Chapter 29
Chapter 29
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: Sorrow Cometh (1)
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One, all myths too become reality with the passage of time. This is a story penned by the witch of now, neither forgotten nor lingering among the demons.
The saintess shall continue unbroken, the Hero shall be born anew, and the Demon King shall hold his throne. And at that end, once more the succession of sword and horn shall cease.
Thus, the Hero shall gather the Mir and become the light of Or.
Thus, the Demon King shall rally his legions once more to strike down the saintess.
In answer thereto, the saintess shall wield the Hero anew to slay the Demon King.
Behold, sorrow cometh.
***
"Even knowing all this, will you become the Hero who inherits the sword in the end?"
"What do you want from me that you've revealed the truth? O King of the Giant Dwarves."
After hastily descending the mountain and spending a day sorting through their thoughts at an inn, Bulki and his companions were able to meet Sherpandnel once more upon the throne of the dwarves at dawn the next day.
"As you heard, becoming a Hero means inheriting the sword and perpetuating the war with the demons. The war of sword and horn will never end that way. Every Hero we've known has been trapped in that cycle. Not a single exception."
Sherpandnel spoke bitterly, thinking of Eden Sonain, the Hero just before him. Bulki asked on behalf of the group.
"When did you first know?"
The Hero answered the Hero's question.
"From the moment I ascended this throne and felt its weight. We dwarves have existed, by the will of Mifplas, to prevent the sinners from being freed generation after generation. But I, Sherpandnel, am the first dwarf king who does not remember the covenant from a thousand years ago. Over the past millennium, the false gods have already abandoned us, and those who carry the true will of the El are now few on this continent."
Sherpandnel had likely realized something similar to Hainelius, the former captain of the sun fairies' guard. But as a Hero, he awaited a true Hero who would carry on his will.
"Among them, only I realized that the Hero must unchain the sinners, forge a great sin, and break this cycle. And so I awaited a Hero who would follow my will."
"If I can..."
"If you can? What kind of talk is that! Even if it cannot be done, it must be done!"
Was it the mission of one who awakens to the twist in the tale? Bulki squeezed his eyes shut at the roar from the giant of small stature before him.
What would you have done? Did you wrestle with such dilemmas too, my friend?
"This is the lament of all creation. If you bear this burden and become the true guiding star of Helred, which has lost its light! Then all the might of us dwarves and the spirits of this land shall gladly follow the Hero's will."
"For now, put other matters aside, Hero Bulki."
More vital even than an army of over a hundred thousand were their craftsmanship and the minerals of Haipoji Mountain-enough to defend every coast of the eastern continent.
And that was not all. It meant Sherpandnel himself was publicly declaring the alliance between races, the true purpose of this diplomatic mission.
"Do you understand? Hero, Sonain, if the succession of sword and horn ends, then what we call demons will cease to be demons. Even knights! This meaningless war will end as well. So swear anew, at the end of a millennium's vow, that you will forge a great sin once more!"
Every word from this king of giant dwarves was right. Exterminate the demons. But protect them all without killing, erase the very meaning of demon-that was his destiny.
"I..."
Bulki opened his eyes and knelt on one knee before the king of dwarves, swearing.
"I, Bulki Sonain, from this moment forth shall merge the great flame of the Holy Brazier with the wretched flame of sin in the demons' eyes, not to exterminate the demons but to end the war, sever the succession of sword and horn, and bring the age of myths to a close. This I'make my destiny. Lend me your strength, O great king of dwarves!"
No one by the throne could know how this vow would unfold in the days to come, but
"Good, Hero. Now go! First, seek out the Mir. They will know how to forge the great sin anew, a way forgotten by the world and unknown to the sinners. The seer said the Mir Yam, symbol of life, dwells in an unknown land between the western and eastern continents, at the world's heart. Go, and carry my will!"
One who had given his will now believed he could at last fulfill it.
One who wished not to know another's will saw his anguish grow.
One who witnessed the passing of will recalled his own and his kin's destiny.
