Chapter 143
Chapter 143
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 143
Chapter Title: Spirits of the Heroic Tombs (3)
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“What? You let them escape? Didn’t we deploy ballistae too?”
“It’s just that the resistance from the one in platinum armor was so fierce...!”
“You incompetent fools!!”
The Blue-Black Captain’s head throbbed for a moment.
This was a siege net that had pulled in not only the Holy Demon Church but even the remnants of the old Church Dragon Society.
To think it failed to function properly and let the targets slip away—how could he not be furious?
‘If Lord Arct finds out, my head will roll...!’
Arct was infamous among the Nine Seals for his icy temperament.
Just as he had unhesitatingly wiped out the Crimson White Mercenary Corps, there was no law saying he wouldn’t do the same to the Blue-Black Corps.
“Heh heh. It seems things aren’t going according to plan for you.”
At that moment, an old man approached the Blue-Black Captain with a chuckle.
The Blue-Black troops flinched in surprise and stepped back.
It was because a bishop of the Holy Demon Church had appeared, clad in their ritual robes and black冠.
The ranks of the Holy Demon Church went from Apostle → Cardinal → Archbishop → Bishop → District Leader → Blood Priest, a total of six levels, and this bishop held a mid-tier position, exuding no small aura of authority.
Bishop Kali.
He was the one in charge of commanding the Holy Demon Church’s forces in this raid.
‘Of all people.’
The Blue-Black Captain grimaced but made no retort.
Snapping back at him here would only give the man leverage.
“If the Prophet child and that vanished Ragnar bastard actually head to the ‘true’ heroic tomb, how do you plan to take responsibility?”
“......”
Arct and the Blue-Black Corps needed Cassandra not just for her prophetic ability.
It was to locate the ‘true heroic tomb’ where Ragnar had buried his 299 suicide squad members.
That was where the treasure ‘His’ revered lord had long coveted was hidden.
‘The Sword Herald of the Old Chosen One.’
The relic of that now-legendary figure remained there.
Another legend that even few in Ragnar knew of.
The true mission of Odd, the Tulip Fireworks Guild Master, was to guard that very tomb.
“Don’t forget. We of the Holy Demon Church are just as desperate to find it. Without the Prophet child, even we can’t pursue the traces our god left behind. That place could become a holy site—this I tell you!”
Additionally, the 299 suicide squad that halted the advance of the [Nameless Sovereign] were blood enemies to the Holy Demon Church, yet also key clues to their god’s resurrection.
That was one reason the Holy Demon Church had dared to ally with the godless Troyvan faction.
The Blue-Black Captain ground his teeth and turned his head away.
Rumble! Crash!
Where his gaze landed.
Two beams of different lights intertwined in a hemispherical dome, unleashing a cataclysm.
The Dragon Rider and Arct, two superhumans, had flung open their domains and were clashing.
Once that space closed, the fight would end.
So before then, they had to somehow find the hidden ones.
“Relay this to ‘Alpha.’”
In the end, the Blue-Black Captain turned to his subordinate and played his final hidden card.
One he hadn’t wanted to unveil lightly.
The dagger planted in the enemy’s heart.
“Even if your identity is exposed, finish the job somehow.”
* * *
[Congratulations! You have successfully escorted the Prophet Who Peers Into Time to safety, completing Scenario Quest #4 without issue.]
[Rating: S]
[As a reward, a clue to [Secret of Time] will be provided soon.]
[Additional reward: Channeling with Lordbrok strengthened.]
Theo’s eyes widened at the messages floating before him.
This place was safe?
And what caught Theo’s eye even more was the additional reward: ‘Channeling with Lordbrok.’
Sure enough.
『Heh heh. While I was digesting Leviathan’s heart, you ended up in quite the interesting spot.』
‘Can we communicate now, Lordbrok?’
『Communication has been possible ever since you awakened your dragon blood. I just blocked it temporarily to focus on digestion. More importantly.』
Lordbrok chuckled ambiguously.
『Still calling me Lordbrok this and Lordbrok that. So cold from my so-called partner.』
‘......What should I call you, then?’
