Chapter 861
“Then that means his soul is….”
Stehrin placed his hand on his forehead, his expression stiff.
“Is it bound by the curse?”
He clenched his teeth, as if imagining Rimmer’s soul in pain.
“That seems the most likely.”
Siyan nodded with difficulty.
“If we go by Sir Raon’s words, it’s probably trapped in the space engraved with that blood curse.”
She let out a heavy sigh, saying it didn’t seem like a good situation.
“Then we need to go find him right now! I can’t just stand by and watch him suffer, even after death.”
Errian declared he would go himself, thumping his chest.
“You don’t have the ability to see souls. Siyan or I have to go, but right now, neither of us can move.”
Stehrin narrowed his eyes, saying Errian should know that well.
“Then how about hiring a human shaman….”
“It’s a high-level curse that could instantly snatch away Aris Zieghart’s power. A normal shaman won’t be able to solve it.”
He shook his head, saying it wouldn’t be easy by any means.
‘It’s not a dungeon….’
Feels like it’s here….
Without the Soul Requiem Sword’s help, Rimmer couldn’t have even appeared in my Mental World.
If he didn’t go to the World Tree after dying, there’s a high chance he’s still inside the Soul Requiem Sword.
“Um… I think Master is inside here.”
Raon held out the Soul Requiem Sword.
“What? What do you mean….”
Stehrin furrowed his brow in confusion.
“You mean that guy’s in that sword?”
Errian’s eyes widened, not understanding Raon’s words.
“It might be hard to believe, so there’s something I haven’t told you.”
Raon let out a short sigh and lowered his hand.
“In truth, when I lost consciousness underground in that dungeon….”
He explained how he collapsed protecting the Light Wind Division and met Rimmer in his Mental World.
“There are many souls inside the Soul Requiem Sword who are favorable toward me. I think they helped me meet Master.”
He handed over the Soul Requiem Sword, asking them to check for themselves.
“Hmm….”
Stehrin stepped back after staring at the Soul Requiem Sword.
“Unfortunately, I don’t have the ability to see it right now. Instead….”
He pushed the dazed Siyan forward.
“This child can check.”
“Did you really see my brother there?”
Even though she was suddenly pushed forward, Siyan didn’t get embarrassed and asked about Rimmer.
It seemed the only thing on her mind was Rimmer.
“Yes. If not for that, Master wouldn’t have been able to appear in my Mental World.”
Raon nodded and handed the Soul Requiem Sword to Siyan.
“So this is the Soul Requiem Sword….”
“Yes, that’s right. It’s a demon sword, but to an ordinary person….”
“It was made by the continental craftsman Kuberrad Jayton to comfort those killed by the White Blood Cult, but because so much resentment remained, it eventually became a demon sword!”
Siyan suddenly brightened, launching into an explanation of the Soul Requiem Sword.
“No one could use it, but when Sir Raon took it in hand, it finally shone and became a greater sword than any other!”
She rattled off her explanation as if she knew the sword even better than anyone.
“Uh….”
Raon swallowed dryly at Siyan’s sparkling eyes.
‘Right. She’s always been like this.’
Knowing everything about me—of course she could write a book with Encia.
He felt like he was seeing Siyan’s true self for the first time in a while and smiled.
“I-I’m sorry.”
After finishing her explanation, Siyan blushed as if just realizing her own actions.
“It’s fine. But how did you know such detailed information about the Soul Requiem Sword? I don’t think I ever mentioned that….”
“Ah, that’s….”
Her trembling eyes turned to look behind herself.
“Whiiistle….”
Turning around, Dorian was forcing a whistle.
– Of course, back when you found that thing, only your wallet was beside you.
– “That’s only natural.”
Wrath cackled.
“Sigh….”
Raon let out a sigh, watching Dorian break into a cold sweat.
“D-Don’t blame Sir Dorian. I forced him to tell me.”
Siyan shook her head, her voice shrinking.
“No, I was just curious.”
Raon smiled at the slightly brighter mood.
“Then I’ll take a look.”
Siyan, her face still red with embarrassment, accepted the Soul Requiem Sword.
Whooooom!
A blue spirit aura quietly rose from around her, enveloping the Soul Requiem Sword’s crimson blade.
“This sword….”
Siyan lowered her eyes and took a deep, heavy breath.