One anxious regardless of will longed to stay together always.
One who revered the will vowed to carry it himself.
One who received the will burned even hotter toward the goal before his eyes.
Bang!
But sorrow would come.
For these were not the only ones to receive El's divided will.
"King of dwarves! Urgent dispatch from the eastern coast!"
Unlike the dwarves' stone-heavy armor, a lightly clad dwarf shoved past the Hero's party and dashed to the giant king.
"My faithful servant Maranel, what is it? Speak in detail!"
"A colossal mountain giant never seen before has appeared on the eastern continent's coast! Its massive horns nearly touch the ceiling of Haipoji, swimming the great ocean with its enormous hands and ravaging the shores with its brutish feet, heading toward the human empire of Sonain!"
"Is it truly so? At a time like this, of all times... The demons, having lost their god, will aim to kill Mifplas's saintess. If she dies before we forge the great sin, only the succession of horns will continue-not all demons vanishing from the world, but all non-demons perishing."
The giant king of dwarves did not yet know. That El's will-god's will-was beyond all creation's grasp, growing stronger with the birth of Hero and Demon King who comprehend it. Thus the tale flowed swifter. And that even this was called fate.
"Do not panic, great king of dwarves! The alliance is already sealed by vow. We need only do what we envisioned, when we can."
"Well said. Summon the soldiers. We'll plan and support!"
As Sherpandnel moved to don his armor, Elis shouted to Bulki as well.
"Hero! My sword is ever your will. Command me!"
"Elis, thank you. Gather all supplies. We're heading straight to Sonain."
Bulki did not falter. The emergence of new demons was anticipated. All he had to do was what he could-utter the words he'd proclaimed countless times before.
"Herald dwarf, what of other regions beyond the east?"
"Worry not, scion of the queen. With the alliance forged, I, Sherpandnel, shall dispatch forces to everywhere at once!"
In the chaos, Rondnel and Gil hurriedly packed to move.
Fear, confusion, rage washed over Bulki, but he did not yield. His goal, the tip of his sword, still unwavering. Deep underground, he recalled his sword he would never see again, his friend.
Iven, my friend.
I will fulfill your wish. If we all cannot become knights, I will forge the great sin with my own hands and end all successions. I will eradicate demons and create a world needing no knights. Surely even the goddess Mifplas would say as much.
Bulki bade Sherpandnel final farewell, mounted the Glory Mir, and cried out.
"A new demon has appeared! But fear not, all. Our conviction burns stronger than before, so we advance thereby. Now, Yerutsa Helred! Yerutsa Sonain! I go first with the Mir-together, all races, Yerutsa Rahav! Inherit the sword!"
Bulki spurred his Mir onward with vigor, unaware then.
That the true king of all races headed straight for him.
***
"At last, the guiding star has found its path."
Was it sorcery? In endless darkness, the witch gazed at a small flame burning steadily and murmured. She caressed it as if handling her most cherished gem.
"You've endured trials enough and found purpose, so now a single chance shall come to you."
In that instant, ghostly flames rose beside her whispering form. That deep purple-black, thickening the surrounding gloom, circled her little flame-as if in love, as if in hate.
"Aga, I shall need your aid."
Having foreseen all, she quietly beheld this world's fate and will. Then softly intoned.
"It would later be recorded as the first duel between Demon King and Hero."
***
The day before all this, in the capital Sonain of the Sonain Empire on the eastern continent, inside the saintess's chamber in the grand cathedral.
"So dreadfully dull. If only demons would come storming in."
Mariel Sonain, princess of the empire and saintess chosen by Mifplas. She bathed in a strange purple liquid like poison, her form akin to a lofty moon in the night sky.
"Damnable Hero, slipping further from my control."
She inspected her sword this way and that, speaking. She'd tried simple spells several times, but her dominion worked less and less, especially on the Hero.
"Well, better than boredom, I suppose."
The princess yawned languidly, exuding leisure amid ennui, unaware then.
That the mountain giant's king headed for her.