Chapter 204
Chapter 204
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 204
Chapter Title: Cherish Your Family
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"Lin, say hi. This is Kies. The empire's greatest archer."
Three hundred years ago, at the start of our journey.
Back when we first met all our companions at the Papal Office, Rista took the initiative to introduce us to one another.
"Kies, this is Lin. He's making a name for himself as the empire's genius mage right now."
The first time we met, Kies seemed like nothing more than a washed-up drunkard, reeking of booze with a hollow look on his face.
If I'd judged him purely by appearances, I might've formed some weird preconceptions.
But thanks to Rista giving us a quick rundown of his strengths, we were able to build a good rapport in no time.
"We're comrades from here on out. When one of us needs help, the others step up, no question."
Once you're part of a traveling party, getting to know each other is more important than you might think.
That's why Rain decided to give his new companions the same chance to bond, just like Rista had done for us back then.
He was the leader now, after all.
Before the prow of the merchant ship bound for the Adrian Continent, a dazzling twilight shimmered across waves thick with spray. Aki's eyes went wide as she gazed at it.
"This shady-looking guy's name is Valensidis. He's a black mage who's more useful than trash—he's our party's healer. Never trust him, though. You never know when he'll stab you in the back."
"Aruu."
"And this big lug is Bart. A sturdy warrior."
Bart gave the other two a casual nod. Valensidis shot him a disdainful side-eye, as if it was all a joke.
"Funny. He's treating you a lot better than me, isn't he?"
"Different, different, different."
Straight-up ignored.
"And this green-haired one is Rem. A pitiful guy under the delusion that he's the world's greatest archer."
"What'd you say, punk?! Say that again!"
"A pitiful guy under the delusion that he's the world's greatest archer."
"That's not what I meant, you jerk!"
Wasn't it?
But precise introductions are key. That kind of eccentricity is Rem's real strength, after all.
Even as Rem grabbed him by the collar and shook his head wildly, Rain pointed over at her.
"And that's Miria. She loves goblins."
A gaze colder than frost stabbed deep into his gut. Even in the backlighting, Miria's eyes seemed to gleam unnaturally.
"I just have to wonder what kind of garbage fills your brain to come to that conclusion."
As he took hits from Valensidis, Rem, and Miria, a strange feeling crept over him.
"Please explain—in three sentences or less—the basis for deeming me useless."
"You calling me pitiful? Huh? You wanna taste my fists today?"
"Want me to let you experience just how bad goblin stench really is?"
Huh, why's that?
The mood felt a bit off.
Three hundred years ago, it had been such a heartwarming scene.
"Hmph..."
Looks like he still had a long way to go before he could match Rista. As he scratched under his nose with a wistful smile, the violence ramped up!
"Aruu..."
Even the little imperial dragon in his arms looked up at Rain with an incredulous stare. That's when a voice cut through the group beating.
"Aki is Aki!"
The hatchling, who'd been waiting patiently for her turn to be introduced, finally took matters into her own claws when it never came.
'Cute.'
'Aki's always so cute.'
Rem and Miria flushed faintly as they watched Aki thrust her paws out with gusto.
"So cute, Aki!"
Bart, ever the manly type, bellowed his feelings loud and clear. Sensing it as a challenge, Aki raised her voice even higher.
"Aki isn't just cute—Aki is Aki!!!"
"Talent crush, talent crush, talent, talent, talent."
"Aki isn't talent—Aki is Aki!!!"
In an instant, Aki turned the deck into a sea of laughter. Rain watched with a soft smile.
'I went all out reminiscing about my time with Rista, and even I couldn't pull this off.'
You're different from me, Aki.
With your pure heart like a flame, your very existence lights a warm fire in the weary and sorrowful.
Yeah, you'll definitely become a great dragon like your mother...
"Tired? Let's head inside."
Cradling the dozing imperial dragon, he descended the stairs to the cabins. He could leave the party's bonding to Aki and Pippi.
