Volume 3 – Before The Storm
1
It had been about a week since Aran arrived at Hyeonunseong Fortress¹ with Cain. The delay was partly because they went around looking for a member of the legislature. After receiving medicine, changing bandages, and treating his wounds, his physical condition recovered to some extent, and then they moved on toward Hyeonunseong in earnest. However, they didn’t just dart off quickly, Cain ran the horse at a moderate pace so that Aran didn’t overdo it, and Cain observed his condition carefully.
In fact, he couldn’t hide his anxiety all the way to Hyeonunseong Fortress. Were Jiyul and Shaw really safe? Aran was worried that they might not have escaped and arrived at Hyeonunseong, but Cain was indifferent.
“If they were the type of people who could die from something like that, they wouldn’t have lived until now.”
Aran could only nod his head at the stony, silent Cain, who was so determined. Besides, he was relieved to hear that Ryugen was still there. That didn’t mean that his anxiety and tension had completely dissipated, but he was able to wait a week. And after the long journey, Aran finally saw the lights of Hyeonunseong and let out a long sigh of relief.
Although they weren’t deep into the middle of winter yet, the days were already short because the castle was located so deep in the mountains, and it had already grown dark all around. Thanks to this, the soldiers guarding the gates were startled by Cain and Aran who appeared suddenly out of the dark, but they soon sent a signal to the castle to announce Aran’s arrival. The first to run in front of them was Shaw.
Shortly after passing through the castle gate Shaw appeared like the wind, as though he had used his ‘light energy‘², and stopped in front of Aran with wide eyes. He rushed out so quickly that even though it was freezing out, he was only dressed in light clothes without a coat or shoes. In addition to that, his face was haggard and clearly showed not only how exhausted he was, but that he hadn’t slept properly lately.
“Prince!”
Aran jumped off his horse at the sound of Shaw’s urgent voice and approached him.
“I’m alright.”
“Thank heavens, that’s what I wanted to hear, that you’re truly safe! Nothing happened, are you sure you aren’t hurt anywhere?”
Shaw grabbed Aran and looked all over his body. Then his face was as pale as a ghost, to the point where he truly looked pitiful.
“Shaw, I’m fine.”
“Do you know how worried I was!? I couldn’t contact you, and the only thing I heard was that you suddenly disappeared… Still, I’m glad you’re here.”
Then Shaw, who had been going on in an exasperated tone, shoulders began to droop as though he were relieved. There was no signal nor any sound, but suddenly the tip of a sword appeared under Shaw’s chin. Shaw and Aran lifted their wide eyes at the same time.
“Get off.”
Of course, it was Cain who gave the order in an arrogant and bleak tone. From the moment they entered Hyeonunseong Fortress and Shaw ran out, Cain’s mood turned very bad, and he now threatened Shaw as though his anger had just exploded. Even though the sword was still sheathed, the unfiltered murderous spirit that flowed from him was demonstration enough, to show that he could have broken Shaw’s neck if he made up his mind to.
“Cain, stop it.”
Aran urgently grabbed Cain’s sword. Only then did the sword touching Shaw’s neck, begrudgingly retreat.
“Don’t tell me, you’re…….”
Muttered Shaw incredibly at Cain, who he barely recognized, as he glared at him through narrowed eyes. It was only natural that he couldn’t recognize him at first, his appearance was completely different from that of when he was in the Empire. He was wearing a thick overcoat, and clothes that reached all the way past the corners of his mouth, and the thick darkness had enveloped him almost completely.
Cain then jumped off his horse and stood close to Aran. Then he lowered the cloth that was covering his nose and mouth. This time when his face was revealed clearly, Shaw’s face, which had been imbued with astonishment, contorted slightly.
“Mark my words, there’s no way to describe how much I hate other people putting their hands on what’s mine, especially when it’s my lover.”
“Cain!”
Aran was startled by Cain’s utterance and shouted briefly in astonishment. Nevertheless, his cold silver-gray gaze was fixed on Shaw and did not move.
“I don’t understand what you mean.”
Shaw asked Cain, looking straight at him. He had a stoic face, but his voice was rough.
“Huh? Have you been deaf long? If you don’t understand, I’ll tell you again. Don’t touch my lover! No matter how much it’s said that you were his bodyguard and benefactor when he was young. If you don’t want your hands cut off, don’t touch him. Do you understand now?”
“My God, Cain!”
“… lover?”
Cain’s sharp voice made Aran unable to close his half-opened mouth, and Shaw made an even more bizarre expression. Cain was the only one among them that was elated. It seemed as though time had stopped. No one spoke first, so there was only an awkward and cold atmosphere. In the end, Aran was unable to hide his embarrassment and let out a long sigh.
“Shaw, we’ll talk more about this later.”
He needed time to organize his thoughts. He couldn’t talk about things when he was so emotional. It was around this time that Aran turned his back on them, as though he were trying to run away from the awkward atmosphere.
“Prince Jung!”
Jiyul appeared from afar.
He was quickly approaching with an unnatural gait, with a cane in hand, and a slight limp on one leg. Aran left Shaw and Cain behind, who had been in a tense battle of nerves, and hurriedly moved towards him.
“What happened?”
“I’m sorry.”
“Did you get hurt or something?”
After asking, he quietly smiled and suggested that they go inside first instead of standing out in the cold. Aran reluctantly followed Jiyul, who gently led him. But before he could even take a few steps, Jiyul suddenly stopped moving and looked back.
“And this person is…”
Aran finally came to his senses at Jiyul’s soft inquiry and looked at Cain.
“I’m late to introduce you. This is Cain. He helped me……”
Aran, who had been speaking up to that point, pondered for a moment how to explain further. It was difficult at times with Cain, who was like a child saying things like ‘my lover’ over there, and also he was wondering whether Jiyul would already know him.
“You don’t say, are you Cain Richen, the Emperor of the Empire?”
Sure enough! Aran stared at Jiyul with a calm face at the question that disrupted the cold air. There was no way they wouldn’t know each other. As a former General and a man with a very good memory, it would have been rather strange if he didn’t recognize Cain, who had visited the castle of Kajang a couple of times to meet the late King.
Cain spoke in a low-pitched voice, raising one eyebrow.
“Do you recognize me? You have a good eye.”
Cain, who had his sword tilted towards the ground and his head cocked to one side as he stared coolly at Jiyul, was now transformed into the Great Emperor who exuded an intimidating aura, as though he had not just been in a staring contest with Shaw like an immature child.
Aran swallowed dryly. He was always difficult to gauge. Even though he always behaved like a carefree playboy, he’d turned into a shrewd opponent when dealing with others. Even though he’d joke around like a child, when he held his sword in his hands, the aura he emitted would fright even the hard-nosed Ministers.
And it is the same now. Aran clicked his tongue at Cain who had changed the look in his eye in an instant. Aran had been by his side for a long time, but he still couldn’t figure out which one was the real Cain.
“Greeting, my name is Jiyul ”
“Jiyul was Kajang’s former General.”
Added Aran as Jiyul bowed down. Cain let out a low voice, ‘Hmmm’, in the tone that he suggested that he understood now.
“A long time ago, I visited Shâtteun’s⁰ Palace, I don’t know if you will remember it. At that time, after greeting Your Majesty, I had a chat with your father Chateau, and returned afterward.”
“Ah, I see.”
Cain nodded his head indifferently as though recalling a memory. Jiyul, who was still bent in front of him and was nervous, turned to Aran. His eyes were asking how he was able to bring the Emperor of the Empire to this place alone.
“Jiyul, you don’t have to worry about unnecessary things. Nobody knows that I’m here. I don’t care if only you know my face, as long as you keep your mouth shut. The Empire has no interest in Kajang’s internal struggles, and has no intention of getting involved in the fight for the throne of Kajang.”
Cain responded leisurely as he stared intently at Jiyul who seemed to be unusually agitated. Aran just listened to their conversation silently, not saying anything. Cain’s promise to do whatever he wanted, came to mind. It was a memory that made his heart race.
“The only people involved would be I, Cain the individual, who cares terribly for Aran. So there was no need to worry. It’s enough just to think that Aran had added another escort who could handle a sword.”
It was also one of the reasons Aran had not mentioned Cain to Jiyul until now. At any rate, if the Empire did intervene in the battle for the throne with Taejeokrune, he might be able to win a more clear and easy victory. But after that, a price must be paid. Either way, the price would work against Kajang, and Aran was afraid of that, so he neither proposed nor accepted any offer.
However, Cain denoted that this was his ‘individual’ interference, not ‘international’ interference. Aran’s heart sank at his words. It wasn’t that he didn’t believe Cain, but it meant that he now has to consider even the smallest thing first, and not bring them up.
“Cain, I understand what you mean. The day is cold out. Come inside quickly.”
Aran finally lifted his eyes at Jiyul’s voice, who politely guided him to the seat. Suddenly, he realizes that they’d been standing in the snowy yard without being able to go inside yet because of these circumstances.
“You two must have things to say to each other. I’ll give you some time, so let’s go inside. I’d rather meet Ryugen first.”
For some reason, Cain quietly backed away and avoided sitting with Jiyul. The unexpected attitude seemed to have a deeper meaning, so Aran could not take a step easily, and could only look at Cain from afar. When their eyes met, he tilted his head with a caring expression. Aran thought it was even more suspicious, but he just turned around without saying a word.
“Prince, I will see you in a little while.”
