C1104
Heh...
Raon scowled while watching the roiling crimson gale.
"Even if only his soul endures, it's astonishing how utterly predictable he can be."
He had anticipated that once Rimmer departed, he would venture to Sepia—and his forecast proved true. The blood-hued wind and fog now blanketing the Great Forest were the embodiment of malice emanating from Rimmer’s soul.
–Those pointed ears remain unchanged, be it in life or in death.
Wrath emitted a vacant laugh, clearly taken aback.
–Isn't his presence here due to that troublesome aura, implying he expects us to handle it?
He snorted, suggesting that Rimmer had journeyed to Sepia with the intent to erase the grudge tethered to his soul.
"That isn’t it."
Raon gently shook his head.
"It’s more plausible that he arrived unaware that events would unfold in this manner."
Considering Rimmer’s behavior and words in life, he seemingly traveled to Sepia solely to pay his respects, not anticipating such a consequence.
"The, the way is open?"
Martha stammered as she stepped up beside Raon.
"What did you do?"
Her eyes widened in astonishment upon witnessing the dispersing mist—a substance even her sword couldn’t slice.
"Who would have thought you could accomplish with a single finger what my magic failed to do!"
Evelyn beamed with a radiant smile of approval.
"That’s just our Raon for you!"
She nodded in agreement, remarking that this was exactly why they had no choice but to follow him.
"Um, pardon me, Lord Raon."
Dorian gulped anxiously while standing behind Raon.
"What are you observing? Why do you fixate on what appears to be emptiness...?"
He quivered, his shoulders shuddering in trepidation.
"Don’t you all sense something emanating from that wind?"
Raon gestured toward the swirling wind and fog above the Great Forest.
"There’s a dreadful scent of blood, yet it differs from the usual bloody energy."
Evelyn scrutinized the mana closely, as one would approach it with a magician’s insight.
"It appears neither purified nor natural. How peculiar."
She shrugged, implying that it exceeded her understanding.
"Hmm!"
Martha emitted a soft groan as she stared at the crimson mist.
"As mentioned, it isn’t the bloody energy we know. Yet…"
She massaged her eyes with the back of her hand, as if struggling to comprehend it herself.
"Oddly enough, it evokes a sense of nostalgia within me."
Martha ran her hand over her head, clearly perplexed by her own sentiments.
"Are you truly feeling nostalgic because of that?"
Dorian swallowed uneasily and moved forward.
"It’s merely an eerie wind and fog... huh?"
He gazed blankly at the crimson mist, his mouth slowly parting.
"You’re correct!"
Dorian’s jaw quivered as he confessed that he, too, experienced what Martha felt.
"I can’t explain it, yet my chest aches—it feels as though my insides are contorting..."
He bit his lip sharply, revealing that he was overwhelmed by both bitterness and yearning at once.
–How intriguing.
Wrath clicked his tongue momentarily while casting a glance at Dorian and Martha.
–The lingering aura of that pointy ear is so subtle that only someone of your expertise could detect it.
He uttered a brief exclamation, surprised that Dorian and Martha were able to perceive Rimmer’s aura.
"Dorian and Martha are not picking up Master's aura."
Raon shook his head calmly.
–Then what?
"They are detecting the memories woven into Master's soul."
As Wrath explained, Martha and Dorian were not sensing Rimmer’s physical presence within the crimson wind and fog; rather, they were reliving him through their shared memories.
"What might this be?"
Martha frowned, one hand resting on her chest.
"What is this fog that causes my heart to ache so profoundly?"
She rested her hand upon her sword, as though questioning whether it was some peculiar curse.
"My chest aches as well. Yet, I have no desire to retreat…"
Dorian tightened his fist, admitting that despite his fear, he was unwilling to leave this place.
"That wind and fog…"
Raon lifted his hand, gesturing toward the encroaching crimson wind and mist.
"It was summoned by Master's soul. Evidently, he arrived here after departing from the Blade of Requiem."
He revealed to them the true origin of the wind and fog.
"M-Master? So this explains the surge of these emotions…"
"No wonder I was overcome by nostalgia. Only that gambler could stir such feelings in me."
Dorian's eyes widened with shock, while Martha emitted a resigned laugh, acknowledging that it made sense.
"Rimmer...?"
Evelyn cocked her head, apparently still puzzled despite the explanation. It seemed that her brief time with him left her unable to perceive his true presence.
"Yet why does Master, in this guise, bar entry to Sepia...?"
Dorian tilted his head in pronounced confusion.
"You are well aware of the nature of our Master."
A wry smile tugged at Raon’s lips as he observed the intensifying wind and fog.
