Chapter 204
Chapter 204
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 204
Chapter Title: What Remains After the Flames Sweep Through (3)
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In the hush of a night so still even shadows held their breath, an open clearing in the dense forest.
Crackle, crackle. A campfire burned peacefully. Unlike the ferocious blaze that had ravaged the Great Forest earlier, these flames were serene beyond measure. Embers' spirits, chasing the light, peeked out with bright faces only to spot the unfamiliar presences nearby and scamper back into the darkness.
Two figures sat facing each other by the fire. A merchant glancing about nervously, and a barbarian silently gazing into the flames.
It had been nearly a fortnight since they'd last met, after the Day of Disaster. On the surface, it was to wash away the fatigue of battle and rest, but in truth, it was more a period to sort through their emotions.
Duncan hemmed and hawed, unsure how to begin. In the meantime, Kadim spoke first.
"How have you been holding up? With the dark elves, I take it."
"Uh, ah... Y-yes! During the day, I patrolled the forest with them, rescuing stranded elves, and in the evenings, I helped Lord Remillion tend to the wounded. And you, my lord...?"
"Much the same. I've been hunting down that forest tyrant or whatever it was, making sure it couldn't harm the elves."
"Pardon? No, why... You haven't even properly rested..."
"I promised to shoulder Melissa's sins. It's nowhere near enough to atone for the atrocities she committed against the elves, but I have to take responsibility somehow."
A sudden confession that hit like a gust. Before he could catch his breath, a question that choked him followed.
"Duncan. Have you heard anything from others about my past with Melissa?"
"......"
Duncan couldn't respond. Over the popping of the campfire, a voice even more matter-of-fact than usual overlaid.
"If not, there's no reason to hide it now. I'll tell you everything. Three hundred years ago, I was part of the hero party that slew the great demon rampaging in the Demon Realm. Melissa was one of us too."
"......!"
Kadim laid bare the entire past of his first playthrough.
Meeting Melissa first in the eastern continent, wandering the lands to gather the others, crossing mountains and traversing wastelands to reach the Demon Realm, enduring hellish trials to defeat the great demon, skipping three hundred years ahead, and chasing Melissa's traces in a reset world...
The tale continued in a flat tone. The disconnect amplified the shock of the content several times over. Duncan felt his heart turn to stone and sink into his gut throughout.
"......In the end, I killed Melissa with my own hands and burned her body."
As the story reached its conclusion, silence fell like his heart had stopped.
Even the crackling flames hushed. Starlight faded, and drifting wisps of cloud froze like scars on the night sky.
Duncan twisted his face and mumbled for a moment before managing a choked voice.
"No, this... this... Really, isn't this too much?"
"......"
"How... Lord Remillion, how can such immense misfortune... such malicious trials... keep piling on one person endlessly...? No, my lord, how in the world have you endured all this...? This doesn't make sense... If there are gods in this world, they wouldn't allow this..."
Kadim silently raised his head.
He too had once thought the same as the merchant. Why me? Why must I be dropped into this strange world and toyed with by such a cruel fate? But he'd long passed the stage of pointless lamentations.
"Gods exist, Duncan."
"......Pardon?"
"No need to look far—the elves' god descended to the earth right here."
"......"
"And Elga, Atala, the others—they must exist too."
"Why... why is that?"
"So I can bury an axe in their skulls and twist their necks."
"......"
Gazing at the merchant with his mouth agape, the great warrior's eyes gleamed with detachment.
"I'm not spilling this to boast of my misery and beg cheap pity. The reason I told you everything is because I have one request, Duncan."
"......"
"After this, I'll head to the 'wilderness.'"
He wasn't the only old comrade he needed to meet—far from it.
The missions he bore weighed heavy enough to crush his shoulders: slaying demons, sealing rifts for good, rescuing those gone to hell, finding a cure for madness, preparing to face the false Elga. But above all, the priority was tracking down the old ties he hadn't yet found.
