Chapter 175
Chapter 175
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 175
Chapter Title: Guffin's Gate (2)
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“I estimate my master went to Heaven about 80 years ago. Do you know what that means?”
“No, I don't.”
“My master's rank, as designated by the Magic Association, was completely different before he went to Heaven and after he returned. In other words, he had some kind of epiphany in Heaven and became a grand mage. Every mage wants to become a grand mage. Knowing this, it makes no sense not to go to Heaven.”
Shirone had to admit it. If Arcane became a grand mage after returning from Heaven, it meant something there had awakened him.
Seeing Shirone waver, Canis revealed the last bit of information he had.
“Most of what was written on my master's note were single words, but at the very end, there was a single sentence.”
“What did it say?”
“It was something like this. *That place is the origin of all things. The source of Schema and...*”
Rian's eyes lit up.
“Schema?”
Canis ignored him and continued.
“*...forgotten ancient magic...*”
Amy repeated.
“Ancient magic?”
“*...the silent ancient weapons...*”
Tess exclaimed.
“Ancient weapons!”
Canis frowned and said.
“...Are you guys doing this on purpose?”
“Hahaha! Sorry. Hurry up and tell us.”
Though annoyed by Tess's playful interruption, Canis finally recited the full sentence.
“*...I leave behind in this Metagate.* That's what the note said.”
It was a memo left in such a way that no one who didn't know about Heaven could access the information.
A secret place that even Harvest, who inherited Arcane's memories, had to wander the continent to find. The fact that he'd created a smokescreen until the very end showed just how much he wanted to keep this a secret.
And yet, to leave such a record... it seemed to be the work of an incorrigible prankster.
Though only a single sentence, the note contained vital information. First, Heaven has Schema and magic. Therefore, it's highly likely that humans live there. On top of that, there must be mountains of ancient artifacts.
Through these words, Arcane was saying: *To the swordsmen and mages of the world, a mountain of ancient artifacts lies beyond the Metagate.*
So, what exactly were these ancient artifacts? No history book recorded their existence.
Shirone was starting to get a sense of what Heaven was like.
“Ancient magic. Ancient artifacts. The origin of all things.”
“Exactly. My master knew. Since when did humans learn Schema and wield magic? If it were a biological principle, animals should also manifest Schema. But no matter how far back you go in history, there's nothing about the birth of Schema and the Spirit Zone. Do you understand what this means?”
“That humans knew from the very beginning. It's a paradox, but that's what you're trying to say, right?”
“Precisely. To be more specific, Schema and magic existed even before humans. Kadum called Heaven his homeland. It may sound like a myth, but from now on, we must use myths as our compass.”
A world before history awaited them. The origin of humanity, which no scholar had ever uncovered, might be hidden there. Somewhere among the stars in the sky, at an immeasurable distance.
“I've told you everything I know. The bottom line is, I'm going there. To carry on my master's will, of course, but also to further improve my magic. Arin and I have already reached an agreement on this. No matter what happens, we won't have any regrets.”
“I-I want to go too!”
Amy declared her intention to join.
The opportunity to raise one's level of magic didn't come often for a mage. The fact that Canis and Arin would become her rivals at the same academy also played a part in her decision. She didn't know how dangerous it was, but there was a Metagate, wasn't there? It would be foolish not to even try when there was a way back.
“If Amy's going, I'm going too! Shirone, let's go!”
Tess sided with Amy. There was no reason not to go when ownerless ancient weapons were waiting.
The Metagate alone was of immense value. Ancient weapons were made of metals that didn't exist in their world. He figured they'd break even just by picking up a single stone from the street.
“No. I'm not taking anyone. And I'm not going either. It's too dangerous. I don't think going to Heaven is the right choice for us.”
Everyone stared at Shirone with dumbfounded expressions.
It was too precious an opportunity to give up. A stroke of fortune that no other mage in the world would ever encounter. Hadn't Arcane himself joined the ranks of the grand mages after gaining enlightenment in Heaven?
“I know it's dangerous. But Canis has a way back, right?”
“That's not the issue. It doesn't matter if there's an exit or not. I'm saying I can't put you all in danger just because I can open the gate to Heaven.”
Canis gritted his teeth.
He'd known about Shirone's altruism ever since he'd jumped off the cliff by the impassable bridge. That was why he had devised all sorts of strategies to bring the situation to this point. But even that wasn't enough to break his iron-clad stubbornness.
“If you're so scared, then don't go. But we made a deal. You have to let me and Arin through the gate to Heaven.”
“No. I'm not letting you go either.”
“You bastard! Are you backing out now?”
“You can think that if you want, but I can't help it. You're a fellow student at our academy now. I can't just open the gate and send you to your death.”
“Who asked you to worry about my life? I can take care of myself! And we can come back anytime!”
Amy, who always respected Shirone's decisions, sided with Canis this time.
“That's right, Shirone. It's a great opportunity. And didn't we accept this level of risk from the beginning? You came all this way to find out about Miro, didn't you?”
Shirone's voice rose.
“Put yourself in my shoes. If it were you, could you suggest we go through the gate to Heaven? Could you suggest we go to that star we just saw, taking us with you?”
*'No, not even if it killed me.'*
That was the problem. It was an issue separate from the danger itself.
If Shirone had come alone, and if the current situation presented itself, he would have entered Heaven without a second thought.
