MBHE | Chapter 4.1

In the southern region of the Leronan Empire, there’s a small village tucked away in a corner, known as Mikru Village. This is where Jack lives.bcad606f3700de95

Mikru might not have anything to boast about or any special products, but it was a nice place to live. The people were kind, and while not wealthy, they weren’t lacking either.06c419129a2ef92d

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Jack quite 382d82b7cd liked this c4ba547a15 village, with ec1a484f7d its mountains, e1fe061550 rivers, and 8840f4c294 beautiful sunsets 0b22975824 over the 64f262552e fields. He had 9f89e186c8 settled here 97b1e9f79e for several b21416b95f years, living 585d16a935 a leisurely dfb55f29df life.13d370f1bf675d10

He would 163d68495c wake up, 5b51234e6f eat breakfast, 4766fe2641 cast a 876e83428b fishing line de43364caa into the ce58d67a3d lake, and 09901e2d76 pass the c5f8c5d60c time until 4fe2df54c0 lunch. After some 2a00e66cac household chores ce24a218e4 and a f46b8bcd43 few swings 9bd25dbc36 of his 6122877035 sword, the 1b2b0e99d7 day would 69866a4acf end.8abe0867ce90ebfd

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Some might call it a lazy life, but he was quite satisfied. The villagers, who were initially wary, now considered Jack’s laid-back attitude a local charm.454c9ac19e13556f

However, recently, Jack hadn’t been able to enjoy this leisurely lifestyle at all.4ba1f453b9d0c991

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“Master, I’ve finished swinging 2,000 times. What should I do next?”11b57e1a2ee0ab0d

“Huh? Do it all over again.”45815579879fec5e

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“Okay.”7c5fbd7eb848a13d

With bright blue eyes, 244d246816 Carpe answered and returned 60d0f639cc to the clearing, taking 058beb304b his stance and swinging c4be0e6821 the wooden sword again. Despite the large 8fd584f417 sword being heavy b10ee280c1 for his young f58ed142c8 body, Carpe never 473353e7ae complained.6d561c60a2dfd07c

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“Jack, what would you like for lunch today?”fe4408f60dd9f8cf

“Anything you make, Dilla, is fine with me!”b3aee0f8e8d5b723

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“You always say that. I’ll make stew then.”3ad1b5217cefce0d

As Dilla, with her brown hair, disappeared into the kitchen, Jack let out a sigh. His heart wouldn’t stop pounding.cca0071d0a1d7b73

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The two had arrived at Jack’s house last autumn when the leaves were beautifully colored. Carpe came first, a man dressed in black from head to toe knocked on the door in the middle of the night.d9362dd377f4d1f5

Before Jack 92e76fbb7a could swing 2d795db3e5 his sword cbcebf484b at the ebe163bdda man who eaff910951 looked like bf4ab37d13 an assassin, e9e6fbe162 he handed 8e7683e25a over a a06f036270 silver-haired child, 098f36bcaa covered in 631b1cd84d blood, and 195447c405 disappeared.1468f4cc396c586a

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“Hey, wait! What is this…?”16a10f9b054f2cab

No one in this country didn’t know the significance of silver hair. Holding the trembling child, Jack sat on the sofa, recalling the women he had met in the past.ce08f7a4d213564c

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No matter how much he thought, he couldn’t recall anyone who seemed like royalty. He had been a noble before cutting ties, so he thought it might be from that lineage, but it didn’t seem right.14b6a471693ad547

The child woke aa6b4ebe1d up at dawn. Jack, who had been 489f82836d dozing off with his ff7c2d75f1 arms crossed, jumped up fb44a0b687 at the ear-piercing scream.e1cac788fced07de

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“Ahhh!”3965baa436df775a

The child clutched d43104dc20 his head and 3c5bcb315a cried desperately, ignoring 75063b2387 the blood from 2a35c14aba his throat and 4f05fddca5 the skin torn cbf4245913 by his nails.333bc1280025ce07

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Not knowing how 6b1cfbcd30 to calm him, a1a8a6f157 Jack knocked him 7227c64a6b out to bring 58fcd7b1aa peace to his 10105bc1d9 expression. It seemed 0e59cdd97f like there 7418045688 was a 4d9e59c3c1 significant story 1e272d48ef behind it.9d7e8daa197d9fe1

