Book 7 Chapter 26

Chapter 175

“There's a place I have to go before deciding on this matter. It's also a place I want to go. If it's alright, will you take me?”

It was the morning of the next day.

Leaning on the wall, Celine, who had walked out onto the cabin's terrace supporting her swaying body, suddenly said so.

“If it's guidance to the underworld, I'll decline.”

“It's not like that.”

Unlike yesterday, I could guess from her calm, settled voice that she had made some significant decision.

“Where do you want to go?”

“My hometown.”

“Hometown, hometown, hometown.”

In the dead of night in the mountains, with stars bustling around the curtain of moonlight, we arrived at Mount Hwayeon of the Red Mountain Range.

As if to hint at the two battles that had taken place here, the Cheonhwapa dojo had collapsed into ruins.

The inside of the dojo was almost completely blown away without a trace, and its outer structures were melted, burned, or scattered, making it difficult to find their original forms.

Celine, who had ascended to this place with Valensidis's psychokinesis, now began to walk on her own strength, leaning on a staff.

“This is where the training ground used to be.”

The witches, having dealt with the situation, had created numerous burial mounds on the site of the old training ground.

Celine's gaze, looking down at the nameless gravestones and those unjust and fleeting deaths, sparkled mournfully in the moonlight.

Perhaps it was because I didn't know what words of comfort to offer, and even if I did, I didn't feel qualified to say them; there was nothing I could do but clasp my hands and pray.

‘Please forgive your unworthy disciple…’

If Fride had been here instead of me, she would have soothed the souls unable to reach heaven in their resentment with her prayers.

Ha…

A deep sigh mixed with a short exhalation, and immediately, a cute voice from beside me mimicked that sigh, more adorably than mournfully.

When I opened my eyes, I saw Aki praying with her eyes closed and hands clasped, in the exact same posture as me.

“You don't have to copy this.”

“Appuu.”

As I tousled her hair with a weak smile, Aki purred contentedly.

Perhaps seeing a lost connection in that sight, Celine gave a faint smile and then guided us to the next location.

“I'll stay here.”

Valensidis remained in front of the burial mounds.

There was no way for me to know what was in the heart of that fellow, who knelt respectfully and examined each gravestone with calm eyes.

What was curious was that Pipi also remained in front of the burial mounds, perched on his head.

“When performing the initiation ceremony into the dojo, that is, when being accepted as a disciple, you must show your face to this person.”

“This person?”

At the northern end of the dojo, in a place where the damage from the war was relatively light, a magnificent tree soared upwards.

When I saw its grandeur, with new shoots swaying in the breeze, I unconsciously let out an exclamation.

“Jeokchongmok…?”

The Jeokchongmok is a divine tree of the Red Mountain Range, a tree with the mystical power to absorb and purify negative energies.

Its circumference being larger than the cabin we were staying in on the outskirts of Aurelinople was truly a miracle of God itself.

It was grander than any Jeokchongmok I had seen in the Jeokchongnim (Red Favored Forest) where I had gone with Miria at that time.

“I've never seen one this big in my life.”

Perhaps it had absorbed even the Abyss's rampage that had occurred with this dojo as its altar, for there was not a single trace of rot on the tree's trunk, which moonlight permeated.

“Martial arts, they say, were born from the aspiration for ascension – the belief that through training of mind and body, one can become a being like a dragon.”

Celine placed her hand on its trunk and spoke, gazing at the quietly swaying leaves.

“Great and noble… but since anyone could gain immense power with enough training in martial arts, it could also degrade into a tool for harming innocent people, depending on who wielded it.

“…”

“That's why our sect always carefully selected those who would learn, our disciples. And this divine tree was the one who decided it.”

Was she recalling the time in the past when she was led here by her master? A sad smile lingered briefly on Celine's lips.

“This divine tree can look into people's hearts. How pure their souls are.”

“Even if it knows that, how does the divine tree make a choice? It can't speak, can it?”

“I asked a similar question too. The tree will give you the answer. See for yourself. They say seeing once is better than hearing a hundred times. Aki… was it?”

“Akirea.”

“Yes, tell that child to place her hand on this trunk.”

Perhaps she felt something from the tree; Aki, who had been sucking her finger and gazing at the tree, trotted over and placed her hand on its trunk even before I said anything.

For a moment, nothing happened.

In the stillness of the night, even without a breeze, the leaves suddenly began to rustle… and then something unbelievable happened.

Hwalreuk…

…Hwalreuk, Hwareureuk…

……………….Hwalreuk…

Suddenly, all the leaves of the divine tree transformed into flames, burning beautifully.

