Chapter 35: Cecilia Everglenn (5)
The very first thing that came to mind was a question.
‘What is this?’
Their reaction was so overly excessive compared to what I expected that I, instead, felt flustered.
[This can’t be…….]
[I see. Well, of course an ordinary human wouldn’t know the names of the Kings.]
[Yes, now it makes some sense.]
Most of the spirits began whispering among themselves the moment they saw my brand.
Most of them nodded as if agreeing with my words.
But still, some spirits, such as the ice spirit shaped like a woman, along with the turtle and the dog, only those three who were especially powerful, still stared at me with doubtful eyes.
[……I understand that you are no ordinary one. But that alone is not enough to convince us.]
[Owning the brand and forcibly designating a Connector are entirely different matters.]
“Right, I’m sure you’d think so.”
I calmly slipped my hand into my pocket without showing a hint of agitation.
Inside my pocket were several charms I had received from Yuran, still intact and unused.
In haste, I grabbed them and pulled them out, spreading them wide so they could clearly see.
“Do you know what these are?”
[That is surely an item from beyond the Thornspike Mountains, isn’t it?]
Fortunately, the dog made of tree roots sniffed and spoke as if it recognized them.
[But why would a human of this land carry such a thing? And…… one imbued with such extraordinary power at that.]
“Just look for now.”
I raised my other hand and immediately drew in divine power.
Before long, divine power gathered at my fingertips, taking shape like flickering flames.
Feeling all of their gazes converge upon me, I slowly opened my mouth.
“You must have already guessed by now, but I am a priest.”
I spoke with the most solemn and pious voice I could muster.
“I am a priest who follows the teachings of the Creator God Ilionel. The calling bestowed upon me is to spread His teachings throughout this land…… In other words, as a Connector of a different kind, I am one who bears the role of bridging heaven and earth.”
At least in this moment, I was nothing short of a devout priest.
As if casting a spell of suggestion upon myself, I muttered and raised the hand holding the charms once again.
“And I can also wield the power from beyond the mountains, the so-called power of the shamans. In their language, I could also be described as fulfilling the role of a Sky Guide.”
[A Sky Guide…… It has been long since I last heard that word.]
The dog sniffed again and spoke in a grave tone, showing recognition.
Maybe because of that reaction, I found myself somewhat liking that fellow.
With that idle thought, I looked at them with an expression that asked whether further explanation was even necessary.
“I think I’ve said enough for you to understand by now.”
In truth, my claim was flimsy and riddled with holes.
But perhaps they were swept away by the strange atmosphere.
The three said nothing and remained in silence.
I waited a while, then deliberately clicked my tongue loudly.
“……Don’t tell me you need even more proof?”
I rattled on quickly, as though driving in a wedge, not giving them time to think.
“I knew names that are not known in this age, the names of the Spirit Kings.”
“And I carry the same brand as Cecilia, whom you had sought to make your Connector.”
“And I possess both the power of a priest and the power of a Sky Guide.”
“And yet you still cannot believe me? Then what more do you need? What else must I do here for you to finally trust me?”
Even though I threw those words harshly, almost in irritation, they did not dare open their mouths to me.
Rather, they only seemed to glance at me cautiously, as if gauging my mood.
And this was despite the fact that every spirit here possessed power so overwhelming that they could easily kill me in an instant.
‘……Good.’
The first rule in dealing with spirits was to never let them achieve harmony among themselves.
In other words, do not allow spirits of different kinds and attributes to gather in one place.
For just as fire blazes stronger with wind and trees grow with water, spirits could grow stronger simply by being together with others, sometimes forming a symbiotic relationship.
And of course, the opposite case also existed.
There were relationships where merely being together would erode each other’s power and weaken their existence—and this was precisely such a case.
‘Just as it was written in the books.’
There were nearly a dozen spirits gathered here.
And perhaps because Rahma had distorted the interior space, an impossible terrain had been formed, causing spirits of all kinds and attributes to be gathered in one place.
Under normal circumstances, this could never happen.
Perhaps that was why?
[Hmm.]
[…….]
Maybe partly because of the atmosphere, but it was clear even to me that they were openly glancing at each other, hesitant.
Each had different thoughts, different opinions, and had originally been on guard against one another, so none dared step forward recklessly.
For if they were to fall out of favor, they might instantly become the common enemy.
In short, it meant they were nothing more than enemies and rivals to each other.
In the end, having so many numbers had been their greatest mistake.
There was no easier enemy to deal with than a group large in number but hiding their true intentions from one another.
‘Then now…….’