『Lodi. Isn’t that just adorable?』
It was a nickname fit for some child’s doll.
It didn’t suit the massive, majestic... Lordbrok at all.
『What? Got a problem?』
‘No, it suits you perfectly!’
『Right?』
‘Yes! Absolutely! How did you come up with such a perfect name?’
『Heh heh heh! Stuck in this cave, there’s not much else to do!』
Theo played along with Lordbrok’s banter and subtly slipped in a question.
He sensed a hint of longing in Lordbrok’s voice.
‘Do you know where this is?’
『Of course. It’s where my old partner and his comrades are buried.』
‘Ah.’
Only then did Theo recall that the coffins here held those who opposed the [Nameless Sovereign].
So it wouldn’t be strange if one of them was the [Chosen One].
『But I didn’t expect their spirits to linger so vividly like this.』
Lordbrok borrowed Theo’s eyes to look at the ghosts sitting on coffins or gathered in clusters, then let out a hollow laugh.
-Whoa, he can really see us.
-No way. No way!
-A living person. We can talk to a living person! Hooray! Finally someone other than these boring guys! Hooray!
-Hey, we’re sick of your ugly mug too, you know? But he’s a guy too?
-Still, there are two ladies right next to him!
They were so chatty, it was hard to believe they were Ragnar swordsmen.
‘The solemn atmosphere is totally ruined.’
『......I regret the tears I shed, moved by their noble spirits who sacrificed for the world back then. They’re not little girls giggling at tumbling leaves or anything. Geez.』
It was while Lordbrok grumbled.
“What’re you standing around staring at?”
Odd was looking at Theo with a sour face.
It was natural for her, unaware of Theo’s situation.
Theo said it was nothing and followed behind Odd.
“Your comrades are all resting over there, so go join them.”
-Oh, heading that way.
-The young man the tomb keeper brought is their friend? Great. Was getting bored. Let’s go see.
-But did he really make eye contact with us? He’s not even looking now.
-That’s why we’re checking. So, you going or not?
-Of course!
“Yes. Thank you.”
“And keep this in mind. This is where the ancient spirits rest. Don’t do anything noisy that could be disrespectful.”
-Sure. We’re spirits, after all. Nice nap, tomb keeper.
-But isn’t chatting fine? It’s boring if it’s too quiet!
“Yes. I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Then wait here. I’m going to check outside.”
Murmur murmur.
Whisper whisper.
Theo forcibly suppressed his growing headache and headed toward Selphard and the others.
‘Guess I’ll have to keep pretending not to notice.’
『Agreed.』
Kyaaak!
Theo stroked Umbra’s head as it pounced, whining about why he was so late, then bowed to Selphard.
“You’ve all worked hard.”
“What’re you talking about? The hard work was yours. You were flying all over the place.”
“It was thanks to the items.”
“Hey hey, too much humility is bad luck. Just act like a Ragnar. Don’t make it awkward.”
Theo scratched his cheek with an awkward smile.
“Anyway, once we get back, I’ll push that proposal to promote you to senior swordsman.”
Theo’s eyes lit up.
Promotion.
Always a pleasant word to hear.
“You think it’ll go through?”
“Your skills are solid now. What’s needed is official recognition...”
Ragnar’s rank system prioritized ability, but that was just a prerequisite—various additional conditions were required.
Especially from senior swordsman upward, as it involved leading solo operations and effectively commanding subordinates, the procedures were no joke.
“Well, with the Bu-yu Army Autonomous Territory issue and this rescue op, you’ve probably racked up enough points. We’ll know after the report.”
“I’d appreciate it.”
“Yeah. I’d love to see my junior succeed...!”
Selphard trailed off, narrowing his eyes.
“Or maybe not? If my junior gets too ahead, I’ll get jealous. Might raise his nose too high—maybe let him taste society’s bitterness first?”
Theo let out a light chuckle watching Selphard teasingly spout insincere lines.
Being around Selphard was certainly never boring.
‘Cassandra must be exhausted.’
Then he spotted Cassandra, soundly asleep with her head pillowed on Arin’s lap, and gave a wry smile.
