Chapter 427
Chapter 427
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 427
Chapter Title: 2-97. My Friend Asel (3)
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Taimen River.
This great river, which had existed since long before the continent was called a continent, served as a gracious lifeline to all who lived on this land. The reason the empire's first emperor risked tremendous sacrifice to battle the dragon was because Orse's lair was in the most fertile granary region along the Taimen.
The Taimen provided abundant resources and drinking water, along with waterways long and wide enough to transport resources on a national scale by ship. It was every ruler's dream and a reserve territory...
"Hm."
I smacked my lips as I recalled the memory. It was a book I'd read quite enjoyably back when I attended Phileon, but the rest was fuzzy.
I couldn't tell if I was just getting old now or if it was because I'd taken too many hits to the head fighting Akasha.
'The point is, it's a ridiculously huge river.'
I murmured to myself and lifted my head. A cool river breeze tousled my bangs.
A star-filled night sky and the water surface beneath it reflecting it all came into view. The majestic river, so vast the opposite shore was invisible, perfectly mirrored the cluster of stars at dawn.
'Honestly, I thought we'd sink midway.'
This was the main current of the Taimen River, which I'd seen a few times during my penal legion days. Every time I rowed the wooden oar, the rickety raft screamed in protest. I tapped the raft reassuringly with my forefoot.
"Hey, hang in there just a bit longer."
The raft, fated only for kids' play until it was dismantled, was now crossing the great river like a blade. Indeed, it wasn't the ship that mattered, but the captain's skill. Of course, all I'd done was row like a madman.
Suddenly, a voice full of astonishment came from behind me.
"H-How... How is this possible?"
"What? You're awake?"
I glanced back. Asel was sitting up, staring at me wide-eyed. His face was pale, like it'd been pulled from a dehydrator. He'd been out cold like he was nearly dead, but he'd woken up already.
"How's your stomach? No more puking, right?"
"It's still queasy, but I'm okay now... Urk!"
"Ugh, gross."
Asel, mid-sentence, rushed to the raft's edge. A wretched retching sound echoed. From seasickness throughout the voyage, now only clear liquid like dew came out.
We'd left Nimbutton and entered the Taimen's main current at dawn the next day.
"Yeah, I'm good now... Wait, we're already at the main current?"
"Yeah, man. I told you it'd work out somehow. Fun, right?"
"......"
Asel couldn't respond. I'd asked, but it was a question even my conscience wouldn't back.
Constantly using telekinesis to avoid falling off a raft faster than a decent horse, and facing mortal threats from massive fish lunging every hour—it wasn't pleasant at all.
Yet Asel didn't push my back away with telekinesis because of this scenery and atmosphere.
Asel, gazing at the starlit river, nodded.
"...Yeah."
"You're funny. Fun my ass. You were probably just thinking how to kill this bastard without leaving evidence. 'If I just shove him in, won't the fish handle the cleanup?' Something like that."
"I-I didn't think that! It was tough, but getting here at all..."
"Joking. We're almost there anyway—did you think about what I told you earlier?"
"That..."
Asel trailed off. His pretty face turned deliberately serious.
During the journey here, I'd explained my situation in bits and pieces.
Parallel worlds and regression, the fact that I'm not the Ronan they knew, why that bastard Akasha suddenly treats me well, and such.
I'd told Schlieffen and Instructor Naviroje too, so no reason to hide it from my closest friend.
'No wonder only my explaining skills are improving. Damn it.'
The funny thing was, doing this three times had made me proficient. If I studied writing, maybe I'd author a book someday.
Asel, silent for a while, finally spoke.
"...Honestly, I still can't believe it. This peaceful world ends in just seven years? Not from war or plague, but a cult of fanatics... and aliens from the sky."
"You think I'm lying?"
"No. Seeing how you've changed and bringing me all the way to the Taimen proves you're telling the truth. But because I believe it, I don't want to... I don't know."
"Smart as always. Reality often feels more fake. Don't worry—I'll handle those bald bastards and fanatics. Anyway, everyone seemed vaguely young, and now I get it: it's seven years ago."
I realized it now. I'd been so busy I forgot to ask the timeline.
Seven years before the Starfall—three years after my regression.
In the original world, around when I beheaded my troublemaking uncle and got my happy ending.
