Chapter 37
Chapter 37
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: To Apton (1)
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Twilight had fully settled in.
After finishing his meal, Jamie returned to his room and sat on the bed.
In front of him floated a brilliantly shimmering green orb.
It was the orb of life extracted from the doctor's body.
"Impressive, as expected."
Just as he had anticipated, after about a day, nearly eighty percent of the depleted life energy had been replenished.
He had no idea how it was made, but it must have required an enormous amount of materials.
Among them was likely a massive amount of life force. It was only natural to create an orb containing this much vitality.
At first glance, it seemed like a sinister object, but Jamie didn't concern himself with such details.
'It's not like I made it.'
That was the extent of it.
He wouldn't make one himself, but he wouldn't refuse to use one someone else had created out of disgust.
Besides, he could guess what this orb was imitating, so discarding it would be a waste.
"It's definitely mimicking a Dragon Heart."
Dragons, the supreme race called transcendent beings and lords of magic—the strongest species on land.
Dragons possessed a substance akin to a heart called the 'Dragon Heart,' which was the source of their power.
Known as the substance containing the world's most potent force, it had fallen into human hands several times over thousands of years.
Each time, it brought massive chaos to the world. The turmoil only ended after dragons invaded the human realm to reclaim their Dragon Hearts.
'Back in my prime, they were just insignificant lizards.'
In truth, they weren't a race to be dismissed so lightly.
It was simply that Diablo Volpir's power had been overwhelmingly superior.
Even then, dragons were a sufficiently powerful race.
"That said, their hearts are undeniably useful."
Jamie himself, back when he was Diablo Volpir, had owned several artifacts refined from Dragon Hearts.
The orb of life couldn't compare to a true Dragon Heart, but absorbing it would grant him a superior physique to his current one.
Now, the question was how to absorb it.
Jamie considered three methods.
First: Embed it whole into his body like the doctor had, using it as a battery.
It was feasible enough, but the doctor had been a chimera, allowing full integration into his body.
However, Jamie's body was that of a child—small, with human organs and skeletal structure. Shoving it in whole would leave half of it protruding outside.
That would be worse than useless.
Second: Fuse it with a tool to create an artifact.
He needed physical enhancement right now, not a weapon.
Pass.
Finally, the third option.
"Decompose it completely and absorb it into my body."
Similar to the first method, but breaking it down to particles and absorbing it throughout his entire body.
The effect would be inferior to the first method's whole-body activation, but in Jamie's current situation, the third was the most efficient.
"Alright, let's get started."
This would probably take all night.
"Black."
Jamie summoned his familiar, Black.
Though it had suffered heavy damage in the previous battle, periodic infusions of black mana and rest had restored it almost fully in a single day.
"You okay?"
Kkiik!
Black spread its black-membraned wings wide, signaling it was fine.
"Good. From now on, you'll help me break this down finely and absorb it into my body."
Kkigik—
With Black's response, Jamie's eyes turned violet.
A long night began.
Two days passed.
The Zenith Church had completely vacated the building.
However, they hadn't demolished it because Count Welton had demanded the church building itself in his list of reparations.
They could have refused, but demolition would require manpower and additional costs, so the Zenith Church acquiesced to the count's demand.
Thanks to that, the place had become a dusty ruin.
"It's so empty."
Ban looked around the hollow church interior and muttered.
"It really was just a fleeting dream."
"Yeah."
Ban wore a bitter expression at Riki's response.
He hadn't believed it at first.
That the people who had taken in orphans like them, fed them, and given them shelter were actually bad people.
It still felt like a dream.
But seeing Riki, who had returned from hell, and Sinno, who was already dead, proved this hellish reality was no dream.
"I believed in them so much."
"Yeah."
"I'm just glad you came back, at least."
Ban gripped Riki's shoulder tightly.
If even Riki hadn't returned alive, it would have been unbearable. In truth, it was still agonizing now.
He hadn't been that close to Sinno, but they had shared meals as family.
"I can't trust anyone anymore."
Ban released Riki's shoulder and walked toward the wall where the Zenith symbol had hung.
Now, only the marks remained.
"Ban oppa."
Anna, who had been quietly sitting, called out to Ban cautiously.
Ban didn't respond, just staring at the spot where the symbol had been.
What was religion?
Wasn't it supposed to be a place that offered its back to those with nowhere to lean?
"I really don't know anymore."
The eyes of the still-young boy had lost their light, like those of the dead.
Ban had been the most cheerful of them all, so Riki's heart ached.
"Ban, come with us."
"Yeah, come with us."
Anna chimed in agreement with Riki.
Ban turned his gloomy face to look at the siblings.
He knew.
That they had been chosen by another god.
So they were heading to a region far from Hys.
"I..."
Ban couldn't answer easily.
The boy betrayed by his faith struggled to choose anything.
