Chapter 134
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 134
After a kiss that felt both fleeting and eternal, Turan was the first to pull away.
The reason, comically enough, was that he simply couldn't breathe.
His nose, shattered by the blow he’d received moments ago, was still clogged with blood, and now his mouth had been blocked as well.
"Ssshh..."
After taking a few deep breaths, Turan manually set his nose back into place and used Fluid Manipulation Magic to draw out the pooled blood. The frantic bleeding finally subsided after he downed several doses of a recovery potion produced by a magic device.
Standing behind him, Meisa wiped her blood-stained lips. "…You’re not planning to just gloss over everything like this, are you?"
"Of course not."
Turan stood up with a hearty laugh and met her eyes. They were still swollen, her deep blue irises shimmering with lingering tears.
He had known for some time that Meisa’s feelings for him had shifted into something romantic. Such emotions were among the things a Zahar’s sense of smell could detect most sensitively. Yet, there had been many reasons why he hadn't clarified their relationship until now.
He had worried that if they became too close, Solif—the third member of their trio—might feel alienated. Or perhaps he simply wasn't certain of his own heart. But to retreat now, using those excuses in a situation like this, would be more than cowardly; it would be plain stupid.
"The only one I consider my companion is you, Meisa. No matter who comes from Zahar, I’m not going anywhere."
Companion. The word he used to define their relationship for the first time was incredibly heavy, yet undeniably sweet.
There was no hesitation left in Turan’s voice. Having said it aloud, he felt a renewed certainty that his thoughts were exactly as he’d described. In fact, he found himself wishing he had said it sooner.
Hearing this, Meisa let out a soft groan and buried her face in Turan’s chest.
"…I’m sorry."
"For what?"
"For hitting you."
To call it just 'hitting' was an understatement, considering the extent of Turan’s injuries. His face was bloated as if his cheekbones had shattered, and his nose had been snapped clean. Fortunately, he had a decent tolerance for such pain, having sustained similar injuries quite often in the Arena. In fact, when Turan had beaten Meisa there to force her surrender, he had inflicted far worse.
"Well, I suppose I deserved it."
Conversely, if Meisa had declared she was dating some Arabion noble for strategic reasons, Turan would have likely lost his mind with jealousy. Instead of hitting her, however, he probably would have stormed the Arabion estate to assassinate the man.
Of course, he’d had his reasons for making a unilateral decision without consulting her. He had calculated that if he asked for time to discuss it with others, Talis would realize just how important Meisa was to him—and thus, how easily she could be used as a weakness.
"Now that I hear that, I really do feel like the only child here."
"That’s how everyone grows up."
"You’re younger than me, what are you even talking about…?"
Meisa burst into a small laugh at Turan’s banter. If Solif, who was about thirty years older than both of them, had seen this, he probably would have scoffed at how well the 'kids' were playing together.
After sharing each other's warmth for a long while, Meisa spoke in a low voice.
"Don't be too harsh on that girl."
"You mean the Zahar Family Head's granddaughter?"
"Yeah. She’s being sold off too, isn't she? You should at least treat her well as a guest."
"Well, I suppose…"
Turan recalled his conversation with Talis. Hadn't the man said, like a cunning and ruthless Zahar noble, that he knew what to prioritize and what to cut away?
Those weren't just idle words. If the Zahar lady played her part in the charade for peace and then left quietly, that would be one thing. But if she crossed that line, Turan was more than ready to become a monster.
*
A few hours later, when Turan and Meisa returned to Kalamaf, they looked much the same as when they had left, save for the thick coating of dust on their clothes.
Of course, faint bruises remained on Turan's face, and his broken nose was still red and swollen. This was actually an improvement, achieved only after he had gulped down enough recovery potions to make his stomach bloat.
Upon their return, the two fell back into a dynamic that seemed unchanged from before the Zahar nobles arrived. Or rather, it was a relationship that felt subtly closer and more uninhibited.