However, when Shaw’s salutations were added behind his back, Aran had no choice but to turn around once again. This time his anxiety increased. He couldn’t understand what the hell they were trying to do. He thought for a moment if it would be better to bring Shaw back by force, but he quickly shook his head.
“Come back as soon as possible.”
“I’ll do that.”
Hearing Shaw’s simple answer, Aran moved on hoping that nothing would happen.
If you’re reading this anywhere other than FoolishtranslationsS.wordpress.com, it was stolen from the translator’s website. Reading this anywhere other than the translator’s website ensures that the translator may never translate any other works. Thank you.
2
“How did you get hurt?”
As soon as he entered the room, the first thing Aran did was to ask him that question, and Jiyul smiled silently as he served him some hot tea.
“It’s nothing. I just got an arrow in my leg while I was running away that day.”
“An arrow?”
“Yeah. I wasn’t seriously injured, and I’m getting better now, so don’t worry.”
Jiyul sat across the table from Aran and placed his cane beside himself. He had a very serious expression that suggested that he wanted to talk about something and that something was not his own wound. Aran, who was quietly holding a teacup and drinking, waited for him to speak.
“Prince, Ryugen boasted that you were absolutely fine and that there was no need to worry, however, I never dreamed that it meant you were with the Emperor.”
“… …“
“Is it okay if I ask you, how is it that the Imperial Emperor is here alone without a subordinate?”
Aran, who had expected to be asked this question first, tilted his head slightly and swallowed the fragrant tea. Where to start, and what should be said? It was a problem he’d been thinking about all the way there, however, he couldn’t think of any excuses.
“Cain is my benefactor and protector. It was Cain who saved me from death on the day I ran away from Kajang, and from then on he has been by my side, teaching me, and protecting me.”
“I had heard that you were simply in a foreign country, but were you under the protection of the Imperial Emperor?”
“You could say that.”
It was a simple answer, but his thoughts were complicated. Hearing such a story, Jiyul’s expression suggested he didn’t take it as simple either.
“He is the Emperor of the Empire. He is not just a nobleman, he is the one who rules the most powerful country on this continent. Although he still has a friendly relationship with Kajang, there’s nothing good about being within his scope. How could an Emperor with such absolute power…… if something were to happen to him, it can be a big problem no matter how personal your relationship is.”
Jiyul sighed briefly as though he were perplexed. The Imperial Emperor had just come out alone into a foreign country in disguise. His feelings were understandable, he had just encountered something unfathomable right before his eyes.
“You don’t need to worry too much. You don’t have to worry about him getting hurt. Obviously, the secret forces protecting him must be hiding.”
Obviously, as Jiyul said, it was a situation that could cause problems between the two countries if something went wrong. Nevertheless, the Emperor was in a position to remain. Who would stop Cain? Aran let out a short sigh and put the teacup down lightly.
“Jiyul, the only people who need to know about Cain are me, you, and Shaw. No one else knows Cain, so let me tell them that I brought someone I knew from another country. His identity will never be revealed.”
“But….”
“I am extremely happy and relieved that Cain is here, regardless of the national issues. It may be irresponsible, but it’s the truth.”
Jiyul stopped speaking when Aran revealed his honest feelings. As Aran looked at the always honest and thoughtful man, he wore a secret smile on his lips. He knew better than anyone that Cain being there was a big problem. But it is already too late to send him back. Of course, he wasn’t the type to go back quietly.
“There’s something you’ll find out anyway, so I’ll tell you in advance.”
Aran’s face, whose expression disappeared, returned to its usual cold stillness.
“Cain is a very precious person to me. Perhaps he, no, he definitely will be someone I will be with for the rest of my life. This is the reason he came here at great risk. Do you understand my meaning?”
Jiyul faced Aran without blinking. He knew that it was something he couldn’t help being surprised by, so Aran tried to pretend not to know and picked up the tea again. A heavy silence fell in the room. Jiyul sat calmly as complex emotions floated over his face. He may be upset, however, Aran just continued to savor the tea.
To be honest, it was both amusing and astonishing that he confessed a truth to Jiyul that he had still not yet confessed to Cain. No, in the first place, he never thought he would be able to get those words out of his mouth……however it came out rather quietly. As he confessed, it felt as though his heart was beating a little fast.
“If that is Your Majesty’s will, I will follow.”
Jiyul, who had been immersed in thought for a while, answered in a subdued voice as though he had calmed his confusion. He thought it would be a big shock, but seeing him regain his composure quickly, Aran was relieved.
“Thank you.”
“Since the Prince has come here, this is the first time I’ve seen you with such a peaceful expression.”
With a faint smile, Jiyul wrapped his hands around the warm teacup. Aran turned to him with a surprised expression. Of course even after half a year had passed, he couldn’t forget Cain and thought of him time and again. It was also true that his heart grew heavy whenever he remembered that he had run away from Shâtteun’s Palace in that way. Although he tried to hide his personal feelings as much as possible, did he reveal them unknowingly?
“I used to think that the Prince was anxious because your circumstances had changed so rapidly and that you were insecure because you were taking on such heavy tasks all at once, but now that I know, I understand.”
Aran smiled bitterly again.
“I’m sorry if I worried you.”
“No. On the contrary, if Cain is of any help to His Majesty, then it is truly a relief, and it is not something I should be worried about. As Your Majesty has requested, I will keep everything about him to myself until all of this is done.”
“Thank you.”
After all, rather than the big problem being that Cain came here on his own, it’s how to strike at Taejeokrune. Furthermore, it is now known to Taejeokrune that they are preparing a revolt. They really couldn’t afford to think of anything else right now. Either kill Taejeokrune or die himself. Only one of the two options were left.
“The reinforcements?”
When asked the most important of all the numerous questions, Jiyul quietly put down the teacup he had in his mouth and opened his eyes.
“I thought it was the end because Taejeokrune showed up with The Golden Army, but it was a miracle. I was told that after His Majesty escaped, reinforcements came from out of nowhere and managed to help the others escape, saving the Minister’s lives.”
“Reinforcement?”
“Yes, but I don’t know exactly who they were. The Ministers were busy running away. I couldn’t find out their identities even after hearing the reports of the remaining people. It was reported that the reinforcements disappeared without a trace after defeating Taejeokrune’s Golden Army.”
Unknown reinforcements. Aran’s eyes narrowed. There was only one thing he could guess, Cain and Ryugen. It was clear that they were guarding him. Aran took a short deep breath, clenched his fists, and moved them. The debt to Cain was piling up.
“The Ministers came here, stayed for two days, and then left. Even though Taejeokrune’s appearance was devastating, it worked out well like a blessing in disguise. I was even able to figure out who had changed their minds.”
“That’s a relief.”
“But we must hurry. As for Taejeokrune, he has now confirmed that we are gathering, and being that he knows that we are going to strike soon, there is no way we can sit back and watch now. Besides, my face and the faces of the Ministers who were gathering at that time were all exposed.”
“… I think Taejeokrune recognized me too.”
Jiyul’s eyes widened in surprise at the quietly added words. As he sat still, reflecting on the events of that night, Aran’s heart felt heavy. Obviously, while narrowly dodging his blow from his sword, the gat³ he was wearing fell off, revealing his face. It was only for a brief moment that Taejeokrune saw him because Cain immediately followed him and snatched him away, but his expression clearly showed that he recognized him.
“Does he know the Prince?”
Unbelievably, Jiyul asked.
“I met him during my childhood, during the rebellion, and I cut out his eye right before I ran away.”
“The Prince did that, took his eye?”
“Yes.”
Jiyul looked at Aran, who replied casually, with a surprised gaze. At that time, Aran was only a young boy of 12 at the time, and it was surprising that he cut out Taejeokrune’s eye, who had an incomparable power.
Of course, Jiyul, who had not faced Aran for a long time, and only knew that he was remarkably beautiful and that he had a cautious and calm personality for such a young age, but did not yet know how cruel he could be. The fact that Aran was the object of dread, and difficult to talk to in the Empire, was probably inconceivable for him.
“And I ran into him with Cain by chance last year. He knew me at once, who knows whether it was his anger over the blindness in one eye, or if he just had a good memory.”
Aran, who had been contemplating for a moment, continued. His heart raced and ached as he thought about the time that Taejeokrune wounded Cain so badly that he couldn’t get up from the bed for a long time. Now that he thought about it, the things that needed to be returned unto Taejeokrune were gradually piling up. In a completely different way than to Cain.
“Last year?”
“Maybe that’s why he recognized me more easily this time.”
That cold eye, that black eye that was shaking like hell, was shaking from the moment their eyes met. No, it was more of a rapid convulsion, it was the eye of madness. What would have happened if Cain hadn’t appeared there…… Just imagining it sent a chill down his spine.
“Then you must hurry.”
Aran nodded his head to Jiyul, who had become stern.
“It is true that Taejeokrune sent reinforcements to the Northern Princes in Cain’s lands. However, since they were annihilated, even if the number was small, there must be some damage.”
“It’s fortunate for us.”
“Yes, and one thing has become certain, it is the fact that we don’t have much time left.”
Aran, who spoke in a plain flat tone, stood up quietly with a cold expression.
If you’re reading this anywhere other than FoolishtranslationsS.wordpress.com, it was stolen from the translator’s website. Reading this anywhere other than the translator’s website ensures that the translator may never translate any other works. Thank you.