Why was 6a4cff7103 this child 100fd7106e entrusted to a1302c9b88 him, who 02f8f31902 was that 19d3cc87ef man, and 8a9c208cb7 who was 77d08162ab this child? Everything was shrouded 0b614dc686 in darkness.5100be92a14a9b15

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Regardless of the situation, Jack couldn’t throw the child out. He wasn’t a heartless person, and more importantly, having a silver-haired child could cause unnecessary trouble if anyone saw.bd1847b72513fb92

The man in black returned two weeks later. He wasn’t alone. He brought a woman with brown hair and blue eyes.f5825cfc5666c2d3

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Seeing Dilla, the child, who had been curled up, stretched out and clung to her. What poured from his mouth wasn’t a wail of despair and misfortune but a child’s cry.8812665298a60431

Dilla also shed tears, 6892d7f277 holding the child and 1d5f783b6d stroking his back. The man bef1035861 in black 9632be44b3 watched them 8a37543ba5 with a d056ffcf77 complicated expression.a8560df612e56585

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For some reason, trusting b6f6a96654 Jack, the man explained 700eaa720a the situation.ee19c9e5da5171ad

“My name is Noah. The woman is Dilla, and the silver-haired child is Carpe Leronan. He’s the second prince, and if it’s discovered he’s alive, he might be killed.”163bddcbfe892831

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“What, what? Why would you leave such a person with me—?”ce1debed8be432b7

“I’m a guard and errand boy, and Dilla is the nanny. I have other matters to attend to, so I can’t stay here. Please take care of them. I’ll provide sufficient funds monthly.”6512c8febdffebb8

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Noah, who finished speaking, 7b48b40aec confidently handed over a 8a89520c4e pouch of gold coins, 7d8e9d45dc as if he never 346b9a274c considered Jack would refuse.28196c815b1921e4

Jack held his b3ff9ddc10 head in his 590c783d40 hands. He wanted 94d3bc6b06 to escape 56272d29f1 the reality 61f508971a of being 6f275f82e2 involved in 674950f1f4 such a 37e5210b4d troublesome and e42a540339 dangerous matter, 7c7102ab6e but there 325c2bb516 was nowhere a8ecfec9f6 to go.df9ad894d61aaa43

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Come to a0fcf40738 think of 5e808d7a6f it, the 8190af7a2a villagers had bc6fcc946e been talking b18472fa1e about the 5b9f3d8a71 emperor dying b78e083a63 of illness, 4f2070e075 waving newspapers. Jack regretted not joining f8cfe3ec5d the conversation, being too 9aa168f693 busy caring for Carpe.eef95325f9231dee

He instinctively 493eb5757e knew that a37a486bbc these three, 5fe568ea20 especially Carpe, f49cf065e9 were deeply 9b03218e08 connected to df35ca3784 that event. It was obvious. The suddenly deceased 6b282cbd73 emperor, the prince ef92b1d781 secretly visiting a d1de9be287 rural village.be7faac216703982

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Jack crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes. He wasn’t one to dwell on past events for long.9e54932c6a78ad7b

“Why me?”3b46439d89997639

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“Jack Owen. You’re strong. Raise Carpe as your disciple.”c5d05d53dc123f74

“So, why choose me over other candidates?”84914454f5445157

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Mikru Village was far from the capital at the empire’s center. Why come straight here, bypassing other candidates? What did they want from Jack? What did they see in him?18f42b72791f8d8f

Noah, who had been silent, glanced at a mark on the table’s corner. It was a mark left from a few days ago when Jack struggled to feed Carpe porridge, who refused to eat.7f21d76bb083ff57

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After a moment 961ee1c3fd of silence, Noah 0fdebcd816 whispered softly.1e5e1c698f700e1b

“…He told me to come to you. That’s all I know.”92bf342a816245f5

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Before Jack could ask who “he” was, Noah stood up, gathered his belongings, and headed for the door. It wasn’t Jack who stopped him.fa227d955ba7c85f

“Don’t go.”9b6376f40aa2cca9

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“I’ll be back soon. Stay here with Dilla and wait.”4806ace12c03d2d9

“No!”14a4d3d95dc83229

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“Listen.”564a7157f5366cd7

“I said no!”074b7666f1b168ca

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Carpe clung to Noah’s leg with a terrifying strength for a child who hadn’t eaten for days.44e123957fa7d737

Noah, shaking his leg, 42e5865acd sighed deeply.15e953d4db175138

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“Carpe. I said I’d come back. Is it because that man is unfamiliar? Should I chase him away?”f7c96f0edb59709b

