Book 18 Chapter 3

Before crossing the sea,

in the great wizard's hometown,

the siege of <Karsiko>, where the entire Tershi Archipelago was almost captured by the demon race, was brought under control by the efforts of the Rista Party.

This would later be recorded as an immense triumph in war history.

It was the annihilation of the demon race's strategy to sever the sea routes, cut off intercontinental connections, and isolate them.

At this time, the leadership of the Naga's Sea Star Eight Clans (海星八族) suffered critical damage (primarily to the sea generals\/commanders) and had no choice but to temporarily withdraw from the front lines of the war.

The Rista Party thus once again left a distinct mark on history.

They nonchalantly accomplished feats so great that later, some would question if they were exaggerated for propaganda.

"…The Rista Party's achievements are truly astonishing."

The first victory report from the Hero Party on the great demon front was immediately reported to the imperial court of Holan Tisria, the Emperor of the Holy Human Empire of that era.

"All this happened because Your Majesty granted permission for the Royal Palace to join the Rista Party, Your Majesty. With this, the world will praise Your Majesty's benevolence. Let this week be declared a temporary holiday so that the people may share in the joy."

"Your words are truly lovely, Duke. But will that be enough? I shall personally lead the 3rd expeditionary force."

"Your Majesty, that place is a death trap! Please reconsider."

"Haven't they said, 'A tiger dies and leaves its skin (虎死留皮)'? I am no mere beast, and I have no intention of leaving only a skin in history. I believe this is an opportunity to leave a distinct mark. The domestic crisis caused by [The King's Flesh] has also disappeared, so now is the time to project our power externally."

"If Your Majesty's will is so…"

"Minister of Magic, after the holiday, issue a proclamation to the lords of each region to prioritize receiving resources, and if the quotas are not met, issue a conscription order. All preparations necessary for the expedition will be entrusted to you."

Historically, Sylvie Capel, the head of the Capel family who succeeded the Page family as the head of the magic clan, bowed respectfully.

"I shall obey, Your Majesty."

* * *

As the Imperial family dispatched griffon riders to proclaim a seven-day holiday throughout the empire, a bustling festive period also began in the northern part of the empire.

"…It's the Osarius School."

"…Is that the Osarius School that became the leading proponent of sign-rune magic?"

"…It's plainer than expected."

Thanks to that, Gisela's pride was about to soar to the heavens! First-year classmates from the Magic University <Winterhold> walking on either side said:

"Everyone's looking only at Gisela."

"This hanbok is identical to Rin's! Look, I pestered the Dean and even got this new bamboo hat!"

"But… what kind of person was Lord Rin? Is he really as cute as the rumors say? Good at magic and cute too, please introduce us when he comes back!"

At that, Gisela's face turned serious!

All emotion vanished from her expression! Crazy!

"No, Rin isn't cute at all, he's super ugly and covered in freckles, and he's terrible at magic."

"What? What are you talking about? If it's as Gisela says, how did he become a Glados (4-star) wizard at that age and join the Hero Party?"

"He must have cheated."

"Gisela must be the one cheating! According to rumors, Lord Rin is a complete prince."

"What nonsense! His nickname was Gorilla!"

"Isn't that Gisela's nickname?"

"Shut up! Anyway, yes! Rin is as ugly as a gorilla! His magic is as shabby as a gorilla's! So don't even talk about introducing us!"

* * *

The Osarius Magic Tower already knew about the events in the Tershi Archipelago a week before the holiday was proclaimed.

"You're always looking up at the sky like that, Dean."

Pomas, the first disciple, called "Grand Senior Brother" by the other disciples, approached.

Atlante was sitting on the main wooden floor of the magic tower's first floor, gazing at the sky beyond the pine forest.

From a certain day, this 'waiting' had become like a daily routine.

"Rin isn't the type to write letters every day, so you could wait a bit more leisurely."

"I know. But it's not as easy as it sounds."

"Rin's letters to us… over 500 sign-runes he sent have already been deciphered."

Pomas turned his head and saw 'Winter Wind' Ricky practicing basic magic in the Bargante style on the other side of the magic tower's courtyard.

"Thanks to that, our school has come to be called the leading proponent of sign-rune magic. The kids absolutely love it, thinking Rin created it."

