The Crimson Sky Stinking of Blue Roses
The sky was red with the sickening fragrance of blue roses. Clouds of demonic energy drifted by. The black blood soaking his boots was utterly loathsome. She made her resolve. For her own desires, she would do anything. Even if it meant defying the gods.
"Lea...?"
"Step aside, Mio."
"Are you really okay right now?"
"...I'm going to the divine realm."
Mio grabbed her shoulder. Was this meant to comfort her? Right now? How can you stay so calm when you loved Rian just as much? She felt like she could burst into tears at any moment.
"...Just rest a little."
"I said I'm going to the divine realm. I told you clearly. Don't stop me."
"Why on earth?"
"...There's something I have to confirm there."
Mio, I have to reincarnate Rian before this woman figures it out. One last prayer by Rian's corpse. Her final wish offered to the god of fate she served. Infuse a new destiny so she could reunite with him, eroded by demonic energy. A soul corrupted by demons couldn't ascend to heaven. But if she breathed a blessing to grant his soul peace... it could head to paradise. If he was the god who governed fate, her master! Surely he could do something. She clung to that hope.
"...Let's meet again."
She spread her wings, accepting the rank of angel. Even if it meant transcending humanity, she had no choice. She was going to meet a god now. She would beg. Even if it cost her all authority, even if she fell to slavery—please let her meet him again. If the god cherished her, his saintess, he would hear her cry. If not...
Crunch. She ground her teeth without realizing it.
"Mio. I'm heading to the divine realm right now."
"...I'll go with you."
"You haven't received the rank of angel."
"...You know a way, don't you?"
"Hmph. If I did, I'd have accepted it long ago."
She brushed past Mio and spread her wings. Deliberately flaunting them, she took to the skies before her rival. In the future she'd dreamed of, there was no place for Mio. Only she would stand by his side. ...Though that dream had been shattered now. Even so, to meet him again, she would face the god. And beg. She had nothing else to say. This was her only path, so she repeated herself.
She felt sorry for Uba and Abel. Honestly, she felt guilty toward Mio as a friend. But as a rival in love, she couldn't share this secret. Even if Mio cursed her someday, she wanted to see Rian. That was all.
"Lea. Wait a second!"
"..."
This time, it was Uba who halted her. He looked far different from his initial impression. She'd thought him just a muscle-headed monk with brute strength, but he was a warrior who wielded every weapon masterfully. He would kneel and bow his head for his friends and comrades, and he couldn't tolerate injustice—a true idiot in the best way. He was that kind-hearted. But she didn't like him stopping her now.
Uba hoisted Rian's corpse effortlessly. He murmured a quiet incantation, granting him peace.
"...Put him down."
"You can go when you go, but shouldn't we at least make a grave for Rian?"
"A grave? You mean a grave?"
A grave for the man she'd just been laughing and talking with? It wasn't wrong, logically. But what was this massive emotion surging from her heart? She knew it all too well; she'd felt it before. This was rage. Her rotten expression crushed Uba under the weight of her angelic aura without her realizing. Yet Uba endured it without flinching.
"I'm not such a fucking moron that I don't know how you felt about Rian!"
"...Then why!"
"You're going to the divine realm for Rian, obviously. I don't know what you'll do there regarding him. But one thing's certain: if you harbored feelings for him, shouldn't you mourn his death?"
"...You!"
She screamed without thinking. She had to calm down. Her mind understood, but her body and heart refused. She had no time for this. Honestly, she wanted to purge everyone blocking her right here. But reality wouldn't allow it, and they were innocent. She hated herself for being swayed by petty emotions. But for Rian, she'd thought it didn't matter, even if just for a moment...
Disgusting.
They're at least comrades—why am I thinking like this?
Shhhk— Something burrowed in. She didn't know it then. That it was the curse Belzebub had planted in her.
Uba planted his feet firmly and stood tall.
"Lea, calm down. Rian was greater than anyone. Even if he was a damn idiot, he was my friend! I, a warrior of Kalia Rune, acknowledge him!"
"...What are you trying to say?"
"Let's make his grave together. We need you there. He'd be sad watching from heaven without you."
"...Rian isn't dead. I can meet him..."
It was escapism. Or maybe a bit realistic. If things went well in the divine realm, she could truly meet him. Though it might take decades, centuries, millennia—who knew. It didn't matter. She'd find him eventually.
"Running from reality won't help. You know magitech took my and Mio's parents? We've all tried escaping it."
"I know."
"It never ended well for us. Rian was the one who accepted us. He's our savior. And the man you loved!"
"What the hell do you want me to do!"
"...Let's make his grave and hold the funeral with everyone. That's the respect a warrior deserves, I think."
Uba said sadly. Red blood trickled from between his lips. He was holding back as hard as he could. Losing a friend hit harder than losing his parents. Unexpected emotions tangled like a melody. Uba was fighting back tears.