Strangely, the leaves didn't burn away at all; they simply illuminated the world cozily, like lanterns.

As I watched that mystery, utterly captivated, a bewildered murmur reached my ears.

“I've never seen all the leaves turn into flames before, and I've never even heard of such a thing happening…”

Was it because the Dragon race possessed no inner evil, or was it a reverence for the return of the mountain's master after 300 years?

The sight before my eyes was so incredibly beautiful that I didn't even have time to ponder the answer.

I later heard that even if just one leaf turned into a flame, one would be accepted as a disciple, and with twenty or more, the sect leader or elders would personally provide guidance.

“A disciple chosen by this divine tree with thirty or more flames, possessing both skill, character, and public esteem, is called a Cheonhwa Illyong (One Dragon of Heavenly Fire).”

Celine knelt on one knee, placed her hand on Aki's head, and spoke.

“Since the great tree has chosen, there's no way to defy it now. Perhaps it's also advising me not to give up.”

“Up-ttoyo?”

“Very well, I, Celine, the first-generation disciple and Cheonhwa Illyong of the Cheonhwapa, accept you, Akirea, as a disciple of the Cheonhwapa. Great Tree, be a witness to this day and guide Akirea on the path of ascension.”

Ascension, she says… She was already among the ascended from birth, but wouldn't it be fine if we considered it training her spirit?

Perhaps that blessing reached it, for the divine tree's flames began to burn even more elegantly and beautifully.

But the moment Celine clasped Aki's shoulders, Aki scurried away and hid behind my legs.

“She's still young, so she's a bit shy around strangers. But she'll get used to you quickly.”

It seems it won't be like with Miria.

With Miria, she became close right away, and quite brazenly at that, while I, her guardian, was asleep. And she was even younger, in her infant state, than she is now.

Still… after witnessing the series of initiation rituals, I also developed considerable trust in this wanderer, Celine.

‘Not only is her skill excellent, but her mindset towards martial arts is also upright and splendid. Enough that I could trust and entrust her, even if it weren't for an act of atonement.’

Celine, looking alternately at me and Aki, let out a self-deprecating snort.

“Oh, I thought she had run away, realizing she was being drawn into a sect that had been annihilated and no longer had a dojo.”

* * *

Aki inhaled the breeze coming across the river with all her might, then smiled brightly and pointed to the horizon with her fingertip.

“A-baat, over-there-oh, the wa-ter meets-the-sky-oh.”

Due to the shallow draft, the spray parting at the bow splashed onto the deck in droplets, and each time, Aki giggled.

Though she would cling tightly to my legs in fright whenever a fish leaped out or herons landed on the water…

Seeing things like this sometimes makes me think we have a long way to go… but who cares about that? Gosh, my child is so cute I could die.

“Yes, the water and the sky really do meet.”

“Neungji, Neungji, Neungji, Ne-ee-eungji, Neungji Neungji Neungji.”

“You stay still for a bit.”

Pipi, who had been teasing Aki, darted away towards the stern, escaping my grasp.

It was a boat with sails but no oars.

Three boatmen propelled the boat with poles and sails; it wasn't a boat going out to sea, but one moving to the next riverside village's port.

Two days by merchant ship, half a day by sailboat.

By this evening, we would completely leave the jurisdiction of the purple city, Aurelinople.

“Listen carefully, Aki.”

“Aki, d-listening.”

Oh, are these tears?

Seeing her growing rapidly these days, mastering human speech proficiently, a wave of emotion washed over me.

It felt like just yesterday I was teaching her “sit” and “lie down.”

“From now on, this person is Aki's master.”

I pointed to Celine, who was performing deep breathing exercises, sitting cross-legged on the boat's floor.

Perhaps she had glimpsed a hope for life from Aki, for Celine's complexion, who had resumed eating and her deep breathing exercises five days ago, was gradually recovering.

Since she had first focused on her own recovery, there had been no opportunity for them to bond, so she seemed an awkward presence to Aki.

Aki, hidden behind my legs with only her head peeking out, asked again.

“Ta-duni?”

“Master.”

“Ta-huni-im.”

“Yes, yes, there's a saying: 'The ruler, teacher, and father are one.' So now you must follow her just as you follow me.”

Aki, looking alternately at Celine and me, shook her head vigorously.

“Aki, shilta.”

“Aki, I don't want to.”

“Aki, shil-seummida.”

“Good girl, good girl.”

As I stroked her head, Aki rubbed her head against me more, purring as if asking for more.

“You have to be this charming with Master too. You have to follow her just the same. Understand?”

