Ch 163
“…”
“…”
The crow’s embarrassing yet solemn ‘wait’.
After that, an uncomfortable silence descended on the place.
Lisir carefully watched the crow’s Nunchi.
Unfortunately, crows did not have the physical organs to make expressions.
No inner thoughts could be read from those black Eyes staring into the void.
-How dare such insignificant vermin interrupt Master’s words…!!!
Dangaleon raging in the Inner World.
Lisir spoke, worried that he might burn the crow.
‘Calm down. It may just look like a crow, but I heard there’s a great Grand Sorcerer inside. Is that something you can do when you become a Shaman? Amazing.’
-That is what Master said! To achieve a Realm and only become vermin!!! It is nothing but insignificant!
‘Did I say that?’
-Regret, I can only feel regret!!! For Master to seek Teaching from such a Barbarian to learn such insignificant and barbaric power! This Dangaleon feels like his insides are burning black with sorrow!!!
‘You’re already burned black.’
-Aaaaargh!!! To only be able to stand by and watch Master defile their Soul with such insignificant knowledge!!! If I could imitate even half of the great Talent that Master possesses, this Dangaleon! Would gladly become Master’s agent and cover myself in that mud! I can only resent my inadequacy!!! If only this Abomination Woman fulfilled her role…!
‘Hey, don’t do that to Myeong-i. Maybe what does Myeong-i say?’
-She says that she wants to be of help to Master, but her power is inherently innate, so she lacks knowledge about acquisition and proficiency!!! Therefore, she says that she feels great Regret for not being able to help Master!!!
‘Well, that can happen.’
-Ah! What an extreme of Tolerance!!! To embrace even the feeble-mindedness of not being able to explain the power they wield in words!!!
‘That’s me too.’
-…You insignificant vermin! How long do you intend to make Master wait!
At that moment, the crow broke the Silence and saved Dangaleon from the crisis（?）.
-Child.
A kind yet authoritative old woman’s Voice flowed from the opened Beak.
-If you insist on hearing my answer, you will hear something rather stern. Even so, do you want my answer?
“I will gladly accept it.”
Then the crow exchanged a Gaze with the Iron Sword once.
When Dwen nodded, the crow finally made a Statement.
-Child. Let me ask you first. Why are you Interested in Astrology? Haven’t you already achieved enough in the Sword?
Lisir hesitated to answer.
From that tone, he could feel a thick and stubborn Pride in his Field.
And discomfort.
Lisir vaguely felt it.
‘Did I talk about the concept of Guardian Saint too easily?’
Somehow, it seemed that his Statement had offended the Grand Sorcerer.
‘Well.’
In a way, it was natural.
From the meeting with Roera until now.
According to the Astrology knowledge he had gained during those few days, the concept of Guardian Saint was an area belonging to deepening even within Astrology.
In such a situation, for someone who seemed ignorant of Astrology to suddenly ask to be taught about Guardian Saint.
From the perspective of a dogmatic Shaman, it was something that could evoke a sense of insult beyond embarrassment.
In that regard-
Lisir felt a considerable amount of unfairness.
What was he supposed to do when he suddenly became a Guardian Saint himself?
“I happened to be connected.”
Lisir had no choice but to answer that way.
-I do not know through what path you came to learn about the concept of Guardian Saint, but a Guardian Saint is not as simple a concept as you think. The Bond with a Guardian Saint. That is only permitted to those who have looked at the stars for a lifetime, and to those who are born with special stars and light. Absolutely, it is not something an Outsider should take an Interest in with a light Heart.
Child.
The Grand Sorcerer said in a stern tone.
-I ask you. Are you prepared to chase the light of the stars for the rest of your Life? Are you prepared to entrust your Fate entirely to the stars?
“…No. It is true that I am Interested in Astrology right now, but I do not intend to dedicate such a large part of my Life to it.”
-Thank you for speaking honestly. Then, I must also speak honestly as a reward.
Thump.
Thump, thump.
The crow hopped across the table and approached Lisir.
In that state, he looked up at Lisir and said.
