Chapter 163
Chapter 163
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Astrologer
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“...”
“...”
The crow's bewildered yet solemn "just a moment."
After that, an uncomfortable silence settled over the room.
Rishir cautiously gauged the crow's mood.
Unfortunately, the crow lacked the physical features to form expressions.
No hint of its inner thoughts could be gleaned from those black eyes staring into empty space.
-How dare a puny little vermin interrupt Zuini!!!
Dangaleon raging in his inner world.
Rishir spoke up, fearing the demon might set the crow ablaze.
'Calm down. It may look like just a crow on the outside, but there's a great sorcerer possessing it. Can sorcerers do things like that? Fascinating.'
-Just as Zuini says! To achieve enlightenment only to become a mere vermin!!! The height of patheticness!
'Did I say that?'
-Lamentable! For Zuini to seek out such lowly, barbaric power from that savage! I, Dangaleon, feel my guts burning pitch-black with sorrow!!!
'You're already pitch-black and burnt.'
-Aaaah!!! To stand by helpless as Zuini taints his soul with such worthless knowledge!!! If only I could imitate even half of Zuini's great talents, I, Dangaleon, would gladly act as your proxy and cover myself in that mud! I curse my own inadequacies!!! Even that wretched wench fulfilling her role properly...
'Hey, don't blame Mongi. What does Mongi say, anyway?'
-She wants to help Zuini, but the power she wields is innate, so she lacks knowledge on acquiring or mastering it!!! That's why she feels immense regret at being unable to assist you!!!
'Well, that makes sense.'
-Ah! The pinnacle of magnanimity!!! To even embrace her idiocy in being unable to explain the power she wields!!!
'I have the same problem.'
-...You worthless vermin! How long do you intend to keep Zuini waiting?!
Just then, the crow broke the silence right on cue, rescuing Dangaleon from his(?) crisis.
-Child.
A kindly yet authoritative grandmother's voice emanated from its open beak.
-If you insist on hearing my answer, you may face some harsh words. Even so, do you still desire my response?
"I gladly accept."
The crow exchanged a glance with Iron Sword.
Dwenn nodded, and only then did the crow speak.
-Child. First, I ask you this: why the interest in astrology? Have you not already achieved great mastery with the sword?
Rishir hesitated in his reply.
He could sense the thick, unyielding pride she held for her own field in her tone.
And discomfort.
Rishir vaguely sensed it.
'Did I speak too lightly of guardian stars?'
It seemed his words had offended the grand sorcerer.
'Well, yeah.'
In a way, it was only natural.
From his meeting with Roera up to now.
According to the astrological knowledge he'd gained in those few days, guardian stars were an advanced concept even within astrology.
For an apparent novice to suddenly demand knowledge on guardian stars.
From a rigid sorcerer's perspective, it must have gone beyond bewilderment to outright insult.
In that regard—
Rishir felt considerable injustice.
He'd suddenly become a guardian star himself—what was he supposed to do about it?
"It just happened that way."
Rishir had no choice but to answer like that.
-I know not how you encountered the concept of guardian stars, but it is not as simple as you imagine. The bond with a guardian star—even among those who have gazed at the stars their entire lives, it is permitted only to those born under special stars and lights. It is absolutely not something for outsiders to approach lightly.
Child.
The grand sorcerer spoke in a stern tone.
-I ask you. Are you prepared to pursue the light of the stars for your entire life? To entrust your fate wholly to the stars?
"...No. I am interested in astrology right now, but I have no intention of devoting such a large part of my life to it."
-Thank you for your honesty. Then, as reciprocation, I shall answer honestly as well.
Thud.
Thud thud.
The crow hopped across the table to stand before Rishir.
From there, it looked up at him and spoke.
-I owe Iron Sword a debt. To repay it, I intended to pass astrological knowledge to you. However, if the knowledge you seek concerns guardian stars, that changes things. It is not something to be casually shared with outsiders. Nor is it for novices to brush against fleetingly.
"I understand."
Nod.
The crow nodded contentedly at Rishir's reply.
Perhaps due to Rishir's humble attitude.
The crow's tone softened markedly.
-In a way, it's a shame. Your eyes. Those brightly shining eyes. Had you walked the path of the stars from the beginning, you would have drawn the attention and favor of countless guardian stars. Child. I recall you clearly said you wanted a guardian star.
"?"
Huh.
Something felt slightly off in her words?
Feeling doubtful, Rishir nodded anyway.
-No need to rush. You need not possess a guardian star as an astrologer; already, plenty of stars shine upon you. Look at her right now.
