House Vanas, the ruling family of Vanald, has seen its current head, Varnavil Vanas, promoted to Grand Duke of the Esteta Kingdom's frontier, elevating the family's esteemed name even further.
Long ago, when the current regions of Vanald and Weild were not yet human lands, the Krukuut, a bird-like race(鳥人), ruled over this land encircled by three mountain ranges. House Kavil , who governed the Raswabi region—the entrance to Vanald and Weild—defended the human kingdom's frontier against these aggressive Krukuut.
For many years, House Kavil proudly bore the title of "Shield of Esteta." honoring their role as protectors of the kingdom by repelling the Krukuut's massive armies multiple times.
Thus, thanks to the House Kavil's sacrifices, the human kingdom enjoyed a long period of prosperity.
However, it was not solely through the sacrifice of one family that the kingdom remained secure behind its shield. The human kingdom also launched offensives, and among them, the Vanas family emerged in the later stages of the war, leading the charge against the Krukuut. The Vanas family's heavy cavalry, clad in thick armor and charging fearlessly with lances, became known as the "Shot Steel Arrows," instilling fear in the Krukuut for a long time.
Thus, for 781 years, the Krukuut and humans fought. On the battlefields, countless heroes were born and perished, fostering mutual hatred that continued to grow.
Through the efforts of the House Vanas and Kavil, many Krukuut cities fell, and after a great victory against the Krukuut's largest-ever army—assembled to exterminate the human kingdom—the Esteta Kingdom's forces finally broke the long stalemate. They continued to push northwest, driving out the small tribal states established by the Krukuut, each centered around a city and its hinterland, and after hundreds of years of war, they succeeded in expelling the Krukuut.
The northern lands from which the Krukuut were driven were named Vanald and enfeoffed to the Vanas family with the title of duke. The southern lands of Weild were given to the House Kavil, and thereafter, the role of shielding against the Krukuut, who had retreated to the islands in the Katcrow Sea, fell to the House Vanas.
Ves-Dinas, the symbol of humanity's protection and pioneering spirit. Within this great city lies the castle of the House Vanas. The majestic ducal castle, situated midway up Mount Hasset and overlooking the old town of Ves-Dinas, may not be ornate in itself, but it harmonizes with the surrounding natural beauty, offering visitors a breathtaking view.
This castle, born during the war with the Krukuut, has never been conquered, despite the many histories of cities, strongholds, and fortresses being captured, occupied, and fallen.
*****
The House Vanas's castle. Passing through the armory and the adjacent barracks, beyond the griffin stables and the horse stables in the garden, one finds the bakery where the castle's daily bread is made. Past the kitchen and the food storage, ascending to the upper floor, there are rooms where guests of the House Vanas stay.
High ceilings and soft orange mana stone lamps illuminate the room, while the walls are adorned with paintings depicting glorious moments from the war against the Krukuut and portraits of the family's ancestors.
A luxurious decorative chair with a high back carved with the image of a strange magical beast, paired with a dark walnut dining table placed in front, occupies the space.
Two people are seated in those fine chairs: Gravel and Iris. Upon arriving in Ves-Dinas, they followed Diara's wagon through the streets and arrived at the House Vanas's castle. They were now sitting in the castle's reception room, as Ratak Vanas wished to personally express his gratitude.
Gravel, with his eyes closed, leaning back in the chair, lost in thought, and Iris, sitting beside him, her gaze fixed on a painting on the wall.
A servant waiting by the door approached to ask if they needed anything, but Iris, with a gentle smile, assured him they were fine. Shortly after, the door opened.
Diara, in her familiar blue robe, entered first, followed by two servants and another servant carrying a small mana stone lamp, leading a well-dressed man into the room.
The man, with neatly combed brown hair, broad shoulders, and a sturdy build, brightened upon seeing Gravel and Iris seated. He strode towards them with steps that revealed his joy.
"Welcome, Sir Gravel and Lady Iris." he said.
Having heard the general situation from Diara on the way, the man introduced himself as he approached closer to where Gravel and Iris were sitting.
"I am Ratak Vanas. I had heard of your names from Diara."
"Pleased to meet you, Lord Ratak Vanas." Gravel replied.
"Greetings, Lord Ratak Vanas." Iris added.
