220. Under the polar lights
#220
“Now Zaipa? “Instructor Nabirose?”
Adeshan’s eyes widened. I couldn’t believe it even when I saw it. The sudden appearance of Nabirose was surprising enough but what was truly shocking was Jaifa next to her.
“Ronan what’s going on? How could Jaifa be in the North…!”
“I wrote a letter to His Majesty the Emperor. “Someone has to fix the North.”
Ronan explained what happened a few days ago. He asked the emperor to amend the terms of the blood pact to allow Jaifa to come to the north.
No matter how much I thought about it he was the only person who could stabilize the north that Barka had turned into a mess. Honestly I thought it was a reckless request but when I saw him walking there it seemed like His Majesty our Emperor had graciously granted him permission. Adeshan put his hands together and exclaimed.
“That’s amazing… Then what about Nabirose?”
“It must be a surveillance station. Because if you do something stupid you’ll be in trouble.”
The sound of Nabirose’s grumbling could be heard all the way up here. It seemed clear that he had been taken in while enjoying his vacation.
Still it was something that could not be helped. There were only a few talented people in the empire who could watch over a giant like Jaipa and even attempt to subdue it in an emergency. Ronan who was watching the two people getting closer swallowed thickly.
‘…I don’t think they’ll suddenly rush at you.’
He found himself in quite an awkward situation. He was much different now than when he wrote the letter.
Barka’s evil deeds were worse than expected and Ronan ended up killing Jaifa’s brother and son at the same time. Of course his son was originally dead.
As I thought about this and that the distance between the two people became close enough to say hello. Jaifa waved his hand first.
“Nice to meet you. Ronan.”
“It’s been a while Jaifa.”
“I don’t know how long it’s been since I last stepped foot on my hometown. “How can I thank you…”
Zaifa who was saying hello dragged the tail of his horse. His eyes stayed on the weretiger boy who was being carried by Ronan. Ade Shan squeezed his eyes shut.
“…Aradan?”
“A lot happened.”
Jaifa’s face hardened. Ronan held out Aradan’s body to him.
“Take it.”
Jaifa was handed his son’s body in silence. I thought Aradan was quite big but when I saw him in Zaifa’s hand he was just a boy. After being dumbfounded for a while he opened his mouth.
“…explain.”
“Of course. “Can you come here for a moment?”
It seemed like the two of us needed to talk together. In order to talk about Aradan’s death there were things that needed to be addressed first. Ronan who had been rummaging through his pockets showed me a bunch of letters he found in Varka’s lab.
“that.”
“Is this a familiar letter?”
Jaifa’s eyes widened for a moment. The handwriting visible behind his parchment was his own. After being silent for a moment he opened his mouth.
“…It doesn’t matter. “Say it here.”
“entire? really?”
“It’s in front of my son. On the contrary if you leave out even one thing I will not leave it alone.”
Jaifa growled. He had forgotten for a moment that he was originally this kind of guy. Ronan sighed and took out the letter.
“good. First I have to talk about a guy named Jager. therefore….”
The remaining three people’s attention was focused. Ronan explained one by one what had happened since he came to the North. The journey with the Caravel merchants the encounter with Jager and his death as well as the brutal chase with the true black man Barka Turgen.
“I see…Has Barka fallen to that extent?”
Jaifa said to himself. He listened to Ronan’s story with unexpected calmness. Of course the hair on his entire body stood on end as if it was about to pop out at any moment.
Ronan told everything on the spot except for the information about the savior and Elthea. Even extremely dangerous information such as the fact that Jaipa was plotting a rebellion until relatively recently and that Barca was the bishop of Nebula Clazie. Suddenly with my hand on the hilt of his sword I opened his mouth.
“So you’re definitely not an insider now?”
“I’m sure.”
Ronan agreed. But Butterfly Rose wasn’t asking him a question. A fierceness like wildfire was fluttering over her shoulders. Jaipa who was silent nodded his head.
“It’s just as it says in the letter.”
“…hmm.”
Only then did I take his hand off the hilt of the sword. The feeling of living subsided in an instant. Ronan and Adeshan who were now able to breathe normally breathed a sigh of relief.
“Well that’s what happened anyway.”
Ronan’s explanation soon ended. A terribly heavy silence fell. Jaifa was silently touching her dead son’s ears.
“…I see.”
