Chapter 142
Chapter 142
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 141
Chapter Title: Farewell
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The war was over.
It had ended so abruptly, like the pouring rain suddenly cutting off, that those still caught in the heat of battle felt awkward about it.
Even after the rain stopped, puddles remained where the rainwater pooled, much like how the horrors of war lingered in the Griffin Kingdom and Marias Great Forest, emanating a bitter scent of blood.
The nobles from the Griffin Kingdom—Romergan, Heroin, and Bowman—were the first to be arrested and hauled away. They were probably headed to the execution grounds in Griffin.
When I confronted them separately in the forest, they confessed that this invasion had been part of negotiations with the German Kingdom beyond the desert.
With no path to survival left in the Griffin Kingdom, the three had planned to use the Marias Tribe as a wedge to seize part of Griffin's territory, paving the way for the German Kingdom to follow.
But the German Kingdom deemed it hopeless and unilaterally cut ties, abandoning them.
It was ridiculous, but the very idea of using the Marias Tribe to negotiate with German over Griffin's land showed a boldness separate from their foolishness.
They believed they had orchestrated everything, but Dante's black mage must have played a role too.
'The man probably masterminded it all.'
The black mage under Dante, now dead after his limbs burned away in agony.
I had collected his soul along with Valkzar's, preparing for the showdown with Dante.
'Dante is moving too fast.'
The German Kingdom's invasion plan itself wasn't surprising—it was from the main episode.
But it was faster than expected.
The episode's starting point, involving German's queen, shouldn't begin until the second semester of the third year, yet here we were in the second semester of the first year.
Two whole years ahead of schedule.
I knew Dante was reacting to my presence as a necromancer, making various moves.
But I hadn't anticipated unknowns like Horua and Valkzar appearing, unmentioned in the game.
'It means there are still many powerhouses I don't know about.'
Wondering what kind of continent this was, I slowly slipped out of the Marias Great Forest.
I left the cleanup to Gloria, and Iluania had already left under protection.
Emerging a bit late, dawn was breaking.
The humid air from the rain now felt a touch fresher.
[Deus!]
Whoosh!
Something flew at me and passed right through my body.
"Hmm?"
It was so startling I let out an involuntary murmur.
Glancing back, there was the black necromancer flailing in midair.
Whoosh!
A heavy impact followed, hitting my body solidly—unlike the black necromancer, it had real weight and warmth.
"Master!"
Pinden A lunged at me, her faint cigarette scent clinging as she wrapped her arms around my neck and legs around my waist, dangling like an ornament.
"......"
The sudden reunion left me flustered, but Pinden A buried her face deep in my chest and mumbled.
"You did great. Really great."
"......"
"Fuck, master doesn't suit massacres. Leave that to me—just sit back with hot tea and crossed legs."
The rare relief in her voice let me feel how much she'd worried.
Maybe that's why.
Feeling oddly awkward, I responded in my usual cold tone instead.
"Only if you didn't brew it."
"Ha! Bullshit!"
At my words, she jerked her hips forward. Already exhausted and not strong to begin with, the sudden wobble tipped her backward.
Thud!
She cushioned the back of my head with her hand as we fell, so the impact wasn't bad.
But now she was straddling me.
She pulled back slightly, looking down with a playful smile.
"Look forward to it. I'll make sure you can't live without my tea later."
"Sigh, get off."
As I sighed in annoyance, Pinden A chuckled once more and teasingly rubbed her hips against my waist.
"Hard yet?"
That was it.
My mana shoved her away, and she rolled on the ground, letting out a pathetic groan.
"Ack!"
"You crossed the line. Pay cut this month."
"Ptoo! Ah, dirt in my mouth! Ptoo! More than that—pay cut? After rolling in battle, my salary shrinks!?"
Ignoring her as I stood and brushed off the dirt, I tried to move forward, but now a woman in a black robe stood there, arms crossed, glaring at me.
[I spotted you first and flew over, you know?]
"Yeah."
[If it were normal, I'd be the one in that spot.]
"What's that matter."
[God, you're annoying.]
Saying that, she sidled closer and reached out.
I recoiled instinctively, but the black necromancer clicked her tongue and stepped forward to close the gap again.
Tap.
Her hand felt weighty.
Having grown skilled with mana, her palm on my head conveyed a slight pressure and faint warmth.
