After finishing the discussion at the round table, Eugene went outside. Ivatar was nowhere to be seen.
The warriors of Zoran recognized Eugene and bowed their heads in greeting. Eugene found a few familiar faces among them.
These were warriors who had participated in the war with the Kochilla Tribe. He waved back to them before heading deeper into the forest, which had been swept up in the aftermath of the battle.
It did not prove difficult to find Ivatar’s towering figure. Not far after venturing into the forest, Eugene saw Ivatar’s back.
“Still feeling down, huh?” Eugene asked as he approached.
Ivatar turned around abruptly. His face was scrunched up in frustration, and he sighed deeply.
“I was thinking,” Ivatar said.
“About what? How strong that bastard was and how powerless you were?” retorted Eugene.
Eugene's teasing words would have provoked anger from anyone else, but strangely, Ivatar didn’t feel offended when Eugene said them.
Was it because Eugene was stronger than him? No, it was something else. Because even if the opponent was stronger than him, Ivatar wouldn’t endure such an insult.
Eugene’s words… didn’t feel like mockery. He could tell. Strangely enough, it felt as if Eugene really knew everything, as if he had experienced it himself long ago.
“Yeah,” Ivatar eventually shook his head while chuckling. “I was born in the forest, but I understand the world. Even before I ventured out, I knew I had to understand the outside, the world beyond.”
Ivatar had always been an unusual and intriguing person since their first meeting.
He was a successor to a prominent tribe deep in Samar Forest, yet he never displayed arrogance. Unlike other natives who were hostile towards outsiders, Ivatar was amicable with Eugene from the beginning.
Eugene knew that their initial encounter was based on mutual interests, but he still found it remarkable that Ivatar, a successor of a prominent tribe, sought to establish such relations with an outsider.
Eugene and Kristina had wandered through the Great Forest together. They had encountered many natives, most of whom were hostile. The majority of those residing in the vast forest rejected civilization. It was a separate world with its own cultures and laws.
It was the same when Eugene followed Ivatar back to the Zoran Tribe. Ivatar’s relatives and the elders of the tribe were the same. They saw no need to engage in diplomacy with the outside world. They didn’t feel the need to embrace external civilization. Instead, they reprimanded Ivatar for seeking help from the outside.
“I met you and became more interested in the world. The moment I saw you, I realized it. The forest where I was born and raised is vast yet so confined. The only people you meet in the forest are fools unaware of the outside world,” continued Ivatar.
Ivatar words flowed like water as he spoke. It was not what one would expect from a native of the Samar Rainforest. Eugene smiled as he recalled their first meeting. Ivatar’s command of the common tongue had been so awkward and slow that it was almost unbearable to listen to.
"When I crossed the sea to Shimuin, I thought I saw most of the world there. I saw renowned knights, people who are mentioned as the strongest in the world. I also saw the two dukes of Helmuth, the Blade of Incarceration and the Queen of the Night Demons," Ivatar paused, then shook his head. "I came to know the world. I realized I wasn't so significant in the grand scheme of things."
"Overly modest, aren't you? Compared to any regular geniuses, you are unreasonably strong," Eugene said with a pleased smile.
The feelings Ivatar described as pressuring him were familiar and nostalgic to Eugene. He felt the same way when, as Hamel, he saw Vermouth for the first time and learned more about him. It was the same feeling that Cyan harbored towards Eugene and Carmen towards the Demon Kings.
Hamel didn't despair. Neither did Cyan or Carmen. It was hard to say what actions or attitudes one should take in such situations. The answer was always subjective.
But in Eugene's view, failing to overcome the situation, failing to flare up in anger, and ultimately falling into despair were definitely not the correct answers. If one gave up and fell into despair, then that was all they amounted to.
"Thank you for saying that about me," Ivatar continued with a bitter smile. "But the one who attacked this fortress... felt different ."
"Why? Because he was too strong? Or because his power was ominous?" Eugene asked.
"Ominous, yes. His power felt dark and evil. Eugene, as I said earlier, I saw the world in Shimuin. Demons, the Blade of Incarceration, and the Queen of Night Demons. But I never felt death from them,” responded Ivatar.
Ivatar struggled to explain what he felt. The emotions he felt were disconcerting and alien.
He knew the blessing he had received: the Blessing of the Forest. The entirety of Samar acted as Ivatar's blessing. It was a miracle in itself. Yet, the attacker's dark power neutralized Ivatar's blessing.
...Was that why? Was that what had led to his current state of defeat?
‘No, it’s different.’ Ivatar pondered for a moment while studying Eugene's expression. Eugene looked just as confused as if he didn’t understand Ivatar’s words either. Finally, Ivatar blurted out exactly what he was feeling.
