Chapter 146
Chapter 146
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 146
Chapter Title: Cold - 4
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Risel tilted her head.
“A cold comes on this suddenly? Serein said she was going to drink until her nose was crooked today, and she ordered a ton of booze. She always orders a ton, though.”
“Don’t say the latter part. Kkhung!”
“Don’t sniff without even having a runny nose.”
Serein flailed as she spoke.
“Ugh. Why are you spreading it out like that?”
“I always did it this way for Grade...”
“Even if I get a boyfriend, I’ll never do that.”
Offens smirked and chimed in.
“You’ll have to get better quickly for that. How about having the pheasant lady cast a healing spell?”
“Of course.”
Jenia extended her hand toward Serein.
But Serein shook her head and said,
“Nah, I can do it myself.”
“It’s a shame to cast a healing spell on yourself. Stay still.”
“...Thanks.”
“No problem. Hey, Adin. Heal her quick.”
Soon, a soft golden light settled over Serein’s body.
Now it’s straight-up orders.
A heavenly god who has to obey those orders. The laws of the world are truly fearsome.
“...? That’s weird. Adin, are you out of it?”
“What’s wrong?”
“It doesn’t feel any better. Maybe because it wasn’t formal? It’s kinda half-hearted.”
Jenia grumbled and grabbed Serein’s hand firmly.
Well, that’s the basic posture for casting healing spells.
That’s when it happened.
“Ow.”
Jenia flinched in surprise and immediately let go of the hand.
She looked at me with an expression like something was clinging to her.
“It felt like I touched fire.”
“What? That much?”
“Yeah. It’s already having a major negative effect on her body...”
It was just as she said.
Whoosh.
Serein staggered and collapsed against Risel.
Risel’s face turned pale at the heat radiating from her body.
“She’s literally lava! How did it get this bad so suddenly?”
“Jenia! Cast the healing spell again, quick!”
“Y-Yes!”
A storm suddenly hit the peaceful dinner table.
Jenia hurriedly cast the healing spell again.
But Serein’s condition didn’t improve even a nail’s breadth.
Jenia couldn’t hold back anymore and formally clasped her hands in prayer.
“O Heavenly God, extend your merciful hand here...”
“Stop it, Jenia.”
“B-But that jerk might be sulking or something.”
“That’s not why. It’s not a disease.”
That was my gut feeling.
But if it wasn’t a disease, then what the hell was it?
Serein’s lips were already parched.
Offens hurriedly pricked her fingertip lightly and drew blood.
He put it in a vial, shook it, and examined it.
“Not poison. At least not based on my knowledge.”
“Your knowledge surpasses that of all assassins on the continent, so it’s definitely not poison.”
“No. Still, just in case, let’s check with the assassin guild here.”
“What are you talking about? We should head to a temple first.”
“Should we try a potion? Serein made some herself, right?”
“Everyone calm down. I’ll analyze it with magic... Damn. There’s nothing wrong at all.”
Chaos erupted in an instant.
These were the comrades who stayed utterly calm even when fighting Adin at the starting line.
But now, they looked like they’d witnessed the end of the world.
And I wasn’t much different.
‘T-Trail. Reveal the secret right now...’
[Hey, calm down. Whose secret are you checking?]
‘...’
[First, figure out who did this to Serein. Once you have the name, I’ll show you secrets as many times as you want, so stay calm.]
He was right.
As the leader, I couldn’t panic.
But I couldn’t help the dryness in my throat already.
That’s when it happened.
“Ahh. I had no idea that’s how babies are made...”
“...!”
“Why didn’t anyone tell me? Seriously.”
It was Adwin.
His face was flushed for some reason, but he spotted our mess and ran over quickly.
“Serein sis. What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know. She suddenly spiked a fever and collapsed.”
“...”
“Adwin?”
Adwin’s face turned pallid.
He wasn’t looking at Serein.
He was looking above her head.
He was seeing Serein’s soul.
Soon, unbelievable words slipped from Adwin’s mouth.
“Sis’s soul is fading.”
We laid Serein down in the inn room for now.
