Chapter 74
“Let us divide only the produce of the Sephiros Plains equally, Duke Kaisa. In return, if there is something you desire, I will offer it freely.”
However, there was strong opposition within the Serpent Tribe.
They argued there was no need to accept an armistice when victory was within reach if they simply pushed a little further.
“I will accept the proposal.”
Yet Kaisa accepted the agreement.
“My lord! Why…!”
“To seek a perfect victory at the cost of more blood — is that what you want?”
“Sacrifices are inevitable in war.”
Kaisa looked directly at the protesting noble.
Across the man’s polished, well-fed face, Kaisa saw the fleeting image of a soldier who had once died in his place.
“Inevitable, you say… sacrifices are inevitable.”
Would those who had never stepped foot on the battlefield understand the weight of a sacrifice?
“If it were your blood that paid the price of victory, would you say the same?”
The storm of protests died down in an instant.
“There will be no further needless deaths.”
Leaving the now-silent nobles behind, Kaisa turned away.
When he sent word to the Rabbit Tribe’s leader that he agreed to the ceasefire, a reply came swiftly, almost as though it had been prepared in advance.
“As representative of the Rabbit Tribe, I thank you for your decision.”
Makakin, the Rabbit Tribe’s chief, joyfully invited Kaisa to Rahol.
Given that they had once been enemies at swordpoint, one might have expected Makakin to hesitate before allowing him into his territory. Instead, he generously granted permission — even allowing Kaisa to bring his own guards.
Kaisa brought only his lieutenant, Edwin, and a minimal escort to Rahol.
“So this is the place.”
Edwin looked around in admiration.
The Serpent and Rabbit tribes differed in culture, diet, and architecture.
Unlike Barhad, where stone buildings were common to block snowstorms, Rahol’s warm climate meant most structures were made of wood.
The Rosevin family mansion, with its many extended wings, stood side by side in grandeur befitting its power.
“Welcome, Duke Kaisa.”
The Rabbit chief greeted Kaisa warmly upon arrival.
His political grace was remarkable — even when facing a long-time foe, he showed not the slightest hint of hostility.
“How was your journey? This must be your first visit to Rahol, yes?”
Kaisa had heard the rumors:
Unlike the cold Barhad, Rahol — or Ras Holly, as it was sometimes called — was a gentle land overflowing with flowers and greenery.
Seeing it for himself, he found the rumors true. But more than that—
“…It’s quite hot here.”
He wiped the sweat running down his sharp jawline.
The clothing of Barhad was designed for insulation — multiple layers, thick and heavy.
Even now, Kaisa wore a warm underlayer, a leather tunic, and light armor on top.
It protected him well from Barhad’s freezing winds — but in Rahol’s warmth, it was unbearable.
“The climate is quite different, of course. I’ll have a bath and a change of clothes prepared at once.”
It was a welcome offer.
Once guided to his chamber, Kaisa began undressing immediately.
“Pardon me, sir— ah!”
A young attendant entering the room blushed fiercely and bowed low.
Kaisa, half-naked with his broad chest exposed, found the reaction puzzling.
Why was he the one flustered?
“M-my apologies! These are your new clothes, sir. The bath is ready in here.”
Kaisa nodded and moved toward the direction indicated.
A rustle of fabric followed as he stripped off the sweat-soaked trousers clinging to his powerful thighs. Just as he was about to remove them completely, he paused.
“Why haven’t you left?”
The attendant, still standing by the door, bowed even deeper, his neck flushed red.
“U-um… would you like me to attend you during your bath…?”
“That won’t be necessary.”
Dismissed so curtly, the disappointed attendant left reluctantly — but that was none of Kaisa’s concern.
Kaisa sank into the hot water. Though the tub was small, it was bearable.
“…Haa.”
A languid sigh escaped his well-shaped lips.
Finally, the war was coming to an end.
For a long time, Kaisa had fought for this — to end the war.
Because to find what he sought, both power and peace were necessary.
—Hey, are you okay?
Just a few years ago — he had met that girl in a small Rabbit Tribe village.
‘Somewhere across this vast land… that girl must still be out there.’
Would he be able to find her?
