Book 16 Chapter 51

You, I, and we,

holding irreplaceable memories in our souls here,

"Nim."

It seems the time has come to adorn the grand finale of the hero party's journey, which can be called its first half, on the continent of Akrad.

With the subjugation of Greta Viser, it seems most of the [Flesh of the King] that had been plaguing the continent has been recovered.

Of course, there are still dangerous elements remaining, but they should be adversaries that the Magical Alliance, the Golden Children, and the Witches' Coven can handle.

"Nim-ah."

It was truly frustrating that I couldn't defeat Greta Viser one-on-one this time.

But this is also no problem.

Because once we cross the sea and arrive on the continent of Adrion, we will face the Grand Demon Front! There, countless strong individuals will become stepping stones for my growth.

"Where are you going? South is over there, are you trying to add a sense of direction to your lecherous character setting?"

But Friede kept being stubborn and took us west instead of south.

"Argh, you're really damn loud! Just come when I tell you to! I'll take you to a good spot. You won't regret it either, will you?"

[(ㅇㅅㅇ)?!]

"A good spot, you say? Where are you taking Rin?"

As Kies pricked up her ears, Lystha smiled brightly. But why was she cracking her knuckles?

"No, it's a really good spot! Not a figurative expression, it's real!"

At that moment, it was a real relief that I didn't whine more about not wanting to go.

It was such a relief…

That I didn't keep being stubborn until Friede gave up.

"But are we really doing the right thing?"

The reason I didn't complain then wasn't because I was annoyed, but because a bit of anguish lingered in my mind after the subjugation of the Adamantite rank.

"What are you talking about now?"

So, instead of whining, I just followed my companions, eyes fixed on Huk's grimoire, and spoke.

"I… agree with what the Adamantite mercenary said. Honestly, there are too many things in this world that seem unreasonable. To the point where I question if God even exists. Actually, it doesn't really matter to me if I have someone to use magic on."

Then Lystha, who had picked a foxtail and was holding it in her mouth, chuckled.

"Why are you laughing?"

"If there were a God, such evil shouldn't exist… The fact that you harbor such doubts is proof that the desire to pursue good is etched into your soul. It's the mind of creation, etched at the moment of creation."

"People pursuing good is proof of God's existence? That's sophistry."

Just as I raised my head, Lystha suddenly turned around and stared directly into my eyes with her golden gaze.

"Rin, what do you think a hero is?"

"Someone who doesn't hesitate to make regionally discriminatory remarks but is better with a sword than anyone else?"

After three fist-sized bumps sprouted on the top of my head, the conversation resumed.

"A hero party, you see. I think they are people who long for heaven."

"Heaven?"

"Do not believe those who say, 'Heaven is here,' or 'Heaven is there.' Heaven is within your souls! That's my favorite verse from the scriptures."

"Longing for heaven means wanting to die?"

"That's not it. There will be no sorrow in heaven, right? Then we must work to make sure there is no sorrow for those around us, and furthermore, for the whole world. And there will be no pain or tears, right? It can be applied in a similar way."

A world without tears, pain, or sorrow—if such a thing truly existed, why would it allow everyone to be born there, instead of continuing to maintain a world like this? It's truly difficult to understand.

"I believe longing for heaven isn't just wishing for it, but striving and working to make heaven come to be on this earth. That's the work of the hero party."

Making heaven… come to be…?

Friede, who was holding a pipe with a pleased smile, opened her mouth.

"Mother of Creation, may your name be made holy through us, may your kingdom come through us, and may your will be done on earth through us… It's a famous prayer left by Tersia."

"…?"

"In the world of witches, there's something called the Holy Spirit. I think it's perhaps similar to the truth you mages pursue… a beacon of enlightenment. The Fire Dragon once gave me advice on what's needed to reach this Holy Spirit."

Advice from one of the Three Dragon Gods, the Fire Dragon Bel'Dakhidoon?

I wanted to hear it.

Come to think of it, Friede seems to have been blessed with many teachers. A shamaness, and now the Fire Dragon as a teacher.

"To obtain the Holy Spirit, one must possess a desperate conviction to the point of giving up everything… yet also be willing to abandon that Holy Spirit if it means saving a single powerless and hungry child. That, he said, is the true path to the Holy Spirit."

What is that?

Isn't that too contradictory?

To give up everything and pursue truth, but be able to set aside that truth for one starving poor child on the roadside?

"Ah, we've arrived."

Before I could sort out the thoughts swirling in my head, Friede, who was walking ahead, stopped.

"I wondered if we'd be late because Rin was whining, but we arrived at the perfect time. How is it? For an uncute kid like Rin, it's too romantic a flower garden, isn't it?"

At that moment, a ray of brilliant light shone into my soul, which had been trapped in the space of a book called… the grimoire.

The name of that light was Lystha.

It was you who excitedly snatched my wrist, which was clutching the grimoire. It was you who led me beyond that hill, to a sight I had not yet seen.

"Rin, over here! Look at these flowers!"

Living my whole life, I wondered if I had ever felt the mystery of nature so breathtakingly before.

If heaven truly existed…

And if there was a garden in heaven…

Would it feel exactly like this…?

To the extent that such thoughts spontaneously arose, the flower garden spread out beneath the horizon, where twilight, dusk, and darkness were layered in three strata… the charm of that flower garden, with each petal blooming in the twilight glow and dancing… how could it possibly be… so beautiful?

"It's better to read another magic book than to look at something like this. What's so good about it, anyway…?"

As Lystha forcibly pulled me along, I uttered those words, though they weren't what I truly felt.

Why did I do that?

Was I trying to chastise myself for being captivated and charmed by this heavenly scene with such words?

[b(ㅇㅁㅇ)d]

As if knowing those words weren't genuine, Kies ruffled my hair, which was being pulled by Lystha, turning it into a bird's nest.

"Twilight, twilight, twilight."

"Kyu-kyu-kyu-kyung!"

Meanwhile, small creatures, who didn't hide their emotions from themselves or others, flew over this flower garden, dancing joyfully.

"Look at it, savoring it carefully. This is the Garden of Twilight Herbs. It's a sight that can only be seen at sunset, in other words, only for a single moment of the day."

Friede, who had moved far behind us by now, concluded her words, exhaling a long, faint stream of cigarette smoke.

"It's… a legacy of memories my master gave me, something I'll cherish my whole life."

A legacy of memories, ah, Friede, you're right…

It was the same for me…

The scenery of that day, those warm petals, that enchanting floral scent… in the solitude of a hundred-year journey… always comforted and sustained my soul, which had nearly collapsed and broken.

"Someday, after our journey is completely over."

Thank you…

"Let's make sure more people can enjoy this scenery."

For leaving me… such a… dazzling and beautiful… treasure, cherished in my soul for a lifetime, an irreplaceable 'legacy of memories'…

"I believe each and every one of those things is what brings heaven to this earth."