Risel, who had traveled with her the longest, volunteered to nurse her.
Risel’s face was already ghostly white, making her look more like the patient.
Worried that noise might harm Serein, we gathered in another room.
Thud.
Jenia said with a sigh.
“Her soul is fading? Adwin, what’s going to happen to Serein now?”
Adwin opened his mouth to answer, but I spoke first.
“Colds usually go away with plenty of rest.”
“Maide, this isn’t a cold.”
“I’ll make it a cold. Not a life crisis where her soul fades, but a cold she can shake off and recover from in a few days.”
My words carried a resolve I could feel myself.
That seriousness spread, appearing on everyone’s faces.
They all nodded at once.
Neril said in a cold voice,
“Who the hell is it? The bastard who gave Serein a cold.”
“...”
“I’ll kill them. Even if it means being called the Witch of Atrocities again.”
“Calm down. I have a suspect.”
“...! Who?”
“Think about it. It’s the most obvious name: Idria.”
Everyone flinched at my words.
But soon, their faces showed understanding.
There’s no way some bold human would target us, known as heroes across the continent.
Even if there was, a normal person couldn’t harm Serein without us heroes and legends noticing.
“Idria wants to tie our feet down. She knows she can’t win in a speed battle anymore.”
“So if one party member is sick, we can’t focus elsewhere?”
“Yeah. Offens, could you check the assassin guild here? If a monster invasion is happening somewhere on the continent, it’ll prove my point.”
“On it.”
Offens vanished via shadow spell, too impatient even to run.
He returned in under five minutes.
“You were right. Black smoke appeared in Odre territory.”
“As expected.”
“It was quiet for the past week, but the moment Serein collapsed, they sent monsters. It’s definitely Idria.”
“Yeah.”
I answered heavily and cursed inwardly.
Damn it.
Well, that’s how that demon king is. What was I expecting?
If anything, this is more demonic.
‘Using all sorts of despicable and dirty tricks to toy with humans—that’s the true nature of the Demon King of Lies.’
[I’m not arguing that, but check it once.]
‘Check what?’
[Idria’s secrets. Kaild seemed completely rejected, so check secrets with her other minions.]
‘Sigh. Fine.’
I cooled my heated head and followed Trail’s words.
But with Consumus, Pyrensha, Vatole, Sabak.
Nothing new updated from checking those four minions’ secrets.
I was about to say “See?” when a thought flashed through my mind at the last moment.
‘Show me the secret between Bellosian and Idria.’
[Huh? Experience says it won’t show. Anything related to Bellosian was always S-rank.]
‘Set it. The most recent... related to Serein collapsing.’
[Hmm. I get it. One sec.]
Tap.
A screen popped up.
[Error. Secret between ‘Idria and Bellosian.’ Rank: S.]
[Viewable from Eye of Omniscience Level 5.]
As expected.
I requested the secret most related to Serein’s collapse.
If there was none, it would just say so.
But a secret had formed between Idria and Bellosian right at that point.
That means...
‘No doubt. The culprit is Bellosian.’
[...]
‘Whether he teamed up with Idria or it’s his own plan, at least the one who took down Serein is Bellosian.’
[How the hell did he fade her soul?]
‘I don’t know. Damn it.’
I scratched my head furiously.
Without the Eye of Omniscience, it was frustrating as hell.
I can’t even remember how I roamed this harsh continent without Trail.
I took deep breaths to calm my mind.
‘Grade said it once.’
The story from 1,500 years ago, when he asked to turn Risel human.
Bellosian had entered the imperial underground gate and vanished.
I relayed my guesses with Trail to everyone.
Then I continued firmly.
“We’ll have to go meet Bellosian.”
We wrapped Serein tightly in blankets and carefully loaded her into the carriage.
Then we placed the whole carriage on Agril’s back.
Risel called out to Mime in a subdued voice.
Mime seemed to grasp the mood and pushed Agril forward vigorously without complaint.
Jenia said,
“At this speed, we’ll arrive in the capital in two hours.”
“...Yeah.”
“Maide, you okay?”
