Chapter 217
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 217
Chapter Title: Stunheim (2)
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"The emperor gambles by sending down three of his heirs and then starts a war..."
What kind of group was this Celestial Church that they'd go that far?
It was utterly incomprehensible to him.
"Anyway, it's that big of a deal. The White Whale Mercenary Corps played a major role in the process."
"So they rose up as one of the emperor's key cards. To achieve that in just two years... unbelievable."
He couldn't quite believe it, but Kailler's explanation wasn't over yet.
"Anyway, they're preparing for war amid all that trouble... As you can see from the documents, the scale is unprecedented, right?"
"The size alone is something we haven't seen in the last fifty years."
"Exactly. Naturally, they'll need help from the other great lords. Just like fifty years ago during the fall of Media."
And the White Whale Mercenary Corps, who had successfully completed request after request against the tense Imperial Family.
Their trustworthiness was beyond question.
"At this level, I'd say they have the strength to handle our family's request."
"Yeah, it was a solid choice. But... if this goes well, does that mean we'll have to help the Imperial Family too?"
Camille frowned, clearly displeased by that part, but Kailler replied calmly.
"Think about it rationally, brother. The emperor is dead serious about this war. Owing him a favor now isn't a bad move."
"Hmm..."
"Sure, we'll lose something in return... but you know these things pay off if you get in early."
"Alright, alright. I get it. Your advice is always spot on. I'll keep it in mind."
"Good. Then I'm off. I've got a lot to do."
"Already? It's been ages since we last saw each other. Have some tea before you go."
"You've got plenty to think about with this situation, brother. So do I."
"Ugh... fair enough."
In the end, Camille couldn't bring himself to hold back his departing sister.
The upcoming banquet alone demanded his attention.
And the emperor's unexpected war preparations would cast a significant shadow over it too.
"Hoo... nothing ever comes easy."
Muttering to himself, he soon dove back into the White Whale Mercenary Corps documents Kailler had brought, scrutinizing every detail.
"Maya. How's your condition?"
"Nothing special. But you seem awfully worried about me lately?"
On the way back from the meeting.
Jun answered Maya's question without a flicker of expression.
"I'm the leader who always looks after his team's health, aren't I?"
"Hmm..."
That didn't quite add up. He never asked like this before. It only made it more suspicious.
"I'm perfectly fine, actually. Haven't had those nightmares lately. All quiet."
"How about your ancestral spirits?"
"You mean the old souls? Uh..."
Come to think of it, the ancestral spirits had been unusually silent these past few days.
They were quiet by nature when they had nothing to say.
But they'd at least chat among themselves sometimes.
Not lately, though. Not even that.
"Huh...?"
Finally sensing something off, Maya looked at Jun, wondering how he'd known.
Seeing her reaction confirmed Jun's fears: the crisis he'd been dreading was about to erupt.
'I was hoping it was just coincidence. Guess some things are inevitable.'
Jun knew exactly why Maya was going through this.
How could he not?
Maya was the one NPC in the game whose detailed story he'd fully grasped.
'So they ultimately handed him over to the God of Death as a sacrifice.'
It was faint enough to escape even Eleanor's notice, but Maya's soul was linked to her adoptive father, the tribe chief.
The purpose was to pass on the ancestral spirits to her.
But the tribe fell before it was complete, leaving the connection unstable yet persistent.
'The problem is that the chief—the other end of that link—was offered to the God of Death.'
Naturally, the connected ancestral spirits would be in turmoil.
The issue was Jun had no way to explain this to Maya.
'Sorry.'
The ancestral spirits could detect lies innately.
Especially when it involved them, their power sharpened.
So he couldn't reveal his game knowledge in front of her.
But he couldn't hide everything either.
"It's not your fault. But... this phenomenon could lead to a big problem soon."
"Leader, do you know something?"
"Sorry. It's not something I can explain."
"... You're not lying."
Maya, briefly anxious, fixed her clear eyes on him.
"I trust you."
"... Thanks."
Truthfully, he hated brushing it off like this.
For Maya, who was more driven by revenge than anyone, this could be a deep wound.
But he had no choice.
Even if he admitted knowing her game story, would she believe him?
And if she did, that brought its own problems.
Not just Maya, either.
He had to keep this from Eleanor and Aiden too.
It was a erased future now, but forcing a change on some unknown destiny could feel repulsive.
"...? I'm the one hurting, so why do you look pained, Leader?"
"Oh."
The realization hit him, stirring an inexplicable loneliness.
