Chapter 52
Chapter 52
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: Wavering (2)
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"Bulki! Come on out!"
"Young Hero! It's time to set sail!"
For some reason, Bulki wasn't emerging from his cabin, which worried Rondnel and Shainelius enough that they knocked on the door. Only then did Bulki finally appear, his face noticeably gaunt.
"Ah, sorry. I didn't sleep well last night."
The two exchanged a glance at Bulki's haggard features before speaking right there in the narrow corridor.
"Bulki, is something bothering you?"
"Indeed, Young Hero. Could it be seasickness before we've even left port?"
"You think that's plausible while you're saying it, you dwarf?"
"Ahaha, I hadn't considered that."
Bulki forced a smile amid their lighthearted banter and the concern they showed for him.
Can I protect these two?
How long can'this happiness last?
"It's nothing. Let's head out first. We need to see off the people here to send us away."
The Hero's companions forced smiles back at Bulki. Together with him, they exited through the same entrance they'd used to board Hoshekh Hatar once more. Then, following the dwarf king's instructions, they took their places beside the massive brazier they hadn't seen before.
It had definitely felt like plunging the sword into the brazier and infusing it with power. Bulki pushed the thought aside, drew his sword, and thrust it alone into the base of the brazier.
"My sword is Hutvana. Now, once more, the sword that divides good and evil!"
Everyone except Bulki watched from around Hoshekh Hatar.
Suddenly, a massive light bloomed in the brazier, gathering as if being sucked back in before erupting as flames. But unlike what the dwarf king had described, the other ignition points connected to the brazier remained unlit.
"More... more! A stronger light!"
Bulki gripped the sword with both hands now, summoning even greater light.
The blinding flash exploded like a starburst, overwhelming all life around Hoshekh Hatar-no, everything in the vicinity. Just as all eyes were blinded like at the dawn of the sun, Bulki squeezed his eyes shut and opened them.
"Huh?"
And there, he saw the vision from before.
"Ah."
As Bulki turned to leave, the sky would fill with orange clouds burning like fire. Far off in the distance: Lije, and Iven. They were exactly what he had lost.
What would Lije make today? What would Iven write next? They smiled at him. Bulki smiled back and took a step forward.
"Bulki."
Shainelius's call snapped him back to reality. He confirmed the pouring rain on the seaside.
There were no Lije or Iven. Dwarves, humans, elves, and beastkin stood there, tears mingling with the rain indistinguishable.
They were the bereaved. Soon, they would clutch the same sorrow as him.
"Hero, please return safely."
"All things of the sea, protect Parashi."
"El Orsi, El Elohar Miplassi."
"Lead the Hero. Let him lead us."
"Avenge our lost ones."
Everyone prayed to Bulki. He stood before them and spoke again.
"We have lost, and we will lose more ahead, but we must press on."
A heavy silence fell. Only the rain soaked the shore. Bulki steadied his breath and continued.
"This adventure won't reclaim what's gone. But I'll gain far more power in exchange for those losses and return. I promise-I'll bring back something even better."
Bulki's face twisted miserably, nearly sobbing yet smiling like the flickering Hoshekh Hatar brazier, as he boarded the ship's heavy darkness.
Can I protect them? Friend, what would you say if we met again? I'm afraid of that.
His vision blurred and shook, and he collapsed.
***
The Hero inheriting sword and horn, and the Demon King, lay broken from the cost of that inheritance. But in stories, when trials come, allies always appear.
When the two opened their eyes again...
"Demon King, are you all right? I am Levanaharon, son of the Blue Moon Saharon. Please take me in."
"Hero, snap out of it. I'm Lilit, the healer aboard this ship. Please get up."
Later recorded: Levanaharon, son of Blue Moon Saharon, who would guard the Demon King's line; and the knight meant to watch the Hero's abyss but now a forgotten witch of the world, name changed-me, Lilit.
***
Iven opened his eyes at the voice calling him.
"Demon King, are you all right?"
Before him stood a wolfkin with fur bluer than azure. From the voice, he seemed a young man for a wolfkin.
"Who are you? Where are the others?"
"I am Levanaharon, son of the former Blue Moon wolfkin king Saharon. Lady Iveldra went to fetch Hyeon for now, and as for the others, they were gone before I arrived, so I don't know."
"He had a son? You... why do you want to be king?"
It was a question born of dizzy haze, but Levanaharon placed a large hand on the fur of his chest and answered humbly, truthfully.
"To save my kind."
At that pure, greenhorn innocence, Iven slowly rose.
"You speak like a Hero."
"Pardon? Shall I fetch Lady Iveldra?"
"She's back with Hyeon already."
"I greet the master of the horns."
Hyeon approached Iven, bowed, and said,
"I heard the flames of sin's backlash made you vomit rage."
"What happened here, Hyeon?"
"Overload. Consumed by killing and dying, you forgot how to live."
Iven simply rose fully at his worried words and sat by a boulder like the round tables used by the savages.
"Not the time for that now. Status report?"
"As you will, master. The island is complete. As instructed, bridges via mountain giants are underway. This wolfkin is the vessel to be next king, so I brought him early-he seemed about to die otherwise. Best for you to keep him close and train him. Anyway, I'll head back to the frozen lands as ordered."
"Red Blood savage princes and their elite troops await outside."
After Hyeon and Iveldra's report, he stood and exited the vast tent. Soil was in place now; next came production and supply.
"Follow first. You'll learn what saving your kind really means."
Levanaharon trailed silently after Iven's words.
***
Bulki opened his eyes at the voice calling him.
"Hero, do you recognize me?"
Before him stood a woman with short, curly black hair. She spoke with feigned worry-or eyes hiding unknown emotion.
"This is..."
"The recovery room inside Hoshekh Hatar."
"Who are you? The others... Ah! What about departure?"
"The dwarf king's invention is fine. Can't you feel the vibrations?"
Bulki rose slowly. The hull shook harder.
"I'm Lilit the healer. I started treatment the moment I saw you collapse from exhaustion."
"Ah, thank you. I'm Bulki Sonain. So, where are we sailing now?"
"Better to see for yourself. Follow me."
Lilit removed the incense burner from Bulki's body and waited as he dressed. He donned simple clothes and followed her down the narrow corridor for a long stretch to Hoshekh Hatar's foremost, the helm.
"What in the world..."
The helm was shocking.
Like glimpsing far-future tech, Bulki marveled. Vast iron plates housed machines of gems and steel, glowing floatstones from Haipoji Mountain lit the ship with the brazier's power he'd ignited.
"Under... water?"
But what stunned him most: darkness outside hid it, yet fish occasionally flashed across the forward transparent cross-pane.
"Finally up, Young Hero? What do you think? We're crossing the sea-literally! Lengthwise and widthwise! How could this not amaze?"
"I'm amazed too, but can we talk without the noise, dwarf? Bulki needs rest."
The Hero's party welcomed Bulki's awakening once more.
"No, I'm fine. And this place... Huh?"
"Something wrong?"
The spot where someone had been was empty.
"No, I came with my healer, but I can't remember."
"Healer? The recovery staff handled it. First, greet the captain."
"Okay."
Bulki awkwardly approached the dwarf seated behind the helm and bowed.
"Bulki Sonain."
He looked younger than the dwarf king, but Bulki instantly recognized the weathered sailor from his home village. He extended a burly hand.
"Ah, the Hero? Name's Dayagnel. Captain or not, I've no real sea voyages like this-more a technician, really."
Bulki shook his hand amid the rocking hull.
"Pleased to meet you, Dayagnel. How much farther?"
Dayagnel puffed a steel pipe cigarette and replied,
"Truth be told, no idea."