-I owe the Iron Sword a debt. To repay that debt, I was going to impart the knowledge of Astrology to you. However, if the knowledge of Astrology that you desire is related to Guardian Saint, the story changes. That is not knowledge that can be carelessly given to an Outsider. And, it is not knowledge that an Outsider can lightly touch as they pass by.
“I understand.”
Nod.
The crow nodded with satisfaction at Lisir’s answer.
Was it because of Lisir’s Humility?
The crow spoke in a noticeably softened tone.
-On the one hand, it is also a pity. Your Eyes. Those brightly shining Eyes. If you had walked the path of the stars earlier, you would have received the Interest and affection of many Guardian Saints. Child. I certainly said it. That you wanted to have a Guardian Saint.
“?”
Huh.
Does something seem subtly different?
Lisir felt Doubt, but for now, he nodded.
-There is no need to be impatient. Even if you do not have a Guardian Saint as an Astrologer, there will already be plenty of stars shining on you. Look at her right now.
The crow pointed to the Iron Sword with the end of its Beak.
-To think that the stubborn Iron Sword would come to me to talk about a Price. You may not know it, but she has given up a lot for you. A Guardian Saint is not much different from that. The Will of an Ancestor to protect their Descendant. Tolerance.
In that regard, you can already say that you have a Guardian Saint.
“Thank you for your kind words.”
After that.
The Grand Sorcerer exchanged greetings with Dwen once, then flew out through the open window.
Lisir watched the crow’s receding figure for a moment.
“Ms. Dwen. I’m sorry. You went out of your way to care for me━”
“No. I am the one who is sorry for not being able to be of great help.”
Had he become accustomed to her solemn Atmosphere?
Lisir felt a strange sense of comfort in Dwen’s Attitude.
Lisir wore a comfortable Smile.
In response, Dwen also wore a comfortable Smile.
…While solemnly lowering her Gaze.
“Um, am I still uncomfortable for you?”
When Lisir carefully asked, Dwen slowly raised her head.
“…”
Oh?
Lisir exclaimed inwardly.
Dwen was staring at him with an unwavering solemn Atmosphere.
Finally!
Has she gotten better?
Now, will he be able to receive Teaching from the Sword Master who is in perfect condition?
At that moment of Expectation.
Lisir sensed some kind of change occurring in Dwen.
Her face was turning red every moment.
While maintaining her solemn Expression.
“…Um, you don’t have to force yourself.”
Dwen, who had been maintaining her Gaze even at those words, soon turned her head away from Lisir again as if exhausted.
“I am sorry. Still, at this rate, I will be able to cross Swords with you within three days-…”
Dwen coughed and cut off her words.
“I apologize. My expression was somewhat vulgar.”
“Yes?”
Vulgar?
Where?
Dwen spoke with an even redder face and an even more solemn Expression.
“I promise you. Within three days, I will make it possible to proceed with a Sparring Match with you.”
“Ah. I look forward to it. By the way, how is your hand doing?”
Instead of answering, Dwen grabbed the tip of the middle finger of her Left Hand with her right hand.
The Gloves covering her hand slowly came off.
“Oh…?”
The red Leather Gloves that had completely taken the place of skin.
It was slowly peeling off like a husk.
“Soon, it will be completely separated.”
“Yes. I repeat. All of this is thanks to you. I am truly filled with Gratitude.”
“You are welcome. Is there anything else that is uncomfortable? Is there anything else I can do to help you with that?”
“Ah. Then I will gladly accept the Favor━ As you said, I will try to separate this soon. At that time, I would like to ask for your help in preparation for any unforeseen Situations.”
“Ah, should I peel it off for you instead?”
“…”
Peel-
Dwen muttered those words and looked at her hand.
“I am sorry. It seems like I am asking for too Lewd a request━”
“Ah, it’s okay…!”
Lisir barely persuaded Dwen, who was overly conscious and restrained.
✦✦✦
“Myeong-ah.”
-…
“Now that it has come to this. I think the only way is for the two of us to put our heads together and overcome this difficulty.”
