𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟖
(8)
“I’ve returned.”
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When Ophelia returned to the living room, it was engulfed in a somber atmosphere. Amidst the silence, only Funyapippi on the table was devouring its food.
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“Thanks for your efforts. Did it go well?”
“Yes, Sorcier-oneesama.”
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Ophelia decided to fulfill Tweney’s wish to speak privately in a place where no one was around.
She guided Luo, who was in the living room, to where Tweney was waiting and has just returned.
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“Ah, little Tweney. What kind of child is she?”
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Vengeous was in deep sorrow, frequently wiping her tears with a finely embroidered handkerchief.
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“It’s okay to cry like a child. If you do, we can comfort you.”
“When it was my time, I didn’t cry that much.”
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Perhaps reminded of her distant past, a young-looking Mildy pouted.
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“There’s no need to be shy, Mil.”
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Aroma, dressed as a man, gently stroked her cheek with a fingertip.
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“Sometimes it’s best to act on your emotions, both for yourself and those around you.”
“Aroma-oneesama.”
“Tweney is not the only one we’re concerned about.”
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Seto, with her soft curly hair, sounded a note of caution.
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“And also Luo-san.”
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At the mention of that name, Ophelia flinched.
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“He’s so sincere and a little naive. He seemed hurt by the conversation earlier.”
“Excuse me, Seto-oneesama.”
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Ophelia asked.
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“What was the earlier conversation?”
“While you were talking with Tweney, we spoke with Luo-san. Even though we didn’t know, we ended up hearing about his upbringing.”
“Ah, what a pitiable child!”
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Vengeous’ handkerchief was at its limit.
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“Losing his parents at a young age, being driven out of his hometown, and even being forced to wear a collar. In my time, there was no such harsh system. Wizards, after all, overcame the trials of the gods.”
“It was Luo-san who asked.”
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Without hesitation, Seto explained.
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“About how to defeat the evil god.”
“Huh?”
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If they can defeat the evil god, they might be able to save Tweney. Sorcier shattered this naive thought.
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“How so?”
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To Ophelia’s question, Sorcier simply shrugged.
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“I bluntly told him it’s impossible. With your power, you can’t even stand before the evil god, especially when you couldn’t even withstand the weak magic around here.”
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There was a reason for not being able to withstand it.
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“It’s sheer folly to think humans can destroy a god. The best we can do is hope for a miracle from the massive rocks that orbit the distant heavens. I explained it that way. I think the young Luo understood. But if push comes to shove, our only option might be to take him to the ‘Gate of Transference’. The problem is what comes after.”
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With her chin resting on her fingertips and looking down, Sorcier’s expression resembled that of a scholar tackling a complex issue.
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“It may sound cruel, but if we can get Tweney to drink the ‘Tears of Lament’, she might be alright. But it’s not that simple for young Luo. If he lets his emotions take over and starts rampaging, we probably can’t stop him. It might even affect the ‘Miniature Garden’. After all, he is. . . . . .”
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Sorcier watched Funyapippi eagerly biting into the meat.
“According to Lord Horned Lio, he’s the same ‘combination’ as Prince Maltheus.”
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Vengeous blew her nose with a handkerchief.
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“If Tweney is his beloved, then he’s like a brother to us. We will comfort him with all our might!”
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Beginning with a strong opinion, various proposals were made in each person’s area of expertise.
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“Let’s make lots of delicious dishes and sweets.”
“Alright, I’ll read you the story I wrote.”
“Did he work with the knights of Star Guardian? Maybe he’s interested in swordsmanship.”
“Wait. What if he gets hurt? He’s a very valuable wizard. Let’s finish the experiment first.”
“Excuse me, Sorcier-oneesama.”
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Amidst all this, only Ophelia had a gloomy expression.
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“Hmm? What’s wrong?”
“I have a question.”
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Ophelia thought she needed to clarify the doubt that arose from her conversation with Tweney.
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“Three powers?”
“Yes. Sorcier-oneesama mentioned it before. I want to know about it.”
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Sorcier suddenly looked displeased.
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“That was a pointless speculation. It was useful to persuade Prince Maltheus, but that’s a story of the past.”
“Please tell me.”
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Facing her earnest gaze, Sorcier sighed.
After wetting his mouth with tea, she began to explain.
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“The three powers refer to the supernatural powers that humans can handle. If these powers can be maximally utilized, perhaps humans could oppose the malevolent god. That’s what I thought in the past.”
“The power of spirits, magical power, and holy power, right?”
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Vengeous, the second Star Princess, has the longest relationship with the first, Sorcier, and often converses with her.
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“Yes. Those who handle them are called spirit people, wizards, and clergy. Among the three powers, the power of spirits is the weakest, while the holy power is the strongest.”
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However, it’s said that the ease of handling them is the opposite.
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“Spirits are capricious. They easily leave their hosts. While it’s necessary to nurture faith from childhood, the holy power, or ‘blessing,’ is certain in its effect.”
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That was a straightforward statement.
