Chapter 789
“Really?”
Raon looked at Merlin with trembling eyes.
“Is there really a way to wake her up?”
Even Saint of Rags Federick didn’t know how to wake Sia, so he had half given up. He never expected Merlin to give a definitive answer. His heart began pounding as if it would burst.
“Please, I beg you!”
Sylvia approached Merlin and grabbed her hand.
“Tell me how to wake Sia!”
She knelt down, willing to do anything.
“You wouldn’t lie about this.”
Edgar stepped beside Sylvia and nodded.
“I beg you as well. Please help us wake Sia.”
He, too, knelt before Merlin, just like Sylvia.
For the couple who thought they had lost their daughter, there seemed to be no fear left.
“Just tell us the way.”
Glenn cast a heavy gaze at Merlin and stepped forward.
“She’s been asleep for twenty years. We can’t just leave her like this.”
With trembling hands, he clenched his fist, willing to pay any price.
“I feel the same.”
Rektor bit his lip as he listened to Sia’s faint breathing.
“I cannot go anywhere without seeing my granddaughter wake up.”
He also bowed his head to Merlin, pleading.
“Merlin.”
Raon approached Merlin and clasped his hands together in front of him.
“Please. Tell us how.”
He bent his waist, speaking from the heart. Not because of his two grandfathers, his mother, or his father.
In Sia’s life, he saw his past self. He wanted to break the fallen one’s chains that bound her soul and grant her freedom.
“Why are you all acting so burdensome?”
Contrary to her words, Merlin drew a bright smile and took a step forward.
“Don’t worry. She can definitely be awakened.”
She tightened her grip on Sylvia’s hand as she spoke.
“Are you… really sure?”
Sylvia let her tears fall as she chose to believe in her words.
“Of course. However, it won’t be easy. And it’s not something that can be done right away.”
Merlin clicked her tongue in regret.
“Not something that can be done right away?”
Raon tilted his head at Merlin.
“Can’t we just enter the mental world like before?”
“It’s different this time.”
Merlin shook her head firmly.
“Back then, the Green King had opened the mental world for the young lady, but now, she is alone. If you or I force our way in with magic, her soul could suffer a severe shock. And if that happens…”
She cracked her knuckles harshly.
“There’s a high chance she will never wake up again.”
“Then what do we do…?”
“We need a material that allows us to safely face her soul.”
“What kind of material?”
“Soulstone.”
Merlin raised her hand as if getting to the main point. A mirror enveloped in rainbow light floated above her palm.
“It’s an object that allows one to face a soul without any burden.”
“Are you talking about that mirror?”
Raon swallowed dryly as he stared at the shining mirror in Merlin’s hand.
“This is the one I found, but there should be other forms of it.”
Merlin sighed heavily, indicating that finding one wouldn’t be easy.
“Where is that mirror located?”
Glenn narrowed his eyes at the mirror Merlin was showing.
“It’s an artifact of the fallen one.”
Merlin let the mirror hover in the air and frowned.
“It’s something he used when crafting special helmets or masks. He always carried it with him, so now that we don’t even know if he’s dead or alive, it’s impossible to find.”
She clicked her tongue in disappointment.
“You mentioned there are other forms of it. Where are they?”
Raon clenched his jaw as he looked at the mirror gradually fading away.
“I don’t know.”
Merlin slowly shook her head.
“No one knows what form it might take or where it is.”
“What do you mean?”
“A Soulstone isn’t something you can find just by searching for it. It appears by coincidence.”
“By coincidence?”
He asked again, unable to understand.
“Once every few decades, when the sun and moon are closest, the heavens’ passage briefly closes. Lost souls wander and settle into nearby objects. When that happens, a Soulstone is created, shining with rainbow light.”
Merlin raised a shimmering rainbow light above her palm.
“We call it a Soulstone, but because it appears by chance, it might not even be a stone. It could be a dead tree, a plant, or even an object that’s already been touched by human hands. I’ve searched the entire continent through the eyes of animals, but I couldn’t find one.”
“Hmm…”
“It doesn’t emit any special mana or aura, and its distinctive glow only appears at the moment of its creation. That’s why so few people even know of its existence.”
She let the flickering light in her palm dissipate, saying they would have to begin searching now.
“Then how can we recognize a Soulstone?”
“Someone like you, or a transcendent, would know just by touching it. A Soulstone contains someone else’s mental world inside.”
Merlin sighed, saying even a Grandmaster might be able to recognize it.
“Explain it in more detail.”
Glenn reached out as if he wanted to engrave the information in his memory.
“Of course.”
Merlin nodded and summarized everything she had explained so far.
– So it’s referring to lost souls.
Wrath nodded in understanding.
‘You know about it too?’
– This king saw one just once in the Demon Realm. It had no taste, no significance, so I discarded it immediately.
He clicked his tongue as if regretting throwing it away.
“Hmm…”
“Soulstone…”
“This won’t be easy.”
The others also seemed unfamiliar with Soulstones, their expressions darkening.
Since it was an object created by chance, had no distinct features upon formation, and required at least a Grandmaster’s level to even sense, it was only natural for everyone to feel despair.
