Chapter 250
Chapter: 250
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>Translator: penny
>Chapter: 250
>Chapter Title: Soul Stone (4)
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[...Shouldn't we have asked something more?]
After a moment of silence, the Demon King broke the quiet and spoke up.
[The evil spirit said something really important. The Archbishop of the Dark Church and Apostle of Rest? Master of souls? This isn't ordinary at all, is it?]
That's true.
Sungjin picked up the amulet with a dazed expression.
[It's clear that Mores's past, which isn't in your memories, is connected to the Dark Church somehow. Let's summon it again and ask for more details.]
'Hmm...'
It was all spot on.
Yet for some reason, he didn't feel like digging deeper into what that thing had said.
'This feeling isn't all that new.'
Ever since he first opened his eyes in Delcross, Sungjin had glossed over a lot of things in a rather uncharacteristic way. Despite his personality that couldn't hold back curiosity.
At first, he chalked it up to everything being a hassle, and besides, none of it mattered much in his life.
'But Father said all of this is an unconscious defense mechanism I use to keep my footing in Delcross.'
So, shouldn't he avoid learning more in detail?
Hearing biased information from the evil spirit might prematurely define him, right? It could even deepen his ties to the Dark Church just by thinking that way.
[If that's how you see it, that's even more of a problem...]
The Demon King pondered for a bit before adding in a worried tone.
[You sure it's okay? To consult your father, I mean.]
'Huh?'
[I'm getting the sense that the Dark Church worships actual demons. Just look at that 'Penance' Church that attacked the merchant caravan on the way here. From what I know, there really is a high-ranking Demon King with the name 'Penance' and the attribute of 'asceticism.']
'Hmm...'
[Guys claiming Demon King names summoning 'Demon Beasts'—how could that not be connected to demons?]
The Demon King suspected that all factions of the Dark Church served high-ranking Demon Kings.
Considering how they enjoyed slowly infiltrating the world before a full invasion, what could be more efficient and reliable than underground religious activities?
[And those high-ranking Demon Kings? They're the complete opposites of your father. It won't do you any good to learn from an evil spirit of a church that serves them that you have some connection.]
Regardless of no demonic energy being felt from Hayes, his ties to demons were certain.
[If that evil spirit was someone you could embrace, would your father have killed him in the first place? So...]
The Demon King, in the midst of his heated explanation, suddenly flinched and asked Sungjin.
[Huh? Lee Sungjin, why aren't you saying anything?]
At the Demon King's question, Sungjin scratched his cheek with a troubled look.
[...Hey, no way, you don't mean?]
'Well...'
[You've known all along? You're acting like this even though you already figured it out?]
Of course he had, Demon King. No matter how much he pretended otherwise, things started to add up at this point.
Why Mores, despite being a prince, drew sharp glares from the Heresy Tribunal and high priests. Why Cardmos refused to acknowledge Sungjin as kin, branding him 'corrupt' and snapping in irritation.
'And...'
Why Father had strictly limited access to the Pearl Palace by high clergy and holy knights until now.
[...And still, you're going to tell him?]
'That's exactly why I need to consult him.'
One realization from experiencing this world so far: When it comes to the world's sake, judge everything based on the Holy Emperor.
'Not just because he's God's proxy and an oracle.'
He knew Father's judgments were for the good of the entire Holy Imperial family. Including Sungjin.
'So if Father ultimately decides to abandon me, it probably means there are no other options.'
If he truly meant to eliminate him, it would mean Sungjin's death would benefit the world most.
The Demon King fell silent, as if at a loss for words, then let out a deep sigh from the thought crystal.
[...Hey, you idiot.]
Yeah, well. If I die, you die too. But he wouldn't particularly consider your feelings.
Sorry, but be my companion in death, Demon King. You dragged me along from Earth, so no regrets, right?
[.......]
The Demon King, in a gloomy mood, shut himself away in the thought crystal. But Sungjin, who had caused it, had no words of comfort for him.
Just as a somewhat distraught Sungjin sat on the edge of the bed.
Tap-tap.
Suddenly, a familiar dog's presence rapidly approached from outside.
'...Max?'
Even without Schnitzelhe, it moved at wind-like speed. The wolf dog dashed down the corridor unimpeded and soon reached the door, then began scratching at it vigorously.
Scratch-scratch-scratch-scratch.
Whoa, the door's gonna get wrecked!
"Max!"
He hurriedly opened the door, and the wolf dog was wagging its tail furiously with something in its mouth.
It had been tied in the kennel after the battle since it kept sticking to Sungjin's side, but ever since, it had repeatedly chewed through its leash and escaped here.
"Yeah, I haven't had a chance to look after you. Sorry, Max."
Seeing the dog's somewhat resentful eyes, Sungjin stroked its head.
"Don't worry. When I go, I'll definitely take you with me. Even if something happens to me, Sir Masain will take good care of you. The Pearl Palace has a big garden and training grounds, so you'd love it there for sure."
By the way, I need to negotiate with the border lord to officially take you in, but making scratches on the door like this—what am I gonna do, huh?
As he lightly scolded it, Sungjin's eyes suddenly caught what the dog was holding.
'...A shoe?'
It looked like an ordinary leather shoe. Not particularly fancy, nor too worn.
But its size and shape felt familiar somehow.
No way.
"Max, is this Louise's shoe by any chance?"
Max set the shoe down and barked loudly at Sungjin.
Woof!
"No, why do you have this? Where on earth did you...?"
Max tilted its head and wagged its tail vigorously.
As if saying, Did I do good? Did I? Sungjin stroked the dog's head.
"Max. Do you know where Louise is? Is she nearby? Can you guide me there?"
The wolf dog just stared up at Sungjin blankly.
