Chapter 263

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Translator: crow

Chapter Title: Chapter 263 - 신성 마법 ()

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Translator: crow

Chapter Title: Holy Magic (?)

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Originally, that was
the first saintess's teachings + sharing holy power.

But players go there and the saintess is gone, just shows an empty world called 'Village of Nothingness'.
The fairy sees it and goes into shock.

Rishir's farewell.

Shuyen hadn't even fully savored its lingering aftertaste.

"What's this all about...?"

It was because of the story Tara had suddenly brought up.

The fairy had moved to a nearby tree.

There, she was locked in a staring contest with a small bird perched on a branch.

"This is... the bird you made to help Rishir master his holy magic. A bird born with wounds, right?"

The saintess's village.

It was a world Tara had shaped with her thoughts.

Within this world, Tara wielded power close to omnipotence.

Yet even for her, there were impossibilities.

Chief among them was the creation of life.

"That's not a bird."

"What? If it's not a bird, then what is it?"

"Strictly speaking, it's a mass of energy shaped like a bird."

"Ah."

As Tara said.

It was an 'injured bird's form' manifested by Tara through energy—a kind of spell.

Its purpose was to evaluate Rishir's holy abilities.

It detected the power in Rishir's healing magic and reacted accordingly.

If the healing magic wasn't properly cast, the injury would remain; if done right, it would heal.

And—

That was it.

Once healed, the spell should fulfill its role and vanish.

It wasn't an independent lifeform, after all.

Yet—

"..."

The fairy cautiously extended her hand toward the bird.

"!!!"

In that instant.

The bird, staring blankly into space with black eyes, turned to glare at the fairy.

No.

It was glaring! With the sharp eyes of a bird of prey!

"Kyaaak!!!"

The bird boldly spread its wings and pecked at the fairy with its beak.

The fairy freaked out and flew straight behind Tara to hide.

"T-Tara!!! What is that thing?!"

The small bird's beak peck felt like a massive monster's charge to the fairy.

However.

The reason the fairy was especially startled wasn't due to the size difference.

It was the intense dissonance from the bird reacting to her touch and lunging.

Unlike before, when it stayed still like a doll even under Rishir's touch while injured—

"No way, is that thing... alive!?"

Its current appearance was truly like a living being.

"..."

Tara couldn't answer Shuyen's question.

She was just as confused.

Instead, Tara cautiously extended her index finger toward the bird.

The highly excited bird stared at Tara for a while before flying over and perching on her finger.

"Hey! Why's it fine with you!!!"

Ignoring the fairy hopping mad behind her, the saintess gently stroked the bird's small head.

"..."

The bird closed its eyes softly. Surrendering to the external force.

As if feeling the touch.

And not just that.

"My god..."

The saintess could clearly feel it through her fingertip.

The small being's breath. Its pulse.

Life.

The saintess and fairy first felt awe.

And then—

"Ah."

"Ah!"

The sparrow's form faded away like a dissipating rainbow.

A regretful sound escaped their lips.

Yet they also seemed somewhat relieved.

If the bird had lingered on, it wouldn't have stopped at mere awe.

"T-Tara...? Just to be sure... did you do this...?"

"...You think I did?"

"...Then, could it be him again? Rishir? Because he healed that bird, it briefly became like that?"

"..."

The saintess couldn't answer.

A phantasm modeled after a bird's form.

It had briefly gained substance and normalized.

That phenomenon.

The power enabling it.

She couldn't even begin to define them.

"I-Is this another miracle...?"

The saintess nearly snapped at the fairy's words.

As if slapping any label on it made it so.

"..."

And then she faltered at her own reaction.

Fine.

If it's a miracle, then it's a miracle.

What's wrong with that?

Are you ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠doubting the Lord's power now?

Why?

Does the Lord lack the power for such miracles?

"No, no..."

The saintess shook her head amid her turmoil.

Her faith, unshaken even by fear of death and loss, was now facing an untimely trial.

"..."

"Tara?"

At that moment.

Tara's gaze fixed somewhere.

Toward the dimensional gate that had returned Rishir to the present world.

A being with flesh returning to the present world.

A thought-being whose flesh had perished manifesting in the present world.

A vast gulf lay between those two.

For instance, thought-beings couldn't freely traverse the present and thought-worlds like the living.

The simple dimensional gate that sent Rishir back.

From the saintess's perspective, using it was a distant prospect.

To manifest in the present world, she needed far more preparation and payment.

Yes.

It had to be that way.

"..."

Tara cautiously reached toward the dimensional gate.

And—

"...!"

She yanked her hand back in shock.

She hurriedly looked down at her hand.

