Chapter 417: Tactical Nuke(4)
Chapter 417: Tactical Nuke(4)
Winter felt even harsher this year. Fortunately, the winter break—a time to warm the hearts and minds of students—was just around the corner.
I had finished packing long ago, and since I could reach the mansion instantly via teleportation, there wasn't much to worry about. I didn't have many belongings to begin with, anyway.
The real issue was Ariel and Clark. Their existence was currently a top-secret matter, known only to a select few.
Ariel alone would cause an uproar, but if Clark’s existence were discovered too? Public interest would likely shift from Xenon's Life to him.
Furthermore, as Clark himself had said, he intended to see a bit more of the world before his final funeral. There was no need to go looking for trouble.
If I were to reveal him, I planned to do so only after the hype surrounding Xenon's Life had completely died down.
Of course, Clark himself was an exception; I planned to tell his story through a side story titled Passing Hero.
However, there were people who needed to know beforehand. Most notably, Leona, who had resurrected Clark through shamanism.
I should have told her first, but unfortunately, the exam period coincided with my trip to the Imperial Palace, making it difficult to meet.
So, just before winter break, after all the exams were over, I finally introduced Clark to her while sharing my future plans.
[So this is the child. The one who brought me back with shamanism.]
And so, today, Leona and Clark finally met. I presented Leona with a very successful... result.
While Clark looked pleased (at least, that was the impression he gave) to see the shaman who had performed the ritual, Leona looked utterly dazed.
Unlike others, her reaction wasn't one of shock, but rather a "this isn't what I expected" look. It was the expression one makes when the outcome is vastly different from what they imagined.
Leona’s animal ears, perched atop her head, twitched as she turned her gaze toward me.
Her golden eyes were wide with wonder, and I couldn't help but think she looked unusually cute.
"......Is this person really...?"
Normally, she would have pointed a finger, but surprisingly, Leona gestured toward Clark with both hands as she asked tentatively.
Despite her somewhat rough beastkin nature, she was being exceptionally polite to Clark.
"Yeah. This is my grandfather, resurrected through the ritual you performed with us."
[It is a pleasure, child. Thanks to you, I was able to catch up with my son after a long time and meet my grandson.]
At my introduction, Clark bowed his head slightly in sincere gratitude. This seemed to fluster Leona even more, and she waved her hands frantically.
"O-Oh, no! I didn't really do much. It was only possible because the offering was so incredible. Anyone else could have done it in my place!"
"You're acting unlike yourself."
I was slightly puzzled by Leona's behavior, which was quite different from when she met my father. Of course, she had been polite to him as well.
But this wasn't just politeness; it was a deep, profound 'respect.' It felt as if she were facing a legendary figure.
While it was true that Clark had achieved enough to be called a hero, Leona didn't know the full details yet.
"Of course I have to be polite! I told you, the souls that can be summoned through shamanism are extremely limited! At the very least, your grandfather is a great man on the level of a hero!"
"How did you know...? Ah. Of course you'd know."
She had probably explained it before. Usually, souls reincarnate according to the laws of the cycle, but a few exceptional souls are taken directly by the gods.
The souls of warriors—or those on the level of heroes, as Leona put it—wait for their turn in a place called Valhalla.
However, angels currently cannot be resurrected. That is why a soul can be temporarily summoned through shamanism, and why the soul can respond to that call.
'I completely forgot to ask about that.'
Because Clark's existence was so shocking, I had forgotten the technicalities of shamanism. I also forgot that beastkin deeply respect their ancestors.
I wondered if Clark had been waiting in Valhalla as well, so I asked him.
"Grandfather. Were you with the gods too? In that place called Valhalla?"
[Indeed.]
"What was it like?"
[It was entertaining. It was filled with rough fellows, regardless of gender. Since we were souls, we couldn't die, so there was no problem even if we fought until the end of time. If things got too rowdy, the gods would step in to mediate.]
I had just gained some new source material. I took out my notebook and neatly recorded Clark's words.
Meanwhile, Leona’s eyes sparkled as soon as she heard Clark's words, and she asked with a slight stutter.
"T-Then, did you also come back to life after being in Valhalla, Lord Clark?"
[You could say that.]
