Karya

"..."

The house head of Tidas who had reported that there were no problems, Ebenezer Howell fell silent.

"Would you please explain this to me as well, Lord Ebenezer?"

Fae asked.

"I-it's just a misunderstanding. While we acknowledge that the reinforcements had come late, we had nothing to do with the attacks."

"So you acknowledge that you and your kingdom are incompetent?"

Fae followed. Her voice sent chills down Ebenezer's spine. His mouth felt try and he couldn't utter anything else.

This was pressure from someone infinitely nearing the rank of Sage. Even though they both held the rank of Magus, there was an unbelievable gap in power that couldn't be ignored.

Markus snorted.

"I see. By the way, I've discovered something by reading old records. It appears that the previous royal family had light green hair and their healing abilities were especially potent."

Both Ebenezer and King Deidrich flinched.

It was a well-known fact that the current royal family had only lasted a little more than half a century. Deidrich was the second king and is soon to be replaced by his son who sat next to him.

And, the biggest difference between them and the previous family would be the blood.

The current royal family weren't Inheritors.

Fearing the unease of the public of wanting the previous royal family to regain their seats, the previous king decided to isolate their family line.

King Deidrich went through more extreme measures and ordered the deaths of the previous royal family's line just a few years ago. However, this was only known by the house heads and the king himself.

"Coincidentally, the adopted child named Sana matched their colors and her healing abilities were enough for even the best healers in the church to acknowledge."

At that moment, everyone present understood the underlying meaning behind his words.

Fae looked at Markus for a second before turning her eyes back to King Deidrich and Ebenezer.

"Well?"

"We don't have anything to do with this matter! It's all a coincidence that the child looks exactly like someone from the previous royal family!"

"That's right!"

King Deidrich echoed Ebenezer's words.

At that moment, Jonathan, Bryan, and along with everyone else who had encountered Markus before sighed.

King Deidrich and Ebenezer fell for his trap.

"Then, you two are saying that you have nothing to do with the matter of the assassinations and the late reinforcements are only your oversight?"

"Yes!"

Markus did his best to conceal his smirk at Ebenezer biting the bait.

"So, as compensation, will you two guarantee the life of the adopted child, Sana, in the honor of your country?"

"We do!"

It appeared that King Deidrich had understood it too late as Ebenezer had already answered.

Markus made them vow in front of the Sages and all of the countries' representatives of the whole continent. If anything really were to happen to Sana, it was akin to disrespecting all of them.

"Then, it's all good. Though, my son-in-law had been traumatized by the incidents…"

"W-we'll provide compensation for that too."

"Well," Markus looked reluctant but eventually agreed, "if you insist..."

'They've been scammed…'

Even Sebastian could tell that much from the conversation that had happened. Now, if anything were to happen to Sana, they would be held responsible. To avoid any suspicion towards them, they would have to switch from trying to kill Sana to protecting her.

"So, is the matter between the two—three houses finished?"

Fae glanced at the House of Sol once before changing her question.

"Yes."

Markus sat down in his seat as if nothing happened.

Ebenezer and King Deidrich both wiped their sweat and sat down as well.

"Well, let's continue."

Fae called for the next country and for the next few hours, went through all of them one by one. By the time it was afternoon, half of the countries present had reported everything.

The only trouble that sprouted was between Tidas and Aurora… and the occasional growl that the Conqueror sent Fae.

"Boring, isn't it?"

Markus asked Sebastian as they returned back from the first meeting.

"It wasn't too bad. I at least got to know about the various situations of the other countries."

"You must have something wrong with your head if you think that meeting filled with lies and hypocrisy is entertaining."

To Markus, it seemed like children bragging about things their parents could do. While it would sound good if children were the ones having the conversation, it wouldn't be the same if middle-aged men and women were to do the same.

"Now, it's still only Sebastian's first summit, he hasn't seen everything yet."

Bryan laughed. He was the only servant to walk alongside Sebastian and Markus. The others all followed a few steps behind them.

"In particular, I await the buffet on the final day, I heard that they're serving mist fish and dragon tail from the west that day."

"...dragon tail?"

"Yes, dragon tail. One was recently killed after going on a rampage. While it is young and the meat has yet to be perfect, it's a dish is still worth dying for."

Adult dragons were objects of fear, however, young dragons are quite vulnerable.

Dragons became stronger as they age. A newborn dragon was similar to a normal beast and a young dragon could easily be taken care of by a Magus. However, an adult dragon is something that only a Sage could contend against.