The influential figures of Kalamaf agonized over how to interpret this. Eventually, Solif—who occupied a similar standing to the two and was thus the only one brave enough to speak up—asked Turan on behalf of everyone.
"…Hey, did things get settled?"
"Yeah."
"How?"
"Oh, you know. Just did."
Since both Turan and Meisa gave similar vague answers, the truth remained buried. However, everyone could see that the bond between them had changed—it was now tighter, more resilient, and deeply intertwined.
Once the restless atmosphere had settled somewhat, Turan gathered the city's nobles to make an announcement. He would be leaving Kalamaf for a short while.
"For how long…?"
"It shouldn't take more than a week at most."
During the battle with the two possessed vessels in the forest, Turan had been struck in the chest by Ymir’s ice axe. Some of the ice flowers that bloomed from the wound had pierced his lungs, leaving lasting damage. Even now, quite some time after the battle, he still coughed up blood occasionally.
He had been consistently drinking recovery potions and seeking help from their only healer, but perhaps because Turan’s mana was too powerful, or because the injury was caused by 'divine magic,' the wound in his lungs showed no signs of healing.
What he needed was a high-ranking healer from the Lavitas family. Since it was difficult for him to move, he had sent a letter to Lida requesting a visit, but the reply stated that she couldn't leave her current location. In other words, for a full recovery, Turan had to go there himself.
"But our defenses and escape plans are all geared toward the Arabions. Do we really not need to worry about Zahar? I seriously doubt those bastards will keep their word."
Turan nodded at Solif’s question.
"I can't say 'absolutely,' but they’ll likely keep it for the most part. We’ve already shown them our strength. And since we’ve made the non-aggression pact public, breaking it would damage their honor."
While the bridge with Arabion had essentially been burned when he bound Kadram’s soul, there was no such deep-seated grudge between Turan and Zahar yet. To be precise, Turan harbored a one-sided hostility knowing Talis was his father’s enemy, but the other side was unaware of that fact.
In such a situation, the combat power Turan’s group had displayed—and proven in the forest battle—was far too formidable for Zahar to take a reckless gamble. Moreover, Turan had shown a willingness to compromise rather than acting like a madman bent on killing all the gods.
Turan wasn't trusting in Zahar’s honesty or faith; he was trusting the political landscape he had pieced together from the information he’d gathered. In that regard, the likelihood of an Arabion invasion was also quite low. The blow Turan’s group had dealt them in the previous battle had been that devastating.
After the meeting, Meisa patted Turan’s back to dust him off.
"Travel safely. We’ll keep a good watch over things here."
As she said, one of the reasons he could afford this excursion was that two powerhouses comparable to him remained behind. Turan nodded, his eyes drifting to the golden armor visible beneath Meisa’s collar.
Heavenly Guardian.
This mighty holy relic, originally brought by Kadram, was now being worn by Meisa under her clothes. If they were to fight in the Arena now with her wearing that, Turan suspected he might actually be the one to lose.
Misinterpreting his gaze, Meisa gave a slightly embarrassed expression and lightly kissed his cheek. Watching from the side, Solif let out a shriek and writhed in mock agony.
*
After leaving Kalamaf, Turan immediately mounted Bije and began flying southwest.
Perhaps because she was happy to be flying with just the two of them after a long time, Bije hummed a song incessantly in his mind—a voice only he could hear—and flew much faster than usual.
-The silver-haired grandfather weaves a net, inside the finely shattered picture, he keeps telling fairy tales!
He listened to the nursery rhyme, wondering where she could have possibly picked it up. After a day and a half, Turan crossed the border between the forest zone and the Enril Desert, entering the Siraf Wetlands.
Looking closely at the surrounding landscape, it seemed the capital of Lavitas, Merem City, would soon be in sight. Having traveled here quite often, he could now distinguish the landmarks of the swampy terrain.
