Chương 114: S.05 Time to Fly 07(06)

Scene 11_01. The weekend came faster than expected. Her feet wouldn't lift, reluctant in her wistful heart, but Jeong-seon, who had decided not to act like a child, slowly let go of So-hui's and Si-yeon's hands. It was early morning. Beyond the garden, turned a fresh green, the sun sat tilted, hung not too high. In the long-shadowed sunrise, a small puff of breath slipped briefly from So-hui's lips.

Jeong-seon and Lee Yeon, having set aside their comfortable clothes, wore the black 철릭(Cheollik_Traditional coat-dress) that was the Black Doctrine's work uniform. As the two, with thin 두루마기(Durumagi_Traditional outer coat) thrown over as well, stood facing So-hui and Si-yeon, three cars came in through the great gate beyond the garden. So-hui and Si-yeon, Jeong-seon and Lee Yeon looked at the cars rolling in past the gate.

The three cars, which hadn't gone into the inner lot, came to an abrupt stop, and from one stepped Yeon-su, from another Ji-young and Chae-rim, and from the last Hee-jin and Gyeong-seo. Confirming that everyone who had stepped out wore fairly formal 한복(Han-bok_Traditional Korean dress), So-hui and Si-yeon let out a sigh first thing. Not missing the sigh, Ji-young hurled a jab at the two right off the bat. Ji-young: Hey! The ground's gonna cave in!!

Jeong-seon, showing a bright smile, folded her two hands and offered Ji-young a courteous greeting. In time with Jeong-seon's greeting, Lee Yeon too bowed deep at the waist. Halting her steps for a moment, Ji-young bowed deep at the waist in turn, matching the two's deep greeting. Ji-young and all of Ji-young's company offered a courteous greeting toward Jeong-seon and Lee Yeon. Around the time everyone straightened, Ji-young, who had drawn closer a bit faster, pulled Jeong-seon into a deep embrace.

It was a cold yet warm hold, soft yet firm. Ji-young conveyed to Jeong-seon a comfort deeper than any number of words. Held quietly in Ji-young's embrace, Jeong-seon spoke to Ji-young with a smile. Jeong-seon: Thank you. Sis. Ji-young: The Godmother held me like this too. I'm paying it back to you in her stead. Jeong-seon: So don't forget my mom and all of us, and come visit for sure. Got it? Ji-young: Don't worry. I'll come get drunk and rowdy and play, just like your mom.

Jeong-seon: Still, sis went to all the trouble of fixing everything, so don't go burning the house down. Ji-young: I'll just fix it again. The two, having shared a deep warmth, slowly drew their bodies apart as if they'd comforted each other enough. Ji-young sent a slightly more formal voice, gently, to Jeong-seon and Lee Yeon. Ji-young: Bishop, Seventh Steward. Please reach out anytime. I'll pester you by calling all the time, too. Lee Yeon: There's no way the Oldest's calls could be a bother.

Please reach out to us anytime as well. Jeong-seon: The Oldest. Thank you. Ji-young: I am someone who owes a debt. I'll do anything to repay it, that's all. Tell me anything. I'll help with anything. Jeong-seon and Lee Yeon wrapped up another light greeting with Ji-young. Hee-jin approached carefully and handed Lee Yeon the car key in her hand. Hee-jin: If you leave it at the Black Doctrine's main hall, I'll go retrieve it later. It's a registered work vehicle, so use it freely.

Lee Yeon, receiving the car key Hee-jin handed over, nodded. Jeong-seon and Lee Yeon climbed into a black SUV. Ji-young, So-hui, and Si-yeon came up toward the car. Because the engine had been left running, they laid hands on the car, where a faint vibration could be felt. Si-yeon: Hey, you're really okay now, right? Jeong-seon: Ah, what're you on about. Even if I weren't okay, you sises are off to get locked up yourselves now — what could you even do? Si-yeon: SSibal, guess she's damn fine.

Ji-young: Hey, the Headquarters isn't some prison — who said anything about getting locked up? Si-yeon: I called it lockup 'cause it's so stifling there I feel like I'll drop dead. What. So am I going there to have fun?? Ji-young: You've never even properly slept there, right? It's surprisingly fun there, I'm telling you. The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Si-yeon: Ah, sure. I'm sure it is. So-hui: But, do they deliver there?

