The Druid's Persistent Ritual
“It seems the one who created this barrier spent a long time training repeatedly within it.”
Training, was it?
“Can you discern more about its structure?”
“Fundamentally, it sharpens the senses of one’s own soul and blurs the boundaries between dimensions. It draws upon the spirits and the energies of the surrounding earth to protect the caster while also strengthening connections to higher beings. Though all of these are spells powerful enough to endanger the caster themselves.”
The system and intensity differed, yet the content felt familiar. It closely resembled the Soul Link Ritual performed by summoners. And it was now accepted as established fact, beyond dispute, that the origins of that ritual traced back to shamans, druids, and priests.
The Soul Link Ritual—or the rites that formed its foundation—were all performed to elevate the subject’s consciousness and soul while reinforcing their bonds with higher existences. Summoners attempted it once they reached a certain level, seeking to surpass their limits. It was usually during this ritual that they first glimpsed the color of their own soul.
I, too, had confirmed the color of my soul through this ritual. Along with the directions in which that soul was connected.
Summoners gradually advanced along the ends of those connections during the ritual, allowing them to encounter higher beings they would otherwise never meet. Some encountered high-ranking spirits or creatures from other worlds, divine beasts, or exalted souls. Others met huanma or entities from other realms. And in extremely rare cases, like that of the first Dark Priest, they came face to face with an aspect of the gods themselves.
Of course, the deeper one ventured along the threads of the soul, the more dangerous the ritual became. Some lost their way in the process, while others encountered beings that proved less than friendly.
Countless tales existed of summoners who ventured too far and never returned, and even more tragic incidents littered history. That was why summoners advanced only a little at a time when performing the ritual.
It was impossible to say for certain whether this druid had performed the Soul Link Ritual or one of its root rites, but if he had, it would explain why these barriers and spells had been constructed to last indefinitely.
Summoners typically repeated the ritual over three to five days, though some continued it for years—not merely to meet stronger summons or higher beings, but to elevate their own souls to a higher stage.
After all, that had been the very purpose behind the priests and shamans who first devised such rites.
This druid had likely installed these barriers and spells permanently for the same reason. He had wanted to repeat the ritual over a long period, and setting up new spells and barriers each time would not only be tedious but also carried a high risk of error.
“A druid striving for greater heights. How complete and advanced are these spells, exactly?”
“They are of considerable skill. From what I can see, they are of the highest caliber. Even compared to the renowned druids of the past, they would not be found wanting.”
Granbipra might not have known much about human society or druids, but if he remembered someone as exceptional, they were surely no ordinary figure. And if this druid could be compared to such individuals without falling short, then he too must have been remarkable.
“A reclusive druid is hardly unusual, but the real question is where he is now.”
Most druids kept some distance from cities and other people. What they sought lay elsewhere—in things other than people, cities, or wealth—so such behavior was common. Yet the place presumed to be his home was now being used as a temporary base by the Dark Priests. And though I had overlooked it briefly, the totem erected in front of the house reacted to the souls of the Dark Priests.
How had they managed to find the dwelling of a reclusive druid? And why did that totem respond to the Dark Priests’ souls?
“Do you think the totem outside and these barriers were created by the same person?”
“Likely so. The energies feel similar.”
Had the Dark Priests seized the home of a reclusive druid and forced his cooperation? Or was he one of them?
“…Did you find anything else of note?”
Granbipra shook his head.
“Regrettably, nothing else.”
There was nothing more to confirm, and nothing more to anticipate. It was disappointing, and the fact that these strange clues offered no answers left me feeling hollow.
But soon I set those feelings aside. The reclusive druid and his current situation had little bearing on the present matter. What mattered now was finding Kainaknus. Once we rescued him, Medrup or Rowell could handle the finer details and deal with the organization known as the Dark Temple.
“Very well. Then there is nothing more for us to do here.”
I took the crystal from my robes. At the sight, a smile appeared on Granbipra’s lips.
—Impressive indeed.
Alsh Unak’s bat-like wings folded away, and the dark red flames gathered in his hands dispersed. Before him, an old man wrapped in wooden vines let out a rough breath—Kainaknus, the Dragon’s Ally.
—Even with a contract with a dragon, to reject Lord Urshus’s flames so completely…
“Such an unpleasant flame simply does not suit this old man’s tastes.”
