Chapter 5
The Sotheustier Auction House, located in the imperial capital, was more crowded than ever with noble ladies. The cause of the stir was the recently unveiled necklace, Tears of the Blue Dragon.
But what was truly captivating their attention wasn’t the 5-carat diamond necklace on auction.
It was the man seated in the box seat—Duke Tarudo Drwyn Spes.
The head of a ducal family equal in status to the imperial family, the wealthiest man in the empire, an alchemist who handled gold, and a romantic who remained unmarried for fifteen years while waiting for his missing fiancée.
These characteristics, paired with his stunning looks, drove the ladies wild with admiration.
Of course, the duke himself ignored the attention directed at him, coolly staring down at the auction items. Whether 5 carats or 50, he had no interest in gemstones. The reason he had come to the auction today was the final item to be presented: an ancient book.
“How dull.”
As the diamond necklace was sold to someone, the auctioneer brought up the next item.
“Next, we have a special piece by the rising star blacksmith Ron Vita. Three swords will be presented today. The first is his signature work, Brilliant Mortal Night and the Silence of the Black Sun.”
As soon as the auctioneer finished speaking, the first of the three glass cases was opened, revealing a single sword inside.
“This is the very same sword, Brilliant Mortal Night and the Silence of the Black Sun, that was auctioned here a year ago for 1,000 gold. It’s more famously known as the ‘Lucky Sword that Didn’t Break Against a Wyvern’s Claw.’ The previous owner has reluctantly put it up for sale upon retirement.”
Among those seated at the auction, not a single person was unfamiliar with this sword.
Its first owner, Nial, was a mercenary who operated in the Forest of Beasts. Among the mercenaries who encountered a group of wyverns during an expedition, Nial was the only survivor. Later rescued by the knights of the Count of Arcas, Nial testified that the sword had saved his life—a story widely known.
While the others’ swords had shattered under the wyvern’s claws, Nial’s sword acted as a shield. Though struck, Nial was flung away without being torn to pieces and managed to survive. He wasn’t wounded so severely that he couldn’t return to duty, but after losing all his comrades, he chose to retire. That was how the sword came to be auctioned again.
“The starting bid is 1,000 gold.”
People began raising their paddles one after another. 1,100. 1,200. The price kept rising as Duke Spes’s golden eyes closely examined the sword. The corners of his lips curled slightly.
“Interesting.”
He knew the moment the glass case opened. That sword had been alchemized. He could feel the unique resonance that emanated from alchemized objects.
At first, it was just curiosity. No one in the Spes family had ever shown alchemical talent with iron. It was also extremely rare for someone with alchemy skills to emerge beyond the Spes family’s influence.
Since alchemy was a gift of dragons and passed through blood, there were strict marriage conditions for the Spes family. Specifically, if a woman of the Spes family married into another house and bore a child who developed alchemical powers, that child would be adopted into the Spes family.
In exchange, the Spes family promised generous compensation. Since there were no harsh terms such as cutting off all contact with the child, there was rarely any opposition.
The duke glanced at his aide sitting beside him.
“Noah, who did you say the blacksmith was?”
“A new craftsman named Ron Vita. He’s the hottest thing right now.”
“Ron Vita?”
It was an unfamiliar name, yet oddly familiar.
Ron Vita. Ron?
The duke’s time froze as he recalled a boy named Ron. Why hadn’t he remembered sooner? A long time ago, a boy with that name had been saved thanks to Stella’s kindness.
It could’ve been a coincidence. After all, Ron was a common name.
The duke roughly raked his golden hair back. A certain hypothesis forming in his mind made his heart pound. While he was still lost in thought, Brilliant Mortal Night and the Silence of the Black Sun was sold for 1,780 gold.
The auctioneer opened the second glass case.
“The second sword is The Fairy’s Red Dress. It’s a brand new piece by Ron Vita, making its debut in this auction.”
Time began to move again for the duke when he saw the second sword. It was also alchemized. Confusion turned into a kind of certainty.
The duke rose from his seat and instructed Noah.
“Buy all of Ron Vita’s swords coming up next.”
As Noah diligently raised his paddle to bid on the swords, Duke Spes left the auction house. He had to meet Ron Vita.
Immediately.
