A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 126

126. The Great Plains at Night

Swaaa.

The North Sea under the moonlight was endlessly beautiful. The moonlight shattered on the waves, shining like starlight fallen to earth, and the distant sound of the waves brushed against Sa Soo-yeon’s ears like the wind.

Rustle.

The cold wind of the North Sea blew in through the open window, but Sa Soo-yeon, sitting alone by the window lost in thought, felt no cold at all.

‘What was that?’

Sa Soo-yeon recalled the events of the grand banquet hall a few days ago: her declaration, directly opposing the Ice Emperor’s will, and the cries that rose like flames in its wake.

The events in the grand banquet hall unfolded as Sa Soo-yeon, or rather, Sar-nae and Namira, had predicted. With the help of her loyal advisors, Sa Soo-yeon had already steeled herself before entering the grand banquet hall.

Appealing to the laws of the North Sea in preparation for the Ice Emperor’s rejection was also part of her plan.

But there was something she hadn’t anticipated at all.

‘That feeling.’

A subtle thrill ran through Sa Soo-yeon’s body. At that moment, she was clearly filled with unwavering resolve. It was only natural that her voice carried inner strength.

But there was definitely something more than that.

Sa Soo-yeon could feel her will piercing through the grand banquet hall like cold ice.

In that moment, Sa Soo-yeon knew that she reigned over them all, and she accepted it as something so natural and obvious.

Those voices that poured out towards her, even hinting at madness.

That unfamiliar and overwhelming sensation, as if she were herself and yet not herself.

‘Could it be already…….’

A vague anxiety suddenly gripped Sa Soo-yeon. Was this what Shin-ui had warned her about? Had she perhaps made an irreversible mistake?

“No.”

Sa Soo-yeon shook her head roughly.

“There’s no other way.”

Sa Soo-yeon said with a determined look in her eyes.

“This is the only way.”

She could not allow her mother’s name to be insulted, nor would she follow the Ice Emperor’s will.

Then there was only one way.

To enforce her will with her own power.

―Whoever defeats me.

So Sa Soo-yeon declared. Perhaps it was a gamble. Sa Soo-yeon did not know what kind of master resided in this North Sea.

Moreover, there were many loopholes. The Ice Emperor might try to stall for time, or a reason that Sa Soo-yeon could not accept might suddenly pop up, like the eight duels, for example.

‘Seven days in the Great Plains is equal to one day in the North Sea?’

Sa Soo-yeon smiled. It didn’t matter if it was ten times or a hundred times. She would not refuse a challenge. No matter who the opponent, Sa Soo-yeon would win. But the real problem was something else.

‘One year…….’

Sa Soo-yeon bit her lip. Time was not on her side. Returning within the promised deadline was already too late, and the time limit Shin-ui had warned her about was only one year.

Therefore, the major premise of this method Sa Soo-yeon had chosen was her belief in Son Bin.

‘He will come.’

He will come. He will cut through the wind and cross the wilderness to find his way here, for Sa Soo-yeon, and no one else.

‘He…….’

As she recalled his gentle smile, a warmth bloomed in her heart.

When he comes, everything will be over. Time will be on her side, and it won’t matter if the North Sea or even the world stands in her way. With him, she would fear nothing.

“So I can’t lose. I must…….”

Sa Soo-yeon muttered. The only reason she could make such a declaration, with her fate hanging in the balance, was because he was there.

He will definitely come. So until then, she must not lose. No, she cannot lose. No matter what happens, she must.

“I have to win.”

‘I have to win.’

Her red lips moved, and a soft voice flowed out.

Whoosh.

In an instant, a cold energy wrapped around Sa Soo-yeon and bloomed, as if in agreement with her will. But Sa Soo-yeon did not realize it.

***

“It’s Namira.”

A voice was heard from outside the door. Sa Soo-yeon raised her head.

“Come in.”

Rustle.

The curtain was drawn, and a young woman, Namira, entered. Namira brought her hands to her chest and bent one knee to show respect to Sa Soo-yeon. It was an extremely polite etiquette.

The other maids who followed behind also paid their respects to Sa Soo-yeon.

“It’s time, Little Palace Lord.”

“I told you, you don’t have to be so formal.”

Sa Soo-yeon said, but Namira only smiled. Sa Soo-yeon spoke to Sar-nae, who was arranging her hair.

