WDPF Chapter 009

Preparing for the Expedition21f0c6dcf40cf7e0

 ba45cba32a9c8db7

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The southernmost region of ‘Chettren.’142a5c767de3bab4

A small country 4ffdf5a130 located on the c630dbc5fb southern border of efc782b57c the Sephiran Empire.8aaac069101c3652

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Though small, Chettren was a 1d118069fe kingdom formed through the alliance 2165435185 of the ‘Kuhaten’ people, known 1a916a47e7 for their warriors and the 9f89df5665 ‘Himir’ are known as the b4c1bfa016 Wind of Madness. For that reason, it b803b538ea was undeniably a nation d824ef2098 strong in war itself. Their repeated invasions and f82f20ff8e plundering of the territory 010f8fe035 of Reydern, south of ede89ad3ed Sephiran, have long been af8659b0aa a source of discontent bfe864f9e1 for the lords and 32c73d647c barons of Reydern.f1a147c4ce436906

In the end, the bf77ae0bef Emperor chose to subdue 708f708760 Chettren by force.a046b8c19f03a2fc

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The Sephiran Empire 6fa900b2b7 was the largest 7b4bd5a63f on the continent, 21513c867d stretching from its 738ad26315 northern capital, Sephirant, 8f9ea60686 located on the 4cf282834b coast, down to d6c33e3e2d Chettren at its ef759475ce southernmost edge. Travelling from one end of a4b0313407 the Empire to the other ae99d0ff65 would take over a year.0bb943446443966b

The king of 13bc15fe5e Chettren, Kuhatran, was 8031e0a46e a fierce and 010bbd0f2b uncommunicative man, but be1841c334 his battle prowess a02b049790 was so great b52591c434 that even the f59441f451 Emperor of Sepiran 63a271276d coveted it. Unable to bear the suffering 5de06ef908 of his people any longer, 23d3ebf180 Dikfeir was preparing to attack 3c8c7c119d Chettren. After a moment’s a7f66570b8 thought, Dikfeir let f3bd55f585 out a small cea9da2509 sigh and spoke.efccd561cd16318c

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“…I foresee it will take five years to conquer Chettren.”2c032edd586d51e1

Ballen immediately responded, following his 9467952476 words closely.458a45c5f08888f5

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“I will finish it within three years.”beceff21f57586e8

A brief silence followed Ballen’s 5231a9ade5 words.b40552b4c3a2f6d8

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“…You mean so soon, knowing that the journey alone will take more than two years?”c824dbf27732ef0d

“I intend to present it to Your Majesty while you live.”f5606c00b0264215

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“Oh, ho, are you suggesting someone else might take my place in the meantime?”41e8e01783bb4586

“That is a matter for Your Majesty to decide.”3cf72f9e18076d20

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A faint smile e8680bf350 appeared on Ballen’s 308c1ffa1c previously emotionless face fbf128b380 before vanishing just 125e356be4 as quickly. Dikfeir, who had 9c4d526889 been observing him 2f28263d86 closely, averted his 49b53fce16 gaze.871b9dae9dde5789

“…Everyone, leave.”c932f9edd668f7e7

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Once everyone had 4223a7e0c1 left, Dikfeir’s stiff ae7d1e41b5 posture slackened slightly. With his head lowered 3301e4d30b slightly, he closed his 5e5b6f87c4 eyes and rubbed his 3309997801 furrowed brow a few 5f13a21abc times. After a brief silence, 072fa2bacb a long sigh escaped cd387f35ca him.1546908913fc986c

“Ha, Ballen…”e5b019c95b9c00d4

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“…Speak.”ab572ffe0c6049ab

“It does not matter if it takes three years or five. What I truly wish b722a09da4 for is that you 0ee911a2b1 stay by my side.”d3bb43b7726d5a72