“Sia…”
Sylvia could no longer hold back and began sobbing as she held Sia’s hand.
It hadn’t been long since she had last smiled without worry, and yet she was crying again. It felt as if the world was subjecting her to a relentless trial.
“I have something to ask.”
Raon turned his gaze away from Sylvia and looked at Merlin.
“Sia… No, if my sister doesn’t wake up for a while, will there be any problems?”
“Right now, she’s just in a sleeping state. As long as her body is properly nourished, there’s nothing to worry about.”
Merlin winked, assuring him that there was no urgency.
“She’s right. Sia’s body is simply in a state of slumber.”
Federick vouched for her, easing Raon’s worries a little.
“Of course, if too many years pass in this state, the gap between her soul and body may widen.”
Merlin shook her head, emphasizing that they shouldn’t delay for too long.
“Roenn.”
At Glenn’s call, Roenn suddenly appeared out of thin air.
“Yes, Patriarch.”
Roenn bowed his head solemnly, understanding the gravity of the situation.
“Contact the black market, all branches, vassal families, and allied forces. Not a single one is to be left out.”
Glenn removed the long coat draped over his shoulders and left the hospital room, looking like he intended to personally take action.
“I should also search for other possible methods.”
Federick said he would reach out to other healers and priests before heading to the medical office.
“Sylvia, let’s go home for today. Staying here will only make it harder for Sia.”
Edgar took Sylvia, who was crying so hard she seemed ready to collapse, back to the annex.
“……”
Rektor bit his lip. Once again, he had been unable to even touch his granddaughter. He followed Edgar in silence.
“Merlin, I have one more question.”
After the others left and only the two of them remained in the room, Raon approached Merlin.
“What is it?”
Merlin tilted her chin as if telling him to ask anything.
“If we obtain the Soulstone, everything will be solved, right? Without any problems?”
“…Of course.”
She hesitated for a barely perceptible moment before nodding.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. Just trust me.”
Merlin smiled, assuring him that she would definitely wake Sia.
“I’m not just asking about my sister. I mean you—will you be okay?”
Raon narrowed his eyes as he met Merlin’s gaze.
Since this was magic that involved handling souls, he needed to confirm that Merlin wouldn’t suffer any consequences.
“You’re worrying about me in this situation? You really are the best, Raon!”
Merlin let out a heated sigh and threw herself toward him.
“Ugh…!”
Raon hurriedly stepped back, taking five quick steps to evade her.
“You didn’t have to back away that far.”
Merlin clicked her tongue in disappointment.
“Just answer the question. Are you really going to be okay?”
“Of course. It’s no different from entering the helmet.”
She waved a hand dismissively, saying there was nothing to worry about as long as they had the Soulstone as a medium.
“Hmm, that may be true… But if there’s any risk, you have to tell me.”
“Got it!”
Merlin saluted, pressing her hand to her forehead.
“You have a lot of people to contact, don’t you? You should get going.”
She tapped her wrist as if reminding him of the urgency.
“You’re right…”
Raon nodded as he glanced at Sia.
Even excluding the black market, which Glenn would handle, there were still many people he needed to reach. He had to move quickly.
“Thank you.”
He bowed his head to Merlin before leaving the hospital room.
“There’s no need for such words between us.”
Merlin waved lightly, seeing him off.
“Haa…”
Watching Raon’s retreating figure, she let out a quiet sigh.
“Whichever way this goes, it won’t be easy.”
With hollow eyes, Merlin sat on the chair beside the bed.
As she stroked Sia’s hair, she gave a sorrowful smile.
“This might not be the right thing to say, but… I envy you, young lady.”
* * *
Like a child’s crude drawing, a pirate ship stood proudly on the raging waves.
“The water’s coming in! Bail it out, quick!”
“Pull from this side! We’re going to capsize!”
“Is Lady Aris at the helm? Why is the ship rocking so much?”
Unlike the elegantly swaying pirate ship, the crew on the deck moved as if they had two bodies, desperately fighting against the waves.
“So annoying…”
Perched at the ship’s prow, Aris blinked her eyes lazily before placing a hand on the hilt of her sword.
The moment she drew the silver blade, the dark clouds and the towering waves battering the ship split in half.
Whoooosh!
A rift tore through the heavens and the sea, causing the pitch-black storm to subside in fear. As the storm clouds parted, the sun emerged, pouring its warm radiance upon the pirate ship as if blessing it.
“Haa…”
Aris let out a deep sigh as she gazed upon the now-calm sea.
“Did I neglect him too much?”
She scratched her head and turned to look at the false captain, Rabawin, who had approached without her noticing.
“I may have raised him a little roughly, but I didn’t think he’d cut off contact like this.”
Aris frowned slightly, regretting not having treated him with more warmth.
“If you had been more affectionate, the young master would have died before he even left.”
Rabawin chuckled dryly as he met Aris’s melancholic gaze.
“I, too, am curious about the young master’s whereabouts, but I doubt he’s in any real danger. As you always say, he’s not someone who would get beaten up just anywhere.”
He shook his head, reassuring her.