“Aki A-ba-nun A-ba-a-ppuni-e-yo.”

Everything's fine, but why does she say her own name first, like Pipi? Is it okay since she's cute? Oh, I don't know.

What would Alakish have said if he were here? He'd probably be saying, 'Let's see Aki's cuteness once more~'

Actually, seeing this tremor pulsating fiercely deep in my heart, in my soul, it seems Alakish is also pleased.

“You're impossible. I'm not telling you to follow her as your dad, but to act similarly to that.”

“Bi-deu-ta-geyo?”

“Yes. Similarly. Alright, now, a greeting. Belly-button bow~ Hello~ I taught you yesterday, remember? Alright, Master, hello~!”

Aki, stepping out from behind my legs, demurely gathered her hands around her navel and vigorously bent at the waist.

“Aki, An-nyeong-ha-ttae-yo-oh.”

At that moment, I wasn't the only one with a smile on my lips that felt like it could ascend to heaven.

Everyone watching… even the boatmen, who were poling the boat from the gunwale and adjusting the wind-filled sails, closed their eyes and nodded their heads as if savoring that voice.

Even Celine's eyes, though still wearing a listless expression despite her recovering strength, lit up with color for a moment, so there's no need to explain just how charming that cuteness was.

“Shall we greet the boatmen too? Alright, hello~!”

“Tta-gong-a-ja-tti, An-nyeong-ha-ttae-yo-, An-nyeong-ha-ttae-yo, An-nyeong-ha-ttae-yo-.”

As Aki bowed respectfully to each of the boatmen in three directions, they exclaimed in what seemed like emotion and even clapped.

“Goodness me~ How can a child be so cute? Now that my wife has given birth to such a wonderful daughter, I wouldn't say a word even if she ran away.”

She's not my daughter… and most importantly, I don't have a wife.

I was about to protest to the laughing boatmen but gave up. There would be no point in explaining, and it would only exhaust me.

After finishing her greetings, Aki hid behind my legs again. It seemed she intended to recharge her “A-baat” gauge.

I turned to Celine and said.

“She's still shy around strangers, so why don't we properly start after we stop at the next port village?”

Celine, who had been staring at Aki with a slightly dazed expression, even pausing her deep breathing exercises, nodded immediately.

It was only when that small, adorable commotion had settled that Valensidis, who had been guarding the stern against potential pursuers or attackers, walked over.

Perhaps they had become quite close during the last joint operation, for Pipi was perched on his head, dozing, and Valensidis was moving quite cautiously, seemingly unwilling to wake her.

“Are you really going to stop at all the riverside villages on the way to Terbenople?”

“Only the villages not within the jurisdiction of the two major cities. If anything is needed, I'll help. Problems would have arisen in various places with the drastic reduction in the number of Red Witches.”

It was true that Tureina had initiated wise governance and led the Republic to its final resurgence.

However, it was also true that behind that, she had sown disaster across the world with unspeakable atrocities.

Since it was a mistake made by an unworthy disciple, it was something I, as her master, had to bear in her stead. Just like when the Dean Auntie bowed her head for me in the past.

It might not be much help, but I want to, however inadequately, clean up the messes my disciple created.

“Are you planning to atone instead?”

Valensidis, who had sharply discerned my intention, spoke in a voice that was hardly friendly.

Come to think of it, unlike Yuliana, this fellow was hostile towards Tureina from beginning to end. He didn't even come to the cremation.

I didn't ask the reason, and Valensidis also didn't pry into how deep my relationship with Tureina had been.

Was that the distance between us?

“No.”

I have no intention of doing something presumptuous like atonement. I can't visit every city or village, and it's questionable whether the aggrieved parties would gladly accept it.

“It's just for my own satisfaction.”

Because only then might this sad and stifled heart feel a little more at ease.

Because only then might the soul of that pathetic one, who will begin a new life in the body of Mirngadia, find a little rest.

At that moment, I think I was unconsciously wearing a truly sad smile.

“I thought you were in a hurry for your journey.”

Valensidis glanced towards Aki and said.

“They say I don't need to rush that much.”

“Who said that?”

“Someone.”

“Hmm.”

“And besides, you were going to teach martial arts in Terbenople anyway. Moving around like this, getting fresh air, is much better than being cooped up there for months.”

“Hmph.”

“What, you don't like it?”

“No.”

Valensidis closed his eyes, wearing a slightly more transparent smile than usual. Just like he did during the first and last school festival I ever enjoyed.

Amidst the river breeze that coolly rustled his light brown hair, he said quietly.

“I think it won't be bad.”