Artem "Echoes Ablaze"/Rewards

Story Summary

This story takes place in an Alternate Universe (AU) or possible past life. Its events do not affect the main timeline.

In ancient Khaimit, the high priest performs a weather prediction that confirms a great drought is coming soon. He asks the MC, who is a political hostage held by Khaimit from their vassal state of Siana, to take a letter to the Prime Minister. The MC fondly recalls the day she met the Prime Minister, Artem: she had recently arrived at Khaimit, homesick and unable to trust anyone, but Artem coaxed her into telling him her worries, became impressed with her quick action to change her situation, and encouraged her to use whatever leverage she needed to, to attain her goal of returning home. She delivers the letter, then she tells Artem that she can help with the drought, but she wants her freedom in exchange.

The MC explains her plan to help with the drought: as a dry nation, Siana developed drought-resistant crops that have high yield with little water. Artem agrees to work with her in exchange for these "golden seeds." The next day, Artem tells her that he's proposed water diversion plan to ensure Siana's golden seeds have enough to grow, but the nobles, led by Thutsise, oppose the plan, and the Pharaoh has placed him on indefinite leave. As Artem walks her home that night, she explains that she trusts him because he's the only one who cares about her individual needs as well as those of the kingdom.

Months later, the messenger carrying the golden seeds, Dil, is imprisoned by Thutsise on charges of carrying stolen goods. The guard tells the MC that Dil hadn't been carrying anything at all, so the MC goes to Artem, suggesting the seeds may be hidden outside the city and asking for help to free Dil. Artem goes to Thutsise's home, where a banquet is underway, and argues for the water diversion plan once again. He's turned down again and begins to debate the hall full of nobles on the responsibilities of nobility and the previous Pharaoh's favorable view of commoners.

Artem points out that the commoners will revolt if he tells them the nobles are preventing them from growing food during the great drought, and the MC adds the high priest's weight to the debate. Thutsise and the nobles ask the pair to leave the room so they can discuss among themselves, and the two slip away to the underground prison cells where Dil is being held. Artem knocks the guards out by firing arrows from his sleeves and releases Dil, who initially refuses to leave out of loyalty to the MC. When Artem swears on his life to return her home unharmed, Dil reluctantly leaves the cells to retrieve the seeds.

The MC thanks Artem for making such a weighty vow, and he reiterates his sincerity. The nobles finish their debate and ask the pair back in, agreeing to the plan but demanding Artem's resignation as Prime Minister in exchange. He agrees, but he makes demands of his own: he must remain in charge of the irrigation plan, and Thutsise cannot try to take the golden seeds again, lest his private prison be made public. He makes Thutsise sign a contract, then gives his resignation to the Pharaoh along with some advice on how to rule wisely. Artem offers to let the MC stay at his home so she can tend the golden seeds as the new irrigation channels are built. She accepts, and the two grow closer as the fields are planted.

When harvest time comes and the people begin a celebration, Artem tells the MC that he's negotiated her freedom, on the condition that Siana provides Khaimit with golden seeds yearly. As she finally gets what she wanted all along, she finds she's reluctant to leave Artem. The Pharaoh arrives and asks Artem to take his position once again, impressed at the sacrifices Artem was willing to make to prevent famine. He accepts, but sadly confesses to the MC that he'd hoped to spend some time in Siana with her. The MC decides to stay behind with him to learn all she can of governance, and he promises to go back to her home with her once his duty is done. The two hold hands as the celebration continues.

Illustrations

Chance MeetingThe Prime Minister seems to be much more approachable than you'd imagined.

Holding HandsThe warmth of his palm gradually dispels your anxiety.

After Story

After Story script

Artem: There you are. I've just drafted a commercial decree. You should come and have a look too.

Intimate Interaction

Point 1

You: (Artem seems to be sensitive whenever I touch his earrings, but he also isn't stopping me...)

Artem: Hmm... It's fine. My ears are just slightly itchy..

(if repeated)

Artem: Hmm... It's fine. My ears are just slightly itchy..

Point 2

You: (Artem has to deal with a lot of administrative matters every day. He must be very tired.)

You: (It would be nice if I could help him with his worries.)

(if repeated)

You: (Artem looks really charming when he's working hard.)

Point 3

You: (It seems to be getting cooler recently...)

You: (If Artem was free, it would be nice to invite him for a walk.)

Artem: The weather is pretty nice these days. Would you like to go for a walk together?

(if repeated)

Artem: The weather is pretty nice these days. Would you like to go for a walk together?

Golden seeds...

You: This is... a seed?

Artem: Yeah, these are the golden seeds that we cultivated together. They sent a bag over before, but I didn't get a chance to give it to you till now.

You: It's alright. You seem to be very busy these days, is there anything I can do to help?

Artem: Not really. Actually, my workload will lighten soon. After that, I'll conduct an inspection of the kingdom. Do you want to come along?

You: Of course, I'll go with you. As the Prime Minister's Secretary, how could I miss something as important as an inspection?

Artem: Good, then afterwards we'll go together to buy some items for the trip. As the trip will take some time, we'll need to buy quite a few things.

You: Not a problem! Has the inspection route been planned out already?

Artem: Yes. Just as planned, it starts at the capital city and continues north to the Farim Oasis at the border.

You: The Farim Oasis? I remember that is the most beautiful desert oasis in our kingdom.

Artem: That's right. The sky and the lake there are cerulean blue. At night, you can see the endless stars in the sky. Legend says that...

You: (Why did Artem suddenly stop?)

You: What is the legend?

Artem: It is said that if lovers make a promise to each other under the stars of Farim, then those stars will protect them forever.

You: That's really romantic. Let's go to Farim and see the stars together when the time comes.

Artem: ...

You: (What I just said, it's almost as if I'm inviting Artem to come with me...)

You: Artem, I... didn't mean it like that. I just wanted to enjoy the beautiful scenery with you...

Artem: I understand, but... what if I wanted something more?

You: Huh?

Artem: I want to make a solemn promise with you there. Are you willing?

You: ...Why are you saying this all of a sudden?

Artem: It's not sudden at all. I've actually been thinking about this for a while now.

You: ...

Artem: We've known each other for a while now, and we clearly have strong feelings for each other.

Artem: So, I would like to make a solemn promise to you. I hope that I can always be by your side in the future.

You: Artem...

Artem: ...

Artem: Sorry, I was too hasty. You can think it over before giving me an answer.

You: No... There's no need to think it over. From the moment you asked, I already knew what my answer would be.

Artem: ...

You: My answer is yes. Regardless of whether we make a promise under the stars of Farim, or whether I'm with you in the future, my answer will always be yes.

Artem: Okay.

Story Locations

Khaimit
Temple

Khaimit
Commoner's District

Khaimit
High in the Temple

Khaimit
Study

Khaimit
Prime Minister's Residence

Khaimit
Commoner's District

Khaimit
City Gates

Khaimit
Meeting Hall

Khaimit

Khaimit
Garden

Khaimit
Temple

Story Characters

Artem Wing

High Priest

Guard

Commoner A

Soldier

Noble A

Thutsise

Noble B

Dil

Pharaoh

Commoner B

Commoner C