Ch 158
“Wow. It’s a mess. Huh? Our little one is amazing?”
Senior Knight Rotna looked up at the sky and said.
The clearing beneath the night sky where their campsite was located instantly brightened as if it were dawn.
Hamun’s Crystal Ball emitted, to the point of spewing out, radiance, noisily illuminating the surroundings.
“Hey Gelard. Don’t you think so? At this rate, she’s practically an Archmage, right? Or should I say Grand Sorcerer? Huh? Night has become morning, you know?”
She nudged Red Tower Master Gelard next to her and sought his agreement.
“…”
“Gelard?”
But Gelard’s expression was unusual.
Astrology is the realm of Sorcery.
Gelard, a Wizard, was not as knowledgeable about Astrology as Hamun, but he had learned and mastered various things while traveling with her.
In his view-
The aspect of Astrology currently in progress was absolutely not normal.
In the first place, it was a fact that could be easily inferred even without Sorcery knowledge.
The Energy felt from the Crystal Ball was completely different from that of usual Astrology.
“Hamun! Aren’t you overdoing it!”
Gelard shouted at Hamun.
“Hamun!”
Roera, who was right next to her, was already worried about Hamun’s condition with a serious face.
Before she knew it, the Beastkin Girl’s face was drenched in cold sweat.
The small ears, like those of a small animal, sticking out above her head, fluttered.
“Hamun! Get a hold of yourself! Stop the Ritual for now!”
“I can’t!”
The Beastkin Girl shouted with difficulty.
“Almost, almost done…! Please trust me!”
“No, little one, this isn’t the time to be saying such things-“
“Hamun!”
Roera cut off Rotna’s words.
Because she could see that Hamun was confident as a full-fledged Astrologer.
Roera, feeling that Determination, showed trust with a serious expression.
“Tell me what to do now.”
“…”
Hamun reached out her hand to Roera.
“I’m sorry… Please share a little of your power.”
Roera firmly grabbed Hamun’s hand.
“Ooh…!”
An exclamation erupted from among the onlookers.
Another kind of Radiant Light burst forth from their touching hands.
The Hero’s Radiant Light.
It emitted a clear Presence even amidst the light of the rampaging Crystal Ball.
“And-“
Hamun, whose condition had improved, carefully continued speaking.
“And?”
“Please tell me… what kind of person Lisir is…!”
“…Suddenly? Uh, well, he looks a bit dim-witted, but surprisingly reliable when you get to know him━”
“That’s not it! Is he a Wizard, a Swordsman, a Priest, a Spirit Master? Or-…!”
“He must be a Wizard! I’m sure of it!”
Roera asserted, but was inwardly confused.
It was the first time Hamun’s Astrology had progressed in such a violent manner, and it was also the first time she had asked such a question.
‘Why does an anomaly have to happen when it’s related to that guy…!’
If something bad happened to a comrade because of something related to her Older Brother, there would be nothing more terrible.
Roera put more strength into the hand she was holding with Hamun to prevent such a thing from happening. She supported the Astrologer with all her might.
“Kyaa!”
It was then.
The radiance of the Crystal Ball intensified even further, and Hamun fell backward as if pushed by it.
Her small body was soon embraced in the Hero’s arms, who had quickly moved behind her.
“Ah, Hero…! Thank you!”
Roera silently stroked the head of the admirable Girl.
“Ah…”
Hamun shyly smiled, forgetting the Fatigue caused by the Astrology’s burden.
“Damn… I should have learned Astrology too.”
Rotna, watching the scene, said enviously, trembling her hands.
“I know, right? I should have learned Astrology too.”
“No, Gelard. It’s disgusting when you say that.”
Each time she moved her tall, sturdy body, the blonde hair tied up in the back moved dynamically.
It was Hero Roera, whose every action attracted people’s attention.
Many people turned their gazes of Longing toward the sight of her holding the Beastkin Girl in what is commonly called a princess carry.
The light of the Crystal Ball, which had subsided before they knew it.
The Astrology ended like that for the time being.
✦✦✦
After the situation was resolved.
The Hero Party gathered again around the bonfire.
