Aurora Scroll

“You abused your Aspect,” Flavia Marianus said to her grandchild. “You are very close to being crippled permanently.”

“It was necessary,” Freya said without remorse.

Flavia raised her eyebrow slightly. “Is he that much of an opponent, this Tanael. It seems you put him above the Demon King in terms of threat.”

The two were in private. Freya’s treatment involved her Aspect, which was kept in the highest secrecy. If people knew she possessed something that only Level 6 possessed, who knew what kind of people would target her. After the treatment was over, they made use of the privacy to discuss other sensitive matters.

“He’s weaker... but my instincts tell me he is dangerous. Incredibly so. You should know how great of a threat otherworlders can become, grandmother.”

The Estellian Church had records about the time of the advanced civilizations that arose about four thousand years ago. Otherworlders used their knowledge to build wonders. Because of the combined progress of science and magic, Humanity’s standing was so high that the Sixth Hellwar became the least costly.

They waged war against one another after that, using taboo technologies. The cause of the war was greed and hubris.

It almost destroyed the world.

“There’s no doubt in my mind Tanael is the same kind of people like them. Capable of greatness, yes, but also great destruction. He’s the embodiment of what we’re worried about, the worst kind of otherworlder that thinks this world was his to mold and shape to his liking. He thinks himself the protagonist of a story, and the world is just a prop... even the people. The Sanctuary remained closed, by the way.”

It was the place where the Church let the otherworlders live in peace. Even with the Tower of Remorse’s destruction, the different dimension should be intact.

“I’ll send people to check them out later.”

Flavia mentally made a note to talk to Vestal Mita and the young Saintess Rose about Tanael who they knew as Viers.

“What are your plans now?”

“I’m going to pursue-”

“No.”

“Why!?” Freya had the mixed expression of impatience and discontent.

Twice now, Tanael had escaped her. The first was when they were younger, about five years ago. Even though he used a different name now, his name should be Viers. Freya felt it was her duty to bring him to justice.

“Remember why you came to the Tower of Remorse in the first place. To find a guide to the place where Cardinal Josephine went missing. You have found the guide and the mission still stands. I’ll send someone else to pursue Tanael. Based on your story, Level 4 won't cut it... Sheesh, as if we haven't stretched thin enough already.”

“I’m sorry,” Freya lowered her head, feeling responsible for her failure.

“It’s not your fault, young woman. You may go. But remember to take it easy for a while. Your Aspect needs time to recover, as does your body and soul.”

“...I understand. Oh, before I forget,” Freya extended the Aurora Scroll to Flavia. “The Church should take care of this.”

“Keep it.”

“Grandmother, it’s far too precious. I don't even know its full function. The oracles can make use of it better that I-”

“You obtain it fair and square. It is rightfully yours. In time, you might know how to properly use it,” Flavia then said something else with a softer voice, as if talking to herself. “With the Popess gone, there is a need for young sprouts to grow quickly.”

Freya frowned. “Is it true, then? Popess Sallustia is... really gone?”

“She went to the upper world, with the Level 6s from the eastern continent. Unfortunately, one of the so-called Immortal is still around. I’ve just gotten a report that one of the foreigners just appeared in the Latias-Harkelan war, subduing a Level 6 sealed demon before making off with his prize. We’ll need to address that too. More than ever, Cardinal Josephine’s return is paramount.”

Flavia sighed deeply before her eyes met Freya’s, giving off a profound look.

“Go, Silver Legionary Freya, Herald of the Age of Heroes, the Millennium Tomorrow. You are one of the few lights of hope for this world. Hold on to your faith. Do as your heart tells you, and you’ll not go astray. Always remember, that the Church always has a warm hearth for you to return to... Stay safe, granddaughter.”

“Thank you, grandmother,” Freya said in the elder’s embrace.

After a while, she stepped back, made a salute, then exit the Supreme Commander’s tent.

“You don't need to worry about Tanael.” Before walking through the tent, Flavia said from behind. Freya turned around.

“He ran away from you twice. You cannot defeat the foe who you have turned your back from a second time. Believe me, I know from experience,” Flavia said with complete conviction.

After a few seconds, Freya dipped her head and exited for real.

There was a lot going on in her mind, but for now, she decided to see her friends in the healers quarters.

Master Gregory should be there too.

Just as she was about to enter the room, Freya stopped. She heard Cedric’s voice.

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“So, our perfect leader got the scroll, right? Not that I ever doubted, but what does it mean? The voice said she’s now the herald of the Age of Heroes. What’s that? Herald and Age both?”

“Why are you asking me?” Casey’s voice replied. After the battle of that scale, even a healer needed treatment.

“Because you’re the bookworm,” Hunter replied without delay.

“Hey!”

“The Age of Heroes refers to a spring period for Pathseekers, of sorts.”

Hearing Master Gregory’s voice, Freya now listened with rapt attention.

“Many talents will appear, like mushrooms growing after the rain. Births of high affinity Pathseekers like 4 or 5 will become more common, including rare affinities like space and soul. Those with unique physique or constitution will similarly be born more often.”

“Hmm, sounds like that will not benefit us, then. Only the new kids. Kind of a bummer,” Cedric said.

“Cedric! Forgive my colleague’s disrespect, general,” Eliott said.

“Nothing of the sort. We’ll also have plenty of opportunities, young man. Pathseeker resources will grow in abundance. Biomes will be more accessible. Ascension to higher levels will become easier.”

