Book 9 Chapter 5

Episode 204

"Rin, say hello. This is Kies. The best archer in the Empire."

At the beginning of the journey 300 years ago.

So, when we met all our companions at the Papal See, Rista took the initiative to introduce us to each other.

"Kies, this is Rin. He's currently making a name for himself as a genius mage in the Empire."

The Kies I first met seemed to be nothing more than a wreck, reeking of alcohol and with a haggard face.

If I had only looked at his appearance, I might have formed strange preconceptions.

But thanks to Rista briefly explaining only his strengths, we were able to build a good relationship in a short time.

"From now on, we are companions. We must help each other whenever we need to."

Once you become companions in a party, knowing each other is more important than you might think.

So, Rein decided to give them time to get to know each other, just as Rista had done for them. I am a leader now too.

As water scales shimmered brightly in the dazzling twilight at the bow of the merchant ship heading towards the Adrion Continent, Aki's eyes widened as she watched it.

"This sinister-looking fellow here is Valensidis. A black mage more useful than trash, and our party's healer. Don't ever trust him, as you never know when he'll stab you in the back."

"Aruu."

"And this big guy here is Bart. A reliable warrior."

Bart gave a light nod to the other two. Valensidis opened his flounder-like eyes as if amused.

"Interesting. Aren't I treated quite differently?"

"Different, different, different."

Lightly ignored.

"And this green-haired guy here is Rem. A pitiful fellow who deludes himself into thinking he's the world's best archer…"

"What, you punk?! Say that again!"

"A pitiful fellow who deludes himself into thinking he's the world's best archer."

"That's not what I meant, you scamp!"

Wasn't it?

But it's important to introduce accurately. Isn't that eccentric point precisely Rem's strength?

With Rem grabbing his collar and his face being shaken wildly, Rein pointed towards the other side.

"And that's Miria. She really likes goblins."

Immediately, a gaze colder than frost spears pierced deep into my retina. Even with the backlight, Miria's eyes seemed to glint strangely.

"I really wonder what kind of trash your brain must be filled with to reach such a conclusion."

Getting beaten by Valensidis, Rem, and Miria, I felt something peculiar.

"I wish you would summarize and explain in three sentences the basis for your judgment that I am useless."

"Me, a pitiful fellow? Huh? Do you really want a taste of Drunken Fist today?"

"Shall I let you experience firsthand how bad a goblin's stench is?"

Huh, why?

The atmosphere is a little strange.

300 years ago, it felt like a wonderfully heartwarming atmosphere was created.

"Hmph…"

Is it still a long way to go to catch up with Rista? As I scratched under my nose with a faint smile, the intensity of the violence increased!

"Aruu…"

Even the 황룡 (Yellow Dragon) in his arms looked up at Rein with a bewildered expression. Then, a voice ended the group assault.

"Aki is Aki!"

The little dragon who had been waiting and waiting for its turn to be introduced, and when it didn't come, introduced itself.

'Cute.'

'Aki is always cute.'

A faint blush appeared on Rem and Miria's faces as they watched Aki shout, stretching out her hands energetically.

"Cute, Aki!"

Bart, on the other hand, expressed his feelings loudly like a true man. Perhaps feeling it was a competition, Aki raised her voice.

"Aki is Aki, not cute!!!"

"Brain crushed, brain crushed, brain, brain, brain."

"Aki is Aki, not brain!!!"

Watching the deck instantly turn into a sea of laughter because of Aki, Rein smiled faintly.

'I couldn't do it even by recalling my past with Rista.'

You are different from me, Aki.

A pure heart like fire, your very existence lights a warm fire in the hearts of the weary and sad.

Yes, you will surely become a great dragon like your mother…

"Are you tired? Let's go in."

Carrying the 황룡 (Yellow Dragon) who had started dozing off in his arms, I went down the stairs leading to the cabin. I guess I can leave the party's harmony to Aki and Pipi.

'Rista, I guess I'm not cut out to be a leader after all.'

* * *

When I came to, I was in a world of black smoke.

I was definitely sleeping in the cabin, but strangely, the 황룡 (Yellow Dragon) came along to this phantom world in my arms.

In the center of the world, the black sun Karenden, who had been sitting on a chair made of mist reading a book, turned to look at me.

"So, you've come."

