Chapter 180 : Chapter 180
Chapter 180
***
That night, Martin had a dream. A scale. A giant scale, half white and half black, was weighing two worlds.
"A scale has the property of trying to achieve balance."
The words he heard when the Star Child first explained the scale to him came back like an auditory hallucination.
"If the weight on both arms is different and becomes a burden, it's natural to move the load from the heavy arm to the light one. The scale grants one right to the heavy world. The right to a door that leads to the light world. I said it's a right, but this is…."
On the scale were Hell and the Continent. The difference in power was stark. Hell was almost touching the ground. But little by little. Dr. Keren, the Demon Count, Helaine, Nelson, Brahmus and Keltu. The scale moves towards balance.
"The way of nature. That's why even a powerhouse like me couldn't dare to enter hell. Because the door was closed."
And this time, the failure of Kragach and Joverka. The scale finally reverses.
Moving slowly, it finally achieves balance, and at last, the Continent goes lower. For the first time since the dawn of creation, the Continent was able to be heavier than Hell on the scale.
"Star Child, what happens if the scale reverses and the Continent becomes heavier?"
"First of all, we can feel a sense of relief that we have seized the right to attack. The demons of hell, even the Demon Lords, will not be able to cross over to the Continent. That would violate the law of the scale."
"Then…."
"Yes. The chance for a counterattack has returned to us humans. We will return it to them just as they did. No, twofold! We must prepare slowly, very slowly. I must see those Demon Lord bastards squirming in their seats. And the moment I am certain."
The moment the Star Child had wished and longed for for hundreds of years had come.
"We go to hell."
“Master.”
Blink, blink. I see a familiar ceiling. For some reason, it's a refreshing morning. Instead of being groggy as usual, I feel clear-headed.
“It's morning.”
“Lilac.”
“Yes?”
“…No, it's nothing. Is there any news?”
“No….”
My mind is clearer than ever. The morning air was refreshing, and Lilac was by my side.
…But I couldn't be entirely happy. I slowly got out of bed and stood in front of the curtains.
Normally, Lilac would have drawn them before I even woke up.
I drew the curtains at once.
“…”
The capital had turned black. Kragach's flames had spread in all directions, causing no small amount of damage to the capital. I opened the window.
“Oh my! What are we supposed to do!”
“Waaaaah!”
The sound of wailing could be heard from all directions.
It wasn't just the ashes that were black. The coffins holding the deceased, the clothes worn by the bereaved families, even the clothes of the mourners. Everything was black.
Like the burnt capital. Like their hearts. My mood was gloomy today too.
And as if it were a lie, the weather was sunny.
“Master, shall we have breakfast?”
“Yes, let’s.”
When I arrived in the living room, my family was waiting.
Nerjin, Savo, Bianca. We began our breakfast with faces that were not so bright. I picked up the newspaper, enduring my heavy heart.
[Despair has descended. Has God forsaken us.]
The very first headline is gloomy.
[Grand Cathedral urges immediate reporting of any sightings of laughing people.]
[Imperium Land completely destroyed. Elidore Marquisate allocates compensation for victims instead of rebuilding funds for the Land.]
[The appearance of dragons, thought to be extinct. What is the identity of the dragon that burned the capital?]
[Platinum Numbering No.1 Sir Hectia protects the Grand Plaza.]
[Why do people flock to Imperium Academy whenever a disaster occurs?]
[The Crow Empress and the Defardly Liberation Army. Who are they, who suddenly appeared.]
The news that the Elidore Marquisate had beaten the Deminiyan Ducal Family to win the diplomatic rights to Fog Island was introduced as a very small, insignificant matter, like a village winning a grass-cutting competition against another village.
“…”
The scale has tipped, and the right to attack has been handed over. But the capital, the Empire, the continent is now singing a song of despair.
“Let’s get going.”
After finishing breakfast, we got ready and left the house.
We boarded the Coffee Wagon led by Sebastian and headed to… the hospital.