3
“I’ll give you time, so if you have something you want to say, say it.”
As they had arrived, the sleet-like snow began to flutter down again. Unaccustomed to the bone-freezing weather, Cain pulled the top of his shirt up to his chin and glared at Shaw. With an aura as cold as the weather, Shaw stepped closer to Cain with an indifferent expression.
“Are you really saying that you left behind your status as Emperor and came here as an ‘individual’? As Prince Jung’s ‘lover’?”
“So what if I did?”
“Well, isn’t that a great thing?”
Murmured Shaw softly.
Needless to say, Cain snorted at his apparent displeasure.
“It’s not a great thing. I know how crazy it makes me sound to leave my life behind in order to go out looking for my lover.”
Cain twisted his lips as he tapped the frozen ground with the tip of his sheathed sword.
“So, after pretending to look after the young Prince who doesn’t understand anything, was it not enough to shake him up and capture his heart, you had to chase him all the way here too? How far are you going to confuse a man who has barely escaped from you, and who is on the verge of facing something serious?”
“Did I shake him up and confuse him?”
“You know the answer to that question.”
“I must be really good if I’m enough to shake up Aran and confuse him.”
After hearing the sarcastic reply, Shaw’s expression was distorted. His clenched fists trembled slightly as though he couldn’t stand it. The atmosphere was sharp enough for one to throw a punch if one could.
“On that very day that The Prince fled from you and your Palace, you don’t even know how poor his condition was. If you knew, you would not have come here so brazenly.”
“It’s Aran who trampled on my offer to help, put me to sleep with sleeping medicine, and ran away.”
“Was your help what the Prince really wanted? In spite of your offer he still fled in the middle of the night like someone trying to escape.”
Cain glared at Shaw with his silver-gray eyes, whose voice had risen as though he was unable to suppress his increasingly intense emotions. Frankly, it was hard to fathom what he was saying right now because he did in fact allow Aran to leave his side that day, and go to Kajang. It was Aran who ran away without even listening to his offer of help.
It was Aran who was heartless! Nevertheless, he couldn’t let him go, so he followed him to the end, and even after he caught him, he couldn’t even get angry properly. However, he was angry at being criticized by someone who didn’t even know what had really happened.
“It was Aran who asked me first to embrace him, and then he was the one who ran away as soon as he was embraced.”
The sound of the voice that was suppressing his anger was fierce. However, Shaw looked at Cain as though he couldn’t tolerate his anger.
“Did his asking to be embraced first mean that you had to wreck him like that?”
“What…….”
“You were in such a hurry to satisfy your own needs that he couldn’t even walk or sit properly. He ran in that state for three days and three nights. Then, in the end, he collapsed. He had a fever all day and couldn’t get up.”
”… …”
“I understand how you treated The Prince without even having to see it. And you would do anything for The Prince? Weren’t you trying to hobble The Prince so that he couldn’t go to Kajang!?”
Cain was speechless at the question Shaw raised about that day. Nothing came out like the words were stuck in his throat. It was true that he didn’t remember what Aran’s condition was like that day. He was too busy suppressing his anger to even consider his condition. At first, he thought he was going crazy, so he just carried on.
Cain sighed, furrowed his brow, and pressed his throbbing head. His mind was a mess. The part where he was treating him like a rapist was completely unfair. But soon, he let out a long breath and swept his chest which was getting cold like cold snow.
Perhaps Shaw read the true intentions that he had hidden deeply, even from himself. As he thought that, Cain stopped breathing and his heart began to ache.
He said he would do anything for him, and he asked him to be his, but maybe he didn’t want to let him go. It was also true that as he held his sweet body in his arms, he remembered thinking that he would never be able to let him go again. Aran may have been aware of his inner thoughts and ran away without saying a word. Maybe he was the only one who didn’t realize it.
It was difficult to face Shaw’s knife-like gaze, which seemed to be digging into his most deeply buried insidious thoughts. However, Shaw’s cold words didn’t stop.
“If it’s like you said, and The Prince ignored your sincerity and ran away, you should have pondered as to why he made such a decision and acted in that way.”
“Huh……”
“And after all, even if The Prince did throw aside your sincerity for no reason, the fact that you are unscrupulous hasn’t changed! Wasn’t it enough that pushed the person you said you carefully raised, to that point?”
Cain was unable to speak as though he were in shock at Shaw’s remarks that seemed to have picked up on things he didn’t intend, suddenly he smiled bitterly. His fingertips were cold. Cain nodded, clasping his frozen hands.
“Yeah, call me an unscrupulous man who touched the child I’ve been caring for a long time. Of course, I didn’t know Aran’s condition at that time because I was too busy, but if I ever do have to be punished for all my sins, I would still accept it sweetly. And I also know that what happened, will never happen again.”
His low voice sounded gloomy. Cain was unexpectedly passive in accepting Shaw’s rebuke. It was surprising that he took it so calmly. However, Cain, who had been staring at the snow-covered ground, lifted his eyes and stared coldly at Shaw.
“But I also have a question for you, so I will ask you only one thing. What kind of relationship do you wish to have with Aran? Does the Master who constantly surrounds and cherishes him so much wish to be just a mere Master?”
The voice asking the question was more chilling than the gradually thickening snow. But Shaw was far from being intimidated and just stared at him with sharp eyes.
“Does that mean you are suspicious of everyone else because that’s the way you are? Do you think I harbor wicked intentions too?”
“Isn’t that the way it is? Watching him like a treasure, you cling excessively to Aran and yet you have no feelings?”
“I’ve been watching-over Prince Jung ever since he was a baby just learning to walk. I use to carry him around with me to make sure he didn’t get hurt while walking for the first time. I taught him how to ride a horse, shoot a bow, and use a sword. I’ve taken care of him like he was more precious than my own life. Do you think I could look at him with such blatantly lewd eyes, as you do? How could I harbor an insidious desire to touch him in that way?”
Cain clicked his tongue at the story he just heard, which left him speechless. His feelings weren’t mixed, they were just miserable beyond words. It seemed like a complete defeat.
“As a heavenly orphan, he is the only like family to me. Such a family where he is my Lord and Master, and sometimes like a younger brother, and sometimes even like my own son! Who in the world touches his own family?”
“It’s family then?”
“Don’t mistake me for someone like you. Because it’s a false accusation.”
For Shaw, for the first time in his life, he could not contain the anger that had risen to the top of his head and threatened to explode. There was never a time when he couldn’t control his emotions. It was even more so because he was a sword-wielding warrior.
If Aran saw him now his eyes would probably pop out of his head at the man who always wore a calm expression and kept a calm steady voice. But soon he closed his eyes and steadied his emotions.
“I don’t know why you came here like this. I don’t know what you mean when you say you came here as an ‘individual’ and not as the Emperor. But I hope your thoughts and feelings aren’t temporary? I hope you don’t treat The Prince capriciously, like a favorite concubine you say sweet words to on a whim, and then forget?
Shaw said in conclusion. It sounded like a request, however, his tone was full of anger and dissatisfaction.
“Concubine?”
However before Cain had time to continue, Shaw turned around at the tone of Cain’s astonished response. It was because Cain’s voice was much lower than before and it sounded dangerous!
“I believe these are things that have to be said.”
Cain had been silent up until now, but as he began to speak Shaw had no choice but to stop speaking and avert his eyes. Cain was still standing there staring at him like he might grab his neck immediately and wring it.
“I saw it wrong, I misunderstood for a long time. But you are not the only person who thinks of the Prince as precious and holds him dear. I care about Aran more than you. I can’t help but cherish him, that’s why I ran all the way here. But a concubine? Do you think I would risk my life to come all the way here alone for a concubine?!”
“Then why?”
“One thing’s for sure, I’m not the type to move across the country for a lover or a concubine. I’m not the type of person who would move for anyone, for any reason.”
The sleet fluttering down began to turn into heavy snow. The white snow began piling up on their shoulders without either making a sound. However, they just stood there facing each other, staring each other down as though they could not feel the cold.
“……Are you serious then?”
It was Shaw who spoke first. As he gazed at Cain through narrowed suspicious eyes, his words carried a lot of implications.
“Are you sure you mean it?”
“Yes!”
Replied Cain irritability as he furrowed his brow. Shaw still looked as though he wasn’t convinced.
“If you say something else later, I won’t just stand by.”
“There’s no reason why I should listen to you or why I should make you any promises, but I swear it. From this moment on, I won’t be the first to let Aran go. If that ever happens, no matter what you do, I’ll accept it.”
Eventually, Shaw shook his head. He knew he wasn’t lying. And he realized once again that Cain was not an opponent that he can handle. Perhaps this is how a father feels when he sees an unworthy son-in-law? Shaw turned around dismissing the nonsensical sentiments that had passed through his mind. There was nothing more to say.
“Remember this as well. Keep your heart thinking like a family member, or as you say, an extremely loyal heart. Whatever it is, it better stay as it is. If I see any deviations, even a little, I’ll cut your head from your neck right away.”
How many steps did he take before Cain’s sudden cold warning stuck behind his back? Shaw clenched his fists.
“It’s a waste of energy to say unnecessary things.”
Shaw responded coldly as he quickly walked away without looking back. Cain, who had been staring at him until his well-groomed back completely disappeared from view, raised a cold hand and pulled the top of his robe up to cover his mouth. Now he began to feel the cold as though his whole body was freezing.
