The Path Not Lost
Clearly, finding a way that suits oneself is difficult enough. Even those who believe they have already found it may yet discover a better path exists. But to consider only that path as correct is nothing more than narrow-mindedness.
Finding what suits oneself is, in the end, merely a matter of methodology. A way of moving forward. What truly matters is to consider what is better and what is more right, and never to forget it.
If one does that, then even if one cannot reach that brilliant light, the path will never be lost.
Yes. How many foolish people and common fireflies have forgotten that and lost their way? How many have mistaken it for satisfaction and complacency, closing their eyes and ears to everything else, building towers of arrogance and pride?
Even if not everyone possesses the strength to continue that endless journey toward righteousness, turning one's eyes away and denying that light in that moment only invites darkness. Not the shadow or gloom that offers a brief resting place, but the darkness that causes one to lose the way.
“That is correct. In the past, the first Dark Priest and the countless followers who served him forgot that as well. They gained power, but at the same time, they became trapped by it.”
Kainaknus’s eyes flashed gold for an instant. Though I did not immediately understand what it meant, I soon realized that gaze, which seemed to pierce the soul, was the Dragon’s Eye.
“Indeed. You possess a special color.”
There was no trace of agitation or change in Kainaknus’s voice. Of course, he had already heard about it, but even after confirming it with his own eyes, his composure remained unshaken.
“They say that summoners, and indeed all people, have souls of different colors and shapes. That is why, within the great cycle, each walks a different path and gradually develops their soul as they move forward. At least to this old man’s eyes, it seems Lord Anak will never lose his way on that long journey.”
“I hope so.”
After that, we spent the night until dawn sharing various stories about summons, summoning arts, and summoners, along with tales of past adventures. Though our preferred summons and methods differed, sharing the joys and sorrows, as well as the mistakes, that only summoners could understand created a sense of camaraderie different from being with my other companions.
Later, we brought out drinks from the storeroom to liven the conversation. Unlike Kainaknus and Elena, who remained perfectly composed even after several bottles, Geil and I could not keep up with their pace from the middle onward. The one small consolation was that I lasted longer than Geil, preserving some dignity.
“You two… hold your liquor quite well.”
As I spoke, I could feel my tongue growing slightly sluggish.
“Haha, I suppose so.”
“Is that so? I thought this was normal.”
Well, a dragon contractor and a half-elf. Their physical abilities were certainly superior to those of ordinary humans. In Rowell’s case, the medicinal herbs he took because of Aegina’s cooking were more of a mental issue than a physical one.
In truth, no one who had unknowingly consumed them had ever suffered any problems.
“When drinking with dwarves, there was never any choice but to down it all at once, and when drinking with other elves, I had never once had more than a single cup. Drinking like this feels nice.”
She did not seem particularly drunk, but her mood was clearly improved. Her expression had grown more relaxed, her voice slightly higher, and she spoke more freely.
“……”
I realized I had been staring blankly at her face and quickly shifted my gaze toward the sleeping Geil. Though the alcohol had risen and it was natural to be drawn to beauty, I had been gazing far too openly.
Yet in that moment, Rofena’s face and then Julian’s flashed through my mind. Rofena’s was likely because of Granbipra’s earlier words, while Julian’s appeared because he had been the last person I had drunk with in this manner. Still, the feeling was strangely unsettling.
“Lord Anak? Are you feeling unwell?”
At her question, I shook my head.
“No. I think I may simply be a bit drunk.”
Yes, I was clearly drunk. I slowly rose from my seat. With the alcohol taking effect and the hour late, it was time to seek rest.
“I should retire for the night. To be honest, I have reached my limit as well.”
“Then we should rise as well.”
A hint of disappointment flickered in her eyes, but she did not show it further.
“Please return ahead. I will handle the cleanup here along with my sleepy disciple.”
At Kainaknus’s gesture, stone dwarves emerged and began walking forward.
“Are those golems?”
“Yes. A friend made them for me. They are quite convenient for odd jobs.”
Using golems to plow fields or build walls was relatively common, and sometimes people even used them for household chores. However, those were usually human-sized. I had never seen ones this small, smaller even than dwarves.
“Is there a reason you made them this size?”
Moreover, their forms felt somewhat crude, as though they had been left unfinished.
“That is……”
Kainaknus hesitated for a long while at my question, looking troubled, before answering with an awkward expression.
“He is rather eccentric. In truth, these are all failed works he passed on to me.”
I wanted to ask more, but sensing his reluctance, I decided not to press further. I offered my respects to the two of them, then left the room-tidying golems carrying Geil behind me as I slowly made my way to my quarters.