Though he tried to sound at ease, Kainaknus’s voice was heavy with fatigue. For hours now he had been rejecting those dark red flames, and not even the smallest spark had taken root in his soul.
—I cannot understand why you resist so. Becoming a Dark Priest would not break your existing contract with the dragon. Accepting this flame would only allow you to serve the great Lord Urshus and ascend to greater heights.
“Oh, such words may work on the young, but they hold no sway over me. I have my own path, and everyone has their own way. Forcing everyone into the same mold will only reveal its limits in the end. Besides, do you think I cannot sense the other power hidden within that flame?”
At Kainaknus’s words, Alsh Unak’s expression hardened.
—As expected of Kainaknus, the Dragon’s Ally. To think you would notice even that.
“What exactly does Urshus intend to do with that power? What is the point of forcibly planting his strength into others?”
Alsh Unak stared at him in silence. Then he glanced down at his own hand before offering a strange smile.
—Lord Urshus will become a true guide. Unlike the other gods and demon gods who merely observe, and unlike the foolish Nyx, he will lead us and bestow true blessings upon those who follow him.
“Just as he promised the first Dark Priest?”
The blunt sarcasm made Alsh Unak’s face twist for a moment, but he soon smiled again and continued.
—Yes. In the past, his followers were weak and incompetent. That was why they disappointed Lord Urshus. He will not repeat the same mistake. This time, he will not entrust everything solely to his followers. He will plant his own seed directly into the souls of every Dark Priest and guide them all through that seed.
“Not merely obedient slaves, but outright puppets?”
That was what Kainaknus had sensed in the flames earlier—not only coloring the soul to manipulate the direction and sensitivity of its connections, but also engraving fragments of Urshus’s own will directly into it.
—It is a blessing that allows one to draw closer to a great god. Through us, he will rule this world, and in return he will grant us a reward of equal measure. We need only follow his will.
‘Us?’
Kainaknus found the word “us” oddly out of place coming from Alsh Unak, though he could not immediately say why. It might have been the accumulated fatigue of the past few hours, or the roots still draining his mana and stamina.
“How utterly foolish. Even the Demon King’s army, which moved according to the will of the goddess Nyx, was defeated by the Hero. And now you think you can rule the world this way?”
Kainaknus had not fought in that great war himself, but he knew well the terrifying might of the Demon King’s forces. The countless demonic insects and beasts that had covered the land, along with the Demon King and his subordinates who commanded them—it had been a colossal torrent that even he, freed from the ancient pact, could not have stopped.
Yet the Hero and his companions had triumphed, and though her descent had been incomplete, they had cast the goddess of destruction Nyx into a long slumber.
“How many Dark Priests exist now? Thirty? Fifty? Even if there were over a hundred, do you truly believe that is enough to conquer the world? When even the Demon King Thanatos failed with his countless soldiers?”
It was a foolish claim. It was impossible. No matter how many of Urshus’s wills were engraved into them, the vessels could only contain so much power. Why else had the goddess Nyx spent years preparing her descent ritual within the Tower of Destruction? Because no vessel in this world could fully withstand a god’s power.
—……
Alsh Unak said nothing. It was not that he was at a loss for words, but rather that he seemed lost in some confusion, murmuring faintly to himself.
—Yes. I, no, that’s not right. Why? How? I am merely……
Kainaknus sensed something was wrong. Alsh Unak’s eyes were losing focus, and his voice had changed from before. He was muttering things that existed only in his own mind, as though he had forgotten both the current situation and Kainaknus’s presence.
Kainaknus realized something was amiss with his opponent. From long experience, he also recognized that this resembled the internal conflict of the self often seen in hypnotic states or under mental manipulation spells.
“That’s right! Think about it! Think!”
Kainaknus raised his voice in a shout. He could not be certain it was the right decision. Even if his opponent truly was experiencing a conflict of the self, whether provoking him would awaken his original self or only suppress it further depended on the situation. But in that brief moment he chose to do so, and for a short while it seemed to help. Alsh Unak’s muttering and confusion only grew.
Yet at that very moment, Alsh Unak’s body was engulfed in dark red flames, and focus returned to his eyes.
—…I shall return later.
Alsh Unak fled the room as though escaping. The roots surrounding Kainaknus seemed to multiply, soon covering his mouth. Shortly afterward, other Dark Priests entered to guard him. Unlike before, however, they paid Kainaknus no attention, merely carrying out their duties as sentries.