Chapter 285
Chapter 285. Do Not Doubt (3)
"Silence."
When Twilight started to murmur, Pintel raised a hand to quiet them down. Soon, the voices subsided.
"I understand that you are excited, but there is something you all need to know."
Pintel spread his fingers and lowered his voice as if he were about to impart something crucial. Twilight watching him, especially 'Rim Hashar', paid close attention.
"The likely reason for Sir Yulian's summons this time is not for a mission, but rather to conduct individual interviews with each of you."
Interviews? Rim Hashar was taken aback by Pintel's words.
To Yulian, Twilight were nothing more than useful tools. They themselves wished for nothing more and nothing less.
"... Did we do something wrong?"
Rim Hashar opened his mouth in curiosity. Pintel shook his head side to side at his words, yet put on a rather serious expression.
"It doesn't seem like the schedule was set because of any wrongdoing. It's the first time Sir Yulian has utilized you, and haven't you completed your mission well?"
"Then why...?"
Pintel paused in thought. As if organizing his thoughts, he let out a sigh and then seemed to recall something as he began to speak.
"Perhaps, it is to get to know each of you individually."
"Do you mean each of us?"
"Yes."
Pintel nodded.
"Twilight is a unique organization even within the dark group known as the Dawn Society. Not for the archbishops of the highest power, but purely for the sake of Yulian."
Rim Hashar also knew. The Dawn Society was not an ordinary organization. Twilight within it were special even among the Dawn Society.
"In preparation for any unforeseen circumstances, it seems Sir Yulian wishes to have conversations with you."
"... Why does he himself need to bother?"
"Because Sir Yulian wishes to have everything under his control."
Pintel let out a brief laugh.
"Even if there were mishaps, he plans to set the environment so that he can still manage everything."
Rim Hashar was taken aback by his words. 'Mishap' implies something beyond the scope of predictions.
To be able to control such events demonstrates an immense confidence in oneself.
"Though it's unlikely, be mindful of your speech and conduct in his presence."
Pintel sternly warned Twilight.
***
As usual, the reason I want to converse with Twilight is to understand what they are thinking.
'Unconditional loyalty does not exist.'
Think honestly. Am I someone worthy of respect?
The answer is, of course, no.
'Pintel is a rather unusual case.'
In that sense, it is necessary to reassess Twilight.
'Their combat power is genuine.'
That's why I'm confirming.
Because there's value in using them, they are kept close, and to keep them close requires rightful rewards.
Otherwise, they wouldn't receive such attention.
"Hmm."
The place chosen for the conversation with Twilight was a botanical garden located on the outskirts of the capital.
It was the place I had previously spoken with Tenelon. In fact, it had caught my eye back then.
'Indeed, plants are the best.'
As I entered the botanical garden, various plants, including bonsai, greeted me.
Recently, starting with 'bonsai', my affection for 'plants' has been on the rise.
"Because they can be nurtured without unnecessary emotional expenditure."
Unlike human relationships, there is no need to exchange emotional something.
Simply water and nourish them, and they reciprocate by blossoming flowers.
How simple and straightforward a story that is.
"Not having headaches because of it is nice."
Approaching the closest tree, I stretched out my hand to the branch extending downward.
There, red fruits resembling dates were hanging in bunches.
Their stems held a deep green hue reminiscent of the bonsai I was cultivating.
"What is its name?"
Does this botanical garden have a caretaker? If Tenelon isn't an idiot, he wouldn't have been stupid enough to kill the caretaker.
Regardless, I like how it looks.
"Heh, heh heh..."
"Azim, ol azim."
Whoa!
Startled by a sudden voice from behind, I slowly turned my head.
After all, the only ones who would come here are Twilight I summoned.
"Did you call for me, Sir Yulian?"
The first of Twilight I decided to converse with. I took a moment to scrutinize his appearance.
Black hair and amber eyes. There's something familiar about it.
'Al Hashar?'
He reminds me of Al Hashar, the escort knight of Kolparan.
Come to think of it, he too is from the Rahman tribe. According to Pintel, most of Twilight are from the Rahman tribe, so there must be some connection.
Watching what appeared to be a date in my hand, I looked at him.
'A scimitar.'
The curved blade primarily used by tribes of the Suranun Desert. Seeing it piqued my curiosity.
What kind of swordplay could be demonstrated with that scimitar?
***
As Rim Hashar entered the botanical garden, the mingled scents of the various flowers created a lazy summer day's symphony.
One side of the botanical garden housed a pond, over which gentle breezes danced, creating ripples, while golden fish swam gracefully beneath the surface.
A water lily?
As he gazed at the blossoms on the water, Rim Hashar pondered inwardly.
"This kind of place exists in the empire?"
Just a day prior, he had witnessed an unpleasant scene, brewing a sense of animosity toward the empire.
