A night illuminated by the crisp light of the full moon cast a silvery glow over the lush vegetation below. In a secluded area under this same sky, Suhen, the former vice-commander of Schleiman, worked diligently by the flickering light of a torch. He stifled a wound on a soldier's stomach, his hands steady despite the chaos surrounding them.
Dressed in a battle-worn uniform, Suhen cradled the Schleiman leaf herb, renowned for its healing properties, though its signature putrid smell pervaded the air, creating a nauseating stench. Of the battalion, nearly all had perished; only about fifty soldiers, including himself, had managed to survive.
The soldier receiving treatment grimaced with each application of the herb, beads of sweat forming on his brow. Next to him, Khan, Suhen's loyal subordinate, delivered his grim report.
"The villagers have scattered in different directions and are no longer in sight, sir."
"..."
"Miss Roen's location is unknown... Not even her remains were found."
"...Hah."
"It seems they might have taken her, sir."
Suhen had hoped it wasn't true, but despair closed in around him as he shut his eyes. His lord, Daphman, had fallen before him, and amidst the anguish, he had barely escaped, dragged away by soldiers urging him to flee.
Since that moment, he had scoured the land for Roen, but she was nowhere to be found. The night before, as they buried their valiant leader Daphman and held a somber memorial, Suhen had made a promise—to avenge this wrong. Now, his eyes glimmered with a feral light, all sentiment stripped away.
"If they didn't kill her but took her away, there's a possibility she might still be alive."
"But the chances are very slim."
Khan, knowing Roen's fierce nature well, lowered his head in despair. Even if she were alive, Roen had witnessed her father's murder firsthand and would not remain passive. She would either scour the area alone in search of revenge and perish in the attempt or choose to take her own life. It would surely be one or the other.
Yet Suhen clung to that single thread of hope. For reasons he could not fathom, they had kept Roen alive and taken her with them. If she was still breathing, recovering her was now their top priority.
"Have you found out where those bastards are holed up?"
"Affirmative. Our pursuit revealed they are discreetly located about three lyths—roughly three hours of travel—from our current position. The area is known clandestinely as Bliderin."
"First, we need to find out if Roen is alive."
Warriors were being deployed across Schleiman's territory, new encampments and structures being hastily constructed. Stripped of their weapons, Suhen clenched his lips, seething with rage. After a brief moment of intense contemplation, he turned to Khan, issuing his orders with resolute determination.
"Send a secret message to the Byro Kingdom."
"Yes, sir!"
Our strength alone was inadequate, but the ongoing marriage negotiations provided some basis to seek assistance. Suhen recalled Bi Young's integrity from their brief encounter. That man, he thought, would surely come to their aid.
"First, I must inform Bi Young of this situation."
***
The surroundings were shrouded in pale, hazy smoke.
Where am I?
A dream? An illusion?
Lynn stood frozen, her gaze wandering aimlessly across a vast open area. Children were playing war games, wielding wooden swords crafted from tree branches. Their laughter rang out joyfully, even when a playful smack from a makeshift sword landed on their backsides, prompting soft giggles. Lynn couldn't help but chuckle at their endearing antics.
Nearby, at the bustling restaurant, men were gulping down frothy mugs of cool beer, the festive mood enveloping the air like a warm embrace.
Then—
"Eeeeeeek!!"
An ear-piercing scream sliced through the jovial atmosphere, sending chills racing down Lynn's spine. Her brows knitted tightly as the delighted expressions around her twisted into grotesque masks of terror. The sounds of tortured cries filled the air, and in an instant, a boy charged toward her, a wooden sword raised high, an eerie blue grin stretched across his face.
Huh? W-What's going on?
"I'm gonna kill you!!"
The boy's eyes locked onto hers, filled with a bloodlust that froze her in place as he brandished the sword with unrelenting fury.
"Kyaah!"
Huff... huff.
Jolting awake, Lynn gasped for breath, her heart racing as she frantically scanned her surroundings. Her room came into focus, its white walls dim in the early morning light. The crisp dawn air wafted through the partially open window, tickling her nose.
Her long tresses were soaked with sweat, plastered across her face like a damp veil.
"What on earth was that...?"
Lynn tugged at her hair, a sharp pain throbbing in her head. An indescribable anguish gnawed at her chest, tightening its grip. Grasping her head, she struggled to calm her racing thoughts, letting out rough gasps. Slowly, as moments passed, she sensed her heart beginning to steady.
