Chapter 73
Just in case, the two Haetae decided to observe me closely. They said Haetae can sense each other’s strength.
Just as I instinctively knew Mahee-ra was stronger than Gongjun, the two Haetae seemed to sense that I wasn’t ordinary the moment they laid eyes on me.
Even judging from the sheer amount of power I radiated, Gongjun and I were roughly on the same level.
“So at first, I thought you must have accumulated a lot of good deeds,” one said.
It turned out, though, that our power levels were similar only on the surface.
“Looking closer, it’s all compressed…”
The good deeds I had earned through the Security Bureau had been folded neatly like a blanket, strengthening my soul.
“How does it look to you, Heera?”
“The hardness of the soul is definitely different. If you’re like a piece of flint, this young lady is like a diamond.”
I unconsciously rubbed my forehead.
When did my soul become as hard as diamond? I was nothing short of shocked.
“So how strong am I, then?”
“Well… how many times in your life have you really exerted your power?”
“Hmmm…”
I couldn’t think of any particular instance.
So far, whenever I fought villains, I relied on the Security Bureau or adults for assistance. Even in practicing magic, I focused more on precise control than unleashing massive power.
Of course, there were times I collapsed from exhaustion.
But most of those were due to overwhelming crowds at events. I realized I’d almost never truly pushed myself to the point of total depletion.
More importantly…
“I thought it might be dangerous.”
At some point, I began feeling that using my full power could be risky. So I unconsciously restrained myself.
It’s unbelievable, but if I threw a punch, a mountain might split; if I cast a spell, it might flood the area.
Mahee-ra nodded after hearing my explanation.
“At this level, you could be considered a young dragon.”
“Phew!”
Gongjun, who had been drinking tea, accidentally spat his tea into the air.
It took some time before Gongjun calmed down.
“Wow. I always wished there was a dragon among the Haetae comrades, and you’ve made that wish come true.”
“Why a dragon?”
“Strong and reliable.”
Surprisingly simple reasoning.
“Were there no dragons among the previous Haetae?”
“I don’t think so. They’re the same kind of sacred beast, so it doesn’t happen.”
“Sacred beast…?”
“Oh, we call any species assigned a role in this world a ‘sacred beast.’ Haetae exterminates evil, the Azure Dragon governs the weather, and so on.”
Even in ancient records, there were no Haetae born among dragons, phoenixes, or kirin.
“You’ve met dragons before, haven’t you, Heera?”
“Before the war, I spent a lot of time with them. We were friends. But now it’s difficult. Too many died in the war, and the remaining dragons reside in the Imperial Palace. Meetings have become almost impossible.”
Mahee-ra’s smooth explanation abruptly stopped.
“…….”
“…….”
A silence fell. The Haetae’s gaze returned to me.
“You… you went to the imperial banquet, right? Then you must have seen His Majesty the Emperor and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince?”
“Yes.”
“I heard dragons can recognize Haetae. Is that true?”
“They recognized me immediately. They also mentioned that Haetae have a long-standing connection with dragons.”
Gongjun then punched the air twice, giving an exaggerated American-style cheer. Even Mahee-ra, usually composed, had her face fully lit up.
“Finally, a contact with the royal family for us…!”
I hadn’t expected them to get so excited.
I wondered what would happen if I casually said, “Actually, the Emperor and the Crown Prince will be my future mother-in-law and brother-in-law.” I couldn’t say it due to the golden seal, but imagining it was enough to see how intense my seniors’ reactions were.
“You don’t need to attend gatherings often! Oh, wait, I heard that the granddaughter of the Hyunga family got engaged to the heir of a prestigious family.”
“That granddaughter is me! Sobaeksan of the Baek family is my tiger!”
“Right, right. When you marry, you’ll become the head’s wife of one of the Five Great Families, so you’ll attend major state events.”
“That seems likely.”
“That’s enough. That’s perfect! You’re the best!”
Their excitement continued for a while longer.
By now, it was well past noon.
We’d spent too much time talking. I had warned them I might be late, but outside, my fiancé must have been anxiously waiting.
I had a snack but was still hungry.
“I should be going now!”
“Want to have lunch together?”
“I don’t think I can. My fiancé is waiting nearby.”
“You said there’s a golden seal in place?”
“Yes. It applies to close relatives and the fiancé’s direct family.”
The two Haetae reluctantly let me go.
Before parting, we exchanged contact information.
“This is my mark. If you stamp this on the outside of a letter and send it to Hyunga, it will come straight to me.”
Along with my contact info, I gave them a magical seal. It’s like a business card, but surprisingly useful.
The golden dog paw stamp is cute, and it ensures only the recipient can open the letter.
