Chapter 55, I’m Alive (3)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

 

A dazzling light enveloped the cavern.

 

Despite it being morning, there was a light so bright that it could be seen even from Sitren City, which was a two days’ journey away.

 

Those who were watching Kalian enter the cavern could not hide their surprise. It was a phenomenon that had never occurred before.

 

The light certainly did not feel ominous.

 

But the party waiting for Kalian below the rocky mountain found it difficult to completely put their minds at ease.

 

That was why Ian was fidgeting, staring only at the entrance.

 

That was when Someone approached Ian with silent steps. Then, this person roughly stroked Ian’s curly hair before speaking.

 

“Are you that worried about your little one?”

 

It was a place where many Knights were present.

 

There were not only Knights – It was also a place where Kalian’s people, including Arsene, were present. In such a place, the only one who would refer to Kalian in such a way was naturally Sleiman.

 

Clutching his dishevelled hair, Ian looked at his father with surprised eyes. It was too early for him to have arrived.

 

“Didn’t you say you were going to inspect the western district?”

 

The western district that Sleiman had to check was half a day’s journey away. Even if he had left the previous evening, there was not enough time to complete the inspection and return.

 

Sleiman stepped slightly to the side and answered.

 

“Luckily, I encountered a guest, so I was able to return quickly.”

 

At those words, Ian turned his head to look at the people who had been hidden from view due to Sleiman’s enormous frame. Seeing these people, Ian wore a face several times more surprised than when he saw Sleiman.

 

The two, whom Ian had never met before, were standing before him. But upon seeing a girl who looked to be about his own age, Ian immediately guessed who she was.

 

“I’m Veronica Manasil.”

 

Her hair that gradually turned red toward the bottom.

 

She was Allan Manasil’s granddaughter.

 

* * *

 

Amid the silence, the sound of rustling grass leaves passes by.

 

The rather unremarkable scent of grass spread all around.

 

The place where Kalian was now standing was a small, hilly field. There was nothing around. Neither land nor sea was visible. It was a place that gave the feeling of an isolated island under the sky. Because of this, Kalian could not determine whether this was truly Cyries or if it was Human land at all.

 

“I am honoured to meet the great Syspanian.”

 

Syspanian did not respond to Kalian’s greeting.

 

Instead, she diminished the Magic Power that seemed to pervade the surrounding air, which made all fear so much they forgot to breathe.

 

The pressure Kalian had felt when first facing Syspanian had noticeably decreased.

 

Feeling that interacting with Syspanian had become significantly more comfortable, Kalian briefly bowed his head.

 

Syspanian, who had been looking at Kalian, silently turned around.

 

Slowly, like a breeze, she walked to the edge of the field. Her long black hair swayed back and forth in the wind before settling down again.

 

Suddenly, Syspanian’s voice reached Kalian’s ears.

 

“I wondered what business a child who shouldn’t exist in this world has with me.”

 

She was curious about how Kalian, who should have already died by fate, was standing here.

 

“I wondered what business one who possesses memories of living in a different time has.”

 

She wanted to confirm why Kalian had Bern’s memories.

 

“I wondered what business one who had forged my Blessing into a blade has.”

 

He wanted to know why Kalian’s Magic Power, contained in the heart blessed by Syspanian, was so different from others.

 

Still standing at the edge of the field and gazing into the distance, Syspanian turned her head to look at Kalian. Again, a mysterious voice that sounded as if it were speaking right beside him.

 

“Hence, I called upon you here.”

 

Only then could Kalian understand why Syspanian had appeared before him in her true form rather than as a mere Will.

 

Syspanian was saying that she had decided to meet Kalian in person out of curiosity.

 

[Does that mean Randel and Plants have never met Syspanian’s true form before? Should I consider myself lucky that this special meeting has taken place?]

 

Kalian briefly gave a bitter smile.

 

Soon, Syspanian took a step toward Kalian. And she was suddenly standing right in front of Kalian.

 

Her movement was so natural.

 

Because of this, Kalian did not even have time to be surprised that Syspanian had suddenly appeared right in front of him.

 

Standing face to face with Kalian, Syspanian spoke.

 

“I shall see.”

 

There was no explanation as to what she meant to ‘see’.

 

Having said only that, Syspanian stared for a long time at Kalian’s eyes, which resembled his own. Afterward, she occasionally nodded, sometimes sighed, and sometimes smiled.

 

[Seems like she is viewing my memories.] Kalian surmised.

 

Syspanian was directly examining his life.

 

Although one might feel uncomfortable with someone else rummaging through one’s memories without seeking permission, Kalian was surprisingly calm. After all, Syspanian was not a being who needed to seek anyone’s permission. There was also no need for him to hide what he had experienced from her.

 

And so, more time passed.

 

Syspanian, who had now taken her eyes off Kalian, spoke.

 

“I understand.”

 

A brief, single statement.

 

Far from being surprised, she did not even express any doubt about Bern coming back to life. It was as if she was simply saying that she knew what had happened, and that was enough. Kalian unconsciously gave a deflated smile.

 

But Syspanian’s words were not over.

 

“So, they finally committed a reckless act.”

 

Syspanian, who had closed and opened her eyes for a moment, spoke as if reciting.

 

Yes.

 

Syspanian definitely did say something.

 

But those words did not reach Kalian.