Contrary to Ronan’s worries Jaifar was neither angry nor did he blame himself. Suddenly he turned his back. He was holding Aradan in his arms.
“I will go back and bury my son.”
“you….”
Nabirose was about to say something but soon stopped. Although it may have been out of principle she did not try to stop Jaifa. Jaipa who was trudging along stopped in place.
“Ronan.”
“hmm?”
Ronan tilted her head. Zaifa said.
“thanks. “Don’t forget.”
Jaipa took a step again. Ronan gritted his teeth feeling truly dirty. She said no one so only the sound of the wind and Jaifa’s footsteps walking away were clearly audible. The first to break the silence was Butterfly Rose.
“A lot has happened. “I’m glad you’re safe.”
“Well that’s right. “How are you instructor?”
“She’s been to the South once. The summer in the archipelago is quite lukewarm. “She didn’t know she would be sent to a freezer like this as soon as she got back.”
For some reason I felt like my skin was a little more tanned. From then on the three started having a long conversation.
Jaifa’s situation was unfortunate but he couldn’t stay depressed forever. As I was asking this and that I suddenly started unbuttoning his coat and unbuttoning it.
“Whew…even though it’s Heiran it’s hot walking like this. “I wore too many layers.”
Butterfly Rose was wearing three layers of thick leather clothes as if she was sensitive to the cold. After grunting she undid her buttons. As soon as the front buckle loosened the heat trapped inside her clothes rose up.
“oh.”
Ronan curled her mouth. My sweat-soaked underwear stuck to the curves of my body. The unique volume created by the two lumps was on a level next to the Mother of Fire. She sighed shaking her collar to cool off her sweat.
“Hehe I’m feeling better now.”
“Wow….”
Adeshan was also caught up in the magic power of the lump. Suddenly she realized that Ronan was seeing the same thing she was and she cried out in horror.
“Instructor!”
Ade Shan hurriedly stretched out her hand and buttoned her coat. Perhaps because she was the daughter of a tailor her handling of clothes was very nimble. With butterflies I tilted her head.
“What is this all of a sudden?”
“Ha you can’t take it off carelessly. “How cold is it?”
“It’s still hot.”
“That still doesn’t work. “What if someone sees it?”
After saying that Adeshan glared at Ronan. Ronan embarrassed by her piercing gaze avoided her gaze. She was being rude even though she had enjoyed it herself. Butterfly who was looking at those two people as if they were cute opened her mouth.
“Adeshan.”
“yes?”
“It was a lot of hard work. “You’ve been through something difficult.”
For a moment Adeshan’s movements froze. Butterfly Rose stroked her head. This was possible because she was bending over to fasten her buttons.
“Instructor? Why suddenly…”
“Revenge is not an exciting thing. Especially if it resulted in murder. “I know it well too.”
It was a story about Barca. Adeshan stuttered like a broken doll.
“That…that….”
“People should cry when they can. Otherwise it will break down quickly. “If you have anything accumulated shake it all off now and go.”
With butterflies I opened her arms without saying a word. Ade Shan’s eyes began to flutter. The hardships she had experienced in the North and the nightmares that occurred during the night of the canine were flashing before her eyes like a flash of light.
How many seconds have passed? She shook her head breathing heavily.
“no.”
“hmm?”
“are you okay. “Because I’ve already cried enough.”
Adeshan glanced back at Ronan and smiled. Her tears had already been shed enough when Aradan’s body was recovered.
Of course there was moisture around Ade Shan’s eyes as she said that but she couldn’t call them tears unless they leaked out of her eyes. Nabi Rose laughed.
“You’ve grown a lot.”
It occurred to her once again that she had done well to be a teacher. It is always a pleasure to watch a student grow.
Ronan who had been avoiding Ade Shan’s presence because he knew she would cry came back to see her. I opened her mouth with butterflies as I stroked his head as well.
“So where are you going now?”
“Well…we should go to the blacksmith shop first. “Things got bigger but that was the original destination.”
“smithy? “Are you talking about Aurora Skal in Heiran?”
“that’s right. I think it was that kind of name. “Do you know this place?”
“I guess the old people in Farzan recommended it. Aside from the distance this is one of the best blacksmith shops. “Because smelting techniques using polar lights cannot be found anywhere on the continent.”
With butterflies I nodded his head. It seemed like a really nice place for this strict older woman to say this. It was a car just getting ready to leave.
