He would have never imagined that this would be the way he got her. In his dreams, he always dreamt of having her, so even now, he thought he was dreaming. But in his arms, he could feel her.

Above all, it was the look she had on her face that made this whole ordeal feel real. Unlike the face in the pictures that was always smiling, the Deertes in front of him was crying and angry at herself. Still, he had no choice but to resist and simply hold her hand.

Deertes will not find out what made him ask for such a vow.

Lachlan stood up, the beasts backed away. He glared at the beasts menacingly with a hideous expression.

He was glad that he had made it in time. When he had returned to the last place that he left her at, what he saw were pieces of torn clothing and human bones left behind by the beasts. Upon rushing forward and looking over them did he realise that none of the clothing and the hair that the beast had eaten was Deertes’.

Following the tracks left behind, he kept flickering between despair and relief as he checked every trace of the beasts left behind. Although none of the deceased was Deertes, this meant that she was still being chased.

When the fifth body was found, he started whipping his Remu like a madman. Rushing to follow the remaining footsteps, he knew that the beasts had now designated Deertes as being their next prey.

This is the beasts’ territory. It was clear that they were toying with her as they enjoyed seeing their new pet entering their home. Rather than killing their prey off first, they would first send their children to injure them. When the prey is struggling will the adults join in and teach the younger ones how to attack. And eventually, the prey is killed.

Soon, the tracks ended and he found Deertes. She climbed up the dunes her body quivering before she fell and rolled down the hill. Before getting up and attempting to climb the dunes once again.

Grrr. The beasts started to surround Lachlan. Their expressions held fierce hostility towards him, who had snatched away their prey.

Lachlan pulled out a gun tied to his waist. Brian had passed it to him before coming here. This was not the type of gun Brian would use. Judging from its crude nature, it is likely one of the guns collected and was used by Alex and his gang. Lachlan knew why Brian had handed the gun to him.

‘You want me to kill her.’

It did not matter if Deertes was here because she was exiled. The moment she came here to be wed as Richard Fraser’s wife would she have known who Brian is.

The conflict between Endveavour and Bernst is a very sensitive topic, but it was also a matter of having enough money and a stable enough economy to shake the other country. Should the forces of the conflict be unbalanced and end up in favour of one side would the two countries suffer different fates.

The king was openly aiding Bernst by sending a gift called Deertes there. The law and way of overcoming such favouritism in power are simple. To kill her. When Deertes Evelyn Russell dies in an unexpected accident on her way to Saul, the issue would be resolved.

Plus, it was better to be seen as murder by someone instead of simply as a beast’s meal. This would prevent the home country from sending another “gift” or making a second attempt.

“…But there’s nobody who can simply replace her.”

Holding up the gun, blood and sand splashed as a series of loud ‘bangs’ sounded.

***

Back home, Brian stared at the table. On it was a neatly ironed out military uniform that was folded beautifully. His eyes turned, looking at Cinder as she placed down a bowl without saying a word.

“This…”

“I ironed it during that day. Do slaves not do the ironing?”

With that said, Cinder stuck out her tongue before going back into the kitchen. Brian shouted after her.

“Not slaves, but contract workers!”

“Stop shouting so loudly! It’s annoying!”

Cinder answered with a shout, picking up a plate of food and placing it onto the table. Brian now went to and sat down at the table as if her presence was natural. Cinder sat across from him and lifted a fork. There was no awkwardness between the two of them.

Six days have passed since Brian returned to Endeavour with Cinder. Cinder, who had seen Endeavour for the first time could not remain silent.

“…It’s the same size as Ramedes, right?”

Brian had tried warning her to brace herself as past the sand dunes was the city. Yet, when he and his party crossed past the highest of dunes, Cinder unwittingly let out a voice filled with admiration and surprise.

As if magic, the dunes ended and a dark forest began to appear. Beyond the forest were cities and harbours.

She thought that it would be strange to call it a colonial city, but it was exactly the same as its home country. There was a square in the centre of the city, a big church, long shopping streets that stretched for long distances, carriages running down the streets, and houses on the edge.

Such a scene made the women burst out crying as they reminisce about their hometown. Sounds of women thanking God and the men trying to soothe their women were heard.

As they entered the city, soldiers that were standing guard at the entrance sounded the trumpets. Soon, the sound of trumpets rang out from all over Endeavour.

Surprised soldiers and women rushed to the streets, eyes darting around, eager to find out what the commotion was. They had heard that the group had gone out to wipe out a group of fugitives, yet they came back with a lot of women.

