Chapter 27 - EPISODE 27 – DEVIL’S HAND (8) (1/2)
Sunflower.
Beyond the northernmost border of the Sälen Kingdom, at the entrance to the land of barbarians, lies a historic site called Frost Anvil.
The most prevalent theory is that it is the ruins of an old kingdom built by the Frost Dwarves. However, the important thing about the Frost Anvil area is that it was an extreme land with the harshest temperatures.
‘What’s the coldest place on the continent? It’s Frost Anvil of course.’
In fact, it wasn’t just a cold place. It was a place where if you sprayed water in the air, it would become icicles.
Opinions were divided on why this extreme zone was created, with some saying that the Frost Dwarves’ device was still in operation, and the theological view that it was created because of a god’s curse.
‘There is one legend in Frost Anvil.’
Once every 20 years, somewhere in Frost Anvil, a ‘Sunflower’ blooms with Yang energy.
A flower rich in Yang that blooms in an extreme land.
And this story was a fact, not a legend.
‘In a way, it’s more useful than the Sunfire Carp.’
Among the items with Yang energy that appeared in Legend of Heroes 2, the king of items was obviously the Sunfire Carp, but in fact, the Sunfire Carp was an item that didn’t have any other uses except for its Yang energy.
On the other hand, the Sunflower may have less Yang energy than the Sunfire Carp, but it had a function that increased the overall abilities of the body, and also transformed the body of the person absorbing it into having a special physical constitution.
‘Lucas had said it first.’
In the original story, the Sunflower event didn’t happen until the main event.
It was close to a hidden event like “Cordelia and the Fairies’ Banquet,” and it could be said to be an event prepared for Lucas, although any character in the north, including Jude and Lucas, could trigger it.
‘Well…Lucas only knows that the Sunflower is a flower with Yang energy.’
There is a saying that those with too much Yin or Yang energy can be rather harmful to the body because the energy is biased towards one side.
An example is Gueumjulmaek.
“I have heard of it. It’s a flower with Yang energy, right?”
“Yes, it’s a flower that is passed down like a legend in the north. But…”
Lucas suddenly lowered his voice and approached Jude a little closer before speaking in a low voice.
“It’s a fact, not a legend. Count Hræsvelgr’s records show the story of a man who discovered the Sunflower 20 years ago.”
“Ooh…”
Although Jude had already known it, he acted like he didn’t knew.
The listener’s interest was the best way to open up a story.
“This is now the 20th year. Winter is coming soon in the north…it is timely too.”
At this point, it was obvious what Lucas intended to say about the Sunflower.
It was a situation in which he was recommending the Sunflower to Jude.
‘The question is why is he doing this.’
No, he already has an idea why.
Jude already knew what kind of person Lucas Hræsvelgr was.
“That’s an interesting story.”
Jude said, gulping down his saliva.
Pretending to be uninterested but making it look like he is actually interested…it was the kind of acting that Cordelia couldn’t do, but Jude could.
Lucas’ dark blue eyes glistened in excitement.
“Mr. Jude Bayer, would you like to go to the north with me?”
‘Bingo!’
Jude, who was cheering inside, did not hide his feelings. He played the role of a young master who was still immature by expressing joy all over his face and then hurriedly calming himself down.
“You mean…to the north?”
“Yes. If you are fine with it, Mr. Bayer, I would like to invite you to Count Hræsvelgr. If you want, you can even take Lady Cordelia with you.”
‘Oh, Lucas. Oh, Lucas.’
He was very useful in the fight against Minos.
Jude tried to suppress his desire to kiss Lucas’ forehead, and continued his acting by speaking with quivering lips.
“Really…I’m very grateful for the offer. But…why though?”
The relationship between Count Bayer and Count Hræsvelgr was neither good nor bad.
At first glance, it would seem that there was a bad relationship between the two because Count Hræsvelgr took over the margrave position, which was previously monopolized by Count Bayer, but in fact, there was one more family between the two.
‘From Count Bayer to Count Pael before to Count Hræsvelgr.’
It was nearly 50 years ago that the Count of Bayer held the margrave position.
