Chapter 105
Chapter 105
----------------------------------------------------------------- Translator: MadScientist Chapter: 105 Chapter Title: The Whisper of Oblivion ----------------------------------------------------------------- Time passed, and as we approached the territory ruled by Memoria—the so-called Memory-Eating Slime—we were met with an unsettling sight.
"All who have arrived at Oblivion must pass through the inspection conducted by our slime guard unit before entering!"
Just as I had feared inside the carriage, Memoria's domain, Oblivion, appeared to be extremely wary of outsiders like us.
They were even stopping every carriage that came near the entrance, conducting a horrifying inspection where they shoved slimes into people's ears and nostrils to check if any humans had used magic.
"What should we do? If this continues, they might detect the Perception Hindrance Magic we're using."
"Couldn't we use an illusion or a doppelganger spell and later secretly swap with the real one to pass through?"
"...No, impossible."
I could only shake my head at my companions' suggestions.
Seeing that they were resorting to such insane measures, it seemed clear that Memoria must have consumed the memories of someone highly proficient in magic.
They knew that the Perception Hindrance Magic I was currently using was useless against someone of equal or higher skill, or that such methods could simply be circumvented by means that had nothing to do with magic.
"...Even if we deceived the guards' eyes with illusions or doppelgangers, we couldn't replicate the internal human anatomy."
If doppelganger or illusion magic could freely replicate human organs or body parts, it would have already garnered tremendous attention in the field of alchemy.
And did those things even have real eyes to begin with? Watching the guards, who wore metal armor but oozed like slimes, I furrowed my brow.
"If you do not submit to inspection, you cannot enter!"
p>The nameless creature was lining up all the monsters and demons who came to this place, recording their details, and subduing anyone who raised objections with a mace.
Its behavior was exactly like that of a knight or guard unit existing on the continent, making me wonder if Memoria could perhaps share the memories it consumed with its subordinates.
p>"Then what do we do? If we can't pass through here, defeating Memoria will be impossible..."
Anima was trembling slightly, perhaps afraid of having a wriggling slime shoved into her head.
"...Could you wait a moment?"
Seeing his beloved Anima's anxious state, Taryon gently closed his eyes and placed his hand on the dirt ground, as if doing something.
Then, grass began to grow before us, starting to form a thin path leading somewhere.
"Follow me. If you use the trail markers I've prepared, you should be able to enter Oblivion without going through the inspection."
Seeing this, Taryon gave a faint smile and urged us to follow the path quickly, before they discovered we were using Perception Hindrance Magic.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A creepy place so dark that without a light magic spell you couldn't see, with a squelching sensation underfoot and a musty smell rising with every step.
After walking for a few minutes along the path Taryon had prepared, a cave beneath a cliff came into view, and passing through its depths led us to another underground area like this.
"...I suppose this is only possible because you're an elf?"
I spoke with a slightly awe-filled gaze. Right now, we were moving relying on a small light magic spell so we wouldn't get lost.
Taryon had done this sort of thing many times before.
He was often the first to spot traps that were hard to see and warn us, or even gather information about the surroundings by talking to animals.
Frankly, these were things even I would find difficult to do with magic.
No matter how much time we'd spent together over a year, humans generally didn't know much about the power or knowledge possessed by elves.
After all, elves and druids were commonly considered a closed-off race that rarely emerged from the World Tree.
"No, if you, Lord Astal, awaken to the power of Mystery, you could do it too."
Seeing the awe on my face, Taryon spoke lightly as if it were nothing.
"...What exactly is this 'Mystery' power anyway? I've heard it's a power that defies fate, but I don't really know what it is."
How do you even do that?
Inwardly, I had already marked Taryon's 'Mystery' as the next power to incorporate into Idea, so I had no choice but to ask him.
Even though Taryon had explained his power to us, his companions, during our travels, unlike Victoria's Miracles or the Hero Kyle's Holy Sword, this was something whose very existence was hard to confirm with the eyes.
"It is a power granted by the Earth Mother Goddess to all living beings. Changing a predetermined fate is a privilege only living beings possess."
"So, what exactly is it...?"
"To put it simply, it's like this. An enemy who would normally be blocked by terrain can be hit by twisting fate. It's similar to another possible outcome."