"I see. That's strange. Usually, others can only leave traces or possess a shaman at best... Is it because the body was perfectly preserved? Or because the offering was Ariel's sprout? Even if it's just a sprout, it's connected to the World Tree..."
Leona muttered to herself, touching her lips. Even for her, an expert in shamanism, Clark's resurrection seemed to be an unexpected result.
[Do other souls not resurrect like me when summoned through shamanism?]
"Huh? Oh, no, that's not it. It's possible to resurrect them as skeletons like you, Lord Clark... but it's impossible for them to act as normally as you are now."
[Why is that?]
"Do you think a mere pile of bones could handle the soul of a hero? Absolutely not. You could force it in, but the body would eventually collapse. There are sentient skeletons like Death Knights, but they only have intelligence; they don't maintain their reason. Liches are more about an obsession with magic than actual reason."
The Death Knights and Liches Leona mentioned were skeletons resurrected through necromancy or other means that were capable of speech.
Each one possessed immense power, and the news of their appearance would lead to the formation of a large-scale subjugation force, which spoke to their danger.
Because of this, there was a widespread perception that speaking skeletons were dangerous. This was part of the reason why Cardinal Kate had attacked Clark without hesitation.
[Well, it doesn't matter anyway. I'll be having my cremation soon enough.]
"Do you have no lingering attachments to this world?"
[None at all. I've achieved everything I wanted, and any remaining regrets were resolved long ago thanks to my grandson. I've seen my daughter-in-law and my other grandchildren; I'll just rest a bit more before heading back.]
As Clark said that, he placed a hand on my head. It was a hand made of nothing but bone, but rather than the texture, I felt his warmth, which made me smile.
Part of me wanted him to stay for a year or more to see how the world was changing, but Clark refused everything.
He said that his mere presence was a nuisance to both the gods and me. It seemed his stubbornness was hereditary.
However, Leona seemed to have caught a subtle emotion in Clark's words and asked in a cautious voice.
"Then let me rephrase the question. Do you not feel any lingering sadness? You might not have regrets, but that doesn't mean you aren't sad to leave."
[You're quite good at reading human emotions for someone looking at a body of nothing but bones.]
"It's a trait of beastkin to perceive human emotions through animalistic instincts. Besides, I've lived in human society, so I'm quite quick on the uptake."
Leona certainly had that side to her. Feline beastkin, in particular, were quick to catch human emotions.
It wasn't an innate ability for felines, but rather one that developed naturally as they formed societies and built cultures.
Even in my previous life, you could see cats rubbing their faces against a grieving owner.
[...Yes. You're right. Even after I leave, demon worshippers are still running rampant, so I have more than a few concerns. But staying like this presents many problems as well.]
Perhaps because he was in front of the person who resurrected him, Clark crossed his arms and spoke candidly about his worries.
As he said, the threat of demon worshippers was ongoing. Although their attacks on me had failed twice, we had no idea where they were or what they were doing.
Even though Clark had defeated most of the lords who could be called the real-life Seven Deadly Sins, new lords might have been appointed, or some might still remain.
Yet, staying was awkward; even if his reason was intact, he was a being who defied the natural order.
Just remaining in the living world could cause great harm to the world, and if he wasn't careful, he could even harm the family he loved so much.
[In my heart, I'd like to remain as the family's guardian spirit... but is there no way?]
"No. 'Guardian spirit' is just a nice way of saying 'earthbound spirit.' Even if there are temples of Luminous and Mora in the Maishal territory, it wouldn't just be difficult; it would be painful. Do you know what kind of influence an earthbound spirit has?"
[I do not.]
"A normal soul might be different, but you, Lord Clark, are a being on the level of a hero. Your mere existence would cause massive ripples, leading to various small and large effects. For example, a well-placed book might fall, or a chandelier might suddenly drop. That's usually how haunted houses work."
[Forget I said anything.]
It sounded like a complete nuisance. There was a reason earthbound spirits were called that.
Clark wouldn't drop a chandelier on my head on purpose, but that wasn't something he could control.
It would happen just by him being there. Leona added that this was why the 'vessel' was so important.
Just as someone might accidentally break something because they can't control their strength, an earthbound spirit's soul waves worked on a similar principle.
"What is your biggest concern, Lord Clark?"
[Hmm...]
As soon as he heard Leona's question, Clark turned his gaze and stared intently at me. I was momentarily flustered, but I soon understood.
