READING GUIDANCE
" This is a direct sentence in the present time."
" This is a direct sentence in the past time."
' This is a character's inner thought in the present time.'
' This is a character's inner thought in the past time.'
[ This is a direct sentence in sign language in the present time.]
[ This is a direct sentence in sign language in the past time.]
HAPPY READING!
.
Pope Joseph was really mad after learning about their plan to leave the village, and the other villagers showed their concerns toward them. They literally expressed their feelings so vividly that it made Irisha feel a little bad. Even though leaving the village was not uncommon—in fact, many youngsters from this village had already left to find their fortune—the villagers were dramatic enough to show their disagreement with Irisha's decision.
Irisha knew that pretty well.
She is deaf and mute.
She is a disabled person.
What could she do outside the world? What could she do by herself while taking care of a child like her sister?
Of course, she understood it well and was really grateful for their concern, because it meant that they worried about them, right? So at that moment, when Pope Joseph fumed over her decision, instead of feeling discomfort, she felt warmth and tried to respect his feelings toward them. From the first to the very end, he had been the one who took very good care of her and her sister.
[ I have already thought about it for a long time. I've planned everything to ensure my decision will not harm us. So please don't worry,] she said to the old man who still showed his disagreement. [ I signed a contract with a Southern Merchant to work with them. You know them too, right, Pope? They are kind people, so I feel safe entrusting my life and my sister with them.] She tried hard to persuade and soothe him, but it seemed to fail.
" So now you are saying that you will bring your sister to a place you have never set foot in?! Do you even know how dangerous the world could be?"
[ I know pretty well—]
" It is so far away; it takes two months by carriage. The weather is not friendly, and there are many bad people who could harm you."
[ I know, but please listen to me—]
" Don't be so naïve, Irisha! I know you admire the outside world, but it's not all beauty! There are so many dangers, and you are mature enough to avoid them!"
[ Please, listen to—]
" What can someone like you even do?" he said, his reddened face stiffening as he realized what he had just said. The villagers around them also stopped what they were doing as the atmosphere became heavy.
She could see how awkward it had become, as everyone knew how taboo that statement was. Even though she had never thought of her disability in that way, some people had tried to appreciate her in a way that created this awkwardness. She just needed to understand that. That's why she started to talk.
[ I know I am mute and deaf. Yet, aren't you the one who sees me for who I am, Pope?] she asked, holding his hand dearly.
Pope Joseph looked into her eyes while holding her hand tight and signed with his other hand, "...yes, I am the one who knows how wonderful and beautiful you are." The fume on his face softened, and he looked like a father about to lose his child. She could see tears in his wrinkled face.
" I just worry that if something happens to both of you... I won't be there, by your side."
At that very moment, she replayed memories from her past life—the memory of a very old man she had once despised and cursed. The one she had decided to leave, who had died alone with wrinkled skin.
'Did that man feel this too?'
Even though his image in her memories was not clear, the vivid and painful feeling that lingered in her heart was something she would regret for the rest of her life.
' If I knew, I wish I could have made you happy,' she repeated the wish that could not be fulfilled.
Then, from the depths of her heart, while trying to move forward and live her life, she said in vain:
' Please forgive me, Papa.'
Embracing the craving to meet him and say the words she could never say with her own mouth while she still had the chance, she whispered a simple, magical phrase:
' I love you, Papa.'
That memory somehow mirrored the feeling she had toward Pope Joseph.
[ I will be okay, Pope,] she said, smiling warmly. [ ...and if there is ever a time I am not okay, I will come back to you immediately because I know you will protect me. But please don't worry. I am also your daughter—the one you taught to be strong. I will overcome any problem.]
After hearing this, the stiff-faced Pope Joseph, whom some feared, cried aloud while hugging her and Arisha. He truly looked like a miserable parent who did not want his daughters to leave his side. Even on the day they left, his tears continued to fall.
