Book 5 Chapter 3

Chapter 105

After passing through the mountain range that had stretched endlessly for five days, forming a crimson curve, the scent of the sea already wafted strongly.

This is the Blade Peninsula, where the Papal See is located.

Perhaps because the terrain extends like a blade from the southeastern direction of the Akrad Continent, people called this place the Blade Peninsula.

In the northern part of the peninsula, which has a continental climate due to the influence of the mountain range, there were six city-states, and in the south, the Dunoss Dynasty, founded by rough sea men, held power.

The Crimson Mountains stretching to the north and the sea opening widely on three sides made the lives of those living on this land diverse.

It's a blessed land where mountains, plains, and the sea harmoniously blend under distinct four seasons. Every time I see it in person, I can't help but think it's no wonder most artists are born here.

For example, the Harimun School, which uses sound magic, was also based here.

“Pitch, look at that! This is the Blade Peninsula!”

“Blade, blade, blade.”

Casena, whose heart always swelled at the mention of adventure, couldn't hide her excitement after entering the Blade Peninsula.

During their three-day journey, she had become completely close with Pipi (the effect of the Corn Divine Art was potent), and they were always together except when sleeping at the inn.

This was her second time coming here… but the memory of herself making the same expression as Casena back then brought a bitter smile to her face.

- Rin, this is the Blade Peninsula!

It was different, so much more than what I had seen in books… I couldn't tear my eyes away from the surrounding scenery, thinking, 'There's really a land like this in the world.'

- You'll be meeting other comrades soon, so get ready to greet them.

- Who?

Then, Friede, who was playing with Pipi, chuckled, exhaling a puff of cigarette smoke.

- A very scary drunk old man. If you act up like you do with me, you'll get a good beating, won't you?

I clearly remember thinking then: If the world had been normal, how beautiful would this peninsula have been…?

'I thought I'd be able to see it this time.'

However, strangely, no, unsettlingly, due to the heavy monsoon front covering the sky as if to swallow it, the atmosphere felt no different from the apocalypse 300 years ago.

If it had rained, her heart might have pounded at the sight of the rainy peninsula, but for five days, it only made the world gloomy like that, without a single raindrop.

As if waiting for something.

And it must be an illusion that the wild grasses and trees, rustling eerily in the low summer breeze, looked as if they were trembling.

"What! You've come all this way, why do you still look like you've bitten into a bug?"

"Because I'm sleepy."

"Then sleep!"

"But you just told me not to sleep and to look…"

While exchanging such meaningless conversations, the carriage continued to run for two days, finally entering the city of the Divine Dragon, the Papal Territory <Haraldonyki>.

A wide stone bridge, broad enough for ten four-horse carriages to pass simultaneously, marked the border, and on both sides, wyverns with glittering golden scales sat majestically.

When Casena shouted "Wow!" and waved her hand at the sight, something she'd only seen in books, the yellow dragons snorted in response.

'Seeing that the legion's might is the same as before, I guess there's not much to worry about?'

It was a moment of strangely relaxed tension. Seeing that almost nothing had changed from 300 years ago…

There were two purposes for coming here.

One was to keep an eye on Valensidis, but also, when the opportunity arose, to check the note Lystra had left on Rin's corpse in Bel Quilius.

'But was there a barrier around the Papal See?'

There probably was. And an immense barrier that one wouldn't dare to interpret.

'Then, it might be hidden by that, and I might not be able to see my corpse…'

Should I interpret it and remove it?

No, if I did that, I'd immediately be labeled a black magician and go to hell, wouldn't I? I guess I should wait until I graduate and can officially see it…

But I was so curious. What words might Lystra have left for me?

"You're from the Page family."

"I've already been contacted by the Cardinal."

All the guards conducting border crossing inspections in the middle of the stone bridge were Dunossians.

These were people who had even been granted approval for the establishment of their kingdom due to their extreme loyalty to the Radiant Dragon, and to this day, they diligently served as the Radiant Dragon's subordinates.

As the guards lowered their spears, the carriage began to move again… and after exiting the long border, the Divine Dragon's Tower, the Papal See, which soared to the ends of the sky, appeared before their eyes.

"Wow…"

"Oh…"

Until now, Casena had done all the drumming and janggu playing by herself, but this time, Rain, just like Rin had, had to gape.

One of the seven holy sites established in this world by the <Ones Who Came>, the Divine Dragon's nest reaching the heavens, also called the Sky Castle, a divine realm.

Its noble ivory exterior walls encircled the tower in a spiral, disappearing into the distant clouds.

The Papal See had an astonishing two hundred thirteen floors (a technological feat that even the Ain marveled at), and at the very top, closest to the sun and moon in this world, resided 'Haraderiman, the Radiant Dragon, the splendor that oversees the world.'

As they stared blankly at its majesty, lost in awe for nearly an hour, the carriage procession eventually crossed the city and arrived at the Papal See.

The procession stopped in front of the stables specially built to the right of the entrance, and at the signal of the Page family's guardian knight dismounting from his horse, the Page family's guards opened the carriage door.

Even the coachmen, who received the horses' reins from the soldiers and led them into the stable, were guards dressed in shining armor.

Casena, whose eyes sparkled with disbelief at this entire scene, suddenly spoke in a voice filled with faint nostalgia.

"I used to dream often…"

"…?"

"A dream of going directly to the Radiant Dragon and asking him to fix my legs… but I don't need it anymore! Rain fixed them!"

Casena giggled innocently, but Rain merely shrugged awkwardly. Had she learned some black magic that swayed people's hearts when she smiled…?

