Book 12 Chapter 27

Side Story Part 2 Episode 20

The Child Who Weaves Hearts (20)

It was early autumn in the 1448th year of the Tersia Calendar.

It had been seven years since Nen acquired the rank of Bandoran (1-star).

At the same time, it was also when Rain and Miria entered their 40s.

"Ellaham, look Nen straight in the eye!"

After Freide's gift, [The Exploded House], closed its doors, shouts and explosive sounds continuously clashed in its garden.

"Don't avoid her gaze! Don't be afraid!"

The sword Ellaham picked up at his first birthday party became the direction of his life.

Perhaps he had inherited quite a bit of Lista's talent, as his skill indicators were improving by leaps and bounds every day.

Nen was in the process of learning spear-sword techniques from Miria, and Ellaham learned traditional swordsmanship, but in terms of skill, they were already evenly matched.

"Yaa!"

However, Nen had the physical abilities of a dragon.

Even if her talent for moving her body wasn't exceptional, her innate strong bones (強骨) were not something a mortal being could dare to approach.

However, Ellaham did not envy or resent that, but rather respected Nen even more. He even said this:

"If I train with Nen noona, my skills improve much faster!"

While Ellaham's growth was like that, Nen's spear-sword techniques were, even in Rain's eyes, Miria's ambitious masterpiece.

For training simulating real combat, Nen's staff had tin and spearheads attached to both ends.

Miria said that once Nen reached the acme of swordsmanship, she would be able to create a blade with sword aura even without a physical spearhead.

"Nen, shift your center of gravity! Faster!"

"Yes!"

In both hands, constantly changing grip, the rotating spear-sword provided overwhelming stability in both offense and defense.

If there was one problem, it would be the strength and stamina required to wield such a heavy weapon for a long time, but since Nen was a dragon, it was no problem at all.

Perhaps, the ultimate swordsmanship Miria had dreamed of during her life as Lista was being perfected in Nen's hands.

'Tsk, the magic I want to give her is even greater!'

Rain clicked his tongue in envy.

'But Nen isn't ready yet.'

No matter how immortal one is, interaction with the cosmos must be approached with extreme caution.

'I heard once that Zernix wasn't inherently an evil person from birth…'

Rather, incredibly, he was said to have been a lovely and brilliant boy.

If so, contact with the cosmos must have ruined him into humanity's worst scum.

Rain had no intention of letting Nen become like that.

'Soon, she will take one more step forward…'

Although she wasn't ready to accept hyperdimensional magic yet, the foundational stage of preparation was complete.

Limitless (2-star).

Rain, who had been responsible for Nen's overall education, had become convinced that Nen was now at a level where she could take that rank test.

"Uhh-uhh."

At that moment, from Rain's embrace, a new life woke from her nap and wriggled contentedly.

"Seire."

Born in winter, given the name 'one who stays up all winter'… she was Rain and Miria's daughter. Born in 1446, she was three years old this year.

"Daddy, I'm hungry."

Unlike Ellaham, whose language development was slow, Seire, at three years old, already spoke quite fluently.

She was also quick-witted.

Furthermore, Seire picked up a magic book at her first birthday party, and already showed great interest and talent in mathematics, which greatly pleased Rain's parents.

"Alright, today we'll eat goblin eyeball salad."

"Daddy, I'm suddenly full."

"Oh, I know you're hungry. I'm going to go catch goblins now."

"I want to sleep more."

The emotion that came from having a 'second' child he thought would be quite diluted, but it wasn't.

Just as the emotions Aki, Nen, and Mir gave Rain were all different, Ellaham and Seire were also different.

Rain liked each of those vibrations. However, he also felt that if he had any more children, he wouldn't be able to give these two the same love as he did now.

"Alright, let's go."

Rain carried Seire on his back in a baby sling and headed to the kitchen.

As he hummed and was about to prepare dinner, suddenly, joyful shouts erupted in succession from the garden.

He looked out the window to see what it was, and a powerful tremor went through Rain's heart.

"Aki!"

When Aki came here, she always hid her horns and wore the Cheonhwapa (Celestial Flower Sect) uniform her master had given her.

If she came in dragon form and transformed, the entire family's identity would be exposed at once.

Aki, who had lifted Ellaham and Nen onto her shoulders and was laughing, instantly ran to the window.

"Father! Have you been well? Seire! You've grown so much!"

Rain untied the knot of the baby sling and handed Seire to Aki. Seire reached out her hand to Aki.

"Aki Noona."

"Yes, Seire."

Aki's attitude towards Seire had a corner that brought a faint sadness to Rain.

'If only…'

If Alakish had been able to raise Akirea herself, wouldn't such a scene have unfolded?

'It must have been like this…'

Rain rubbed his eyes, which were about to be stained with tears.

The reason for such a misconception was that as Aki approached being a holy dragon, her physical appearance became remarkably similar to Alakish's.

As her physical growth neared its end, had her emotional growth also concluded?

The innocent, adorable figure had disappeared somewhere, and in its place, a virtuous dignity like Alakish's settled.

"Aki! You, what will you do if my heart breaks from you coming here without any warning?"

"Oh dear, then I will take responsibility for raising Ellaham and Seire, so don't worry."

"Who are you? My small and precious Aki shouldn't react maturely to such a joke, but rather cutely fuss and say, 'Daddy, don't die!'"

When Aki gave an embarrassed smile, Miria lightly tapped Rain's crown with the side of her hand.

Perhaps she thought that hitting her husband, even as a joke, in front of the children was not good for their education, so now she just lightly tapped him like that.

Starting with Nen and Ellaham laughing heartily, the entire family shared happy laughter together.

"Alright, so what's the matter?"