"As I said, one of my comrades was Atala's wilderness shamaness. Her fate's unclear, but I'm betting she left traces in the wilderness."
"......"
"But who knows what'll happen on the journey there. My strength now rivals when I slew the great demon, but I'm not omnipotent enough to solve every problem. So... not as Atala's War God's proxy, the great warrior, but as an imperfect mortal, I ask."
"......"
"As guide, as comrade, and as a 'remarkably' capable friend... will you continue walking my path of struggle with me, Duncan?"
A pine-scented breeze flew in from the distant horizon, suddenly stirring the warm firelight.
Duncan froze, speechless.
But this stiffness differed from before. Inside, waves of感動—not thunderous shock—surged. He couldn't contain his excitement. At last, this great warrior who had saved the world twice recognized his worth fully and formally invited him along!
Duncan clenched his fist, thinking perhaps he'd been born into this world just for this moment, for this man, for these words.
"Of course, my lord!! Who else but me? The finest guide, warrior acknowledged by whatever in Agon, negotiator who fooled the Arena King, spy who uncovered the Magic Tower's secrets, merchant chosen by the Forgotten God, and slayer of hellfire spirits—Duncan Wheeled! Who else could aid you?"
"......"
"Worry not! Until you find your old comrades and gather them as promised, this humble Duncan will stake his life to stand by your side to the end! Wilderness, mountains, Demon Realm—even the ends of hell, I'll follow without fail!"
Kadim let out a chuckle. Somehow more titles had piled on. But after so much time together, the merchant's shameless dramatics felt less annoying and more endearing.
After his fluid speech, Duncan replayed his words and paled, hastily retracting one.
"Uh... well... cancel that bit about the ends of hell. Um, yeah... that place is a bit..."
"......"
As the barbarian stifled a laugh inwardly, the last night in the Great Forest deepened.
*
They'd delayed as long as they could.
The next morning, Kadim and Duncan prepared to leave the Great Forest at once.
In a clearing untouched by sunlight, a dawn breeze swept lightly over the ashes, carrying dew. Scattered dust flew, a charred smell lingered. For a send-off by world-saving heroes, the venue seemed somewhat bleak.
But the farewell was fitting. Key figures from the World Tree reclamation rushed here despite their busyness: Parneo, reinstated as guardian; Remillion, leading the dark elves; even Lilia, sleepless for over a fortnight restoring the World Tree.
Only Ilenia was absent, her whereabouts mysterious lately. Whether she'd left early or for other business... no one knew.
Even brief bonds leave deep marks. An inexplicable heaviness hung between the departing and those left behind.
The 'black panther' Parneo stepped forward first.
"Thank you for your great teachings, Great Warrior of Atala. The spirit of struggle you imparted—I vow to engrave it in my heart forever, until my last breath."
"......May Atala's battle-will be with you."
"You helped us greatly too, my friend. Luring infernos to save Lilia? I swear by Mother World Tree, your courage and devotion earn my deepest gratitude. Return to Hesiliad anytime, and we'll welcome you with the highest honors."
"Ah, ah... It wasn't much trouble, ahem, hem..."
Next came the alliance's founding lord and dragon's friend, Remillion. He gazed bitterly at the warrior who'd lost a comrade.
"......When roots of a great tree are uprooted, the wound can't be covered. My sincere condolences for your sacrifice and loss, Lord Kadim. And for saving my life long ago, enduring great pain to save the world again—this chance to thank you once more."
"......"
"Ah, and... yes, Lord Duncan. Take this."
"Wh-what's this necklace?"
"A relic to summon me. Didn't I promise to grant one request? If trouble arises out there, shatter the pendant. If it's something I can fly to and handle, I'll aid you."
"......!"
Duncan gaped at the necklace with its golden orb.
Considering Remillion's status in the alliance, it was practically summoning a god. Kadim noted the merchant appraising its immense value casually but ignored it.
Last was Lilia, World Tree Keeper, apostle of the Forgotten God, and Melissa's sworn sister.
"......"
"......"
