Chapter 85
Chapter 85
Son of Anaye (3)>
Strange gazes gathered on me. As I walked, I felt thirsty and drank some water. With that small action alone, I drew everyone’s attention.
Every single one of them showed envy. I could feel their longing for that cool, refreshing sensation. I quickly put my canteen away.
“Are you immune to poison? How fascinating.”
“It’s not exactly immunity. But it’s similar.”
The Vice-Commander’s words were filled with curiosity. Judging by their appearance, I could keenly sense the dreadful reputation of this Poison Swamp.
To be honest, the byproducts of the Poison Swamp were considered valuable. Most of them could only be obtained here, and since the supply was exceedingly scarce, the prices were set high.
All of that was because of the poisonous fog that existed within the Poison Swamp. If one could neutralize the poisonous fog or move freely within it, it would be quite desirable.
“Have you possessed it since birth?”
“I gained half of it when I became the Cult Leader of the Anaye Order.”
“Oh.”
The Vice-Commander coveted my ability to move freely within the poisonous fog. At my words, she seemed uncertain.
Was it merely the delusion of a devout believer, or an unbelievable truth? She looked as though she was contemplating it.
“That’s unfortunate.”
“The Imperial Knight Order cannot believe in religion.”
“Yes. What we believe in, and must believe in, is only the Imperial House of the Empire. Though there is a state religion.”
The Vice-Commander spoke with a gentle smile. Though it was hidden behind her gas mask, her mild tone and the relaxed cadence of her words made it apparent.
In general, the Imperial House did not believe in religion. It was not that they denied the existence of the gods, but they held no loyalty or faith toward any particular deity.
The reason they designated the Lofty Order as the state religion was entirely political. They rode on the authority of the benevolent order and sought to utilize it.
“We’re almost there.”
As we drew closer to the center of the Poison Swamp, the vegetation turned black.
Due to the potent poisonous fog, the surroundings had become saturated with poison, and the plants that stubbornly adapted to it were mostly black.
At the edge of Zone D. When the Vice-Commander spotted trees so blackened that even their patterns were no longer visible, she alerted the group.
The Imperial Knight Order readied their respective weapons and prepared thoroughly. Though we had arrived safely so far, they were preparing for any possibility.
“Wow~ I’m tired~”
In contrast to the rising tension, Canis was completely carefree. He had practically floated along while walking and wasn’t even tired, yet he let out a groan.
“You’re not even tired.”
I scolded him with cold eyes. Canis tilted his head toward the Imperial Knight Order. At the sound of him wanting to show off, I let out a hollow laugh.
“You little devil.”
I pressed down firmly on his head. Staggering under the force, he flailed in midair. Since his body was floating, he did not fall.
“We’ve arrived.”
At the Vice-Commander’s words, the scenery changed abruptly. A black lake. The water itself was clear, but the soil beneath it was black, making it appear that way.
At the center of the lake, whose depth could not be measured, there was a small hill. It was so small that it would feel cramped if four adults stood on it.
On that hill sat a giant. A giant with rugged muscles as if carved from black stone.
“That is…”
“Yes, he is the master of the Poison Swamp.”
The dungeon’s boss monster. Unlike other ferocious monsters, he was a peculiar figure who did not treat humans with hostility.
With his black-stained hair tightly tied back, he stood roughly 4 meters tall. Sitting there with his eyes closed and not moving an inch, he looked like a statue.
In the game, he was called [Traitor, Shi]. Since there was no related story, I did not know why he was called a traitor.
Rather, compared to the others, he had a much gentler personality, so in the community he was nicknamed ‘the guy next door’.
―You have come.
A tremendous resonance filled the lake. Simply from hearing his voice, ripples spread across the water. Shi rose from his seat.
Even with his slow movements, all eyes were drawn to him. The muscles and scars covering his entire body showed that his life had not been easy.
He was imposing. It felt as though a single punch from him could make a person burst apart. Shi slowly approached.
“You have brought the one you sought.”
The Vice-Commander stepped forward first. At the very front of the group, she fully received the surging presence. The giant looked down at her with ash-gray eyes.
