Book 8 Chapter 15

Episode 189

Even now, when I close my eyes, it sometimes comes to mind.

Link, Link, Link…

The face of the giant man who smiled so brightly and foolishly.

"Ababababa!"

It was Aki who scurried through the thick smoke covering the lemon tree forest and clung to my leg.

Looking down at him, I found myself caught in a strange thought.

Was this how I felt when Link saw me from his perspective?

"You did well for your first real battle."

"Pwoo."

There's no one to ask that now. Since there's no one to share memories with, all I can do now is speculate…

"Let's hurry."

It's been half a day since we entered the island region, and these islands seem strange no matter how I look at them.

Every village we passed through only had old people. Their fear of outsiders was so intense that I couldn't even try to talk to them.

Not only that, but it felt as if something ominous was watching…

"You are…"

It was around that time that I felt the villagers' gazes.

It was quite surprising, as this was the first village to try to communicate first.

The villagers also had expressions mixed with bewilderment, fear, and caution, so I had to raise both hands to clearly state my intentions.

"I haven't come here to harm you. The village became like this, um, I'm sorry."

"No, no… If it weren't for you, what state would we be in by now…"

A short old man, covered in blood, replied as the village representative.

"My name is Dos… I'm the village chief… *Cough*, feel free to call me Fish Slayer…"

"Slayer?"

As I cautiously moved back slightly, a frail-looking woman smiled despite her coughing.

"We're different from the Slayers… It's just one of the ways of life in our village…"

"…?"

"My name is Linda… I used to be called Disgusting Slayer because I was so good at cooking…"

As if on cue, their caution vanished, and the villagers began to introduce themselves in proud voices.

The strongest shepherd in the village was Wolf Slayer. The best tailor in the village was Needle Slayer…

The reason Dos was Fish Slayer was because he was incredibly good at catching fish…

"I tell you, when I cast my net, *cough*, fish pile up like mountains! I wish I could show you…"

Why was it? Looking at those ridiculous names, Link's innocent laughter came to mind.

I chuckled inadvertently.

Instead of his massive physique or combat abilities, perhaps that foolish innocence has been passed down through generations to his descendants.

"But there's no space here to tend sheep, and it's a cliff if you try to go out by boat to catch fish."

"This wasn't our village originally… We are direct descendants… We used to live in Linkland…"

Direct descendants…

It seemed fate played some interesting tricks. Link's direct descendants, of all things…

Once again, it felt as if a voice was coming from the distant shadow of the past. Link, Link, Link.

"Normally, I would have told you to run away before those Slayers got to you. But to defeat that monster, Spiela, you are truly…"

"My name is Rain. This is Aki."

"Aki is Aki!"

"By the way, there are no young people in this village either. Where can I find them, hmm."

"Young people?"

I was thinking of meeting Miria before taking on the Dragon Slayer.

"All the children and young people were taken away by those bad guys…"

"Taken away? Why?"

"…Is there someone you're looking for?"

"Her name is Miria. She uses the interesting nickname Goblin Slayer. Do you happen to know her?"

Suddenly, the villagers' eyes widened. Dos blinked in surprise.

"Miria? Miria, you say?"

"Yes, that's what she definitely said. She had blonde hair and jade eyes."

"Are you a friend?"

"Friend? Hmm, strictly speaking, I suppose so."

"Did everyone hear that? This fine young man says he's Miria's boyfriend… Hahaha…!"

When did I ever say that?

Before I could refute, smiles bloomed on the old people's faces, and they unleashed a barrage of questions.

I closed my mouth blankly, unable to understand why, and Linda smiled gently, explaining the reason.

"What a coincidence… This village was our Miria's hometown…"

What surprised me even more was the introduction Dos gave afterwards.

"And this Linda, who you're speaking with, is Mirea and Miria's mother!"

This person, Miria's mother…?

I looked back in surprise, and Linda smiled through her painful coughs, bowing politely.

"Her adoptive mother, though."

At that moment, a voice from somewhere made the murmuring voices instantly fall silent.

A voice both unfamiliar and somewhat familiar, in the cold silence, receiving everyone's gaze, appeared…

I inadvertently let out a hollow laugh and called her name.

"Miria."

Even with her sweat-soaked hair clinging to her face, her serene beauty was so striking.

As expected, this girl reminds me of Rista. She makes me feel the same heart-fluttering sensation I felt when I saw Rista.

Though her expression is much darker and colder compared to Rista.

"Awoong?"

Perhaps not recognizing her after such a long time, Aki, who was staring at her, tilted his head.

"Look at this. Aki has grown so big, hasn't he? Aki, it's Miria. It's been a long time, so you don't rememb—"

Had she run a long distance? Her face was slightly red, and her breathing was heavy. The girl I hadn't seen in roughly five months suddenly shouted.