“But there is a problem.”
“What is it?”
“I heard a bit about the situation in the north on the way here and I heard that the craftsmen who were released by that guy named Jager set sail for the blacksmith shop. “He’s probably wandering somewhere in the North Sea by now.”
Ronan’s brows narrowed. What about blacksmithing? Did I hear something wrong?
“Wait a minute. The blacksmith shop was ‘set sail’. “What does that mean?”
“What did you not know? Aurora Skaar is a blacksmith shop created by remodeling an entire huge glacier. “When collecting polar lights or when faced with a crisis like this he leaves Heiran and heads to the sea.”
“What the fuck.”
Ronan laughed as if he was amazed. I had no idea that a blacksmith shop as simple as that of Gran Cappadocia existed. Who would have thought he would come up with such a crazy idea to remodel a glacier and walk around it. Nabirose said.
“Looking at you it doesn’t look like you have a boat. “If you’re unlucky you might have to search for a while.”
“Right…dammit should I come back next time?”
“There is no need for that. “I will lend you the gryphon I came with so ride it and go.”
“yes?”
Suddenly out of butterflies I took out a whistle from his pocket and asked. Beep-! A clear high sound rang out. It wasn’t long before a huge griffon appeared in the sky in the direction she and her Zyfar had been walking.
-Hwiyo!
Ronan and Adeshan’s eyes widened. The griffon turned gently and landed in front of the three people. Although it had fine fur and unusual wings it was definitely not a wild animal. Ronan asked.
“Why is it a gryphon?”
“I borrowed it from the Imperial Army. Thanks to you I was able to come comfortably. “He’s been trained for military use so he’ll be easy to handle.”
Indeed on its spacious back was a saddle with the imperial emblem engraved on it. Nabirose handed the whistle to Ronan.
“What should we do instructor?”
“I will take care of it don’t worry. “I still wanted to come to the North at least once and it worked out well.”
Butterfly Rose waved her hand as if asking if she was worried about something like that. Ronan was confused but accepted the whistle.
It was definitely a much faster and more efficient vehicle than a ship. Adeshan who was looking at the griffon muttered in a despairing voice.
“It’s the sky again…?”
“Please come back. I will clear out the North with that cat and then go back. “I’ll meet you at Barça after work.”
Nabirose turned his back and walked away. The two people responded to their thanks by gently raising their hands. It was so refreshing that I felt like I would forget about the cold in Heiran. Soon a griffon carrying two people took off.
“Kyaaaaaak!”
A loud scream rang out. Either way Ronan pulled on the reins and increased his speed. There was not a single cloud in the sky so the stars seemed to be very visible tonight.
****
“Where on earth are you wandering around? Can you see there?”
“Oh no. “I can’t see it from here either.”
Adeshan trembled and answered. No matter how much I looked down there was nothing to see except the black water and drift ice that looked like chaff. Every time the griffon flapped its wings her bangs were getting tangled mercilessly.
It had already been half a day since she wandered the sky. Complete darkness had descended on the northern sea. As expected the stars were clearly visible but the polar lights were not visible like when we were in the Sea of Wraiths.
“It would be nice if the polar lights could shine… If you’re having a hard time let’s talk. “I can sit on the glacier for a while and rest.”
“Thank you. But it’s still okay.”
The two still couldn’t find a blacksmith called Aurora Skal or something. I thought it would be easy to find because there were lights on all over the glacier but seeing as there wasn’t even a hint of light on the glacier it seemed like I was wandering quite far away.
Ronan who was driving the griffon glanced back at Ade Shan behind her. She was still burying her face in her back with her eyes tightly closed. A feeling of guilt was creeping up. I ended up putting her through all sorts of hardships but this person was only brought here to act as a guide.
“I’m sorry for causing you so much trouble. “It’s not easy to go to the blacksmith shop.”
“Oh no…I’m fine. “Thanks to you I was able to resolve my past ills and it was actually really good.”
“her.”
Ronan laughed when he heard that. It was a kindness that was shocking. It was hard to believe that she was the one wielding the most dangerous force in the world.
“If you are that kind you end up losing money later. “To become a general you have to have a vicious side.”
“Is that so? “But what should I do about it being good?”
“Thank you for saying that. “I also enjoyed going with my senior.”
“…Ahaha.”