At that moment, Anna let go of Riki's hand and groped her way toward Ban.
Ban quickly approached, afraid she might trip.
"Oppa, you're here."
"Ban oppa. Hehe."
Anna grabbed Ban's hand and smiled brightly.
Seeing her face made Ban chuckle despite himself.
"Let's go together~"
"......"
"You promised to protect me."
Those were Ban's words to Anna on the day Riki left.
It hadn't been many days, so Anna remembered clearly.
But Ban still couldn't answer easily.
Going with them meant entrusting himself to religion once more.
"It'll be okay, Ban."
"Riki."
"Yeah, it'll be fine."
Riki approached and extended his hand.
His one precious friend, whom he had met at the orphanage and grown close to rapidly.
Ban stared at that hand.
"Ban, let's go together."
Then, as if having made his decision, Ban gave a sad smile.
"Sorry, Riki. I don't think I can."
"......Ban."
"Oppa."
The siblings looked at Ban simultaneously.
Ban gently pried Anna's hand away. He took a step back and shook his head.
"Sorry. I don't think I can anymore."
Maintaining some distance, he spoke to the two.
"I won't rely on religion ever again."
He would return to being an orphan.
No one would look after him.
That was fine.
"I'll live on my own strength."
He didn't know how far he could go.
Rationally, following Riki and Anna would be better.
His head knew that, but his heart rejected it.
"Thanks, both of you."
"Riki!"
As Riki ran to grab him, Ban held out his hand forward.
A sign not to come closer.
Riki's face twisted.
Anna began sobbing, tears like chick peas streaming down.
"Ban oppa......"
"May luck always fill your path."
With those words, Ban turned and walked away.
He never once looked back.
Riki couldn't stop him. He had no right to.
He could only shout after his departing friend.
"I'll always be waiting for you! Always!"
Ban lightly raised his hand.
The friend who had seemed like he'd be with them forever gradually faded into the distance until he was completely out of sight.
Riki and Anna clung to each other's hands and quietly sobbed.
"Will you be alright?"
The count looked at his beloved wife with worried eyes.
"Why wouldn't I be?"
Sears drew a calm smile toward her husband.
"The Pier Knight Order will be escorting us. And my husband is Count Welton—who would dare attack us?"
The Pier Knight Order was the Welton family's strongest knight order.
Composed of thirty elite knights, all at least Expert beginner level or higher.
Half of them were joining this escort, so no sane bandits would even dream of raiding them.
"Besides, Sir Ras is coming too."
Though not quite a master, Ras was an Expert advanced powerhouse.
Of course, Ras was unaware he was joining yet.
"I was a bit surprised to hear he's a Holy Enforcer."
"Me too. Holy Enforcers rarely leave Apton."
Holy Enforcers were the Pyro Church's most powerful weapon.
They prioritized the church's safety above all, so they seldom ventured outside Apton.
This was proof the Pyro Church viewed this incident very gravely.
"Anyway, I'm sorry I can't go with you."
"You have to guard the territory. It would be a disaster if the lord was away too long."
"Thank you for easing my worries, even a little."
"Of course."
The couple gazed at each other affectionately.
Then the count let out a deep sigh.
"I'm worried about Jamie."
The events at the ball were still vivid.
Jamie had lost his reason and tried to kill Simon Count's eldest son. If his parents hadn't been there, Alf Simon would surely have been murdered.
"Jamie could snap at any moment."
"Dear."
"He possesses power beyond his years. If he fails to control his emotions and rampages like before, I can't even imagine the consequences."
He wouldn't be participating in this journey.
There was the Pier Knight Order captain, but could he control Jamie if he suddenly exploded?
Of course, Jamie hadn't truly made such a mistake due to his youth. It was bad luck. Alf Simon had picked a fight at a chaotic moment, triggering the outburst.
But unaware that an ancient black sorcerer dwelt within Jamie, the count's concern was natural.
"He'll be fine."
Sears approached her troubled husband and gently caressed his rough hand.
"Do you know what happened today?"
She recounted the morning tea time to the count.
A smile formed on the count's lips as he listened.
"Really?"
"Yes. He was just a little anxious then. We all know he's a good-hearted child."
"That's true."
"Believe in our son. I'll be by his side, so nothing like that will happen again."
The count chuckled and softly embraced his wife's shoulders.
"I'm truly fortunate to have met you."
"Me too."
Sears leaned her head on his broad, ocean-like shoulder.
It lasted only a moment.
Both their eyes turned to the table simultaneously.
Specifically, to a single letter placed there.
"......That said, I can't fathom what your father is thinking."
"I've never understood Father's thoughts since long ago. Probably not even the late mother did."
"Is he really just missing Jamie?"
The count slowly released Sears and unfolded the letter.
A single short sentence was written there.