'Rista, looks like I'm not cut out to be a leader after all.'
* * *
When I came to, I was in the world of black smoke.
I'd definitely been sleeping in my cabin, but somehow, the imperial dragon had come with me into this dream realm, still nestled in my arms.
At the center of the world, the black sun Karenden sat on a chair woven from mist, reading a book. He turned to look at me.
「So, you've come.」
I gave a weary smile in reply.
All thanks to you, right?
Slayers failed to revive Link? That's on you, isn't it, Lord Karenden?
「I did nothing. Those who dream of the heavens and accumulate virtue ascend to the heavens. Those who revel in the abyss and are stained by evil are bound to the earth.」
I needed a moment to think.
Memories of my time with Kies and Link rang through my ears like bells.
「You can be proud of your friends. Not one fell to the abyss—they all ascended to the heavens. Proof they lived noble lives.」
Even though I'm this late.
Did they hate me for promising to return and never making it back...?
This reunion made it clear all those worries were pointless.
Karenden pointed at the imperial dragon in my arms with a finger.
「That child's name is Setsunen. It means 'mourning affection'—grief-tinged love.」
Setsunen...
So it wasn't coincidence that this child came to me. That was your doing.
「Coincidence, you say? Creating the Three Divine Dragons was just a byproduct of making war machines, in truth. But looking back now...」
The mist of his chair split into three forms. Three hatchlings, each distinct.
One I'd seen here before—the water dragon Yeriserika. Which meant...
The fire dragon Bel'Dakidun and light dragon Haraderiman.
「Those days with them led me to the truth. There are no coincidences in this world.」
Karenden's face, petting their chins, was shrouded in black light.
But somehow, I knew he wore a smile—joyful, nostalgic, and sad.
Karenden looked up at me, still smiling, it seemed.
「She'll be a great help on your century-long journey, in spirit or flesh. Now, call Setsunen by name.」
I hesitated, not knowing why—but had his words ever led to anything weird?
Setsunen.
The moment I spoke the name, Setsunen's body erupted into blinding light and shot skyward.
「Setsunen's essence is that of a wingless dragon, so she borrows the power of the wish-granting pearl through fusion like this.」
It struck me like a thunderbolt, leaving me gasping.
When the light faded, gauntlets adorned my hands out of nowhere.
Woven from particles of light, golden currents danced elegantly across their surface.
They had some weight—solid, reassuring—but not cumbersome.
'The left gauntlet lacks a palm plate. To not block the runes of the mental barrier?'
And that's not all.
A new stroke had been added to the mental rune on my left palm.
Along with a mysterious fullness spreading from my heart—a clear thunderous resonance.
'A crooked stroke, like a flashing bolt...'
At the same time, a butterfly alighted on my shoulder.
Rudiyën.
The mana butterfly shook its wings lightly, and a summary of transcendent metrics unfolded before my eyes as text.
Camitishia.
Analyzing circuit...
・Mana property addition confirmed: 'Red (赤)' → 'Red (赤)', 'Yellow (黃)'.
・New connection point discovered between core and mana circuits: 'Thunder (雷)'.
For the first time in ages, my heart pounded with excitement.
Thunder (雷).
Thunder.
My main attribute—the one representing Osarius Academy—wasn't it lightning?
'So I can use it again?'
Less raw power than fire, but thunder's strength lies in the speed of its spells.
The light-speed power the Dragon Slayer wielded freely—that was this yellow mana, the power of thunder.
With thunder affinity, I could combine spells even more fluidly.
As exhilaration bubbled up and I let out a laugh, Karenden gently placed a hand on my shoulder.
「Akirea is Ala Kish's bloodkin, and Mirngardia holds your disciple's fragment. But Setsunen has nothing.」
True...
「So color her with your hue. I have great expectations for you.」
With that, the black smoke dissipated from all sides, and the cabin's darkness returned.
A familiar scent mingled with a new one at the tip of my nose.