Pushing through days of forced marches in her frail condition must have worn her out.
As he stroked her hair with pity.
Poke poke.
-Hey, young man.
A hand poked Theo’s side from nearby.
-Can’t you hear us?
“......”
-Hmm, been calling for a bit, no response.
-Was the eye contact just coincidence?
-No, it was real. Driving me crazy.
-Ah, maybe he’s ignoring us on purpose?
-Us? Why?
-Who knows?
-Ghost phobia or something we’ve only heard of? Too bad for such a handsome guy.
A suicide squad boasting skills even Lordbrok acknowledged.
Talking with them could yield valuable insights.
Especially ancient swordsmanship, which Theo coveted.
But their personalities were the problem.
Trapped here for centuries with their consciousness intact, they’d turned out like this.
Once swept up in their chatter, it was impossible to regain composure.
『What’ll you do? Keep ignoring them?』
‘Yeah.’
Theo gave a wry smile and deftly changed the subject.
‘More importantly, Lordbrok.’
『Lodi.』
‘......Sorry. Yes, Lodi. Do you know anything about the [Secret of Time]?’
『Hm? That’s too vague. You mean info related to the Chosen One’s regression?』
Theo instinctively realized that how he approached the [Secret of Time] reward would greatly affect the information gained.
‘Do you know the imperial family has had the ability to foresee the future for generations?’
『[Prophetic Gift]. That what you mean? Why? Met a kid with that gift?』
Theo turned his gaze to the sleeping Cassandra.
『That child, huh. And blind too? Perfect conditions for an exceptional gift.』
‘Perfect conditions?’
『From ancient times, children born with superior gifts—especially ‘divine’ ones—tend to have disabilities. Gods themselves are flawed in one or two ways to begin with.』
The lame blacksmith god.
The one-eyed sky god.
The love-incapable god of art.
The berserk god of battle...
The gods in the pantheon are all born with such <Deficiencies>.
『Blind, unable to see ahead but peering into the future. Contradiction breeds geas. The heavier the burden, the brighter the gift shines.』
Meaning Cassandra’s prophetic ability was extraordinary.
Theo nodded.
The Archmage Empress’s power was hailed as the greatest among emperors.
‘But is prophecy actually possible?’
『Why think that?』
‘If the future is ‘fixed’...!’
『Fatalism, huh. So you wonder what’s the point of regression then?』
‘Yes.’
Theo nodded gravely, and Lordbrok chuckled lightly.
『Truth is, the future that child sees isn’t the real future.』
‘Then?’
『It’s closer to ‘possibility.’ A fragmentary glimpse of the most probable outcome in causality. Based on past ‘data.’』
Data?
『The Prophetic Gift differs slightly from what you call <Foresight>. It’s like glimpsing vestiges of data from a discarded old universe that ‘never was.’』
Hard-to-grasp words, one after another.
But Theo, who had reincarnated before regressing—with fragments of ‘Earth’ memory—had a hunch.
‘You don’t mean...!’
『Humans usually see time as an infinitely extending [Straight Line], right? But no.』
Lordbrok laughed, amused by Theo’s reaction.
『Time is a <circle>. It cycles infinitely. Like the uroboros serpent endlessly chasing its tail.』
Strength crept into Lordbrok’s voice.
『This world too, partner, undergoes infinite <regression> like you.』
‘......!’
[Successfully obtained partial information on [Secret of Time] from Lordbrok.]
[A new quest begins.]
[Quest received.]
+
[Scenario Quest #6]
Using the recently acquired information on [Secret of Time], delve deeper into Cassandra’s gift to uncover the [Secret of Regression].
· Difficulty: S
· Reward: ■■Regression Ability
· On Failure: Death
+
Theo stared at the quest, unable to collect his thoughts.
But right now, there was something more urgently needing confirmation.
‘Lodi, if time cycles infinitely in a <circle> as you say... then who—or what—rewinds it to the origin?’
『Seems you’ve already guessed.』
Theo’s face hardened.
‘That entity... is the [Nameless Sovereign]?’
How the Illegitimate Son of the Return Sword Family Lives