Earl Sedes Bazlata, lord of House Bazlata, clutched his head in despair. “Argh... Where has Seren gone?!” he said as he sat alone in his office.
His daughter had run off before her marriage to House Arvale, and he hadn’t heard a word from her since.
He’d dispatched his vassals to investigate, but they hadn’t found a single clue. At this rate, the Bazlatas’ relationship with House Arvale would almost certainly be ruined.
“Pardon the intrusion, Lord Sedes,” one of his vassals said as he entered, “but we’ve just obtained crucial information regarding Lady Seren’s disappearance!”
“What? Is this true?” Sedes leaped from his seat, unable to contain himself.
“Word has been spreading throughout the territory about a new village in the northern wastelands of Arvale. The rumors have even reached Bazlata!”
“You’re saying there’s a settlement way out there?” Sedes paused, remembering something. “Wait, you mean the wastelands Lord Luke was ordered to develop?”
“Yes, my lord. And apparently, his village has grown at an astounding pace. They say the population is nearing ten thousand already.”
“Ten thousand? Why, that can’t be! Lord Luke was exiled barely a year ago!”
“I-I know, my lord. That’s why we believe...Lady Seren might have taken up residence there.”
“Well, I can see that. But if Lord Luke truly built a town of that scale in such a short time...”
A whole new set of worries began swirling in Sedes’s mind.
“What if his position as heir is restored? N-No, surely not. Lord Raoul just achieved major success in Arvale’s recent war. Surely, he’s secured his position as heir. And that means Seren must wed him.” Earl Sedes nodded firmly to himself. “Go investigate that village immediately. And if you find Seren, bring her back no matter what. Do whatever it takes.”
After investigating, his vassal confirmed that Seren was living in the frontier town. But despite multiple attempts, she refused to return home. The earl refused to give up and sent envoy after envoy.
“I apologize, Lord Sedes. I met with Lady Seren, but once again, she said she has no intention to return.”
“I see...”
Sedes let out a weary sigh. This must’ve been the fifth dead end—no, the sixth. It seemed his daughter’s resolve was stronger than he had imagined.
“There’s one more thing, my lord.”
“What is it?”
“H-Here.” His vassal held out a piece of parchment. It was a letter of resignation.
Sedes looked up at him in disbelief. “You’re moving to that city too?!”
“F-Forgive me, my lord, but it is truly incredible! The food is delicious, the beds are comfortable, and you can soak in spacious, luxurious baths anytime you want!” he replied, voice trembling with excitement.
Sedes couldn’t even muster the energy to sigh anymore. Everyone he’d sent to that village had done the same thing. They’d all immediately submitted their resignation and moved there permanently. It was like they’d become possessed or something.
“Every last one of them!” Sedes yelled after his vassal had left. “They leave without a second thought after all I’ve done for them! Is the village really that wonderful?!” He couldn’t risk sending anyone else at this point. “Just what kind of place is it, anyway?”
He wanted to see it for himself, but his duties as lord kept him far too busy for such a trip.
“Father, you seem to be having quite a bit of trouble convincing my sister to return,” his son said.
“Oh, Sirius! You’re back!”
“Yes, I just returned.”
Sirius had fought alongside House Arvale as its ally in the recent war, along with a brigade of soldiers from House Bazlata.
Sedes had received word that Sirius had distinguished himself in battle despite it being his first campaign. Like his sister Seren, he was also Twice Gifted. He looked so much like her that people often mistook him for a girl.
But on the battlefield, his overwhelming strength terrified enemy soldiers.
“She’s really selfish sometimes, isn’t she?”
“So you’ve heard? Still, I never imagined Lord Luke was capable of something like this. Depending on how things develop, who knows whether Lord Raoul or Lord Luke will end up more powerful—”
“No, that’s not a concern,” Sirius said, interrupting him confidently. “Ultimately, Lord Luke’s Gift is just for building villages. There’s no way he could ever rival Lord Raoul, who possesses the Sword Mastery Gift. I saw it with my own eyes. His power is on an entirely different level, and he can use his Gift flawlessly. He could wipe out an entire city in no time if he really wanted to.”
“I see.” Sedes couldn’t help but believe his son. “But you know how stubborn Seren is. She won’t listen to a word I say.”
“Then I’ll bring her back myself.”
“Are you sure? But you just got home.”
“It’s fine. I’m still riding my post-battle high. I’d go stir-crazy sitting around here,” Sirius insisted.
“You’re so dependable, my son.” Tears welled up in Sedes’s eyes as he gazed at Sirius. But suddenly, a dark thought crossed his mind.
What if Sirius decides to move to that village too?
No, he had to trust his son.
“I’m counting on you, Sirius,” he said.
“Yes, father. Leave it to me.”
And so, Sedes confidently sent his son off to the village.