If you’re reading this anywhere other than FoolishtranslationsS.wordpress.com, it was stolen from the translator’s website. Reading this anywhere other than the translator’s website ensures that the translator may never translate any other works. Thank you.
4
Aran opened the door and entered the room and raised his eyes in amazement at the sight of a large shadowy figure sitting silently in the dark. Seeing the man sitting alone in a dark room with a single light, staring intently out of the window at the snow, was an unfamiliar scene.
“Cain?”
As he quietly closed the door and entered, Cain turned his indifferent face to him.
“Have you met Ryugen?”
“… Come here, Kid.”
He stretched out his hand as though he hadn’t heard his question. However, Aran just stood still. For some reason, he didn’t step forward readily. Cain ran his hands through his hair and let out a short sigh, then he spread his arms wide.
“Come on. Come here and hug me.”
Aran just looked at him for a moment as Cain stared at him asking for him helplessly, then he reluctantly moved forward. Then as soon as he approached, Cain hugged him firmly around his waist and buried his head in his chest. Aran looked down at his messy hair as Cain hugged him like an overgrown puppy, rubbing his cheek against his arm. Aran carefully raised his hand and stroked his short hair.
“What happened?”
“Nothing.”
Responded Cain briefly as he tightened his arms a little more as he hugged Aran. At that moment as he held him, his countenance felt strange and he hugged him with so much strength that he could barely breathe, he lowered his hand to touch his face.
“… I’m sorry.”
Aran flinched at the sudden sound of an apology and stopped the hand that was about to move. It was a really odd thing. Why was he apologizing out of the blue? This attitude that was so foreign to Cain made Aran very concerned.
“Did you eat something bad? Food poisoning isn’t prevalent in the winter.”
“Truly, this kid can’t read the room.”⁴
Finally, Cain snickered to himself and raised his head up. Aran thought he would make his usual remarks, but his face is unusually gloomy.
“If it’s not food poisoning, you’ve heard something from Shaw.”
“That’s right.”
“Shaw is just someone who worries about me a lot. You don’t have to worry about him.”
“I know. So don’t be angry.”
Cain murmured as though he were talking to himself, Cain buried his face a little deeper and inhaled Aran’s scent.
“Come to think of it, you still haven’t answered my question.”
“What do you mean?”
“Didn’t I ask you to be mine?”
“… …”
“I’ll wait. I’ll wait for you until after you hit the Taejeokrune, then be completely mine. Give me your body, mind, and even this hair, and I’ll do the same.”
“Cain-….”
“Promise me.”
Aran licked his lips, he didn’t hastily respond to Cain’s serious expression or voice, which could never have been mistaken for a joke. He didn’t know what to say. No, actually, he had a lot to say. There was so much that he didn’t know where to start. Although Aran had never expressed it directly in words, he already thought of himself as completely his, but Cain didn’t seem to realize it yet.
“l…”
If he wasn’t Cain’s, then whose could he be?
The question went back and forth on the tip of his tongue, but in the end, he couldn’t utter a word. He didn’t know why. It may have been prudent to simply show these feelings in a situation ahead of the war.
“When all of this is over…then I will answer you.”
“Don’t wait until then, instead give me the answer I want.”
Aran smiled bitterly as he gently stroked Cain’s shoulder that was still hugging his waist. That was the moment when Cain suddenly grabbed Aran’s hand and put something in it. A cool, heavy feeling spread across the palm of his hand. It was an overly familiar weight, and it was also an overly familiar feel.
Aran swallowed dryly and slowly lowered his gaze. A dagger lay in his palm. It was the dagger he left behind when he had left Cain. It was the dagger Cain had thrown to Aran when they first met when he was a child.
It was an old dagger that had never left his body for over ten years. The moment he saw the dagger his heart began to pound, and then fell. He couldn’t even blink his eyes. The hand holding the dagger seemed to tremble.
“I also cleaned the leather sheath I found, so don’t soil it.”
“Cain….”
“l won’t let you leave this in front of me anymore. If you do that one more time, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to come back to my sanity.”
Aran bit his lip and touched the old dagger sheathed in the leather knife case for a long time. He was choked up, and couldn’t say a word.
“What’s your answer?”
Cain tightened the arm around his waist, hugging him and urging him to embrace him. Only then did Aran set his shaky gaze on Cain. And without letting go of the dagger he had been handed, he bent down and kissed the tip of Cain’s crown.
He answered in a very small, faint sound that only Cain could hear. Cain recognized the sound that no one but himself could hear, and then gently smiled. His hand caressing his back was tender. He relaxed as he smelled Aran’s body’s scent that brushed past the tip of his nose. Aran hugged him for a long time as he faced the warmth of Cain’s body temperature.
If you’re reading this anywhere other than FoolishtranslationsS.wordpress.com, it was stolen from the translator’s website. Reading this anywhere other than the translator’s website ensures that the translator may never translate any other works. Thank you.
5
The early morning sky was dark blue. The indigo blue sky and the early morning atmosphere slowly appeared through the thick clouds, creating a sense of freshness. Aran, who was walking while stepping on the white snow in the yard, woke up to a dull sound that was regularly heard from afar. It was the sound of a sword being swung at a constant speed.
Standing still, listening to the monotonous sound of the still dawn, he was drawn to the training grounds without much thought. There was a man wearing thin clothes and striking with a sword. Aran wondered who it was, but as expected it was Shaw.
It was still dark, but his tall physique could be seen at a glance. He could probably recognize him even in the pitch-black darkness. He was just quietly watching his movements, but suddenly Shaw felt a presence, so Aran turned his eyes away.
“You woke up early.”
“Why did the Prince get up at such an hour?”
“It must be the same reason as you.”
He couldn’t fall asleep easily. After falling asleep for a while, but he woke up too soon. He had a lot to think about and his mind was complicated, so he lost sleep.
“What happened with Cain yesterday?”
Asked Aran as he pulled up his overcoat in the early morning air that seemed to freeze to the bone. Shaw then pushed his sword into the sword’s scabbard and slowly moved forward.
“I started a quarrel with him.”
“You?”
“My personal feelings about him have nothing to do with the Prince.”
He let out a long, low sigh. His breath flowing out into the cold chill turned white and scattered among the blue atmosphere of dawn. Aran kept his mouth shut and just stared at his breath which was quietly disappearing. If there was something he wanted to say, he would wait for him to bring it up first.
“Why are you with such a man?”
After a while, a monotonous voice asked a question. Aran glanced away for a moment. But it was not easy to answer, because it was a difficult question.
“I can’t even sleep knowing that a man who is so egocentric and even violent, is your ‘lover’.”
He seemed a little angry, but his calm voice was not much different from usual. However, it was only that his heart was deeply engulfed in his deep concern for Aran.
“No matter who you meet, I want you to be with someone who loves the Prince. I want to see you with someone who will make you happy, to meet someone who can treat you kindly, love you, and be loved.”
“Cain is not as bad as you think. He is kind enough and cares for me. This is really too much.”
Cain was a very kind person. At least he was to him, so Aran spoke calmly and firmly. Although Cain’s actions are sometimes selfish, he didn’t want Shaw to misunderstand Cain’s heart.
“So, are you happy being with him?”
He asked anxiously, but in fact, Shaw had a face that said that he already knew the answer. Even without words, he knew Aran’s condition and feelings better than anyone, even Aran himself. Still, he didn’t know if it was because he was too anxious to ask him again.
“Because I fell in love with him first. How can I not be happy when the person I’ve been waiting for a long time is by my side?”
“You’re a fool.”
Shaw mumbled like he was no longer angry or scolding Aran. He was coherent with an indifferent expression as though he were just saying what he felt.
“Everyone who falls in love becomes a fool.”
‘So even if I act like a fool this way, please understand’. Aran smiled bitterly as he said those words to himself.
“You’re Shaw, you can say these things because it’s you, but not anyone else.”
“… …”
“I know that Cain is a person with so many flaws that it’s hard to see the other side of him.”
“I can see many shortcomings.”
“Of course. But he also has many more wonderful qualities than those.”
“For example?”
Shaw looked back with a grimace. It was as if Shaw had no idea about Cain’s strengths at all. Aran, who had always had a stoic expression, gave a smile like he was envisioning it.
“For example, he tends to sleep late in the mornings.”
“What about that?”
Aran’s answer gave him a bewildered expression for a moment, but then he burst into laughter. His laughter echoed as fresh as the air floating in the cold atmosphere.
“That means you’ve been blinded by love.”⁵
“I don’t want you to look at it poorly. I will feel uncomfortable if you disapprove of Cain.”
“If the Prince says so, there is nothing I can do. You are a wise man, and I trust that you will always make wise decisions.”
In the end, Shaw gave a faint smile. He had no choice but to reluctantly accept it, but that alone put Aran’s mind at ease. If it were Shaw who continued to disapprove of Cain until the end, Aran couldn’t be comfortable. Shaw brushed the snow that had piled up on Aran’s cold shoulders, looked at his complexion, and smiled gently.
“Are there any places you are uncomfortable?”
He asked keenly and Aran smiled at him. Recalling the idea that even if he could cheat others, he couldn’t cheat Shaw.
“No. I am just not sleeping well.”
It was true that he couldn’t fall asleep easily because he had too many thoughts. It was also complicated because his mind was not organized. But another reason was Cain. He expected that Cain wouldn’t sleep in another room after following him so far, but it was unfamiliar and uncomfortable to lie down side-by-side in the same bed.