[ We have to write a letter to the villagers,] she said, while they were inside one of the Southern Merchant carriages she had mentioned. It was a large carriage with many goods to sell. They sat in the front seat near the coachman. Arisha, excited, nodded happily even though she had cried hard when leaving the village.
" I will write all of them a letter," Irisha said. " I am so happy! I am really excited to see so many things outside the village!"
[ We may not go around the world that fast, but people say the Southern area is unique.]
" What is unique about the Southern area?"
" It is known as an ancient land among Althera," said the coachman to Arisha. His name was Haya, a young man from the Southern region, assigned to help Irisha and her sister. He sat at the coachman's seat, looking forward, so Irisha could not see his lips, nor did he use sign language. Arisha still answered him in sign language out of reflex. She listened excitedly and asked many questions about the holy dragon.
For Irisha, who once lived in a sophisticated world with technology, hearing that dragons exist and that some humans inherited their blood made her skeptical. Even though she had seen many people talk about it as normal, she could not believe it.
' The golden imperial family blessed by the two-suns god, the family blessed by the god of blue fire, and the dragon that inherited blood to humans... seems like there are so many gods, and they sure have a lot of free time,' she thought.
" Oh-ho, I'm sorry—I forgot to use sign language!" Haya said, apologetically frowning.
[ What is it?] Irisha asked, smiling.
Haya panicked. " Eh, I'm sorry, I'm still learning—"
" It's okay, I will translate for you," Arisha said, smiling widely. Haya calmed down and adjusted himself so Irisha could see his face.
" Just like I said before, the name is Malum Empire, known as the dragons' tamer. You will see many dragons, so don't be too surprised—most of them are tamed," he said, showing a funny expression full of admiration.
"They are so sacred and majestic. It would be cool to ride one."
" You can ride the dragons?"
" Yes, but only a few people. Dragons have an aura that can weaken ordinary humans. To ride them, you must be immune." He then showed a disappointed expression and sighed.
" Well, the training is hard, and gaining a dragon's respect is even harder."
[ What do you mean by respect?] asked Irisha.
After listening to Arisha explain, Haya continued, " Even if you are immune to the aura, you must earn the dragon's respect to ride it. They are descendants of the ancient holy dragon, so they are prideful. Even a high-tier Holy Knight cannot succeed if the dragon dislikes them."
[ That's sad.]
"Oh, but all dragons obey the Imperial Family naturally."
" Why?"
" Because the Imperial Family inherited the blood of the holy ancient dragon," Haya said, taking a short break. " But I don't really like the Imperial Family."
" Are they bad people?"
" ...They are all tyrants, basically," he said, trembling as he spoke. "But they create good policies, so I don't mind it. For ordinary people like us, we rarely encounter them, so I am grateful for that. My advice: just don't break any rules. Then you'll be okay."
That story intrigued her. Tyrants were not good in her eyes, so she should think twice about going there. On the other hand, she likely could not get a job where Arisha could receive a proper education without accepting the offer.
Was it important to go outside? Yes—for her, it was important to see the beauty of the world and appreciate everything inside it. She had never done that before and regretted every second. Why hadn't she taken time to appreciate it? Why hadn't she realized the joy of seeing the world?
Was it worth the consequences? Yes. Seeing Arisha enjoy every moment of the journey—even through the long and tiring travel, with only smiles on her face—made it worthwhile.
To see giant trees along the road with her own eyes, swim in the sparkling red river, encounter wild and unique creatures, or meet many different races along the way—it was a fantastic experience. Even Irisha could not hide her surprise when a dragon flew above her head—a real dragon, with black wings, creating a powerful wind as it soared majestically.
" Woa..." she murmured, amazed, her eyes sparkling. Seeing Arisha's excitement, even Arisha had never looked so thrilled.
[ There's a dragon!]
Arisha screamed, " Woaaaah, there's a dragon!!" She jumped and vibed with excitement, and the people in their caravan, including Haya, smiled and cheered. The sisters' excitement was truly contagious.
So, was it really worth it?
'Of course! It's truly worth it!'
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