“I knew it, but… it’s truly filled with sorrow.”
Her red lips trembled as if she could feel the resentful spirits lingering in the sword.
“None of them were able to die peacefully. If it weren’t for you, Sir Raon, I think it would have gone berserk long ago.”
Siyan’s face paled, as if she was reading the memories of the lingering souls.
“But strangely, the darkness in the souls has cleared a little. That must be thanks to you, Sir Raon.”
She smiled faintly, feeling Raon’s emotions through the sword.
“But the negative energy is still much stronger… Oh? Brother!”
Siyan’s eyes shot wide as she stared into the Soul Requiem Sword.
“He’s here! My brother’s soul really is inside this sword!”
She screamed, saying Rimmer’s soul was dwelling within the Soul Requiem Sword.
“Phew….”
Raon let out a breath of relief. He’d worried Rimmer was trapped elsewhere, but he was still inside the sword.
“Ha, that guy!”
Stehrin also gave a relieved, helpless laugh.
“Our Vice Leader is really amazing. Truly amazing….”
Burren gave the Soul Requiem Sword a weary round of applause.
“He’s probably sleeping….”
Runaan nodded, saying that was just like Rimmer.
“Yeah. Maybe he forgot to come out because he’s napping?”
Martha shook her head, saying it was so typical.
“He’s not sleeping.”
Siyan hugged the Soul Requiem Sword to her chest, biting her lip.
“Brother was comforting the lingering souls inside this sword. He’s enduring even as their resentment clings to his own soul….”
She shed the tears she’d been holding back, saying that Rimmer was consoling the souls within the Soul Requiem Sword.
“Ah….”
Raon looked at the Soul Requiem Sword glowing red and gripped Rimmer’s sword.
‘Even there, you can’t sit still, can you.’
Just as he looked after him and the Light Wind Division in life, Rimmer was now comforting the lingering souls inside the Soul Requiem Sword.
“Vice Leader….”
Yua sat down on the floor and began to cry.
“Really, why does he always make people cry….”
“That’s what I’m saying. When he was around, all he did were lame jokes.”
Dorian and Krein choked up, crying with their fists over their mouths.
An unexpected rainstorm fell in the corner of Seiphia.
—
Step.
Footsteps echoed damply in a pitch-dark cave where not even a speck of light could enter.
“Going to sleep right away?”
A man wearing a bizarre serpent helmet tipped his chin at the vast darkness ahead.
Rumble!
From the other side, a deep darkness rippled, and golden, diamond-shaped pupils opened. It was the eyes of the dungeon’s master—a dragon.
[What is it.]
The dragon glared at the man in the serpent helmet with sharp, irritated eyes, as if annoyed his rest had been disturbed.
“In Seiphia, where you just went to warn them….”
The man in the serpent helmet waggled his finger with a languid posture.
“Raon Zieghart showed up. The elves welcomed him. Are you just going to let that be?”
He smiled faintly inside his helmet, implying he knew exactly who Raon was.
Screeeech!
The dragon’s pupils narrowed to knife-like slits.
[So in the end, they ignore my warning.]
From the endless darkness of the cave, a ghastly howl like a human scream rang out at the transcendent being’s fury.
“That’s right. You can’t just leave them alone, can you.”
The man in the serpent helmet curled his long lips, as if he was looking forward to the fun ahead.
“Looks like I’ll be going to Seiphia for the first time in a while.”
—
After telling the Light Wind Division to rest their exhausted emotions, Raon returned to Stehrin’s house.
In the small home that served as the guardian’s dwelling, Stehrin and Siyan were waiting.
“Thank you, for not forgetting about that boy and looking after him.”
Stehrin let out a long sigh, saying his grandchild was always rude.
“Not at all. I’m the one who owes everything to him.”
Raon bowed, saying that it was thanks to Rimmer that he survived.
“Thank you for saying so.”
Stehrin smiled faintly, as if pleased to hear praise for his grandchild.
“But what will happen to Master’s soul now?”
Raon asked as he stroked the Soul Requiem Sword he’d taken back.
“As soon as the sun rises tomorrow, I’ll send Brother’s soul to the World Tree.”
Siyan said they needed to take it out, or else Rimmer’s soul could also become a lingering spirit if it stayed like this.
“I thought so.”
Raon pressed his lips together. He couldn’t speak with or feel Rimmer anymore, but it was a bit regretful that he would be truly gone now.
