Chapter 60
Chapter 60
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: A Tomb for the Living
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Chapter 60
The divine beast, in its true form, was magnificent.
Its overall shape and long snout were reminiscent of a wolf, but its hill-sized body, the mane running down its back, its pure white fur that glittered in the sunlight, and the purple horn sprouting from its head all contributed to its mystical aura.
“…Divine Beast! How could you give the egg to an outsider!”
《What is wrong with entrusting it to the good soul who helped me?》
The telepathy was similar to Vestla’s, yet subtly different.
“But…!”
《Enough. Because of this incident, I must enter a long slumber, and I have chosen him as its guardian for that time.》
“Then what about us elves…”
《Seeing your response to this incident… I am somewhat skeptical about entrusting my protection to the elves.》
“That is…”
Natasha bit her lip at the divine beast’s reply.
Even in her eyes, the elves’ handling of the situation had been nothing short of disappointing.
‘If the Reinhardts hadn’t provided support…’
She hastily erased the thought of what might have followed.
《He purified me, drove away the wicked things, and protected the forest. Therefore, he is more than qualified.》
At the divine beast’s firm response, Natasha glanced once at Julius before replying with a shameful expression.
“…Even if we can do nothing about the egg, we will protect you while you sleep.”
The divine beast stared at her for a moment before nodding.
《I will leave it to you.》
Natasha let out a sigh of relief at its answer.
Having finished its reply, the divine beast ignored her and handed the egg to Julius.
《It is thanks to you that I was able to avoid corruption. I cannot call this a reward, but if you would become this child’s guardian…》
“Yes, I will! I will absolutely become the young beast’s guardian.”
Julius nodded without a moment’s hesitation.
[Stop the black mages trying to corrupt the divine beast and save it within the time limit! (Complete)]
[Reward: Favor of the Divine Beast, ???]
‘Damn, the question mark reward is the divine beast’s egg?’ He recalled a supporting character from the original story who had controlled the divine sea dragon.
Its terrifyingly immense power and its ability to create tidal waves.
‘I must have it.’
If he could just get this, it would be a net gain even if he hadn’t been able to enhance his ‘Rainbow Mystic Eyes’ with the beast’s power.
《I will be in your care. And…》
The divine beast, which had been gazing at Julius with warm eyes, turned its head toward Allen.
The moment the beast’s eyes fell upon her, Vestla moved of her own accord, floating in front of Allen. Fearing someone might see, Allen quickly snatched the sword’s hilt.
“Who do you think you’re looking at? I called dibs on him, you know.”
He couldn’t read the divine beast’s expression exactly… but it was probably giving a wry smile.
《As for you… you already have a path you walk, so I shall give you this instead.》
“Divine Beast, that is…!”
*Snap—*
The remaining elves cried out in surprise, but the divine beast, seemingly unconcerned, broke off its single horn and blew on it.
《Do not resist. I mean you no harm.》
The purple horn instantly turned to dust and flew toward Allen.
‘Should I dodge?’
No, it wouldn’t repay kindness with malice.
Tense, Allen inhaled the purple dust that rode the breath.
The moment the dust was absorbed into his body through his breath.
“…This is!”
His senses expanded.
Not the turbulent mana within his core, but external mana began to circulate around his body like a wave.
The external mana naturally yielded to the will embedded in his extended perception. Allen realized he could now synchronize it with his internal mana at any time to use magic freely.
“Wow… a giant’s body and a dragon’s heart. And now the empathy of a mythical beast? You’re practically a chimera.”
It was a new sensation, a blessing.
But he had only a moment to savor it before his five senses suddenly amplified, and an immense pain washed over him.
“Allen, Allen? What’s wrong! Hey! What is this…!”
His vision expanded wildly, making his head spin.
The sound of a falling leaf struck his ears like thunder, and the air he drew in was a nauseating mix of countless smells.
The passing wind stung his skin as if he were being cut by a knife, and his tongue, overwhelmed by the heightened sensitivity, could taste nothing at all.
“Ugh…!”
With the five senses that supported his body in disarray, Allen’s face turned pale.
《Oh dear, it seems it was too soon.》
As if it hadn’t expected this, the divine beast blew another breath, and Allen inhaled a different, turquoise-colored wisp of air.
“Kh, hoo…”
After taking several breaths, Allen felt a sense of relief as his senses returned to normal.
‘Senses beyond a certain point are more of a curse.’
The divine beast apologized with a somber look, as if it felt sorry.
《My apologies. It was not intentional, so please forgive me.》
“It’s alright. I know it wasn’t on purpose.”
《I have sealed the empathy for now. I have arranged it so that you can use it when you are able to handle it, so something like this will not happen again.》
Just as the divine beast said, when he slowly tried to recall the sensation, he could feel his five senses sharpening slightly.
Just to the limit of what he could handle.
‘Still, it’s several times my normal senses…’
He couldn’t begin to imagine how much it would contribute to his strength if used well.
Allen smiled and offered his thanks.