I replied with a weary smile.

It's all thanks to you.

Wasn't it also Karenden-nim's doing that the Slayers couldn't resurrect Link?

"I did nothing. Those who dream of the heavens and build virtue ascend to the heavens, and those who are consumed by the abyss and stained by evil are bound to the earth."

I needed a moment to think.

Memories with Kies and Link rang through my ears like church bells.

"You may be proud of your friends. None of them were consumed by the abyss and ascended to the heavens. It is proof that they all lived noble lives."

I was so late.

Wouldn't they have hated me, who promised to return but couldn't…?

It felt like this reunion clearly proved that all such worries and concerns were meaningless.

Karenden pointed to the 황룡 (Yellow Dragon) in my arms with her finger.

"That child's name is Setsunen. It means a sorrowful heart, that is, affection (哀情)."

Setsunen…

So, it wasn't a coincidence that this child came into my arms; it was your doing.

"Coincidence, even my creation of the Three Divine Dragons was merely an accident that occurred while making weapons of war. But now, looking back…"

The mist forming the chair split into three forms. They were three baby dragons, each with a different appearance.

I had seen one of them in this space before. It was the Water Dragon Yeriserika. That means.

Could they be the Fire Dragon Bel'dakidun and the Light Dragon Haraderiman, respectively?

"I could affirm that the days spent with those children guided me to truth. There is no such thing as coincidence in this world."

Karenden's face, scratching the chins of the baby dragons, was hidden by black light.

But somehow, I could tell that she was wearing a joyful, nostalgic, and also sad smile.

Karenden raised her head and looked at me. She still seemed to be smiling.

"It will be of great help in your hundred-year journey. Both spiritually and physically. Now, call Setsunen's name."

I hesitated for a moment, not knowing why, but had Karenden's words ever led to strange results?

Setsunen.

The moment I called that name, Setsunen's body suddenly became a dazzling flash of light and shot up into the sky.

"Since Setsunen is fundamentally a 비룡 (wyvern), such a fusion is necessary to borrow the power of the Yeouiju (Cintamani)."

And it struck my body like a bolt of lightning, and I couldn't help but gasp.

When the flash of light subsided, I found gauntlets suddenly equipped on both my hands.

Woven particle by particle of light, the golden shimmering current on its surface was brilliant and elegant.

It wasn't without weight, but it only felt reassuring, with no sense of being ponderous at all.

'The left gauntlet has no glove covering the palm. Is it to prevent it from covering the runes of the mental barrier?'

Not only that.

A new stroke was added to the rune of the mental image engraved on my left palm.

In my heart, in my main circuit, with a mysterious fullness spreading a clear thunderous echo.

'A crooked stroke, just like lightning striking…'

At the same time, a butterfly landed on my shoulder.

Rudien.

As the magic butterfly lightly flapped its wings, a summary of the transcendence indicators unfolded before my eyes as a string of text.

Camitishia.

Analyzing the relevant circuit…

ㆍ Additional magic properties confirmed: 'Red (赤)' -> 'Red (赤)', 'Yellow (黃)'.

ㆍ New connection points between the origin and the magic circuit discovered: 'Thunder (雷)'.

For the first time in a long time, I felt my chest pound with excitement.

Thunder (雷).

Thunder (雷), you say.

Wasn't my main attribute and the attribute representing the Osarius school precisely the lightning attribute?

'I can use that again?'

Although its power is inferior to fire (火), the strength of thunder (雷) lies in the speed of its manifestation.

The light-speed power that the Dragon Slayer wielded freely was precisely this yellow (黃) magic, the power of thunder (雷).

If I can use the lightning attribute, I'll be able to combine and use magic more flexibly than now.

I let out a laugh from my overflowing heart, when suddenly Karenden gently placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Achillea is Alakish's kin, and Mirngardia contains fragments of your disciple. But Setsunen has nothing."

That's certainly…

"So, dye that child with your color. My expectations for you are truly great."

With that, the black smoke rising from all directions disappeared, and the darkness of the cabin descended.

A familiar scent and an unfamiliar scent simultaneously pricked my nose.

The scent of firewood warming a fireplace on a winter's day must be Aki's, who is now puffing out both cheeks and glaring at me as if dissatisfied.

"That's Aki's spot! Aki's, Aki's!"