But as an Unlocker, to enter while bearing the weight of his friends' lives was a childish act. Shirone, at least among them, had the responsibility to make the most mature decision.
Lost in thought, Amy flicked Shirone's forehead. As Shirone grabbed his stinging forehead and stared at her in disbelief, she spoke.
“Of course I'd suggest we go to Heaven. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Amy lied.
Worrying about a friend's safety was also a factor that hindered rational judgment. So, she thought it was best to ease his burden first.
But Shirone already saw right through her.
“Don't lie. This is truly dangerous. Even with the Metagate, how do we know where that place is? It's not like we're going to go and come right back. Why don't you understand that the more you want to go, the higher the risk becomes?”
“Then why did you bring me all the way here?”
“What? That's...”
“You said it yourself, that you could trust me. Isn't that why you came all the way to my house? Or what, were you just planning to go sightseeing with a girl in tow?”
Amy shot back aggressively. It seemed to be effective, as Shirone was left speechless. He had brought a graduating student, for whom every day was precious, to this island, so he bore that responsibility as well.
Tess thumped his chest, adding his support to Amy's opinion.
“Same here. Even if you're the one opening the gate, whether I follow or not is entirely my decision. You don't need to worry about that. Besides, if we're going anyway, Rian and I can be a big help to our fighting strength.”
A swordsman was important in any party. They possessed a bravery and animalistic instinct that mages lacked. A single second of opportunity they created could be the turning point between life and death for a mage.
As Shirone was conflicted, someone knocked on the door.
Canis hid the Metagate. But the person knocking didn't open the door until they were given permission.
When Shirone gave permission to enter, Mahatu came in. He was an unwelcome guest, if ever there was one.
As Shirone's group stared blankly, Mahatu hesitated before speaking.
“I apologize for what happened earlier today. I came to offer a formal apology.”
“It's fine, I've forgotten all about it.”
Of course, Amy hadn't forgotten. But she decided to let it go, figuring Mahatu's reason for visiting wasn't just for an apology.
As expected, Mahatu got to the point.
“Are you going to Heaven?”
Shirone didn't answer. He was wavering under his friends' strong persuasion, but his mind was still a question mark.
“Please don't go.”
His friends' faces crumpled into frowns.
According to the chief, Shirone held the key to the Kergo tribe's rise or fall. It was surprising that Mahatu, who knew this better than anyone, would try to stop him.
Canis, who thought Shirone was almost convinced, spoke with displeasure as Mahatu threw a wrench in the works.
“What are you talking about? What do you mean, don't go?”
“Pardon me for a moment.”
Mahatu crossed his arms. As he inhaled, his muscles swelled, and an intense aura radiated from his eyes.
It was an overwhelming pressure.
Shirone's group felt the illusion of being pushed back. Perhaps they really were being pushed back. If he had imbued it with killing intent, they wouldn't have even been able to breathe.
Not intending to insult them, Mahatu quickly released the pressure. But the air remained heavy.
“My apologies. I have presumptuously shown off my clumsy skills.”
No one thought Mahatu's apology was sincere.
While strength is not absolute, a clear line exists between the skilled and the unskilled. At Mahatu's level, he must have known his own strength.
“I cannot go to Heaven. It is because I failed to prove my skills in the Room of Achievement and Sacrifice.”
Shirone realized Mahatu's intention. He was using his own strength as a benchmark to show them the difficulty of Heaven.
Though a warrior and a mage couldn't be compared on the same scale, his point was persuasive enough.
“The Kergo people take a test too?”
“Of course. If they prove their strength in the Room of Achievement and Sacrifice, the warriors of Kergo are also granted the right to go to Heaven.”
“But to go there...”
“Yes. An Unlocker is essential. When the gate to Heaven, buried in volcanic ash, was restored, many set off for Heaven. But very few returned. That is why Lady Miro created the Room of Achievement and Sacrifice to verify one's skills. Unlockers are an exception, of course, but it is best not to go unless you are skilled enough to pass.”
The fact that very few returned was one thing, but it was more surprising that Miro's name came from Mahatu's lips.
“How do you know Miro? Don't tell me you've met her in person?”
“That is not the case. However, most of the executives know of her.”
“Could you tell me in more detail? We came here to learn about Miro.”
“I see, so that's why.”
Mahatu understood why Shirone hadn't been swayed by gold coins or women. Someone connected to Miro would certainly be different from the debauched Unlockers.
“500 years ago, a civil war broke out in Kergo. It was a conflict between a group that followed the angels and a group that opposed them. The anti-angel faction was victorious. However, a sudden volcanic eruption pushed the tribe to the brink of destruction. The pro-angel faction interprets the volcanic eruption as a disaster sent by the angels.”
The scholars' view that Rhuph had started the civil war was wrong. The mere mention of the word "angel" was enough to know this was a top-level secret shared only by the Kergo leadership.
“250 years after that, an outsider found this place. His name was McClaine Guffin. He was an Unlocker, just like you, Sir Shirone. He restored the Kergo ruins buried in volcanic ash and opened the gate to Heaven. We call that gate Guffin's Gate. However, that event ultimately caused another conflict. The strife from 250 years ago began to stir once more. This time, the pro-angel faction was victorious. The regime changed. And that is the Kergo of today.”