About Two Years and Ten Months Later
Kar Jin dismounted from the ship without ceremony, offering only a curt nod to his awaiting retinue before mounting his horse in a single, practiced motion.
The third princess of the Jin household—without warning, without a single message—had come to Samul Gaya? As he rode swiftly toward Sohyun Castle, Kar's mind was a tangle of unease and questions.
Why had Princess Gami, the political heart and finest strategist of the Jin family, not sent him a word, not even a whisper?
She was the one Sir Pieng always sought counsel from, the very mind behind many of Baekje's most delicate maneuvers.
Could it be true? The rumors that her husband—his own cousin by marriage—had been cast out and now wandered the lands of Gaya?
Ten days earlier, upon hearing the news in Bon Gaya, Kar Jin had departed without hesitation, riding from the central Baekje command post that oversaw all nine trade bases. Along the way, the reports kept coming in: Princess Gami had been traveling through Samul Gaya for nearly two months. Two months—without a word to him. He could only hope the stories were exaggerated.
As Kar Jin and his mounted guards reached the gates of Sohyun Castle, the soldiers on duty rushed to receive them. On any other day, Kar Jin would have dismounted to offer formal greetings, but today, he only slowed his pace as he passed through the gate. The guards, understanding the urgency without being told, swiftly parted the road and ensured a clear path.
He did not stop until he reached the castellan's residence deep within the castle. There, he dismounted and strode quickly to the official's hall. Informed that the princess was already inside, he removed his armor at once and entered respectfully.
Princess Gami sat at the head of the room, her expression calm and commanding. Behind her stood Zeali Woo, blade in hand, poised like a silent sentinel. To her right, young Sui stood attentively; to her left, the boy Dui fidgeted with curiosity.
Before her, the castellan had just completed his report. Gami raised her right hand gently to greet Kar Jin.
"Had I known Her Highness would come to Sohyun," Kar Jin said, bowing deeply, "I would have ridden out myself to welcome you."
Gami smiled. "We grew up together, cousin. There's no need for such formality, Governor Kar."
"If Your Highness insists on treating me as kin, then I will humbly follow your lead," Kar Jin replied with warmth.
"Come, Ka-a," she said, using his childhood nickname. "Here, by Dui."
Kar Jin stepped to Dui's side, ruffling the boy's hair. "You must be Goi's youngest brother," he said, laughing. "The resemblance is uncanny."
The castellan blinked. "Wait… then the swordsman who saved us—he was the third son-in-law of the Jin household?"
Gami nodded. "Yes. Goi is my husband. I didn't hide it out of deceit, but rather to understand the truth clearly. I hope you can understand."
Seeking to move on, she turned to the castellan again. "By the way, did the bear monster say anything about the treasures he guarded?"
The castellan straightened. "I'm afraid I know little. I wasn't even aware such relics were buried within Sohyun."
Zeali spoke from behind. "Was there any report about what the bear creature said?"
"He... expressed resentment," the castellan admitted, "And… mentioned Dangun. Three hundred years. And… and…"
Kar Jin arched an eyebrow. "And?"
"Some curses. The rest... I hesitate to repeat. That's all, sir. Nothing I would feel comfortable quoting directly."
Gami, losing interest in the monster, asked a sharper question. "And the attackers? Have you confirmed their identity?"
The castellan answered without hesitation. "They were a special unit from Ara Gaya."
Now it was Gami's turn to stiffen. "Ara? You mean Gahn Oning's Ara Gaya?"
"Yes, Your Highness," the castellan said, carefully.
Her voice lowered. "And how did Gahn Shingui respond to the report?"
The castellan glanced at Kar Jin, who nodded. Encouraged, the castellan answered, "He dismissed it as a minor incident. Furthermore, he concluded that the soldiers were possessed—madmen under ghostly influence."
Gami nodded slowly. "He would, wouldn't he."
She paused, then turned to Kar Jin. "Ka-a. Inform my elder brother Kwa immediately."
The castellan blinked. Sui leaned in and whispered, "That's her eldest brother. He's leading the Jin clan in place of Sir Pieng."
Gami smiled and patted Sui's back gently. "Also, report to him that defenses must be reinforced across all Baekje bases within the Nine Gayas. You will do that, won't you?"
Kar Jin sighed in mock defeat. "You haven't changed a bit, Gami noona. Still ordering people around... and then asking politely afterward. But yes. Who am I to refuse your command?"
His joking tone brought laughter from Gami and her family. Even the castellan felt his shoulders relax.
He had worried about disgrace, even punishment, for failing to understand the truth behind the stranger who saved them. But now...
The man who wielded such incredible skill—who had brought salvation to Sohyun Castle...
Had been the third son-in-law of the Jin clan of Baekje.
"If only I had treated him better," thought the castellan with a pang. He left without a word, and all I gave him was a few pieces of food... I should have offered gold. No, a chest of it.
Regret mingled with joy in his heart as he stood in silence, the echo of that golden blade still burning in his memory.