Listening to Taryon's words, a thought flashed through my mind.
The concept of 'Routes' that the first Saint, Elysiel, had spoken of. It felt similar to another possibility, akin to the creation of a different parallel universe.
Using Mystery, you could manipulate such possibilities and bring about entirely different results—it seemed similar.
"Is it the same principle that allowed us to find the path to the cave earlier? You created a fate where plants grew like trail markers?"
"Yes, exactly. You've noticed. It seems to be a power that's a lesser version of Routes."
Taryon nodded in response to my words.
Normally, elves or druids tended to look down on humans or were reluctant to speak about matters related to the World Tree, yet he explained without any hesitation.
"...Is it okay to tell me about such things so easily?"
A sudden doubt made me start questioning Taryon.
Even though I needed all my companions' powers for the magic I created, Idea, I began to worry if it was alright to share knowledge about transformation or Mystery, which could be considered the exclusive domain of druids.
"Aren't we the most precious comrades above all? We've already shared life and death over the course of a year, and a hero who has defeated two of the Four Heavenly Kings deserves a little special treatment."
With a blank expression, Taryon patted my back with a grateful look.
After all, previous Hero parties had failed to show any notable achievements and had all perished.
In fact, even Taryon himself might have considered his own death when embarking on this journey to defeat the Demon King.
"If you truly feel grateful, then later, please help me and Anima have a good time. That would be enough for me, I think."
Taryon spoke softly so others wouldn't hear.
He wore an expression of wanting to prepare something special for Anima, who, for the sake of defeating the Demon King, hadn't been able to express affection or go on dates.
"Understood. Then, how do you do the transformation? Watching druids do it, it doesn't seem to require any special medium or magical formula..."
Now understanding Taryon's feelings better than anyone, I nodded and asked him to teach me about transformation.
A place like this, deserted and quiet, seemed perfect for testing out transformation.
According to Taryon, the moment you draw out another self hidden within your personality, there's a tendency to become violent or rampage.
That's why, when druids first experience transformation, they often have an adult or a strong person nearby who can subdue or educate them.
"...It's surprisingly simple. Haven't there been times when you were so angry you couldn't bear it? Try to recall an experience where you were so furious you even lost your reason, becoming a completely different person."
Taryon spoke as if he expected something from me.
"Wasn't it when I was trapped in an Illusionary Dream, watching my parents die hundreds of times, and on top of that, seeing Victoria fighting to protect me?"
Back then, I was so enraged that I even stabbed Coresword into Bellamora's heart with my injured body.
"Then, recall that moment, imagine the form you want to become, and let your magical power run wild. Druids use Mystery to change into animals, but since you're a mage, Lord Astal, this method would probably be easier."
"...I'll give it a try."
Following Taryon's explanation, I tightly closed my eyes and once again recalled the helplessness and rage I felt then.
The memory of hating myself for being unable to do anything while watching Victoria lose an arm and bleed.
The incident where, despite the hateful enemy Bellamora being right before my eyes, I fell for the trap of being able to see my parents—thinking about it again made my blood boil.
"It's simple to say, but actually sensing it usually takes a long time. In fact, when a druid transforms into a bear or an eagle, while memories are shared, the personality is practically a separate person..."
Crack, crrrunch—!
Despite Taryon explaining that it wouldn't happen on the first try, a chilling sound of bones realigning began to emanate from my body.
And not long after, an unpleasant sensation, as if trapped in someone else's body, flooded over me.
"...Hey, you bastards, what are you? You called me out just for this? If you were gonna call me, you should've done it when you were gonna slaughter a Heavenly King or the Demon King."
Words I hadn't even uttered spilled from my mouth, and I instantly lost control of my body.
"Astal...?"
"Why'd you call me? Isn't this the other personality you wanted so badly? No, actually, instead of hiding like this, wouldn't it be easier to just blow up this whole place called Oblivion?"
Ah, I didn't think I'd succeed on the first try.
Seeing me transformed via metamorphosis into someone utterly crude like a different person, my companions wore expressions of extreme discomfort.
"...It seems I need to remind someone who's in charge. The person who was so eagerly exploring my body like a baby last night has become far too frivolous in an instant."
Among them, only Victoria wore a chilling smile as she quietly drew a hammer from behind her back.