seems to sponsor it so they have to follow along. Other than that, I guess there's the regular Suwah reservations before the festival and sculpted date spots."
"Eeeh! Who watches sports nowadays!? And from our conversation before, I'm sure none of us are dating anybody either! Tch! How boring!"
(Oh? Do people here change their rivers and lakes to some attraction every year? That sounds pretty neat).
The sound of the train's engine can be loudly heard as the only ones at this self-driving train is us. Looking back, seeing our luggage just sitting around to take the empty spaces, I notice a huge building with many parking space and train tracks. And most importantly, the Jumping whale similar to the ones I see at the capital is present atop that place. I point to it asking:
"Oh! What is that place? Is it a resort of some kind?"
Juha's gaze follow where I point and she nods, smiling pleasantly replying:
"Ah, yes... The Royal Whale Resort. It was once the Royal's family Palace before they turn it into a resort. I was so young when I came there."
"Wait, really!? What is it like?"
"I can't really remember the details, but I never experienced everything they had. They got from swimming pools, gyms, shopping mall, open air operas, glass palace gardens, the food... Ah yes the food. I heard that place is one of the few places where you can actually cook the royal dish since in technical terms, that is the "royal palace-"
*Bonk*
"Really!? Hrmmm! Damn! Why did nobody tell me about it! I should've just sneak Uncle Yi-Il there to cook for me!"
(Can she even do that?)
Yoo-Ah slams her self to the window facing the resort as I wonder what kind of face she's making. Juha relaxing as she shuts her eyes continue saying:
"Sigh... You and your stupid ideas. Of course nobody recommend it, that place cost a fortune to stay. You need at least the pocket of a royalty to stay there. Our family used our life savings before we finally get to live there for a week. Though it IS worth every dime we spent. Every where you go, servants will be there to attend you. You basically got to live life like royalty essentially."
"Woah! Fancy! I wonder if we can visit and see the exterior?"
"Yeah! I'm curious to see! Maybe I could implement something for our Inn!"
"Heh, don't bother. That place is great and famous purely from over extravagance. I doubt your inn could replicate one thing from them. Each of their unique room has an exterior wallpaper costing around 30000 Wu, or decades of someone's yearly pay."
"Gulp..."
"That's...!"
"Besides, it has been closed at the midst of the Coalition War for the lack of foreign visitors 16 years ago. The only ones there is probably just the King's Crimson Guard or maybe the royal family trying to live outside the capital... Or maybe that's where the party will be held?"
(Wait, so we don't know where the party will be held?)
Juha looks at the watch where she keeps her item and shakes her shoulder saying:
"Though, I doubt anybody wants to waste their money on that place when we barely got anything to spare."
"Yeah! I'm more than happy getting to live at our inn!"
(I don't think I ever stayed in something like a resort. I guess, the closest is Yoo-Ah's inn).
Looking at the front window, the sight of the gigantic jumping whale growing bigger and closer means we're getting close to the city. The sights I see from afar, the myriad aqueducts, ships, and now where the walls are so close, I see endless stream of water being pour out. Unlike the frozen lakes, the waters pours out with no end, like waterfall it makes rainbows across the great ravine dug around the city that seems to form some sort of natural barrier of water.
Remembering the story of the first king of this kingdom Juha told me, bridges are everywhere the rivers are. Even outside the city walls, there are small roads where countless rural towns stand and some even became bridges and fortresses. Looking at this reminds me of...
"A mini version of Rucina city."
"What is that suppose to mean!? Anyways! Look, Sova! The Capital city of our kingdom! Janhangang! We have arrive!"
"Mm!"
I nod and stare at the city as it's getting closer and closer. I see the giant blue walls crossing over mountains, building sprung around the rivers and bridges and... I could see countless people crowding every street as we soon pass over small wall at the outer shell of sort. The sight of crowd reminds me of the insect empire I learn on study time when May told me how crowded one nest could be.
Wondering if such thing is possible, I remembered that Rucina city is possible so this might be one of the wonders I will soon try to find. Our private train soon dives down a tunnel of sort where light seems scarce. Taking this chance I grab Yoo-Ah's bag asking;
"Say is it true, there's like 700 million people living there?"
"Well, that's what I learn from my Sis! They say it could even be more!"
"Pff, how dumb of you to think such numbers could be real. Don't believe that, those number is greatly exaggerated. Especially after the siege of the capital during the final moments of the war. Take it from me who read the classified documents not many has access to."
Juha comments as she stands near the door holding the rods at the ceiling.
"I hate to say this, but her words may hold true!"
(Well, Rucina is a city with multiple countries within its literal walls, and even more nations behind it).
I remembered and wonder before asking:
"So, how many people live there then?"
"Before the war it is estimated around more then 500 million from years of survey but... After the invasion the atrocities the Western Kings did to our people left only less than 200 million now when the body tolls up."
"What!? That means we lost more than half of the city's population! And now they still dare occupy the walls of our capital for "peace" keeping!? The gall of them!"
(Huh!? Wait, there are foreign troops in the capital walls?)