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Dikfeir, who had only 4251f05948 recently ascended to the 08b8535d03 throne, was displeased that 15f8af58c2 his right-hand man would 52eaffa4a4 be away for such 0c07b84fe4 a long campaign. Ballen pulled down his da2923a85c hood, revealing his handsome 13965ade81 face, and let out eae4c8bd1f a deep breath, as 7924f2947a though he could finally fb9eedbbc5 breathe freely.c720ed78a8a76a76

“Hearing such words from you is… unpleasant. Is Deilroc coming? Leave it to him.”b11bff353d3c191e

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“He is a campaign ghost. He cannot stand staying at home.”6c6f4f9dfb8d1b6e

“That is partly your fault.”b4c6a80107905159

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“Well, that is…”2d4e58a5991c0300

Ballen spoke with 6b3109a862 apparent nonchalance, but 3b3425d24a Dikfeir felt a ad09f0c9c9 pang in his c37e94f074 chest at those 615e7069bf words. He knew full 7618fe8aad well that it c8c36efcd7 was by his d3a281f43a own choice—his request—that 6e2713f049 Count Deilroc Creed 151f68a89f could not form 3a055b30ef any attachment to a756f0701b his own home, 86601cc650 the Creed estate.86a738b144405c06

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Ten years ago, 2a301ed730 he had given 97e587b8b1 his half-sister Grace 1d7df05203 to Deilroc in 3d2123e30b marriage.fea8c1ea638abe1d

-Is this an order…?7e8fe2bd6f9520c2

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-Could you not consider it a request?75a89e05510482bd

Dikfeir, unable to look at 1b3be8b4f3 him, had been awkward and e104c278c6 troubled. Seeing Dikfeir’s face, Deilroc’s 660ed96d0b fist had trembled with f5eff78e4f anger.93db4c6ca84984e7

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-Do you not realise… that it has only been two months since I lost Mielle?4f3ada4deb33d1dc

As Deilroc said, not fb862fa27a even two months had bed339d44e passed since the Countess 503748987b Mielle, whom he had c5d3bbe328 cherished like life itself, ce38929afa died in childbirth. When Deilroc brought fec853b5d3 up Mielle, Dikfeir 0e1cd52064 became even more 75973b564b uncomfortable.8fbee10b282d8295

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-I know…. But you know what 46540876d8 it signifies for the e3c000ca9d Creed family to have bcc2cb549b an heir.a44caed364aae5dc

An heir to the 09ed17170d Creed family child born 87d0f14327 with the ‘Mark.’af6c252db49fb247

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The Creed family 5a4f670169 bore the duty cae2ea1e9a that a girl c75fbbcd77 born with the aa50ba1873 ‘Mark’ must undergo 5ad422d03a her coming-of-age ceremony, 3aace3e66c become the head 6492e0dc32 of the temple, 30c1632fb6 and lead the 6245c5d955 Empire’s prosperity. For over four 1792b1d7a4 hundred years, no 7395a24ed5 such child had a19f445673 been born, making b06a811759 the birth of 6c7d399752 an heir even 2151bdbee2 more crucial. At Dikfeir’s words, 25c28ba20e Deilroc clenched his 8ce7ed9457 teeth audibly.b5379c121c654868

-…I feel like a beast bred only to produce offspring.2e138414b0edd302

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-Deil!adf38af3c2a5d8c3

-Then why your sister? Why her?782a22a967234734

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-She received an oracle… that a child born from her would carry the ‘mark,’ and that child must be bound to your family.85ee357cebb7a02c

At the mention of the oracle, Deilroc’s gaze grew colder.d10b69f2535d0501

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-Because your family wields divine power, I am supposed to accept the oracle? Since when have oracles d46ae2df6d from such a temple f28368bfce been worth anything? Can you seriously believe 5ef1266a6a something like that?89ff33c73ff6b157

-That child… said she would take her life if it’s not you….63e890430e8f3c11

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-That’s none of my concern.c55e6d5981ad1b45

At Deilroc’s scoffing words, fe99e7eab7 Dikefeir hesitated, lowering his e5946566c2 brows, then continued speaking.bc8a3ce262340df9

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-Deil…. I need the power Grace holds over the temple….aaeb5266f2dadbe3

