Chapter: 616
The settled folk gathered to form a village, the village flourished to become a town, and the town encircled itself to establish a nation. All the countries scattered across the continent underwent this very process of nation-building.
However, the northern region was an exception. It was a land inhabited not by settled residents but by nomads. A space void of nations where multiple tribes flourished in chaos, an area steeped in mystery that no one could truly understand.
Consequently, the beliefs and faiths that spread across the continent struggled to find footing in the north. Even the faith that had managed to convert the far-off Lucen dared not venture into the territory of the nomads.
“Clearly, the Empire’s blockade had a role in this.”
The Empire, being the sole nation connected to the north by land, was exceptionally reluctant to allow priests from the Dawn Sect to journey into the area. Officially, they claimed it was for the safety of the priests, but in truth, they were averse to the thought of their priests being captured by nomads and dragged to the negotiation table.
Yet now, the north had become part of the Empire. There was no longer a need to block access, and the north need not remain solely viewed as a wild expanse filled with nomads and unknowns.
“I will speak well with the great lords of the north on your behalf,”
Instead, it was as if the Empire’s influential advisor had promised conveniences, so today, the north could indeed be described as a place of harmony between settlers and nomads.
“Welcome! The north, including the Barandi territory, welcomes your visit, Brother!”
This was evidenced as we received a warm welcome from Ainter, a brother of the Dawn Sect.
A situation in which the imperial royal family was greeted by the Dawn Sect’s next saint in the nomads’ homeland. If that isn’t a sign of unity, what else could be?
“Thank you for the hospitality, Brother. I never expected to meet you here again.”
“Haha, same here. It seems our Lord takes a special interest in our friendship.”
I nodded at Brother Ainter’s words. If I were to meet a member of the imperial family outside the walls of the empire, it had to be through divine guidance.
‘Is that Lady Barandi beside Brother Ainter?’
At that moment, I turned my gaze to the woman standing next to him.
With her silver hair contrasting his golden locks, she radiated the vigor of a nomadic warrior, yet her quiet demeanor beside Ainter made her amicable presence unmistakable.
The sheer freshness and warmth in her appearance brought a subtle smile to my lips.
‘They’re genuinely into each other.’
News of Brother Ainter’s engagement to the daughter of the Marquis of Barandi had spread across the entire continent, beyond just the Empire. The event of the current emperor’s only brother aligning himself with a nomad was a considerable spectacle. Naturally, the worldly royal family and nobles couldn’t help but take an interest.
While many considered this union a political marriage to maintain control over the Empire’s newly occupied territories, observing the demeanor of Lady Barandi and the smile of Brother Ainter revealed its truth that such speculation was merely baseless.
‘It is truly a blessing from the Lord.’
What I witnessed couldn’t have emerged from mere politics. Mutual respect and affection were necessary for such a genuine connection to flourish.
In the past, this might have been beyond my understanding, but now, as I stood here, I could grasp it.
I, too, was similar to Brother Ainter.
“Brother, I would like to greet my friend’s family as well; may I ask for your introduction?”
“Of course! In fact, I was itching to brag about you two!”
Brother Ainter chuckled softly at my request and pointed to a middle-aged man.
“This is my future father-in-law, the Marquis of Barandi.”
“I’m Batall Gurt, the Marquis of Barandi. It’s an honor to meet the next saint.”
As soon as Brother Ainter finished speaking, the middle-aged man, the Marquis of Barandi, bowed his head respectfully.
Indeed, so this was the Marquis of Barandi.
“It is a privilege to meet a compatriot pursuing the same path.”
At my words, the Marquis’s eyes widened slightly—surprised, perhaps he had never expected to hear such from the next saint.
“You possess a brilliant spirit. Have you achieved enlightenment?”
“…I merely removed the veil that blinded my sight and gazed up at the sky.”
“Excellent!”
Though the exchange was oddly vague, neither the Marquis nor I felt the need to continue the conversation.
In the world, brevity can sometimes convey much more.
“While it’s nice to see priests connecting, can we proceed with the introductions?”
“Oh, certainly!”
At Brother Ainter’s nod, he wore a bright smile and wrapped his arm around Lady Barandi’s waist.
“This is my one and only wife, Shati, the greatest heroine of the north.”
“W-what, Marquis!?”
The endearing introduction paired with Lady Shati’s startled expression sent waves of laughter rippling through me.
I couldn’t help but feel glad that my comrade, someone who shared the same feelings for the lady, had found a wonderful match.
‘Are the others doing well too?’
Erich had two fiancées, Brother Ainter had one fiancée, and I, too, had a deep bond with a sister. If Rutis and Lather had found partners as well, it would surely be a happy ending for everyone.