It had been a wretched nightmare.
***
Sean arrived at Lynn's room, carrying a plate of fire-roasted duck for breakfast. The face that greeted him looked exhausted, as if sleep had been a long-lost companion.
"Didn't sleep well, did you? Your complexion seems off."
In response to his worried question, Lynn offered a weak smile and popped a piece of the succulent roast duck into her mouth.
"It's just that... I had a bad dream. But I'm okay now."
"A nightmare?"
"Yes. Well..."
As she hesitated, Lynn met Sean's gaze, then gave a small shake of her head, dismissing his concern.
"No, it's not that. Please don't worry."
"Now, if you've got any aches or pains, you be sure to tell your father right away, you hear?"
"Yes, Father."
Lynn responded with a playful tone, aiming to reassure him. She then noticed the dark blue clothing he held and inquired about it.
"What's that outfit?"
"Oh, it's your training uniform. Hwan handed it over, you know."
"Hwan?"
Hwan? Who is Hwan?
Curiosity piqued, Lynn took the training uniform from Sean and spread it out before her. The top was a pristine blue, adorned with a red bird emblem resembling an eagle on the right shoulder—an emblem she had frequently encountered during her time here.
Is this what I'm supposed to train in?
Her heart raced with a mix of excitement and nerves.
"Oh, that's the person who'll be in charge of your training going forward. I think you might have seen him when he visited your room before."
"Ah... Hwai? Is that who you're referring to?"
Oh, so he has another name.
Last night's encounter flashed in her mind, where the man had introduced himself and his companion as Hwai and Sahan. The memory made Lynn blush faintly.
Ugh, stop thinking about it!
Sean watched as Lynn shook her head in a bid to clear her thoughts. He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice.
"Right. He's also called Hwai."
You know, when that kid picks up a sword...
Sean paused, concern etching his features as he turned to her.
"So, the training begins tomorrow, huh? How are you feeling? We can delay it a little if you're not up for it."
"Not at all, I'm okay."
Shaking her head, Lynn clutched the training uniform tightly against herself, her face lighting up with excitement.
"Looks like I really did use swords before. My body's itching to move just sitting still."
She flashed a bright smile at Sean, her enthusiasm contagious.
***
Later that evening, gray shelves lined both sides of the room, holding dozens of sealed glass bottles filled with rare herbs. Each bottle bore a yellowed paper label, the names of the herbs scrawled in cramped handwriting.
At the center stood a circular table made of gold and steel alloy, its surface cluttered with glass spheres of various colors.
This room belonged to none other than Sean. In his hand, he held a weathered tawny parchment.
His gaze upon the parchment was both seasoned and steely as he meticulously verified the intricate formulas written on it, moving to open the lid of a bottle containing an herb infused with a deep green aura.
Knock-knock—
"Sean. It's Hwan."
The low tone of Hwan's voice echoed from beyond the door. Sean quickly draped a large black cloth over the table beside him, concealing the myriad of experimental instruments that cluttered its surface.
Removing his gloves, Sean pressed a finger against a round bump on the wall. Instantly, square vents opened all around, allowing the heavy smoke in the room to dissipate.
"Oh, come on in."
Following his invitation, Hwan stepped into the room. Casually dressed, he held a blue training uniform—the kind warriors wore during practice sessions. As he entered, a subtle yet distinct aroma wafted through the air.
But Hwan, accustomed to such environments, refrained from commenting. Sean glanced at the garment in Hwan's hand and remarked,
"Ah, that's Lynn's, I see."
"Yes."
"I appreciate it. I'll pass it on to her when I bring her breakfast in the morning."
As Sean accepted the training uniform with a warm smile, Hwan hesitated for a moment before finally speaking, his lips having been tightly sealed until then.
"I was unaware that you had lost a daughter, Sir Sean."
Hwan's impassive tone made Sean's eyes crinkle with sorrow. Hwan quietly observed him, his gaze reminiscent of how he looked at Sahan.
"In the turmoil thirteen years ago, I lost my only daughter. Or rather, I believed I had lost her."
"..."
"From that moment on, my very existence became an abyss of darkness, devoid of even the faintest glimmer of light."
As painful memories flooded back, Sean's voice remained unexpectedly composed, yet the profound depth of his concentrated anguish seemed almost palpable.
