The Price of Breaching the Contract - Chapter 112

The spring sky was clear, and the wind was calm. Today was the day Yulania decided to accompany Santia to the sacred stone landfill.

They had planned to be flexible depending on the weather, but it turned out to be a perfect day for an outing.

Yulania gazed at the clear sky through the window and smiled softly. Gentle sunlight enveloped her hand, and she squinted, whispering,

“We must go today. It would be a waste to delay on such a day.”

Santia nodded silently beside her. His gaze was fixed on the view outside the window, but his fingertips gently encircled Yulania’s waist. Since her second pregnancy, he had been particularly attentive to her movements, especially on days like today when they were going out.

“You always tell me not to overdo it, but when I say I’m going, you’re the first to prepare the carriage.”

At Yulania’s remark, Santia blinked for a moment, then smiled knowingly.

“I have no intention of making you overdo it.”

At those words, Yulania quietly reached out and clasped his hand.

In the silent exchange of glances, a gentle warmth spread between them.

This journey was not as arduous as before. Gone were the days when they traversed treacherous snowy mountains together as part of the expedition to find the sacred stone. With the gathering of scholars and the commencement of full-scale research and development of the sacred stone, new roads had been forged. Although they couldn’t reach the landfill by carriage, the long hours of walking had been reduced by more than half, and the snow that used to sink up to their knees was now melting under the spring breeze.

The carriage departed from the castle and headed towards the landfill. The scenery outside the window was still the rugged and vast land of the north, but within it, a new order and potential were clearly emerging.

The boundary where green grasses were sprouting, and the roofs of artificially constructed observatories and small research facilities came into view.

“It starts from there.”

Santia pointed to a small signpost. Under the name “Sacred Stone Development Zone,” a small Makari emblem was engraved.

Yulania took a slow breath. Her hand naturally rested on her stomach. The thought of stepping onto this land for the first time with her unborn child filled her with emotion.

“So this land has truly become a part of us.”

“If it weren’t for you, this place would still be a desolate border no one visits.”

They carefully stepped out of the carriage, checking the ground beneath their feet. The soil was firm, and the breeze was gentle. Beyond the boundary, the crystal zone, imbued with the light of the sacred stone, was visible. Some scholars and technicians were inspecting the installed equipment, and some of them hastily bowed upon seeing the Duke and Duchess of Makari.

“Your Highness! You’ve come in person.”

Yulania nodded and slowly walked over, asking one of the scholars,

“How is the research progressing these days?”

The scholar blushed and spread out the materials he was holding.

“Yes, it has been almost proven that the energy waves of the sacred stone have a regular cycle. If we can predict it, we will be able to extract energy stably or prepare for emergencies.”

Yulania carefully examined the materials and nodded. Santia quietly watched her from a step behind, then asked,

“These things will they become the foundation of the generation we are building?”

Yulania turned to look at her husband.

“Our job is to make sure our children can walk this path you’ve created comfortably.”

Their eyes met, and under the clear spring sky, they slowly resumed their walk towards the center of the sacred stone landfill.

The horse Santia rode that day was no ordinary horse. It was a breed unique to northern Makari, whose vitality had been drastically enhanced by the sacred stone, making its speed and endurance far superior to ordinary horses, making it difficult for ordinary soldiers to handle. Only Santia could ride it skillfully, as few possessed the strong energy and ability to connect with the horse.

Upon arrival, Yulania paused and gazed at the scene before her for a long moment.

It was truly vast. One might describe it as desolate, but in Yulania’s eyes, this plain was far from empty. It held the future. The faint afterglow of the sacred stone, shimmering as if the land were breathing, permeated the entire field, proving that this was no longer a dead land.

Traces of excavation, collapsed piles of earth, makeshift structures, and temporary equipment were scattered in a disorganized manner, but even that conveyed a sense of vitality. It was messy but beautiful. Like the gestures of someone trying to rebuild a shattered life, this place was rough but alive.

Santia gazed at the horizon stretching far into the distance with an expression as if seeing it for the first time. The immeasurable expanse weighed heavily on him, felt throughout his entire being. He spoke in a very soft voice.

“I didn’t intend to found a nation.”

Hearing those words, Yulania slowly stood beside him. Gathering her hands in front of her, she took step after step forward, also gazing at the scene.

“There’s too much hope.”

Santia looked at her. Under the warm sunlight, her eyes were subtly trembling, but they clearly held a light within them. A bright light filled with not fear, but emotion and cautious anticipation.

Yulania gently stroked her stomach with her fingertips. Though it didn’t show yet, this small life would one day walk this land. Shuria, who couldn’t even speak yet, and the unborn child.

“I really didn’t expect it to come to this.”

Yulania opened her mouth.

“I just wanted you to protect me and me to protect you, that’s all I wished for.”

“That hasn’t changed. And it won’t in the future.”

At Santia’s words, Yulania smiled faintly. But the words that followed were heavier than expected.

“We changed the world for that.”

There was a brief silence. They silently gazed at the plain. A gust of wind swept past, and the light of the sacred stone flickered slightly in its wake.

“Are you perhaps afraid?”

Santia asked.

Yulania slowly looked up at his face.

“I am. But, we can’t avoid it because we’re scared. We go forward with fear.”

Santia said nothing and held her hand tightly. Warmth spread from their fingertips.

“People will flock here. People coming to work, people coming to live, people looking for opportunities and people with greed.”

“Yes.”

Yulania quietly nodded.

“There are so many places we have to protect now. So, many that sometimes I wonder if I can embrace them all.”

“Don’t worry. Half of it is mine.”

At Yulania’s playful reply, Santia kissed the back of her hand lightly.

“The two of us are enough.”

It was now a certainty. They no longer denied it. The two of them would plant a new order beyond the borders of Makari, on the shattered old land. With light, with love, with memory.

Yulania took one last step forward. The sacred stone beneath their feet sparkled in response. She said quietly,

“With you, I can handle any world.”

Santia did not reply. He simply put his arm around her shoulder and together they gazed at the vast world unfolding beneath their feet. A land not yet complete, but clearly a land of hope.

From this day forward, the Makari landfill began to be recorded not as a mere resource, but as the starting point of a new era.

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