Ending Maker Chapter 91
Ending Maker Chapter 91
Chapter 31 — The Holy Land #2
"Lena! I'm here! Lena!"
Cordelia called out as she entered the cave.
It was the very hot spring where Yuder and Cordelia had first met the Wild Fairies.
"Cordelia."
Lena, who had been sitting demurely in a makeshift dwelling arranged inside an empty bath, answered, and Cordelia beamed and scurried over.
"Lena, Lena. I have good news! We found a way to cure Demon's Disease!"
Cordelia, who had already plopped herself right beside Lena, quickly relayed the conversation with the Fairy Queen.
"So we're planning to go to the holy land. Isn't that great?"
"That's wonderful. Thank you so much—for everything."
"Oh, it's nothing. Hehehe."
As Cordelia blushed with delight, Lena couldn't help giggling.
In truth, Lena was used to this kind of goodwill.
After all, those who knew of the Holy Angel Lena's renown almost always held great fondness for her.
But to Lena, Cordelia felt a little more special.
It wasn't simply because of the kindness Cordelia showed her, either.
"Cordelia is truly adorable."
"Huh? Oh...... hehehe."
When Lena spoke affectionately, Cordelia blushed even harder and let out a foolish laugh.
And that sight was so lovely that Lena found herself smiling again.
"How heartwarming. Truly heartwarming."
It was then that Yuder, watching the scene from the entrance, smiled to himself.
"Yuder, so are we going to the holy land now?"
Kaplan, the dwarf with deep, glistening eyes that even the Fairy Queen had acknowledged, asked with sparkling eyes.
A ruin of Solari and at the same time a holy land of the wild gods.
For an archaeologist like him, the place was everything he could have asked for.
"Yes, that's the plan."
"Oooh......."
Kaplan wasn't as adorable as Cordelia, but the blissful, red-cheeked look on his face was enough to make Yuder smile too.
'Now that I think about it.'
After everything that had happened, Kaplan seemed oddly brighter than before.
'Did he find some confidence?'
After all, both Yuder and Cordelia had said several times that they were glad Kaplan was with them.
But in truth, that wasn't the only reason.
There was a slightly different reason mixed into why Kaplan had brightened.
'I was nothing at all.'
Kaplan had caused trouble wherever he went, enough to earn the nickname God of Calamity.
But looking back, his so-called disasters were only(?) things like rockfalls, hidden traps activating, and monsters appearing.
'Before those two, it's trivial. Trivial.'
Before the two who hadn't stopped at collapsing a city but had also half-destroyed Bladebeak Canyon.
Moreover, from what he'd heard, this wasn't even the first time.
Go to a mountain, and they collapse the mountain.
Go to a field, and they burn the field.
Go to an underground city, and they collapse the city. True incarnations of destruction.
Before those two, Kaplan's own disasters were nothing more than a drop in the ocean. All the worries he'd carried until now suddenly seemed trivial.
Of course, the biggest reason he had brightened was still that Yuder and Cordelia had affirmed Kaplan time and again, but becoming humble before greater destruction was also a reason that could never be ignored.
'I'll get stronger too.'
Like Yuder and Cordelia.
So that no matter what ordeal came, he could instead smash through and press onward.
With renewed resolve, Kaplan looked warmly toward Cordelia as she clung affectionately to Lena, while Yuder narrowed his eyes.
'Something...... this feels different from what I intended.'
But well, what did it matter.
What mattered was that Kaplan had found his confidence.
"Yuder, Yuder. When are we leaving?"
Just then, Cordelia's call reached him, so Yuder turned around at once and answered.
"Well...... there's no reason to drag it out. If Lady Lena is all right with it, I'd like to leave right away...... what do you think?"
Yuder asked somewhat cautiously.
Lena's condition had worsened after the recent battle.
Demon's Disease worsened the more magical power its victim used, and Lena had already used a great deal of magical power even before joining Yuder's group.
If she used even a little more magical power here, she could truly reach an irreversible state.
Cordelia also looked worried. Lena took her hand reassuringly and said,
"Physically, there's no major problem. Let's depart right away."
"Understood. Then let's hurry."
Lunchtime was already approaching, so even if they left right now, they would have to hurry considerably to arrive before sunset.
And so, about an hour passed.
Cordelia scurried up beside Yuder, who was leading the way toward the northeast where the holy land lay.
"Yuder, Yuder."
"Hm?"
Yuder was glad that Cordelia, who had been stuck fast to Lena's side, had come over, but he also wondered what was going on.
When he tilted his head and asked, Cordelia spoke in a hushed voice.
"We're going to the holy land right now, right?"
"And?"
"According to the queen, the holy land is where the Golden Dragon, the king of the wild gods, and Solari, the Sun God, forged their bond, right?"
"That's right. So you could call it a holy land for both the wild gods and the Solari Order."
"Yeah, yeah. So the holy land must have a Dragon Vein too, right?"