Receiving their greetings, Ratak gestured for them to remain seated and took his own seat. Then, he turned his head and nodded to the servant who had entered with him, giving a silent instruction.
"I heard that you are very interested in the culture of Esteta. And as for the reward for your assistance, here..." Ratak began.
Following Ratak's instruction, a small white document with a red seal stamped with a crest and several small golden cubes with shaved edges were placed on the table between Ratak and Gravel.
"Hmm. You may have seen it on your way here, but with this document, you will be able to access the ancient archives and reference rooms of the Great Library of Ves-Dinas to peruse books and documents. And this gold, bearing our family's crest, can be used without inconvenience anywhere in the kingdom." Ratak explained, pointing with an open palm to the document and the gold cubes engraved with the crest on the table.
"Thank you. This document will be very helpful. And this gold... I worry that it might be too much reward for what my companions and I did."
Gravel said, his eyes sparkling as he looked at the document, hesitating briefly before expressing his humble gratitude to Ratak.
"No, I was concerned that I couldn't offer a greater reward, so let's both stop at an appropriate level of concern. By the way, I heard that your other companion is a Droko with red scales... Did she not come with you?" Ratak inquired.
"Ah, Nia mentioned going to a tavern near the harbor with the soldiers who escorted the wagon."
Diara, standing behind Ratak, answered on behalf of Gravel.
"Oh? That's a shame. Diara, when you told me about the Droko, it reminded me that it's been quite some time since I visited Ixtarn. I thought I could chat with that Droko about how Ixtarn has changed, but I guess that will have to wait."
Ratak said, turning in his chair to look at Diara as he continued the conversation.
"If you wish, I can arrange for Nia to come on another day. You mentioned that you will be staying in Ves-Dinas for a while, right, Gravel?"
Diara asked, having learned during their journey that Nia would accompany Gravel for some time without returning to Ixtarn, confirming his plans to stay in Ves-Dinas.
"Yes, that is my intention." Gravel affirmed.
"I don't think we need to schedule a separate appointment, Diara. With the Grand Tournament approaching, there will be guests to welcome and people to meet... So, meeting with Nia will have to be postponed for a while."
Ratak said to Diara, furrowing his brow as he thought of his piled-up tasks. Then, he stood up and walked towards one of the walls in the room.
Where Ratak headed was a large display cabinet that covered an entire wall. Inside the cabinet were various liquor bottles of different sizes and shapes from cities across the continent.
"When I have a moment to rest like this, I think I should have at least one drink. Would you care to join me?" Ratak asked, glancing over the bottles in the cabinet before picking up one that caught his eye and walking back to where Gravel was sitting.
"Yes, I would be happy to," Gravel replied with a smile and a cheerful tone, while the servants, understanding their master's intention, quickly moved to fetch glasses and followed behind Ratak.
"Since you will be staying in Ves-Dinas for a while, if you need any assistance, please let me know at any time," Ratak said as he sat down, opened the bottle, and began pouring a clear liquid into the silver-decorated glasses that had been placed on the table.
A refreshing, sweet citrus scent, mingled with the aroma of small mountain berries, wafted from the glasses.
Recalling someone's words that liquor, which eases the drinker's pain, is called the "water of life."
Ratak brought the glass to his lips during this brief moment of respite.
"Hmm... I don't usually enjoy this drink, but today it tastes particularly good. I can understand why my father is interested in setting up a distillery in the estate."
Ratak remarked, savoring the aroma from the glass as he spoke to Gravel.
"I heard from Diara that you are skilled not only in swordsmanship but also in magic. I'm curious. If time permits, I would like to see your abilities." Ratak continued.
"Diara has overestimated my actual skills." Gravel responded modestly.
"Hahaha. You are modest. I, too, have learned that humility is not a sign of weakness, timidity, or fear, nor is it a way to hide something malicious. Rather, it is a display of true strength that shows inner fortitude." Ratak said with a laugh.
"I appreciate you seeing it that way." Gravel replied.
"Then, please stay a little longer. I would like to invite you to dine with me, but I fear I will be buried in paperwork until sunset, so I cannot. It's regrettable."
Ratak said, closing his tired eyes from reading documents and massaging his forehead with his fingertips. Then, he leaned back in the chair, enjoying the comfort of the brief rest, and let out a long sigh.
Thus, the conversation between the two continued, matching Ratak's short break.