* * *
The next day, we arrived in the Ayman Kingdom through Medrup’s teleportation circle. We could have gone straight to the royal palace, but Medrup had sent us to the outskirts of the capital instead.
He had said nothing beyond that it was necessary, but upon arriving, I understood his meaning well enough.
“Long live the Hero of Light, Rowell! Long live Princess Aegina!”
“Long live the Hero of Light, Rowell! Long live Princess Aegina!”
Waiting for us near the outskirts were the entire Royal Guard, a ceremonial carriage, a cavalry unit, and a ceremonial military band. They ushered the bewildered us into the carriage and began a parade through the entire capital’s main avenue.
‘So that is why he told us to wear fine clothes.’
While Rowell and Aegina were finishing breakfast and preparing to depart, Medrup had repeatedly recommended they wear splendid attire. My own case was fine since I was already wearing my dawn clothes, and he had said that since we were going to meet family after so long, it would be good to dress up a little. I had not suspected anything unusual, but now the reason was clear.
“Long live the Hero of Light, Rowell!”
“Long live Princess Aegina!”
At the appearance of Rowell and Aegina, the people cheered so loudly the city seemed ready to burst. Though soldiers and mages barely maintained order, there were groups of five or six people in every direction who looked as though they might faint.
It was understandable. Everyone admired and revered the hero’s party that had saved the world, but for these people, it was something more special.
After all, their own princess was part of that party and had even married the hero. To them, the hero and Aegina were not merely great heroes. As I had said before, they were their hero and princess.
Because of their existence, the people felt a pride equal to that of any great nation simply by being citizens of the Ayman Kingdom.
I still remembered it clearly. When Rowell and Aegina had said they would descend to the village without accepting the throne, the entire capital had expressed regret, and the soldiers had endured considerable hardship from the countless crowds rushing toward the palace, begging them not to leave.
Now, after several years, they had returned. Of course the people would cheer.
“Father and Brother really……!”
While waving back to the citizens, Aegina was quietly accumulating complaints toward the absent king and regent. Rowell, for his part, waved his hand somewhat awkwardly, looking embarrassed by the situation.
Of course, even that much looked impressive enough to others, but to me, who had watched them for so long, their awkwardness was simply comical.
“Haven’t the two of you gotten used to this by now? You have done it dozens of times already.”
When we returned after saving the world, we had held these parades in various kingdoms and cities almost every day for a while.
“Says the one who should stop hiding with Bagloros and come out, Anak.”
“Why should I? They are not calling my name.”
Unlike Rowell and Aegina, who stood with their upper bodies leaning out the ceremonial carriage, Bagloros and I were comfortably seated inside below. Of course, the title “Summoner of Deception” was well known even in the Ayman Kingdom, but perhaps because everyone was too excited about the hero and princess’s return, it seemed they had not realized we had come along as well.
And thanks to that, we could rest comfortably like this.
“Besides, unlike you two, my legs hurt if I stand for too long.”
More than an hour had already passed, and we had not even covered half the route. If I had to stand in that posture the entire time, it was better to pretend I was not there.
“Come on, Anak. Bagloros. Let us do it together. The people will like it even more.”
I understood that they felt sorry for receiving all the cheers alone, and I also understood the sentiment of “if we must suffer, let us suffer together.” But as I had already said, I had no confidence in enduring that posture any longer.
“No, I……”
“Understood.”
However, contrary to my attempt to decline, at Rowell’s single word, Bagloros immediately stood and climbed onto the carriage roof. For a moment, the cheers seemed to subside at his sudden appearance, but then—
“Waaah! It is Lord Bagloros!”
The cheers erupted once more. Honestly, it was less that they had recognized Bagloros and more that they had simply assumed it because he was standing beside Rowell in that outfit.
Now the names of Rowell, Aegina, and Bagloros echoed from all directions, and the road was turning into a path of flowers as petals and blossoms thrown by those paying their respects scattered across it.
“……”
Now the only one remaining seated inside the carriage was me. At this point, staying seated felt even more awkward.
“Anak. Come on, hurry up.”
I looked quietly at Rowell, who was urging me. Now that it had come to this, standing up itself was no longer the problem. The real issue was whether the people would recognize me once I stood.
The title “Summoner of Deception” was famous in the Ayman Kingdom, just like my other companions. But would they recognize me immediately?
If I thought about it calmly, if they eliminated the other companions’ names one by one, my name would eventually come up. But if that took longer than expected, how would I handle the awkward situation?
“……Haa.”
Left with no choice, I rose and extended my hand into the air. Following the gesture, a large emerald sigil appeared above our heads.