"She was truly a beautiful child. Her adorable antics would make everyone smile."
"..."
"Having lost my child's mother during childbirth, her bright laughter became the only force that kept me going."
Sean's soft eyes flicked briefly toward Hwan. A flicker of happiness emerged on his face, previously consumed by sorrow.
"The first time I laid eyes on you here, it was just like looking at our daughter. You were about Lynn's age then."
"..."
"With that messy mop of hair and that delicate, girlish face of yours... I suppose that's why you remind me so much of her."
For a fleeting moment, Sean's eyes darted to the upper right side of Hwan's chest.
"His body was so terribly scarred."
As he treated young Hwan's injuries, memories flooded back—countless bruises and scabs from infected wounds covering a body too young to bear such suffering. It was unthinkable that these injuries belonged to a child.
Most notably, a dark crimson mark marred the right side of the child's chest. Blood-stained and indistinct, it seemed too vivid to be a mere wound; it resembled a fetter engraved upon his skin.
This recollection came to him from a time when Sean had lost everything and had drifted into this place. Hwan had arrived in Bliderin during the same tumultuous period.
Sean remembered their first encounter with the young Hwan. Despite his tender age, the child's vacant eyes brimmed with hatred and rage. He had erected barriers against everyone, refusing to communicate—except with Blaine, who had brought him.
It was Hwan who finally interrupted the flood of memories. Snapping out of his deep reverie, he addressed Sean, who was lost in thought.
"Very well. Please deliver the clothing to that person—no, to Lynn. The training will commence tomorrow."
"..."
Just as Hwan was turning to leave, having given a respectful bow, Sean quietly called him back.
"Hwan, I have a favor to ask."
"..."
"Watch over Lynn, my daughter."
His footsteps, once steady, halted without warning. He remained wordless. From his tightly pressed lips, a voice emerged, cool and crisp.
"It's a fact that I, having no parents, have regarded Sean as a father figure."
"..."
"However, I operate under Blaine's orders."
His response was a tacit rejection, suggesting he couldn't fulfill the request. Sean closed his eyes briefly and lowered his head. Hwan then walked out of the room.
***
I left my room to scout the area before tomorrow's first training.
It was nothing short of my first excursion beyond the building walls.
Descending the sweeping stone staircase, Lynn emerged outside and inhaled deeply, the refreshing outdoor air rushing into her lungs with a swift "whoosh."
"Wow, it's like I'm coming back to life!"
The gentle rays of the sun touched Lynn's face. With her belly full of duck meat from breakfast, Lynn looked up at the sky, her face radiating contentment.
As autumn approached, the sky stretched endlessly, a vast expanse of pure blue without a single cloud. Lynn's eyes roamed eagerly from side to side, drinking in the surroundings as though everything were new to her.
'I must've seen and slept here every day. What's with everything feeling so new?'
Before the building lay a vast open space, as the name suggests. In front stood a massive stone structure of light-colored marble, surrounded by iron bars that encompassed its entirety. Behind, far off in the distance, a thick forest of towering trees took its place.
Lynn chose to explore the path branching off to the side. She thought she heard the sounds of a crowd coming from that direction. As she turned the corner of the building, Lynn's eyes, already large, grew even wider.
"Wow..."
As Lynn turned the corner, she was met with the sight of a sprawling field where people dressed in training uniforms identical to the one she'd received yesterday were engaged in martial arts training. Some were fearlessly sparring with wooden practice swords, while others were honing their skills with real swords, striking at human-shaped wooden targets.
They all moved with uniform speed and precision. As Lynn slowly drew near, the sounds of air being sliced and shouts grew increasingly louder.
Lynn crouched at the edge, shifting nervously, and the warriors who noticed her cast fleeting glances. Word about Lynn had already spread among the warriors. And they had all agreed on a unified response. Well, that was also Blaine's directive.
Nevertheless, the warriors' curious and subtle gazes were directed at her without restraint.
But Lynn, typically oblivious to her surroundings in such situations, had her attention entirely captured by the neatly arranged sword scabbards off to one side.
It was just as she was curiously running her right hand over a well-polished, gleaming sword.
"Want to spar with me?"
At the abrupt sound of a voice behind her, she whirled around. Sahan was there, a lopsided grin on his face as he gazed at her.