‘If I get the chance, I’d like to see how much the southern reclamation site has changed.’
Of course, considering that Kalamaf’s self-defense would be weakened for every minute he was away, that was out of the question. It would take a significant amount of time just to go down there from Merem, and since it was further south, the return trip would be delayed even more.
One thing he had recently discovered was that a certain spiritual flow was reaching him from the south. When he activated his Spiritual Awareness, he could feel a steady stream of power coming from somewhere far to the south, likely where the reclamation site was located. He wasn't sure how it worked yet, but it didn't feel like a bad thing.
As a day and a half passed, Turan made a stealthy landing near Merem City. He withdrew Bije into his body and headed straight for Lida’s mansion. Having stayed there for quite some time before, the face of the servant guarding the entrance was familiar.
"Oh, Great One…"
"No need for formalities. Is Lady Lida inside? Please tell her I apologize for visiting without an appointment."
A look of hesitation crossed the servant’s face at Turan’s words. "My lady is not at the mansion."
"Is that so?"
In truth, Turan already knew Lida wasn't there through the detection abilities of his holy relic. He had only asked as a matter of courtesy.
"Then I’d like to stay here for a while until she returns. Would that be alright?"
"Um, well."
Turan frowned at the servant’s wavering attitude. Lida had previously told him he was welcome to visit anytime, so it should have been natural to let him in. After a somewhat unsettling hesitation, the servant guided Turan inside.
After washing away the grime from a day of camping and finishing a delicious meal, Turan asked the maid serving him, "Did Lady Lida mention when she might return?"
"Pardon? Oh, um, I’m not really sure."
For some reason, the maid seemed greatly flustered by his question. He asked a few more servants similar questions, but none could give him an answer about what Lida was doing or when she would be back. Finally, when he pressed the butler, he received a satisfactory answer.
"Lady Lida has not returned to the mansion for several months."
"For several months?"
"Yes. To be precise, the last time was when she went to the main house to attend a welcoming banquet around the time the Baraha Family Head visited."
Turan’s eyes narrowed at the butler’s words. "That’s strange. We exchanged letters about two weeks ago."
"I delivered your letter to the main house and received the reply from there."
This meant Lida was staying at the main house and was capable of writing letters, but was in a state where she couldn't return to this mansion. Something smelled incredibly suspicious.
"Do you know exactly what’s going on?"
"No. However, one thing I do know is that since the Baraha Family Head visited and left, many of the high-ranking nobles of the main house have been staying at the Family Head’s residence. As for what’s happening inside, I’m afraid I don't know…"
The Baraha Family Head, who had traveled through the Southern Sea to the Siraf Wetlands by ship a few months ago. At the time, Turan’s group had only guessed that he might have had some health issue and was seeking treatment. It was also because of his absence that they had been able to launch a surprise raid on the Baraha main house and rescue Solif’s parents.
Turan looked toward the distant residence of the Lavitas Family Head and spoke to the butler.
"I’ll write a letter. Please deliver it to the main house so Lady Lida can read it."
The content of Turan’s letter was simple: he had come seeking Lida’s help, and if she needed any help from him, he was willing to provide it. Whatever the issue was that required the high-ranking nobles to gather at the Lavitas main house, if it wasn't resolved, Turan would have to stay holed up in Lida’s mansion. Otherwise, he’d have to return to Kalamaf empty-handed.
‘This stay might be longer than I thought.’
The thought that Kalamaf and his precious people might be in danger for every minute he was away made him feel anxious. Having something to protect always came with its pros and cons. Fortunately, he wasn't without a means of communication. That night, at the scheduled time, Turan soothed his mind by talking to Meisa through the hand mirror magic device.
*
The reply to the letter Turan had sent through the butler arrived around noon the next day. Instead of writing back, Lida sent someone who appeared to be a servant from the main house to invite him to the Family Head’s residence.
‘I hope… it’s not a trap.’