“So, Hamun. What happened?”
Rotna asked Hamun.
Then, Hamun looked at Roera and said.
“Hero. You will meet that person, Lisir, in Bondales.”
“…Is that so?”
“Wait a minute!”
Rotna, seeing Roera’s expression, shouted without realizing it.
“If the person moves somewhere else while we’re moving to Bondales, what happens then?”
“Rotna. How many times do I have to tell you? Astrology isn’t some kind of location tracking.”
Gelard.
The middle-aged Man in the Red Robe said with a sigh.
“Hamun observed the possibility of the Hero and that person meeting. Isn’t that right, Hamun?”
“Ah! Yes! That’s right!”
“Possibility… Observation… What, you have to talk in a way that I can understand to know what you’re saying.”
Yeah.
I’m ignorant.
But so what.
A Swordsman just needs to wield a sword well.
In the first place, the people in this Party are too-
Rotna muttered, pouting her lips.
Leaving her behind, Roera said to Hamun.
“Hamun. You worked hard. Thank you for your efforts.”
Is it because of the bonfire that gently dyes her face?
Probably not.
Roera.
She smiled softly as she looked at Hamun.
That Expression, contrasting with her usual cynical Atmosphere, had tremendous destructive power.
“Hero…”
Not only Hamun, but even the others were mesmerized and stared at her.
“…Gelard, I think I have a dream. Astrology. I’m going to learn it properly, so teach me.”
“Don’t bother. Hamun’s Astrology is a Realm that can only be reached by being born with it.”
“Then tell me how to be born as Hamun!!!”
“Be quiet, and be a little quieter.”
Gelard gestured at Rotna as if chasing away a fly, and asked Hamun.
“So, Hamun. What on earth was that just now? It looked like there was a problem with the Astrology at a glance.”
Rampage.
Gelard murmured the word meaningfully.
“I concluded that the situation was like that, did I judge correctly?”
“…”
Hamun nodded after a moment of contemplation.
“Yes. In that the Astrology briefly escaped my control, I think it can be seen that way.”
“Astrology escaped your control?”
Rotna’s expression, which had been playful all along, became serious.
“Isn’t this the first time?”
Occasionally, if Hamun tried to foretell the Fate of a powerful Existence, her Astrology would often fail.
But.
There had never been a case like this before.
Hamun’s Astrology escaping her control?
Gelard, vaguely understanding the meaning, said with an even more serious expression.
“Does that mean… the target of this Astrology has a Rank that is far higher than any Existence so far?”
Not only Gelard, the speaker, but also the other listeners had uneasy expressions.
Even when they were tracking the Sword Master ‘Outer Sword’ at the request of a Family, the same situation had not occurred.
Someone who was at the beginning of the 3rd Rank until a few months ago now has a higher Rank than a Sword Master?
“Eh.”
Rotna’s interjection represented everyone’s State of Mind.
It must be due to a separate factor.
“Hamun. Do you have anything else in mind?”
At Gelard’s words, Hamun showed her palm as if she had been waiting.
Rotna’s hand, which was about to touch that palm, was snatched away by Gelard.
“While tracing Lisir’s Trace, I saw five stars with his name.”
“…Good heavens, what is that supposed to mean.”
Gelard rubbed his forehead, complaining of a headache.
“Should we interpret that as there are four more people with the same name around him right now?”
He presented the simplest possible interpretation to relieve his headache. Of course, it was not effective.
“…Is the name Lisir that common? I’ve never heard of it before.”
Rotna’s murmur. Gelard nodded and agreed without realizing it.
To interpret five stars in that way.
It was too simplistic as an approach to Astrology.
“Moreover, that wasn’t all.”
Sword.
Magic.
Divine Power.
Spirit.
And Black Magic.
Hamun mentioned, folding her fingers in order.
“Those stars were each walking a different Path.”
“What the.”
They were each lost in thought with serious expressions.
Unexpectedly, the first to offer a solution was Senior Knight Rotna.
“Maybe it’s something like that? That Lisir can handle all five of those.”
They all stared at Rotna with cold gazes.
The gazes directed at a drunkard engrossed in drinking were probably not as cold as that.