To the affiliated general hospital of Imperium Academy, one of the five hospitals that are always mentioned when discussing the best hospitals on the continent.
“…”
It was so crowded with people that it looked difficult to even enter.
After parking the wagon nearby, we had no choice but to leave Sebastian behind.
Since we couldn't bring an animal into the hospital.
And as expected, the inside of the hospital was a sea of people.
“Doctor! Please send that patient to the magic medicine department!”
“Ha, please contact the supplier. We’re out of healing herbs!”
“Doctor! Please! My husband can be saved, right?! Right?!”
“Hello! We are the group of priests who came to support from the Grand Cathedral!”
Hiding my troubled heart, I got on the 'moving stairs' operated by the power of mana stones.
When I tried to go up to the 13th floor, the guards stopped us, but we were able to pass thanks to one of them who recognized my face.
We went up to the 15th floor. From here on were private rooms. Hospital rooms for VVIPs.
“…”
I crossed the hallway filled with the smell of medicine and air fresheners and… stood in front of a hospital room.
“Haa….”
I heard Nerjin sigh. After a light knock, knock, I opened the door.
“Huh?”
“Ah!”
There were previous visitors. Familiar faces. The main character party.
“Ah, hi…!”
Gilbert, who foolishly greets me every day even though he is always rejected, greets me again this time.
“…Uh.”
But this time, I couldn't refuse. Because beyond him, I could see Elisha, lying on the bed with her eyes closed.
"S-So! We're! Friends, right?!"
She had definitely, definitely said that to me just yesterday.
"I will never! Abandon my friends!"
Why are you lying here now.
"Noooooo—!"
Yes, that's right. It's because of us.
“Elisha is.”
“…She’s passed the critical stage.”
“…”
Elisha had fought to protect me, Nerjin, Lilac, and the Star Child, and was captured by Joverka.
The Maki that had infiltrated her entire body was purified on the spot with Stellar Force, but… her wounds didn't heal.
The expression on the Star Child's face at that time is still vivid in my mind. He was contorted with frustration.
"The mark of a Demon Lord has been branded…! A curse of pain that will never be erased!"
Right after that, the Star Child declared that treatment was impossible.
Gilbert and I had hurriedly taken Elisha to the hospital for treatment, and I had never seen her thrashing around in so much pain before….
We couldn't wait all night. We agreed to take turns watching over Elisha, and my group decided to rest first.
So I don't know the results after that.
The most important thing.
“…Her left arm is.”
“…”
Gilbert doesn't answer.
“…Her left arm is.”
“…”
I asked again.
“…”
“…”
A teardrop falls. It was Mary's tear, who was sticking close to Elisha.
The gray eyes looking at me are as dark and damp as a raincloud.
“E-Elisha…! They say she can't use her left arm anymore…!”
Thump. Did a lead weight fall? No. It's not just that. It feels like a steel bar flew in and pierced my heart.
“Her tendons disappeared and her bones turned to powder…! Neither magic nor holy power works…!”
I raised my hand and touched my forehead. I feel a little dizzy.
“She can never hold a bow again…!”
I closed my eyes. Darkness floods in. It was rather comfortable.
‘No.’
I can't. I forced my eyes open. I could see Elisha lying on the hospital bed, breathing heavily.
At the very least, at the very least, I cannot escape this responsibility. I can't. I must not look away.
‘…It's my fault.’
If only I hadn't said something like I would accept her apology at the banquet hall.
‘…No, even if it had been right after a big fight, Elisha’s actions wouldn't have changed.’
Elisha, as she said, is the same type as Gilbert, a justice idiot.
‘Please…. Can't a person be selfish just once!’
But if she had, the Star Child, Nerjin, Gilbert, Lilac, and I would have died on the spot.
‘Damn it!’
I felt like I couldn't handle this feeling of apology, this guilt, unless I thought that way.
Then I suddenly remembered and looked at Bord.
“Sir Bord. I’m sure you tried, but… how was it?”
The Authority of the Jungle, one of the Nature Five I had given him. An artifact specialized in protection and recovery.