Yuder started to nod at Cordelia's words, then stopped. He narrowed his eyes and spoke in a low voice.
"What is this, a premeditated murder notice? No, a terrorism notice? What are your demands?"
"Hey, it's not like that, okay?"
"Then why do you sound like that? Put your hand over your heart and ask your conscience whether I'm overreacting."
"Hmm...... it says it's very excessive. Anyway, it says Yuder is in the wrong."
Cordelia, who had placed her hand on her chest, spoke calmly as if she had truly heard the voice of her conscience.
And at that sight, Yuder let out a sigh without realizing it.
"Hah...... your acting has improved a lot."
"Because of a certain wicked someone. And that wasn't acting just now. It really was the voice of my heart."
"I'm sure it was. Anyway, why the Dragon Vein?"
"No, just in case."
"In case?"
"Yeah, just."
"Look, just in case: the holy land is off-limits. Seriously, don't. The queen will bawl her eyes out. Okay? She'll cry. Really cry."
"I know, I know. I know. I don't want to make the queen cry either, so don't worry."
Cordelia, who had spoken while humming, went back toward Lena, and Yuder stepped forward amid an inexplicable sense of foreboding.
* * *
By late afternoon, Yuder and Cordelia reached the holy land.
Located northeast of Bladebeak Canyon, the holy land was a basin reminiscent of Gentle Snow Breeze's territory, and it stood out even from afar.
"That's the only place without snow."
A green land situated in the middle of a pure-white snowfield.
Moreover, it wasn't simply that there was no snow.
As they drew closer, warm air flowed from inside the basin. It was as though spring existed only there.
"I can feel Lady Solari's presence."
It was just as Lena said.
Like when they had entered Leisegang's seal site, Solari's power could be felt from all around.
Inside a small basin with a diameter of about a hundred meters.
A place that was spring alone amid winter.
"Oooh...... these are definitely Solari ruins. And in a very ancient style, too."
Kaplan pressed close to the gate-like pillars at the basin entrance and spoke excitedly.
But Yuder and Cordelia fixed their gazes elsewhere.
"Tomb Guardians."
Beyond the pillars, four Tomb Guardians were seated in place.
They showed no sign of hostility, but the eyes fixed on the group were unmistakably those of sentinels.
Rather than proceed any farther, Yuder stopped where he was and called out.
"I beseech Blue Beard, the guardian who protects the holy land, to grant us entry! The Wild Fairy Queen has sent us!"
At the same time, Cordelia raised high the Fairy Bond containing the earth's blessing.
"The Fairy Queen sent us!"
When she shouted again and the light of the blessing shone forth, the direction of the wind changed in an instant.
The wind that had been blowing from inside to outside stopped, and a great voice rang out.
"Blue Beard welcomes the visitors!"
A booming voice came from the great temple inside the basin, and moments later its owner appeared.
He was a dragon with a long blue beard, just as his name suggested.
"I am Blue Beard, guardian of the holy land! Reveal your names!"
Blue scales and splendidly spreading deer antlers.
Blue Beard looked more like an Eastern dragon than a Western one. The way he strode forward and barked his command was dignity itself, but Cordelia quickly bit her lip to keep from laughing.
'He's, he's cute.'
It couldn't be helped.
Blue Beard was massive, with a body length of just over seven meters, but because he truly looked like an Eastern dragon, all of his limbs were far too short and small compared to his body.
But standing on those tiny hind legs and toddling forward, he presented the strange spectacle of a majestic upper body paired with an absurdly puny lower half.
As Cordelia bit her lip and struggled to suppress her laughter, Yuder stepped forward as always and spoke.
"We are Yuder Bayel and Cordelia Chase, who carry the Fairy Queens' blessing."
"I-I am Indiana Kaplan."
"I'm Lena Einsberg."
Once Lena finished her introduction as well, Blue Beard narrowed his eyes, then nodded.
"You are all good souls. The woman in the back carries a strong demonic aura, but... aha. Have you come here to cleanse it?"
Blue Beard was not the guardian of the holy land for nothing.
At his accurate assessment, Yuder nodded at once.
"Yes. The Fairy Queen told us the holy land could cleanse demonic energy and directed us here."
"Hm, indeed."
Blue Beard, who stroked his belly with his short hand instead of his chin, raised his head high and spoke.
"Enter! If you have been sent by the Fairy Queen, there is no need to undergo a trial!"
Having declared this heartily, he turned and began returning to the temple, and Yuder and Cordelia quickly looked back at Kaplan and Lena.
"Let's go."
"I'm glad he was so easy to talk to."
"Right?"
Lena looked a little dazed, apparently surprised by Blue Beard's refreshingly direct manner, but soon smiled and stepped forward.
And a few minutes later.
Once inside the temple, Yuder and Cordelia exclaimed in admiration.
'So it really was a place of exchange.'
Unlike the exterior, which followed the style of an ordinary Solari temple, the interior followed the style of the wild gods.