“Oh, sweet! Level 4, here I come!” Hunter sounded happy.

“So It's going to be a gold rush then. Everybody is going to want a piece for themselves, even if they have to fight for it,” Cedric hummed. “Sounds more like the Age of Strife to me.”

“Because heroes are created from strife, young man. Something I’ve witnessed many times. Too many,” Gregory answered. “We’ll be very busy soon.”

“We thank you for your wisdom, general. Also, I believe this isn't common knowledge?” Eliott ended with an inquiry.

“Indeed it isn't. Because after the Age of Heroes, something always comes. A very significant thing.”

“...Could it be?” Casey gasped.

“What? You know something, Casey?” Hunter asked.

“It shouldn't be... But the time matched...” Casey mumbled to herself.

“The current Age of Heroes should last about 312 years,” Gregory continued.

“Why so specific?” Cedric asked.

“What comes after 312 years?” Hunter asked too.

“Come on! You two need to read more books!” Casey fumed.

Eliott answered. “There are a lot of calendars out there, but according to what the Church uses, we’re in Genesis Origin Year 9688. 312 years later will be the year 10000. The tenth millennium.

“The start of a new millennium is always signaled by one thing. Once every thousand years, the gates of Hell would fling open and all manners of demons and devils will come upon this world... A Hellwar. The Tenth Hellwar, which the record of destiny itself says it will be the last.”

Freya heard not a peep of sound after Gregory’s revelation for a while.

“Should we know about any of this? Sounds like this is above our pay grade,” Hunter said sheepishly.

“Thus is the reason we hide it. Prophecies of doom tend to agitate the masses.”

“That’s putting it mildly,” Casey sighed.

“But general, this confidential info... Why are you sharing this with us now?” Eliott asked.

“Because this is related to you, and my disciple. I should not be alive but for one reason or another, I’m still kicking around... but I’ll not be around that long. I hope you’ll continue to support Freya, through thick and thin, for I no longer can.”

“General Gregory...” Eliott tried to find the right words, but he found none.

Freya clenched her fists.

Master Gregory’s Intio had been shattered. He was no longer a level 5 Pathseeker. He wasn't even a Pathseeker anymore. The Silver Legion expert healers said there was nothing could be done.

And an ordinary human’s lifespan isn't... Master Gregory is already old. How many more years does he have left? Five? Ten? More? Less?

Freya wasn't ready for his passing. She didn't think she ever would.

She walked away, not knowing what kind of face she had to meet them. Feeling conflicted, she wanted to be alone for a moment and think.

Freya went outside, to a hill overlooking the ruined Tower of Remorse. It looked like a maw that opened by the earth now. Smokes still rising from many points. The Silver Legion was hard at work, rescuing the people and rounding the criminals but there was just so much to be done.

Black earth and uprooted trees. The sky was bleak and covered by dark clouds. There was a slight drizzle falling on her and the burning cremation piles. It truly painted a desolate picturesque.

Even though I was there, I could do nothing to prevent it.

People had died. Tower of Remorse’s Warden and Vice-Warden died in the line of duty, including countless others. She had gotten Cedric and Master Gregory back from the dead, but many were not so lucky. So, so many.

...Why would Tanael save Master Gregory? What is his intention?

This confused her to no end. There was no merit in him saving Gregory. The doctors said his soul or memories weren't tampered, so why? Was the shattered Intio the price for bringing him from the brink? She knew what she saw, Master Gregory’s should not survive the attack by the corpse abomination.

There was also the matter of Tanael’s inquiry.

What does the world need?

The young woman corrected the position of her glasses, looking at the distance. She wore a new one after the fight.

I can’t get it out of my head. Tanael’s not a simple brute. It’s clear about that.

The question was too profound.

Her hand unconsciously went toward her neck, where Tanael bit her and tore a chunk of flesh. There was no trace of any wound because of the skilled healers of the Silver Legion but Freya remembered the sensation vividly.

“World peace... Order...”

That was the answer she gave, but it was as if she was looking at a misty road. She thought she knew order would lead to peace, but it was full of unknown. Would the road curve? Would it lead to a cliff? Where’s the road actually going?

Like he said, the world is not a peace.

The scene before her was proof enough. She stood in silent contemplation for some time, thinking how to realize world peace though order without the deficiencies that Tanael pointed out.

Again and again she failed.

Because Tanael was right.

Tyranny. Dystopia. Oppression. Distrust. Rebellion.

At what point did order become an authoritarian regime?

How far would she go to realize her world peace? Would she need to lord over the world and control everything before people accepted her version of peace? Rule through absolute strength?

Then shook her head.

No. It’s not the way. Why should it be a single thing? The world is a big, vast place, filled with uncountable lives. Peace needs order, but it also needs harmony, understanding... Thinking I must correct the world by myself is wrong. It’s vanity. I’ll extend my hand, with patience and hope. Surely there are others who will take it. We’ll work together for our shared dream. Then others will join, and another, and another. Until the world is connected.

Yes, this is the way. It will be longer and harder, but it’s the proper way.

A beam of gentle sunlight fell on her from a parting cloud.

“So you approve, is it?” Freya looked above the soothing light and smiled. With respect, she put her fist on her heart and lowered her head.

“Thank you. It means a lot to me. I... will do my best.”