The woody aroma of firewood warming a winter hearth probably belonged to Aki, who was glaring at me from both sides, clearly displeased.
"That's Aki's spot! Aki's, Aki's spot!"
Looking closer, she was glaring at Setsunen, curled up on my chest.
And then, to my shock... she bopped Setsunen on the head.
Tears welled in Setsunen's eyes, and she started wailing. I grabbed Aki's shoulders in surprise.
"What was that, Aki? Why hit your little sister?"
"......"
"You're the big sister. You have to protect her. Apologize, now."
Under my scolding, Aki just pouted at Setsunen, then bolted out of the cabin.
"Aki, hey, Aki!"
What fresh trouble was this...?
I'd meant to teach her Setsunen's name and tell her to look after her.
"Why are you like this, Aki...?"
I can't walk the same path as you all, but Setsunen's the one companion who can walk it with you.
* * *
"Why the grumpy face?"
Miria approached Aki, who sat atop the mast, staring indifferently at the dark, endless sea.
"Daddy hates me."
"Rain? Why?"
"Daddy hates Aki! He only holds her all the time now. He doesn't like Aki anymore."
She hugged her knees and spat it out carelessly.
Miria knew better than anyone it wasn't her real feelings, so she gave a sad smile.
That's why—she didn't want this child repeating her own mistakes.
"Remember how high the Crimson Mountains are, Aki?"
"......?"
"Think you could climb to the top without stopping?"
"That'd be hard. Why?"
"That's what he did when he grabbed you. With his body all messed up. Gasping like he was about to die."
"......!"
"That's how much he treasures and loves you. Aki, human time is finite. No one knows when the thread snaps. You fought over something small just now? You'll regret it forever."
Not like every 'tomorrow' comes as usual.
It's not real feelings, so it'll blow over... That complacency leads to lifelong regrets.
Impermanence. The fate of mortals—their time, their lives.
"I don't know what 'thread snapping' means."
"It means dying."
"Dying?"
"People die someday. And when they do?"
A sea breeze swept over the black waves, tousling Aki's red hair.
"You can never meet again."
A dragon's mind was still too young to grasp death—the severing of bonds.
But Miria's smile looked so sad... Aki felt an ache deep in her chest.
Just then, a voice called from below the mast.
"Aki, hey, Aki! What're you doing up there? It's dangerous—come down!"
Aki kicked off the mast a few times, landing nimbly on the deck.
"Aki landing!"
As the crew whistled and cheered, Aki approached Rain.
Rain flinched, hoisting Setsunen high out of reach—but Aki bowed politely at the navel.
"Daddy, Aki was wrong. Won't do it again."
I'd planned to give her a stern talking-to, but with her coming out like this, what could I say?
I stared down at her in a daze, then chuckled despite myself.
"No, it's my fault for not teaching you how to treat family."
"How should I?"
I recalled that old conversation with my comrades—asking what I'd do when I had a family someday.
"It's not hard."
And Rista smiling softly, telling me...
"Love them a lot."
I gently placed Setsunen in Aki's arms, then rested a hand on her warm head.
"Your little sister's name is Nen. She's family, who'll live the same time as you."
"Nen!"
"Yeah, Nen. Can you love her lots?"
Aki looked up at Rain with sparkling eyes, nodded, and rubbed her cheek against Nen's head.
"Aki will love her lots and lots!"
Ah, just seeing that pure smile warms my heart.
- It's not hard, Lin.
It lets me understand the feelings my old comrades had when they said those words long ago.
- Love them a lot.
And hearing that clear laugh of yours fills me with an unbearable loneliness.
The reality that our journey's end means parting from you—it saddens me so much, draws me into hugging you without thinking.
"Yeah, good girl. Aki's a good kid, so you'll do great."
Miria smiled down at the scene, then frowned at the déjà vu hitting her again.
'Again.'
Those words—I'd heard them somewhere before.
Who said them?
The tall guy? No, no. Much, much further back...