Chapter 219: Let’s Look at Each Other.
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 219: Let’s Look at Each Other.
Recalling his first encounter with Solaris, In-ho emerged from the depths of his thoughts.
"How much longer can I stay here?"
He inquired about the time allotted to him.
"About thirty minutes, by your perception."
In-ho drained the rest of the water in his glass.
"Short if you call it short, long if you call it long. So, what did you find out?"
At In-ho’s question, Solaris cleared her throat.
"First, regarding the 'messages' you asked about, there is one left. I do not know what words are written in it or what the conditions for it are, however."
"That’s a shame. I was hoping there might be a way to end this dimension transferring."
Early on in his travels, he had asked about the instructions that appeared alongside his death count.
Solaris watched him silently as he muttered to himself, not truly expecting an answer.
"Then, is there a rule to the dimensions I move to?"
"No, it is truly random."
"But..."
"As you asked before, the possibility of [traveling to the same dimension once more] is extremely slim. However..."
Solaris leaned back in her chair.
"However?"
In-ho waited for her next words.
"If your visit there is already a predestined event... the probability would rise."
"I don't follow."
"If you don't understand, then never mind. It would be a difficult concept for you."
Solaris shrugged.
"I didn't take you for the type... but you're kind of a jerk."
In-ho spoke his mind.
"Thank you for the compliment. Ah, and regarding the women you become involved with in the places you travel—it seems their personalities aren't being changed by a spell. Rather, the spell seems to be one that sends you to women who already possess such a 'disposition.'"
Solaris brushed off his jab without a change in expression.
"Is there any way you can decide which dimension I go to next, even just a little?"
"That is also impossible."
He had expected as much, but the answer was still disappointing.
In-ho let out a deep sigh and leaned against the backrest.
"Phew... Then there's nothing more to gain."
"That is why I told you. As a trade condition, it is not favorable for you."
"Fine, fine. It's not like there was anything else I could get anyway."
In-ho stood up, slapping his hands against his knees.
His face looked unburdened.
Solaris stood up with him.
"Are you leaving?"
"You said I shouldn't stay here, didn't you? Then I should go."
He waved her off, signaling he was fine.
Though he possessed a noble soul, his essence was that of a mortal.
Solaris wondered how he could remain so composed.
The sight of him, unyielding despite infinite dimension transfers and a predestined death, was dazzling.
Solaris snapped her fingers. Space distorted, and a swirling rift appeared.
"Whew..."
Kang In-ho took a deep breath.
"I hope there is a blessing on your path. O Noble Soul."
As Solaris traced the Sign of the Cross, a faint light enveloped him.
"What did you do?"
In-ho asked as his body began to glow.
"I have placed a blessing upon your soul. It is only the blessing of a 4th Class God... but surely it is better than nothing?"
"Is this a bonus? Thanks."
He gave a slight nod.
Kang In-ho took a step toward the dimensional rift.
Walking with long strides toward the rift, he turned back as if something had just occurred to him.
"Oh, by the way... what happens to Maria now?"
"Are you concerned for her?"
"Wouldn't it be weirder if I wasn't? I mean, in her own way..."
In-ho trailed off.
At that sight, a deep smile spread across Solaris’s face, which usually showed little emotion.
"My, you're blushing. Well... her faith is quite immense, isn't it? In. Ma. Ny. Ways."
"S-Shut up."
"She will be fine. At the very least, she has not made any plans that would lead to her own unhappiness."
"Then I'll trust you. You seem like a God who can actually be reasoned with."
In-ho grinned, baring his teeth.
Just what kind of Gods has he met before...? Solaris thought to herself.
And so, In-ho vanished into the dimensional rift.
Watching In-ho’s departing back as he disappeared, Solaris spoke.
"I hope you are liberated from the spell as soon as possible. Before the Realm of your soul rises any higher."
A life experienced through dimension transfer. Life is experience, and experience is nourishment for the soul.
Solaris murmured toward the man whose Realm was now only slightly below her own.
*
A quiet rural village.
A young man, who had only recently shed his boyishness, knocked vigorously on a door.
"Come in."
Once permission was granted from within, the young man named Antonio threw the door open.
In a simple room, a nun was looking at the young man through a mirror.
"Ah... you were praying."
Antonio scratched his head, feeling bad for interrupting the nun's time.
The nun gave a gentle smile as if to say it was alright and turned to face him.
"It is fine. But what brings you here?"
"It's almost time for the meal."
"Ah, I see... Then, I will be out shortly, so please go ahead. I will finish my 'prayer' before I come."
"Yes, the meat will get cold, so you have to come quickly! May the Saint be with you."
Antonio offered a religious greeting with a cheerful laugh, and Maria nodded with a faint smile.
Four years had passed since the day she rescued the Saint from the plaza.
The nun had suppressed the pursuers who followed her in an instant, wielding all manner of miracles.
Then she had declared:
That she would give them time to repent, and that when the time came, she would judge all the sinners...
Afterward, the nun gathered the outcasts and formed a community, which became the village where they now resided.
She was quite satisfied with what she had built.
Life here was far more rewarding than the years she had spent in the Order.
Maria closed the door Antonio had left through and whispered.
"['May the Saint be with you.']"
Maria’s steps led her back to the mirror.
It was a full-length mirror that reflected her entire body, the only luxury in her room.
"Ah... Saint, please forgive me."
Maria spoke while looking into the mirror.
"The people are so foolish that they do not realize the Saint is 'truly' with us."
Her eyes were full of affection. The heat in her gaze was similar to the way she had looked at the Saint while serving him four years ago.
A physical body rots and crumbles with time.
That was the law of the world, and the Saint was no exception.
Maria had been heartbroken by the fading traces of the Saint and offered prayers to him every single day.
— Saint, I believe you are by my side... but I do not want your traces to disappear.
— Have pity on me and help me.
To her, as she spent every night in tears, a voice had reached her like a vision.
The voice stopped, and one of Maria’s eyes snapped open.
— To think there was such a simple way!
— Oh, thank you, Saint. You have enlightened foolish me.
Indeed, it was a simple method.
A way to be with the Saint, to look at the same place as the Saint, and to face one another.
"Hehe... Your eyes are as beautiful as ever, Saint."
Maria reached out and caressed the mirror.
Before long, a feverish moan escaped her excited lips.
Naturally, Maria’s hand moved downward.
After a long period of self-consolation, Maria finished her private ritual and smiled at the mirror with an ecstatic face.
"Now, shall we go eat? Saint."