"I've lived diligently."
"Huh?"
"Nothing. Talking to myself."
I truly felt how productively I'd used my time. From Asel's words, people in this parallel world hadn't even noticed Nebula Klazje's existence, let alone the Bald Club.
Good thing I came before idiots like Barkha seized regency. But a bitter question arose: parallel worlds exist after this side's Adeshan dies, and that's too early.
'Probably the first death after regression.'
By timeline, right after graduation. Even with regression, she died sooner than in my first life on the battlefield. No matter how capable, she couldn't become Grand General immediately—question was, who killed her and where.
As my thoughts grew complicated and my head ached, Asel continued.
"But what's even harder to believe..."
"Huh?"
"Is that you say I become the world's greatest mage. Honestly, that feels more unreal than the apocalypse. Can a worthless guy like me really become a mage?"
Asel's gaze dropped to the floor. His timid, almost cringing attitude matched the Asel I'd first met in the original world—the one bullying the shepherd under Hans's threats.
'This role's been a while. Nostalgic.'
No, it was worse. Laughable how he fretted without knowing his talent.
Worthless human.
I chuckled and yanked Asel's ear.
"Worthless my ass. Who told you to spout that crap?"
"Gaaah!"
Asel let out a shrill scream. His flailing limbs were like a rabbit in a trap.
"You can do it, so cut the useless thoughts. Can't you tell from me personally escorting you to Acalusia at dawn, rowing like a lowly slave?"
"O-Okay! Let gooo!"
"Hold on. What's this on your ear? Earrings?"
My brows furrowed. I'd overlooked it before, hidden by hair. Asel's left earlobe and ear had three sparkling piercings.
The guy gasped and mumbled in a crawling voice.
"J-Just for a mood change..."
"Damn, already girly-looking, and you pierce your ears? Why not just wear makeup? You aren't servicing weirdos with odd tastes for cash, right?"
"I-I wouldn't do that! I like girls too!"
"Who're you yelling at? Want me to rip 'em out?"
"Eek! My bad!"
I twisted lightly, and Asel freaked out.
Of course, no real intent to rip, so I chuckled and released him. They suited him oddly, which annoyed me more.
"Sniff... Hic... You're mean..."
Freed, Asel rubbed his ear and sniffled.
I glanced around briefly.
'About time to arrive.'
The surroundings grew quieter. The occasional fish splashes stopped. If memory served, we'd enter Acalusia territory soon.
I knew roughly what to do, but first time, so precautions.
"There."
I adjusted the oar to steer the raft mid-river slightly right. Watching the ripples behind evoked old memories.
Moonlit voyage on a raft. Terrified hometown friend.
Just like heading to catch Luna Goblins.
Recalling fondly, I called Asel.
"Asel. Lie down here a sec."
"L-Lie down? Why?"
"Just do it. How long you gonna act like a hostage with a criminal? Want real hostage treatment?"
"Eek!"
Asel panicked and lay his small body down. I joined beside him.
Where the river vanished, another river of stars flowed in the dawn sky.
"Whoa."
Asel gasped, hand over mouth, eyes on the Milky Way.
First rest since starting, but no sleepiness. Beauty erases fatigue. I chuckled, pipe in mouth.
"Not killing you?"
"Yeah. Really...!"
Asel nodded fast. A river far grander than Taimen flowed distant skies. Visible from Nimbutton, but hard in open skies like this.
Gazing at the brightest star, I spoke.
"Don't worry. You'll be the world's greatest mage."
"Ronan, you..."
"Sorry it took so long. They were great people. But if you live strong, they'll be happy in heaven."
Exhaling, white smoke scattered in the breeze. Asel's parents.
In original world, blissfully happy—no way to predict this.
"......Yeah."
Silent Asel bit his lip. I knew family loss's bitterness now.
He blinked rapidly, wiped eyes with sleeve—I pretended not to notice. About to take another puff with stars as side...
"Huh?"
Asel, wiping tears thinking of parents, bolted up.
"What? What's up?"
"...Ronan. Something's weird."
"What's weird?"
"I-I don't know exactly, but it's weird. Suddenly cold and chilling... You feel nothing?"
"......No idea."
Why's he like this suddenly?
His sharp eyes suggested no nonsense.