– Still, sending him off is the right thing to do.
Wrath looked at him with subdued eyes.
– Even though you could have saved that pointy-eared guy soul, you decided to let him go.
‘That’s right.’
If he’d asked Merlin, it might have taken a long time, but it would have been possible to bring Rimmer back.
But coming back in another body wearing a helmet was something no one would want, so he gave up.
“Whether human or elf, following the flow of nature is always best.”
Siyan, sensing his feelings, explained with a trembling voice. It seemed she was getting nervous again, as her voice began to shake.
“I understand.”
Raon nodded, saying he understood.
“Oh, right. With all that happened, I never got to properly congratulate you.”
Stehrin clapped his hands with a laugh.
“Congratulations on reaching Transcendence. I don’t think I could face you now.”
He nodded grandly, saying this was an achievement that would go down in the continent’s history.
“Transcendence? Does that mean you awakened….”
Siyan’s eyes widened as she finally realized.
“Yes. I was lucky enough to reach Transcendence.”
“Ah! I had no idea because your energy is so calm!”
Her mouth dropped open in genuine shock.
“He’s already adapted to the state of Transcendence. He can handle the energy of nature even better than us elves. That’s probably why the great forest opened its path.”
Stehrin gave a faint smile, saying such cases were rare.
“Transcendence! To think you’ve reached Transcendence! I have to write this down!”
With a gasp, Siyan pulled out a book and pen from somewhere and began scribbling notes furiously.
“So it’s finally begun.”
Stehrin sighed briefly, as if used to this.
“Begun?”
“Until word came that Rimmer had died, she took notes about you like this. She said she’d turn it all into a book, and not a single part wasn’t exaggerated.”
He frowned, saying it was basically a novel.
“Ahaha….”
Raon let out an awkward laugh as he watched Siyan, now possessed, furiously scribbling with madness in her eyes.
“Once she’s like that, there’s no stopping her.”
Stehrin flicked his finger, saying they should just leave her and go out.
“Ah, yes….”
Raon scratched the back of his head as he followed Stehrin out of the guardian’s home. He was already worried about how over-the-top Siyan’s new book would be.
“But I’m glad she’s back to her old self. I was worried for a while because she was too serious.”
Stehrin bowed his head, thanking Raon for helping Siyan return to her usual shy self.
“Thank you.”
“No, I didn’t do anything.”
Raon waved his hands, insisting he really hadn’t done anything.
“You’re the same as ever.”
Stehrin laughed, saying Raon hadn’t changed at all.
“Guardian….”
Raon’s expression hardened as he listened to Stehrin.
“Are you feeling unwell anywhere?”
Today, Stehrin’s entire body was covered in wrinkles like tree bark, and he seemed constantly worn out.
Even after the purification ritual, he hadn’t looked this exhausted, so it made Raon worry.
“Transcendence really is something. You can even sense this. Or can you see it all?”
Stehrin looked at his reflection in the lake and smiled faintly.
“Guardian….”
“I’m not in pain. It’s just that my end is near.”
He turned around and nodded calmly.
“Unlike the endlessly growing World Tree, it’s simply time for me to return to the earth.”
“Ah….”
Raon bit his lip as he looked into Stehrin’s serene eyes.
If it were an illness, he could fix it, but if it was the limit of a lifespan, there was nothing to be done.
“Don’t make that face. I’ve lived long enough.”
Stehrin let out a short laugh, saying there weren’t many races who lived as long as a High Elf.
“Guardian….”
“But it is a bit sad to leave Siyan alone. As you know, right now, she can’t even call her closest friends.”
“That’s right.”
Raon nodded heavily. Ever since the last war, all connection with Elraim and Ifrit had been completely severed.
It seemed they were focusing on restoring the Spirit Realm.
“So please come visit her and be someone she can talk to, even if it’s just once in a while. She’ll really appreciate it.”
Stehrin bowed his head, asking Raon to look after Siyan.
“Please, don’t say that!”
Raon waved his hands and shook his head.
“It’s something I should obviously do!”
He had received so much from Stehrin, Siyan, and Rimmer that it didn’t even make sense to call it just being there for company—being by their side was only natural.
“Thank you for saying so.”
Stehrin grasped Raon’s hand tightly, sincerity in his touch. The wrinkles on the back of his hand made Raon’s heart ache.