"You're not late, but you've arrived just in time. The schedule begins in 30 minutes, but would you like to put on your ceremonial attire?"

A priest with a cold expression approached and asked. Since it was customary to wear uniforms, Rain and Casena took turns going into the carriage to change clothes.

And leaving the family guards behind (only those authorized were allowed to enter the Papal See), they followed the priest, and soon the main gate of the Papal See appeared.

On both sides, about a hundred guards stood at attention, and at the end and center of that line stood Valensidis.

"…?"

Having only received notification that a special guest was coming and a command to wait for entry, Rain wondered if their plan had been exposed, but what in the world was this?

Valensidis, meeting Rain's gaze, blinked several times in uncharacteristic bewilderment.

You shouldn't be here now… Just as he was about to quickly approach Rain, seeking a near-notification of understanding from one of the guards,

"Where are you hurrying off to?"

An old man blocked Rain's path, who was preparing to tease Valensidis. At that moment, all the guards simultaneously knelt on one knee in homage.

It was… too noble an aura to be human, and the skin on both arms revealed by the fluttering sleeves was like the golden scales of a dragon.

Above all, majestic golden horns sprouted from both sides of his head, and a long, elegant dragon's tail protruded from beyond his vestment, twitching.

"…!"

While some writhed in bewilderment, and others in awe, only one boy, with a bright smile, quietly uttered that name.

"Yoshuhar…?"

If there had been priests or guards nearby, they would have thrust their spear tips forward, crying sacrilege.

Why wouldn't they?

The opponent was True Dragon Yoshuhar. One of the five Cardinals of the Papal See.

Yoshuhar himself chuckled, exchanged glances with Pipi on Casena's head, and simply gestured with his chin for only Rain to follow.

'What is it…?'

'The Cardinal himself…?'

It was an unprecedented situation that made everyone present blink in surprise, but no one dared to ask the Cardinal the reason.

* * *

The Dragonkind would occasionally manifest in human form to approach humans in a friendly manner without instilling fear.

These were called Dragon-humans.

While the least numerous and lowest-ranking wyverns often appeared quite similar to humans, True Dragons were clearly differentiated in many ways, making it obvious to anyone that they were Dragon-humans, as with Yoshuhar before their eyes now.

"Truly much has changed, yet the weave of your soul remains the same as 300 years ago, Rin."

Guided by Yoshuhar into a deserted prayer room on the first floor, Rain smiled blankly, almost collapsing.

"You knew…"

It was a shock and an emotion different from when he reunited with Pipi.

Though they weren't close enough to exchange tears of reunion, if Lystra, not he, had been here, she might have wept profusely.

Yoshuhar was said to be like a father to Lystra. Since she had received his soul's power, it was not an exaggeration to call him a spiritual father.

"The great Radiant Dragon, Haraderiman, knows everything. Even that you came here at the age of nine and regained your memories."

It was something he had anticipated, but hearing it directly, the shock was truly immense. Indeed, he must be a being with incredible divine power.

"Then, did you also send this to me…?"

When Rain took out Rin's diary, one of the few personal items he had brought on this journey, and showed it, Yoshuhar nodded.

"It was I, Yoshuhar, who did it. Though the Radiant Dragon was against it."

"Why?"

Then, Yoshuhar, who had not lost his majestic smile since their meeting, suddenly looked at the window where yellow dragons were arranged in a colorful mosaic pattern.

"To allow for preparation."

"For what?"

"Do you know? The Age of Dragons is coming to an end."

"…?"

"The Radiant Dragon's divine power is not what it used to be. Some unknown… powerful abyss is clouding the Radiant Dragon's eyes."

A powerful abyss capable of transgressing the Radiant Dragon's divine power? Perhaps because he understood how serious that was, a chill ran down his spine.

"I caught a few black magicians. They all had my face… Do you know who they are?"

"I know, but I cannot answer."

"Why?"

"Because your tender heart cannot yet bear that truth."

The truth?

What truth, for heaven's sake?

No, wait. Now that he had met Yoshuhar like this, it seemed many things would easily unravel.

"Yoshuhar, Lystra said she left a letter for me. Is that true?"

As he asked, he somehow felt as if his heart was tearing apart. Something was terrifying, and a part of his chest became unbearably sad.

What if there was no letter?

Even if there was a letter.

Could he, who had failed to keep his promise, truly bear the emotions of Lystra, who had died keeping hers for an entire lifetime…?

After a short, dry-mouthed silence, Yoshuhar nodded.

"It is so."

His lips felt parched.

Rolling his tongue to utter each word felt incredibly slow.

"Can I see it now?"

He braced himself, expecting to be guided, but for some reason, Yoshuhar shook his head with sad eyes.

"It is not possible."

"…?"

"This is something forbidden by the Radiant Dragon; even I, Yoshuhar, dare not transgress it."

For a moment, it felt as if his mind went blank, as if he had been slapped unexpectedly.

"Why? Why?!"

"The Radiant Dragon said she foresaw a disaster upon the world when you confront your former body."

What was he saying? He couldn't see the letter?

His strength drained, and he almost collapsed.

Then what was the reason for him to enroll in school? Was there any reason to maintain the top position until he became a third-year? It felt as if the rope that had pulled his solitary life had snapped in an instant.

"However, I, Yoshuhar, can allow you to meet Lystra."

Rain, who had been staring blankly at the ground, suddenly doubted his ears and sharply lifted his head.

Lystra?

Meet Lystra?

For a moment, he was so bewildered he couldn't even open his mouth. But his mouth stammered open on its own.

"What…?"