Chapter 205: The Legacy of Witch Heluram (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 205: The Legacy of Witch Heluram (1)
Southern Schuteron, Vanessa’s house.
It was the very same rural village that had been burned to ashes by a fire dragon long ago.
The land, rendered so barren it couldn't even be used for slash-and-burn farming, had long been abandoned by the Kingdom of Schuteron. Vanessa’s house stood alone in the middle of the vast, empty plains.
“You have a knack for surprises, Patriarch. First the letter, and now an unannounced visit.”
Vanessa spoke as she opened the weathered wooden door.
Cyron was sitting in the middle of the cramped room. Vanessa shrugged and took a seat across from him.
“It’s nothing compared to how much you surprised me back in your prime.”
A freshly brewed teapot sat on the table. Trickle… Cyron tilted the pot and filled Vanessa’s cup.
“Khan must be running himself ragged. I can practically see him brewing this and then quietly disappearing. Why don't you try brewing the tea yourself for once?”
“I shall take it into consideration.”
“Well, the fellow does have a knack for steeping it perfectly.”
Slurp. The two took a moment to savor the aroma of the tea.
‘He looks just like any other father, eager to brag about his child.’
Nearly half a century had passed since she became Cyron’s knight, but Vanessa had never seen this side of him before.
“So, how was the youngest?”
“My first impression was good. He seems to have many capable comrades as well.”
“That is not what I was asking.”
Could he hold his own against me? That was what he meant. Vanessa knew this but deliberately dodged the question.
“Heehee, it seems even you are finally showing your age. To think you would be this anxious.”
“I suppose it might look that way.”
“Jin Runcandel—that boy is more than sufficient. He is capable of exchanging a blow with you.”
The corners of Cyron’s mouth twitched upward ever so slightly.
“That is why I handed over the map.”
“I didn't expect you to go as far as giving him that.”
“Has your slyness increased as well? I imagine you knew exactly how this would turn out.”
Instead of answering, Cyron let out a hearty laugh.
“If you still held any lingering regrets regarding Luna, the boy would never have received that map.”
A bittersweet smile spread across Vanessa’s lips.
The map she gave to Jin had originally been created for Luna.
The moment Cyron had accidentally discovered that monster while mapping the entire Black Sea, he had set it aside, intending to give it to Luna as a gift one day.
“There was a time when everyone—you, all the Black Knights—placed their hopes in that girl. If we had just paid a little more attention, she wouldn't have given up. By now, she would have grasped everything in Runcandel. We could have focused solely on our own duties.”
“Are you trying to rebuke me, Vanessa?”
“No, I want to rebuke myself and my comrades. Of the countless missions the Black Knights undertook back then, the only one that ended in failure was failing to look after Luna properly.”
“How could that be your fault? It is the mistake of Rosa and myself.”
“Therefore, I intend to watch over Jin’s back so he doesn't end up like Luna. Joshua is being quite a troublemaker, after all. It seems he’s keeping a close eye on Jin and preparing various schemes.”
Cyron shook his head.
“If he were a lad who needed nursing, I wouldn't have taken an interest in him in the first place. Do not provide direct help; simply observe. If he cannot pacify the family on his own, he cannot dream of fighting our true enemies.”
“…What will you do if he ends up like Luna anyway? Do you truly believe Jin will be able to handle Joshua’s faction when he returns to the family? No, I wonder if he’ll even be able to return safely at all.”
“Isn't that why you gave him the map?”
Vanessa chuckled as she mulled over Cyron’s words. She found his specific warning against offering ‘direct’ help particularly amusing.
“I understand your intent. Since you’re already here, why not stay for a drink? Tuben is staying nearby, so I’ll give him a call.”
“Tuben… It’s been a few years since I’ve seen his face.”
*
Jin and his comrades were sitting in the meeting room, looking over the map Vanessa had given them.
“…So it was possible to map the Black Sea after all. I’d heard that no one had ever attempted it because monsters pour out like a flood and most areas are filled with toxic miasma.”
Just as Casimir said, no nation or organization had ever attempted to map the Black Sea. It was a task that even the Zipple were said to be unable to fathom.
At least, that was what the public believed. Thus, the comrades couldn't help but be awestruck by the map before them. While everyone thought it impossible, Runcandel had already completed it.
Navigating the Black Sea without a map was possible, to an extent. A ‘path’ of sorts had naturally formed from the entrance to the central region due to Cyron's repeated travels.
Therefore, as long as one could fight off the ceaseless waves of monsters, anyone could reach the central region of the Black Sea.
“This map must be steeped in the blood, sweat, and years of the former Black Knights. It was also most likely produced in absolute secrecy within the family, Young Master. As far as I know, the current generation of Guardian Knights has almost never been sent on missions to the Black Sea,” Gilly said.
“You’re right, Gilly. I’m told it’s a mission known only to my father, the former Black Knights, my mother, and a few Elders. It’s information not even permitted to the Flagbearers.”
“Hmm, so that’s why the kid’s father was always in the Black Sea. And a monster raised by Heluram, no less,” Murakan mused.
Heluram.
She was a mage who had been the lover of the Beast Demon King Orgal, and among mages, she was called the ‘Godmother of Dark Magic’ or simply the ‘Witch.’
While dark magic was now lost or forbidden, descriptions of the spells she used were not difficult to find in history books.
