Ch.11136. Every Moment I Breathe. (3)

The moment she first witnessed it, Mines immediately sensed that it wasn’t human.

Of course, even its outward appearance was clearly different from humans.

The Lizard Folk.

Or the Lizardmen.

Humans defined them as lizard-like humanoids.

But from the perspective of the Lizard Folk, or Lizardmen, they considered humans to be the ones who resembled them.

Their history is long.

There are even speculations that they might share history with dragons, to some extent.

It’s just that they didn’t build up civilization or history as concretely as current humanity, but the fact that their history extends back at least 10,000 years has been historically proven by dragons, so no one could deny it.

In other words, they are among those referred to as the primordial races.

Just like the elves.

However, the being before her eyes didn’t appear to be a simple lizardman.

Its facial structure was less like a lizard and more elongated, making it closer to a dragon.

She had never seen a dragon in person, but she had vague memories of seeing them in fairy tale books or pictures.

And this being looked exactly like those.

Therefore, it was closer to a dragonkin than a lizardman.

And if she encountered a dragonkin in a place like this, it would be one of two things.

Either a dragonkin, one of the minority races living in the Lake Dragon’s Valley.

Or.

A lake dragon disguised as a dragonkin.

“What brings the old one here?”

While she was frozen, unsure how to react, Aseth stepped forward, placing a hand on Mines’ shoulder, and greeted the being as if he knew it.

“I just came to check on the children, and decided to take a stroll while I was out.”

“Oh, is that so?”

Aseth responded halfheartedly.

“How is he doing?”

“The same as always.”

Here, “he” referred to Kariel.

“And the young lady seems much better than when she first arrived. Are your hands and feet no longer cold? Seeing that you’re not affected by the cold, it seems your self-control has improved.”

“……”

An accurate observation.

Indeed, Mines, who had gained some control over her power, was now less susceptible to cold.

No, to be precise, the concept of cold had long lost its meaning for her.

Eventually, he beckoned to Aseth.

“Let’s walk a bit.”

“Seems like you’ve become sentimental with age.”

Though his words were sarcastic, his body willingly moved to the being’s side.

“You too, young lady.”

At his call, Mines reluctantly followed.

“As you might have guessed, I am the master of this area. It’s strange to have an owner for perfectly good land, but the obsession with territory and possession is an instinct we all share.”

“Don’t talk nonsense. This place has been called the Lake Dragon’s Valley for hundreds of years, so what are you saying?”

Despite Aseth’s words coming out sideways, a naturally respectful attitude was evident.

“That’s exactly it. To protect this place, I had to claim ownership. Because for some reason, greedy ones wouldn’t leave empty land alone.”

The dragonkin explained calmly.

“I, the Lake Dragon, guardian of the Millennial Forest Sea, master of the lake wider than the sky, and guide of the snow-white mountains…”

“Lansruth. That’s this eccentric dragon’s name. If it’s hard to pronounce, you can call him Lans or Lantz, but you should get permission from the old one first.”

Aseth abruptly cut in, revealing his name.

“How tasteless.”

The dragonkin looked quite displeased, widening his yellow eyes.

It was peculiar how his blue skin turned partially flushed, taking on a purplish hue.

“If I had to listen to all that, my ears would rot, wouldn’t they?”

“Each title carries our history and years. What harm is there in listening?”

“It’s outside my interest.”

The two continued their banter, almost like a battle of nerves.

“So, how are you doing? Are you starting to get the hang of it?”

“I don’t know. I’m not particularly interested in enlightenment or inspiration.”

“…Talent and motivation at odds with each other, truly heaven is indifferent. If you had been more devoted, you would be twice as strong as you are now.”

“It’s the era that’s strange. You said it yourself, didn’t you? If I had been born 30 years later, the continent would be at my feet.”

“That’s what I said then.”

“What about you?”

At those words, the dragonkin, Lansruth, fell silent.

“Are you still unable to guarantee victory against the Sword Saint or whatever?”

“That’s a separate matter. But recently, I’ve been able to have some certainty. Only…”

“Only?”

“That person must have appeared somewhere in this world again.”

“What do you mean?”

“Life goes in cycles. He will be reborn and someday cross swords with me again. The world hasn’t let go of him yet.”

“Are you saying he’s been reincarnated?”

“Probably.”

Even as he spoke, the dragonkin seemed to be filled with a sense of longing.