Except for me, every other family member had a way to protect themselves.
My father went without saying, and Dave and Nicole were members of the Navy Knights, with news of their daily growth reaching us.
My mother rarely left the mansion, and now she was in a position where she was the one doing the inviting.
In truth, putting all that aside, Clark was likely most worried about me. I was the one who had crushed the demon worshippers with a single story.
In fact, while there had been two attacks on me so far, there hadn't even been a sign of trouble for my other family members or acquaintances.
Clark scratched his cheek with a bony finger and asked cautiously.
[Grandson. How strong are you? Can you take down an ogre with your bare hands?]
"I don't know. I haven't even fought a monster to begin with."
[You heard him, right?]
After hearing my answer, Grandfather Clark spoke to Leona as if to say, "See?" Leona nodded in understanding.
It was a bit absurd, but I understood. To him, I'd have to be at least a level below my father for him to feel even slightly at ease.
Clark was someone who had faced the demon worshippers—specifically, the lords—head-on. When it came to safety, there was no such thing as an exaggeration.
[Your physique isn't that great, and you lack technique, so I'm quite uneasy.]
"......My physique isn't that great?"
[When I was alive, my thighs were twice the size of yours. Your father is the same now.]
"No. That's..."
Aren't those two just monsters? Their bodies are packed with muscle like characters from some martial arts manga.
Clark's physique in life and my father's current physique were both worthy of the title 'walking tank.'
Even now, my own physique was by no means small. In fact, my body was growing larger than average every day.
But no matter what I said, I couldn't convince Clark. Giving up quickly was the best option right now.
"......Anyway, is there a way?"
"There is one. But it's not certain."
[Can you tell me what it is?]
At Clark's question, Leona looked past us toward the back. Clark and I followed her gaze.
"Mama. Mama. Give Ariel a cookie."
"Again? You just had one."
"I want more. Make more."
"No. We're going to the mansion soon."
"Puu! I want an Ariel cookie!"
Ariel was throwing a tantrum for more cookies, and Adelia was standing firm. Leona's gaze was fixed on Ariel.
Then, as if wondering if this was right, she tilted her head and spoke with a hint of hesitation.
"Um... do you know what a talisman is?"
"A talisman? Why a talisman?"
"You can use a talisman to temporarily keep a soul in the living world. The duration depends on what the talisman is made of. And if you consume the talisman, you can temporarily allow the soul to possess you. That's what I know."
"That means..."
[... ...]
After hearing Leona's explanation, Clark and I looked back at Ariel. Specifically, at the sprout growing on top of her head.
Ariel's sprouts could be plucked in clusters, almost as if they were being photocopied. I had confirmed this before.
The side effect was that she became sleepier, but as long as she had enough photosynthesis and energy replenishment, they could be grown(?) infinitely.
Leona realized what we were looking at and gave a bitter smile.
"......Would that be okay?"
There was no answer.
"Sigh... fine, fine. Just this once, okay?"
"Yay! Mama is the best!"
Instead, only Ariel's cheer of victory over Adelia could be heard.
'......This isn't child abuse, is it?'
My conscience pricked me.
*
At that same time, in Helium.
Having finished most of her work and preparing to head to the Maishal mansion, Cecile received some very interesting news.
"A funeral?"
"Yes. There is news that if Jin dies, a funeral will be held. The location is..."
Cecile nodded after hearing the location. Then, she asked the demon who had delivered the news.
"Who is organizing it?"
"The organizer is currently unknown. It's possible there isn't one; it's more like an event created by people gathering together."
"Hmm... are there people from Helium attending?"
"There are rumors that most of the demons might attend."
"Oh..."
Cecile, who was usually full of mischief, smiled.
"That sounds fun."
"What would you like us to do?"
"Leave it be. Instead, deploy appropriate escort forces to ensure no harm comes to the surroundings. There are adventurers, but a terrorist attack would be a major disaster."
"Are you not going to manage it?"
"Why should I?"
Surprisingly, she didn't directly attend the funeral(?).
"I'm busy enough just looking for my love."
Releasing her pent-up affection was her priority.
"And if someone like me gets involved in something like this, it becomes political. It's best for these things to happen spontaneously."
As a bonus, there were also practical matters involved.