Especially since he had never slept beside anyone in his life. It’s not just the sleeping aspect, Cain would bury his face in the back of his neck, hold his waist, and overlap his legs, like someone trying to tie him up so he couldn’t escape. So how could he fall asleep comfortably? It is surprising how Cain fell asleep while hugging Aran with his whole body.
In the end, Aran tossed and turned all night, then sprinted out of the bed as though he were running away. Even then, Cain was in a deep sleep. Literally, he fell asleep so deeply that he wouldn’t have even known if someone had flipped him over.
“Should we try a match after such a long time?”
“If you wish.”
Aran remembered Cain was sleeping soundly, then shook his head and headed to the training grounds. As he walked inside, Shaw held out the sword that he had placed in the sword’s scabbard, gave it to Aran, and pulled out the other sword he was wearing around his waist for himself.
Aran was watching the sharpened sword radiating dangerous energy in the blue light of dawn and suddenly spoke.
“Shaw, I must ask you.”
“Say it.”
“From now on, you will watch my back. Now, no one else should come first. So, you’ll just protect me.”
When he asked him to save Jiyul first, something unexpected happened and he had to be away for a long time. He knew how much Shaw worried about him during that time. He also knew that he almost failed to keep his promise to him.
Although he still couldn’t tell Shaw that he wouldn’t have been there right now if Cain hadn’t appeared and helped him. And if that had happened, how painful would it have been for Shaw….. on the way there he made up his mind that from now on, he would always let him protect him so that Shaw wouldn’t have to worry about anything else.
“I will always be by your side.”
Aran nodded his head as he heard the voice whispering quietly.
And it was at that moment while swinging the sword casually, suddenly, a throbbing pain spread across his shoulder, and Aran grimaced had to lower his sword.
He had rested the whole time, ever since he got there, and he saw a doctor and used medicine, so he thought he was getting better, but it seems that his wound hadn’t completely healed yet. Aran grabbed his shoulder and bit his teeth as a sharp searing pain spread.
“Prince?!”
“It’s nothing.”
He said that, but apparently it was still too much. Aran swallowed back the pain and looked back at Shaw with an effortless expression on his face. But Shaw wasn’t easily deceived.
“What the hell is going on? You can’t even wield a sword!”
A few days ago, when he was in Yeho, the wound had almost healed and there was no problem in holding and swinging the sword. So it was natural that it looked strange because it was now suddenly difficult.
“Of course, it’s still too much for this arm.”
But it was not Aran who had spoken. It was a low-pitched tone that flowed from behind them. It was also a voice that had not been heard since the early morning when the sun had not yet fully risen. Aran looked up, unable to hide his surprise. Sure enough, behind them, a dark figure was approaching, stomping on the snow.
“Cain?”
Cain, who has an absurd habit of sleeping-in in the mornings, was a person who didn’t get up until the day was completely bright. Aran didn’t know why he came all the way here at this hour, even before the sun had risen.
Even at a glance, it looks like he is still half-asleep, his short hair was a mess, his half-closed eyes were grimacing, and he had a blanket draped over his shoulder instead of a coat. Aran blinked and looked at Cain, then let out a short sigh.
“Did you wake up already?”
“Did I or didn’t I, tell you not to go out while I was sleeping?”
Snarled Cain as he quickly approached. Then Aran let out a faint, ‘Ah.’ Cain said that he did not want to go through what he had experienced before ever again and that no matter what happened, he was not to disappear while he was sleeping. However, this place was definitely Jiyul’s fortress, and there was nowhere to go.
“Did you wake up and come out to find me instead of sleeping?”
“Yes.”
Cain responded bluntly, but Aran felt he was getting more and more ridiculous. He was the one who was always asleep in the morning. If it’s such a big deal, why does he start up so late?…
“Don’t make that crazy face, come here.”
Cain grabbed Aran’s arm, who was still standing like a still warrior, as though he didn’t understand, took off the blanket and wrapped it around Aran’s shoulder, and held him in his arms. Aran who was sucked into his generous yet warm arms and blanket, couldn’t recover his mental state and just stared at Cain with a stunned expression. The smell of his body stimulated the tip of his nose to the point of being dizzy. He felt like he was getting drunk by the sweet smell that made his body hot.
“Don’t go around needlessly without sleeping, and listen.”
“Cain……”
“And how many days have passed since you’ve tried to pick up your sword? I remember you being told not to use your shoulder for a while.”
Cain scolded Aran with his whole body in his arms. Then he glanced back at Shaw and frowned. It was to show Shaw with his eyes that it wasn’t appropriate to question him as to whether he stole Aran at such an early hour.
“Is he not your precious Lord? If you want this guy to use his arm again, don’t let him hold his sword for a while.”
“Are you hurt, again?”
At Cain’s warning, Shaw turned to Aran in great bewilderment.
“There was a bit of an accident when I ran into Taejeokrune. As long as I don’t overdo it for a few days, it won’t be a big deal.”
“Oh My God. Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”
“Because I forgot about it for a while. It’s not a big deal, so don’t worry about it.”
“What do you mean it’s not a big deal! You can’t even hold a sword properly! Did you take any medicine? I’m going to call a doctor right now.”
Aran caught Shaw who seemed like he was about to run out to call a doctor right away. Aran was so indifferent about his own business.
“No, you don’t have to. I changed the bandage in the evening and applied the medicine, so it’s fine. As Cain said, it seems that it will be difficult to swing a sword for a few more days.”
Aran smiled bitterly and held out his sword in front of Shaw. But he let out a worried sigh as he held out his sword, with a complicated expression on his face.
“If you say so. But you must see the doctor in the morning. I’ll tell him to come soon. But first, go in and rest.”
Aran smiled softly again at his attitude, as though he was dealing with a seriously ill patient. It was around that time that Cain, who had been watching them silently, held Aran again.
“Look, your Father is also telling you to rest. Go inside. I went outside because of you even though it’s still bedtime, and I still feel tired.”
While grumbling, Cain grabbed Aran and dragged him away. Aran, who was about to ask who ‘Father’ was, had to walk because he had been caught by him. It was Shaw that would have stopped him at any other time, but when Cain said Aran was going to rest, Shaw only politely greeted Cain, so Cain became more elated and began to take Aran toward the fortress.
“I don’t think I can sleep without you, Aran.”
A faint whisper, as though he were muttering to himself was heard in the wind, as Aran had almost reached the private room where he was staying. Aran unconsciously revealed his doubts. However, Cain just walked along the road indifferently, as though he hadn’t said anything, and Aran had no choice but to follow him with his mouth shut.
6
There were already many people gathered inside. Aran looked at all the various people sitting at the large round table, including Jiyul, Ryugen, Shaw, and various Heads of State. Aran went to the head of the table and sat down. Cain, who followed Aran’s lead, also went with him, and took a seat behind him, he sat down without anyone saying anything. Jiyul was the first to open his mouth amid the weighty energy.
“Now that The Prince has returned safely, all that is left is to strike Taejeokrune.”
His words made the atmosphere of the crowd a little more solemn.
“Prince Jung and a few others have already been talking, but first we are going to move to the castle near Yeho. Everything will be finished within a fortnight.”
“There are three gates to enter the King’s Castle located inside Yeho: the South Gate, the East Gate, and the West Gate. If you want to attack the king’s castle as soon as possible and without damaging the capital, this area would be good.”
The person who opened the map and explained it was a person named Chiayun, who was a General in charge of the southern part. He was like Jiyul but a little younger, he was a man with sharp eyes and a huge build of a military officer. He looked around and explained. Last night, while talking to Jiyul, Aran heard a little bit about it and just sat there silently looking at the map without moving.
“Half of the troops, including myself, will push through the Southern Gate, and the other half push through the Eastern Gate under General Kihyun. Of course, before that, we may have to face the Taejeokrune’s Army in the capital.”
“Then, what about the West Gate entrance?”
It was Cain who asked the question. He had been sitting quietly behind Aran not receiving anyone’s attention, but as he spoke, all eyes were on him. It was then that people began to wonder who he was. Chiayun calmly turned to Cain.
“The King’s Castle is a huge fortress. Once the three exterior wall doors are locked, it’s hard to break through. Even if we were to pass through there, the inner walls are layered, and the main palace and the annexes are surrounded by individual defenses.
“So?”
“We have just under ten thousand people. Even if you attack with six thousand at the Southern Gate, which can be said to be the Central Gate, and then another to attack the second largest East Gate, it may take quite some time. Even if we use a surprise attack, as long as the Taejeokrune’s side already knows what we’re going to do, there’s no way they’ll sit still. Their defense and offense will be formidable.”
“So you’re saying you’re going to give up on the West Gate.”
Cain, who had been muttering while tilting his head to the side, glanced at Ryugen. He was looking down at his long fingers in the corner as though he may or may not be listening, he then lifted his head as though he felt Cain’s gaze.
“Then let me and Ryugen take the West Gate.”
“What do you mean……”
Chiayun showed his surprised expression without trying to hide it. It was apparent that he didn’t believe the words of the man who had followed Aran, and who didn’t even know the basics of this endeavor. Jiyul also had a surprised expression. In a way, he didn’t know what to do when the person who was to protect after Aran said he would run to the enemy camp without hesitation.