Looking closely, she seemed to be glaring at Setsunen, who was curled up on my chest.

And then, to my dismay… didn't she give Setsunen a little tap on the head?

Tears welled up in Setsunen's eyes, and before she could cry, I was so startled that I grabbed Aki's shoulder.

"What did you just do, Aki? Why did you hit your little sister?"

"…"

"You're the big sister. You should protect your little sister. Apologize at once."

At my scolding, Aki just gave Setsunen a sullen look, then quickly dashed out of the cabin.

"Aki, hey, Aki!"

What kind of trouble is this now…

I was going to teach her Setsunen's name and tell her to protect her well.

"Why are you like this, Aki…"

I can't walk the same path as you all, but Setsunen is the one and only companion who can walk the same path as you.

* * *

"Why do you have such a grumpy expression?"

Miria was the one who spoke to Aki, who was sitting on the mast, staring listlessly at the vast, dark ocean.

"Daddy is hateful."

"Rein? Why?"

"Daddy hates Aki! He only hugs her all the time. Aki doesn't like him anymore."

Words blurted out carelessly while hugging her knees.

Miria wore a sad smile, knowing better than anyone that this wasn't her true feeling.

That's why, I hope this child doesn't repeat the same mistakes I made.

"Do you remember how high the Red Mountain Range is, Aki?"

"…"

"Could Aki run to the top without stopping?"

"It's hard. Why should I?"

"When Aki was captured, he ran up to the top like that. With a broken body. Even while gasping for breath as if he would die."

"…"

"He cherishes and loves you that much. Aki, human time is limited. No one knows when a connection will break. You just fought over a trivial matter, right? You'll probably regret it for the rest of your life."

Because 'tomorrow' doesn't come naturally, as usual.

Thinking, 'It's okay because it's not my true feeling, our hearts will mend eventually…' leads to a past you'll regret for the rest of your life.

Instability. That is the time of humans, the life of humans, the fate that mortals must bear.

"I don't know what it means for a connection to break."

"It means to die."

"Die?"

"Humans, you see, eventually die. And when they die, you see?"

The sea breeze swept across the dark ocean surface, rustling Aki's red hair.

"You can never meet again."

A dragon's mind was still too tender to grasp the weight of death, that is, the severance of ties.

But perhaps it was because the smile Miria wore at that moment, that smile looked so sad… Aki felt a pang in her chest somewhere.

Just then, a voice came from below the mast.

"Aki, hey, Aki! What are you doing up there, it's dangerous! Aren't you coming down right away?"

Aki kicked the mast a few times and landed on the deck with nimble movements.

"Aki landing!"

As the sailors cheered and whistled, Aki approached Rein.

Just as a startled Rein lifted Setsunen high to keep Aki's hands from reaching her, Aki bowed respectfully.

"Daddy, Aki did wrong. I won't do it again."

Honestly, I was planning to scold her sternly, but what could I say if she came out like this first?

I stared down at Aki blankly, and finally let out a chuckle.

"No, it's my fault for not teaching you how to treat family."

"How should I treat them?"

I recalled a conversation with my companions from long ago, who asked what I would do if I had a family.

"It's not difficult."

And what Rista had told me with a faint smile.

"Cherish them greatly."

Carefully holding Setsunen in Aki's arms, I placed a hand on her warm head.

"Your little sister's name is Nen. She is family who will live the same time as you."

"Nen!"

"Yes, Nen. Can you cherish her?"

Aki, who was looking up at Rein with somewhat elevated eyes, nodded and then rubbed her cheek against Nen's head.

"Aki will cherish her very, very much!"

Ah, just seeing your pure smile warms my heart.

- It's not difficult, Rin.

And, you make me understand what kind of feelings my companions held when they said those words to me in the distant past.

- Cherish them greatly.

And yet, hearing your clear laughter also makes me feel unbearably lonely.

The reality that I must part with you on the day the journey ends makes my heart so sad. It makes me embrace you without realizing it.

"Yes, you're a good girl. Aki is a good child, so she will surely do well."

Miria, who smiled sweetly as she looked down at the scene, frowned as a sense of déjà vu once again swept over her mind.

'Again.'

Those words, I've heard them somewhere before.

Who said them?

The tall man? No, no. Much, much longer ago than that…