"The vengeful spirits contained within the Blade of Requiem became sullied by darkness in their bid for retribution against the Leader of the White Blood Religion. Master himself embraced that darkness in an attempt to rescue them in some manner."
Ever since Rimmer departed from the Blade of Requiem, spiteful resentments had clung to him. At first, it was believed to be minor—something he could cleanse—but now it appears that was merely the surface of a much larger affliction.
"It appears that Master journeyed here in an effort to cleanse the grudges affixed to him, yet found himself ensnared when he could not bear their weight."
His primary motive for venturing to Sepia was to elucidate Rimmer's predicament and secure the Guardian's backing. Although he had anticipated such an outcome, he had not foreseen it unfolding with such precision.
–That is exactly so.
Wrath gave a heavy nod.
–That pointy ear. Evidently, he intended to rescue the vengeful spirits within that blade—even if it required him to shoulder all their malice personally.
He clicked his tongue in a bitter tone, remarking on how intrusive such an act was.
"Ah!"
Dorian emitted a groan while gazing at the crimson wind, finally grasping the situation. Tears soon began to pool in his eyes.
"Rather than simply resting as he usually does, he chose to meddle unnecessarily…"
Martha pressed her lip with a sigh.
"Thus, this passage has been unveiled…"
Evelyn furrowed her brows while observing the split mist ahead of Raon.
"It is pleading for assistance."
Raon nodded gently, a small smile forming on his face.
"He remains unchanged…"
Just as he prepared to step into the Great Forest through the cleared mist—
"Hold still!"
A chilling command resounded from deep within the shadowy forest. Whoosh! At that very moment, a piercing lethal intent radiated from every direction. The aura of numerous elves permeated the fog-laden trees and underbrush.
"Dispel the curse you have cast upon this forest at once!"
A recognizable female voice emerged from amid the deadly intent. Though her face was obscured by Rimmer’s mist and dense vegetation, he instantly recognized her.
"Lady Siyana?"
Raon addressed the familiar voice by name.
"Huh...?"
With a bewildered gasp, the mist receded further, unveiling the visage of the elf standing at the forefront.
"Eh?"
Siyana's jaw fell in astonishment upon beholding him.
"Lord Raon!"
***
"I-I’m sorry!"
Siyana made a deep bow before Raon.
"When I observed the mist parting—a feat beyond my capabilities—I naturally assumed that the magician responsible for the spell had arrived!"
She offered another apology, clarifying that the mist had obscured faces and prevented the detection of presences.
"I understand. I too could not discern your face, Lady Siyana."
Raon gestured dismissively with his hand, assuring her that it was all right.
"But did you refer to this mist as a curse?"
He indicated the blood-hued mist that Rimmer had summoned.
"Isn't that a curse?"
Siyana cocked her head, as though puzzled by the seemingly obvious question.
"I automatically assumed it was a curse, given that it bars our exit and blocks entry for others, although I couldn’t deduce who might have cast it…"
She blinked, remarking that she could only conceive of it as a curse.
"I suppose that is a reasonable assumption."
Raon nodded lightly, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"However…"
Siyana frowned while gazing upward at the undulating red mist.
"Whenever I observe it, an inexplicable heartache overwhelms me. It does not appear to be the typical manifestation of a curse."
She pressed her lips in a firm line, admitting that she herself could not fathom the cause.
"…"
Raon squinted as he regarded the bowed figure of Siyana.
‘So indeed, blood is thicker than water?’
Observing her experience such nostalgia and sorrow despite not knowing Rimmer’s past, it was evident that family bonds were unique.
"Lord Raon, what brings you here? Have you come to assist us?"
Siyana fixed her expectant gaze upon Raon.
"Well, indeed."
Raon nodded slowly.
"I have crucial news to impart, and I must also address that mist."
"What is it that you wish to share with us?"
Siyana’s eyes shone with curiosity.
"I shall relay it alongside Lord Sterin; I believe it’s preferable that both of you listen."
"Ah, that’s right. I apologize…"
She lowered her head, admitting that she had acted hastily. Observing her reddened face, it was as if her shy nature had resurfaced.
"Ah, one thing before we proceed."
Siyana lifted a finger.
"Please refrain from mentioning this mist and wind to grandfather; he will be concerned."
She joined her hands in a supplicating manner.
"Lord Sterin is unaware of these circumstances?"
Raon's eyes grew wide.
"No. You shall comprehend once you encounter grandfather. Please, follow me."
Siyana offered a bitter smile as she swiftly guided them through the forest toward Sepia.
"Benefactor!"