“Tch.”
Rotna scratched the back of her head awkwardly.
“No, well, you know. He’s carrying around a bunch of Artifacts or something.”
“Rotna.”
“Ah, okay! Cancel that! I just wanted to shout out some Nonsense to relieve my frustration~ I’m sorry, yes~”
A while later.
Rotna muttered with Dissatisfaction.
“Even though they don’t have anything that comes to mind either.”
A star with a suspiciously high Rank.
And the number five.
They ultimately failed to offer an explanation for that Mystery.
✦✦✦
The next morning.
Roera’s Party had smoothly finished their preparations for departure and were about to set out on their journey.
As always.
“Hey, little one. You need to get up soon. Are you in a growth spurt these days? That’s strange… your size is the same, but the amount of time you sleep keeps increasing.”
That, too, was always part of the Routine.
Hamun.
She was fast asleep even amidst the hustle and bustle of greeting the morning around her.
It was the Beastkin Girl’s nap that had become taken for granted since some time ago.
Rotna took her blanket as a matter of course and woke her up.
“Hamun?”
But something was strange.
The Beastkin Girl didn’t wake up no matter how much she called.
“…!”
In an instant, Rotna’s expression became serious.
The Senior Knight’s sharp Senses detected the Girl’s disordered Breath.
This shouldn’t have happened until now!?
“Hamun!?”
Hamun in a prone position.
Rotna hurriedly sat down and turned her body around.
“This is bad, what cold sweat…!”
Then, her face, drenched in cold sweat, was revealed.
“Rotna. Are you tormenting the child from the morning? You’re diligent in useless places.”
Gelard, who was watching the scene from afar, clicked his tongue.
“That’s not it, Hamun’s condition is somehow strange!”
Roera, who was already at the head of the group preparing to move.
She heard the Commotion and immediately approached.
“Hamun, are you okay?”
“Hero…”
“What. You don’t answer when I call you, but you answer right away when the Hero calls you? This girl, aren’t you feigning illness to get the Hero’s Interest?”
Hamun playfully smiled ‘hehe’ at Rotna’s words.
The expressions of the others darkened even more at that sight.
No matter how they looked at it, her condition was not normal.
“Could it be because of what happened yesterday?”
“No!”
Hamun shouted urgently as Roera’s expression was about to be filled with Guilt.
“Actually… for some time now… my body has been strange…”
“Little one. Could it be related to your Spirit starting to slow down?”
“…I’m sorry for hiding it. I didn’t want to cause trouble for you… Above all… I thought it would get better over time…”
Rotna and Gelard.
It was then that the two were about to scold their young comrade with upset and frustrated Hearts.
“That’s right. Hamun. If you judged that way, it must have been right. You know your body best. This is just an unavoidable problem that has arisen.”
“…”
Roera’s one word.
With that one word, the Atmosphere of the place was perfectly organized.
Hamun no longer hesitated, and Rotna and Gelard no longer tried to unnecessarily rebuke her.
What was important right now was Problem Solving.
“Hamun. Do you have any idea what the Cause or solution to your current condition is?”
Like that.
It was the moment they were trying to figure out how to heal Hamun.
-!!!
A shriek was heard from somewhere.
Their gazes turn to the sky.
A giant eagle was circling above them.
Roera and Rotna’s eyes narrowed as they looked at the eagle.
This was not the first time the two had seen that eagle.
They had been aware of its Existence, which had been wandering around them for some time.
“Hero!”
At that time, one of the Party’s Knights approached with urgent Movement and reported.
Roera’s Party carefully carried Hamun on their back and followed him.
There, they could find two Beastkin confronting the group.
“…!”
The expressions of Roera’s Party changed the moment they confirmed the Beastkin’s appearance.
“Hero.”
Rotna’s quiet murmur.
Roera and Gelard nodded.
A Mysterious Woman who covered her whole body with a coat.
A giant Warrior standing guard behind her.
And, a dignified Tail and ears compared to Hamun’s petite ones.
Roera’s Party recognized at a glance that the two Beastkin were extraordinary figures.
Roera stood in front of them, representing the group.