“Yeah. Just thinking for a bit.”
I let out a sigh.
“Bellosian is as veiled as Adin or Impellium. Plus, somehow he erased Neril’s Appraise. Though that’s just a guess.”
“What guess? It’s certain.”
“Anyway, we’re going to meet a being like that with zero preparation.”
When we went to take Agril from Adin, we at least had a simple plan.
Adin was weakened back then, past ‘passive cooperation.’
But this time, it’s a blind charge.
It doesn’t suit my temperament at all, but no choice.
‘I can’t lose Serein.’
No, I can’t lose anyone.
As the leader of this party, I won’t tolerate even one loss.
I steeled my resolve.
Then Neril said,
“Sleep a bit.”
“Huh? In this situation?”
“It’s not to comfort you. Meet Impellium in your dream.”
Ah!
Neril added reluctantly,
“Of course, no guarantee you’ll meet just by sleeping... but we have nothing else to rely on. Honestly, I don’t love it.”
“I see. Good idea.”
“...”
“Wonder if I can fall asleep, though.”
Tap.
Neril grabbed my hand.
Then lightly formed a hand sign with her other.
“I’ll wake you in two hours. Go to sleep.”
“You can use sleep magic too...”
I couldn’t finish before sleep overtook me.
At the end, I heard Offens’s voice.
“It’s not a spell that requires holding hands, is it?”
I was dreaming.
Good.
I realized ‘I’m dreaming.’
So there was only one thing left to do.
“Impellium! Impellium!”
My voice echoed in the dark void.
I shouted without giving up.
“Impellium! Come out now!”
“My ears are ringing.”
Huh?
Swish.
The scenery around me suddenly changed.
A small room emerged.
A neatly polished tidy table.
Soft curtains covering the window.
Even tea and pretty cups on the table.
Just looking at it for seconds made my heart feel right at home.
“Where’s this?”
“My home.”
“What? Who are you?”
“You were just yelling my name like crazy, and now you ask who I am?”
A figure appeared across the table.
He definitely had a human face.
A man with black hair like mine and a gentle impression.
Impellium? That guy?
I calmed my pounding heart and opened my mouth.
“Now you’re speaking aloud. After always ringing in my head.”
“You say that first? You should be more shocked to see my face.”
“I save the best for last.”
“Same as me.”
He smirked and took a sip of the tea in front of him.
I asked,
“Why reveal yourself suddenly? Why speak aloud?”
“...”
“Where’s this? What are you?”
“Ask one at a time.”
Clink.
He set down the teacup and said,
“Your fame has skyrocketed lately.”
“Yeah.”
“That’s why.”
“...? Very scant explanation.”
“I can’t say more. If you want, raise your fame more. At least enough to see S-rank secrets.”
I let out a hollow laugh.
“At least? That’s the end, huh.”
“Who said that?”
“...!”
“The secrets of the world are broader and deeper than you think. But that’s all on this topic.”
Swish.
Impellium crossed his legs.
“So, why did you seek me?”
“I figured you’d know, but I’ll tell you anyway. I’m going to meet Bellosian.”
“No.”
“And when I meet him... What?”
“No. I can’t approve of that.”
Impellium continued in a pleasant voice but strict tone.
“Meeting Bellosian now is certain defeat. You and your party will vanish before realizing what hit you.”
“We fought toe-to-toe with the Heavenly God.”
“That’s because he was weakened.”
“We landed a hit even after he recovered. Thanks to your advice.”
“If you’re that stubborn, I have to say this.”
He continued in a reluctant tone.
“Bellosian is far stronger than the likes of Adin.”
“...What? The likes of Adin?”
“Bellosian was my greatest rival in life and the one who drove me to death. Adin helped, sure.”
He added one line.
“You haven’t even fully drawn out your true power. You only use it sparingly in crises.”
“...!”
“At least until you can use that power ‘always,’ don’t meet Bellosian.”
Memories of Atrrium territory, or the unknown power I unleashed on the Heavenly God recently, surfaced.
I took several deep breaths and asked cautiously.
“How do I use that power?”