“I think you’re trying to disperse their defenses? The West Gate will act as a distraction and attack, leaving only 10 battalions to fight. Ryugen will take care of the rest.”
“You don’t have to hand over the troublesome things to me.”
At his sudden remark, Ryugen looked at Cain and frowned. He was thinking about inquiring after this but when his name was suddenly mentioned, he blatantly expressed dissatisfaction. However, Cain did not even pretend to listen.
“I don’t know how long it will take even with five thousand soldiers, but you’re just going to take a thousand and attack the main gate? No matter how much of a diversion it is, it’s absurd!”
Chiayun clicked his tongue and glared at Cain as if it was ridiculous. Cain ignored him and sat with a straight back and continued.
“Didn’t you say the purpose was to disperse the defense? I’ll take care of it, so all you just have to think about is getting through the Southern Gate as fast as you can.”
Chiayun’s face gradually stiffened at his high-handed tone. Aran slammed the tabletop making a loud noise at the atmosphere that seemed likely to explode.
“I’ll leave the West Gate to Cain. As I said at the beginning, the Southern Gate, which is the Main Gate of the royal castle, will be entrusted to Jiyul and Chiayun.”
“Prince.”
“I heard that it took two full days for Taejeokrune to open three gates and break through the outer walls. And it was said that it took a day to get through the inner walls to the Palace.”
“… …”
“If that’s what he did, we have to do it too. No, we have to see the end sooner than that. Open all the gates to the West and push in at once.”
It might be close to impossible to break through the West Gate with only a thousand troops. It could literally end up being only a diversion. Other people certainly would end up being like that. But this was Cain. If he said he could do it, then he could do it! Unfortunately, it was true that none of the military officers here could keep up with Cain’s skills.
Aran, who was silently staring at the map immersed in thought, heard the voices of the people continue again. For the next fortnight, within that time, everything will be finished. Aran felt his heart pounding, thumping, and palpitating wildly, Aran clenched his fists and then opened his palms with a sense of nervousness.
How will the Taejeokrune attack? How would they counterattack?
Swallowing the feeling that his heart was burning, Aran just stared at the map spread out in front of his eyes for a long time.
If you’re reading this anywhere other than Foolishtranslationss.wordpress.com, it was stolen from the translator’s website. Reading this anywhere other than the translator’s website ensures that the translator may never translate any other works. Thank you.
7
“Prince, are you okay?”
Shaw, who was standing behind him, asked quietly. Aran, who was immersed in thought, then turned around and smiled bitterly. Seeing people busy moving goods and resources from Hyeonunseong Fortress to Sojinseong Fortress, which was closest to the capital, gave him a strange feeling.
“You don’t look well.”
“I have a lot on my mind. It’s a full fortnight ahead.”
When he was a child, his hands and his heart trembled when he thought about finally confronting Taejeokrune, who had killed his father, King Seon, and his siblings and then took his country. It wasn’t just because of fear. Rather, it was because his blood was warmed by the heat of anger mixed with a little ecstasy. His heart was racing because of the coming war. Isn’t this him being the murderer that the prophets spoke of long ago?
In fact, in the days when he practically lived on the battlefield as he followed Cain, he had already heard himself called words such as ‘Murderer’ and ‘Black Devil’. However, at that time, he didn’t even think about the Oracles whom he used to get wary of hearing when he was young. But rather, at this moment right before he was to strike Taejeokrune, he thought about the fact that he might have been born under the killer stars.
“Don’t worry too much. It will be fine.”
Aran, who had been thinking about the long-forgotten prophecy of the Heavenly Celestial Bodies the Oracle spoke about, The Heavenly Fortress (Tiansha Killer Star) and the King of Heaven (King Star), was awakened once again by Shaw’s calm voice. It was at that time that Aran nodded indifferently. He thought he could hear regular footsteps nearby, but before he knew it, Cain and Ryugen approached and stood in front of them. The two of them were very similar in terms of their calm and nonchalant appearance.
“Little Prince, are you nervous? You don’t look good.”
Ryugen said with a grinning smile.
“Not really.”
Cain drew closer to Aran’s side, who had responded indifferently. Then, as if to comfort him, he gently grabbed his cold shoulders. Just being touched by his warm body temperature was strangely comforting, Aran relaxed his stiff body a little and turned his head.
“Cain, what are you planning to do? I didn’t know you were going to do it yourself. You said that you were going to break through the West Gate with just a thousand soldiers.”
Although he did not express it at the time of the military meeting, Cain’s remarks were quite surprising. Now that he was frankly expressing his concern, Cain shrugged.
“I don’t say I can do things that I can not accomplish. If you’re saying that you’re going to the battlefield, do you think I would just keep my eyes open and watch? And there is a good reason that a thousand soldiers is enough.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means that Ryugen will take care of it.”
Raising his brows obliquely, Cain answered lightly with a smile. At his simple reply, Aran turned his gaze to Ryugen. Ryugen, who had a sullen face, clicked his tongue. ‘I’m determined.’ The grumbling face, however, didn’t look very unpleasant.
“I know a lot about the road to the Royal Castle. Going through the gates isn’t the only way in. Of course, it’s not a road that a few thousand soldiers can get in and out of.”
“Indeed.”
Cain, who was holding Aran’s shoulder, nodding quietly, suddenly turned his gaze to Shaw, who was silently listening among them.
“Shaw, I will be leaving Aran to you this time. Do not separate from your Prince.”
Then in contrast to the atmosphere in which the sentiments had yet to settle down, he made that unexpected request. Shaw gave Cain a significant look for a moment, then he nodded.
“I know.”
Hearing the gentle answer, Aran swallowed dryly. He realized once again that the war against Taejeokrune was approaching. This time, the aim will be to point his sword straight at Taejeokrune. He will never back down.
Aran was repeatedly solidifying his resolve as he looked around at the cold, superb view, where the mountains surrounding Hyeonunseong were all covered with white snow.
If you’re reading this anywhere other than Foolishtranslationss.wordpress.com, it was stolen from the translator’s website. Reading this anywhere other than the translator’s website ensures that the translator may never translate any other works. Thank you.
8
It was a week after that afternoon. Just as was planned, more than half of the supplies and the enlisted soldiers were sent ahead little by little had already left Hyeonunseong heading for Sojinseong. And today, along with the last remaining soldiers, Aran was also going to go up there as well.
Aran, who had completed all preparations, looked around Hyeonunseong with an indifferent expression as he wore his heavy armor. They were on the slopes of the mountain, and the snow had piled up like ice caps, without melting away. He slowly walked on the snow that had been piled up since he’d first come, thinking it would be his last time here. The crackling sound under his feet resounded as refreshingly as ever.
“Ha~”
The long breath he exhaled scattered white as though it were frozen the moment it left him. It was from this moment until the moment he leaves this place and reaches Sojinseong Fortress, that the full-scale war would begin. His heart was beating like a drum. However, his face, as he clenched and opened his fists trying to calm his mind, was as quiet as the surface of a placid lake.
“So you were here.”
As Aran was quietly walking on the snow contemplating countless thoughts, he heard a soft voice from behind his back, along with Cain’s heavy footsteps. Aran turned his head to Cain, who was approaching him and looked carefully at him. He, too, was wearing leather armor, and it felt very different but somehow similar to when he had reigned under the dazzling sun.
“What is that look?”
Cain took a step closer and closed his eyes with a playful expression.
“I do not know. I felt like something was missing.”
Maybe it’s because he couldn’t see him under the hot sun, but instead through the white snow. As if the cold temperature and the armor were subtly mismatched, it didn’t suit him.
“What?”
“Maybe it’s because of the desert heat, or because the sun was so bright that I couldn’t even open my eyes? But somehow the dazzling sunlight suits you better.”
“Those words aren’t bad. Because I love the burning sun more than this kind of snow.”
The ‘sun-like’ Cain, who came close to the front of his nose and stood facing him, grabbed Aran’s chin with his cold hand. His head was raised and their eyes met. The jewel-like silver-gray eyes gleamed with joy, the opposite of his nervous self. It was like he wasn’t a person on the brink of going to war, but that he’s just going to warm up.
It was when he was staring at his calm eyes, that suddenly the blue color began to grow darker around the silver-gray irises, and Aran looked at the strange color change as though he were fascinated. Suddenly, Cain lowered his head and licked his lips lightly. The sound of wet lips being licked was particularly loud. Aran raised his head in surprise.
“Don’t look at me that way. Even though I’ve never been as close to you as I have been these days, I can’t even touch you, so I’m dying.”
“… Cain.”
“Your gaze alone is enough to make me go wild.”
Aran smiled clumsily as he turned away from Cain, who revealed his lust-filled eyes without even trying to hide them.
“That’s really serious. I guess I’m turning you into a beast.”
“Did you just find out? I am eagerly waiting for this to be over.”
“Is this going to become a mountain over the mountain for me?”
“You must reap what you sow. What can I do?”
Cain licked his lips lightly, and Aran looked at him in an absurd way. However, soon he moved forward too, with a smirk and a laugh. There was no more time to delay, there were people waiting for them.
“I came here because I was worried that you might be nervous, but you look fine.”
Cain muttered quietly as he walked after Aran. In fact, rather than being okay, it was a mixed feeling that was hard to describe in words, but it became lighter because Cain shared a cheesy joke with him.
There were people waiting there, so there was no more time to delay.
“Well, the kid I used to know wasn’t the kind of guy who would get frustrated over something like this. Isn’t that so?”