As the thought crossed his mind, a faint, self-mocking smile tugged at his lips.
‘Why?’
Even if he found her — what then?
He didn’t know.
A fleeting encounter, long ago — a girl he had met only once.
Even he couldn’t understand why he still remembered her.
But the seed of that desire, sprouted deep within his heart, refused to fade — and it had driven him all the way here.
‘If I could see her again…’
No, it wasn’t a matter of if.
He had to.
With a slight frown, Kaisa brushed his wet bangs aside. His gaze fell upon the mirror mounted on the wall.
Time changes the body.
The youth had grown — his frame now far stronger, his muscles defined like a predator’s.
He stared indifferently at his reflection — the hard, sinewy body honed through years of battle.
‘Has she changed too?’
Just as he had matured, so too must that girl have grown.
How had she changed? In what way had she blossomed?
‘Foolish.’
No matter how he imagined it, he wouldn’t know until he saw her again.
He smirked at himself for indulging in idle fantasy.
‘This is no time for daydreams.’
The war might have ended, but his work had not.
Kaisa rose from the bath, his muscular frame casting a long shadow.
After drying off, he donned the clothes provided by the Rabbit Tribe.
“Are you ready, my lord?”
Outside, his lieutenant Edwin — also freshly changed — awaited him.
Edwin’s expression suggested he had plenty to say about the outfit.
“These clothes are… unbelievably thin and light, my lord. The chest is practically exposed, the sleeves flutter like ribbons… are you sure this isn’t sleepwear?”
Indeed, it did resemble a bedroom robe.
But since it was chosen by the Rabbit chief himself, it wasn’t something to protest.
“Stop wasting words.”
Kaisa silenced his chatty subordinate at once.
This wasn’t Barhad — idle talk could easily be overheard here.
His purpose in coming was simple:
To sign a peace treaty and end the uneasy tension between their two peoples.
And once the border opened — he would begin his search.
For that nameless, ageless girl from his past.
“This way to the banquet hall.”
Rabbit Tribe attendants approached courteously and led the group onward.
Compared to Barhad’s vast stone halls, the ceilings here were low, the space narrower — yet elegant.
A long table stood prepared, laden with delicious-looking dishes. The members of House Rosevin sat neatly in a row.
“Duke Kaisa, please take your seat.”
The Rabbit chief gestured to the chair opposite him — a position of honor, side by side with his own.
The meal had been prepared with great care, even if the portions were modest.
“Very well.”
Kaisa’s party took their seats.
Suddenly, he felt a wave of intense gazes upon him.
Normally indifferent to others, even Kaisa felt his cheeks prickle under the heat of it.
“….”
Unable to ignore it, he turned his head slightly — and saw a group of young women on the other side of the table sneaking glances his way.
Not just one or two — several of them.
Their looks were unreadable, curious yet intent, making him frown unconsciously.
What was going on? Everything today seemed strangely out of step.
“Though our past may be marred with scars,” Makakin began, his tone buoyant, “I believe much will change for the better from this day forward.”
Regardless of Kaisa’s private discomfort, the banquet proceeded in a festive spirit.
“To our new future!”
Makakin raised his cup and winked at Kaisa.
Setting aside his irritation, Kaisa lifted his own cup in response.
“To the future.”
The clear sound of clinking glasses echoed through the room, and the meal began.
Roasted chicken glazed in red sauce, colorful vegetables arranged artfully beside it — a modest but fine feast.
However, the portions were far too small.
“Would it be all right to bring… another thirteen plates? No, make that fifteen?”
Edwin, who had already cleared his dish, was politely requesting more from the attendant.
“When I think about it,” Makakin said after a while, “during the war, there were rumors calling you a monster, Duke Kaisa.”
He chuckled. “But I see now — war distorts people. You’re much younger and more handsome than I expected.”
“You flatter me.”
Kaisa replied with composed politeness.
Makakin laughed heartily.
“Flatter? Not at all! Look — even my granddaughters can’t take their eyes off you!”
A chill ran down Kaisa’s spine.
So that’s what this was leading to.
He’d wondered what sort of ploy the man was building up to with all this talk — and now he knew.