If there was something amiss, he should be able to sense it with the Mimic Relic. However, if it really was a trap, it would mean his relationship with Lavitas was ruined, so he sincerely hoped that wasn't the case. Without their help, the only way for Turan to receive high-level treatment would be to kill a healer and feed their mana to his relic.
Upon reaching the Family Head’s residence, Turan frowned at the presence he felt inside. He could sense about a dozen high-ranking nobles surrounding one powerful mage who appeared to be Osel, the Lavitas Family Head.
‘It feels like they’re all treating Osel. Could it be…?’
A single scenario flashed through his mind the moment he sensed the layout. This was half-confirmed when he entered and met Lida.
"It’s been a while, Turan. I’m sorry I couldn't come out to greet you."
"Not at all. It was only right that I come to you."
Lida, whom he hadn't seen in months, was still young and beautiful, but she looked strangely aged and exhausted, likely due to the worry etched on her face. Turan could tell that the flow of mana in her body had become weak and unstable.
‘Her stamina is depleted from overusing healing magic. So it really is that…’
"So, you said you needed my help?"
"Yes. I was seriously injured in a fight a while ago. I’ve recovered, but there are lingering side effects, so I wanted to request treatment."
Lida hesitated for a moment before letting out a sigh. She seemed to find it difficult even to speak.
"I’m sorry, but I don't think I can help you right now."
"Is it because of the Family Head’s recovery?"
"How did you…?"
Lida’s face contorted with shock at his direct hit.
"You look exhausted from excessive mana use. If the other Lavitas nobles are gathered and haven't come out, I figured that could be the only reason."
In truth, he had seen the result with the Mimic Relic and simply pieced the reasoning together, but there was no way Lida could know that. After a moment’s hesitation, she gave a deep sigh and nodded.
"Yes, you’re right. He sustained a major wound from a surprise attack by the Baraha Family Head. We are doing our best to heal him, but we’re barely maintaining the status quo. I’m sorry, but we don't have the mana to spare to heal you."
"It’s a wonder rumors haven't spread."
If mages of the Family Head level from Great Families had clashed with full force—especially if their followers had joined the fray—it wouldn't have been strange for the capital, Merem, to be half-destroyed by the aftermath alone. If that had happened, there was no way Turan wouldn't have heard about it, no matter how much he’d been traveling.
"It’s because the fight ended inside the palace. It’s a place built to be dreadfully sturdy, so the aftermath didn't spread outside."
"Did you just let the Baraha nobles go?"
"My Osel is such a kind child. He didn't want us to die trying to retaliate. So we had to let them go."
They had driven the Baraha mages away, but since then, the 'fire' on his body had refused to go out. At first, he had endured by casting healing magic on himself, but at some point, he had lost consciousness entirely, and now the high-ranking Lavitas nobles were doing everything in their power to keep him alive.
If Osel, the best healer in the world, couldn't recover on his own, it wasn't a normal attack. It was likely divine magic using a combination of symbols or the effect of a powerful holy relic.
"The only silver lining is that the Baraha Family Head was also quite seriously injured. He likely won't find it easy to recover either. There’s no one else besides us who could use healing magic on a powerhouse of that level."
"Do you know why he attacked?"
"The reason given was that we hid the Baraha heir. He and Osel spoke more privately, but I didn't hear the rest of it."
In other words, Solif’s existence was one of the pretexts. Whether that was the true reason or not, it had certainly played a part. As Solif’s friend, Turan bit his lip hard.
"By the way, what happened with the matter I asked you about before? Any clues?"
The matter she had requested was surely the search for the stolen holy relic of Lavitas. Hadn't she said she knew nothing other than that it had disappeared on a ship heading somewhere east?
After a brief moment of wondering why this topic had come up now, Turan realized what she was trying to say.
"That’s the solution, then."
A holy relic that granted the user powerful healing and purification magic. That was the most viable way to restore the critically ill Lavitas Family Head.