[You did really well. And thank you.]
"......"
[Just keep being you. Noble and beautiful.]
A faint smile visible through the black cloth. I could sense the black necromancer had worried about me in her own way, different from Pinden A.
[As a necromancer, not a black mage.]
Looking at her suddenly brought that thought.
The black necromancer stayed with me to see the end of necromancy. Once her grudge was fulfilled, she'd find repose.
She would eventually leave.
I pursued the truth of necromancy, unsure what lay at its end.
But one thing was clear: parting with the black necromancer awaited there.
"In a way, this path of mine consoles you."
Surprised by my words?
Her eyes trembled briefly, then she nodded with a faint smile.
[You could see it that way.]
We didn't talk further. An inexplicable emotion bubbled vaguely in my chest.
Already mentally drained, I didn't want more fatigue, so I looked away.
Saintess Lucia came late to greet me and healed my wounds, but too exhausted.
I skipped meals, washed simply, and returned to my tent to sleep.
Perhaps because I'd ended the possession and rushed into the Marias Great Forest.
An unexpected wave of fatigue crashed over me.
* * *
I didn't know how long I slept, but someone had diligently cared for me while I was out.
My back should've ached from the tent cot, but it didn't; nor was I too hot or cold.
Waking felt cleaner than in the mansion, not the tent's damp discomfort.
The tent was empty inside, but outside the sun had risen—no lamps needed for brightness.
Rising, I tidied my hair and stepped out to sharp sunlight stabbing my eyes.
'How many days was it?'
The light felt so alien, like I'd become a vampire, and hunger gnawed fiercely.
"Huh? You're up."
Borrowing from another soldier, Pinden A squatted outside the tent, smoking. She spotted me.
To shake off the grogginess, I used mana to fling her cigarette far away.
She stared vacantly at her empty hand, wiggling her fingers.
"Fuck, that was hard to get."
Whining that she'd only taken one puff, I ignored her and asked.
"How much time passed?"
"Two days, master."
Good, only two days.
Relieved it wasn't longer, I spoke again.
"Where's Iluania?"
"Iluania, Sevia—they're all fine, don't worry. Eat first. Look how gaunt your face is."
She meant well, but I shook my head.
"No, that's more urgent."
One soul remained unfulfilled.
Hearing me, Pinden A sighed and yelled loudly.
"Hey, Owen! Prep food! We'll eat soon!"
"Ugh! Yes ma'am!"
Owen's voice from somewhere. He still feared Pinden A.
"Let's go. Finish your business, then eat right away."
"Yeah."
Pinden A led me to a large tent. Inside, Iluania held Sevia, with the black necromancer at her side.
"Ah, you're awake!"
Iluania greeted me warmly.
I wished I could provide better postpartum care somewhere nicer.
But it seemed she'd waited for me while I slept.
Good.
"Iluania, a soul stayed in this world to protect you and the child."
"Yes, I know. She protected me at the hotel too."
"And soon, that woman will fall into deep slumber."
"......"
Guarding Iluania until the child was born safely and smiling—that was the promise between me and the burned woman.
"Won't you give her a brief moment to hold the child?"
With the mother's permission needed, I asked politely.
Iluania smiled and nodded.
"Of course."
I looked straight at the black necromancer. Her presence prevented the guardian spirit from sleeping.
With her mana assistance, the guardian spirit woman reappeared.
Having taken Horua's flames head-on to protect Iluania, her once grudge-filled horrific form was gone.
She barely maintained consciousness, sweat beading coldly.
I extended my hand, drawing her into my body.
Like when I'd possessed Oster, Owen's grandfather.
This time, I entrusted my body to her, the guardian spirit.
Slowly reaching out.
Iluania handed over Sevia, swaddled tightly.
My hands, no longer my own will, gently brushed the child's forehead.
Kyaa!
Sevia laughed delightedly at something.
Emotions not mine spread within.
Relief, gratitude, joy, happiness.
And regret.
[Ah.]
The woman's voice echoed inside me—not from the pain of her half-burned body.
A woman who wandered after death, driven by regret and obsession over losing her child.
[Was my child... this beautiful too?]
To her tearful question, I nodded slightly.
"Surely."
Her emotions unified within me.
[Thank you.]
With that.
The woman who fought for her child even after death slowly closed her eyes and entered repose.