As he came closer, I noticed something. There were cracks all over the giant’s body. He looked like a ceramic vessel on the verge of shattering.
―Winged one. You have carried out my request splendidly. I offer my gratitude.
“So it seems this is indeed the one you were looking for.”
―Yes. There is no way I would not know. This aura.
The giant slowly approached. Though he did nothing in particular, standing at that overwhelming height, he emitted an intense aura.
“I heard you were looking for me?”
The giant treated the Vice-Commander with goodwill. Fortunately, it did not seem like a fight would break out. I stepped forward confidently.
Even after hearing my words, the giant simply stared at me without any particular reaction.
―Do you remember me?
“What?”
―You have not changed at all.
The gazes of the group poured onto me. I was just as flustered. The giant treated me as if he had met me before.
Canis’ gaze gradually turned serious. The Vice-Commander wore a similar expression. All of them felt an inexplicable sense of betrayal.
I felt wronged. I could roughly guess his identity, but he was someone I absolutely could not have been involved with.
“I’m seeing you for the first time.”
―Hmm. Is that so.
Canis approached and grabbed my collar. My flustered feeling at being wronged lasted only a moment as I turned my head toward him.
“Perhaps a former comrade? Was Davide in the end someone who abandoned his companion?”
“…Just how far do you want to drag me down?”
“But that giant’s eyes are filled with longing.”
Without thinking, I looked at the giant’s face. His ash-gray eyes were half-dead. They were emotionless eyes in which nothing could be felt.
There was no trace of longing anywhere in them. I turned back to Canis, frowning as hard as I could.
“I can feel it, though?”
“Be quiet. I’m telling you, I’m seeing him for the first time.”
I brushed off Canis’ words and looked at the Vice-Commander. It was frustrating that I could not see her face because of the gas mask. With no choice, I looked up at the giant.
“Have you seen me before?”
―Of course. You bear the same face.
“This is driving me crazy. Did we meet when we were young?”
No matter how much I searched through my memories, nothing came to mind. Wondering if he had met Davide during his childhood, I asked, and a bizarre answer came back.
―I met you in my childhood.
“…You’re joking, right?”
The surroundings fell silent in an instant. I did not know the giant’s exact age. However, it was clear that he had far surpassed a human lifespan.
I did not know what race he belonged to, but a species with such a massive build did not exist in the current Empire. And yet he claimed he had seen me when he was young.
“Are you acquainted with Student Davide?”
―Winged one. I am under no obligation to answer you further, yet your efforts deserve respect. Before I answer, know that he does not go by the name Davide.
The Vice-Commander stepped forward, attempting to point out the strangeness. The giant did not seem pleased that she had joined the conversation.
However, the giant ultimately showed her respect. Of course, what followed was not helpful in the slightest.
“Student Davide?”
“Vice-Commander. I am truly being wronged here.”
“…I know that, but.”
The Vice-Commander replied awkwardly. Hearing such an unconvincing response made me feel like I was going insane. The back of my neck tingled.
―The stars have guided you. This, too, is fate.
Hearing one incomprehensible remark after another irritated me. Were all ancient giants like this?
Thinking that the conversation would no longer progress, I took something out from my chest. It was a red book.
―That is.
“You recognize it?”
―Of course. It is the story containing my sins and my life.
The red book was the autobiography Winter had obtained from the twins. The one who appeared in it was Anash. It was something I always carried with me.
From the moment I first heard the story from the Vice-Commander, I had a suspicion. It seemed my guess was correct.
“There is something I want to ask.”
―What is it?
“Did you really kill Lady Anaye?”
At my words, the group was startled. Canis and the Vice-Commander, in particular, who knew well of Anaye’s existence, were even more so.
At my question, Anash nodded.
―That is correct. Everything written there is the truth.
“Why?”
―Because I was lacking.
At Anash’s words, I frowned.
“That’s not the kind of answer I want to hear.”
The Vice-Commander flinched at my bold, rough tone. Unlike her concern, Anash showed no great agitation.
―[Magus]. They were the assassins of the ‘One Who Dropped the Star.’
“……”
Only then did it truly sink in. The final boss of the [Difficult Dungeon]. The true mastermind before Bereninche.