*
The future father-in-law wore a beaming smile as he guided the pilgrimage group, showing them the sights of the north.
The endless expanse of the plains, the Jortong River that runs through the heart of the north, the winter warmth of clustered horses and sheep, and finally, the first completed temple of the Marquis of Barandi.
For anyone coming to the north for the first time, it was an awe-inspiring sight, eliciting nods and exclamations of wonder from the pilgrims.
“This beautiful horizon is the first I’ve seen since the grain fields of Cheness.”
“If Cheness was golden with abundance, this place feels vibrant and cheerful.”
“What a pity. If only we had come in summer!”
Hearing their murmurs of admiration, I felt a swell of pride.
I, too, marveled at the north’s nature, and now, as someone destined to become part of the north, I took great pride in it. To maintain this beautiful nature, I had been collaborating with my future father-in-law for a balanced approach to development.
Certainly, considering the vastness of the north and its sparse nomad population, we could develop freely, and the natural beauty would still thrive. But if that development were to stretch across generations, the story would change. It would be better for us, who were starting out with fresh foundations, to exert a little effort now rather than see the north’s treasures damaged.
“It’s certainly easier to build new structures on empty land than to repair old ones.”
Once our generation passed, that balance-seeking endeavor would surely become an extravagant pursuit.
“The sky has been an object of reverence for nomads. The only domain we cannot trespass is the sky, our ancestors worshipped it.”
“Similar to the origins of the Dawn Sect. Ours began from the grace of the sun that tenderly shines upon and guides us.”
“Haha, while the environments differ, the essence of human life doesn’t change much.”
Observing the exchange about faith between my future father-in-law and Tannian, I stepped back a few paces. There was no need for secular royalty to interject in a priestly dialogue.
And it was a bit surprising. I hadn’t known my father-in-law could partake in such discussions of faith.
“I knew he was the sole priest, but…”
I was aware that he was the only priest of the faith in the Eternal Blue Sky. It was commonly understood that the transition from chief of the Barandi tribe to the Marquis of Barandi was aided by his priestly title.
However, until now, my father-in-law had not shown much passion for faith. He was clad in the mantle of a priest but had been more cynical and indifferent than anyone about true belief.
To now witness my father-in-law equipped with such knowledge of faith was truly astonishing.
“Knowing things can lead to cynicism, I suppose.”
If one knows little, they may harbor no grievances. But knowing too much can lead to twisted views. I often wondered if my father-in-law had undergone such a journey.
“Your spirit seems brilliant. Have you achieved enlightenment?”
“…I merely cleared the illusions that obscured my sight and gazed at the sky.”
It seemed that his recent distortions had been corrected.
“You appear happy.”
I turned my head at the voice belonging to Lady Shati.
“My father has never engaged in discussions about faith this way. He learned from my grandfather, the past priest, and I, being the student, take after him.”
“It must have been a tedious path.”
The sheer notion of mere teaching and repetitive learning evoked a sense of pity within me.
If Lady Shati’s words bore truth, then for my father-in-law, faith and belief had been unidirectional transmissions. Unable to share knowledge and insights with others would make it immensely tedious for any learner.
Had I learned the blade in solitude like my father-in-law, would I have progressed as I have today? No matter how skilled my master was, if I had no friends like Erich and Rutis, would I have forged ahead?
“My father-in-law must have been distanced from other tribes as well.”
Had he connected even a little with priests from other tribes, perhaps things would be different. The Barandi tribe was not one to actively connect with others, and so, my father-in-law’s faith seemed to languish within a singular vacuum.
“More importantly… it seems we have a precious guest visiting.”
At my words, Lady Shati nodded in agreement.
With a future saint to converse with, how could my father-in-law, who was previously entwined in dull faith, have received such a fortuitous opportunity? No amount of gold could buy this honor to arise from mere fate.
I felt grateful. If Enen and the Eternal Blue Sky were watching over us, this, too, was surely their blessing.
‘How can I pay back this grace?’
Watching Tannian chatting unceasingly with my father-in-law made me smile subtly.
As the future son-in-law, how could I express my gratitude? What gesture would best appeal to Tannian’s heart?
‘Should I assign them to the same room?’
After deliberating, I glanced at the woman walking just behind Tannian.
Cardinal Alexandria, the Archpriest of the Faith. She looked at Tannian with a tender gaze, and he responded in kind, warmth radiating between them.
Just as I had a connection with Lady Shati, Tannian seemed to share a similar bond.
Hmm…
‘For now, I’ll keep them close together and think later.’
If they had indeed formed a profound connection, they’d appreciate the gesture. Even if not, those tender glances suggested a budding relationship. Surely something would happen behind closed doors.
Either way, it reeked of opportunity for something good to unfold.
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