The crow pointed its beak at Iron Sword.
-That she, so steadfast, would name a price to me. You may not know, but she has set aside much for your sake. A guardian star is no different. The will of ancestors to protect their descendants. Grace.
In that sense, you could say you already possess a guardian star.
"Thank you for the kind words."
Afterward.
The grand sorcerer exchanged farewells with Dwenn, then flew out through the open window.
Rishir watched the departing crow's back for a moment.
"Ms. Dwenn. I'm sorry. You went out of your way and—"
"No, I should be the one apologizing for not being of greater help."
Perhaps accustomed to her stern demeanor now.
Rishir felt a strange comfort in Dwenn's attitude.
Rishir wore a relaxed smile.
In response, Dwenn wore a relaxed smile as well.
...While keeping her gaze strictly lowered.
"D-Do I still make you uncomfortable?"
When Rishir cautiously asked, Dwenn slowly raised her head.
"..."
Oh?
Rishir inwardly exclaimed in admiration.
Dwenn was staring at him with unwavering sternness.
Finally!
Was she okay now?
Could he finally receive instruction from the swordmaster at full strength?
Harboring such hopes.
Rishir detected some change occurring in Dwenn.
Her face was flushing red by the second.
While maintaining her stern expression.
"...Y-You don't have to push yourself."
Dwenn, who had held his gaze, soon turned her head away as if exhausted.
"I lack the face. Still, at this rate, within three days, we can cross swords—..."
Dwenn cleared her throat with a cough and cut herself off.
"My apologies. That was rather crude phrasing."
"Pardon?"
Crude?
How so?
Dwenn, her face even redder, spoke with an even sterner expression.
"I promise. Within three days, we shall spar."
"Ah. I look forward to it. By the way, how's your hand?"
Dwenn gripped the tip of her left middle finger with her right hand instead of answering.
The glove encasing her hand slowly peeled away.
"Oh...?"
The red leather glove that had completely usurped her skin.
It was shedding like old skin.
"Soon, it will separate completely."
"Yes. As I keep saying, this is all thanks to you. Truly, thank you."
"No trouble at all. Any discomfort? Is there anything else related to that I can assist with?"
"Ah. If so, I gladly accept your kindness— As you said, I plan to remove it soon. At that time, I may seek your aid for any contingencies."
"Ah, should I peel it off for you?"
"..."
Peel—
Dwenn muttered the word, then stared at her hand.
"My apologies. That seems too crude a request—"
"No, it's fine...!"
Rishir barely persuaded Dwenn, who was overthinking and holding back.
"Mongi."
-...
"Looks like we'll have to put our heads together and tackle this ourselves."
-...
Nod.
The spirit nodded up at Rishir with its characteristic blank expression.
For some reason, it looked resolute.
Kraaaah!!!
-Wretched wench, you impudent harlot!!! Without my aid, you can't even communicate with Zuini, yet you dare steal the one spot Zuini prepared for me!!!
"...No, slip of the tongue. What I mean is, Dangaleon. You, me, and Mongi. The three of us need to pool our heads and uncover astrology's secrets on our own."
Kraaaah!!!
-I, Dangaleon!!! Shall burn all to meet Zuini's expectations!!!
"Yeah... you're fire, after all."
-So, what do you plan to do?
The girl murder spirit manifested alongside Dangaleon.
She fiddled with the blue lotus as she spoke.
Of late, displeased by Rishir's reduced training due to astrology.
-Do you plan to cling to astrology blindly with those two until something clicks?
"...No, slip of the tongue. What I mean is, the four of us—"
-That's not what I mean. Don't lump me in with that dimwit.
-Well said, you soulless wench! There's no place for an ignoramus like you at this great round table of knowledge—don't even dream of it!
-Dimwitted fireball. Mute idiot. Better to hold off until we find a proper solution than hole up with those two praying for a miracle.
-Zuini!!! The soulless wench just wants to steal you from us! This lustful harlot! Just a few days without your touch and she's already in heat...!!!
The bickering murder spirit and demon.
And the blank-faced yet intrigued wretch watching them in turns.
Rishir pondered, leaving them behind.
Klana had a point.
Blindly pooling heads with the three to delve into astrology.
It was certainly the only option, but also a forced, makeshift expedient.
Far from efficient, and if pursuing rationality, postponing astrological study until a proper method arose—as Klana said—made sense.
Rishir knew that too.
Yet the reason for his fixation on astrology.
'This guardian star of mine. It could vanish at any moment without warning.'
Rishir thought.
A guardian star formed by chance could just as easily dissipate suddenly.