“…”
A strange light flickered in the Eyes of the two Beastkin looking at her.
“The Sword’s Owner… I see. That star was shining particularly brightly━”
The Woman murmured meaningfully.
She threw back her hood and said.
Sharp Eyes, like those of a bird of prey, revealed their appearance.
“The Sword’s Owner. It would be appropriate for me to reveal my identity to you as well, but as the situation is urgent, I will postpone that.”
“What is━”
As Rotna and Gelard tried to step forward, Roera raised her hand to stop them.
Her Gaze turned to Hamun, who was being carried on Rotna’s back.
“Is this related to this child?”
“That’s right.”
“I will listen to your Introduction later. Can you briefly explain what’s going on right now?”
Roera’s Party attempted to accurately gauge the level of the two in order to prepare for any possible situation.
Her Gaze first turned to the Man standing behind the Woman.
He was a Man resembling a bear.
He was emitting his Aura with all his might so that the other party would not dare to look down on the Woman.
Yet, that Realm could not be easily gauged.
Roera vaguely realized the Source of the Man’s Confidence.
Roera’s Hero Party and the Knights who followed them.
It seemed that the Man had the power to protect the Woman from all of them.
As she gauged the Man’s power, her Interest in the Woman he was protecting grew even greater.
What kind of person is that Woman to command such a Man?
“…”
Moment. They looked around their bodies.
They felt the Woman’s Energy surrounding their bodies before they knew it.
“I see stars and Fate. Just like that Woman.”
In the meantime, the Woman made a Statement.
Her Gaze turned to Hamun.
“That Woman. Made a foolish mistake.”
Their expressions distorted at the undisguised expression toward her comrade.
But now is not the time to argue about every little thing.
She didn’t seem to have any hostility, and even seemed willing to help them.
“Can you tell me in detail?”
Gelard gestured politely.
“It’s a simple story. A powerless Girl walked around defenselessly alone with Treasures all over her body, attracting the attention of malicious people.”
The Woman’s long finger points to Hamun.
“That child is now paying the Price for handling power beyond her capacity.”
The Woman’s words were as follows.
There are great dangers involved in handling strong Astrology.
However, Hamun was not at all prepared for it, and ended up attracting the attention of a powerful ‘Evil Spirit’.
“Hamun isn’t prepared at all… That can’t be! How excellent of an Astrologer is she!”
Rotna shouted with a frustrated Heart.
Then, the Warrior standing behind the Woman let out a small Chuckle.
Just as Rotna was about to glare at the Warrior, the Woman continued speaking.
“Girl, tell me the name of your Guardian Saint.”
“Guardian Saint…?”
Gelard said to Rotna, who was pondering the word.
“Astrologers who handle spiritual power are constantly exposed to other spiritual Existences. For example, Evil Spirits━ Guardian Saints are Existences that protect Astrologers from those Evil Spirits.”
“My Guardian Saint is…”
Hamun opened her mouth with difficulty after much deliberation.
Her Guardian Saint was some unknown Warrior.
Strong and righteous, but not great enough to leave a name-
The Woman, having heard the story, said without hesitation.
“Your Guardian Saint does not have the power to protect you right now.”
“…!”
Hamun’s expression crumpled.
Ignoring an Astrologer’s Guardian Saint-
Was not much different from Ignoring the gods worshiped by Priests.
“That’s not true…!”
Hamun retorted with difficulty.
“Is that so? Then how do you explain your current condition?”
“…”
Hamun couldn’t answer and closed her eyes tightly.
“So, what. You didn’t come here just to pick a fight with our child.”
Rotna growled as she looked at the Woman.
In fact, the Woman’s Gaze was directed at Roera.
“I will give you help.”
“What purpose did you approach us with?”
The Woman answered calmly to Gelard’s question.
“It is to put the Sword’s Owner in debt.”
“…”
Roera and the Woman’s gazes met.
Eventually, Roera nodded.
The Woman also nodded in Satisfaction.
Rotna followed the Woman’s instructions and put Hamun down on the floor.
“Hamun, I’m sorry.”
“Please don’t apologize, Hero… I’m the one causing trouble…”
Leaving behind the tearful Hamun, the Woman silently performed the preparations for the Ritual.