A girl who was holding onto her mother’s hand gave flowers to one of the women who was staring at the people gathering at the sides of the street with blank eyes. It was a gesture to welcome those who entered Endeavour. This was how women did greetings in Endeavour.

Brian and Cinder discussed whether they should first go to the church or the government building.

“I’ve already been married once so vows do not mean much. After all, you do know that women are unable to pledge a second vow.”

Brian who had paused at Cinder’s words, smiled before replying.

“Then let’s go to the government building. This will be my second pledge as well so it doesn’t mean as much too.”

In the end, the two passed the church and headed towards the government building to finish registering their marriage before going to Brian’s house.

After getting off of the Remu, Cinder look at Brian’s house. For a moment, her eyes were wide with shock.

“This two-story house is pretty nice. There’s no place that is collapsed, all the walls are neatly painted, and the roof is not damaged. The chimney’s not blocked, right? Can the fireplace be used? Is that apple tree yours? Do herbs grow here too?”

“Of course.”

By listening to Cinder’s words and questions while she looked at his home, Brian could easily guess what kind of life she had before coming here.

‘I guess she must’ve been living in a pretty shabby house.’

Brian had never been grateful that his house has an apple tree or a garden, but now he realised what a good decision he had made when he had bought them. Grabbing at his clothes, Cinder asked for him to quickly guide her around his home.

Then, Cinder had slept peacefully for another two days. After waking up, Cinder was introduced to many people and explored the house. Before long, her movements were natural as if having lived in this house for a long time.

Brian found Cinder to be fun and amazing to be with.

He had been married once so he did not bother asking for a woman who had yet to be wed. He had thought that it would not be such a bad idea to grow old alone, but the bride, who he had unexpectedly got, was much more pleasureful to be around than he had expected.

After finishing his meal, Brian told Cinder that he had a place he had to go to before leaving. There was no need for him to ride Remu outside the desert. However, since the Remu is a beast that is specialised in desert travel, it is not very effective to use it as a means of transport in the city or on well-paved roads.

Brian made his way towards the entrance of the city.

It was not long before Brain reached his destination. Upon his arrival, the soldiers guarding the entrance quickly saluted him before he proceeded to climb up the watchtower. Brian had asked the watchman there multiple times a day over the past two days…

“Any sign of Lachlan?”

“None yet.”

“…Have there been any signals or calls from security guards nearby?”

“No, there hasn’t been any. I thought I’d go and take a closer look but my Remu has yet to recover…”

“I guess so. We did drag them out and ran so quickly like that… How many of the Remus have died?”

“Fifteen.”

Brian clicked his tongue. The beasts living on this continent were very hard to domesticate. No, any other beast besides Remu, it is an impossible task. One beast, in particular, is the beast called Dio, which resembles a dog, that lives in the desert. Even though many settlers have tried their hand at taming it for decades, all attempts have landed in failure.

They are beasts that resemble dogs, are hostile towards humans, and are as strong as demons. Although now thinking back, there are no birds, no insects, no snakes, not even trees in this land that favour humans.

The number of things that cause your hand to be swollen when rubbed or dead when bitten is uncountable. The first thing that those who arrive in Endeavour learn is not where the city is but what bug should be immediately avoided if seen inside a house.

Circling the watchtower, Brian looked around Endeavour. This was a city build among all those dangerous animals. Approximately more than 10,000 prisoners have died for the construction of this city. And this will not be the end of all the things the people of Endeavour will have to endure.

Brian just so happened to turn to face the church when the bell rang. Today was a public holiday so everyone was free to go out and spend their time in any which way they would like.

During such a day, many kinds of people can be seen. People who go to a prayer late, people who window shop and occasionally chooses items to buy in a street store, people who sit at a table outside a bar in search of a wife. Rows of coal-lit street lights lit the street. The children played below the lights, drawing something on the ground.

Everywhere he looked, it looked as if the peaceful and lively city was celebrating a holiday. Brian was amazed at how far Endeavour had come. This did not look like the same place he had stepped foot in when first arriving in Endeavour.

Then, women dare not walk around the streets during the day as they were fearful as to who they will be dragged off to. Stores were closed as they could not risk facing more thieves than customers. During those days, drunken people would walk around along the streets with soldiers who turned a blind eye as they shared supplies and women from their home country amongst themselves.

It was thanks to one person that had completely changed the atmosphere of such a place. Lachlan is responsible for creating what is now known as Endeavour.