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“By the way, magical power can be obtained by consuming the eggs of demon beasts, but it’s highly toxic. The fatality rate is over 90%. However, to gather wizards, the nation can take the initiative. Like Aroma’s nation did, right?”
“It was an extremely militaristic nation.”
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As if recalling something unpleasant, Aroma frowned.
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“In the end, the wizards rebelled and the nation perished. I heard this from Mil.”
“Yes, Sister Aroma.”
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Mildy, the princess of the next era, spoke of the history of her country.
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“Afterwards, the wizards did not create a kingdom, and the land was devastated. It was the so-called “Age of Beasts” where the strong ruled over the weak. The one who quelled this warfare and founded a new kingdom was my ancestor.”
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The status of wizards declined, they were seen as threats, and from this era, they came under the control of the country.
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“In the end, it was destroyed by Ophelia’s kingdom.”
“I’m sorry! Mildy-oneesama.”
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Sorcier redirected the conversation that was going off track.
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“The three powers have different natures but resonate with humans. Therefore, by combining them, it’s believed that one might harness immense power beyond human comprehension. I wasn’t the only one who thought so.”
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In the country of Aroma, which was mass-producing wizards, there were repeated experiments by clerics to enhance wizards.
However, they were unsuccessful.
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“Because the motives were impure.”
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Decisively, Sorcier dismissed the thought.
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“Throughout the long history of mankind, the only one who managed to do so was Ophelia’s knight, Prince Maltheus. Unfortunately, even he couldn’t stand against the malevolent god.”
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Sorcier shook his head.
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“Two aren’t enough. All three must be combined. But realistically, it’s an impossible task.”
“But theoretically, it’s possible, right?”
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With regained elegance and grace, Vengeous sipped her tea.
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“Well, in theory, it sounds great. There are various conditions, but the most crucial is the sequence. The power combined later must be stronger than the previous. Otherwise, it will be repelled. Meaning, a wizard who has received the “blessing” has already lost the potential.”
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Ophelia shivered.
She carefully sought confirmation.
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“So, before receiving the “blessing”, a spirit person must gain the power of magic?”
“It’s the first hurdle. However, spirits despise the power of magic. The timid beings will flee from their hosts. They won’t combine. That’s the end of the story.”
“Luo-san. . . . . .”
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Quietly, Ophelia spoke.
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“He hasn’t received the “blessing”.”
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It took time for the meaning of the words to sink in.
Sorcier let out a dry laugh, “Ha ha.”
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“Is that some kind of joke?”
“I heard it from Tweney. She said she’s never been called by her true name by Luo-san.”
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Everyone present understood the implication.
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“So. . . . . .”
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Convincing herself, Sorcier nodded.
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“So, young Luo isn’t a “combination”. He’s probably just an excellent wizard, possibly mistaken by Lord Horned Lion.”
“Hey third.”
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Funyapippi, who was gobbling up meat on the table, looked up. After getting his mouth wiped by Seto sitting next to him, he laid back leisurely.
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“Nya, nya.”
“Y, Yes.”
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While getting his plump belly stroked, Funyapippi spoke with authority.
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“Even though I’ve said it before. Luo’s power, it’s comparable to Maltheus.”
“H, However. . . . . .”
“The ‘Altar of Endings’, the temple above it, and even the beast that consumed me. All of them, with just one strike, Luo blew away.”
“What?”
“To begin with, there’s no way a mere wizard should be able to walk the bottom of the ‘Great Abyss’ and come this far.”
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Being overwhelmed, Sorcier was at a loss for words.
However, her spirit wasn’t crushed. Drinking tea, she continued speaking as if reassuring herself.
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“Let’s organize our thoughts. Even if Luo’s power is immense, there’s no evidence it’s a ‘combination’. To begin with, for spirits with weak power, differentiation is extremely difficult.”
“Speaking of which, weren’t the earth spirits causing a commotion?”
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Vengeous pointed out.
The first time they met, Luo, who had lost consciousness due to magical corruption, was surrounded and fussed over by the earth spirits. That wasn’t all. They actively detoxified him, and upon seeing Luo recover, they were overjoyed.
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“I’ve never seen anything like that before.”
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Mildy’s opinion was agreed upon by Aroma.
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“The earth spirits are the mothers of all living things. They have a particular weakness for innocent children. Unlike other spirits, they aren’t bound by the land.”
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Sorcier moved on to the next condition.
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“To combine the power of spirits with magical power, at the very least, the parent demon beast must share the same attribute.”
“Lord Horned Lion.”
“What is it?”
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Resting his head on one palm and stroking Funyapippi’s belly with the other hand, Seto inquired.
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“Luo-san’s parent demon beast is. . . . . .”
“Rock King Eagle. An annoying one that manipulates rocks even though it’s a bird.”
“Same attribute, right.”
“It’s not over yet. Not yet.”
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The arm placed on the table trembled. With a face resembling a teacher who seems to have their challenging artistic puzzle being solved, Sorcier said.
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“Even if Luo is like that. No, especially because of that. He cannot receive the ‘Blessing’.”
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