And truth be told, there would be no one from the Suranun Desert who would favorably view the 'empire'.
The plight of the Suranun Desert's nations might have roots in geographical reasons, but the empire's influence played no small part.
'Still.'
Not bad.
'Where could Sir Yulian be?'
Rim Hashar looked around and then a giant palm tree caught his eye.
Rising gracefully, it seemed to connect the earth and sky, like a pillar.
'I didn't expect to see it here.'
Known for embedding its roots in harsh environments, it's a tree that doesn't easily perish and bears 'coconuts'.
Consequently, it's a tree often seen even in the inhospitable Suranun Desert.
In fact, for the Rahman tribe, it holds religious significance.
"When the Liberator vanquished the Shahatans, he planted trees from their corpses for the dying nomads."
That was the origin of the 'palm tree' as it stands before him.
Almost enchanted, Rim Hashar approached the palm tree. In the Suranun Desert, there was a doctrine of showing light courtesy upon encountering this tree.
"... Sir Yulian?"
There was Yulian, lightly caressing the dates and smiling a gentle smile that seemed beyond words to describe in its sanctity.
"Azim, ol azim."
The words spilled from his lips unconsciously.
"Hmm."
Yulian turned his head, locking eyes with Rim Hashar.
His expression was impenetrable, a perpetual smile, evoking a sense of something unearthly and indescribable, rather than human.
Then, Yulian opened his mouth.
"Your name?"
"Rim Hashar."
"Do you know Al Hashar?"
"Yes."
Rim Hashar nodded. Al Hashar, a name he could not be unfamiliar with.
"He is my twin brother."
"I see. You have a similar aura, so I thought there might be a connection."
A speech pattern that seemed to float, as if levitating. Rim Hashar sensed it through Yulian.
"Leaving your homeland to reside in the Adratan Empire must be burdensome. Indeed, it is daunting for anyone to leave their homeland."
There was a layer of melancholy in Yulian's words. Though he was clearly born in the empire, his tone suggested a sense of displacement, as if it was not his true homeland.
"Were you born in the capital, Sir Yulian?"
Rim Hashar's question prompted Yulian to briefly shift his gaze.
"You could say both yes and no."
"... What does that mean?"
"Nowadays, I'm not even sure myself where I originate or what I've been doing."
Yulian's faint smile lingered as he shook his head.
'Seems like he's unable to fully recall memories of his past life.'
That was the only way Rim Hashar could interpret Yulian's words.
"I was speaking rather unnecessarily."
With a perpetual smile, Yulian stroked the palm tree leaf in front of him. Then, he gestured towards the coconuts hanging from the tree.
"Isn't it beautiful?"
The sacred smile in his eyes. In that moment, a verse from a scripture crossed Rim Hashar's mind.
Upon vanquishing Shahatan, the Liberator caused palm trees to spring up, and offered the fruit to the starving people, saying,
"This is my flesh. The gift of my blood to you."
"Azim... ol azim."
Without realizing it, Rim Hashar found himself kneeling, his forehead pressed against the ground, with his hands entwined.
***
What is this guy doing?
I inwardly expressed my puzzlement, watching Rim Hashar suddenly prostrate himself on the ground.
'... I should get to the main topic.'
Why exactly did he join the Dawn Society?
What does he seek by becoming a ground spider?
It's to hear these answers that I've called them for personal conversations.
'I need to know what kind of person he is to work together.'
Furthermore, there was one more reason.
My gaze shifted to the scimitar worn by Rim Hashar.
Curiosity about seeing the swordplay of the Suranun Desert tribes firsthand. It billowed from within me fervently.
'There's much to be done.'
Annoying. It's already making my head hurt. This is why plants are preferable. You just need to grow them without any thoughts.
"Rim Hashar."
Even when I called his name, he remained in his bowing position, muttering to himself.
Feeling a bit overwhelmed, I glanced around. Then, my gaze fell on the coconuts borne by the tree.
Undoubtedly, this tree didn't originate in the mainland of the empire. Yet, it survived and bore fruit.
"I don't know much about the trait of the Rahman tribe."
Rim Hashar displaying such behavior must be connected to his homeland.
In that vein, it's a fitting item to show Rim Hashar.
"Look at this."
Picking a part of the date palm, I showed it to Rim Hashar.
Surely, praying with his forehead against the ground is out of fear from living abroad.
"Like the fruits of this tree, your efforts will surely bear fruit as well."
As expected, Rim Hashar responded.
"Indeed."
No matter how merciless a killer from the Rahman tribe one is, living in a foreign land is grueling.
Rim Hashar accepted the date I handed him. Now to get to the main topic ──.
Crack ─!
Rim Hashar crushed the date with his hand. Red juice started to drip.
Wha, wha-.
Why are you spreading that on your face, you crazy man?
Clacky's Corner:
Yep, it's a cult.