Chapter 332
Chapter 332
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 332
Chapter Title: Given Time (1)
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◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The sword pierced the elder's heart.
The ashen mana gathered on the blade burned away the shadow rooted in the elder's heart. Along with the shadow, the elder's soul(?) crumbled to ash in the flames.
Psssh.
The elder's body, which had endured for many years, began to collapse. The crumbling flesh turned to ashes and scattered. Carried on the wind blowing in from beyond the shattered outer wall of the mage tower, the ashen dust dispersed.
Ashes to ashes.
The old mage who had devoted his entire life to the ashen hue met an end befitting a mage of the Ashen Mage Tower. Watching the elder turn to dust and scatter in all directions, Resti stifled her sobs.
Only when the ashen dust had faded from sight did Resti finally lift her head. She rubbed her reddened eyes, wiped away the tear tracks, and looked ahead.
The elder's body had become ashes.
But Resti could see it.
The shadow rising from the elder's body and melting into the air. That shadow was her enemy. The enemy who had killed her master and benefactor.
⚙ SHADOW'S WHISPER ⚙ "What a pity." The crumbling shadow whispered.
⚙ SHADOW'S WHISPER ⚙ "A child who would inherit the ashen hue." The shadow beheld the divinities gathered here.
⚙ SHADOW'S WHISPER ⚙ "A child inheriting the will of the first hero, a shaman contracted with the primordial gods, a child of the stars, blessed by the stars." Heroes who would undoubtedly become great obstacles to his plans, leaders of a future era.
⚙ SHADOW'S WHISPER ⚙ "I will return." The shadow said to the heroes.
⚙ SHADOW'S WHISPER ⚙ "And next time, I will stand in your way." The madman knew.
That the end of the ancient contract was approaching. That the cursed waters sealed by that damned great sage would soon burst forth.
⚙ SHADOW'S WHISPER ⚙ "Look forward to it." At that time, he would face them himself.
Imagining the radiance that would come to fruition with the passage of time, the madman burst into laughter. Even in his final moments, the madman did not stop laughing.
Thus, the madman's remnants crumbled away.
The shadow that had engulfed the mage tower lifted, and sunlight seeped in through the gaps in the collapsed outer wall. It signified the victory of the divinities.
"Hoo..."
Only then did the tension ease, and they exhaled one by one, sinking to the ground. But Resti stood firm to the end, glaring at the spot where the madman had been.
Her eyes wide open.
Embers burned in those eyes.
Eyes that Raniel would surely have praised as befitting a mage of the Ashen Mage Tower. With those eyes, Resti vowed inwardly.
The ashen hue never forgets its enemies.
It will repay both favors and vengeance.
'No matter what it takes.'
It was at that moment, as Resti made her vow.
"Huh?"
Belnoa said, looking around.
"Where's Professor Lania?"
Lania van Trias.
She was nowhere to be seen.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 2.
Raniel climbed to the top floor of the mage tower, stepping over the debris from the collapsed ceiling. Residual spells that had yet to be dispelled lingered there.
Gathered filth.
The seed of unhatched mana(?).
To deal with the remnants of the madman's plan, Raniel moved forward. Stumbling, she walked toward the seed. She knew she was the only one who could handle it.
That was why, upon confirming the madman had fallen, she had set out immediately.
"Hoo, hoo..."
Her body was going numb.
Her vision kept blurring, and the closer she got to the seed, the more her heart pounded. Clutching her tingling chest tightly, Raniel stopped before the seed.
"Ha..."
Breathing raggedly, Raniel smiled wryly.
What a gloomy bastard, she muttered inwardly.
Reaching out toward the gathered filth—essentially the same as mana(?)—to purify it.
Ashen mana rose.
The final circuit he had left behind.
To sort it out, Raniel released the circuit she had Stocked. She plunged her hand into the filth, gripping the seed at its center—the twisted upper body of a human—tightly.
💥 EERIE SCREAM 💥 "■■Ah, aaa■■. Aaa■ah."
The grotesque scream shook Raniel's mind.
A being that had neither lived nor died, cursing something for centuries. Its shriek was utterly horrifying, resounding in her soul.
Furrowing her brow, Raniel gripped harder. With a crunch, the seed began to crumble. The burning mana devoured even the screams.
Whoosh!
The filth and seed burned away together.
Only when nothing remained did Raniel let her arm drop limply. Her breathing grew even more labored. Leaning against the wall, she gasped for air.
'Seriously, I might not even get to die a natural death at this rate.'
She knew she could no longer die peacefully.
At the sudden thought, Raniel smiled wryly. Calming her breath, she closed her eyes. She recalled the radiances she had seen moments ago. Raniel pondered the light shown by her disciples, whom she had raised.
A laugh escaped her, even though it wasn't a laughing matter.