It was a question even Ji-young couldn't answer. Since she'd never once ordered outside food since her enthronement, Ji-young glanced back at Hee-jin. Hee-jin too pondered something and shook her head with a creaking reluctance. Hee-jin: Probably, just getting over the mountain alone takes about fifty minutes, so.... So-hui: Ah. SSibal. Ji-young: Hey, but are you two gonna keep running your crude mouths in front of the Seventh Steward who's over a hundred eighty??

At Ji-young's jab, the one who actually coughed was Lee Yeon. Everyone, having traded light banter, straightened their waists, unburdened, as if they'd conveyed all they meant to. Ji-young: Travel back safely. I'll be sure to visit. Bishop, Seventh Steward. At Ji-young's closing greeting, the two nodded lightly and drove off, leaving the place. After letting out a great sigh, Ji-young whirled around toward the 별채(Byeol-chae_Detached Annex) where So-hui and Si-yeon had been staying. Ji-young: Mun Gyeong-seo, Twig?

Gyeong-seo / Yeon-su: Yes. The Oldest. Ji-young: You brought the clothes, right? The straitjackets for those two. Scene 11_02. Two cars came in through the north gate. Beyond the heavily opened great wooden gate, black ceremonial vehicles drove in along the main road. After the two cars entered, the great wooden gate that had opened closed again. The heads of the cars, which had been driving toward the sun set high to the south, stopped, and the heavily set gate opened.

The two SUVs parked beyond the gate at the entrance of the 대전당(Dae-jeon-dang_Grand Hall) cut their engines. From the driver's seats of the ceremonial SUVs, Chae-rim and Yeon-su, and Hee-jin and Gyeong-seo, stepped out first. Of the four who got out, Chae-rim and Yeon-su opened each car's rear door. The two, dressed in formal attire, stepped down from the cars and revealed their appearance properly for the first time. Deep-purple 당혜(Danghye_Formal traditional shoes) settled carefully onto the dirt path.

Following So-hui, who had stepped down, Si-yeon, wearing black Formal traditional shoes, stepped down too. Ji-young got out of the car as well and took her place in front of the two. Toward Ji-young and Hee-jin, So-hui and Si-yeon, everyone who had waited in the outdoor courtyard of the Grand Hall bowed deep at the waist. Facing the two at the very front as if to welcome them, Ji-young, with a broad smile, led So-hui and Si-yeon's way from the lead.

Matching Ji-young's slow and courteous steps, So-hui imitated a passably courteous walk and followed Ji-young, while Si-yeon shuffled along, barely walking with her feet flailing. Wearing a wordless look that said her whole body already ached, she labored her shuffling steps along beside So-hui. Behind the two, Hee-jin and Gyeong-seo, Yeon-su and Chae-rim walked on in turn. The steps treading over the granite footing cut through the center reached, before long, the head dais of the Grand Hall.

Ji-young climbed onto the head dais first. To stop Si-yeon, who would have kept walking straight on after Ji-young, So-hui tugged at the sleeve of Si-yeon's elbow and brought her to a hurried halt. Hee-jin and Gyeong-seo, Yeon-su and Chae-rim each went to the spot where they were to stand and awaited Ji-young's voice. Ji-young slowly turned her body to face everyone. Ji-young: Now, we've come home. At the warm smile held in Ji-young's small murmur, So-hui answered in a small voice. So-hui: Right. It took a while.

Longer than I thought. The moment Ji-young and So-hui finished speaking, the Directors who had bowed to So-hui and Si-yeon straightened their waists again and looked at the three gathered together. At the far end of the Grand Hall's wide courtyard sat a broad wooden floor. On the floor was a chair for Ji-young to sit in. It was a humble wooden chair. A wooden chair worn dark with the touch of time, without a single ornate decoration or pattern.