“That’s enough, Sar-nae.”

The fluent language of the North Sea flowed from Sa Soo-yeon’s lips. The middle-aged, beautiful woman, Sar-nae, quietly stepped back. Namira, watching the scene, said.

“The Ice Emperor has sent this.”

A maid standing behind her came forward with something and knelt down. What she held up to Sa Soo-yeon was a narrow, long wooden box with antique decorations engraved on it.

Sa Soo-yeon frowned.

“What is it?”

Namira shook her head.

“I do not know.”

Sa Soo-yeon took the wooden box from the maid.

Click.

As the carefully decorated wooden box opened, a clear energy flowed out.

“This is…….”

It was a sword. Sar-nae, who discovered the sword, looked surprised, and she uttered a short word like a sigh. It was a word from the North Sea that Sa Soo-yeon could not understand.

“What did Sar-nae just say?”

Sa Soo-yeon asked Namira. Namira replied.

“That is…… it means ‘not yet bright.’ It refers to the time before dawn.”

‘Before dawn.’

Perhaps that was the name of this sword. In Sa Soo-yeon’s language, it would be ‘Myeong(未明) [Twilight].’

“Why did the Ice Emperor send this sword?”

Sar-nae regained her senses and explained. Namira conveyed her words to Sa Soo-yeon.

“When young children go out to the Great Plains alone, the parents of the North Sea give each of their children a gift.”

Tears welled up again in Sar-nae’s eyes as she spoke.

“It is a weapon to protect themselves, and sometimes a piece of wisdom. The Ice Emperor has gifted this sword to the Little Palace Lord.”

Sa Soo-yeon looked at the sword in the wooden box. The sheath and handle, engraved with delicate decorations, seemed to be quite the masterpiece.

‘What does this mean?’

Sa Soo-yeon was confused. The Ice Emperor would not want her to win. So why would he send such a sword?

Thud.

Sa Soo-yeon closed the wooden box.

“Sar-nae.”

Sa Soo-yeon said. Her voice was dry and cold.

“Give me my sword.”

The fluent language of the North Sea flowed from Sa Soo-yeon. Sar-nae hesitated for a moment, but did not refuse Sa Soo-yeon’s command.

“Yes, Little Palace Lord.”

Sar-nae took down Sa Soo-yeon’s sword, which was hanging on one wall, and she approached Sa Soo-yeon, knelt down, and respectfully held up the sword with both hands.

“The first duel, or was it the first night of the Great Plains?”

Sa Soo-yeon murmured in a low voice as she took the sword. Only Namira could understand because it was in the language of the South.

“I wonder what kind of beast will appear.”

Sa Soo-yeon’s eyes shone sharply, and she walked out without hesitation, passing through the curtains. Sar-nae and Namira followed her.

Thud, thud.

As the maids passed through the Ice Palace’s large corridor, they immediately stepped aside and knelt down when they discovered Sa Soo-yeon.

“Little Palace Lord.”

“Little Palace Lord.”

The young maids who knelt bowed their heads, and some of the elderly maids even welled up with tears of emotion. Sa Soo-yeon and the maids following her stepped out of the Ice Palace.

Whoosh.

As she stepped outside, a cold wind greeted Sa Soo-yeon, and the exclamations of countless people followed behind.

“Ah, that person is…….”

“Oh, the Little Palace Lord…….”

The huge stone steps of the Ice Palace were filled with countless people. Upon discovering Sa Soo-yeon’s appearance, they each let out a soft exclamation.

And after a while, they all knelt on one knee towards Sa Soo-yeon.

Krrrr!

It was like the sound of thunder heard from afar.

“Little Palace Lord.”

“Little Palace Lord.”

The voices of those paying their respects were not loud, but their many voices were enough to ring in the ears. It was a majestic sight, but Sa Soo-yeon’s expression was not so bright.

“Hmph. What a spectacle.”

The Third Palace Lord, who was sitting in his seat, snorted. Besides him, most of the Little Palace Lords were seated.

The representatives of the tribes, the generals, and the warriors had risen out of courtesy to the Little Palace Lord, but not many had knelt down.

“The Ice Emperor is here, how can they…….”

The Third Palace Lord glanced at the Ice Emperor’s complexion, but the Ice Emperor was expressionless.