-…
Nod.
The Spirit looked up at Lisir with her unique blank Expression and nodded.
For some reason, that appearance looked tragic.
Kuaaaaack!!!
At that time, a resentful scream was heard.
-Abomination Woman, you audacious and Debauched thing!!! You can’t even communicate with Master without my help, yet you dare to take away the one seat that Master has prepared!!!
“…No, slip of the tongue. So, what I mean is, Dangaleon. You and me. And Myeong-i. The three of us should put our heads together and uncover the secrets of Astrology on our own.”
Kuaaaaack!!!
At that time, a scream of Ecstasy was heard.
-This Dangaleon!!! I will burn everything to meet Master’s Expectation!!!
“Yeah… because you’re fire.”
-So, what are you going to do.
The Girl Murderer Spirit who manifested with Dangaleon.
She said, fiddling with the Blue Lotus.
It was the appearance of the Murderer, who was displeased because Lisir’s Training frequency had decreased recently due to Astrology.
-Are you going to blindly cling to Astrology until you get a grasp of it? With those two?
“…No, slip of the tongue. So, the four of us━”
-That’s not what I mean. Don’t treat me the same as that dimwit.
-Well said, inanimate Woman! There will be no place for an ignoramus like you at this great round table of knowledge, so don’t even dream about it!
-Rather than sitting around with those dimwitted fireballs and mutes and endlessly hoping for luck, wouldn’t it be better to postpone it until you find a proper solution?
-Master!!! The inanimate Woman is only trying to take Master away from us! That Lewd Woman! She’s already horny after only a few days of Master’s touch being reduced…!!!
The Murderer and the Demon bickering.
And, the Abomination looking back and forth at them with a blank yet interesting Expression.
Lisir put them behind him and fell into thought.
Klana’s words made sense.
The three of them blindly putting their heads together and exploring Astrology.
It was certainly the only solution, but it was also a makeshift measure at the level of being forcibly squeezed out.
It was far from efficient, and if he wanted to pursue rationality, it was right to postpone the acquisition of Astrology until a proper solution was found, as Klana said.
Lisir also knew that.
The Reason why he was still obsessed with Astrology.
‘My Guardian Saint. Isn’t it possible that it could suddenly disappear at any time?’
Lisir thought.
That the Guardian Saint that was created by chance could suddenly disappear again at any time.
‘That’s a problem.’
Lisir wanted his Guardian Saint to remain as it was.
It would not only be a point of contact with his Younger sister who was far away, but it was also a useful power that gave meaningful help to his Younger sister who was far away.
As the saying goes, strike while the iron is hot.
Lisir was planning to solidify his power as a Guardian Saint on this occasion.
So that he could freely wield that power.
So that he could be a source of strength for his Younger sister anytime, anywhere.
What was needed for that was an Understanding of Guardian Saint, of Astrology.
‘To think that knowledge about Guardian Saint was so precious.’
Lisir sighed as he recalled his Conversation with the Grand Sorcerer today.
Judging from that Conversation.
For an Astrology Outsider to obtain knowledge about Guardian Saint-
It was as difficult as a Magic Outsider obtaining knowledge about Unique Magic.
There was almost no way to do it except to be subordinate to a specific Group.
‘To descend as a Guardian Saint once again and get help from that friend Hamun… Ah, that’s not it either. She said that descending with the power of a caster is incredibly burdensome. I don’t think I’d be able to teach in that state either.’
As expected.
This is the best option right now.
“Let’s roll…!”
The Astrology Study Group was launched.
“Oh, right.”
Lisir remembered something and took out the Sword of Advancement.
“Zallak. Do you happen to know anything about Astrology?”
-Well. A little…?
“Yes!? Really!? You have knowledge about Astrology!?”
-It’s just fragmentary knowledge that I’ve occasionally seen and heard over your shoulder.
“Oh. As expected of the Holy Sword…!”
-…Please, don’t try to find the meaning of my Existence in a place like this.
Lisir, who had found a helper in an unexpected place, gained momentum and spoke to the next target.