The pale dark elf woman hesitated, lips trembling. Kadim easily guessed why. She alone here shared the pain of losing the woman reduced to ashes.
So he spoke first.
"I apologize sincerely."
"......Pardon?"
"Melissa's evils against you were unforgivable. Even judged by death, the pain she left won't vanish. As one sharing her sins... I sincerely apologize for all, and vow to find a way to seal that rift permanently."
"......"
Tears welled in her clouded eyes, but Lilia quickly wiped them and composed herself.
"......No need to apologize. The wounds Melissa left are deep, but the joys she gave match them. If you'll bear her sins, you must embrace her graces too."
"......"
"Take this. It's meager compared to your feats... but it'll aid your journey."
Lilia offered a wooden dagger. It looked ordinary, but the faint turquoise aura and familiar grain marked it a divine weapon.
"Made from the World Tree's heartwood mixed with fragments of the 'World Tree's Dream.' Stab a target, and instead of wounding, it induces deep paralysis for quite a while. No matter what the target... even a mountain-sized monster, high paladin of Elga, upper demon with dangerous powers..."
"......"
"......Even you, warrior."
The intent was clear. Kadim nodded gravely and accepted the dagger.
With that, all farewells and business ended.
Further delay was pointless chatter. You can't write a new tale without lifting the quill from the period. Kadim turned immediately, stepping over thick ash piles.
But just before leaving, Lilia posed one final question.
"Warrior. Do you know... what remains where flames have swept through?"
"......"
A needless question. They stood in the heart of hellfire's path. Kadim scanned around curtly.
"......Ashes, no? Just like these scattered everywhere now."
"......"
The white-haired woman smiled mysteriously.
A smile holding warm secrets like spring sun after winter. She shook her head gently, closed her eyes fully, clasped her hands softly, and murmured a prayer.
Then light bloomed.
―――― Woooom...!
From the World Tree Keeper's body rose a verdant glow, undulating to envelop the surroundings.
Turquoise mists danced like a child's hem soaked in stream water, instantly sweeping away the thick ash. The ashen expanse vanished in a blink, revealing fertile soil.
Light specks rained onto the fresh earth. Like seeds, they took root, drank nature's essence, and sprouted in seconds. Shoots emerged, cotyledons matured, leaves unfurled, buds formed—and jealous of their brilliance, a flurry of flower-snow wind blew...
Whoooosh...
A whirlwind of pure white petals swirled.
Fresh fragrance spread elegantly; lured by the vibrant allure, small forest lives gathered. Butterflies danced with petal ballets playfully; spirits rushed to fill the gaps, diving into the flowerbed.
- Plop, plop...
- Plop, plop-plop...
The charred ruins transformed in an instant into a garden of radiant white jade flowers. Lilia, cradling a flower spirit, gazed at Kadim.
"See? Ashes are mere fleeting remnants. Where flames sweep, new life sprouts like this in the end."
"......"
"So, warrior of prophecy. Though your eyes see only ashes and scorch marks, never lose faith that your struggle will sprout new life. May primal darkness fill lightless places, battle-winds stir treacherous temptations, and at the journey's end... dreamlike rest with all you've longed to reunite awaits..."
"......"
His hollow eyes softened faintly. Kadim watched the revival silently.
A faint smile like a fire scar rose, and he turned, walking away freely.
"Wha—! M-my lord! W-wait, I'm coming too!"
The merchant, lost in the flowers, hurried after. The breeze turned mischievous, thickening the dotted petals into a white veil. When the floral dance settled and the landscape reemerged, the two figures had vanished like a spring dream.
The miracle's callers gone, the blooming life remained. Not just spirits and flowers, but the grand divine tree upholding the world upside-down far off.
Lilia turned to the boy druid she'd promised to view flowers with someday, her eyes misty.
"......Lord Parneo, now do you understand?"
Amid scattering petals and dizzying fragrance shaking hearts, the girl buried in her beloved white flower field after centuries smiled purely.
"Why I dreamed that day in confinement... of the 'Great Druid' coming."