The slightly peculiar expression on Julius’s joyful face was irksome, but he had expected it to some degree, so he wasn’t flustered.
‘If anything, I’m the one who got something unexpected…’
He had only intended to find traces of his brother through the divine beast’s trial, never thinking he would receive such a reward.
The divine beast then tried to offer a blessing to the Knight Commander, who had returned after completing his search. However, he refused, saying he did not wish for even a single impurity to mix with him.
The elves were more surprised by his reaction than anyone.
“My apologies, Divine Beast.”
But the Knight Commander did not bend his will.
Normally, the elves would have decried his arrogance, but perhaps because of the help they received, they respected his choice.
By now, Inellia, having finished the task Allen had given her, stood by his side.
“…Thank you, my lord.”
“Not at all, Princess Natasha. I only hope that our relationship can be restored.”
“I will do my best to resolve that matter favorably.”
“Then, we will be on our way.”
With a final farewell to the elves, Allen left the Forest of the Divine Beast.
Julius stole one last, lingering glance at Natasha’s retreating back, while Camilla stared at Julius, her mind seemingly made up.
“Well then…”
Allen watched Inellia ask a series of questions to a changed Linbelle, then shouted.
“We return to the estate!”
It was time to go back to the manor.
And.
‘Just a few more months now…’
The time to head to the academy had finally come.
***
A gravestone is erected for the dead.
But the dead have no need for a gravestone.
A gravestone is for the living.
For the living to mourn the dead, for the living to remember.
In that case, for whom is a gravestone for the living?
“Young Master Julius, happy birthday!”
“I’ve heard of your heroic deeds in the forest! I was told it was truly incredible…”
*Patter—*
Allen walked alone down a dark corridor.
Outside, a thick rain was pouring down. Black clouds greedily devoured the light in the sky.
“Young Master, with a jewel carved in our domain…”
“Unsure of what Lord Julius might like, I brought a wine from 200 years ago…”
The boisterous sounds from the banquet hall felt distant.
In the dark corridor, there was no one but Allen.
“Oh, could that egg by your side be the one from the rumors…”
“The stories of how Young Master Julius has changed are truly astonishing…”
And in the place he was heading to.
“Hahaha, thank you all very much.”
Nine days had already passed since their return from the Forest of the Divine Beast.
In that time, rumors had spread, and the events in the forest had become known throughout the vicinity, piquing the interest of many nobles.
“I would like to thank everyone who has attended the banquet to celebrate my birthday.”
So much so that they attended an invitation from a family they had long ignored, using Julius’s birthday as a pretext.
“As we greet the end of this year, I pray for your well-being in the new year, and may you always have good…”
Their purpose wasn’t purely to celebrate a birthday, but that didn’t matter.
The family’s goal was likely to announce its continued strength.
The garden, which he hadn’t visited in a long time, was still filled with flowers in full bloom.
A damp wind brushed against his face, and in a corner of the familiar path, there it was.
A small stone cairn.
He had built it himself right after he regressed, and it was a place he visited whenever he was at the manor.
But perhaps it was due to the strong wind.
“…It’s collapsed.”
Allen knelt on one knee. He didn’t care that the dirt stained his clothes.
“……”
He then began to slowly stack the stones again. Moss clung to the pebbles half-buried in the soft earth, giving off a fishy smell.
What meaning did this act hold?
Allen smiled bitterly and dismissed the thought that rose from within. Before long, the stone cairn was rebuilt.
“…There isn’t much time left to see this, is there.”
Crooked. Allen stared wistfully at the cairn, which looked as if it could collapse at any moment.
It had no name.
There was no body, no memento.
Not even a last word.
“Julius.”
It was just an empty cry, devoid of intent, meaning, or value.
It was only to remember him, the one who lingered in his memory.
Even though it was an act of pure self-satisfaction, Allen—I—spoke as if I were truly talking to my brother.
“…My dear brother.”
This wasn’t my real brother’s grave.
He didn’t think his lost brother was dead, nor had he given up on finding him.
Nevertheless, Allen opened his mouth. He couldn’t stop speaking.
“So much time has passed already.”
I saw you in a forgotten dream.
“Many things have happened. There were new resolutions and things I came to realize once more.”
He didn’t know if it was real or fake. Or perhaps a vision from the trial.
“Are you well? You must be. I don’t remember… but that’s just like you.”
Perhaps it was just a terrible delusion.
“Many distinguished guests have come this time.”
Even so, even then.
“Today is your birthday, isn’t it?”
Wouldn’t it be a little unfair if not a single person genuinely sent you their congratulations?
“So this is a gift.”
He uncorked the bottle of wine he was holding.
“It’s your favorite. I hope you’re satisfied.”
Allen forced the corners of his mouth into a smile.
Perhaps because he had been outside for a while, the drop of water that fell on his face felt a little warm.
“To Lord Julius’s sixteenth birthday!”
“To his birthday!”
Behind the gurgling wine, the voices from the banquet hall spread like ripples.