Still, better find cause. Standing, hands in pockets—
Whoosh!
Fog erupted from everywhere, engulfing all directions.
"Eeeek!"
"Oh. Shit."
Asel jumped. Eyes wide round.
Dense fog swallowed everything visible moments ago. No toxicity, thankfully, but raft still moving—worry it'd crash somewhere.
I pocketed the pipe and grinned.
"We're here. Acalusia."
Spot-on prediction. Just as Grand General said.
Unauthorized entrants trapped in fog upon entering Acalusia territory. Can't escape alone; if no malice, shout specific words claiming innocence to survive.
'The family head called it a test too.'
But not mere defense magic. Grand General said 'clue' to mansion hidden in fog.
Challenger seeking to join Acalusia who finds clue and reaches mansion alone gets huge credit.
Problem: didn't hear what clue was. Just like entering clouds.
About to solve my way as it annoyed—
"L-Look, follow that glowing path, Ronan!"
"What?"
"The shining path on the water. There!"
Asel yanked my collar. Tiny fingers pointed through fog. I swiftly looked—same murky, suffocating scene.
"...You high? Where's the path?"
"Y-You really can't see? Sparkling everywhere..."
"Nope. But I get what you're seeing. You're amazing, kid."
"W-Why pat head suddenly...!"
Impressive guy. I ruffled his hair laughing. He saw the clue Grand General mentioned.
Extremely focused, faint sparkles visible—but impossible for me.
"F-First, we'll hit rocks like this. Turn right!"
"Right it is."
I rowed as Asel directed. Raft glided smoothly through fog. Right after turning, a rock appeared and vanished where I'd headed.
Seemed we'd entered the branch into Acalusia.
"Gaaah! Left now, left!"
"Got it. Got it."
After, I rowed to Asel's fussing. Hyper but skilled navigator. Asel marveled nonstop through fog.
"Incredibly advanced magic. Illusions, weather spells... Can't tell how many layered. Now I see why Acalusia's a magic dynasty."
"Dunno, but is it that great?"
"...Yeah. Lose the path, you're trapped forever."
"Hm. If you say so."
If Asel was impressed, it must be impressive. Hard for me to feel, having hung with Akasha and Rorhon. They uprooted mountains with finger snaps.
'Maybe I should show something.'
Suddenly felt I'd done nothing.
Entering Acalusia, family head or retainers watching—now it looked like genius mage seed and rowing monkey.
Dodging another rock, Asel sighed relief.
"Haaah... Good. Halfway there. Stay calm just a bit more..."
"No, Asel. Stop here."
"......Huh? What?"
"Just thought: to legally raid the treasury, I need to show something. Can you point where this path ends?"
"E-End point? That way, but..."
Asel pointed north. Finger up—land, hill-like high ground, not river.
"Dunno what, but it's far. Easily over 10km..."
"Plenty. Get behind me."
"O-Okay."
I set oar down, gripped hilt.
Sensing ominous vibe, Asel scurried behind me. Unsure exact magic, but control power—don't slash guards or mansion.
Rin's voice from sheath.
"Careful, Ronan. Much softer than before."
"I know."
First parallel world had similar: slashed mana fog of baldies. Swung wildly in rage then—but bloodbath now. Recalled tofu-cutting feel, drew hilt.
"Hoo."
Holy sword unsheathed. As blade arced gracefully—black line slashed across fog-covered view. Straight line horizon to horizon.
Sword-whistle caught up, exploding.
Kwaaaaa—!
Fog split top-bottom, revealing Acalusia territory.
"......!!!"
Asel collapsed, too shocked for scream.
Sudden clear view held all: flowing Taimen branch, vast gardens embracing it.
Guards hidden in fog, on alert, gawked eyes wide.
"W-What the—?!"
"The fog...!"
Too unexpected—no response. I eyed Asel's pointed direction. Distant cliff atop: grand mansion. Elegant, secretive unlike luxurious rigid Grancia—matched Grand General's description.
Acalusia main house, splitting capital.
Recalling past, I twisted lips.
'Took long enough.'
Got brooch invite from friend on Phileon enrollment day.
Delayed as plans derailed, but arrived somehow.
One of few friends, like Asel.
Recalling another genius mage's face, I murmured low.
"Kept the promise. Eri."