Chapter 62
Chapter 62. Going Forward (1)
It was simply red.
There was not a single piece of the bodies left, only blood stains coloring the ruins of the broken mansion.
“… Ha.”
A hollow laugh escaped.
This was why the miracles of an Outer God were fearful. Once conditions were met, distinctions of friend or foe were disregarded, and all were treated as sacrifices. My students vanished without leaving a single word of farewell, disappearing into nothingness.
‘I don’t even deserve to call them students.’
When I revealed my true self, I had resolved to sever ties. However, I had never imagined saying goodbye like this.
“You…”
Thanks to the protection of Eldritch, one person survived, Arian Elata. Even with bloodstains covering and bones protruding from her body, she slowly asked me with her mouth.
“Why…?”
What was she trying to ask? Arian lost consciousness again shortly after.
『What will you do?』
“… What?”
“This woman will become a significant problem in the future.”
Eldritch climbed onto my shoulder and stared at Arian.
『Why didn’t you let her die? She was an enemy anyway, wasn’t she?』
Something was crawling toward me. It was the arm I had thrown. The black form instinctively crawled to my body and reattached itself. I looked down upon my arm, made of dark liquid, and replied.
“I wanted to remain human.”
Logically, it was only a loss. Thinking about the future, eliminating Arian would indeed be beneficial. Furthermore, leaving Arian to die and giving knowledge to Charlotte might have saved my students.
Yet, the reason I stood to protect Arian was a naïve and simple one, perhaps even foolishly so. Because I couldn’t just abandon her.
『Ethnos, that is—』
Eldritch was about to say something when—
“That’s a relief.”
A calm voice came from behind.
“That answer makes it possible to give you a chance to speak.”
“… Sir Cernun.”
Cernun, who arrived through teleportation, was looking at the grim scene.
“Come with me.”
“Where to?”
“Soon, Luminaries will be coming. Anywhere but here will do.”
Cernun unfolded a scroll and grasped my shoulder.
“Wait a moment. What about Arian…?”
“She’ll be rescued soon. Her life is not in danger.”
Before I could answer, I was swiftly moved elsewhere. Even after surveying the surroundings with Eldritch, it was impossible to recognize where we were, surrounded by a forest with only a small cabin standing.
“Where are we?!”
I asked.
“My cabin!”
Cernun replied, opening the door.
“Come in. There’s much to discuss.”
* * *
After I finished sharing my story, Cernun, who had been quietly listening, brought a bottle and three glasses from the cupboard.
“This is the drink for the day you lose a student. I believe it’s a tradition born during a war long ago.”
Cernun poured the drinks himself.
“Drink up.”
“Do I deserve to drink?!”
I asked.
“If not, would your heart be filled with such pain?”
Eldritch transformed into a human form and lifted his glass, and I emptied the drink from mine into my mouth. After draining his glass, Cernun broached the main topic.
“For the time being, I won’t be able to watch your back. Now that Arian Elata, who doesn’t compromise, has discovered your identity, we need to prepare an explanation on this side too.”
“Is this an excuse?”
“Yes. It wasn’t Simon Magus who attended the party, but Ethnos, who killed him and took his place. The blame was shifted.”
Cernun sighed and added, “It’s a gift from me.”
“… Thank you.”
With the Archmage Cernun involved, it would be challenging for the Luminaries to uncover the truth. Simon Magus would remain a sacrificed professor, and Ethnos would gain infamy. He didn’t care anymore since he had no intention of avoiding it.
“What will you do now? I could provide a place for you to hide if you want, but you likely won’t.”
“You see right through me. I have another request instead.”
“Is it about those two students?”
I nodded. Lilybell and Lia. Initially, the plan was to visit their families directly to investigate the curses and illnesses and offer assistance. However, that was no longer possible. Charlotte might have set a trap, and the credible identity of Simon Magus was no longer available.
“Despite the chaos and ongoing staff shortage… alright. If I find out anything, I will let you know.”
Cernun handed me a bundle of papers. “Write on the front, and it will reach me. My response will appear on the rough back side.”
“Thank you.”
I took the bundle and put it inside my coat.
“Then, I’ll be on my way.”
“Where are you planning to go?”
“Most likely… I’ll have to cross the sea.”
“The sea…”
Eldritch showed signs of surprise at this.
『Cross the sea?』
“Yes.”
I recalled a name from long ago. “I plan to go to the ‘Mountain of Corpses’.”
A massive mountain on a place called “Wasteland Island!”
This mountain in a desolate land was filled not with trees or bushes but with decaying corpses and weapons.
『What is there?』
“An ancient temple. The scripture of an Outer God is kept there.”
Normally, I wouldn’t have risked the danger, but acquiring that scripture was crucial.
『Please wait, Lord Ethnos!』
Eldritch said, visibly flustered.
『I am not aware of such a story. If it’s the Mountain of Corpses on Wasteland Island, it indeed produces corpses related to an Outer God… But you say there’s a temple and scripture there?』
“If my information is correct.”