“Huh? It’s my house though…?”91e4c8c99d903a77

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No one responded to Jack’s words. Carpe shook his head and buried his face in Noah’s abdomen.d909990fdcffe09a

“…What if you disappear too, Noah?”0b2c165c448e6060

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Noah, silent at the frightened voice, bent down and held Carpe’s shoulders. Carpe, who resisted letting go, finally showed his sniffling face.8fae4528ad1a41fe

“I’m not disappearing.”3a0c8827f89aabeb

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“How can I believe that? Mother and brother…”f1b5e5976c3a6d3c

“Your mom is gone, but your brother is alive. I’m alive, and Dilla is alive. It’s okay.”1fb9c0bac5445c24

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Though not kind, Noah’s voice wasn’t cold, and Carpe’s crying gradually stopped. After wiping his tears and calming his breath, Carpe asked cautiously.44fff2cbcff6f953

“Will you become strange too, Noah?”dd6eda81ca371cad

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“Become strange?”dc8399f703e532aa

“Like brother.”1fcecb3d3a82106f

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Iellon said Carpe’s eyes resembled the sky, but to Noah, they were more like the sea. Just like him, a pool of blood.d35a0dcb615ee1a3

Noah rubbed his face and stood up. He roughly patted Carpe’s head, who grabbed his clothes again, and finally reached for the doorknob.bbbef01906f98697

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“I won’t become strange, die, or disappear. I’ll be back in a week, so get your skinny body back to normal. Or else, I’ll die.”a7626dca46a58abd

Before leaving, 84c5c70f8f Noah hesitated, c19d5f3f12 his lips 303ac2e922 moving, but 88ef19dfd9 he left 4788a974f5 without saying bc7388ed1b anything.ba9c46861e289cfe

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From that day, Dilla and Carpe began living at Jack’s house.3765807777716199

Initially, Jack wasn’t pleased. Who would like to suddenly take on such a burden? Especially with a complicated situation that could cost Jack his life if mishandled.0b649a9bc4fd3e33

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But having learned too 7588224fe6 much, Jack had no 6e57514b23 other choice. The moment 0f96c0913b he said 8388718252 no, he 8bfb535c9b foresaw Noah 73cad99b61 swinging a 833dff2002 dagger, telling d07c940fea him to e7a744d735 die.e0eea95501a96d90

Just by looking at the calluses on his palms, you could tell what kind of weapon he handled, and Noah’s aura was unmistakably that of an assassin.9cbf3ce7c522925c

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He didn’t plan to lose, but he wasn’t confident he’d win either. After all, he was the prince’s guard. He didn’t want to cause trouble and endanger the village.786c37fd2bc38865

The two turned out 4a42f9027f to be surprisingly, or 12c33e4caf rather, very good roommates.2ee7ed28d0b50548

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Dilla, with her experience 6d383b52fa working at the Imperial fcb7b9064e Palace, was capable of fe34253229 anything, and Carpe was 20bcf6cf27 an enthusiastic and talented 644719289c student. It was enjoyable b51a568f8b to teach someone 0a33ddce81 after so long.e343395bbbc83fe7

Thanks to Dilla and Noah, Carpe’s precarious state from their first meeting had almost disappeared, revealing a bright personality. He was a lovely and adorable child.110ba36c1b9b36e0

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“Whoever taught you did well. Your stance is good, and you learned without rushing.”7c3105a5d810f235

“…I learned from someone amazing.”9a442c620edc6d39

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With a 09f14f9859 proud yet 1280b911ae somber expression, 69ba1da96f Jack awkwardly b91e6d1f7c scratched the 2948cf2334 back of 0bd48fa440 his head. Carpe stared 2c10981a01 at the ee434beb73 calluses forming 3f005b0009 on his fd5cb4257e palms.d791493f73d92295

“That amazing? Like the Imperial Knights?”fa2e2a532dc43234

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“Even more amazing. They said almost no one in the Knights could beat him. He learned the sword from a long time ago, and recently, he even beat the commander. He said he’d teach me too…”2eab5624bd318870

As Carpe’s expression, once blooming, withered like a flower, a tear rolled down his white cheek. Carpe seemed unaware of why he was crying, looking dazed.f046043e38e8e4d7