The name of the organization the mastermind belonged to was [Magus]. And the mastermind’s nickname was ‘One Who Dropped the Star.’
―I would wish to reminisce, but I have little time left.
Suddenly, the giant turned around. He walked toward the hill where he had originally been sitting. We could only stare blankly at him.
“He’s as self-willed as Davide.”
“Do you have multiple lives or something?”
I tried to grab Canis by the head as he poked at me without reading the mood.
I had intended to flick his forehead, but he swiftly dodged and hid behind the Vice-Commander.
“I only have one.”
“……Come here, you.”
The Vice-Commander, now serving as a shield, awkwardly scratched the back of her head.
I let out a small sigh. What mattered was what Anash had said. In the end, it meant that Anaye had been killed by the mastermind.
―Thud.
The Vice-Commander, who had been about to order the Imperial Knight Order to rest, staggered greatly. The ground suddenly trembled.
The vibration grew stronger and then abruptly created a massive crack in the lake. The group skillfully steadied themselves.
“What is that?”
After the long tremor subsided, I looked around to grasp the situation. At the center of the lake stood a structure that had not been there before.
The hill at the center of the lake had vanished, replaced by a temple-like structure open on all sides. A path extending from that temple reached all the way to the edge of the lake.
“A building?”
―One born of lightning. Come.
Along with the Vice-Commander’s puzzled murmur, the giant called out to me. I had a bad feeling about this. I did not know why he was calling only me.
“Vice-Commander.”
“Yes. Student Davide.”
“Something feels off.”
As the ground shook, something kept rising from beneath the lake. Smoothly cut stones filled the water one by one.
They filled half of the lake, creating many footholds. I hesitated uneasily, but the giant waited silently at the center of the lake.
“Shall we go?”
At the Vice-Commander’s words, I nodded. Nothing would be solved by standing here in a standoff. We needed progress in some form.
The Vice-Commander and the Imperial Knight Order took the lead. Gripping their respective weapons, they heightened their senses.
―Only the one born of lightning may come.
However, we did not advance together. As we stepped onto the footholds and moved forward, we were suddenly repelled.
Rather than being struck by something, it felt like being swept away by a wave, and everyone was flung off the footholds.
Everyone except me.
“……”
I walked toward the group, who were getting up with bewildered expressions. A transparent wall had formed, separating us. I was effectively trapped alone.
“Well~ we’ve been had.”
“……How rude. Master of the lake.”
The Vice-Commander shot back sharply. Uncharacteristically, she was angry. Magic surged fiercely in response to her emotions.
―Winged one. This is a rite that must be carried out. Outsiders cannot interfere.
“He is our honored guest. Protecting him is our duty and mission.”
―I understand your position. However, this is an unavoidable fate. If you truly consider him an honored guest, then trust him.
The Vice-Commander immediately conjured an orb. The surrounding temperature dropped sharply, and spears of ice formed in midair.
With a gesture from her hand, the ice spears shot forward violently. However, upon colliding with the transparent barrier, they shattered into pieces.
“Conceptual defense. This is troublesome~”
“Conceptual defense?”
“Yes~ It seems to repel everything except what was pre-registered. A type of ancient barrier.”
Canis was an exceptional mage, though inferior to the Vice-Commander. However, if there was one thing in which he surpassed her, it was ancient magic.
Even ancient magic that the Vice-Commander, who had lived far longer as a fairy, might never have seen, Canis had witnessed with delight.
He immediately discerned the true nature of the barrier.
―Come. Come and face your fate.
“I’m kind of irritated right now.”
―The method is crude. My apologies.
Seeing him even offer an easy apology left me dumbfounded. At a glance, he almost seemed to be pleading. As if I had no choice, I began walking forward.
The giant’s lack of hostility unsettled me.
―My name is Shi. Traitor, Anash. I once lived as a great warrior, but unable to overcome temptation, I became the parricidal warrior who killed his mother.
As I drew closer, the giant’s voice grew louder. It changed from a call to a roar, and eventually into a vow.
―Come, my brother. The name I received from you. I have waited a thousand years to return it to you. Hurry and cut down this sinful me, and at last reach that destination.