On the other hand, historians labeled Heluram as a ‘Great Disaster.’ This was because every history book in the world describing her was filled with records of destruction and massacre.
Whenever she appeared, a massive tragedy inevitably struck the world.
Starting from fifteen hundred years ago, when a mysterious plague called the ‘Madness Disease’ devastated the Western Continent, to the Descent of the Demon God twelve hundred years ago, the Great Explosion of the Northern Continent a thousand years ago, and the Stillbirth Incident seven hundred years ago.
The disasters suspected to have been caused by Heluram were numerous. Many questioned whether such disasters could truly be intentionally triggered by a single human.
However, after people witnessed Heluram summoning Demon Kings before their very eyes during the Holy Kingdom Defense War five hundred years ago, such debates ceased to exist.
Instead, a new debate arose in academic circles: whether ‘Heluram’ was a single individual or a group of mages using the same name.
Naturally, most scholars argued for the latter. It was only logical, given that her estimated period of activity easily exceeded fifteen hundred years.
“Won’t that woman retaliate if we mess with it? I feel a bit uneasy,” Quicantel said.
When she spoke, all the comrades except Murakan widened their eyes. First, they had never imagined the words ‘uneasy’ or ‘afraid of retaliation’ coming out of Quicantel’s mouth.
Second, she spoke as if Heluram were a single individual.
“Does ‘Witch Heluram’ refer to an individual rather than a group?” Enya asked.
Quicantel nodded. “Yes, she is one person. That woman is a half-demon. She looks almost exactly like a human, but her lifespan is the same as a demon’s.”
This was something Jin already knew. His master from his previous life, Valeria, had met Heluram once and had told Jin a few facts she learned then.
“Furthermore, her very existence is a curse,” Quicantel continued. “She is the only being who receives the undivided love of all sorts of evil gods and gods of misfortune. Even the gods generally avoid looking for contractors when Heluram is awake. When the Beast Demon King Orgal stayed with her while enduring all of Heluram’s curses, even the dragons sang his praises.”
“My goodness… then all those great disasters I read about in my textbooks, the ones suspected to be caused by Heluram, were actually true?” Startled by Quicantel’s explanation, Enya covered her mouth.
“Yeah, they’re true, Superfan. It’s a fact known to dragons. Hmm, a monster. A monster raised by Heluram… Quicantel, does anything come to mind?” Murakan asked.
“Are you really going to send Jin there? I told you, he might get entangled with Heluram.”
“Khaha! The kid and I are immune to curses, so it doesn't matter if we get tangled up with that woman. And according to the human who calls himself the Terror of the Ante Mountains or whatever, that monster is being managed by Runcandel. Seeing as they haven't come looking for it, it’s probably dead by now, isn't it?”
“Her last known activity was over three hundred years ago, but she probably isn't dead.”
Quicantel continued to try and dissuade Murakan, clearly bothered by the idea.
Naturally, Jin shared Murakan’s opinion. He couldn't just leave a map that Vanessa herself had referred to as ‘another test and a reward’ lying around just because it felt uneasy.
“It is a reward bestowed by my father. If I refuse it, there’s no telling what he might take away from me.”
“I also believe the Young Master’s opinion is correct. It is unheard of to neglect or refuse something granted by the Patriarch,” Casimir added.
As Alisa and Jet also nodded, Quicantel could no longer stop them.
“Then it can't be helped. Instead, Murakan and I will accompany you to where the monster is. You said you can't go any further because of the miasma, so I’ll feel better if I at least see you that far.”
“Let’s take the Insignificant Thing along too, Quicantel. We need someone to take care of the meals.”
“…I was once a prince, everyone.”
“Are you bad at cooking?”
“I am.”
“Then I guess we should take Jet instead of you.”
“This Jet happens to be quite the cook!” Jet declared.
“You’re taking such a weakling to the Black Sea? No. Just take Casimir. Or would Latri be better? He’s good at cooking,” Quicantel interjected.
“I’m very busy with the tea house lately, and Yuria is still in danger without me… Instead, I can pack plenty of Zesty-Zesty-Crunchy Cookies for you.”
Slam!
Suddenly, Casimir slammed his palm onto the table.
“Whoa, you startled me! Are you crazy?” Murakan yelped.
“I may look like this, but I am a warrior known to the world as the Ghost Sword and the leader of the Seven-Colored Bird! My pride simply will not allow me to join this journey just to help with chores!”
“Honey, just go quietly. Lord Latri is a dragon, yet he even runs a tea house,” Alisa said.
“Even you’re going to be like this? I’m Casimir! I’m the Ghost Sword, Casimir Alfrion!”
Um, I’m fine with preparing the meals myself. So everyone, please don't get worked up over nothing…
Just as Jin was about to say that, Murakan shook his head as if he had no choice.
“Then we can just take the Insignificant Thing and Jet together. Jet can handle the meals and various chores, and the Insignificant Thing can slice up the monsters.”
“I can accept those terms,” Casimir said, puffing out his chest.
At that point, Jin found himself at a loss for words.
For some reason, he felt sorry for Casimir, but the man was wearing such a satisfied expression that it felt unnecessary to comfort him.
And so, the party departing for the Black Sea was decided: Jin, Murakan, Quicantel, Casimir, and Jet.