Yoo-Ah angrily shouts at Juha and she shakes her head saying:
"I can tell why you're angry. But that is just what happened when we barely won. We did manage to keep most of our independence but the enemy gets to keep the territory they manage to conquer and appoint some puppet to rule those territory making a new dukedom. But enough talk about politics, we are here to have fun. Come, we are close."
Yoo-Ah claps her cheeks as it turns red as to get her mind out of it and I can only wonder how it feels. Yoo-Ah blinks a few time before shouting:
"Alright! We're here to have fun! Follow me, Sova! I'll show you the spots my Sister told me when she is still at school! And after that, I wanna invite you on something!"
"Oh? What is it?"
*Slam*
Yoo-Ah slams the chair beside me as she leans closer whispering,
"(It's a secret!)"
Not really knowing what to expect her to say I merely smile replying with a soft,
"Right..."
"Hahaha, I doubt you could do that. Most of the shops your sister visit has already shut down so... Let me be the one to help you tour the city. But first, we must drop our bags at my residence."
"Yea... What do you pact inside this? It's about to burst. Don't you have something like Juha's magic watch?"
(Well it's not as heavy as the war god's spear).
"I don't! Those are too expensive for commoners! Also, that's part of the secret!"
*Psssh*
{Please mind the gap}
When light returns, I hear the female announcer speaks and lift Yoo-Ah's bag replying:
"Alright, I'll be waiting for the surprise."
Following behind Juha, I realize the station we drop off to is filled with people wearing their uniforms like Juha. The colour palate that shows from blue, white, and brown but so far just one purple and gold. So much so, Juha's also the only one here wearing green and many eyes are on us.
(I wonder what is the rarity of these colours? Juha did say she is one of the highest but is it that high I can't see one regularly and what determines the bone rank now that I see so many?)
Unlike the usual station, this place doesn't have any stores or anything at that. Just endless corridors with plates and orbs hanging on the ceiling that reads where we are along with groups of soldiers marching in and out of the corridor getting on on the long trains. That's until we reach those moving fences and I could see lines of guards armed to the teeth guarding each gap.
(Are we in some kind of military base?)
Staying close to Juha and keeping Yoo-Ah close to me, Juha takes out her ID saying:
"They're with me."
Yoo-Ah march ahead showing hers and my adventurer badge. The guard looking a bit worried even under his helmet let us through saying:
"Very well, sorry for taking your time and please go ahead, Jade Bone Goddess."
At the end of the tunnel where the sunlight can be seen, Yoo-Ah rush ahead to the stairs. I extend my hand saying:
"Wait, Yoo-Ah!"
Only for her to ignore me and arrive first with her hands to the air shouting:
"Hum! Hum! We've arrived!"
Chasing her upwards, feeling the morning sun shining down after a time in the darkness blinded me for a while before I feel the soft touch of snow.
"Welcome to the Capital City of Silla, Janhangang. The largest city in the entire northern peninsula and the city of endless branching rivers, locally known as the sailor's dream."
As if her words disperse the light, I could finally gaze from below. From where I stand, I could see long buildings filled by windows and large doors, many ships docked to the rivers that's been digged to look like ports, and when I turn to look back I see a massive palace casting a shadow over many buildings to its side while trains keep coming in and out from under it. The rivers, the oh so many rivers, each of them are wide enough to fit 2 of those massive ships filled with cannons and arrays of weaponry. And the open field are full of soldiers training and moving around even in the winter.
"Hey! Where's the ration stocks!", "Can you please deliver this to the northern offices?", "Did you hear? Those soft teeth westerners are gathering their forces at the western walls. I hope they don't plan on doing whatever they think they are.", "Haah, I'm exhausted! How much longer till break?", "Hey shut it! There's a high ranking officer here!", "I'm sure it's fine if it's planning for Suwah.", "Damn, why do those soft teeth gotta move, I wanna spend time with my family this winter.", "Argh! This coat keeps itching on my neck, can I borrow your towel, Hyung-nim?", "Hey, do you know what this card says?", "Nah, none of us are fitted for war even after everything, I doubt any skirmish is even possible. Everything is probably just a show.", "Where is that rookie! He better not fucking sleep on his job again!", "Calm down commander, let's ask Hui-nim if he knows anything.", "Woah, a female officer. When was the last time I seen one?", "Dude, there's many working on the desk and logistics. Though from the sword on her waist, it is indeed rare to see a female combat officer.", "Man, it's the looks, those girls there are definitely cute! Discounting that Owlian.", "Eyes away, fresh fries! That's a jade bone you're looking at!", "Hey, isn't that an adventurer guild uniform? What a weird group.", "Hold on... Gold hair, and owlian? Is that the star child!?", "Eyes away, I said! If you got time to chat then get your legs moving!", "Sorry, commander but is there any engineers left? Our cruiser is in need of immediate repair.", "Right, if anything they should pull their forces back, our people are not sitting down being oppressed by them.", "Keep the ship moving! Just a little more!"
The overlapping sounds of soldiers, officers, and workers come together to make this bustling road filled with life and worry.
(I suppose this is the military docks).
Focusing back at Juha, I reply:
"Ooh~ you're gonna act like a guide, Juha?"
