Chapter 193
Chapter 193
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: Omniscient (3)
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The three-day celebration banquet finally came to an end.
Jamie collapsed like a man utterly exhausted, and Sara giggled as she pinched her brother's cheeks.
The Welton couple gazed at their son with a mixture of pity and affection.
He had met so many people over those three days.
There were plenty of impressive figures, but hardly any left a lasting impression.
When he thought about why, he realized it was because none of them were truly necessary.
"Jamie. Your maternal grandfather is on his way."
While Jamie lay resting, Sears brushed back his hair and spoke in a gentle tone.
"Come to think of it, I haven't had much chance to talk with Grandpa since arriving here."
"Our Jamie was just too popular."
"...I'll pass on this kind of popularity from now on."
"Hohoho."
Sears found her son so endearing that she kissed his forehead before rising from her seat.
A short while later, Jamie's maternal grandfather, the Bell Marquis, entered the room.
He too had been busy for the past three days, and his skin looked rougher than usual.
"Grandpa."
"Yes, my boy. You look exhausted."
The Bell Marquis fussed over his grandson before himself.
Sitting beside Jamie, he stroked his hair and spoke.
"This is your first time receiving so much attention from so many people, isn't it?"
"Yes. I'm completely drained."
"Huhu. That makes sense. Dealing with people is different from the fatigue of training. It consumes mental stamina."
It was true.
Even a Sword Master at the peak of physical prowess would end up wiped out from social interactions.
The marquis knew this better than anyone, having lived that way for decades.
"Are you okay, Grandpa?"
"Grandpa's trained for this sort of thing. Dealing with people becomes second nature with enough repetition."
His under-eye shadows were dark despite that, but Jamie didn't point it out.
"So, how did it feel?"
Jamie tilted his head at the marquis's abrupt question.
"What do you mean?"
"Being appointed a Master. I wanted to hear your thoughts."
"Hmm..."
As Jamie scratched his chin in thought, the marquis chuckled.
"As expected, no real thoughts on it."
"Yeah. It just felt natural."
"Hahaha!"
The marquis burst into hearty laughter.
He had anticipated the answer, but hearing it firsthand carried a different weight.
His grandson truly was exceptionally bold.
"That's why I came. Hearing it for myself... it really suits my grandson."
"Glad I gave the answer you hoped for. I was worried I'd disappoint you."
"Hahaha, you rascal!"
The marquis ruffled Jamie's hair affectionately, as if even the joke was cute.
Then he spoke in a more serious tone.
"Jamie. From now on, many eyes will be on you. You've drawn attention before, but it won't compare to what's coming."
"I know."
"You'll be on foreign dignitary lists, and if you travel abroad, every move will be watched. Your every action will spread across the world, and the stress will be more than you imagine."
The marquis knew his grandson wasn't a child anymore, but at eight years old, he still didn't know the world.
Jamie wouldn't view it optimistically, but someone had to say it.
"Becoming Sellendam's Master means making countless enemies. Don't get complacent. In this world, even a frail child, an elder without a cane, or a heavily pregnant woman might strike unexpectedly."
"I'll keep that in mind."
"Never underestimate human malice."
No one could agree more than Jamie.
He didn't even need to think back to his past life; this one alone had shown him plenty who abandoned their humanity.
Including his past life, they were endless.
He would see more ahead, and his hands would rarely be free of blood.
Even after achieving his goal, the world might not change much.
They are trash! Ungrateful vermin! Nothing but pests to be exterminated! And yet you protect them!
Suddenly, words Zenith had spoken long ago came to mind.
The reason the 12 Gods viewed humans as insects.
It overlapped somewhat with the marquis's warning.
But that was precisely why humanity needed liberation.
At least, human sins should be judged by humans.
Not by non-humans.
That was why he fought.
To suppress human malice and establish justice atop it.
Jamie had returned to this land for that purpose.
"Jamie understands what Grandpa means, right?"
"Yes, Grandpa. I'll remember."
"Huhu. Grandpa needs to get going. I'd love to see my grandson off on his journey home, but sadly, I have much to do here in the capital."
"Take it easy. And take care of your health."
"I'm fine. No need to worry."
"Grandpa, just a moment..."
Jamie grabbed the Bell Marquis's hand.
Holy power flowed out, gently sweeping over the marquis's entire body.
The marquis's weary expression eased bit by bit, and most of his accumulated fatigue vanished.
"Hoh. The goddess's holy power?"
The Bell family worshipped the goddess Pyro.
Thus, they were born with bodies especially receptive to her holy power.
"It'll hold for a while, but fatigue builds up, so make sure to rest properly."