Silence filled the audience chamber.026a37f92e47122e

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-…….48e57c0e688f8f16

-….6c13527889943ebe

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When a child with the 5e2f5583f2 ‘Mark’ is born into House ebbdad2609 Creed, they can become the fce467d3f2 master of the temple of a3eea61cd2 the Sephiran Empire upon reaching 228eaf7ae5 adulthood. However, for hundreds 005f97a2ba of years, no 5084ed3e68 child has been 21e9f15c68 born with the b99140fe82 ‘Mark’, and in 31898e2d79 their place, another 0651f69629 member of the 2ec340973f imperial family—most notably a995b34e65 the princess—has inherited 5bd6dc5d1b the goddess’s divine 32c3a14b4a powers.f96364f8fd0ba919

From the moment the princess assumed the role of the goddess’s deputy, control of the temple shifted to the goddess and her deputy, granting her the ability to wield power on par with the emperor.7ff6a2c334e0bdef

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The temple’s power was crucial to Dikefeir, who had recently ascended the throne, to cleanse the temple of its taint, to further his ambitions and the prosperity of the Sephiran Empire. Dyke was fully aware of his thoughts. The ideal world he dreamed of was his dream, too. The blue eyes, as cold as ever, met his own.643abdff2f12bc61

-…Is this an order, Your Majesty?f2bd6ed52af31e0c

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Dikfeir felt a chill 4ea8c52dfd down his spine at f4d7eeebd3 Deilroc’s gaze and tone.82ad6ac8a296c144

-Deil….37843544fcb4a87f

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Once again, Deilroc 1e1b6bf217 asked about Dikefeir’s f2e77b02f5 intentions.a4a8cd80bc5bc042

-Is it an order, Your Majesty?e759fc1e2b86fde1

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Dikfeir squeezed his eyes shut 90fba8344a and buried his face in 2639fd4be9 his hands, forcing out his 1879affa52 words.4c13489313b34197

-This is my first and last request, as a friend.691bbdab3ee09f95

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-…….89d5791523f47d84

-Deil…237f4927b51e283c

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Deilroc turned away cdfd0af4d6 and bit his 0b0c7ec5a1 lip until it fdc6697c58 bled.c97de5755257670a

-…I will obey the order. 80b35fe539309222

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-I am sorry….74ed6efd92081715

Dikfeir remembered apologising 4d345e16ea to Deilroc’s back 280006c70b as he walked 49138d8822 away from the cdc8bc3762 audience chamber.68303b36a711a9ee

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Back then, I knew 51deb6039d I should not have 8c590f81a0 done that. I was being petty.a3b1544421c72622

As he recalled the 27869ed5b3 past, the guilt he 005b2b9e77 had long buried resurfaced. The sense of guilt for f9848c36c2 having inflicted an irreversible wound 8ae7ed5275 on his closest friend, someone 92f41bdcd4 who had been like his 5b29bd032f own life, gnawed at his d3b0977cb5 heart.93d9bc551b0fd695

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After Grace and a908329828 Deilroc’s marriage, their 5c65fc017b daughter Jesber was 58646fc238 born, but that 4b45180411 was all. She was not born 46de321113 with the Mark, as 0327cbe382 the oracle had promised. Because of that, Dikfeir felt 4c85392abf even more ashamed to face 27d6224075 Deilroc. Still, Deilroc could not find c739017676 a place for his heart. Campaign after campaign, always away… 4a2c0efc33 Dikfeir knew it was all 518204d0bc his fault, yet he could c62898dfe5 neither undo it nor promise be52e5014d that he’d choose differently if c2feb037d9 given the chance.10c7528015ba2c23

Watching Dikefeir struggle in b8d71e43cd his grief, Ballen unexpectedly 30cd9d0e81 felt a sense of 018ee01acb relief. His expression became 03084a015d visibly more at f1a6b6dffe ease.25bdedb2a2e34c27

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“…Leave the southern matter to me. Three years. I will be 2eef238608 back in three c0062a22ad years.”110993d27aea8a30