Miria asked at the dinner table. Aki smiled softly.

"I came to consult you about an important matter."

Rain suddenly felt immense fear and sharply turned his head. He sat with his chair turned 180 degrees, not even meeting Aki's gaze.

"No, absolutely not! No way!"

"Aki hasn't said anything yet, why are you like this?"

"She said it's an important matter. I'm absolutely against it. Dragons shouldn't marry humans."

"Aki is so serious, is this the time for jokes?"

"I'm serious too."

Aki let out a small laugh.

"I don't know what you're talking about. The reason I came here is… I'm planning to create an organization, and I wanted to ask for your thoughts first before reporting it to His Holiness, the Radiant Dragon."

"An organization?"

"When I… crossed two continents with Father in my childhood, I saw and learned so much. Just as Father said, the world (世界) opened my eyes."

Rain remembered his journey with Aki among those days of over 20 years ago.

It was beautifully joyful and happy…

Aki's eyes and Rain's eyes, envisioning that day, were shining with the same smile, and similar smiles also graced Miria's and Nen's eyes.

"This is also something I'll consult with my master about, but to tell you first… I wish to take on disciples. To share and carry fire."

"Fire?"

"After they are skilled enough to carry fire, I will send them to various parts of the world. So that their eyes can be opened. And so that they can share the fire they received from me with those in the lowest and darkest places, allowing their eyes to be opened as well."

Watching Aki, who spoke of such things with a benevolent smile, Rain felt a powerful ache rise in his heart.

Ah…

Is this truly that child? Is this that Aki who used to smile so innocently? Is this that young dragon who, just by smiling brightly, gave happiness that couldn't be exchanged for anything in the world?

"Aki, do you know what's most important in an organization?"

His own personality, unable to express that joy, that feeling honestly, was truly regrettable beyond measure.

"It's the organization's name! If the name is bad, it won't be cool at all. Understand? It's the most important thing."

At that, Aki nodded her head.

"Coolness is important, but… Mr. Jakhan said that my life would be a journey of pilgrimage (巡禮)."

Nen raised her eyebrows with curious eyes.

"A journey of pilgrimage?"

Aki lovingly stroked Nen's head.

"It means that as the last flame, I must travel the entire world and drive out the darkness there."

"Unnie, that's so cool!"

"Our Nen is cute."

After that, Aki turned her gaze back to Rain and Miria.

"So I also… Although I won't be able to give my disciples a mission by personal name, I want to convey the mission through the organization's name. With the name 'Red Pilgrims'."

Her gaze was serious and dignified, revealing even a resolute will, to the extent that a mortal soul would tremble without realizing it…

Rain knew for sure at that moment.

Aki, during the decades spent in <Flames of Ten Thousand Li>, had truly been forged into a true dragon. Now, even when compared to other true dragons, her dignity was impeccable.

"Aki, if you speak so splendidly, what on earth can we say?"

Miria said with a smile.

Rain was still sitting with his chair turned, and he thought he had done very well to do so.

Because he could look up at the stars outside the window and wipe away his tears.

"Indeed. The breadth of her noble heart already seems to have far surpassed us, who are confined by mortal limits."

At that, the smile that had been carefully on Aki's lips transformed into a brilliant glow of delight.

"Are you both saying it's alright? Oh, that's a relief. I was worried about what to do if you two were disappointed or tried to stop me."

"?"

"Since you two are so happy… borrowing Mir's words, I feel the reward of having used my 'brain with all its intelligence burned out' to its fullest. I'm truly, truly happy."

What on earth is she talking about?

It wasn't us who gave this unbelievable joy, it was you…

Rain, at that moment, once again realized one of the providences of creation.

'Becoming a parent isn't about understanding a parent's heart, but about understanding the love of creation, perhaps?'

The parents of creation molded creatures in their image.

Why did they do that?

Why did they give such a sacred form to mere creatures?

'Now that I faintly understand the answer to that question… wasn't it to love?'

The Creator, as the creator, loved His creations, and the creations, in return for that love, gave joy… wasn't that the kind of relationship He desired?

"His Holiness, the Radiant Dragon, will probably be pleased too. And your master Celine. Speak with confidence and pride."

At Rain's answer, Aki smiled brightly.

"Yes, Father!"

▶ ▶ ▶

Three years later, the organization of the Cheonhwapa (Celestial Flower Sect), which Celine, the last sect leader, had been rebuilding, was reorganized.

As the only one among countless sects, it gained the honor of being incorporated under the Red Dragon Legion of <Flames of Ten Thousand Li>.

For the wanderers who dreamed of ascending to a dragon through the cultivation of mind and body, being recognized by the dragon race was the greatest honor, irreplaceable by anything.

The name of that glory: Red Pilgrims.

The Red Pilgrims, each carrying their soul's flame, traveled throughout the Adrion continent, breaking down darkness and disorder, and lived a life providing light and warmth.

The 'Age of Silver' unfolded by Yonghyun.

There were three pillars that supported that era of peace, and the foremost of these pillars were these pilgrims.

The leader of this noble organization was Hongyeon.

Hongyeon was the moniker of Akirea, the eldest daughter of the Three Heroic Dragons, who would later become the successor to the Three Divine Dragons and the guardian of the world.

Akirea of Hongyeon.

As the soul kindred whom Yonghyun loved more than anything in this world throughout his life, she was the first among the Three Heroic Dragons to embark on her journey.

During those days of her journey, Hongyeon reflected the light of love she received from Yonghyun back into the world through her own life.

People of later generations, seeing that life, were able to infer Yonghyun's benevolent virtue (善德).

"Ah, His Majesty Yonghyun must have been such a benevolent and compassionate person…" they would say.