Chapter 16
“Your tongue has grown long, Kalion. Don’t you know enough to buy time until the prince escapes…? But it’s useless. Hunting down a boy fleeing alone is easier than wringing a chicken’s neck. I’ll ask our merciful lord to hang your head on the city wall, side by side with that ruined prince you cling to so dearly.”
“It seems your tongue is the one that’s grown long, Hakan. After failing for years, all you’ve gained is empty bravado.”
Kairon—no, Kalion—replied calmly, while inwardly denying part of Hakan’s words.
And sorry, but the boy isn’t alone.
The next image that naturally came to mind was a pair of clear turquoise eyes. The eyes of the girl who had quietly seeped into the world that had once been only Ian and himself.
The young girl who had breathed life into the once-silent cabin. As his thoughts reached even her birdlike laughter, a faint smile rose to Kalion’s lips.
Taking her in was the right choice. Above all, it was the first time I’d seen Ian act like someone his age.
His disciple, whose every moment had been a walk along the edge of death, had eyes too dry for his years. It had always weighed on Kalion’s heart.
But the disciple had changed. Thanks to meeting a girl his age. Various expressions began to bloom on his once doll-like face.
With her boldness, unshaken even by rude remarks, Aesa often teased his prematurely mature disciple with ease. Watching him occasionally at a loss for words had been a quiet amusement.
He’d always been a mature child, but what impressed Kalion most was that, despite her curious eyes, she never asked about their true identities.
There had surely been more than one suspicious thing during the time they lived together, yet she kept her silence. That wasn’t an attitude an ordinary child would have.
Wasn’t she too good to live as an ordinary country girl? And yet she spoke to him with such affection.
“How can you go to sleep first when you’re not back yet, mister?”
“When I grow up, I’ll make sure you live in luxury.”
…The last eyes he had seen were filled with fear.
“Can’t I go with you, mister?”
That capable child would surely become a pillar of support for Ian. Even if escaping right away was difficult, Ian would manage, and Aesa would firmly hold him together so his heart wouldn’t crumble.
That was why he had taken the risk and sent the two of them together.
Two small children with the same exhausted expression, too worn out even to cry. He had only taken them in out of pity, never imagining he’d grow this attached.
But how could he remain resolute when those eyes looked at him with such respect and goodwill?
There was only one thing he regretted….
If he’d known they would part like this, he would have told Aesa his real name. He would have warned her beforehand about the situation they were in.
Instead of just being grateful for her silence, if he’d given her even a few words of forewarning, she wouldn’t have been so frightened.
Kalion let out a soft, bitter chuckle.
“…What are you laughing at?”
“Ah, just thinking I might not have had any talent for childcare.”
It really was absurd. He’d never even been married, and yet he already had two children. And looking back, it was full of regrets.
Kalion, who had been smiling quietly, slowly wiped the expression from his face and raised his sword.
The oppressive presence of a former captain of the royal knights and a swordmaster made the soldiers hesitate in tension. Hakan raised one hand to stop the spear-pointing soldiers and spoke.
“Do you think you can win? Against this force, including me…?”
“Hey, Hakan. Maybe you don’t know since you don’t have kids.”
“Hah.”
“A father is strong.”
As he finished speaking, blue flames flickered along Kalion’s blade.
How long had we been running? Now even thunder had started to roll. Five cavalrymen were in pursuit behind us.
Argo, who had already carried Kairon over a long distance, was quickly growing exhausted. The pursuers repeatedly fell back, then closed in again.
“Prepare your bows!”
Someone shouted sharply.
No sooner had the words left his mouth than a whizzing arrow flew in and thudded into the branch above my head.
Instinctively ducking, I shook my head to brush away the rainwater clinging to my eyelashes.
Can we survive this? Is it even possible to get out of here alive?
“Ugh!”
The second arrow flew in and grazed Ian’s left arm. Blood sprayed along its trajectory. But his posture didn’t falter; he only held me more firmly.
“I–Ian….”
“I’m fine, so don’t look back!”
I quickly faced forward again. If I lost focus for even a moment, it felt like I’d tumble off the horse. I’d never known a horse at full gallop could be this fast.
My vision, blurred with rain or tears, swam dizzyingly. It felt as if the forest were opening its jaws wide to swallow us whole.
Staring ahead, I whispered softly.
“Ian. The horse—Argo—seems tired….”
White foam had gathered at Argo’s mouth.
Even as I tried not to tremble, my words came out stuttering.
The pursuers were drawing closer. Was this how a rabbit felt being chased by hunting dogs? I’d thought I’d never experience a thriller-movie scene like this in my life.
“Damn it….”
Ian muttered through clenched teeth. Another arrow flew past, grazing my side.
“Hold on tight. I don’t think we can keep running.”
“O-Okay.”
Ian yanked the reins to the right. Forced into a sudden turn, Argo stumbled and let out a high whinny.
“W-What, suddenly!”
“Stop!”
The soldiers who had ended up overtaking us due to the unexpected maneuver hurriedly pulled their reins.
And then, just as Ian’s robe flared wide, a dagger flew into the back of the man at the very front. It moved so fast it was almost invisible.
The silver dagger lodged precisely between his helmet and armor.
The man screamed and fell from his horse, which reared up in shock. Then, with a heavy thud and a long groan, he soon went still.
“Damn it, Rahil’s been taken out!”
The shock of a life snuffed out in an instant froze my body.
“…Hide as far away as you can.”
Ian stopped the horse and whispered in my ear.
“But….”
“You’ll just be in the way. Go, now!”
I didn’t hesitate any longer. I slid off the horse and ran in the opposite direction. The darkness quickly concealed my body.
Holding my breath behind a thick tree, I rummaged through my bag for something I could use as a weapon.
Shing—Ian drew his sword. The metallic sound sent a chill down my spine. One of the men scoffed incredulously.
“Hah, haha. Hey, kid. Are you serious? You think you can take on four grown men? With just one sword?”
“Looks like he’s really underestimating us!”
“Enough chatter. Attack.”
Ian replied in a cold voice. At that, the angered men slowly rode in, surrounding him.
With a rough rumble of thunder as the signal, Ian charged straight at the soldier in front.
…Just when did he get that strong?
Contrary to my worries, Ian was flying among the men. I watched him, forgetting even to breathe.
Clang! Their swords met, and in an instant Ian fluidly twisted his wrist, changed his trajectory, and severed the man’s wrist.
As the man screamed and fell from his horse, another took his place and swung his sword.
Leaning back as if performing an acrobatic trick, Ian lightly dodged the attack and hurled his blade. The razor-sharp sword easily pierced the man’s neck.
But he couldn’t avoid the ambush from behind. A sword thrust from the rear slashed a long cut across Ian’s left side.
“I—ugh.”
I clamped a hand over my mouth to stop myself from screaming Ian’s name.
Don’t die, Ian. As long as you don’t die, I’ll save you no matter what, so please!
I swallowed the words I couldn’t let out.
Ian staggered violently, gripping the reins tightly. Barely managing not to fall from his horse, he clashed swords with the man again.
The savage sound of steel striking steel rang out again and again. Watching anxiously, I suddenly realized something, and goosebumps rippled over my skin.