“Is that so?”
“I wouldn’t say no. You were such a courageous and cold-hearted kid that I even made you my number one subordinate.”
Cain, who brought up the times from the past, had a pleasant expression on his face, to the extent that even the corners of his own lips as he looked at him softly, drew a faint line.
“I can’t believe that I am even being swayed by such a kid now. It’s a long life I’ve lived to see such a thing.”
“I don’t think you’ve lived that long.”
Aran glanced at Cain, who was mimicking an old man’s words and walked faster. Still, the sound of his footsteps lightly following behind him wasn’t bad. That was the moment when Cain suddenly reached out, grabbed Aran’s long hair, and kissed him.
“You’ll do well, if it’s you”
“Cain….”
“Aran, if I help you win the battle, there must be a big reward for me, right?”
Then he closed his eyes and smiled brightly. Aran blushed without realizing it because it was obvious what the evil expression meant. It sounded nice to hear, but it seems that his evil intentions are unavoidable.
” I don’t know.”
Aran continued walking on and didn’t look back because he didn’t want his red face to be seen. However, the sound of laughter that he already knew would come from behind, did. It was the sound of laughter that was warm enough to melt even the chilly temperature of midwinter. It felt like his body was heating up just by the sound that touched his ear. Aran put up with the unbearable itchiness, bit his chapped lips and walked faster.
That was then.
“Prince, there’s big trouble!”
A soldier hurriedly ran from a distance and shouted. His body, which had been relaxed from the conversation with Cain until now, stiffened in an instant. What happened in the brief time in between when he walked away, and now?
“What’s going on?”
“The Taejeokrune’s Army is coming! Jiyul told me to fetch him quickly.”
At that one word, the blood disappeared from Aran’s face. For a moment, he felt as though his blood was gushing backward. His ears were ringing. For a moment, he wondered if he was dreaming.
Aran, who had stood stiffly and stunned, immediately raised his eyes toward Cain’s presence. At the same time, Cain grabbed Aran’s wrist and started running. At that time, Aran also ran at the pace of Cain’s large strides. When he got back to the courtyard and went to the entrance to the fortress, he saw Jiyul giving instructions to the remaining soldiers and Commanders. They all looked very stiff.
“Jiyul, the King’s Army is coming. What does that mean?”
Aran asked as soon as he approached them.
“The soldiers of Taejeokrune are coming from the bottom of the mountain. Prince, you must escape quickly.”
“Maybe Taejeokrune himself this time too?”
“I don’t think so. It is said that the Army is led by a few Generals, and the number seems to exceed two thousand. Knowing that we haven’t gathered yet, it may be that they sent the military first, so please get away for now.”
Aran, who was listening to Jiyul’s explanation, clenched his jaw. Most of the goods that had been there had been moved to Sojinseong. The same goes for soldiers. As they had prepared to leave here for the last time, there were only five hundred soldiers left against two thousand soldiers. It was a number that could not be confronted head-on.
He couldn’t believe they were discovered at such a time. It would have been better if they all moved yesterday.
“What about Sojinseong? Was it known that far?”
When asked about a sudden thought, Jiyul resolutely shook his head.
“It cannot be. Few people know about that place because it is a place that I have come to know only recently, and General Chiayun personally owns the castle.”
“Prince, there is no time. Get away.”
As soon as Jiyul finished speaking, Shaw urged Aran in a calm voice. Looking back at him, Aran clenched his fists. He couldn’t even guess why he had to face this sudden situation. How did Taejeokrun find out about this place?
But fortunately, Sojinseong had not been discovered, the damage won’t be great even if they gave up this place. This place is already almost empty, and the Ministers and enlisted men from all directions are all in different bases. Of course, there was a problem with getting out of there safely before that.
“They all said there was no way out except for the two front gates and the back gate, surrounded by mountains.”
Aran, who had been contemplating for a moment, asked with a cold frozen face, Jiyul nodded.
“You’re right. The soldiers are coming through the front gate, so we might be able to buy some time by closing the gate and exiting through the back gate.”
Although it was a gate leading in the opposite direction, they must continue going down the mountain road anyway. No matter how much time he earned, they would soon catch up. It is impossible to predict how many people will survive if they run away from a situation where time, supplies, and soldiers are scarce. It was literally like being a rat in a trap.
“No. I will not run away.”
At Aran’s resolute reply, people’s eyes widened in surprise. Even if he fled now he may or may not survive, but did he want to run away in such a poor situation?
“I know there are some explosives left, right?”
“There is, but……”
One of the Commanders barely answered, but he stuttered his words. Because it was a precious item, half of it was taken with Chiayun as he left, and the other half was reserved for Aran and the others to bring on the day they left.
He had put it in the wagon a while ago, but it was something that Chiayun had told him to handle with care as it was going to be used to break down the castle gates, but he was embarrassed because he didn’t know what to do with it.
“If we are annihilated here, we will not be able to touch the gates of the Royal Palace. So bring it all.”
He knew very well that explosives were precious, but it was more important to live here right now.
“Divide the soldiers, lure the soldiers of the Royal Palace to the inside of the courtyard. And when they are all in, we will lock both the front and back gates, and then bury them all with this castle. Of course, if it’s okay with you, Jiyul.”
“The castle doesn’t matter.”
Jiyul replied simply. Aran nodded and thought for a moment. It was a bit of a pity for the stone fortress, but it didn’t matter. However, what was most unfortunate was that black powder, which is difficult to obtain, had to be used in an unexpected place, but there was nothing they could do about it. However, if he could bury two thousand of his enemy’s troops, it wouldn’t be too bad of a loss. Besides, right now, the need to annihilate them with minimal damage was greater.
“They probably don’t know we have explosives. Disguise it by putting it in boxes and put them all over the place out of sight. So that fire arrows can be fired from above the ridge over there and explode them.”
Aran instructed, pointing to the snow-covered sloping ridge. Immediately upon his command, the soldiers began to unload the explosives they had loaded onto the wagon. No one objected. It was better this way than sacrificing all the remaining soldiers and supplies to make it possible for Aran and Jiyul to escape.
“A frontal war is forbidden. Try to lure them in with your bow from below. And some will stay here to make it look like we’re running through the back gate. We have to make sure they get to the innermost part without having any doubts.”
As soon as the horses’ exit, the Commanders will begin to disperse the men leading their own soldiers out. He wasn’t sure if this was the right thing to do or not. However, now he had no choice but to do this.
Aran got on the back of the horse he had prepared and started running through the back gate. As the soldiers passed through the gates amid the bustle of movement, he looked back once more. After staring at the castle which was covered in white snow for a moment with apathetic eyes, Cain rode up to the side of his horse.
“Kid, you have grown so much.”
“Did I make the right decision?”
Now Aran asked anxiously.
“Yes. If that’s the best decision you can think of, it will be right.”
So have faith. A soft voice whispered into his ears. When Aran raised his head, Cain smiled and motioned for him to follow. Aran followed him without hesitation through the back gate and felt his heavy chest lighten a little.
<This gap is in the novel, 3 rows>
Aran’s soldiers, who prepared quickly, each took their places among the lush trees of the ridge and waited breathlessly. The roaring shouts of the soldiers faintly heard from afar began to be heard loud enough to shake the ground where the soldiers were waiting. It was just around the corner.
Every time Taejeokrune’s soldiers came closer, his heart thumped, thumped, and pounded loudly. He couldn’t hide his tension, he couldn’t even blink his eyes as he looked from under the fortress. At first, it looked as though his allies were fleeing as the enemy began to enter the fortress. They moved back to make it look like they were retreating just as planned and lured the King’s soldiers into the citadel, and the King’s Army, who had not yet conceived of the idea of it being a trap, pushed hard and followed closely to the citadel.
“There are traitors here! Don’t miss a single one, catch them!”
The General who ran to the front swung his sword and shouted. At the sound of the roaring noise, his soldiers raised their morale and sped up and advanced into the fortress. For the soldiers who entered first broke through the gate, which was disguised as though it were tightly closed, and entered the fortress, the momentum and morale were so high that the fortress and the whole mountain seemed to shake at their shouts.
“They’ve run away through the back gate!”
“Don’t miss him, grab him! He’s behind the back gate!”
The commands of the Commanders followed one after another. The soldiers’ movements became even faster. Those who had not yet entered the fortress rushed in and followed the fleeing soldiers towards the back gate. The castle was now occupied by Taejeokrune’s soldiers.
They thought they had succeeded in taking the citadel. Surrounded by mountains, where it is difficult to escape, they would have assured that all those who dreamed of rebelling against the King would be slaughtered. It must have been that they were treading into the castle without ever dreaming that their enemy would abandon the entire castle and bury it.
“Catch Jiyul first! Defeat the traitors!”
Aran, who was silently looking down at the enemy General speaking without him knowing Aran was there, then motioned with a short beckoning. At that moment, the soldiers who were waiting closed the gate. The soldiers who were running toward the back gate were surprised to see the gate close with a heavy thump~ sound in front of them.
“The gates are closed!”
They must have thought they were just busy running away, but when the gates suddenly closed, they all stopped moving in unison. They all had bewildered expressions, it was only then that they felt something was off. In the meantime, the General who was shouting at the front turned his horse and started heading toward the front gate.
“It’s a trap! Get out of the fortress! Pull the horses back!”