"The benefactor has come back!"
"Could it be that you have arrived to dispel this mist and wind?"
"It had to be him!"
The elves of Sepia bowed in reverence, as though venerating him. They appeared to hold him in even greater esteem than Siyana.
–This situation is far from ideal.
Wrath slightly knitted his brows.
"Why so?"
–Even though you are infuriatingly handsome and fairly strong, the master of this land is that High Elf.
He mentioned appearance first, still visibly perturbed about his own looks.
–Yet, everyone is overlooking the High Elf and assuming you'll resolve their issues. This does not bode well for a king at all.
Wrath snorted, remarking that this was indeed a matter for careful consideration.
"...I understand."
Grasping Wrath’s meaning, he nodded in calm agreement.
"You recall, don’t you? It is here."
Disregarding the remarks of the other elves, Siyana guided Raon to a modest hut. This dilapidated abode belonged to Sterin.
"Grandfather might still be asleep, so let me check first."
"Enter."
Just as she was about to open the door, Sterin’s voice emanated from within the hut. His tone was weary, as if he had only recently awakened.
"It appears he is awake. Let us enter."
Siyana offered an awkward smile as she opened the door of the ancient hut and stepped inside. Whoosh. As Raon followed her, a revitalizing aroma of fresh grass filled the air, buoying his mood.
"Ah..."
Raon let out a deep groan upon seeing Sterin reclined on the bed.
‘Why has he come to be in this condition...’
Though it was true that Sterin had been nearing death, Raon had believed his lifespan had been extended through enlightenment. Yet the Sterin before him now appeared so decrepit that his demise could occur at any moment. He looked lifeless, reminiscent of parched grass turned yellow under a drought.
"It has been some time."
Sterin managed a smile as he raised his head with considerable effort.
"It is an honor to see you, Guardian."
Raon, who had been standing in a daze, quickly bowed.
"Not the Guardian, but the former Guardian. The current Guardian stands right next to you."
Sterin indicated with a quivering finger toward Siyana, who stood at his side.
"…"
Siyana kept her gaze fixed downward, seemingly unable to meet her grandfather's eyes.
"Well, in my condition, it is only natural to be taken aback."
Sterin offered a wrinkled smile, conveying that he understood.
"What exactly transpired? Did adversaries attack...?"
Although Raon had arrived to elucidate recent occurrences, he wished to first hear Sterin’s account.
"It was merely my own greed."
Sterin exhaled a long sigh.
"In my avarice to continue guarding this child for a little while longer, I forfeited even what I had acquired."
He offered a bitter smile, explaining that his endeavor to prolong his life by transcending his limits through enlightenment had ultimately failed.
"I see..."
No further explanation was needed. It was evident that in his desperate attempt to prolong his life for Siyana’s sake, he had edged ever closer to death.
"Raon. You have arrived to aid us, have you not?"
Sterin offered a faint smile as he gazed at the ceiling of the hut.
"To dispel the mist and wind that obstruct the forest."
Contrary to Siyana’s earlier remarks, he was fully aware of Sepia’s situation.
"Ah, you were aware?"
Siyana's eyes widened, as though she had never entertained this possibility.
"Even in my current state, I remain the Guardian of this land. Naturally, I would know."
He gently waved his hand, signaling them not to underestimate his capabilities.
"Grandfather…"
Siyana’s eyebrows quivered as she felt Sterin’s concern.
"I regret that you had to travel all this way, but this is an issue that must be resolved by me and this child."
Sterin grasped Siyana's hand firmly as she stood by the bed.
"Siyana has not yet received full acknowledgment from all in Sepia. If she overcomes this, she will truly become a Guardian."
He nodded solemnly, evidently sharing the concerns voiced by Wrath.
"Grandfather. I…"
"You need not speak further. That is what family signifies."
Sterin tenderly caressed Siyana's head, assuring her not to fret.
"Um..."
Raon parted his chapped lips as he observed the tender interaction between Siyana and Sterin.
"The mist and wind that presently envelop Sepia…"
In spite of these circumstances—or rather, precisely because of them—there was something he felt compelled to declare first.
"It was brought here by Lord Rimmer, my master and your family member…"
Raon shut his eyes tightly while disclosing the truth.
Boom! In that instant, Sterin—who could scarcely move his fingers—leapt from his worn bed.
"That accursed bastard!"
His eyes burned fiercely, as if he were ready to strike Rimmer down on the spot, if he were here.
–That pointy ear is really something else!
Wrath nodded emphatically, as if at last genuinely recognizing Rimmer.
–Even an elf on the brink of death can be stirred into action!
-
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