Then again, their numbers were quite few so it was rare to be able to taste their fabled meat.

"Isn't it illegal to serve dragon meat?"

"Do you think anyone here would have to abide by that law?"

"..."

Bryan chuckled as Sebastian fell silent.

"Don't think too much about it. It's the first dragon killed in decades. Dragon meat also isn't easily spoiled and is rarely served so they typically last for decades. I'd say we'd only be able to eat a plate of it at most."

A dragon is gigantic. Its tail alone spans a dozen meters. The amount of meat just the tail could provide was enough to feed a village for a month.

"Please wait."

A maid suddenly stepped forward and stopped them.

"Lady Fae would like to meet with Lord Sebastian."

Markus and Bryan glanced at each other for a second.

"Very well, we'll head back first."

Without waiting for Sebastian's opinion, Markus, Bryan, and the entourage left the scene.

"Please follow me."

Sebastian followed the maid to a garden. They were at the peak of a mountain but the greenery seemed artificial.

"Sebastian, may I call you that?"

"Yes, Lady Fae."

Sebastian bowed as Fae turned from her spot. She was standing at the center of the garden.

"Be at ease. I don't care much for formalities. Take a seat."

A chair made out of wood and roots suddenly created itself behind Sebastian.

"Would you like some walnuts?"

Fae placed a handful of walnuts on a wooden bowl on top of the table made out of the same material as the chair.

—A hamadryad, one of my sisters' work..

"I'm guessing she should've told you already. Yes, there is also a hamadryad residing in this place. Karya is her name."

—The hamadryad of the walnut tree, Karya. Compared to the rest of us, she didn't have much ability when it came to combat and power but her defense was impregnable.

"Unfortunately, she is currently in deep slumber and I don't know when she will awaken."

"You called out to me because you knew that I have a hamadryad with me?"

"Part of the reason, yes. There's also the fact that I'm curious about you. An Apprentice had never gained such recognition before. The three Sages even paid some attention to you."

'Was it the good kind or the bad kind?'

Sebastian wanted to ask but stopped himself. He felt sick thinking the Sages would target him.

"You see, I was friends with Karya when I was a child. I don't know what happened to her but when I met her again, she had fallen into deep slumber. Somehow, her consciousness still remains on this mountain and I'm able to control it to a certain extent."

"And you called me to ask about what happened to her?"

"If possible, yes."

"..."

—I don't mind telling her.

"She says that it's fine to tell you."

"Please."

—Along with my sisters, she had disappeared as well. I could only imagine what they had fought together but… it is most likely a Sage, and not just one. Only Ptelea has been killed but Karya appears to have suffered immensely as well.

—She slumbers to recuperate herself. I don't know when she will awaken, but it isn't going to be anytime soon.

Sebastian retold Balanos' words to Fae who began wiping her tears partway into the story.

"Thank you for telling me. You share quite the beautiful bond with your hamadryad as well."

Balanos hadn't told Sebastian to disclose her name, that's why Fae still didn't know about who Balanos was. The only reason she was able to realize that Sebastian had a hamadryad being housed inside his body was because of the familiar pulsations she felt from Karya and the fact that the mountain had reacted when Sebastian arrived at the peak.

"In truth, Karya envelops this entire mountain."

—If I was in my own body, I might've realized it.

"However, because of her slumber, I am only able to control her power here at the peak."

"How were you able to control it?"

"Much like with your hamadryad, it was our bond. I could instinctively feel it."

"I see…"

Fae and Sebastian talked for quite a while before Fae had to leave. Sebastian headed back to his own quarters and talked with Balanos along the way.

"Hey, was she really able to control Karya just because of their bond with each other?"

—It's part of the reason. The biggest reason is that Karya had entrusted part of her soul to Fae as well. However, without the bond the two shared, that small part would forever lay dormant.

"Huh…"

—You don't have to be so amazed. If I were to ever end up in the same state or if I were to depart from this world, you will inherit my power as well. And, it's not just a part of it like Karya, you will be able to use mine as you wish.

It meant that his bond with Balanos was greater than that of Fae and Karya's.

Sebastian clenched his fist and couldn't stop a smile from creeping up on his face.

"You're like a second mother to me already…"

—I see…

For a few hours, Balanos maintained her silence and Sebastian peacefully slept in his quarters. For the first time since he arrived, he could have a peaceful sleep knowing that as long as he was here at the peak, he would be protected by Karya and Fae's power.