"Especially the 'Wind Series'."

"Haha, Gisela, who coined the term 'Wind Series,' even took first place in <Winterhold>'s practical exam this time. With sign-rune magic."

In every letter, Rin always personally drew and attached finger shapes corresponding to each sign-rune.

The sincerity embedded in those drawings… filled Atlante with immense joy.

No matter how short the letter was, it would contain about a dozen such drawings, and through them, she was delighted to glimpse her student's heart.

"The Magic League sends people every time, asking when you'll finally release this to academia. Since you've deciphered a whopping 500 out of a thousand runes, why don't you just release the first part, Dean?"

Atlante, somewhere between joy and sadness, smiled and shook her head.

"I can't do that. No, I don't want to. Rin was the one who deciphered them."

"But… you are currently the dean of this school, Master. Or perhaps you intend to make it a secret technique of the school?"

"Because there's no meaning in simply proclaiming those sign-runes to the world."

The heart contained in each of those sign-runes, that it 'resembles the heart of creation'… I only wish to see that child convey it.

'Rin…'

She had always watched that child grow by her side, but now, with almost two years having passed since they've been so far apart, how much more must he have grown?

"I wish to be in the audience, not on the stage, at the very moment it is conveyed. Do I seem greedy, Pomas? Waiting to announce this innovative sign-rune magic to the world, just because of my personal desire?"

At the Dean's sudden sincerity, Pomas offered a wry smile born of joy.

"Of course not, Dean. It seems I failed to grasp your profound intentions. I will handle the Magic League officials as usual and send them away properly."

Just then, Atlante sprang up from the main wooden floor.

She was so sudden and emotional that it felt as if she had kicked off the ground.

"Master?"

The reason could be quickly discerned from the direction of Atlante's gaze.

A griffon was coming!

As the griffon landed in the courtyard, children who had been training magic or feeding chicks swarmed over.

"Greetings, Dean."

The mail carrier responsible for the northern region removed a dozen safety hooks from the saddle and jumped down.

Atlante held her breath.

Just because a griffon rider arrived didn't necessarily mean news from Rin.

"You've received quite a few letters this time, Dean."

The mail carrier rummaged through the mailbox on the saddle and pulled out a few letters.

"There are letters recommending the admission of your students from the Magic School, and also some sent by the Magic League…"

"…Is that all?"

"Yes, these are all for now… Oh, and there's one more at the very bottom here. It's from across the sea. The sender is Rin, the famous wizard of the Hero Party these days."

Thanks to the children's cheers, Atlante's soft laugh, 'Ha,' was fortunately masked.

"Ricky will read Rin oppa's letter first!"

"What are you talking about! I'll read it too!"

"Yeah, why do you get to read big brother's letter first all by yourself!"

Atlante took the bundle of letters from the rider and said firmly.

"Alright, quiet! First, greet the rider who brought these letters! What's the greeting? A 90-degree bow!"

As the children placed their hands on their navels and bowed politely, the rider burst into laughter.

Only this magic tower was different.

Famous magic tower wizards were typically arrogant and treated riders with disdain, but here they were treated like honored guests.

"Pomas, he has to travel a long way again, so please bring him some warm tteok and milk."

"Yes, Master."

Thanks to Rin, donations had continued from all over the empire, so the magic tower was now raising dairy cows. Milk was a good source of calcium.

"And now, everyone, go sit on the floor. If you sit quietly, I'll read Rin's letter to you."

The children quickly threw off their shoes (and tidied them up when Atlante pointed it out) and sat in rows on the floor according to their rank.

"Alright, then, as promised."

Atlante unfolded Rin's letter on the desk.

"Hello, Dean. This seems to be the first letter I'm sending since the new year? Or maybe not."

Rin's unique way of speaking was evident in the letter, making the children burst into laughter.

"I'm a little worried if the gorillas of the school are causing you trouble, Dean. Of course, only a little, so don't get any strange ideas."

At that, Ricky raised his hand and shouted. His stutter had now completely disappeared.

"Ricky isn't causing the Dean trouble!"

"What are you talking about, I'm not causing trouble either!"

"Yeah, it's not just you!"