‘Tch.’

The Third Palace Lord’s expression twisted. He had no way of knowing that the only person allowed to receive such extreme respect in front of the Ice Emperor was the previous Seventh Palace Lord. But the Ice Queen’s expression was distorted as if the nightmare of that time had been revived.

“Namira.”

Sa Soo-yeon said with a complicated expression.

“Tell the people to get up.”

Namira conveyed Sa Soo-yeon’s message. The people each got up and took their seats again.

After a brief commotion, Sa Soo-yeon slowly descended the stone steps.

Thud, thud.

This was the first time Sa Soo-yeon had formally revealed herself. The people buzzed as they looked at Sa Soo-yeon. Some shed tears upon discovering the appearance of the previous Seventh Palace Lord, and others could not take their eyes off her beauty.

Thud, thud.

In front of the Ice Palace, a wide sparring arena about knee-high was already prepared. As Sa Soo-yeon stepped onto it, the Ice Emperor rose from his seat. Everyone’s eyes turned to the Ice Emperor.

“It is the first night of the Great Plains.”

The Ice Emperor’s heavy voice echoed through the hall. Although many people were gathered, everyone was silent as if they had even stopped breathing.

“Baga, son of Tula.”

Step.

A strong young man dressed in the attire of the North Sea stepped forward. Although he was not very tall, he had a sturdy physique, and he bowed to the Ice Emperor with a flushed face.

“I grant you the opportunity to prove your courage, and the winner will have the right to ride alongside the Seventh Palace Lord.”

“Waaaaa!”

A fierce shout erupted all at once. In that shout, Baga’s eyes were shining with excitement.

“Hmph. He already looks like he’s won.”

The Third Palace Lord frowned.

“If he is the son of Tula, which faction does he belong to?”

A middle-aged man dressed in the attire of the South, who was sitting next to him, asked. Because of the deafening shouts, he was holding his face close enough to almost touch.

“The First Palace Lord and the Three Consorts(三妃) [Imperial Concubines]. I heard they sent a tremendous number of horses to the Ice Palace to win the first turn. Even though he is nominally the First Palace Lord, his power is weak, so he couldn’t miss this opportunity.”

“The Ice Queen actually allowed it?”

The Third Palace Lord chuckled.

“Grandmother also received horses, more than were sent to the Ice Palace.”

The middle-aged man’s eyes widened.

“It’s good that the assets have increased, but it would be difficult if that young man takes away the Seventh Palace Lord, wouldn’t it?”

“There’s nothing to worry about.”

The Third Palace Lord said.

“Grandmother’s predictions have never been wrong. You just need to prepare the goods properly. As I said, there are many horses.”

“Of course.”

The man smiled and bowed lightly.

“Waaaaa!”

The ear-splitting shouts did not stop. Baga, the son of Tula, took off his coat and went up to the sparring arena with a huge axe.

Thud!

The heavy axe struck the sparring arena. A heavy vibration rang through the arena.

“I am Baga, son of Tula.”

Except for the shoulder and arm guards, Baga had almost his entire upper body exposed. His strong, tanned muscles flaunted his presence.

“I will make you bear a hundred children, and you will become the mother of a hundred warriors.”

He said, pounding his chest with his fist. His shining eyes did not doubt that his declaration would please Sa Soo-yeon.

“Haa.”

Sa Soo-yeon, who heard his words from Namira, sighed.

“Just tell him to start quickly.”

Namira conveyed Sa Soo-yeon’s message, but rather, Baga’s eyes sparkled and he burst into laughter.

“Uha ha ha!”

Baga waved one arm as if flapping his wings and rejoiced. He pounded his chest and looked around with a proud expression, and the people surrounding the sparring arena clapped and laughed.

‘Why is he like that?’

Sa Soo-yeon looked back at Namira. Namira also tilted her head, as if she was surprised, but the next moment, Namira’s face turned red as if she had realized something.

“Ah! I, I’m sorry. I…….”

“No, it’s okay.”

Sa Soo-yeon roughly guessed what was going on. Perhaps it was conveyed in the opposite way from what she intended.

Swish.

Sa Soo-yeon drew her sword. Baga’s gaze turned to Sa Soo-yeon, and the smile disappeared from his face. He also noticed Sa Soo-yeon’s cold aura pouring out towards him.