Seeing them like that, I was convinced this much was enough, and I let out a small sigh as if it didn’t matter.
“Well, fine. If you really can’t bring yourselves to trust me, then so be it.”
Every move of mine, every word, held their complete attention.
That was why now was the perfect moment to toss in the stone that would cause ripples.
“But still……”
If I were to awaken one of the Spirit Kings, the very ones you tried so desperately to seal.
And if I were to bind that one together with Cecilia as Connector.
“Even then, would you still be able to doubt my words?”
[……Do you think we would stand by and allow such a thing?]
The ice spirit spoke as if to threaten me, but compared to before, it was such a feeble threat that it was almost laughable.
“So, whether you believe or not is your choice.”
I shrugged my shoulders once more and looked around at them as I asked back.
“And I think you’re under one misconception…… You don’t really believe I revealed every card I had without having any kind of fallback, do you?”
The three remained silent once again.
Naturally so, for surely they had never been so swayed by a single human before, and didn’t know how to respond.
The books had indeed said that the greatest nemesis of spirits was ‘an unfamiliar, unexpected situation they encountered for the first time.’
[…….]
[…….]
[…….]
Perhaps because those three, who tacitly acted as leaders, kept their mouths shut.
The other spirits, too, simply stayed silent, watching the situation unfold.
And so, a brief moment passed.
[……May I ask one question?]
Suddenly, the turtle snapped its beak and asked me.
I nodded.
[Why is it that you would designate a Connector for us? I wish to know your true intent.]
“Even with a beast’s head you speak straight. Do you really think I’m insane enough to go through all this trouble for your sake?”
This time I truly couldn’t help myself and blurted out honestly in disbelief.
The reason I was doing this was of course……
“……”
In that moment, I noticed Cecilia’s body trembling faintly in my arms.
And yet she showed no sign, as if trying not to burden me with worry, simply clinging quietly against me.
Thinking about it, it was only natural.
Who wouldn’t be shocked, who wouldn’t be frightened, faced with such a sudden situation?
“Ah.”
I tightened my arms around her slightly as if to reassure her, and she let out a small gasp of surprise.
As her trembling eyes turned to me, I gave her a slight nod to tell her she was safe.
“……The reason I’m doing this.”
Slowly, I looked at the spirits—those who had spent a lifetime utterly ruining one person’s life.
“It’s because of Cecilia.”
[Cecilia? Because of her?]
“Yes.”
I had nothing to hide, so I nodded firmly.
“She has suffered her entire life because of you. And I know the way to end that vicious cycle. ……At least for me, that reason alone is more than enough.”
There was nothing more revolting than a life toyed with by another’s hands.
And because I had lived a life no different from hers, I knew that truth all too painfully well.
Perhaps that was why.
For the first time, I spat my words at them, laced with true emotion.
Once again, they merely stayed silent.
And then after some time had passed.
[Then we ask this of you.]
[Please grant us this.]
The dog was the first to speak, in a polite voice.
[Yes. If our wish can be fulfilled, if it truly comes to pass…… Then I swear we will give you our wholehearted support.]
The turtle quickly continued, as if afraid of being late.
[The same for me. Like Cecilia, I will hold you precious and protect you. And I also sincerely apologize here and now for treating you rudely before.]
Even the ice spirit in the form of a woman bowed deeply to me in request.
[We beg you.]
[We ask this of you.]
The other spirits likewise spoke the same toward me.
At the sight of them like that, I had to work hard to calm the pounding in my chest.
‘It worked.’
It worked.
But there was still one last step left.
Thinking that, I tilted my head slightly as if puzzled.
“We? What do you mean by ‘we’? That sounds a bit strange.”
[What do you mean?]
To their puzzled question, I once again shrugged.
“Certainly, I can help you, and I’m willing to. But as you well know, a Connector is not the same as a mere contract. The capacity…… in simple terms, the number of seats is already fixed. This is an unchangeable law.”
[Wait.]
[Do you mean…….]
“You’ve all known it from the start, so why pretend ignorance now?”
I looked at them with a smile.
And then I whispered.
“You all already understand, don’t you? Just what I’m about to say.”
I looked around at the spirits as I spoke.
“The seats are limited, but the ones wanting to sit are many. If the number of seats cannot be increased, then naturally the number of those trying to sit must be reduced, right?”
From now on, kill each other.
As I whispered with that intent, their auras slowly began to shift.
“First, reduce your numbers among yourselves. And then, we’ll continue the discussion.”
With those words, I gave them another smile.
Without doubt, it was the kindest smile I could possibly make.