The Warrior began to help her install structures around her.
“Let’s start immediately.”
The Woman reached out her hand to Hamun and quietly called out her Guardian Saint.
“Uresi, who splits the earth.”
“…!”
Not only Hamun, but the expressions of the other three were also filled with astonishment.
“Uresi, who splits the earth…”
Rotna murmured quietly.
It was the name of a great Warrior who had engraved his name throughout the Continent.
“…”
The Woman’s Eyes turn white.
The power of the great Guardian Saint dwelled in the Woman.
With that, the Woman tried to drive away the Evil Spirit clinging to Hamun.
It was then.
Black paint seemed to be dissolving into the Woman’s white Eyes.
“…!”
Suddenly.
The surprised Woman got up from her seat.
She began to look around.
“What’s wrong?”
Roera, sensing an unusual sign, asked.
“It’s not one.”
The Woman murmured.
✦✦✦
Same time.
-Master!!!
Lisir, who was preparing a gift while anticipating his reunion with Roera.
Suddenly, Dangaleon spoke to him.
-That Monstrosity Woman says she has something to tell Master!
“Hey. Monstrosity Woman? Myeong-i has a name. Anyway. So what is it?”
-Something nasty has clung to the one who stole a glimpse of Master’s star yesterday!
“Something nasty? What, like a wild Beast?”
-It’s called Thousand Maggots that comes with it!
“…Is it really something nasty? So, that guy… Roera? Or, did it cling to Roera’s comrade? Tell me a little more about it.”
-Based on the Trace left on Master, if left as it is, that Astrologer may be eaten by the nasty thing! She is asking for Master’s Opinion on whether to leave it alone or help!
“…”
Lisir fell into thought with a serious face.
That thought did not last long.
Younger sister.
Or his comrade was in danger.
The answer was already decided.
“Of course I have to help. Is there anything else I can do to help?”
Lisir’s Gaze, sensing a Presence, turned downwards.
The Monstrosity Spirit was looking up at Lisir with her unique blank expression.
-If Master lends his power, she says she will protect it by blessing it with Master’s power!
“Bless?”
Lisir chuckled without realizing it.
A Monstrosity that curses has become a Spirit that blesses.
Lisir put his hand on her head.
“…~”
The Spirit rubbed her head against that hand.
That inorganic Expression seemed to be somewhat pleasant.
The Spirit’s small lips moved, opening and closing.
✦✦✦
“Ugh, aaaaaack…!!!”
The Shadow that had completely swallowed the Woman’s Eyes overflowed and dyed her face.
“Yoan!!!”
The Warrior was Restless behind her.
“Hamun! Get a hold of yourself, Hamun!!!”
Hamun was also groaning and convulsing, having lost consciousness.
“Trap, this is their trap… We need to get out of here right now…!!!”
The Woman’s expression was dyed with Despair.
Just as she was about to lose consciousness like Hamun in the end.
“…Huh?”
“Hamun?”
The two Astrologers’ seizures suddenly stopped.
✦✦✦
-Master! It’s over, so she says it’s okay now!
“Ah, already?”
Lisir took his hand off the Spirit’s head.
“…”
The Spirit of Blessing seemed to be sad and tried to grab that hand with both arms.
“Huh? I don’t think it’s over yet?”
-This Lewd Woman doesn’t know Satisfaction!
“Is it even a story that goes as far as Lewd?”
Huh?
At that time, Lisir felt a strange Sensation and looked around.
Was it just his imagination?
He felt like he was connected to something.
No.
More precisely, it felt like something had rubbed off on him.
Like a speck of dust had landed on his skin.
-Master? Are you uncomfortable somewhere!?
“…No, it’s nothing.”
It was literally a light Sensation that was nothing.
Lisir quickly lost Interest in that feeling.
✦✦✦
『The power of blessing surrounds you』
『Target: Hamun』
『Caster: Lisir』
『The power of blessing reacts to your Traits』
…
…
…
『A new Guardian Saint dwells in you』
『Guardian Saint: Lisir』
✦✦✦
✦✦✦
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