Aran clicked his tongue thinking to himself that the General was a quick-witted one. But he had already stepped inside the fortress, and it was too late to turn around.
“Turn the horses back!”
With glaring eyes, the General headed toward the front gate. However, almost all of his soldiers had already entered the castle, and the few remaining outside were being killed by Ryugen’s assassins and Jiyul’s soldiers. Meanwhile, the front gate closed with a heavy sound.
“Damn it, stop the gate! Don’t let it close!”
It was a close call. If he had been a little quicker, they might not have been able to close the gates. But when he and the soldiers had just put their hands on the front gate in that short time, the gate closed completely with a bang~. The man’s harsh swear words rang out loudly. Aran confirmed that the front gate was tightly closed, and only then took a step through the dense trees.
“I’m sorry, but that’s it.”
Aran’s unfeeling voice cut through the frozen air. Confused by the sudden change of situation they turned their eyes away, startled by the clear sound heard above their heads.
On the ridge that surrounds the citadel, Aran stood above them on a tree. The appearance of his neatly tied black hair fluttering in the wind made him look like he was a rare beauty, even though he was wearing dark armor and a sword. But the cold atmosphere flowing down their backs made them feel like a reaper had come to take their heads, and it sent a shiver down their spines.
In addition, when the soldiers who appeared from behind Aran’s back surrounded the castle and aimed their bows with fire-lit arrows at them all at once, their morale, which had been so strong, was broken at once. An uproar followed immediately. It was the sound of self-recrimination for entering the enemy’s castle so readily, without even checking whether they had laid a trap.
“You bastards!”
The General, who was watching the gates in front of him closely, swore profanities and raised his sword.
“So, you think you can shoot us all with those arrows? Don’t be ridiculous, do you think you’ve won just because you’ve locked us up like this?”
With his eyes distorted wildly, the man sat upright on the back of the horse and shouted. However, there was no expression on Aran’s beautiful face, who was quietly listening. He just stood there and stared coldly without moving.
“I will break down that gate and get out and have your heads cut off!”
His voice, suffocated by evil, resounded. His soldiers cheered at the sword-wielding General. Aran, who had been silently listening to the man’s shouts, who did not know that he was about to die, looked at the 2,000 or so soldiers filling the courtyard of the castle and slowly began to speak.
“I will ask you one thing. How did you know to come to this place?”
The clear resounding voice continued straight without wavering. The General of Taejeokrune frowned upon hearing the monotonous question that had no variation or depth.
“I don’t know why I should answer that question.”
“… …”
“All I can say to you is that I will cut you down, traitor, with my own sword!”
He was an arrogant and sniveling man. Aran didn’t expect an answer from him anyway, so he spoke quietly.
“Yes, there is a traitor here! Then there is no need to wait any longer.”
Aran murmured softly in a flowing voice as he stretched out his left arm. In line with that, the soldiers surrounding the fortress aimed their lit longbows. The strings of their bows were pulled taut, waiting for orders. It was as if someone had urgently shouted, ‘Wait!’
However, Aran lowered his extended arms more quickly. At the same time, hundreds of arrows lit aflame fell into the citadel with a clattering sound, as though they were raining fire from the sky. All the soldiers raised their shields. As though they would avoid it as much as they could.
“You got it wrong.”
Aran muttered to himself. The arrows falling like a rain of fire did not meet their expectations as they fell around the fortress, and the enemy looked at the strange sight with puzzled eyes.
“Shit.”
It seemed as though there was a low sound resounding. At that moment, fire arrows were accurately shot into the powder cases placed all around the fortress walls. At the same time, a huge Bang~ rang out with an ear-piercing sound. A loud bang burst out in succession with a Bang~, BangBang~. The horses were startled by the roar that resonated within the earth and reverberated frantically, and even though the people riding on the horses fell and were trampled on, no one cared. The sound of explosions were heard one after another, and soon after, the walls began to crumble with a Papapow~ sound.
In an instant, the castle became a crypt beneath a wall. It was in that instant that two thousand soldiers were buried in those crumbling walls. The sound of screams and shouts, and the sound of the castle collapsing over and over, continued as if it would never end. A cloud of dust rose like a mist, and a huge roar was heard as an unfathomable pile of snow fell from the mountain until nothing was recognizable.
The great sound of collapsing seemed to bring down the whole mountain. Gradually the ground shook and Cain quickly grabbed Aran’s arm and put him on the horse.
“Go down! Everyone get down the mountain!”
Loud shouts were scattered all over the place. In response, Shaw, Jiyul, and the rest of the soldiers moved quickly and started going down the mountain. In a situation where a landslide might occur, Aran clenched his jaw as he held Cain by the waist. His solid back was like a shield protecting Aran as Cain skillfully descended the mountain, blocking the cloud in front of them.
Rumbling~. A pounding roar from behind followed them as though the earth were swallowing them up. They drove their horses as hard as they could through the dust and crumbling snow. If they had been any later, they would have been buried there together.
After he ran and ran to reach safe ground, Cain stopped his hastily driven horse for a moment and turned around. No matter how many things have fallen, even though they were completely clear of the mountain, the sound of part of the mountain collapsing could still be heard faintly from afar.
“Ha~……”
Aran took a long breath as he stared blankly at the area covered in dust.
“It seems that the foundation was shaken by the collapse of the castle.”
Cain muttered in a soft voice. Listening to his words, Aran looked around at the soldiers who were following him. Most of the people who rode or jumped down were gathering one by one.
“How many were injured or killed?”
“I think there are about two hundred people.”
Jiyul, who approached Aran, caught his breath and spoke quietly. Aran nodded, calming his dizzy mind. Although a fortress, explosives, and a mountain were lost, more than two thousand of Taejeokrune’s soldiers were annihilated, and most of the soldiers were unharmed. Aran sighed, although it cannot be said that there is no loss, he was satisfied with being able to go beyond this level.
“Are you okay, Prince?”
Shaw approached him worriedly. Nodding his head, Aran looked back at him and a few others. Most of them appeared to have only minor abrasions without major injuries.
“Anyway, I blew up the big one.”
Ryugen, who slowly approached Aran on horseback, brushed the dust off and laughed. Not only that, but Jiyul, Shaw, and other heads of state looked relieved.
“It wasn’t bad for an early match.”
Hearing his light laugh, somehow Aran lost his strength and rested his head on Cain’s wide back, which was blocking him like a solid wall. Even then Cain just sat quietly without saying a word, then he slowly turned his head and looked at Aran, but he couldn’t feel his presence.
“Right.”
A low-pitched murmur flowed from him, but there was no sound other than that. He couldn’t do anything other than lean on Cain like that for a while, close his eyes, and catch his breath. There was still the faint sound of the mountains collapsing over the vast expanse of the wide land, where a cold, dusty wind blew endlessly. Aran let out a long sigh, thinking that the desolate sound was just like a dream.
(Chapter 7 complete)
If you’re reading this anywhere other than Foolishtranslationss.wordpress.com, it was stolen from the translator’s website. Reading this anywhere other than the translator’s website ensures that the translator may never translate any other works. Thank you.
T/N:
¹ This is referring to a minor Prefecture↩
² That’s his special jutsu 😉 ↩ but it’s not of a supernatural type.
⁴ I couldn’t come up with a genre-appropriate term so I used a modern one, sorry↩
⁰ Shâtteun – So in all fairness, the name of this city isn’t Shâtteun, it should be translated as Shat, but there was a 0% chance I was going to name a great city, Shat! So I just added the subject particle 은 (eun) to the end to make it sound like a proper noun in English, however, if you can read Korean this may sound stupid.
[I went back in and put this footnote into the earlier chapter, I’m putting it here for 4 people who’ve already read passed it.]
Foolish Translations 
Also who’s the traitor cause how did those soldiers know to come to that place??? Omg this was such a good chapter!
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I loved Shaw calling Cain out. What he said is a hundred percent true. If Cain isn’t fully in this with Aran then he shouldn’t bother. My love for Shaw increased significantly in this chapter. He’s one character that is purely there for Aran as family. Cain needed to be put in his place as an unworthy son in law lol
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Hello, tysm for translating this amazing novel!!
Btw, I have a problem. I can’t go to the next chapter even though I have tap the next button 😦
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Sorry about that, that is where the updates stopped (temporarily)…. New Updates in August.
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Thank you for this translation I enjoy reading this thank you.
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Your so welcome (●’◡’●)
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Thanks for the translation^^
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I glad you enjoyed it 🙂
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You know, as I was editing a section, I can’t help but marvel over how well this story has kept over time. I mean it was originally published in ’09, that’s 13 years! But it still feels fresh.
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It’s honestly much better than a lot of the new novels! So many novels reuse the same plot without adding their own individual ideas
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I agree :), this novel definitely has tropes but the author seems to have concentrated more on the story than exploiting them. I love Dear Benjamin, and I feel the author definitely fine-tuned their archetypes with this novel, but unlike Dear benjamin where sometimes IMHO, it’s obvious that the story is just a vehicle for the smut, this novel puts story first. I’m getting tired of translating this, but I’m not tired of the story.
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I wish Cain would realize that if he’s going to be by Aran’s side, he has to respect the other people Aran chooses to keep close. ESPECIALLY Shaw who is like family. I wonder why Cain is keeping his distance from Jiyul…is he just being cautious, or maybe something from the past? 🤔 *Thanks for the update
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Good Points, and Your welcome 🙂
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