C765
[Welcome, come in.]
As they entered the forest, Sheila greeted the group.
"It's been a while, Miss Sheila."
Since Jin and Valeria's last visit to the Wantaramo Forest, Sheila had regained the power of the cursed Fairy King.
After a long time, her mana was much stronger, and the forest around her was perfectly organized.
[It doesn’t feel like it’s been long for us, but I’m very glad to see you and Valeria. Especially Valeria... It seems her heart has become much kinder.]
"Can you see inside my heart?" Valeria asked playfully.
Since their last meeting, she had developed a sense of camaraderie with Sheila.
Although there was a difference between someone who became a ghost due to a curse and someone who inherited the will of a true fairy, both had fairy roots.Valeria felt that Sheila was like a loving grandmother figure, and Sheila saw Valeria as a granddaughter.
[Anyone who knows you would think the same. The face of the girl who was once filled with a sense of duty and revenge has become so clear. Thanks to Jin and the others, I suppose.]
When Valeria showed an embarrassed expression, Sheila smiled and looked at Jin.
[I should thank you. Not just for Valeria's improvement... but also for saving this world. Every living creature on the surface is in your debt.]
"You're being too kind."
"Yes, you're being too kind. Actually, it was the Goddess of Battle from the Tribe of Legends who saved us... Ow, why did you hit me! Let go of me!"
It wasn’t Jin who hit Bale, but members of the Cat Tribe. Jin laughed as Bale fumed at them.
[You must be Bale Runcandel.]
"Huh? Do you know me?"
Sheila was recalling some of her memories from a thousand years ago, before being cursed by Helluram.
As Jin resolved one major event after another, Zipple’s manipulation of history was losing its power.
[I saw you a thousand years ago. It seems you don’t remember. Back then, I went by the name Shil Damiro.]
"Shil Damiro? It sounds like I should remember that. Oh, were you the chief butler back then?"
[No, I was her younger sister. The concept of a servant didn’t exist among fairies at that time.]
"I see. Wasn't there another sibling?"
[... I personally dismissed that child. Because she forgot her duty and betrayed us, endangering the tribe.]
"Oh, I asked a thoughtless question."
[No, it’s not. However, Bale Runcandel must have a similar duty. A duty that must be fulfilled. It's probably related to protecting Runcandel or Solderet’s legacy. You were one of the ten great knights, right?]
"I don’t know anything about that. I fought back then for Sarah, not for any clan or family."
[No, one day you'll remember. My elder sister said everyone was fighting with one heart back then, so…]
Normally, Bale would’ve made a sarcastic remark, asking why it mattered to her. But for some reason, he didn’t want to say anything rude to Sheila.
"Miss Sheila, Neru-nim mentioned something on the way. She said there was a strange reaction when she brought your energy to the destroyed hideout."
[Yes, Jin. It seems my energy triggered a blue light. It must be the manifestation of my sister’s power beyond Solderet’s subspace.]
The origin of Record Magic, the Fairy's Ability.
The members of the Cat Tribe had seen traces of it. Jin nodded, feeling his heart race.
[I would love to share many stories about Runcandel from a thousand years ago, but unfortunately, I don’t have many memories from that time.]
Words from Lueth from Temar’s third tomb.
Even if they found Lueth now, not all the secrets from a thousand years ago would be revealed.
Though the manipulation of history was weakening, the chances of all of Lueth’s memories returning were low.
However, even with the small clues she remembered, they would be a source of strength.
Above all, it would greatly help advance Valeria’s Record Magic, and that would mean restoring the history of that time.
"Perhaps my sister will sense it too."
"Let’s go quickly then."
[The passage is already prepared.]
Neru said, lifting a violet energy from the ground.
The distinctive sacred violet light of the Cat Tribe drew a magic circle.
Then, a door emerged from the magic circle.
[The door seems a bit small. It was a challenge to adjust it to our standards due to the distance.]
"It’s fine."
[Go and return safely. I have a feeling I’ll hear good news soon.]
Sheila’s voice sounded excited, as she sensed the possibility of finally delivering a long-overdue apology to her lost sister.
The Cat Tribe received Sheila’s energy and placed it in a basket. The energy flowed abundantly, but never diminished.
"Yes."
The group ducked down and entered through the door.
Beyond the door was the Cat Tribe’s hideout, destroyed by the Spectre Corps several years ago.
Amid the ruins, a blue light, similar to that of Record Magic, flickered like a firefly.
For some reason, Valeria’s heart trembled as soon as she saw that sight.
It was because she couldn’t help but think that Lueth was fighting, just like her, to fulfill her mission, to not be completely forgotten.
There were similarities in the fate of those who bore the mission of recording, between her and Lueth.