The spilled wine mixed with the raindrops and seeped between the stones of the cairn.
“Waaaaah!! Congratulations!”
Allen savored the cheers that brushed past his ears and opened his mouth.
“Julius.”
I believe you are alive. Always, and forever.
“Your sixteenth birthday, I sincerely…”
So, please…
“Congratulations.”
May I find you before I kill that bastard.
He wished it with all his heart.
*-Rustle*
Just then, he heard a sound.
The sound of hurried footsteps. Allen’s eyes turned coldly toward the source of the noise.
The second-floor window corridor of the manor.
Allen brushed the raindrops from his face and activated his perception. A dark figure was moving swiftly.
‘Who is it? The Knight Commander? Inellia or Linbelle?’
It could even be one of the guests who had come to the estate.
But whoever it was, they disappeared into the banquet hall a step ahead, before Allen’s perception could reach them.
Allen stopped his perception, which had extended right to the edge of the banquet hall.
“…A step too late.”
Carelessly probing the bodies of nobles was a great discourtesy.
And the escorts they each brought with them would never allow their masters to be freely inspected, so he had to stop here.
“Hoo…”
Allen rose to his feet.
It was time to go back to being his usual self.
The self who always showed a perfect appearance, full of composure.
As the First Young Master of the Reinhardt family.
Beneath the ash-colored sky, the gray stone pile was washed away by the fierce rain.
The stone pile for Allen.
***
Time flowed like a river.
The winter that had painted the world white passed, and spring, a time for new life to sprout, began to approach.
Allen met with Acandus, who had finished reorganizing his group and entered the city.
“…It took a little longer to organize the group. My apologies.”
The Acandus he met again was different from before.
Unlike his previous drunken state, he wore a neat uniform, his intelligent eyes were clear, and he bowed his head with a disciplined posture.
“Your attitude is quite different from before.”
“You are my master in name, so shouldn’t we separate the public from the private?”
Even so, he added another word.
“…If you don’t want to get bitten by a mad dog, that is.”
Allen chuckled at that.
Inellia, who was with them, shot him a displeased look, but Acandus simply snorted as if to say ‘so what’ and paid her no mind.
Allen certainly thought this suited him better.
‘Better than him hiding his intentions while completely bowing down.’
“So…”
Acandus lifted his bowed head.
“What would you have us do?”
Allen repeated the story he had told Soned and Karic.
That illegal black market dealings had been occurring in the territory recently, and that they were so secretive it was difficult to catch them.
“You can get the detailed information from the two men you’ll be working with.”
“Understood.”
Acandus nodded obediently.
He had expected to be assigned such odd jobs. It would be stranger to leave the manpower he had gathered idle.
“And… the most important thing you have to do is gather people.”
“People, you say.”
When Acandus showed his puzzlement, Allen spoke lightly.
“It’s something you’re used to doing.”
“That is…”
“You’re good at gathering those who hold a grudge against Julius, aren’t you?”
Did he sense something in Allen’s words? Acandus’s expression stiffened.
“May I ask what you intend to use them for…”
Was he perhaps worried that they would suffer the same fate as Julius again?
‘Or… he could be trying to gauge how we’ll be used based on their treatment.’
Acandus was clever enough to try and deceive him to his face.
But whatever he was thinking, Allen waved his hand and replied.
“Just do as you normally do. If you find people who have been harmed because of Julius, help them.”
Assign people to the right places and train them accordingly.
“You all just need to wait for the right time.”
“The right time, you say…?”
“Yes.”
He had no intention of using them as a fighting force.
“Think of it as preparation for the future.”
“…I understand.”
Acandus still couldn’t fully grasp Allen’s intentions, but he nodded.
Since it seemed Allen had no intention of telling him, it was better to just carry out his orders.
“In that case, what should the name of our new organization be…”
“You can deci—”
“Wait a minute!”
*Flinch—*
“I’ll decide the name! Let me decide!”
When Allen stopped talking, Acandus showed a look of confusion.
“Is something wrong…?”
“No, a good name just came to mind.”
At Allen’s words, Acandus readily nodded.
“Ah, is that so? Then what name…”
“Let’s go with Sköll! Sköll!”
“Sköll would be good.”
“Squall… a wind that blows suddenly and then stops… It seems a fitting name for our situation.”
Acandus immediately agreed, finding Allen’s—or rather, Vestla’s—naming sense to be decent.
“We will go with that name.”
“Rest this week, and start work next week. I’ll introduce you to the two you’ll be working with soon.”
“Thank you.”
Three days after his conversation with Acandus ended, Soned and Karic made contact.
After having them meet with Acandus, Allen called them aside separately and spoke.
“What about my request, are the preparations complete?”
Before heading to the Forest of the Divine Beast, he had sent them a secret message.
“Yes, we had the items in storage, so the preparations were completed smoothly.”
“In that case…”
Allen looked at the manor where Julius was likely staying with a smile on his face.
“Proceed as planned.”