"...Uba."
Rian's words echoed in her mind.
—That guy Uba still thinks men only cry three times in their lives? He's so damn cute every time. Haha.
Uba was an idiot. His innocence, still believing stories from years ago—it was better than her own shaken state right after Rian's death, unable to think straight. He hadn't changed a bit.
"...So, Lea, I won't stop you from going to the divine realm. But can't you stay with us for at least a week?"
"You idiot. What does that make me?"
"Haha. I get you. I've seen your face by Rian's side more than anyone. You haven't changed. It's natural to be angry."
Because until moments ago, they'd laughed despite the pain. Talked. Hunted. Sparred. Slept in the same lodging, played outside.
"You're you, Lea. We understand."
"...You convincing me? Did you eat something bad?"
"With Rian gone, I'm the leader now."
Abel bristled at that.
"...I'm the leader."
"Abel! You can't beat me."
"Let's settle it."
"...Rian first!"
"After we bury Rian."
She must have smiled at that. ...Though the whirlwind in her heart raged on.
After Rian's funeral, everyone left the grave. They trudged through the frozen wasteland. Northern Winterer. The land guarded by the Valenos family under the Spirit King's blessing. Among the continents managed by the Pentagon empire, this had the thickest mana concentration. Uba's persistent insistence—"Even in death, let him cast magic freely"—had settled it here. It wasn't far from Albrin Forest, Abel's home—perfect.
And.
"...Rian."
When everyone was gone, she tweaked the ritual slightly. If reincarnated Rian came here someday. If so, he'd bear the hero's seal. Blessings from gods and angels imprinted on the soul. She barred everyone else's entry. Even magic-savvy Mio couldn't pass; she mixed in her own blood. No pangs of conscience. ...She just wanted to meet him alone again, if possible.
She soared into the lofty sky. The ambiguous space between atmosphere and gravity. There, she tore open the rift and blew the trumpet. Her body moved on instinct. Becoming an angel had revealed the path to the divine realm. The heavens parted, and countless angels welcomed her. As if anticipated, the god of fate's minions sincerely greeted the saintess's arrival. Her vision drowned in radiant light. Thus, she stood boldly before the god of fate.
"...I have a request."
She barely remembered. What she and her spoke of that day. But one thing was certain: the god of fate, [Persia], cherished her. Truly loved her demigod self and supported their battles thus far. She just couldn't interfere. She embraced her and apologized sincerely. Whatever—how much she cared wasn't Lea's concern. She just wanted.
"Please let me meet Rian again."
Rian's reincarnation. But altering one's fate was burdensome even for her. To carry memories through death into another life. A curse to some, a blessing to others. She was sorry for burdening Rian with such a mission. She had to apologize. And to do that, she had to meet him. Vast chains of time stretched somewhere, binding a soul. He couldn't shake them; he'd repeat eternal lives.
"I'm sorry."
But she had no choice.
"Let's meet again, Rian."
A thousand years later. Snowfall, capital of northern Winterer. A small nearby village. In a village near the great knight's tomb by fateful design, a baby was born. The sky cracked open, shocking everyone. A clear sky where only snow had been visible—grounds for fainting. The mother, who birthed in secret from prying eyes, had gray hair. She gazed at the child with the saddest, most piteous eyes. Beside her, a man wept.
Isabel Dragnik. Eldest daughter of the imperial family, wife of Cassian Valenos. Gasping faintly, she forced her mouth open.
"...Sister Isabel."
"It's Cassian's child. Heh, looks just like him, right?"
"...Please. Don't. If even you leave, I...!"
"Don't cry, Kadan. Cassian wouldn't want that."
"But...!"
Arrows riddled her body; survival was slim. He knew, but had no way to save her. A coup against the incompetent emperor. He'd wielded his sword and raised ice barriers to protect her. To keep the bastards out. His sister-in-law bled profusely.
"Tell Father I was happy. And entrust this child to you."
"Yes... I'll tell His Majesty clearly. That you rested peacefully..."
"I'm counting on you. That's my Kadan. You've grown so strong..."
"Haha... Treating me like a kid to the end?"
She hugged the baby. Stroked him lovingly. Felt the warmth she'd never feel again.
"Take good care of our Rowen..."
She stopped breathing. Her heart stilled. Was it a sin to catch the traitors' eyes? She said nothing. Just quietly felt her remaining warmth. Swallowed his tears and buried her beside Cassian's grave. All he could do was mourn the dead.
Kadan Valenos, grief-stricken, cradled the child. The offspring of his irreplaceable brother and sister-in-law.
"...From today, you're my son. Rowen."
The child who inherited his parents' strength.
"So please, live a happy life. That's my wish."
Thus, the boy became the illegitimate son of the Valenos family.