"It felt like I had died once at the hands of that being."
"What?" asked Eugene.
“It felt like I… died before. That’s what I felt like. Of course, I am alive now, but it felt like I had died once before to him…” explained Ivatar.
“What are you—” Eugene stopped mid-sentence. His eyes widened in shock, and he felt a jolt. Ivatar’s words had sparked an intuition through the divinity infused in his soul.
‘Could it be...?’ Eugene thought.
He recalled his memories as Agaroth. There were two individuals who left a deep impression among the many followers of the War God. One was the Twilight Witch, and the other was the Great Warrior. The Twilight Witch had reincarnated in the current age as Noir Giabella. Similarly, it was possible that the Great Warrior had also reincarnated.
Eugene had pondered this possibility several times but never actively sought out the reincarnation of the Great Warrior. After all, even if they had reincarnated, Eugene couldn’t be certain that they were living in this era, and it seemed absurd to search for someone based solely on past life connections. He didn’t even know who this someone could be.
Moreover, Eugene didn’t think there was a need for him to actively search if the bonds of past lives faintly continued into this era or if such connections repeated across time. If it was truly fate, they would inevitably end up by his side.
‘But this is just too absurd,’ Eugene thought.
The Great Warrior of Agaroth had reincarnated as Ivatar Jahav.
Ivatar was the successor of the Zoran Tribe. He was blessed by the forest and the most exceptional among the forest warriors. Eugene had met him long ago, and the two had developed a friendship. He now showed unconditional support for Eugene as the tribal chief.
But now, it turned out he was also the reincarnation of the Great Warrior.
“…..” Eugene was hit with a revelation. It seemed almost as if Ivatar had been prepared for him. Throughout his life, Eugene had encountered several extraordinary coincidences.
Come to think of it, he could trace it as far back as the black market in Bolero Street when it came to extraordinary coincidences. He had followed Gargith to buy the testicles of a giant only to find the fragment of the Moonlight Sword. He had also encountered Ariartel and received the Ring of Agaroth by chance.
It all seemed too convenient to be a mere coincidence. No, they could not be written off as coincidences. This was fate.
But if he were to accept that fate had led him down this road, it brought him another question.
If all this was fate, who was the one pulling the strings?
‘Vermouth knows I'm the reincarnation of Agaroth,’ Eugene thought.
But to think all this was arranged by Vermouth seemed far-fetched. After all, Vermouth himself was tormented by his fate.
Then…. Was it possible that the one behind everything was the Demon King of Incarceration? After all, he always acted as if he knew everything. Did he have a reason to plan something like this? And if it wasn’t the Demon King of Incarceration, then who?
Eugene became lost in thought as he looked up at the sky. Dawn had passed, and daybreak was arriving. The sky was stained with the hues of the departing night. Eugene saw the sun growing increasingly bright. He saw the light.
‘The God of Light?’ Eugene pondered.
He wasn't sure. After a moment of contemplation, Eugene gave a deep sigh.
"We're friends, right?" he suddenly asked.
“…..?” Ivatar was caught off guard and wore a bewildered expression. Eugene set aside his complex thoughts and observed Ivatar's face.
He had remembered some of his memories as Agaroth in Raguyaran. The face of the Great Warrior was pretty vivid in his mind, so he could compare the Great Warrior with Ivatar.
‘Their sizes are similar, but the faces don't match,’ Eugene observed.
If he had to say, Ivatar was more handsome. This thought caused the corners of Eugene’s lips to curl up.
He felt somewhat relieved. At least in this life, the Great Warrior was not his enemy. They were not fated to fight and kill each other.
Eugene brushed aside the image of Noir fiddling with the ring from his mind. He approached Ivatar and, for no particular reason, patted his shoulder a few times.
"Look, even if you felt like you died once, you're alive and well now. That's what matters,” assured Eugene.
"Hmm, yes, but still…"
"Let's not dwell on needless thoughts." Eugene’s tone was firm.
He felt there was no need to confuse Ivatar with talks of past lives, especially since he was alive and well in this era. Saying something would only cause further confusion.
‘I see no reason to keep my distance,’ Eugene thought.
Ivatar was a good friend. They were of the same age, and Ivatar was a great warrior. From what he heard, Ivatar had also united the forest to become its chief.
He had no need to keep a distance when he should be solidifying their relationship and providing full support.
‘It might be a stretch now, but I can reconsider him for the role of the Great Warrior in the future,’ thought Eugene.
Right now, he was accumulating divine power step by step. His divine power had grown immensely since he first drew the Divine Sword.
But for now, it was impossible for him to consider himself a god unless he drank until he was out of his mind. So, it was ridiculous to think about creating a Great Warrior. In the first place, Eugene didn't even know how a god created a Great Warrior.