"For today yes, the capital has changed by a lot from before the war. Though I doubt that would effect you much, Sova. Considering this is your first time here."
"Thanks! I can't wait to see the places you'll lead us."
"Hmph! Just wait, and see."
"Hoh!"
Yoo-Ah looking around the place gasp in shock as I follow her gaze close to the river bank to see a giant man amongst the crowd. Even though surrounded by numerous armed guards, he sticks out with his green trimmed coat and funny shorts, unlike previously he seem to wear even lighter clothing since he wears an opened buttoned shirt under his coat while folding the sleeves up, he looks like a guy prepared for summer than winter.
Biting down a cigar as he speaks with another man wearing a coat with sparkling silver trims. She points at him and turn tail shouting:
"That's Hwang-So gramps! Let me go greet him!"
"Huh? W-Wait."
Watching Yoo-Ah dash away, I easily catch up to her as she shouts:
"Gramps! Over here!"
Hwang-So looks around and widened his eyes as he almost crucnh his cigar off shouting:
"H-Huh..!? Yoo-Ah!"
The officer beside him looks confused as the other guards close to him groups to a formation when Hwang-So pushed them away saying:
"At ease! If any of you point your weapon at her I'll have you summarily executed!"
Seeing the shock and fear on their face, they back far away until Yoo-Ah arrives shouting:
"Good afternoon gramps! I'm so happy to see you!"
The crystal on his cigar shines turning his red eyes orange, smiling as he says:
"My, Yoo-Ah, didn't know you would come to the capital. How did you even come from the military railway? Haah, whatever, it's so nice to see you too~!"
Hwang-So then turns his gaze on me and continue saying:
"And Sova Anmao, not a day where your name is not mention. Right, congrats on your promotion."
"T-Thank you. And thank you for letting me use your private residence too!"
"Think nothing of it, lil adventurer. Especially not when Yoo-Ah's the one begging me..."
He then looks at the officer beside him saying:
"Heh, anyways this is great! Captain Hae-Woon, you can leave for now. Take a battleship with you near the west walls. Make sure those soft teeth foreigners don't do anything funny."
The officer clasp his head and bow down shouting:
"Yes, we obey, Admiral!"
The captain turns and runs away when he leaves our sight, Yoo-Ah shouts:
"Oh, right!"
Realizing something, Yoo-Ah rummage her bag that I'm holding before pulling out a snack shouting:
"Here you go, gramps! Your favourite! Luckily we got some. I heard you can't get one in the capital."
Hwang-So gramps gives us his full attention and his smile widens as he pats Yoo-Ah saying:
"Ah, Yoo-Ah... I wish my grandkids is as caring as you. Thank you, hmm... Remember your promise, Yoo-Ah? Hope your stomach is empty, do you wanna eat somewhere?"
"Oh! What about that place with the famous Haja fins!"
"Ah, sorry but that store closed already."
"Eeh!"
"Don't worry, I have many shops I know off. But which ones to bring you in? Hmm, maybe all of them?"
As he wonder, Juha catches up slowly walking to us. She clasp her hands shouting:
"Greetings, honourable Admiral, Sangeo Hwang-So!"
"Hmm? Oh, if it isn't Hwa-Jin's granddaughter? Back to the capital already? I'm seeing rare faces today- Wait, did you come here with her Yoo-Ah?"
Yoo-Ah nods shouting:
"Yup! She's here to bring us to the princess's party! We're gonna have a royal dish tonight!"
"Yes, but try dashing away again, I'll leave you behind for good!"
"Eeh!? Can't I greet my gramps! Hear that, gramps! She is a big meanie infront of her superiors!"
"That has nothing to do with military ranks nor you in particular! Don't get carried away just cause you're close with Lord Sangeo Hwang-So! He has no authority over me anyways!"
Hwang-So stares at the two in silence as they argue, as if he's seeing something long far gone the colour of his eyes return as he pinch between his eyes laughing:
"Hahahaha! Heh, so both their kids became partners as well? Fate sure is a funny thing."
Catching both Yoo-Ah and Juha off guard, they turn to him only for Hwang-So to crouch so that he can look at them in the eyes saying:
"I'll postpone my invitation for now, Yoo-Ah. Keep your stomach empty and enjoy the royal dish."
"O-Of course!"
He then looks at Juha saying:
"Say hi to your brother for me, Juha-Ssi. I saw him here in your family home."
"W-What!? I'm sorry, WHAT!?"
Ignoring the baffled Juha he turns at me saying:
"Sova Anmao... Take good care of them."
"Huh? S-Sure, of course!"
He stands looking at the snowing sky and breathe in before saying:
"I'll take my leave, I still have some appointments to go. Take care!"
"Yeah! You too, gramps!"
"O-Of course! Thank you, Admiral!"
"Take care..."
(What was that all about? And wait, Juha's brother is here? Hmm... Oh, that Jin-Cheon I met at the idol tower and played that game with).
Wondering what just happen Juha clicks her tongue saying:
"Tch! What is going on!? Anyways! Hurry up, you two! No more dilly dallying! We're going to my family's home!"
"Yeah!"
"O-Okay."
"Let's move!"
(Alright! Finally, I get to see what the city is like!)