With a spirit of ice, they guard the world.

“The warriors of the North gaze at the far North. With a spirit of ice, they guard the world.”

Ding-ding-ding. To the mournful strings, warriors with low voices began to sing the refrain.

Faces, illuminated by the bonfire, glowed a somber orange.

Brody pondered as she savored the lyrics.

‘It’s a little different from the story I know.’

What Brody had read was the Empire’s folklore.

Truth is one, but interpretations vary depending on the teller.

‘It’s rather weak. ‘Who gained everything? Who lost everything?’ Provocation and sorrow toward the Empire are evident.’

The precarious relationship in the forcibly sworn knight’s oath. Wasn’t that the essence of the tension between the Empire and the North? A pride that they’ve defended the Empire, the people, from monsters kept them resiliently alive.

Otherwise, they would have turned their backs on the Empire much earlier.

Brody revisited the folklore passed down in the Empire.

After Cloria froze to death, Hieldieta went mad.

He may have pacified the monsters of the North, but he also put the whole world at risk of freezing.

Before the weeping populace and the frozen flora, the Sun Spirit intervened and subjugated him.

Kneeling before him, Hieldieta listened as the Sun Spirit made a weighty and grave “promise.”

“I intend to establish an Empire. An Empire where humans can live peacefully. You shall become a knight of the Empire and return to your homeland. Guard the North, protect the Empire there.”

The promise was a lifeline, providing him meaning while also bettering the world.

‘How wise and gracious the verdict was, the folklore ended in lavish praise.’
While Brody pondered, the lute emitted a final quivering note and vanished into thin air.

After a brief pause, Brody began to clap softly, prompting applause from the knights as well.

“Kid, you had such a trick up your sleeve?”

“Aye, nice one. A drink in a pub would be perfect right now.”

“Hehe, thank you, thank you.”

At the crowd’s cheerful response, Teddy stood and bowed deeply, showcasing his skills as a petit bard.

“Ah, it’s been a while since I’ve performed. It does tug at the heartstrings.”

He embraced his lute and sat back down.

“The hero of the north gained nothing. He’s likely deep in slumber now, avoiding any remembrance of Cloria. How bitter.”

Teddy sighed sentimentally.

“It would have been better if they hadn’t defied fate with their love. It was a story with a predetermined ending after all.”

The knight whom Teddy had referred to as ‘brother’ spoke as he stroked his chin.

With a crackle, a small flame momentarily arose from the firewood in the campfire that Aidan was tending to, before disappearing.

People glanced at the minor disturbance unconsciously and returned to their own thoughts.

Another knight added his thoughts.

“Yet it’s because of that love defying fate that peace came to humanity. It’s quite ironic.”

A boisterous knight chimed in.

“Yeah, the north sacrificed for the empire to find peace. That chapter is closed now.”

A nearby knight nudged the boisterous one with his elbow.

“Hey.”

His gaze seemed to be concerned about Brody, who hailed from the imperial capital.

Brody caught the atmosphere and offered a faint smile.

It was a sign that it was fine, no worries.

Yet the mood had dipped slightly, prompting Teddy to raise his voice cheerfully.

“So, how did you find the tale, m’lady?”

Being suddenly the center of attention made Brody slightly uncomfortable.

Even Aidan seemed curious as his eyes left the campfire for a moment to look at her.

Brody finally spoke her sentiments.

“To be honest, I found it somewhat unsettling.”

The burly northern knights swallowed hard, their Adam’s apples rising and falling.

‘Maybe it’s because she’s from the empire.’

‘Why did he have to sing such a sensitive song?’

‘No, I was reminded of Calihel because of the song. The song itself was beautiful.’

The knights communicated through their glances.

Yet, Brody continued undeterred.

“I’m speaking of Hieldieta’s choice.”

Hieldieta’s choice? Not the empire being disparaged? Intrigued, the knights lent an ear again.

“I believe he shouldn’t have forced Cloria away. She wanted to be with him. He should have respected her wishes.”

Teddy protruded his lips and chimed in.

“But to save Cloria…”

“Did she ask to be saved?”

“Well, no, but… It was his element that eventually led to her death. Shouldn’t he have tried something?”

“Do you think Cloria didn’t know? From the moment she began to love him, she must have known what awaited them.”

“…”

“In the end, what killed Cloria was the fire.”

The knights scratched their chins, shook their heads, and blinked, each revealing their thoughts.

Many had empathized with Hieldieta, but this was the first time anyone had considered the story from Cloria’s perspective.

Brody fixated her eyes on the campfire as she continued speaking.
“If she hadn’t died like that, there wouldn’t be an ending like this now, would there? For instance, if she had closed her eyes beside Hieldieta…?”

“Either way, doesn’t she die?”

“It’s not ‘either way, she dies.’ There’s a big difference between the two.”

“Depending on whether she’s beside Hieldieta or not?”

“Not just that. But because it was her choice. Doesn’t she keep saying it in the song? Clearly and precisely. That she wants to be by his side.”

Aidan turned his head to look at Brody, who was engrossed in the story. The flickering shadows cast by the campfire danced deeply on her profile. Her soft, wheat-colored hair shimmered quietly, mixed with hints of orange.

Once again, Brody’s lips quietly parted.

“Cloria decided to love Hieldieta. Until she dies.”

Aidan felt a chill.

Awooooo! Wo, woo! Woooooooo!

Hmmp.

The group, previously immersed in the atmosphere of an old tale, collectively shuddered at the spine-chilling sound.

The howls of the wolf pack had changed. Even the seasoned knights from the North had their hairs stand on end.