Should one say the outside was a Western church while the inside was like a greenhouse?
It was clearly an artificial structure, with pillars erected here and there, but each one harmonized with its surroundings, giving the feeling of being in nature.
At the center of the temple was a pond a little over ten meters across. The stone pillars surrounding it gave off a soft yet brilliant glow, lending the place a mysterious air.
"It is a sacred pond. A place that can wash away any corruption."
Blue Beard spoke with obvious pride, then looked at Lena and continued.
"One can tell by looking into your eyes. Though you have been stained by demonic power, you are truly a good soul. I shall permit you to enter the pond, so wash away the darkness and reclaim the light."
Blue Beard's voice resounded loudly within the temple, like a heavenly voice.
After bowing respectfully to Blue Beard—who was stroking his belly with an almost sacred dignity—Lena exchanged a glance with Yuder and Cordelia and approached the pond. The two watched her go.
"Um, Blue Beard."
"Speak."
"How long will it take for Lena to wash away the demonic power?"
"I cannot say precisely. But since she has been stained by demonic power for a long time, it will take a considerable while."
It was a little vague, but Cordelia, satisfied with the sincere answer, looked back toward Lena.
As Lena entered the pond fully clothed, the surrounding stone pillars emitted a green light.
"It is the light of purification. Do not be afraid, and advance to the center of the pond."
Lena did not doubt him. She walked to the center of the pond, and green light enveloped both her and the water.
"She's...... all right, right?"
Unable to see Lena through the light, Cordelia frowned anxiously. Blue Beard nodded again.
"She is fine. Now all we need do is wait."
"Thank you. For everything."
"I am the guardian of the holy land, so helping those in difficulty is only natural."
With a chuckle, Blue Beard toddled toward a corner of the temple that seemed to serve as his quarters. Cordelia made a point of looking only at his upper body.
A few seconds later.
"Cordelia."
"Hm?"
When she turned at the call from behind her, Yuder was pointing outside the temple with a jerk of his chin.
"I'm going to step out for a bit and look around the area."
There was nothing particular to do here anyway except rest and wait.
So it was better to survey the surrounding terrain as usual.
"Oh...... then I'll come too."
"Well, sure. Kaplan will be fine if we leave him, right?"
"Yeah, he doesn't look bored. We can just call him when we get back for dinner."
Kaplan was still practically glued to the wall, diligently examining everything in sight.
"Blue Beard! We're going to step out for a bit to get some air!"
"Do not go far! Outside the holy land, my protection does not reach!"
Blue Beard answered Cordelia's shout, and Yuder gave a wry smile without realizing it.
"Why?"
"No, just that you got friendly with him fast."
"Because he seems like a nice old guy."
Grinning, Cordelia left the temple with Yuder and climbed the ridge enclosing the basin like a folding screen. They wanted a high vantage point over the surrounding area.
And a few minutes later.
At the highest point, Yuder and Cordelia frowned almost simultaneously.
"Devil's Eye."
A force was advancing toward the holy land from afar.
Their numbers were at least fifty, even at a low estimate.
There were many knights clad in heavy armor, as if they had come from the Argon Empire side rather than the Wild Lands.
"The one at the front...... that's Bilvain, right?"
"Looks like it."
A giant man covered head to toe in jet-black armor.
He was a named enemy, one of the strongest among the Devil's Eye's mid-grade Demonic Humans.
Unbeknownst to Yuder and Cordelia, the Devil's Eye had grown deeply alarmed after losing two mid-grade Demonic Humans because of them.
At this rate, their plan to swallow the Wild Lands would be disrupted.
To corrupt the eastern Dragon Vein, they needed to play a stronger hand.
They therefore decided to deploy elites operating near the Argon Empire, where the Devil's Eye's main base lay. Those elites were the Black Knight Bilvain and his subordinates.
"This isn't an ordinary force. There are quite a few monsters mixed in with the low-grade Demonic Humans."
They were fewer than in the previous battle, but each individual was of a different caliber.
Those fifty could readily contend with a thousand soldiers of the Saelun Kingdom.
And they would have prepared ways to deal with wild gods as well.
Then what should they do now?
How would they protect the purity of the holy land from those who sought to corrupt the Dragon Vein?
'If we only consider simply crushing them.......'
Lure them in, trap them in the basin, and detonate the Dragon Vein to annihilate them—
That was as far as it went.
Yuder was following that thought when he suddenly flinched and raised his head. He turned to Cordelia, who was grimacing beside him, and said,
"No, you demon. That alone is off the table."
"Huh? What is?"
"No, I said no."
"So what is it?"
"There's just, that kind of thing."
Cordelia had no idea what he meant and scowled, feeling unfairly accused, but Yuder turned back toward Bilvain and his men.
He calculated the time remaining until they reached the holy land.
At the same time, he reminded himself of the two overriding priorities: Lena and the protection of the holy land.
And a few seconds later.
Something surfaced in Yuder's mind.