It was the Spirit of the Saint who was confined in his Inner World （a punishment of becoming a Sand Spirit’s toy）.
“Do you happen to know anything about Astrology?”
-Y, yes!!! I know! I know, so please get me out of here first!!! I will help you in any way I can…!
A desperate cry.
Following that, a hearty Voice was heard.
-Why are you lying, ugly!? You said you didn’t know when I asked you about Astrology!
-U, uaaaaaaack!!!
“I can’t help it. Let’s do it among ourselves.”
After that.
Lisir devoted himself to Astrology day and night with his Comrades.
✦✦✦
The sky of Bondales was dyed with Sunset.
Above it, a giant crow was wandering.
It was a Clone of Grand Sorcerer Sirine.
Recently.
Sirine had been looking over Bondales day and night through her Clone.
As if looking for something.
Guardian Saint.
That was what the Grand Sorcerer was looking for.
A few days ago.
The Grand Sorcerer witnessed the birth of a new star in a dream.
The newly born star contained a light so brilliant that it could not be seen as a newly born star.
A light so bright that it made the elderly Grand Sorcerer’s Eyes shine like a child’s.
The place she arrived at was this Bondales-
Over the past few days, she had been desperately chasing the Trace of the star.
However.
That Guardian Saint had a unique Nature that was difficult to chase in the usual way.
It was like flickering unsteadily.
It was a strange thing.
A Guardian Saint should already be born with the profound Mystery of Astrology.
How could it show such a precarious appearance like a child who cannot stand alone?
Moreover, how crude and weak was that flicker.
The Grand Sorcerer’s patience was slowly reaching its Limit, to the point where she was doubting herself.
Maybe.
Isn’t all of this an Illusion reflected in the cloudy Eyes of an old woman?
An empty wandering.
In it, the Grand Sorcerer’s thoughts briefly lose their way.
She recalls a Man she had encountered a few days ago.
-…Ha.
A Chuckle leaked from the crow’s mouth.
Grand Sorcerer Sirine.
If someone who knew that great Shaman had watched the Situation at the time, they would have been shocked.
For someone who was already walking the path of the Sword to speak of Guardian Saint in front of the Grand Sorcerer with such a light Heart.
And, for the Grand Sorcerer to lightly pass it over.
The old Grand Sorcerer beyond the Clone mocked herself.
Lately, she had been seeing and hearing many false things.
Right now, it was the same in her Conversation with the Man at that time.
At that time.
Perhaps the Man had said something to the effect that he wanted to have a Guardian Saint.
But.
How should she-
-That’s what I mean. I became that, a Guardian Saint…
Is it possible to hear it that way.
The elderly Grand Sorcerer had witnessed the birth of Guardian Saints countless times, but she had never heard the words “Hello, I am a Guardian Saint” in the real world.
For a Young Man who was alive and well and having a Conversation in front of her to be a Guardian Saint.
It was an understatement to say that she was senile.
-I’m getting old.
The appearance of the crow being dyed in the light of the Sunset looked particularly powerless.
That was how it was.
It was the moment when the Grand Sorcerer was about to put an end to her days of wandering in despair.
-…!
The crow’s Eyes contained a different color.
The clearest and brightest twinkle of Guardian Saint yet leads her.
-This is, could it be…!
The crow, which had been wandering aimlessly, swooped down sharply towards one point.
She arrived at a certain Mansion.
The Grand Sorcerer, blinded by the light, did not know.
That the Mansion was the Mansion she had visited a few days ago after receiving a call from the Iron Sword.
The crow’s Eyes sitting on the railing turn white.
The Grand Sorcerer’s Clone heads to Starland.
An endlessly open field.
A cluster of stars densely filling the night sky.
There, a familiar Man greeted him.
“Oh? Ah!”
He recognized the crow and waved his hand happily.
And the moment he was about to open his mouth-
He disappeared again.
A literal twinkle.
It was the clearest twinkle of Guardian Saint that she had seen in the past few days.
“…What?”
A lively reaction popped out from the elderly Grand Sorcerer.
✦✦✦
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