"Rishir, are you tired!? Your face doesn't look tired, but if you're okay, shall we head to Karoer first!? You have no idea how much Karoer worried and waited for you! Oh! Lunadien too! Ah!!! And most of all, me!!! Rishir! You're wondering why I stayed in your room, right!? Don't be shocked! It's all because I was worried about you!!! I waited day by day here, soaking my pillow with tears wondering when you'd return!!! So when you look at me, feel a bit more moved—"

"Ughhh..."

Right after returning.

Rishir visited Karoer with Ratsil.

She was in her office in the turquoise pavilion, swamped with work related to the 'expedition'.

"Rishir."

It was the high elf's reaction upon meeting Rishir.

Her serene pupils dilated greatly before slowly contracting.

"You're back."

"Yes. Sorry for worrying you."

"No need for your apologies. It was an accident, after all. Any injuries?"

"No. A lot happened, but as you see—I'm healthy now. Thank you for your concern."

"Good. In this situation, I can say I wasn't particularly worried."

"Pardon?"

"I've seen too much to worry about you needlessly."

"..."

The high elf wasn't one for jokes.

Sure enough.

Her serene expression conveyed genuine bewilderment: 'Me, worry about you? Why?'

Rishir pondered whether to take offense or not.

"Karoer."

Just then.

An elf entered Karoer's office, placed a stack of documents on her desk, and left hurriedly after a quick greeting, as more tasks awaited.

Karoer's desk was already piled with several stacks.

She skimmed the new stack and let out a small sigh.

"I'd love to hear what you went through there, but as you see, I lack the leisure now. Forgive me."

"No problem. I came to see you precisely because I have questions related to that. Karoer. This expedition... what happened?"

"How much has Ratsil told you?"

"Uh, that the Prophet sensed the World Tree in a human city, and they're preparing an expedition accordingly."

"Then you know it all."

"Pardon?"

"Rishir. Is the World Tree's spirit well?"

"Ah, yes. Healthy."

"But the World Tree seed you delivered still hasn't sprouted."

"That's..."

"And the Prophet sensed a World Tree from outside."

Rishir.

Karoer straightened and said the name gravely.

"As you know, the World Tree's spirit sees you as its mother."

"Not mother, but..."

"Hm?"

"Ah, nothing. I'll listen attentively."

"Moreover, the Prophet sensed the World Tree in a human city beyond the forest. Any guesses?"

"...Just in case, could you tell me the specific location or name of that human city where the Prophet sensed it?"

"On that point, I can give you the answer you want. It's a human city with many ties to us Ilratdein, so easy to pinpoint. Likely one you're connected to. After all, the Gray Tower—...Rishir?"

At this point.

Rishir felt a severe headache and rubbed his brow.

He murmured softly.

"Bondalles."

"Oh. As expected. You had a hunch."

The serene high elf rarely smirked mischievously.

"Rishir. Might I ask you to guide the expedition?"

Her expression showed she knew no further explanation or talk was needed.

"How could I... refuse..."

"Rishir. You're agreeing surprisingly readily? I thought you'd be more troubled—"

After meeting Karoer.

Ratsil approached Rishir and asked.

"Of course I'd have to agree readily..."

What he'd heard from Karoer.

This expedition was planned with purely innocent intent.

Exploration.

Curiosity about the new home of a great World Tree!

Rishir couldn't help but be surprised by the elves' attitude.

If they were humans, they'd be raging about the great being stolen, calling for holy wars or full-scale conflict.

'Even accounting for me being the benefactor who helped the World Tree, this is plenty generous...'

In such circumstances, maintaining this peaceful, rational stance.

Of course he'd cooperate with both hands up.

"Bondalles is also the home of my heart. If Bondalles and you all can form good relations... nothing better. I'll do my utmost to ensure the expedition ends well."

"Really!?!?"

Ratsil's eyes sparkled as she drew close to Rishir.

Rishir was startled.

She gets moved by this?

"Bondalles is Rishir's hometown!? Then I, I! Me!!! Ratsil, the devoted watcher who cared for Rishir with all sincerity in Ilratdein!!! Can I expect repayment from Rishir!?!?"

"Ah."

As expected.

What moved Ratsil was something else.

She couldn't keep her hands and feet still from curiosity and excitement about the human city.

"Ah! No time to dilly-dally!!! Plans! Need to organize the plans! So it's easy for Rishir to guide!!!"

Rishir reflexively recalled what lay ahead.

"Ah...!"

Drained just imagining it, he slumped into his seat.

Fortunately, plenty of time remained before the expedition's departure.

Thanks to that, Rishir could handle other matters while preparing.