"—Why are you here?"

No matter what, I can't say something like 'I came to see you' or 'I came to help you,' not even to Rista or Friede, it's too embarrassing.

"What? I came because I heard you were in danger. You seem perfectly fine."

"In danger? Me?"

"No?"

"You're the one in danger! Do you know where this is? If the Dragon Slayer finds out you've come here…"

"Miria, this person is trying to—"

It was at that moment that Linda stepped forward to mediate the conversation.

The bushes behind Miria rustled, and three children appeared.

All of them were uniformly lightly armed, and their faces were expressionless. They spoke with blank faces.

"Lady Miria, an emergency summons has been issued for the Slayer executives."

Something was peculiar.

Not only their expressions, but even their voices lacked any intonation? It wasn't even a magical voice device.

"Reports have come in that mages from the Magical Alliance's Special Operations Unit have appeared across the islands. The executive staff is to gather on Island 3."

The emotion that fleetingly crossed Miria's eyes as she looked at those children was… an uncontrollable pain.

"Who are those kids?"

As I took a step towards them, Miria stretched out her hand. With a voice as cold as frost.

"If you go northeast, there's the boat I came on. Take it and leave this island immediately. With your skill, breaking through a siege won't be a problem."

"What?"

"Leave now. Didn't you understand? I'm an executive of the Slayers. If you stay here, I'll have no choice but to fight you. So go."

An executive… What's that supposed to mean?

Did Cora lie?

If it's true, why did she have such a painful expression? Just before she pushed off the ground to leave, when she briefly looked at Aki?

Linda smiled sadly and said.

"She probably didn't mean to be cold… She was just worried… She used to be such a bright child…"

Linda, who was coughing laboriously, buckled at the knees and fell. Supporting her thin body, I narrowed my eyes.

"This is something I should have heard from Cora before coming here… What exactly happened on this island?"

"Cora?"

As soon as I uttered that name, Village Chief Dos approached with a surprised face.

"Did you just say Cora?"

"Yes. She was the one who brought me here. We got separated due to some incident along the way."

"So, she's safe… Gods, thank you."

Dos, who let out a sigh of relief, plopped down. I heard later that Cora was Dos's biological granddaughter.

"Her parents died during the Slayers' raid. So I raised her like a daughter. I express my gratitude."

"That's exactly what I want to hear. What exactly happened over the past 10 years? And what's this about the Slayers' raid?"

For a moment, I felt the sea tremble. The chattering voices of the villagers subsided. As if they had heard something they shouldn't have.

Everyone exchanged glances for a long time, then Linda raised her hand as if seeking the villagers' consent.

The fact that I was Miria's friend, that I had defeated the Witch Slayer, and that Cora had called me seemed to have completely softened their caution.

"Since you said you're Miria's friend, I, her mother, will explain… Though I no longer deserve to be called mother…"

Would Miria think the same?

Miria's expression as she looked at her father's broken keepsake showed no resentment or hatred.

I raised a hand to Linda, who was about to open her mouth.

"Let's hear the story later. Right now, it's important for you all to evacuate from here."

"Yes…?"

"Please tell everyone on the other islands to hide somewhere as well."

Then Dos raised an eyebrow.

"What are you talking about? You should leave here immediately, as Miria said. If they find out you did that to the Witch Slayer…"

"It will save them the trouble of finding me. I'm going to follow Miria right now."

"I don't understand. What exactly are you trying to do…?"

Since arriving on this island, I'd been hearing a voice from somewhere, should I call it a hallucination?

Link, Link, Link.

Perhaps that voice is Link's soul speaking to me.

'Because I promised.'

What do I want to do?

Why did I come here?

Did I just come to find Zernix? No, that's not it.

- Oh, many, many, if, if you have many, Lin will, keep, staying, together. Teach, teach them how to read.

The words Link said then, the feelings contained within them, felt like they were seeping into my body.

[The memory of looking at the New Year's dawn while riding on Link's shoulders.]

It's late.

But I came far too late.

I took a light breath, placed my hand on my chest, and conveyed my feelings.

"I will destroy all the Slayers and save you all."

As I said that.

Far away, somewhere in the promised place, it felt as if I had called the name of Link, who had been waiting for me all along…

"There he is!"

"Who's that guy!"

Perhaps having heard the explosions and roars, the Slayers waiting all over the island rushed over but were immediately wiped out by divine fire.

"Your heart, your heart is truly appreciated, but why do you—?"

Because Rista would have done it, because Friede would have done it, because Chies would have done it.

Until now, whenever I performed a good deed, I had rationalized my own heart that way.

But in this story, this story involving Link, perhaps there's no need for that. This is a story I decide and I fulfill.

"Because Grand Mage Lin would have done so."

At that moment, I felt as if I had grasped Link's hand, who had been waiting for me, leaping across 300 years of time.