I had brought it in advance since I was going to the Haetae gathering. A wise decision.
My seniors praised me as a well-prepared newcomer.
“Take mine too.”
“I have one as well.”
Being sorcerers, both seniors also had magical seals. Gongjun’s was bamboo-green; Mahee-ra’s a deep purple with a thorned rose design. I even received contact info from other Haetae before transforming back into a dog.
“Mangwang!”
Exiting the Full Moon Bookstore, my two anthropomorphized Haetae seniors escorted me. Mahee-ra as a badger was cute, but the chubby panda-like Gongjun was even cuter than I imagined.
“Mangmangmang!”
I wagged my tail once at them, then scuttled along the path I had come.
After some time, I spotted my fiancé leaning against the wall.
Had he been standing there the whole time?
I panicked and ran to him. Hearing my footsteps, Hwiruk lifted his head and smiled brightly.
“Hyeon-ah!”
“Woof woof!”
He gently lifted me in his arms. I snuggled into him, my eyes wide at the sweet scent.
“You must’ve been hungry.”
Hwiruk pulled out dried sweet potato from the market and fed it to me. I chewed happily, wagging my tail.
My fiancé was truly the best.
“Shall we go home now?”
“Woof!”
I nodded, and Hwiruk showered me with kisses on my head. A more affectionate gesture than the sweet potatoes.
Hwiruk finished his business in the capital.
After greeting everyone he had met, we finally headed home!
“The surroundings are so green!”
“Because summer is coming soon.”
The view outside the magic carriage was lush. Even from high above, the scent of grass was noticeable.
When we left the capital, it had been early spring, but returning home, it was already early summer.
“We’re back!”
As soon as the carriage landed in Hyunga’s courtyard, I leapt out, greeted by the two familiar faces I missed so much.
“Welcome home, my baby. Did you have a good time?”
“Let’s hug our daughter.”
“Mom! Dad!”
I ran into their arms, expressing joy in my dog form. The scents of my parents made me ecstatic.
“You’ve taken good care of Hyeon,” my uncle said to Hwiruk.
“No, not at all,” he replied.
My aunt was busy, and Sion oppa wasn’t around—likely staying with my new sister-in-law and baby.
My grandmother appeared from afar, walking confidently in the sun, her short hair swaying. My tail wagged vigorously.
“Woof! Woof woof!”
Grandma, I missed you!
I flew to her like a dart. She laughed softly and lifted me up.
“My granddaughter. I almost forgot your scent.”
I hadn’t forgotten! She playfully scratched behind my ears and neck.
Soon, it was time for Hwiruk to leave.
I wanted him to stay another day, but he couldn’t, as he’d been away from Homekdo too long.
I approached him after leaving my grandmother’s arms. Instead of lifting me, he knelt on one knee.
“Aww, pyoing.”
“See you next time, Hyeon-ah.”
He bent down and kissed my forehead deeply, then flew away in his magic carriage.
“That one… he gets bolder every time.” Grandma clicked her tongue. My dad looked resigned; my mom seemed unconcerned.
Practical Uncle Baek had already summoned people to divide the gifts I brought.
“Phew.”
Finally, it felt good to be home.
Back home, I had a hearty dinner and went to bed early.
Lying on my back with a full pink belly facing the sky, my anthropomorphized mom and dad surrounded me. I felt their warmth and passed out, waking up to a cool dawn.
“Fuuuh…”
I yawned widely and shook my body lightly.
Mom and dad were still asleep, so it must have been very early.
“Mungh.”
I gently nudged my waking mom to sleep more, then left the room.
A cool breeze blew in, mist rolling down from the mountains.
I sat on the floor for a while, savoring the familiar scents of home. I went for a walk, greeted people I hadn’t seen in a while, and returned to snuggle and kiss my parents. Life was perfect.
By noon, feeling energized, I began distributing the gifts I brought from the capital.
To mom: a bow and arrows from a famous capital craftsman.
To dad: a magical eye mask to relieve eye strain.
To grandma: a high-quality brush.
To uncle: specialty tea leaves.
To aunt: a book on military strategy.
To aunt and uncle, Sion oppa and new sister-in-law, gifts were handed out. Then I realized Seon oppa was missing.
“Where’s Seon oppa?”
“He’s on a secret mission for the Security Bureau. It’s confidential, so the family only knows he’s on a long trip. Likely only grandmother knows the details.”
I nodded and finally brought up the topic I had been planning since the capital.
“I’d like to set the date for our wedding.”
The family’s reaction was surprisingly calm.
“It has finally come.”
They even praised Sobaeksan’s patience, saying he had waited longer than expected.
Seeing their reactions, I briefly wondered whether they held my fiancé in high or low regard.