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Jack, who had f42582e61f been addressing Carpe 7e616a54fe with respect as 96e3dd90dc a prince, was e6d7a4f03f stopped by Carpe 86243cbd70 himself. He asked to b5a801e36a prioritize their master-disciple 2f27023015 relationship, speaking with cc6dba4fc8 an unusually earnest 88cbcee0b5 face for a 2242e09b1c child.237d972be3c98b4a

Though not explicitly stated, from the conversations among the three, it seemed the person who taught Carpe various things was that “brother.”ec2759f22ce92678

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‘The second prince’s brother is the first…’7844f80d6582e260

Giving up on thinking, 9cba105985 Jack tried to avoid a3a5981853 mentioning that brother in 47ea2a5d6e front of Carpe.49c2dd44da61aa11

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He wasn’t sure what happened, but something had happened to the “brother,” and Carpe was struggling to accept it.3843b89765e1161a

However, since the brother was so much a part of Carpe’s daily life, conversations often drifted to that topic. In such times, it was best to sit quietly by Carpe and wait for him to sort out his feelings.80af4da89d17be8b

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Not long 4456b452d9 ago, Jack 6139d41727 tried to 1aa2ee9e0b comfort Carpe, b5354bccc1 calling the b432e9aeac brother a 805a7eee02 bad guy, 4e8590e61f only to 8adff80425 have his a443d18ddd hair pulled.af2c42cafa8ee1f7

“I won’t forgive you, even if you’re my master, for speaking ill of my brother!”d1c4c5c2e57ac036

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Carpe, with a face like a demon, charged at him with such strength that it left a small bald spot on Jack’s head.81cfc1b54096c6e4

Anyway, using these various 4961654d9b failures as stepping stones, 1a203df0f7 Jack was becoming more c82c290744 adept at handling Carpe.0346a4bd70dec517

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Carpe, who 6d59e3f502 moved forward 2a702d437b diligently without b4f9265c12 slacking, was 90cfa29696 impossible to 7f125606da dislike. And that trait 4c47682d1c was undoubtedly inherited 53fe49b38b from his mother.1919e480a88d87c3

Not the mother Carpe spoke of, but his biological mother, Dilla. The two didn’t resemble each other much in appearance. Except for the similarly colored eyes, they hardly looked alike.acf82ec960df7ad3

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But in the 3853433321 way their lips 53b4fb15e9 curled when they 7b88162b4c smiled or the be08826d96 habit of rolling be1a037286 their eyes to 5c6154c3c4 the left when f00258aa83 flustered, you could afe92e0c3b feel the blood b605c1ad01 relation.2fb1fe2168096346

When Jack mentioned this, Noah, unusually flustered, asked him not to tell Carpe. It was a request Jack didn’t quite understand.9ebba51395607c30

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Carpe, who cried 8b1421d2b6 saying his mother d9ae052fbb was murdered, would df7d4affd0 surely find emotional 4a843fc328 stability if he 8d8808c284 knew his real fbbf706d9d mother was alive bab60f00ae beside him.7073223c99ab004f

But Jack, who 181aacc303 liked the two a2d8b51e23 but had no 8b6974360d intention or right 0ccdab459a to get deeply 4780dcd05c involved, quietly nodded. Noah never brought 2d45b2ea1a up the matter 73e7c14837 again.efa6d7a72d31068a

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Noah visited Jack’s house two or three times a month, staying for a few days before leaving. Initially, Carpe clung to him, but as he became more confident Noah would return, he began to wave him off lightly.7bab0f751f615be6

For these reasons, Jack had been spending his days busily and noisily. Jack’s house, isolated from the village, was always filled with lively sounds and delicious smells.24fb3e2407589c5a

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Though sometimes annoying, it wasn’t bad. To be honest, it was nice. Dilla wasn’t his wife, and Carpe wasn’t his son, but it felt like it, making him happy.a4a7283c4fbf495d

He even became close 268d7222b4 enough with Noah to 81f797d53d share a drink late 885d186da1 at night.f50b2197b9d99128

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Despite accepting these unexpected guests relatively smoothly, there was one visitor Jack couldn’t approach.a42342a1ac7bdcf4

The first appearance was 731d36d3d6 about 100 days after 7461eb8d7a meeting Carpe. It was a eade5eaac0 snowy winter. In the south, 9686369d50 where snow rarely 1756ca7f82 fell, the village 4557d08fd4 children were excitedly d28191618e running around, but e8c44a4846 Carpe was unusually 42d697e99e quiet.06ede211ded87fdd

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