Due to the death of that time’s Count Bayer from a large-scale battle with the northern barbarians, the position of Margrave was transferred to Count Pael. However, it wasn’t long before another tragedy happened, and the newly appointed margrave, Count Pael, unexpectedly died.
Therefore, the center dispatched Count Hræsvelgr, who was a talented man and at the forefront of the ten swordmasters at that time, and from then on, Count Hræsvelgr maintained his position as the head of the 12 northern families.
‘We’re not enemies, but that doesn’t mean we’re on good terms.’
Should I say we’re just friends?
At Jude’s question, Lucas’ face slightly turned red as he looked away and said.
“Because…I thought I met a good rival.”
‘As I expected.’
Jude felt like his laughter would leak out at the expected answer, but he kept a serious expression.
“You mean…your rival?”
“Yes, I’m a little embarrassed, but up until this day, I’ve never met someone my age who was a good match against me.”
Lucas was a sword genius.
He wasn’t born with Gueumjulmaek like Jude, so he grew up demonstrating his brilliant talent from childhood.
“I have no peers I can compare with…that may sound good, but in fact, I’ve always felt lonely. An existence that can stand on equal footing with me and move forward with me…I’ve always longed for such a rival.”
Lucas’ face and voice was full of sincerity.
He looked like a handsome and attractive-looking man out of a painting, so the listening Jude had to use his all to maintain a serious face.
‘Ah, really. It’s so cheesy.’
I already knew it from Lucas’ character settings but listening to it in person felt new in many ways.
“Mr. Jude Bayer.”
“Yes, Lord Lucas.”
When Jude barely answered in time, Lucas stared at Jude with a serious face and abruptly grabbed Jude’s hand.
“I was convinced when I saw Mr. Bayer fighting. It became clear to me that Mr. Bayer was my long-aspired rival.”
‘Well, Maximilian was originally his rival, but Jude has Cheonmujiche, so I’m worthy of being his rival. But why is he holding my hand?’
Jude barely suppressed his inner thoughts as he faced Lucas’ strong gaze head on.
“So I thought. Let’s heal Mr. Bayer’s disease as soon as possible.”
If that happens, Jude can use his talents properly.
In fact, after we defeated Minos, Lucas’ mind was filled with thoughts of Cordelia.
It was not because he fell in love with Cordelia, but because her true colors were so shocking.
But as time went by, Jude’s fight kept coming to his mind.
The movement shown by Jude.
His unmatched fighting method.
A talented genius that can be recognized by a fellow talented genius.
“Mr. Bayer, let’s go to the north together. I will help you find the Sunflower.”
It was an unexpected proposal.
But this time again, instead of answering right away, Jude paused and took his time.
It was to keep Lucas in suspense.
‘Hmm, this should be okay.’
Was it roughly 20 seconds already?
During that time, Lucas’ eyes shook, before Jude finally responded in a heavy yet serious tone, as if he was opening his mouth after careful consideration.
“Thank you very much. However…rather than asking to find the Sunflower together, I am more touched that Lord Lucas, who is called the Girin of Hræsvelgr, regards me as a good rival. I have just begun walking the path of martial arts, but I want to live up to Lord Lucas’ expectations.”
“Mr. Bayer, your words are…”
“Yes, I will go with Lord Lucas.”
When Jude spoke with a big smile, Lucas breathed out in relief and brightly smiled too.
“I look forward to going north with Mr. Bayer.”
“Yes, I look forward to it too.”
Once the story came to an end, Lucas rose from his seat with a happy face and returned to the knights of Count Hræsvelgr.
Seeing that Lucas’ lingering excitement could be seen in his steps, Jude thought he was still a young boy of sixteen years.
‘He’s a heroic novel enthusiast.’
The current situation itself was almost the same as the beginning of ‘Biltwein the Hero,’ one of Lucas’ favorite hero novels.
The words that Jude said in the end, about being happier that he became Lucas’ rival more than the Sunflower, was almost the same words that Catelan, the rival of the main character Biltwein, said.
Lucas must have felt like he was Biltwein during our conversation.
‘So, does that solve one thing?’
Jude’s shoulders lightly drooped as he turned to Cordelia.
Cordelia was even using body movements in telling Sylvia and Viola, who were so absorbed in the story, about the fairies’ banquet.