"Bale."
At Jin’s words, Bale unleashed his power, extending a golden ability.
As his power intensified, the blue light reacted even more intensely.
"Your prediction was correct, Valeria. Something related to Miss Lueth is already reacting when it touches it."
Then, when Silus placed himself in the center of the energy, the blue light amplified once more.
[Ohh!]
[Can we finally meet Lueth?]
The members of the Cat Tribe shouted with joyful voices.
However, the changes seemed to stop there.
It was undoubtedly an impressive phenomenon so far, but compared to Shakan’s reaction to Temar’s tomb, it seemed weak.
The same happened when Jin unleashed his Shadow Energy. All of Temar’s tombs had always responded to Shadow Energy.
[What should we do? Should we bring more energy from Sheila?]
[That’s what we tried before Jin arrived.]
While the group momentarily lost themselves in thought, Valeria quietly infused her staff with mana.
"I will examine the records."
A blue recording window appeared amidst Lueth’s energy.
<...This...>
As always in these situations, Record Magic only provided extremely limited information.
[It doesn’t seem to be working well. It’s not like we can’t recover Lueth, right? Do we need something more?]
"Stop making negative comments and stay quiet. Valeria is concentrating."
For more than ten minutes, the phrases that appeared in the recording window didn’t change. Valeria was already drenched in sweat, and her body was overheating.
[At this rate, she could collapse first.]
[Yes, Jin. Valeria could get hurt. Wouldn’t it be better to gather more clues and come back again?]
The members of the Cat Tribe added their concerns about Valeria.
Valeria opened her eyes and turned to Jin.
"Jin, Lueth’s energy and my mana are resonating right now."
"Really?"
It didn’t seem that way to Jin, but he didn’t argue. Valeria wouldn’t say nonsense.
"But I need a catalyst. Neru, please go and keep transferring Miss Sheila’s energy here."
[Understood!]
[Told you we need more of Sheila’s energy!]
"Bale, go help as well. Jin, stay here and watch over me. If you see any sign of my mana going out of control, you must help me."
Jin and Valeria sat across from each other.
"Cover the overflowing mana with your Shadow Energy. Every time you bring Miss Sheila’s energy, place it in the center. From now on, I won’t be able to speak until this is over."
Valeria was performing a very dangerous action, but Jin decided to trust her.
"Alright, don’t worry and focus."
From then on, Bale and the members of the Cat Tribe went back and forth through the passage, bringing Sheila’s energy.
Jin stayed by Valeria’s side, protecting her.
As if adding more firewood, Sheila’s energy was added to Valeria’s mana and Lueth’s abilities every five minutes.
It seemed like the flames were growing stronger.
Occasionally, Valeria furrowed her brow and groaned in pain, and Jin quietly covered her mana with his Shadow Energy.
For some time now, Valeria hadn’t asked Jin for anything in return when events like this occurred.
Not even in cases where her life was in danger, like now.
Valeria wasn’t only risking herself to complete her Record Magic.
Their relationship was gradually deepening, as if in a past life.
The resonance between Valeria and Lueth continued throughout the night. Valeria hadn’t opened her eyes even once, focusing only on releasing her mana.
Jin was also starting to get tired.
He was engrossed in a task that required just as much concentration as Valeria’s.
And finally, near midnight.
Wooaaah...!
Valeria’s mana, which had been flickering like a small flame, suddenly amplified, raising a huge pillar of light.
[Ohhh!]
[Wow! Hey, Valeria!]
At the same time, Valeria collapsed into Jin’s arms.
Fortunately, she hadn’t lost consciousness; it was just a temporary loss of strength due to the exertion.
Jin comforted her back, which was as hot as a burning ember.
"Don’t worry. I’m fine. I just need a moment to rest."
[Did it work?]
"Yes, if I examine the pillar carefully, there should be an entrance. Miss Lueth said it would open when Jin brought his Shadow Energy closer."
During the resonance process with Lueth, Valeria had several internal conversations with her.
[There really is an entrance!]
Jin adjusted his posture to ensure Valeria could rest comfortably, and she didn’t bother to pull away from his embrace. Seeing this, Bale and the members of the Cat Tribe exchanged glances and whispered among themselves.
"We're done here. Let’s go."
Jin stood up with Valeria and they positioned themselves at the entrance of the pillar.
He raised his palm, summoning a bit of Shadow Energy, and the door opened immediately.
Inside, they saw Lueth, who was sitting exhausted, catching her breath, just like Valeria.
[You really… didn’t forget and came back to find me], said Lueth with a smile.
-
KO-FI:
https://tinyurl.com/SHADOWK
-
( Up to '120' more ch4pt3rs)