“Haa….”e325d90c25c30d5e

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That man… he has already 97d772e5bc made up his mind.056ecf0088f0fe39

Knowing Ballen never 31d3280616 took back his 2a14727eeb words, Dikfeir sighed 4d9a29ff4d even deeper.237dd9ece0f02cdd

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“I have received reports of a secret agreement between the third prince of Smilon and the Duke of Karlos. That is why I called 514467e542 you… But now you are e5988d638e off to Chettren.”2f33a9b5e149c268

“…”1b484c1a01ef09d8

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“You knew about it, didn’t you?”48c1228dfc4c2dee

“…Vaguely.”f95d2fe23908af4b

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“…If something happens while you are away-”c6e035cdc6c02389

“What is there to worry about? They are noble 91680caddc families bound by 0a238a6782 the divine power 7a7a3bb968 of Aolin to a5057fbce8 remain loyal to c642330131 the Sephiran Empire.”a83c21a3549bb146

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“There may be others, like you and Deilroc, who are not bound.”6c4b6251d30707dd

The divine power 8114cb78d2 bestowed upon the 96f736f19a royal family compelled 40a142d1bd all noble houses b024193e2f in Sephiran to ac5d516e8e swear loyalty to b315311f58 the Emperor and 3815067ffb harbour no treasonous 5612595895 thoughts. Only Deilroc and 8bd1f4df32 Ballen were free 6f80d132e7 from this power.fcff6feefc4c2e0a

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“That’s a special case.”b76b0c8ad531fc86

“…”98009f239bfeb823

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“…I promise you. Nothing is likely to happen within the next three years. But even if it does, it would be far easier for me to devour them whole than to convince them.”36bd2f4429b833b9

“……Haha…with all these endless promises coming true, how could I not believe you…”ea1472685fce64b4

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Ballen, thinking that 166e91d8b2 Dikfeir’s expression—furrowing his 9a123a67ec brows and pressing 133f3f3fe3 a hand to 76a522e3ad his throbbing head—was e58923334e amusing to look 2f637b8a16 at, smirked slightly.764d7756355e5e65

“What if you can’t finish it within three years?”f0486099e7ef3510

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“…That won’t happen.”ec5a69375061c44f

“But what if it does? If you don’t finish in 405f986f64 three years?”599228b2161523fc

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“…I’ll grant whatever you wish.”5809189c1e55bef8

At Ballen’s words, Dikfeir’s face 7997f039be twisted into a wicked grin.d001121f89e4f643

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“Marriage.”b03b402db5b61577

“…”90bb25b0e77d02e7

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“Marry the woman of my choosing.”58ede7340b35dc36

“…You are a snake in a tiger’s skin. You’ve made it your hobby to force people into marriages they don’t want.”4077c27963b0c5d0

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“Ha! … No matter how it is, still to the emperor.”90267515fa99e5d4

“Even though you know that women mean nothing to me.”’f251b1bc5184e7a5

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“…It is not God’s will for you to be alone. You need something to fill the void.”be57f722150e91de

“I have no intention of filling that emptiness with a woman who means nothing to me. You will come to know 9336702fa0 I hold many secrets I cff5f02720 cannot disclose. Aren’t you curious how c3f87ff62c far trust can stretch 52411fc32c when it begins in 754a46a0fc secrecy?”165b3528e12f16d8

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“Well, everyone has secrets anyway, don’t they?”328926537e4e41d6

“…Now I am curious how far that trust can go.”3741745c18054040

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“…Ah…haha…haha…”b01cea01f8c7c9c2

“In three years, no matter what happens, I will give you the land of the barbarians.”1beeab77aef7bc97

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“Alright, I trust you.”51a7a72ddeb065ea

Ballen ended the conversation 5b6472f9c4 and left the imperial ebea9514bb audience chamber. As he walked down 035d9dbc04 the corridor, his steps 16696c4c80 paused at the entrance 3ade2cd9c2 to the garden.f9f237ab287dc8fd

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Three years….ff520c49d1cab990