"Thank you. Next time, Grandpa will visit the magic realm with a fine gift. See you then."
"I'll be waiting."
The marquis smiled kindly before leaving the room.
He was probably swamped with Zenith Church matters.
That must be why he was staying in the capital.
Jamie walked to the window.
"Time to head back."
It was regrettable that it was time to part from his family, but there was much to do once he returned.
Jamie straightened his clothes and stepped outside.
"Take good care of your health, and write to Mom at least once a week. Got it?"
"Yes."
"Good boy. Come here for a hug."
Sears pulled Jamie into a strong embrace.
Jamie patted her back.
Fortunately, Sears wasn't crying. Or rather, she was holding back her tears.
She knew showing them would weigh down her son's departure.
Jamie leaned his head fully against her shoulder, feeling her warm heart.
"I'll be back."
"Yes."
Sears's voice trembled faintly as she fought her tears.
Behind her, Sara sniffled while clutching her bear plush.
Thanks to making time for her amid the busy schedule, their relationship had returned to normal, but parting again made his little sister pitiful.
"Sara, come here."
"Huing..."
Sara toddled over.
Jamie released Sears and carefully hugged his sister.
"I'll keep in touch often."
"Can't... you stay...?"
"Sorry, Sara."
"Hueeng!"
Sara wailed at the sorrow of parting from her brother again, but all Jamie could do was hold her.
The Welton Count watched his children, then wrapped an arm around his approaching wife's shoulders.
"Don't be sad. It's not forever."
"Aren't you sad?"
"How could I not be? But..."
The count gazed contentedly at his young yet mature son and continued.
"Sending off a reliable son with a smile is a parent's duty too, isn't it? So smile, dear."
"You're right."
The couple smiled at their children.
Because they knew it would lighten their departing son's steps.
"I'll be off now."
Jamie bowed to his family standing before him.
"Alright. The others are waiting."
The other mages were already gathered at the designated warp gate.
Jamie was the last one.
"Be careful. Don't forget to stay in touch. And visit home sometimes. Okay?"
"Yes, Mom."
"...Bye, brother."
"Sara, no more crying. It hurts brother's heart."
"Ung."
Sara nodded cutely.
Jamie smiled and finally looked at his father, the Welton Count.
The count approached his son.
The two stared silently for a moment before chuckling at each other.
"Take this."
The count handed over a worn paper envelope.
Jamie looked puzzled as he accepted it and glanced at his father.
"It's from your grandfather."
"...Grandpa?"
"You saw the Extreme Precision Style, didn't you?"
Jamie's eyes widened.
He hadn't yet told the Welton Count about the previous count, Cherbil Welton's final enlightenment technique, 'Extreme Precision Style: World Split.'
"How..."
"Your dad walks a different path from Grandpa. So I never learned the Extreme Precision Style. I thought I'd never have reason to open it. And since you chose the path of a mage, I planned to seal it away forever."
"Don't tell me this is..."
"Yes. Grandpa left it to me right before he passed. He poured all his final enlightenment onto a single page. I don't know how much it'll help you, but if possible, I'd love for you to carry on his legacy."
This envelope contained everything from the 'Extreme Precision Style: World Split' he had seen before.
It was still vivid in his mind.
Darius hadn't mastered the Single Strike Sword, so he couldn't execute it perfectly, but it had still delivered a massive shock to Jamie.
"Your dad always had this regret gnawing at him for not continuing Grandpa's legacy. Of course, I'm not forcing you. Your own path isn't set yet, so read it and decide whether to pursue it. If you choose not to, burn it right there."
"...I can burn it?"
"If no one in the bloodline will carry it on, better it doesn't exist. Welton techniques belong to Welton blood alone."
"Understood."
The count smiled and stroked his son's hair as Jamie nodded firmly.
"Go on. When next we meet, I expect you to have grown even more impressive."
"Yes. You stay healthy too, Dad."
Jamie bowed to the count, then to the rest of his family, before dashing quickly toward the warp gate.
The remaining family watched silently in the direction he had gone for a long while.
Bugrrr...
Bubbles boiled.
In a space filled with blue water, someone huddled with their body curled up.
Their skin was blue, adorned with bizarre tattoos running from face to chest.
A ornate crown sat atop their head, and bubbles rose endlessly from their mouth.
After remaining still for so long, they slowly raised their head.
Golden eyes gleamed.
The one with the highest synchronization rate approaches.
Their lips twisted into a smirk.
I wonder... will you uncover the 'secret'?
Bubbles surged.
All that remained was the crown slowly sinking into the depths below.