 

Despite being spoken right in front of him, they were not heard. Kalian saw Syspanian’s lips move but could not understand what was said at all. Even the shape of those lips did not remain in his mind.

 

Seeing Kalian’s face full of questions due to the incomprehensible situation, Syspanian frowned. And she soon provided an explanation about what had just happened.

 

“You cannot hear my words. It is because she does not wish for it.”

 

It meant that a Prohibition had been placed so that Kalian could not hear her words. There was no need to think long about who Syspanian meant by ‘she’. Kalian, who had not yet said a single word, unconsciously opened his mouth.

 

“Are you referring to Serenty?”

 

“That is what she is called.”

 

Who else in this world would dare to impose Prohibition on Syspanian if not the Main Goddess Serenty?

 

As that thought occurred to him, a sudden curiosity arose.

 

“I was told that Serenty fell asleep in the process of sealing the Evil God. How did she even cast a Prohibition on you?”

 

It was difficult to understand how the sleeping Serenty was so active as to silence Syspanian at this point in time.

 

Syspanian answered as if it were nothing special.

 

“Would existence be concealed just because one is asleep?”

 

“Are you saying that even without being awake, she can prevent you from speaking?”

 

“Even I have left my Will behind and am here.”

 

Syspanian’s words were a bit strange.

 

[Is she saying that Serenty had left her Will behind and fallen into sleep, like her, who also had left behind her Will and was now ‘here’?]

 

Kalian asked once more.

 

“Then where is this place?”

 

“A place Human feet cannot reach.”

 

It was not an answer that could be properly understood.

 

In fact, it did not seem like an answer meant to be understood. It sounded as if she had no intention of explaining at all. Because of this, Kalian simply nodded, indicating that he had more or less understood. Right now, what was important to Kalian was not where Syspanian was located.

 

Soon, Kalian took out something he had brought with him when coming to this place. It was the black pebble that the Elf, Luca, had stolen from someone. Seeing it, Syspanian extended her hand.

 

Looking at the stone handed to her by Kalian, Syspanian frowned once more and opened her mouth.

 

“So they made this.”

 

These words, too, were not heard.

 

Realising that Kalian had not heard her words, Syspanian returned the pebble and spoke again.

 

“Keep it with you. You will understand when the time comes.”

 

From those words, Kalian once again noticed that Serenty’s Prohibition was in effect. Since it seemed that even Syspanian could not go against Serenty’s Will, Kalian merely nodded this time as well.

 

Of course, Kalian, who had no intention of completely setting aside his curiosity, momentarily considered his words. He wanted to bring up the real purpose he had sought Syspanian over such a long period of time, even so far as to use the coming-of-age ceremony as a pretext—what he truly wanted to confirm.

 

“You are a child with many questions.”

 

Syspanian said this when Kalian’s questions showed no sign of ending. Fortunately, it was not said out of annoyance at the persistent barrage of questions.

 

Somehow, Kalian thought that Syspanian, who uttered those words, seemed to be smiling. Thanks to this, with a somewhat more comfortable heart, he asked.

 

“There was something called Arcus Tempus in Secritia.”

 

“I know.”

 

Syspanian let out a low sigh.

 

That sigh was very different from the one she had shown earlier when browsing through Kalian’s memories. It seemed to carry deep lamentation.

 

Because of this, Kalian, who had temporarily forgotten to ask more questions, suddenly came to his senses and asked.

 

“I want to know why Cyries wanted the Arcus Tempus.”

 

Hearing this, Syspanian opened her mouth again, but this time too, a Prohibition was imposed. This time, not even her voice came out. Serenty was blocking Syspanian’s words much more strongly than before.

 

Syspanian again substituted her answer with different words.

 

“She wishes for you not to act hastily. She is concerned that if you prematurely discover the situation after your death, you might ruin what is to come. So do not be disappointed in not having an answer.”

 

At those words, Kalian’s eyes shone.

 

“I am not disappointed.”

 

It was not a lie.

 

Kalian was not disappointed.

 

This was because there was something he had learned from the continued sight of Prohibitions being placed on Syspanian.

 

“What you’re saying is that something happened that was significant enough for Serenty to directly intervene to prevent it from being revealed.”

 

Divine Intervention.

 

Just this meant that the issue was on a scale much larger than he had expected.

 

It also meant that traveling back 10 years in time, and coming to Cyries, which had destroyed Secritia, was by no means a meaningless event. Syspanian, who had been looking at Kalian with interested eyes for a moment, answered.

 

“Your words are correct.”

 

Kalian briefly fell silent, lost in thought. And soon, Kalian’s voice flowed out cautiously.

 

“I would like to ask just one more thing.”

 

“I will listen.”

 

Despite the immediate permission, Kalian could not hastily open his mouth.

 

With a face that revealed his hesitation, Kalian asked.

 

“Did my older brother use the Arcus Tempus to resurrect me?”

 

A real smile appeared on Syspanian’s lips. Not just giving the impression of smiling, but a true genuine smile. It seemed like a smile Syspanian was making while reproaching Kalian.

 

With a face where the smile had not yet faded, Syspanian answered.

 

“Your thoughts are not deep. That too, you will learn in due course.”

 

“So, it wasn’t my older brother who used it.”

 

That alone was already a sufficient answer. But Syspanian deliberately opened her mouth once more.

 

“Before being your brother, he is a King. Is your brother so dull as to prioritize you alone, going against that very principle?”

 

That was clearly a reproach.