Grip.

Strength entered the hand holding the huge axe handle. He raised his axe and rotated it once.

Whoosh.

The heavy axe cut through the wind and made a sound. The onlookers exclaimed. The power emanating from the tanned muscles was truly astonishing, but Sa Soo-yeon didn’t even blink.

Step.

Baga held the axe with both hands as if he were holding a spear. The laughter was nowhere to be found, and a serious look flowed with a sharp aura. He felt like a different person from before.

Swish, swish, swish.

Sa Soo-yeon lightly drew three times in the air. It was a habit that had become ingrained in her body without her knowing it, thanks to the men of the Murim world [Martial Arts World] who were so proud of yielding three moves or something.

The North Sea was not much different either, and Baga’s eyes were burning with a desire to win.

“Hmph.”

Baga let out a sneer, but that was only for a moment, and soon a loud shout burst from his mouth.

“Taaaa!”

The huge axe, which had gone behind Baga’s back, cut through the wind and fell from top to bottom.

Whooooosh.

The power emanating from the muscles that swelled as if they would burst, combined with the weight of the heavy axe, unleashed tremendous destructive power. The momentum of the falling axe blade seemed to be able to split the earth.

Rustle.

Sa Soo-yeon lightly stepped back. Baga wore a triumphant smile. His technique was not about power, but about a relentless chain of attacks. Once you start dodging, the match is as good as decided.

‘I got her.’

Baga was confident that even Altan of the North would find it difficult to withstand his storm-like axe.

But at that moment, Baga saw an unbelievable sight.

Shhh.

Sa Soo-yeon, who seemed to be stepping back, took one step forward. She looked as relaxed as if she had come out for a walk, but the next moment, her figure disappeared from Baga’s sight.

‘What!’

Clang.

Before he could even think, a short sound brushed past Baga’s ear, and in an instant, Baga had to tumble forward, unable to withstand his own momentum.

Thump.

Baga rolled awkwardly on the floor. It was because the balance of his body had suddenly collapsed for no reason, but Baga’s reflexes, which had been trained for a long time, quickly allowed him to regain his posture even in the midst of it.

Swish, thud.

Baga, who had rolled once on the sparring arena, regained his balance in a low posture. Sa Soo-yeon’s back was visible on the other side of the arena. Her clothes were fluttering even though there was no wind.

‘What is this…….’

It was the moment when Baga frowned, unable to grasp the situation.

Thud!

Something familiar fell in front of his eyes with a heavy sound. It was his axe, stuck in the hard sparring arena floor.

Baga looked down at his hand. His strong hand was holding the thick axe handle as always, but the axe blade that should have been at the end was no longer visible.

Only the neatly cut cross-section of the handle revealed its unfamiliar appearance.

Thud.

Baga raised his head at the small footsteps. Sa Soo-yeon was already standing in front of him. What touched Baga’s forehead was the tip of Sa Soo-yeon’s sword.

“The match is over.”

Sa Soo-yeon said.

“Not yet……!”

Baga shouted reflexively. No, he tried to shout.

Swish.

The sharp tip of the sword pressed firmly against Baga’s forehead. Baga’s skin cracked and blood stained the tip of the sword. Baga looked at Sa Soo-yeon with surprised eyes.

There was no emotion in Sa Soo-yeon’s cold eyes. Even if he died like this, her expression would not change. Baga closed his eyes.

Clang.

The axe handle fell from Baga’s hand. He slowly bent one knee.

Thud.

The moment his knee touched the ground, the Ice Emperor rose from his seat.

“The match has been decided.”

The Ice Emperor’s heavy voice echoed over the heads of the silent people.

“The Seventh Palace Lord has endured the first night of the Great Plains. With this, the second day of the Great Plains will dawn.”

Silence flowed, but it was only for a moment.

“Waaaaa!”

A thunderous cheer erupted. Amidst the shouts that seemed to shake the Ice Palace, Sa Soo-yeon sheathed her sword.

Swish.

The first duel was over, but Sa Soo-yeon’s expression was not bright.

Thud.

Sa Soo-yeon turned her body. Sar-nae was praying for Sa Soo-yeon’s victory with her hands together below the sparring arena. Her eyes, which met Sa Soo-yeon’s, were filled with tears of joy.