“Really, you don’t need to worry. For me and Zieghart, Seiphia is not a stranger.”
Raon spoke his mind honestly.
Because of various incidents, the temporary alliance with Seiphia had been delayed, but he truly considered the elves here to be his companions.
“Raon….”
Stehrin, slightly surprised, couldn’t continue speaking, and his wise old eyes trembled.
“You must be tired. I’ll come see you again tomorrow.”
Raon said he would return at dawn when it was time to send Rimmer’s soul off, then left for his lodgings.
“…….”
Stehrin watched Raon’s back for a long time, then let out a short breath and returned to his house.
“This is where Sir Raon broke the wings of the Angel Knights…”
Siyan was still furiously scribbling notes about Raon.
“Heh.”
Stehrin walked over to Siyan, who was lost in her imagination, and gave a small smile.
“You might just be right.”
He stroked his absorbed granddaughter’s head, smiling without a single wrinkle of worry for the first time in a while.
—
At dawn the next day, the moment when the world was filled with the most mana.
Raon and the Light Wind Division followed Stehrin into the sanctuary where the World Tree’s roots were planted.
Hoo.
Raon steadied his breath and lifted his gaze.
The World Tree soared high, almost covering the entire sky, wrapped in the mana of nature, shining with radiant, elegant light.
“It looks even bigger than before…”
Dorian rubbed his eyes and breathed out in disbelief.
“You’ve got a good eye.”
Stehrin smiled and nodded.
“The World Tree is still growing. If it ever fully matures, it might really reach the sky.”
Just as he said, the World Tree was larger than before. If you didn’t strain your eyes, you couldn’t see the top.
“But lately, its growth seems to have slowed a bit. Almost as if something is blocked.”
“Is there a reason?”
“I don’t know for sure. I have to leave that to Siyan now.”
Stehrin shook his head, saying the purification rituals of the World Tree would now be entrusted to Siyan.
“I plan to check it slowly after you all leave.”
He told them not to worry too much and shook his head again.
“I’ll begin now. But before that.”
Siyan approached Raon and the Light Wind Division, holding the Soul Requiem Sword.
“Please say your last farewells to Brother.”
She bowed her head, asking them to give Rimmer a proper send-off so he could leave peacefully.
“…….”
Raon looked at the Soul Requiem Sword, his lips trembling.
“Thank you for everything. You were the most comfortable and admirable master I’ve ever had.”
He bowed his head, sincerely expressing his gratitude.
“We’re going to live terribly long lives, so don’t worry and go on.”
Martha gripped her trembling hand tightly and bowed.
“At first, I really hated you. But now, I can only acknowledge you as the best teacher. Thank you, Master.”
Burren performed a formal sword salute, just as he would for Glenn.
“Zieghart will be safe with us, so I hope you rest peacefully there.”
Runaan blessed Rimmer’s long rest with tears streaming down her face.
“Uuuuuh…”
“Waaah!”
“We’ll miss you! Damn it!”
Dorian and Yua sobbed, while Krein and Yulius furrowed their brows and bowed their heads.
After each of the Light Wind Division members gave their farewells, the Soul Requiem Sword returned to Siyan’s hands.
“Brother. Thank you. And I love you.”
Siyan, with tears in her eyes, placed the Soul Requiem Sword at the roots of the World Tree and stood up.
Whoooooom!
A sea-like blue light rose around her, swirling around the Soul Requiem Sword filled with resentment.
It seemed she was using the power of the World Tree and her spirit power to draw Rimmer’s soul out of the Soul Requiem Sword.
“Hm?”
But Siyan suddenly furrowed her brow, her lips trembling.
“W-What is this…”
Siyan stared wide-eyed at the Soul Requiem Sword, as if she couldn’t understand what was happening.
“Hurry up and come out…”
“What’s wrong?”
“This damn idiot won’t come out!”
She gritted her teeth, her tears dried up, and stared at the sword in disbelief.
“You idiot! Get out here! You’re being a nuisance!”
– That’s just like that pointy-eared guy!
Wrath laughed delightedly.
“…….”
Raon blinked as he watched Siyan wrestling with Rimmer inside the Soul Requiem Sword.
‘Is that elf clinging like a leech again?’
(T/N: Who’s cutting onions again!?!?!)