“…”
Bord shook his head. It was the first time I had seen him answer with silence.
“I'm sorry, I'm sorry….”
Bianca muttered while standing, wiping away the endlessly flowing tears. Nerjin knelt on one knee in front of Elisha, holding his trembling hands.
We stood there for a long time. For about an hour.
I, I couldn't bear the troubled heart and left the hospital room.
***
Clatter, creak! Thud! The place I came out of, opening and closing the steel door, was the rooftop. A quiet place with no one around.
I walked trudgingly and, fearlessly, leaned my body against the rooftop railing.
The capital, stained black with despair, came into view at a glance.
“Haa.”
I sighed and then sat down.
“…”
Looking down at the capital, I silently opened the bottle I had brought and drank coffee. It was very bitter.
“…”
The wind blows. I wish this wind would take my worries away too….
“If the seat next to you is empty, may I sit?”
“…Do whatever.”
I answered without even looking back. Because I had felt him open the rooftop door and come here.
“…”
“…”
We sat side by side without a word. Until the wind blew and blew again.
Gilbert was also about to drink some unknown beverage he had brought, but it seemed to be all gone, as the bottle was empty.
“…”
“…”
I silently poured half of my coffee into his bottle. We drank the bitter coffee together.
“…”
“…”
“You were both here.”
I snapped my head around. The Star Child was standing on top of the railing at some point.
Gilbert jumped to his feet and straightened his posture, but I just sat there and opened my mouth.
“When did you arrive?”
“A moment ago. To think that you, with your good senses, didn't notice.”
“Well…, yes.”
It seemed like it would be nothing. Without any emotion. Just as it had always been.
But it's bitter. A taste so bitter and bitter that no other taste can be felt.
“Well, whatever…. The scale has tipped beyond balance and is leaning towards our side, so it should be fine to relax a little. There is plenty of time to mull over emotions.”
The Star Child jumped down from the railing and stood in front of us.
“…As I said yesterday, the mark of a Demon Lord is an incurable curse.”
“…”
“…”
Why was he repeating what he said yesterday. I glanced at him and my eyes widened.
“…?! Wait, Star Child. You?”
“Shh.”
His condition is strange. Wasn't the backlash of his revelation resolved yesterday…?
“I did some research yesterday. It’s not like there’s no way at all.”
“…!”
“Of course, it won't be an easy task either.”
“Please tell me, Star Child!”
Gilbert grabbed both of the Star Child's hands and earnestly requested.
“Please! Elisha, that friend, she's a really good friend! She's a talent that will surely be needed when you achieve your great work!”
“I know, you brat. I was watching with my own two eyes even if you didn't say it.”
The Star Child tapped Gilbert's forehead and pushed him back.
“…I am a Star Child. A child of the stars. The first son of Cosmos.”
Gilbert and I began to listen silently to the Star Child's explanation.
“Naturally, wouldn’t there also be a Star Maiden?”
“Are a Star Child and a Star Maiden different? Aren't they both children of the stars?”
To Gilbert's proactive question, the Star Child explained point by point.
“From birth, males are created with strong physical strength and the seeds for procreation. Females are born to receive the seeds and raise children. In modern times, it is ignorant and rude to discriminate since both genders are equal, but the physiological differences between men and women are inevitably clear. This is the foundation of creation. In other words, order. It is not strange that Lord Cosmos bestowed different abilities and missions on the Star Child and the Star Maiden.”
The Star Child drew the dual pistols at his waist.
“I received the power to eliminate beings that harm the order of Cosmos. In other words, I am a warrior.”
After holstering the dual pistols again.
“My younger sister was the Star Maiden.”
“…!”
“She received the power of dispelling and healing. In front of most priests, I was as radiant as the moonlight before a firefly, but in front of my sister, I was just the moon before the sun.”
In other words, the method is simple.
“A Star Maiden.”
We have to find a Star Maiden.
“Then, where is that Star Maiden?”
Gilbert asked.