Ji-young stood before her chair set on the head dais and looked at So-hui and Si-yeon and everyone gathered in the Grand Hall. Gyeong-seo passed Hee-jin a plush stand whole. It was the size to be held cradled in both hands. On the cotton stand set atop it lay the ornaments So-hui and Si-yeon would wear. Every staff member of the Headquarters held their place despite the weekend. The Directors and deputies and each chief stood right at the front, watching So-hui and Si-yeon in a courteous posture.

So-hui came up toward the front of Ji-young together with Si-yeon. Si-yeon too shuffled along, struggling to imitate So-hui's posture. She knelt down side by side with So-hui. Ji-young moved her hand over the thick cloth cover and gripped the thickly rolled scroll. Ji-young: From this moment, upon Jo So-hui, who lit the path of the 55th Oldest, Former Oldest Jeon I-sim, and the 56th Oldest, Kang Ji-young, is bestowed the title of 인도자 (Indo-ja_The Seer).

Not a mere guide of the road, but as one who follows the natural order and the righteous way, take your place as one who shall lead all of our Covenant. For you, who shall stand with us, we present this ornament, with which the wrongful dead may be consoled. The blue-green tassels signify a clear road and an endlessly draping forest, a plea that you guide our lives — blind to even an inch ahead — along the clear forest path.

The four butterflies fastened above the tassels rank equal with the Executive Secretary, proving you one who shall see far from on high and lead the path for all. After handing the scroll inscribed with the decree to So-hui, she took up two 곰방대(Gom-bang-dae_Slender Pipe Ornament) in her hands. On each Slender Pipe Ornament hung two butterflies each, four butterflies in all. Receiving the ornament, So-hui lowered her head without a word. Ji-young: I'm counting on you. The Seer. So-hui: Thank you.

After receiving the bestowed gift, she rose from her seat and stepped back slightly. Ji-young unfurled the remaining scroll. Hee-jin drew another ornament from the case set on the cushion stand. Ji-young: Upon Lee Si-yeon, who aided the Seer and myself and shared in all of it, is bestowed the seat and title of Deputy Secret Agent, to attend upon the Seer.

Departing from the former duties of the Secret Agent, become the Seer's own Secret Agent, a seat that guards the Seer's person and life, and remain at the Seer's side. For you, who shall become the Seer's shadow, we present this ornament, with which the wrongful dead may be consoled. The black tassels signify a secrecy known to no one; ever like a shadow, let your wings beat about the Seer.

The three butterflies fastened above the tassels are the rank of this station, proving you one who shall take charge of the Seer's back. Si-yeon: Th-than.... k you. Ji-young: I entrust the Seer of us all to you. Si-yeon: Ah. Uh, um. Yes. At Ji-young's plea, Si-yeon offered a clumsy answer as if unsure what to say and let out a small cough. When Ji-young gestured slightly to So-hui and Si-yeon to turn around, both of them turned around in a flustered scramble.

Every staff member gathered in the hall, facing the figures of So-hui and Si-yeon, bowed deep at the waist and conveyed their courtesy wordlessly as if to welcome the two. So-hui and Si-yeon too, matching the courtesy extended toward them, bowed deep at the waist in answer. With a long stretch of greeting at its close, Ji-young rang out her voice. Ji-young: I'm sorry to have asked you all to stay through the weekend, unintended as it was. Everyone has worked hard. Please hurry and enjoy the rest of your weekend.

When she sent her voice to everyone gathered in the Grand Hall, all those standing courteously bowed at the waist again to Ji-young and So-hui and Si-yeon as if in greeting, then left the place. What remained in the Grand Hall were only the Directors of each office and their deputies. As if all the business were done, Ji-young read Hee-jin's expression.

When Hee-jin nodded with a look that said she'd worked hard, Ji-young, with the look of someone who'd been waiting, yanked out the heaviest ornament wound about her head. After pulling the ornament out with force, she gathered up the thick outer robe and the butterfly ornaments hanging from it and plopped them onto the stand Hee-jin was holding. So-hui and Si-yeon too, at Ji-young's relaxed gesture, let out a sigh first thing as they stretched out the muscles they'd kept stiffly fixed.

Ji-young half sprawled herself onto the floor of the wooden hall. Hee-jin: I'll guide you to the quarters where the two of you will stay.