Reflecting on the TRPG session run by Dowol, certain things became clear. Detailed explanations to an excessive degree, various unreasonable elements for a mere game. It seemed more like they were trying to inform him of something through it.
‘I have often thought that way. If that’s the case… it must be there.’
The importance was emphasized by a scenario titled “Hidden Treasure of the Mountain of Corpses” that lasted for three months.
“Remember when Charlotte retrieved the corpse of the burned ‘formless residue’?”
『Yes, I remember… But is it really?! Is it that God’s scripture?』
Eldritch looked at me in shock.
“Yes. The scripture of the 【Eternal Blaze】.”
The formless residue, even after death, remained as hot as lava. If there were a miracle capable of such a feat, it could only be the living flame itself, the 【Eternal Blaze】.
『Have you gone mad? Not even ashes will remain; that God’s scripture and faith will never allow it!』
“There is a way.”
Eldritch could not even guess what that method might be.
‘For him not to know either… How did Dowol find out and teach it to me when even a race connected to an Outer God doesn’t know?’
Cernun cleared his throat. “I can’t say for sure, but it sounds dangerous to me. Are you sure about this?”
“It’s a necessary task.”
Cernun took out a teleport scroll. “Alright… Shall I send you to Wave Reach then?”
“Please do.”
“Then, see you again later.”
** **
“You’ve worked hard.”
In the realm of dreams.
Handling the mask I had retrieved, Sevika spoke in a calm voice.
Upon returning to Wave Reach, I had crafted an appropriate form through a miracle and secured a room at an inn.
There had been a myriad of preparations required before embarking on the journey, including meeting Sevika once again.
“Cahon Tiburon. To think you even negotiated with ‘The One Imprisoned in the Depths’ before I could introduce you.”
“Indeed, he was one of those Outer God’s priests.”
“Yes, that’s right. He was a formidable level 5 warrior during the Holy War days. After being defeated and imprisoned during that time, his powers are now greatly suppressed.”
“5th rank…”
If judged by level alone, he was equal to Cernun. I shuddered slightly at the thought of that enormous entity. The miracle I used had been insanely perilous, yet it was only at a repressed level.
“Let me tell you this in advance.”
Sevika crossed her fingers to form an X as she spoke.
“I don’t particularly like him. Men like that are not my type.”
Feeling bewildered by her abrupt comment, I watched as Sevika giggled. Was she playing a strange joke or something?
“You truly don’t perceive things in these matters.”
“What do you mean at all…?”
“Never mind. It’s entertaining to watch.”
As if performing a magic trick, Sevika covered the mask with her hands, making it disappear.
“The mask has been safely retrieved. You’ve also gathered excellent information on that disgusting wench, Charlotte Prellati.”
Sevika seemed to particularly dislike Charlotte, who had stolen her belongings, as she spat out the words venomously before smiling again.
“I feel like ruffling your hair.”
“I’d rather not.”
“What a pity.”
Sevika maintained her playful demeanor, plucking a nearby black rose.
“This is the promised reward.”
As the petals fell away, a black key emerged. When held, the key vanished instantly.
“You will be able to retrieve it when needed. Though you only possess it now without being qualified, it will still greatly assist you.”
“Great assistance…?”
“There will be fewer who dare to act rudely against you. I created that key with my power.”
“I see.”
“Normally, the reward would end with that key, but…”
Sevika approached and gently touched my cheek.
“Since you’ve made a big decision and have endured a lot, I must give you something more than a gift as a reward.”
A big decision… It appeared that Sevika knew what I intended to do in the future.
“Another reward, you say?”
“Yes, though calling it a simple reward may not suffice due to its weight. What I wish to give is simultaneously a reward, an opportunity, and a trial.”
As Sevika stepped aside, a door materialized behind her.
“Do you remember the day you first entered this realm of dreams? It might be hard to claim you truly remember it, but wasn’t there an incident?”
Amidst her cryptic words, I recalled that moment.
“You mean the matter of entering the wrong room.”
“Yes. At that time, I didn’t explain that space to you.”
Now that I thought about it, she hadn’t. Due to an intense sense of aversion, it was as if my brain rejected even recalling it. That realization came to me now.
“Humans live defining everything, but those definitions are ultimately nothing more than vague labels.”
Sevika spoke while touching the door.
“The center of the collective unconscious, or perhaps mere nightmares… Call it whatever you will, but for now, I’ll call it a ‘mirror.'”
“A mirror…”
“This mirror room isn’t simply a place filled with malice that drives people insane. Though it varies for each individual, for you, it is a place of trials.”
I gazed at the door.
Fierce aversion. Beyond that…
“…fear.”
An indescribable fear pressed down upon me.
“If you pass the first trial.”
Sevika clasped her hands gracefully, drawing my attention, and conjured a mysterious starlight above them.
“I will grant you the qualification for the second Awakening Ritual, in place of mother.”