* * *

Miria headed not for Island 3, but for Island 6, running across a long suspension bridge connecting the islands.

- Lin, he's coming.

The suspension bridges, famously built by the Demon Slayer himself, carving stone and wood and weaving dozens of layers of rope, connected the 18 islands like a spiderweb.

- Lin, when he comes, I'll show him around the island.

In the past, many travelers used to come for tourism, but…

'They built a total of four pyramids in the archipelago.'

My older sister is held captive in one of those four…

The control artifact must be nearby as well. The only time to find it is now, with all the executives called.

'Somehow, after taking control away from my sister… I'll negotiate with them.'

My sister has become an indispensable part of their plan, so they'll have no choice but to listen.

* * *

In the center of Island 3, a massive pyramid soared, casting an intimidating shadow over the surrounding landscape.

'What is that…?'

Balensidis pursed her lips.

Originally, the island area around Linkland should have been lush with nature, but when did such an artificial structure appear?

"Run! Anyone who falls and damages their gear won't be let off easy!"

Brawny instructors stood everywhere, and boy soldiers in full gear followed their relentless whipping to carry out their training.

"Every piece of equipment you wear is more expensive than your lives! Understand?!"

No matter how I look at it, that pyramid is extremely suspicious. Is there no way to infiltrate inside?

Trickster Slayer had already drawn the line, saying it was impossible to guide me inside the pyramid because it contained industry secrets.

If only I could divert attention somewhere for a moment, I could hide using spatial interference.

But perhaps even the gods were carefully watching this absurdity, for the opportunity arrived immediately.

There was a merchant group that had arrived earlier and was observing the Slayer trainees' development process, and the leader suddenly said something strange.

"I never imagined such things would be happening under the dragons' rule."

"…?"

"In accordance with Article 3, Paragraph 2, and Article 7, Paragraph 8 of the Papal Charter, we will arrest and interrogate the main forces who have not hesitated to commit inhumane acts here."

A Master-ranked Slayer standing nearby suddenly crashed to the ground, spewing blood.

It was certainly a type of martial art, as the opponent was slammed down with a speed hard to follow with the eyes.

That was the signal, and twenty or so mages disguised as merchants instantly donned their robes.

Each robe had a pocket watch hanging from it, and its surface was engraved with the character '盟' (Maeng), symbolizing the Magical Alliance, and the Dragonic word 'Dirutus,' meaning Special Operations.

"We are from the Magical Alliance Special Operations Unit."

And the man who had just struck down the Master-ranked Slayer in one blow smiled gently, placing an old fedora on his head.

'Doran Slade…!'

That guy is truly bothersome.

Taking advantage of the commotion that drew all eyes, Balensidis quickly opened a dimension leading inside the pyramid.

The pyramid's interior corridor was lit by dim lantern light.

Unlike the stifling heat outside, an ominous silence and cold dominated the inside of the pyramid.

"Don't you have to fight with them?"

Balensidis lightly shrugged her shoulders at Cora's question.

"We're not fighting together."

If we did, the battle would turn into a three-way fight. There's nothing to gain from that.

I don't know how the Special Operations Unit caught wind of this…

No, considering Doran, that monstrously perceptive guy, is the commander, perhaps it's strange that he didn't notice until now.

"For now, while the Special Operations Unit buys us time, we'll check the interior."

Due to the commotion outside, the security personnel were hastily evacuating.

Balensidis momentarily hid herself in the shadows.

Finally, as the sound of footsteps faded, she opened a dimension and instantly moved to the room at the end of the corridor.

"Paper, paper, paper. Nothing but paper."

"Paper, paper, paper, paper."

"It's the perfect place to find information."

It was a room cluttered with all sorts of papers.

Papers were piled up in stacks on desks and shelves, appearing to be a type of archive.

Most of the documents were written in the language of demi-humans, not the common human language. I picked up one and read the title.

"Demon Slayer Training Project?"

That's a strange thing to say.

Training a Demon Slayer? How?

"Bio-combination Evol-6 successful, combination parts changed according to individual variation… I don't understand what this means."

As I read a report with a graphic human anatomy drawing, I heard a child's scream from somewhere.

I held my breath for a moment, and just as I was about to turn back to the report, Cora spoke.

Her face was expressionless, but her voice was low and submerged.

"You saw those kids regenerating their bodies earlier, right? That's it. It's the power gained by transplanting the Demon Slayer's body."

"Cassell Linkan's body? It's surprising that it hasn't rotted away yet."

Did Zernix revive that Demon Slayer too? Cora shook her head bitterly at my question.

"No, for some reason, they seem to have failed to revive our ancestor… So they created a substitute to receive that power."

"What does that mean?"

"It's hard for me to explain in words. You'll understand if you go to the very top of this pyramid."