*
What was supposed to be a one-day journey had now entered its third day. They had taken a detour after spotting a pursuit team on the road. Their hungry stomachs were temporarily satisfied by wild fruits, but the thirst was harder to bear.
“Oh, raspberries!”
Despite everything, Eluana somehow managed to find some. There were three plump berries on the bush. She picked them and popped them into the mouths of Kazar and Louie, then ate one herself.
On the way here, she had occasionally found small edible plants. Even if just a little, juicy fruits helped with walking.
Kazar, holding Louie securely, began walking again, and Eluana followed. Conversation had long since died out.
Listening to the birds chirping, Eluana walked diligently but stopped briefly to catch her breath. Kazar was now ten steps ahead of her, even while carrying Louie. First it had been three steps, then five—now ten.
“Is this my limit?”
Her vision blurred slightly. The burning sensation on her back worsened. Amid the smell of sweat, she caught a hint of something else—burning.
Was her back really burning now?
Wait.
“…Smoke?”
Her swaying gaze turned behind her. Smoke was rising in the distance. She could faintly see trees catching fire. Though it was still far away, this was a forest.
“Kazar! Run!”
At her near-scream, Kazar turned.
“Fire?!”
“Run!”
Without a second thought, both of them started running.
The flames leapt from tree to tree. Even at a distance, the wind carried the heat and scorched the forest. The smoke stung their eyes, making it hard to see.
As they ran desperately, Kazar suddenly turned around.
“The fire’s spreading in front too!”
“Let’s head toward the river. It should be nearby.”
“River?”
At her words, Kazar pictured the empire’s map and quickly found the direction. There was only one river connected to the Aden Forest:
The River Lit, which flowed into the Kingdom of Velrua.
At this point, escaping to another imperial territory was less viable than crossing the border. They also had contacts they could rely on outside.
The problem was—if the fire had been set to flush them out, the pursuers might be waiting at the river.
“Think later.”
Avoiding being burned was the priority now.
Kazar, holding Louie, ran full speed. He checked on the struggling Eluana behind him as he ran, and soon they exited the forest.
A wide grassland opened before them. In the distance, a broad, fast-flowing river could be seen. As feared, there was nowhere to hide. Gauging the current, Kazar asked Eluana:
“Can you swim?”
“A little. Are we crossing?”
“We’ll go halfway and get swept along.”
He barely got the words out through heavy breathing, but her answer came quickly.
“Got it.”
Eluana nodded firmly.
Kazar removed his outer coat, strapped Louie tightly to his back, and approached the river. As he did, the ground trembled.
No way.
The earth shook. Dust rose in the distance. The pursuers on horseback were coming.
“Move! Now!”
Kazar shouted and began running. Listening to Eluana’s labored breathing behind him, he dashed into the water with Louie strapped to his back. Splashing through the river, he reached a point where his feet no longer touched the ground and turned back.
Eluana was still standing on the riverbank.
“Run. Now.”
Though her voice didn’t reach him, her lips formed those words. Time seemed to slow. The pursuers’ horses were already right behind her.
Kazar screamed Eluana’s name.
But she turned without hesitation. Her entire body was soaked in cold sweat. She had reached her limit long ago. If she followed, she’d only drag them down.
Good thing I tied that pouch with the seal around Louie’s neck.
Eluana praised her past self for that decision and drew her sword. She had sensed it, even three days ago—that a moment like this would come.
The river was wide. Kazar needed more time to cross with Louie.
“Dad, I’m scared.”
Though her legs trembled in fear, she opened her eyes wide to resist the pressure of the charging pursuers. She didn’t have the strength to stop them, but she could buy a little time.
Eluana swung her sword at the nearest horse.
It was a determined strike, but not enough to cut through a horse. The pursuers veered around her and dismounted. As she swung her sword again, one of them grabbed her by the hair. Her hair tie snapped, and her golden locks flew loose.
“Noona!”
Louie flailed, reaching for his sister. Kazar held him tight to stop him from moving and dove into the current. He didn’t look back.
Even a moment’s delay would mean capture.
The pursuers charged into the river on horseback, but soon stopped. Kazar had already made it halfway across and let the rapid current carry them.
His mind went hazy.
All he could hope now was that the fierce current would safely carry them across the border.
