“You’re right. Friston, Eliant, Pison, and Retan—they’re the heroes of the empire’s founding myth.”
The myth’s heroes were tied to the imperial Friston family, House Eliant, House Pison, and House Retan, their bloodlines enduring through generations. Apart from the imperial family, the other three were founding noble houses from when the empire was a kingdom.
“What does that have to do with this situation?”
I couldn’t grasp why the founding myth was relevant now.
Like any nation’s origin story, the myth was a fabricated tale to justify the empire’s existence. Its heroes were depicted as transcendent beings, far beyond human capabilities.
“Because that myth still holds sway today.”
My father’s expression was troubled, a mix of guilt, frustration, and regret.
“Is your concern for my safety tied to the myth?”
“I’ll take it from here,” Sys said, breaking his silence. His face mirrored my father’s unease.
“Go ahead.”
“The myth, as known, isn’t false. If anything, it’s been downplayed.”
Downplayed? A founding myth, usually exaggerated, was instead minimized?
It didn’t make sense. Instead of questioning, I straightened, listening intently.
“The continent’s near-destruction was real. Records show it was so catastrophic, it’s a miracle it survived.”
“Records still exist?”
It was astonishing that events from thousands of years ago were preserved.
“They had to be. Some things must never be forgotten.”
“What things?”
“Inayari.”
“Inayari?”
“The monsters that nearly drove humanity to extinction were Inayari.”
“…!”
It felt like a blunt weapon struck my head. The Inayari I knew were only slightly stronger than humans, their pupils changing when agitated—otherwise, barely different from us.
How could they be the mythical monsters that nearly ended humanity?
“I don’t sense that kind of power in them.”
“That’s because the Inayari, you know, aren’t the real ones.”
Kasan’s words echoed: true Inayari couldn’t cross the border.
“So, it’s true that real Inayari can’t cross the western border?”
Father and Sys stared at me, surprised. Sys, after a moment’s thought, continued.
“How much do you know about Inayari?”
“I know those roaming beyond the border are half-breeds with human blood.”
“That makes this easier. As you know, true Inayari can’t cross the border, so they use half-breeds to do so.”
“So, it’s true they kidnap people to create half-breeds?”
Inayari were known for plundering goods and occasionally people. I’d thought it was just their nature, but it was deliberate—to create half-breeds.
I hadn’t doubted Kasan, but it was hard to believe. Sys’s confirmation left no room for doubt.
“Why can’t true Inayari cross the border?”
“…”
“…”
Their faces darkened, lips sealed as if glued shut. A hypothesis flashed through my mind.
“Does it have to do with me?”
Their faces paled instantly. Their expressions said everything, even without words.
“Is it… related to me?”
Their reluctance to answer was maddening.
“What do Inayari have to do with me?”
Their eyes met briefly. Sys spoke first.
“You’re the core of the barrier.”
“The core?”
“You’re the foundation of the barrier holding Inayari back.”
“…!”
“When Inayari rampaged, nearly destroying the continent, the four heroes created a barrier to stop them. Its center was Rosat Riddle Pison, the founder of House Pison.”
“So, House Pison’s bloodline maintains the barrier?”
“Exactly. The barrier is sustained through their bloodline.”
El!
I shot to my feet.
“El is the direct heir of House Pison! Knowing that, how can you stay so calm?”
Maintaining the barrier meant it could be broken.
El was in danger.
“We need to find her now. This isn’t about my safety!”
“No, you’re more important than her,” my father said.
“Father!”
I glared at him.
“This isn’t the time for stubbornness. If you’re right, Inayari could break the barrier and bring ruin again.”
“That’s why we must protect you.”
“What—”
“I agree with the marquis, Bee. I’m sorry for the child, but your safety matters more.”
His words were harsh, his face twisted in pain. I forced calm, suppressing my surging emotions.
“I may be of the bloodline, but El is the truest heir of House Pison.”
They knew this, yet remained unmoved.
Unable to contain myself, I shouted.
“Father!”
“She’s not the one.”
“How can you be sure? El is—”
“You bear the mark.”
“What does that mean?”
Sys interjected, brushing back his hair irritably.
“Secret records say breaking the barrier requires the same conditions as Rosat Riddle Pison. Publicly, he’s known for red hair and brown eyes, but in truth, he had golden-brown hair and green eyes.”
His finger pointed at my hair. Bathed in sunlight from the window, my golden-brown locks shimmered like gold.
“Like yours.”
“Golden-brown hair and green eyes are common across the continent. Even Mother had green eyes. Isn’t that too ordinary to be a mark?”
“They’re common, yes. But not in House Prison. You know that.”
Indeed, golden-brown hair was rare in both House Pison and House Eliant.
That’s why rumors spread that I wasn’t Father’s child.
Even tracing back generations, no one had my hair color.
“Wait. House Pison’s founder was male. I’m female. That’s not the same condition.”
“You’re right. The founder, known as male, was actually female—Rossa Riddle Pison. Laws barring women from inheriting changed her name and gender in records.”
My mind reeled.
“I don’t understand. If golden-brown hair and green eyes are the mark, how was the barrier maintained before? I know of no one in House Pison with my appearance.”
“Didn’t we say? The barrier is sustained by Pison’s bloodline.”
He reached out, his cold fingers brushing my cheek.
“As long as the bloodline endures, the barrier holds. But you’re different. You’re the barrier’s core itself.”
I finally understood. Turning stiffly, I looked at my father.
“You… knew?”
“…!”
He closed his eyes, his clenched fists showing blue veins.
“Did you know from the start?”
“No, I didn’t.”
His eyes opened, blue irises piercing me.
“My father, the previous marquis, died before fully passing down the family’s secrets. Sadly, House Eliant’s records from that time were lost.”
“When did you find out?”