'Troublesome.'
Rishir wanted his guardian star to endure.
Not only as a connection to his distant sister, but as a meaningfully helpful power for her.
As the saying goes: strike while the iron is hot.
Rishir planned to solidify his power as a guardian star this time.
So he could wield it freely.
So he could aid his sister anytime, anywhere.
For that, he needed understanding of guardian stars and astrology.
'Who knew knowledge on guardian stars was so precious.'
Rishir sighed, recalling his conversation with the grand sorcerer.
From that exchange.
For an astrology novice to obtain guardian star knowledge—
Was as tricky as a magic novice grasping unique magic.
Short of joining a specific group, no paths existed.
'Descend as guardian star again and ask that Haemun fellow... Ah, no, that won't work. Summoning with sorcery burdens them greatly, they said. Unlikely they could teach in that state.'
Indeed.
This was the best for now.
"Let's roll up our sleeves...!"
The astrology research meeting commenced.
"Oh, right."
Rishir remembered something and drew Valor Sword.
"Jallak. Do you know anything about astrology?"
-Well... a little...?
"What!? Really!? You have astrological knowledge!?"
-Just fragmentary bits glimpsed over my shoulder now and then.
"Oh. As expected of a holy sword...!"
-...Please don't find purpose for my existence in places like this.
Having found an unexpected ally, Rishir turned to the next with renewed vigor.
None other than the saint's spirit confined to his inner world (punishment: sand spirit's plaything).
"Do you know anything about astrology?"
-Y-Yes!!! I do! I know, so get me out of here first!!! I'll help however I can...!
Desperate cry.
Followed by a spirited voice.
-Dummy, why are you lying!? You said you didn't know when I asked!
-Uwaaaah!!!
"No helping it. Let's do it ourselves."
Afterward.
Rishir immersed himself in astrology day and night with his companions.
The sky over Bondalles dyed in sunset hues.
A massive crow circled above it.
The avatar of Grand Sorceress Sirain.
Of late.
Sirain had been scrutinizing Bondalles day and night through her avatar.
As if searching for something.
A guardian star.
That was what the grand sorceress sought.
Days ago.
The grand sorceress had witnessed a new star's birth in her dreams.
That newborn star gleamed with brilliance inconceivable for one so young.
Bright enough to make the aged sorceress's eyes sparkle like a child's.
Thus she had arrived here in Bondalles—
And for days, she had desperately tracked the star's traces.
However.
This guardian star had elusive properties, hard to pursue conventionally.
Like a flickering, unstable flame.
Strange.
A guardian star should be born imbued with astrology's profound mysteries.
How could it flicker so precariously, like an infant unable to stand alone?
And how crude and faint those flickers.
The grand sorceress's patience neared its limit, leading her to doubt herself.
Perhaps.
All this an illusion in the turbid eyes of an old woman?
Vain wandering.
In it, the grand sorceress's thoughts briefly lost their way.
She recalled a man from days prior.
-...Ha.
A chuckle escaped the crow's beak.
Anyone knowing Grand Sorceress Sirain would have been aghast witnessing the scene.
A sword practitioner speaking so lightly of guardian stars before her.
And the grand sorceress brushing it off.
The aged sorceress beyond the avatar self-mocked.
Lately, too many false sights and sounds.
Even in that conversation.
Then.
The man probably meant he wanted a guardian star.
Yet.
How could one hear it as—
-What I'm saying is, I've sort of become a guardian star...
Something like that?
The veteran sorceress had witnessed countless guardian star births, but never heard "Hello, I'm a guardian star" from a living youth before her.
A young man chatting plainly, claiming to be a guardian star.
It'd be insulting to call it senility.
-Old age, indeed.
The crow, bathed in sunset light, looked especially forlorn.
Thus.
As the grand sorceress moved to end days of fruitless wandering in futility.
-...!
The crow's eyes gleamed.
The clearest, brightest guardian star flicker yet guided her.
-This, could it be...!
The aimlessly circling crow dove sharply toward one spot.
A certain mansion she reached.
The light-blinded grand sorceress knew not.
That it was the mansion she'd visited days ago at Iron Sword's summons.
The crow perched on the railing, its eyes rolling back white.
The grand sorceress's avatar headed to the star's realm.
Endless fields unfurled.
The night sky thick with star clusters.
There, a familiar man greeted her.
"Huh? Ah!"
He recognized the crow and waved happily.
And as he opened his mouth—
He vanished again.
A literal flicker.
The clearest guardian star flicker seen in days.
"...Wha?"
A lively reaction burst from the aged grand sorceress.