“That kid may be quiet, unlike Raon, but he still had a strong desire for strength. I expected to hear news about him naturally, but for things to be this silent…”
“I believe he’s hiding his identity. With all the wars breaking out lately, there have been stories of rising warriors. Perhaps he’s one of them.”
“Hiding his identity… That does sound like him. That idiot never cared about fame to begin with.”
Aris clicked her tongue as she watched the gentle waves.
“Sigh, thinking of Raon reminds me of my own son. I must be failing as a mother.”
She shook her head in disappointment.
“Unlike the young master, Lord Raon is rather clumsy in such matters.”
Rabawin smiled knowingly.
“The young master excelled in everything—martial arts, human relationships, strategy, and tactics. There was nothing he couldn’t do. Of course, Lord Raon possesses even greater talent, but strangely enough, when it comes to relationships, he is even more awkward than a child.”
“Yeah. I’ve never seen a kid struggle so much just to call someone ‘Aunt.'”
Aris chuckled, recalling Raon’s awkward expression.
“He only started calling me ‘Aunt’ after he became a direct descendant. It was both refreshing and ridiculous.”
She nodded, remembering how fun it had been competing over whether he would call her ‘Aunt’ or call Glenn ‘Grandfather’ first.
“My son was too quick-witted in that area to be amusing. But hearing Raon call me ‘Aunt’ suddenly made me miss him.”
Aris clicked her tongue as she ran her fingers through her red hair.
“Just in case, I’ll gather information on swordsmen who have recently made a name for themselves. The young master may be hiding his identity.”
“Don’t limit it to just swordsmen. Check all martial artists. That fool could suddenly decide to fight with his fists.”
“Understood.”
Rabawin smiled lightly and was about to step back when—
Kiieeek!
A white seagull flew down and landed in front of Aris. The bird raised its leg impatiently, revealing a piece of paper tied to it.
“How cocky. What’s written on this that—huh?”
Aris chuckled and untied the paper from the seagull’s leg. The moment she read the contents, her breath came out rough and uneven.
“What is it?”
“Two years ago…”
Aris reread the note twice, her hands trembling.
“Someone saw my son.”
* * *
“Haa…”
Standing atop the platform of the fifth training ground, Raon let out a thin breath.
‘No news yet.’
It had been four days since he had spread word about the Soulstone, but there was still no response from anywhere.
Even Glenn hadn’t said anything, which meant that neither Zieghart’s intelligence network nor his personal connections had found anything.
‘Well, they did say it would be difficult to find.’
Even Merlin, who had given him information about Soulstones, admitted they were nearly impossible to locate. Finding one immediately would have been stranger.
– Honestly, it’s a miracle for humans to find one at all.
Wrath furrowed his brows as if it were obvious.
‘Wrath, you mentioned that I could go to the Demon Realm, right?’
– Are you seriously thinking of going there just for this? Idiot! That’s impossible for you right now, and it would take an absurd amount of time!
Wrath shook his head, calling it an unnecessarily roundabout method.
‘Hah, I figured as much.’
Raon ran a hand through his hair as he looked up at the sky.
‘For now, I should focus on other things.’
The only fortunate thing was that Sia wasn’t in immediate danger.
Federick had also said he would search for a medical treatment, so Raon needed to come up with other possible solutions as well.
After clearing his thoughts, he lowered his gaze to watch the Light Wind Division training.
‘They’ve fully adapted to the Master level.’
Although Yua and Yulius still needed time, the other swordsmen had grown proficient in handling their energy. Their experience in the recent war had been a great help.
‘And…’
He observed the captains who were both guiding the others and honing their own skills.
Just as he had noticed before, Runaan was continuously growing stronger, while Martha and Burren wielded their swords with fierce determination, unwilling to fall behind.
All three were on the verge of breaking through.
‘Experience really is everything.’
Raon smiled faintly and stood up. Just as he was about to begin his own training, the doors to the training ground burst open, and Rektor stepped inside.
“Ah.”
Raon immediately descended from the platform and approached him.
“…Grandfather?”
“Looks like I interrupted your training.”
“No, not at all.”
Raon shook his head, saying he had just been about to start.
“I have nothing left to do here, so I’m returning to the Holy Sword Alliance.”
Rektor nodded, stating that he would personally search for the Soulstone there.
“What about you?”
“Hmm…”
Raon let out a quiet sigh as he met Rektor’s steadfast gaze.
“When are you leaving?”
“I plan to depart tomorrow.”
Rektor answered without hesitation, having already made up his mind.
“Then I’ll go with you.”
Raon nodded. There was nothing more he could accomplish by staying here, so it seemed wiser to follow Rektor and seize any opportunities that arose.
“And I have a favor to ask.”
“A favor?”
“Yes. When we head to the Holy Sword Alliance…”
Just as Raon was about to explain his request—
Boom!
The doors to the training ground burst open as if they were about to break apart, and Dorian rushed in with crumbs still stuck to his mouth.
“Sir! Have you heard the news?”
Dorian, looking thrilled to have caught Raon at the right moment, shook his plump head.
“The Thespian Emperor has come to the main gate and is requesting an audience with the Patriarch!”