The Price of Breaching the Contract - Chapter 49

With the completion of the knights’ barracks following Santia and Yulania’s quarters, the final stage of preparing the camp was reached.

Santia took off his heavy coat, slung it over his shoulder, and gave Haron an order with practiced ease.

“Bring out the holy stones.”

Haron was the first to respond, pulling a large cloth sack from his luggage. Since they had a large area to defend with so many people, there were more sacks than usual.

He took out fist-sized, gray stones one by one and lined them up in front of Santia. Holy stones with faint light in their wrinkled surfaces. At first glance, they were just ordinary rocks, but they demonstrated amazing power when mana was imbued within them.

Yulania, curious at the sight of the holy stones, approached to watch. It seemed he was doing what he had shown her in the castle before. As expected, Santia began to touch the holy stones one by one with the tip of his sword, and a faint light entered them.

Yulania, watching with curious eyes, recalled what he had said. And after confirming the holy stone still glowing yellow in her arms, she steeled her resolve. She approached the row of holy stones and carefully opened her mouth.

“Could I try it too?”

Santia stopped moving his sword and turned his head. His eyebrows rose slightly.

The knights preparing the camp around them also subtly raised their heads. Yulania hesitated, but soon clenched her hands tightly and continued.

“I want to try it too. I feel like I know how to do it.”

Santia took a short breath. He paused for a moment, then put down his sword. His touch still seemed indifferent, but Yulania could feel the small concession within it.

“Very well. Give it a try.”

As soon as permission was granted, Yulania carefully picked up a holy stone.

The moment the cold stone touched her palm, she instinctively placed her fingertips on it carefully. And like the holy stone she held in her arms, she calmed her mind and focused.

She erased the sounds of breathing around her, the sound of the wind in the distance, and listened only to the sound of her own heart. And she focused on her emotions. That everyone here could be safe. That her heart could be of help to Santia.

As she held the holy stone with a fervent heart, she slowly felt a vibration along with her heartbeat.

Thump.

Thump.

And with that movement, a faint yellow light began to appear. The light, which started faintly, quickly became a clear, warm light and spread from her hand.

The knights watching the scene quietly gasped, filling the silence. Santia also quietly watched the magical moment forming at Yulania’s fingertips.

Haron, who was organizing the holy stones, was surprised and mumbled blankly.

“It glowed.”

Yulania slowly put down the holy stone. Perhaps because she was too nervous, her fingertips trembled. The holy stone she had been holding emitted a warm color, slightly different from the holy stones that Santia had touched with his sword to inject mana.

“It really worked.”

Santia said in a low voice. The surrounding knights began to murmur.

“The Princess imbued mana into the holy stone! Amazing!”

“Such a blessing to Makari!”

The atmosphere, filled with surprise and bewilderment, quickly turned to joy. In particular, the knights of Makari stretched their lips into long smiles.

Yulania blushed with embarrassment. But a small joy quietly arose in her heart.

‘ I can be useful too.’

Following this, the holy stones were placed one by one, and Santia began to lead again.

He led the knights with short, precise commands.

“Place the holy stones at five-pace intervals. The Hylon Knights will take charge of the eastern border. The Royal Investigation Unit will monitor the rear.”

Yulania watched all of this, vaguely feeling that she was included in it too. The feeling that she, who had always been protected, could now be of some help, even if only a little. She felt a sense of accomplishment rising as she looked at the holy stones emitting the yellow light she had filled.

Santia’s back, commanding so many knights, still felt too broad and distant. But she was overwhelmed with an unbearable emotion at the fact that she might no longer be just someone who followed along.

“Santia.”

That night, just before falling asleep in the barracks, Yulania revealed that feeling to the person closest to her.

“I was helpful, right?”

At that moment, the corners of Santia’s lips rose very slightly, but definitely.

“Yes.”

A short but definite affirmation. Only after hearing that answer could Yulania sigh in relief and close her eyes.

Even in that harsh winter beyond the wall, his arms were warm.

The next day, as dawn broke, a small commotion arose, and Yulania’s mood brightened even more.

The knights, who were preparing breakfast by the campfire, were the first to notice the unusual state of the holy stones.

“Captain! Captain, this is still glowing?!”

Only a few of the dozens of holy stones in a circle were maintaining their light. They were the dozen or so holy stones that Yulania had lit up the night before.

“Does this mean we won’t even encounter those bastards?”

Diego approached and exclaimed in admiration at the sight.

Yulania felt a tickling sensation in her heart. It was the first time she had received such sincere praise.

‘I can be helpful to someone. With my ability.’

The thought alone made her want to cry.

“What are you doing without your clothes on?”

At that moment, warmth was added to her shoulders along with a familiar grumbling voice. It was Santia, who had come out with Yulania’s cloak, having heard the welcome sound. In his hand was soup for a simple breakfast.

“Eat.”

Yulania blinked in surprise as she accepted it with both hands. She hadn’t expected him to take care of her so meticulously. When she remained still, Santia spoke askew.

“Do I have to feed you?”

“No. Thank you.”

Santia’s face was still stern, but his earlobes were slightly red. Yulania smiled quietly, holding the bowl. The warmth from the soup felt like Santia’s body temperature, and she was glad.

‘Warm.’

As she slowly took a sip of the soup, a savory flavor melted her body and mind. It was a warmth that seemed to melt away all the confusion and anxiety of yesterday. She herself found it strange that her mood was fluctuating so much from day to day, but she was satisfied in her own way.

If she could be this warm every day, she felt like she could navigate the whirlpool of emotions.

She continued her meal, not losing her faint smile. And she murmured very quietly, so that no one could hear.

“Good.”

Santia paused for a moment after hearing those words, but without saying anything, he raised his head and looked at the sky where the moon was still faintly visible.

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