Adeshan laughed. Her voice rang out because she had her face buried in his back. Suddenly the memories of her that had been with her came to mind one by one. Looking back she was someone I had spent a lot of time with since I started my second life.
‘He’s a really good person.’
She was kind pretty and smart. He even had the tenacity to face hard work without giving in.
More than anything he felt at home when we were together. Have I ever had feelings like this for a woman? I guess it probably wasn’t there.
Ronan was thinking about this and that about her. Suddenly the darkness above her head suddenly became brighter. Her eyes widened and he called out to Ade Shan.
“senior.”
“huh?”
“Open your eyes and raise your head. Quickly.”
“Why all of a sudden? “Did you find it?”
“That’s not true but quickly. “Don’t be afraid.”
Ronan urged her. It was an inevitable scene. Ade Shan raised her head with a whine.
“Uuuuu…huh?”
Her eyes widened. A swarm of green light reminiscent of the hem of her skirt was wrapped around her. It was the polar lights a natural phenomenon that can only be seen in the north.
However the scale was on a different level from what I saw in the Sea of Ghosts last night. If the polar lights at the time I met Elthea were just burlap curtains that could only be hung in a cabin it is no exaggeration to say that now they are huge colorful curtains that hang in the throne room of the imperial palace. An exclamation burst from her Ade Shan’s mouth.
“Waaaa…!”
“It’s killing me.”
“Yes really…!”
She forgot her fear of heights and began to look around her. The night sea under the polar lights was more beautiful than any scenery I had ever seen in my life.
Ronan turned her head and looked at Ade Shan. The polar lights pouring down from above her head painted her face in dreamy colors. Her hair was beautiful blowing in the wind.
‘It’s pretty.’
She was waving her hands around as if Ade Shan was trying to catch her glow. One of her hands was wrapped around her own waist. Suddenly Ronan felt a tingling sensation around her chest.
‘what?’
It was a sensation she had never felt before in her previous life. The feeling of excitement but also a little pain was becoming more and more intense.
I was very confused but I felt like I knew what I had to do now. Because improvisation was his specialty. Ronan who was looking at the side of Adeshan’s face opened her mouth.
“Adeshan.”
“huh?”
She said Ade Shan turned her head. At the same time Ronan stretched out his hand and grabbed the back of her head pulling her lightly. Ade Shan’s eyes widened.
“town…!”
It was completely different than when she was being resuscitated. I could feel the warmth through her lips touching each other. My dry cracked and crunchy lips tasted like blood. Ronan was staring at her his eyes narrowed.
It only lasted less than three seconds but to Adeshan it felt like three months. Ronan finally released his lips from hers and grinned. Adeshan’s time which had stopped began to move again.
“Ro-ro-ro Ronan…what is this…!”
She covered her mouth with both hands and stuttered. Her body was so weak that her voice could not come out well. There was still warmth from her lower lip where the tip of her index finger touched it.
Ade Shan’s face was so red as if it was about to explode at any moment. Ronan who was still looking at her kissed her again.
“Ah…ahhh….”
This surprise attack was fatal. Adeshan completely relieved of his strength fell on the Gryphon’s back. Her shock was so great that she could no longer control her body.
“I just did it because it was pretty.”
Ronan laughed. The polar lights that curved towards the south seemed like a signpost that showed them the path they should take. The griffon that had been flying silently roared.
-Hwiyooooo!
After that the two people didn’t say anything for a long time. We were flying for about an hour following the polar lights. A strange object he had never seen before came into Ronan’s field of vision.
“uh?”
The surface of the huge glacier like a battleship was shiny with a bluish silver color. It was a lighting using magic that did not exist in nature. Ronan’s mouth opened quietly.
“I found it.”
It was clearly Aurora Skaarl. Ronan turned his nose in the direction of the glacier. As he got closer he noticed that the crown of the glacier had been cut flat. It seemed to be a runway built for flying vehicles. Ronan said.
“We’re going to land so hold on tight.”
“…huh.”
It was our first conversation after kissing. Ade Shan hugged her waist without saying a word. She turned her head to the side burying her face in his broad back. The polar lights burning the sky came into view.
The unrealistically beautiful sight left her confused as to whether she was still dreaming. She touched her lips once and Ade Shan smiled.
“Ahaha.”
It wasn’t a dream. The Griffon which was circling slowly landed on a runway carved out of ice. The rhythmic sound of hammering could be vaguely heard from inside the glacier.