‘But someday, it might be possible,’ Eugene speculated.
Ivatar would come to rule all of Samar. Making him the Great Warrior would be quite significant. The natives of Samar Forest mostly followed the World Tree and held other native beliefs. If Eugene could just set foot there, he could garner immense faith.
Eugene recalled how Noir Giabella plastered her name on every imaginable thing and gathered her power through adoration and worship in the entire city. He despised Noir but was drawn to her methods of accumulating life-force and dark power.
‘I need to erect more statues... maybe write an autobiography for children's books... or even give speeches…. Maybe a tour around Yuras...?’ Eugene thought of the different ways he could go about it.
Of course, these were not his immediate plans. Eugene cleared his throat and looked at Ivatar. Ivatar returned the gaze. He still looked puzzled.
"What do you think about Sir Hamel?" asked Eugene.
"What do you mean all of a sudden?" questioned Ivatar.
"Sir Hamel. You know Sir Hamel, right? There must be fairy tales in Samar, right?" Eugene questioned.
"Ah…." Ivatar finally nodded in understanding after hearing the name twice more. "Are you talking about the Stupid Hamel?"
That response immediately caused Eugene to deduct points from Ivatar in his mind.
"Regardless of the strength portrayed in the records, I consider him not quite a hero or warrior. But his end was indeed heroic,” said Ivatar.
"....."
"However, even if his end was heroic, I don't think it was befitting of a warrior,” continued Ivatar.
"Why?” Eugene asked while trying to contain the bubbling irritation inside him.
"The Great Vermouth and his companions faced numerous crises in the castle of the Demon King of Incarceration, did they not? Hamel played a significant role in them, didn’t he? If Hamel had listened to his companions and acted wisely, they could have easily overcome many challenges. Well, I suppose that's why he's called the Stupid Hamel,” explained Ivatar.
"What do you know?" Eugene eventually spat.
Ivatar blinked in surprise at Eugene's response.
"Of course, I don't know much. What I know about Hamel is only from fairy tales and legends. But I do feel anger about his heroic end being dishonored,” said Ivatar.
Ivatar remembered seeing Hamel as a Death Knight in the Samar Forest.
To insult the dead like that... Ivatar felt pure anger.
Aren’t you also dishonoring Hamel's end?
Eugene barely managed to swallow the words.
Having revealed his identity as Hamel to the Lionheart people, Eugene thought it might be fine to do the same with Ivatar.
"Do you believe in past lives?" asked Eugene.
"Why such a sudden question?" replied Ivatar.
"Do you believe it?" Eugene repeated.
"In the Great Forest, there is a belief in death and reincarnation. Every being dies and is guided to the World Tree. Just as fruits fall to the ground and their seeds sprout anew, the World Tree cycles the souls it receives and disperses them back into the world,” responded Ivatar.
In the Great Forest, the World Tree was a form of faith. There was a similar belief among the elves who worshiped the World Tree. They believed that all elves returned to the World Tree after death. They believed that the World Tree was inhabited by the souls of elven ancestors, who protected their race.
— The World Tree is a spiritual and powerful entity. It is revered and worshiped by an entire race.
— I may be the King of the Wind Spirits, but even I cannot control the winds of the World Tree. It’s not just me, either. No Spirit King can interfere with the World Tree’s spirits.
Tempest had acknowledged the powerful faith that was held in the World Tree, although it wasn’t as widely recognized across the continent. But to Eugene, it seemed no different from the God of Light. In fact, Eugene had benefited from the World Tree’s grace several times.
One such grace had allowed Sienna and the elves to avoid death. In fact, while she was on the brink of death, Sienna was able to banish Raizakia through a dimensional rift thanks to the World Tree’s protection. Eugene’s mana had undergone a fundamental change in property through the Lightning Flame thanks to the World Tree’s spirit, and he had miraculously revived after nearly dying in the battle against Raizakia thanks to the World Tree.
‘I'm not sure if souls are really guided to and reincarnated by the World Tree, but it definitely has a power that could be described as miraculous.’
The Demon Kings and demonfolks took souls as a price.
Helmuth encouraged humans to make contracts using their souls. Countless Helmuth immigrants were bound to the demons and the Demon King of Incarceration.
They neither ascended to heaven nor reincarnated upon death. As a price for their earthly luxuries, they were bound to the surface after death. They worked for demons and the Demon King as per the contract.
‘It's the complete opposite of the World Tree,’ Eugene concluded.
Helmuth was an empire of spirits deprived of reincarnation. The souls bound to the Demon King of Incarceration alone would outnumber the population of a considerable country.
"But Eugene, why do you ask about past lives?" inquired Ivatar.
"I am the reincarnation of Hamel," Eugene replied solemnly.