Now she thought she understood her master, who used to chuckle watching her. A faint smile crossed Raniel's lips before she coughed dryly, hack, hack. She looked at her palm covering her mouth.
Dark red blood stained her glove thickly.
Tsking her tongue, Raniel removed the glove and tossed it aside. As she leaned against the wall catching her breath, she heard footsteps.
"Professor Lania?"
The kids were coming up.
Raniel started toward them but decided to stay leaning against the wall, lest she stumble and fall. Waiting like that, Kalt and the others spotted her and approached.
"You made it?"
Raniel raised a hand in greeting.
"...Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Totally fine."
She looked anything but, yet before her disciples, Raniel put on a brave front and forced a smile. Squeezing out the last of her strength, she took a step forward and draped her arms around Rak and Belnoa's necks.
"Worth the special lecture, right? Huh?"
I'm pretty good at teaching, after all.
Whispering playfully, Raniel leaned on Rak and Belnoa. The students laughed at her joke full of mischief, but Kalt did not.
Tracker.
As a tracker, Kalt's specialty was reading people. In his eyes, he saw the cold sweat beading on Raniel's forehead, her hazy gaze flickering and drooping.
"...Let's wrap this up."
Kalt's expression hardened as he addressed the students.
"Your Highness, please head down first. The knights will be waiting below."
You all too.
After sending the students down, Kalt supported Raniel. Her legs gave out, and she was practically carried on his back.
"Anyway."
Kalt smiled wryly.
"Still as much of a show-off as ever."
"Kid, you're only perceptive when it suits you."
"Have I not worked with you for just a day or two? I can tell at a glance."
Kalt sighed.
"Are you in pain?"
"Yeah. Hurts like hell. For real."
"You look it."
"Why ask if you know?"
Kalt had no reply.
Raniel let out a short breath and said,
"Still, my heart feels light."
"...Light?"
"Seeing those kids... I feel like I raised them well. Can't believe they've grown that much already."
So.
"That year I split and spent piece by piece... doesn't feel wasted. I used it well."
She took pride in that fact.
Coming to Aphria had truly been the right choice. Happy to think so, Raniel smiled as a mentor. Kalt didn't fully understand.
"Is that so."
"That's how it is. When you have time, try raising a disciple yourself. It's surprisingly rewarding. Fun rolling them along too..."
"Even if I raise one, I won't do it like you, Senior."
"What, punk?"
"Unlike you, I have a human heart..."
"Ha, look at this kid talking nonsense because he thinks I won't hit him."
Raniel chuckled.
Kalt chuckled too.
"Good work, Senior."
"You too."
Thus, the two descended from the mage tower.
Outside the mage tower, countless people had gathered. At Raniel's appearance, the knights who had crowded around erupted in cheers. They repeatedly chanted the name Lania van Trias.
The hero, the hero who saved the capital...
Hearing the praise, Raniel smiled.
She had protected them. No meaningless deaths.
The value of the time they had endured remained intact. For Raniel, whose thinking bordered on obsession, or rather, had no other way despite knowing it.
What expression should she make?
As she pondered, a voice echoed in her ear.
"Wouldn't that be truly wonderful?"
Words Garahal had once muttered.
"To become a fairy-tale hero... that must be truly wonderful."
She recalled the expression Garahal had worn then.
That innocently pure smile came to mind, and unconsciously, Raniel mirrored Garahal's smile.
"Ah ha."
Raniel laughed like Garahal.
The knights' cheers resounded.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 3.
The incident had reached a conclusion.
As it had occurred at the heart of the capital, the aftermath was immense.
Though testimonies from Kalt, the princess, and others proved the Ashen Mage Tower's innocence, the tower was busy with cleanup. Those who had shone as heroes there were no different.
For Kalt, already appointed to the unusual role of Guarder, the royals racked their brains over further rewards... and even without him, all who had earned merits received great recompense.
Thus, the incident drew to a close.
Time flowed on, and the moment to return to daily life approached. That day too, Lania sought an ordinary routine. Rising with the morning sun to start her day.
A light wash, a simple meal, then preparing for work. It was as she tried to rise from bed to repeat that routine.
"......"
Lania blinked vacantly.
Her vision was blurrier than usual today.
It'll be fine in a bit, she thought, blinking a few times as she got out of bed. One step, another step. On the third step, her foot caught.
Thud, crash!
Lania collapsed to the floor.
"Lania, are you alright?"
Startled by the loud noise echoing outside the room, Rosel opened the door and entered. Stepping in, he unwittingly caught his breath.
"Ah, Master..."
Sitting collapsed on the floor, Lania looked up at Rosel with dazed eyes. Her hands hung limply on her knees, blood pooling in her palms.
Drip, drip.
Dark red blood flowed from Lania's eyes, mouth, and nose. The blood dripped onto her pristine nightgown, staining it with spots that spread.
"...Lania?"
Thump.
Lania toppled sideways.
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