As the children started chattering noisily again, Pomas, who was serving tteok and milk to the rider, smiled faintly. Atlante placed her index finger on her lips, and they quickly quieted down.

"I'm in a very good mood because this battle yielded quite satisfying results. I beat two great beings with my strongest magic, but there's no way to prove it, so that's sad."

'There's no particular need to prove it.'

Atlante thought so.

Because at just that one sentence, a slightly different kind of excitement filled the children's faces compared to before.

"Rin hyung must have defeated another amazing opponent!"

"That's seriously awesome! I'll become a great wizard like hyung too."

"There must be a huge commotion everywhere again! Gisela unnie's nose must have grown this long!"

Rin was everyone's pride… The children were proud of Rin's heroic deeds as if they were their own, and they rejoiced and admired him.

"<Karsiko> is one of the seven great cities, so its library is enormous. Rista says that before the turmoil, anyone could travel there. Dean or you gorillas, if you ever think of coming, just say the word. Frieda says she'll treat you to the finest full course."

From then on, the children gradually quieted down.

"I ended up staying for about 50 days to clean up after this incident, and during that time, I was able to research quite a few sign-runes in this library. 54 of them. This letter is quite late because I had to organize and send all of them. Drawing fingers is too tough."

The paper, protected by a preservation barrier so that no one else could casually view it or damage it, amounted to ten sheets.

"It's already March 1105. How are things there now? Three years have passed, so the gorilla kids must have grown a lot, right?"

Instead, sniffling sounds could be heard.

"I haven't grown much, but thanks to that, my hanbok still fits well, so it seems fine."

That was something that couldn't be quieted just by being told to, so Atlante continued to read.

"The gorilla brats must have grown a lot and are probably whining that their hanboks are too small, so just smash their heads in. Tell them to wait, and I'll get them new ones when I return."

It was not a simple sentence, nor a simple letter.

Even from afar, it was the melody of a soul imbued with thoughts for his schoolmates and respect for his dean.

"This letter has become too long. So I'll stop here. Goodbye."

As the children sniffled, Atlante also felt a stinging in her nose.

"Ricky didn't cry!"

At that, Ricky shouted.

"Dean, when Rin oppa comes back, please tell him! Tell him Ricky didn't cry! Tell him I'm always smiling thinking of oppa."

Ricky bit his lips to control the emotions expressed in his tear-streaked face. Atlante nodded and stroked his head.

"This doesn't seem like Rin? Did something happen to Rin?"

Pomas, who had been listening to the letter reading from outside, came in, let out a hollow laugh, and whispered.

"Yes, it seems something has happened."

Atlante, answering so, continued to speak without hiding or wiping away the tears streaming from her eyes.

"Rin, that child… something has finally begun to happen to him."

* * *

In the land of the World Tree, northern Idea, the blue true dragon Tazirum arrived, scattering blue light.

The water dragon Yeriserica, a being who observes the future of the world and seeks to uphold justice before the World Tree.

Tazirum respectfully knelt and paid homage to her, who was called the Mother of Pure White, and then reported the incident in detail.

"Yes, so it has come to pass. It is a good thing. Though it was a rare occurrence in the Pure White Dream."

"Mother, I have neither beheld 'His' light nor heard 'His' voice… but it was a time when I could imagine what it would be like if 'He' were on this land…"

"Is that so? Indeed. The name of the ship my father sailed was the same as that child's name."

Yeriserica gave that brief reply, then quietly closed her eyes. Her hand, resting on the World Tree as if to support her body, trembled soundlessly.

"The power of the Absolute Abyss, eroding my body and soul… I won't be able to step out into the world for a while. So, I entrust all order to you until then."

"Father, because of us…"

"It's not because of you, but because of me. The matter of letting the Absolute Abyss escape was entirely my decision, and thus it is my task to resolve it again."

"Father…"

"Stop. Then, someday again, at the final hour… if the Providence of Creation allows… let us meet again."

That was the last of Black Sun Carenden. Carenden, the creator and father of the Three Divine Dragons, thus vanished from history.

'Father, you are working again…'

That alone is enough. Simply knowing that is enough of a grace bestowed upon me.

'That knowledge alone, that you are accompanying us again, unseen but clearly… that is enough…'