Don't ask the impossible. It almost felt like he heard Max's voice directly, so Sungjin apologized readily.
"Ah, sorry. She's far away, huh."
The familiar's brand is really amazing. It feels like we can communicate like this.
Then, the Demon King, who had been silent until now, muttered ominously in his head.
[Damn, that annoying mutt...]
'......'
Was it his imagination? The Demon King had always seemed to especially dislike Max.
'Anyway, what to do with this single shoe?'
Probably best to give it to her parents.
But if he handed it straight to Sir Ilma and his wife like this, wouldn't they mistakenly think Louise had died in some accident somewhere?
Sungjin pondered and casually set the shoe under the table. Max, who had followed him into the room, poked its nose onto the table and sniffed around. It was where the Nebraskan ornaments and soul stones were placed.
"Careful. That's not food, Max."
Woof-woof!
Max gave him a dissatisfied look, then sniffed at one soul stone again. It was the reddish one containing Bazra's soul.
"...This one's interesting, huh?"
Woof!
"Yeah."
Sungjin fell into thought.
If he inserted the soul stone into the amulet, could he summon Bazra from it, just like he did the evil spirit from Hayes's soul stone?
It wasn't in the list, but if possible...
'Maybe I can learn about that [Flower Garden] through Bazra...'
He didn't deliberate long. No harm in trying.
Sungjin immediately pushed Bazra's soul stone into an empty slot in the amulet.
Click.
As expected, the soul stone settled perfectly into the slot. A new guidance window appeared before his eyes.
〚Summoned Beast (Temporary): Bazra〛
〚Summon / Release〛
〚* Summoned beasts not bound to the user have severely restricted stat manifestation.〛
Slightly different from Hayes's message.
Right. Meaning it's not bound to me.
'Whereas Hayes's soul is truly bound to me.'
Realizing that far, Sungjin shook his head. Better not think about this anymore.
Shooooooo—
Pressing the summon button, a strong soul pressure spread like before, and mist-like substance began forming in the room. Dark red smoke coalesced, soon shaping into a massive beast.
Almost identical to Hayes's summoning, but this time Sungjin could observe calmly. Having experienced the worst case already.
'Whatever comes out, it won't be as terrifying as before.'
What emerged was a red lycanthrope nearing 4 meters tall.
Overall similar to the Bazra he met in the canyon. But draped in clean cloth and adorned with ornate ornaments, it gave the impression of a highly intelligent being, unlike before.
[.......]
Lowering its body that reached the ceiling, Bazra's soul silently gazed down at Sungjin for a moment. Unlike in the canyon, its eyes conveyed sharp intellect.
After a pause, it nodded and spoke in a low voice.
[...I see. So you weren't a lycanthrope after all.]
Ah, right.
Bazra had firmly believed he was a lycanthrope hybrid right up until Berseus took his body. He was so overjoyed he even shed tears.
[I thought you were a full kin of ours. Must have been mistaken because you possess the legacy of great Nebraska.]
"Nebraska's legacy?"
[The amulet you used to summon me.]
Bazra's voice was calm, and no major expression changes showed on his red-furred face.
Yet a deep sorrow emanated from his thoughts, making Sungjin involuntarily defend himself.
"I didn't mean to deceive you."
[No, I don't blame you. In the end, you did free my soul from Berseus.]
"......"
[But my remaining kin weren't so fortunate. The price for betraying the Lord's final will, I suppose. There was no salvation for us. We should have seized the last chance offered by the Council of Six's representative back then...]
His sorrowful gaze briefly turned toward the estate's entrance. Probably where the lycanthrope purge was nearly complete.
As a soul, it seemed he could know many things without seeing directly.
Anyway, Sungjin had many questions.
"Father told me you fled Ionia to escape the [Calamity]. So why do you have things from the astral realm? Like the ice heart and soul stones."
[.......]
"And how does a soul enter an astral object and become astral itself? As far as I know, Ionia is a material realm like Delcross. Am I wrong?"
Bazra nodded gravely.
[Yes. Since you've helped me, even a little, I should answer as best I can. Indeed, Ionia is a material realm, and my kin came from there.]
Then Bazra slowly began explaining.
Ionia, long advanced in mental and technological prowess. And the pinnacle of their technology: the massive rules that constitute and govern the world.
"Constitute and govern the world?"
[Yes. Born from the power of those perfect, beautiful rules—that is the 'astral' realm. Mere thoughts that would scatter away, through those rules, began wielding power that pierced the world itself.]
But the world's foundations were too different, so astral laws didn't function properly in the material realm.
Ionia's engineers then worked to apply those laws to their world by deliberately breaking dimensional boundaries.
In that process arose the [Calamity] unintentionally—the terrifying disaster that took everything from Ionia.
[Thus, the world's boundaries blurred uncontrollably, and the effects reached even Delcross.]
'So that's why astral items function, albeit imperfectly, here!'
As Sungjin pondered, Bazra continued in a mournful voice.
[The item that could have saved my kin was also from the astral realm. Back then, I should have taken their lives myself to preserve them in soul stones! If opportunity came, we could have crossed to a new astral realm and dreamed of another home for my kin. But Berseus... I fell for that bastard's temptation...!]
He looked utterly dejected, so Sungjin added some comfort.
"Ah, but one of the others you saw then really was your kin."
[...!?]
"Louise—that child is probably truly of that Nebraska... whatever's bloodline. Most likely."
For the first time, a meaningful change crossed Bazra's face.
His wide eyes shifted from doubt to shock to ultimate joy, fierce soul pressure flooding the room.
[He is our new Lord! Where is he?]
Bazra stared at Sungjin with eyes like sparks about to fly.
The voiceless thought emanating from him shook Sungjin like piercing thunder.
[I have a request! Kind human! Please, send me to his side!]