Maya's clear eyes met his again.
"No, it's..."
"We know you're hiding something from us."
"What?"
"This isn't the first time, Leader. You know things we don't. Things that don't make sense."
Maya had been in society long enough now.
She grasped common knowledge, and Jun's improbable skills or blind hatred toward the Celestial Church weren't easily explained.
"No point getting upset over it now."
"I see..."
What should he say?
It reminded him of a time long ago.
When he'd felt Aiden's talents surpassing his own, he'd feared becoming an extra in this world, left alone.
Knowing disasters others didn't was like that.
That bitter loneliness lingered in his chest.
'Never thought I'd hear this from Maya.'
Whatever it was, he decided to take it positively.
Just as he'd let them into his heart.
They'd accepted him too.
After his talk with Maya, Jun immediately called Aiden.
"Aiden. You must have noticed lately..."
"Something to do with Maya?"
"Yeah."
"Hmm..."
Aiden's expression turned grave as he listened intently.
He had sharp ears, after all.
He'd seen Maya tormented by nightmares night after night, and Jun easing them with some power on her forehead.
Jun's heavy look back then had kept him silent.
Now Jun was opening up first.
"A huge disaster is coming soon."
"A huge disaster..."
"I don't know the details. But her symptoms are a sign something's about to happen."
He couldn't pinpoint the trigger.
It started as mere nightmares, but soon they weren't dreams anymore.
'In the game, Maya witnessed the disaster's start in her dreams firsthand.'
The same scene repeated, until she investigated and uncovered her connection to it.
That was Maya's storyline.
"Then... what should I do?"
"Keep watching her condition. Contact me immediately if anything comes up."
"Understood. Don't worry."
"Hmm..."
"What's wrong, Senior?"
"No, just... you're taking it so calmly."
Like with Maya earlier. Aiden too.
Both trusted him excessively.
Even now.
He'd dropped a disaster warning out of nowhere, and they just accepted it.
Aiden smiled gently.
"Haha... Honestly, Maya and Eleanor tease that you bring disasters wherever you go..."
That's harsh.
"I don't think that. Quite the opposite."
"Huh?"
"You're always preparing because you know something, right?"
"...Fair point."
"Everything we've been through with you wasn't your fault. You were just there when they happened."
And Jun handled them masterfully every time.
"No one else could have responded like you. Countless lives would have been lost otherwise."
Plenty of examples came to mind.
Aiden looked at him as if that said it all.
"I'll believe whatever you say, Senior. Maya and Eleanor feel the same."
"Hmm..."
Again.
Like with Maya, a tickle in his chest—indescribable, but welcome.
His face heated with embarrassment, and he averted his eyes.
'These guys. Making me all emotional.'
He cleared his throat awkwardly.
"W-well, thanks for saying that."
"Haha... It's been a while since I've seen you flustered, Senior."
"Shut up. Anyway, keep an eye on Maya these next few days. Eleanor and I will be busy."
"Busy how?"
"The Ron family is hosting a banquet soon. I need to meet the Ron patriarch and the western guests there."
"Ah... Got it."
He'd been to a lot of banquets lately...
'But with positions like these, no avoiding it.'
Maya's situation made dodging impossible now.
Time to use every resource available.
Late at night. Jun awoke in the luxurious room Kailler had provided.
All around was a pitch-black passage.
Opening his eyes there, he instinctively knew this was a dream.
'No, not quite a dream.'
Lucid dream?
Too real for that.
And above all, a familiar power stirred.
'Dream Phantom?'
Not his dream.
Something third-party had pulled him here.
A realm between reality and dream.
Jun focused, following the Dream Phantom's energy.
'Passage... dark. This air. Feels familiar. Where from?'
It eluded him like fog, but suddenly, a pale pink mist appeared ahead.
'Dream Phantom. You?'
No voice, but the pink energy guided him onward.
'What the hell is this?'
He'd gotten sentimental with his comrades, hit the hay, and ended up here.
Staying alert, he followed through the passage.
At the end: an intricately carved underground cavern.
Signs of habitation?
Parchments and leather scraps littered the floor, inscribed with spells and lore.
A deja vu flashed through Jun's mind.
'No way...'
Then, beyond a candle on a worn desk, a silhouette flickered.
A man sat in a rocking chair, back turned.
He rose.
Ragged, worn sackcloth.
Snow-white hair.
Sagging, wrinkled skin—but eyes gleaming with mystery.
"You've come..."
The Reincarnator.
His soul form clearly gazed at Jun and spoke.