He first tried relaying his experiences to the sealed hero's party.

"Pardon? They left?"

"Yes! We couldn't keep waiting indefinitely when we didn't know when Rishir would return! Especially in our elves' city! You know, right!? We Ilratdein don't welcome just any outsiders with open arms!"

"Ah..."

"Plus, they said they could entrust the legacy to Rishir."

"..."

Rishir felt considerable guilt toward his companions.

He'd monopolized the first hero's legacy, after all.

Yet such complete trust and consideration on the sole basis of 'because it's Rishir'.

'My heart warms... and grows heavy...'

In any case, Rishir had shed one major worry.

He could return to his room carefree and enjoy some alone time.

Time to sort his thoughts!

"Young master."

"Uwaaack!!!"

The moment he was alone, a voice suddenly whispered in his ear.

Forest's Night Labela.

Her incarnation, a silver butterfly, had approached his ear unnoticed.

"L-Labela!? You're still here!?"

"Did I trouble you, young master?"

"N-No, it's not that...! Can you stay in the present world this long!?"

This was what disconcerted Rishir.

Before.

Labela had surely said as much.

As a thought-being, manifesting in the present world required immense preparation and cost.

That was one reason she couldn't accompany to Ilratdein.

"Ah, that."

She let out a meaningful chuckle.

"All thanks to you, young master?"

"...Pardon?"

"Hehe. That reaction tells me you get it. I had the same back then. But anyway. No matter how curious, let's put it off for now. Don't we have something more important to discuss?"

Creeak.

Rishir's bed tilted slightly.

The silver butterfly transformed into a dark elf and took the spot beside him.

The dark elf gently pulled the man's hand onto her lap and clasped it dear.

"Young master. Tell me everything that happened there first? What on earth happened?"

As Rishir yielded to that soft pressure and began spilling his story helplessly.

Creeak!

The room door swung open without knocking.

Rishir was aghast.

'Oh no! Disaster!!!'

Green Tower Lord Lunadien.

The subjugator of Forest's Night and her arch-nemesis stood there.

In a situation where Lunadien charging in wouldn't be odd, Rishir fidgeted, trying to mediate between them.

"Rishir."

However.

Lunadien spoke to Rishir first.

In a very calm tone.

"I heard from Karoer. You're back."

"Ah, yes! Lunadien! I've returned!"

"Good timing. Someone's been wanting to see you."

"Pardon? Me?"

"Yes. Will you come?"

Rishir rose as if entranced and approached the red-haired elf.

Then he alternated glances between the red-haired elf and the silver-haired dark elf.

"..."

"..."

He didn't miss it.

The subtly exchanging gazes between them.

'Wh-What the hell happened while I was gone...?'

Afterward.

The place Lunadien led Rishir to was the Green Tower grounds, the backyard he usually used for training.

"...!"

Upon arriving, Rishir sharply inhaled.

Even more so than when Labela and Lunadien might have met.

Rishir's head tilted back sharply.

A being overlooking him from that great height.

Red scales tougher-looking than steel.

Vertical-slit massive pupils like iron bars.

'A dragon...!?'

The transcendent being exuded overwhelming presence.

The dragon said, looking at Rishir.

"Council of Stars...?"

"Rishir."

The red-haired elf said to aid his understanding.

"If you claim a star's name, what star would you be?"

"...!"

Tower Lord.

The position that sprang to mind.

All the 'stars' he'd seen so far held tower lord titles.

'Me, becoming one of those 'stars'?'

Rishir unwittingly shook his head.

Compared to those great archmages, his magical knowledge and realm were novice-level.

Regardless.

The dragon unilaterally continued questioning the man.

"What path..."

Answer magic if mage.

Swordsmanship if ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠swordsman.

Holy if priest.

Thus, the dragon's question was a formal, surface-level procedural one.

Of course.

Philosophical discourse on power's essence wasn't bad either.

Nay, it suited the dragon's taste for amusement.

Yet the dragon's question stayed superficial.

Humans were too immature in discussing power.

From the dragon's view, certainly.

This one was young even among humans.

Unwarranted expectations would just lead to disappointment from trite, naive replies.

Thus, the dragon spoke in an utterly formal tone.

"How you treat me changes based on my answer..."

Mulling the dragon's words, the man replied.

The ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠man ultimately offered an unusual answer through an unusual interpretation.

"What path is most comfortable for you...?"

His tone was as polite as suggesting, 'Please choose from the menu, Your Excellency.'

An unimaginable kind of consideration.

The dragon seemed about to speak, then closed its mouth.

A heavy groan emanated from its massive maw.

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