“Then shouldn’t you be happy and look for him?”

“Unfortunately, he’s across the continent from us. He can’t be found here, and he’s beyond our reach.”

“…Then what if he dies? Reunion becomes impossible, right? How will you determine victory then?”

“That too would be fate.”

“How frustrating.”

Aseth clicked his tongue loudly.

“So, I don’t think you called us here to talk about that. What is it?”

“Aseth. From your observation, why do you think he was able to undertake such training?”

“How would I know? Kariel might not be a genius, but he was certainly talented enough to be considered gifted in this field from early on. So…”

“Why bother saying things that deceive yourself?”

Those piercing yellow eyes cast a sharp gaze.

“From what I see, he has no talent. No, he might have had it once, but not anymore.”

“What makes you so certain?”

“Because I can see it. Unlike you all. Among the dragons roaming the western continent, none have better insight into swords, techniques, and martial arts than I do. With these eyes and insight, I declare that even if he once had exceptional talent, he no longer does. This is a very special case.”

“He had talent before? How and why does talent disappear?”

“I don’t know. That’s why it’s a special case.”

An ambiguous conclusion.

“But look now. He has already crossed the line.”

“Grandeus could see the future, they say. And looking at how things are unfolding, I believe he has inherited that arrangement.”

“So. Do you think he suddenly received someone else’s power and became strong?”

“That’s not entirely wrong, is it?”

“Most in this world cannot receive even if given.”

The Lake Dragon, Lansruth, pointed with his sharply extended fingernail to a distant place.

There stood a snow-white mountain, reaching high into the sky.

“Do you think you could receive that if it were given to you?”

“…That’s impossible.”

“That’s the case with him now.”

“You’re making this complicated again.”

Aseth scratched his head vigorously.

“So you mean that receiving is also an ability?”

“That’s not wrong, but it’s not right either. What’s suspicious and strange is the very fact that he received it.”

And the fact that he can handle it.

The very situation of making it his own.

“There must be a guide. Without a guide, this is not something one can receive even if they want to.”

“So you’re saying Kariel didn’t achieve this alone, but there’s someone helping him, is that what you’re trying to say?”

“Yes. Whether it’s a master, a senior, or a guide. That’s why he can move forward without hesitation.”

“And so?”

“…You’ve misheard me.”

Aseth immediately denied it.

“No, I understood your point. You’re interested in how Kariel was taught, regardless of who taught him, right?”

“Yes.”

“But until you told me this, I had no idea what you were talking about. Do you know what this means? It means that from what I’ve observed and felt, I can’t provide you with any inspiration or help.”

“……”

In the end.

Lansruth was asking about the secret of Kariel’s growth process and method.

Rather than Kariel’s intense training and his devoted attitude towards it.

He was asking about the belief that allowed Kariel to go this far, and the person who taught him this method.

“I may be part of the Relief Knight Order or whatever, but to be fair, Kariel is not a member of the Relief Knight Order. It’s the Relief Knight Order that’s one-sidedly clinging to him.”

“Have I said this before?”

At this point, Lansruth changed the subject.

“The Golden Beast didn’t invade us either. So the truth known to the world is that this area was safe, right?”

“Of course. Is that not the case?”

“Yes. To be precise, it’s the opposite.”

The Golden Beast came to me first.

And it.

“It gave me teachings.”

“…What did you say?”

“In a way, the reason I accepted you all and gathered disciples was influenced by its words.”

Don’t stay isolated and live in your own world.

That’s why you can’t defeat the Sword Saint.

“I couldn’t understand the intention behind those words, but I followed them to find a breakthrough.”

Of course, on the condition that as long as the Demon King’s army didn’t invade his territory, he wouldn’t interfere.

That’s why even during that period, he quietly contributed only to protecting his own domain.

“And to be clear, the past ten years or so of raising you all has led to greater growth than my hundred years of solitary training. I’ve only recently come to understand why.”

“I’m curious. Even someone like you speaks as if you still lack enlightenment.”

“No matter how high the mountain peak, everything is under the sky.”

Then, clearing his throat, Lansruth spoke in a deep voice, as if revealing a not-so-secret secret.

“A tree does not eat its own fruit.”

“Huh? What kind of nonsense is that?”

“Listen to the rest.”

Lansruth, who glared at Aseth for interrupting, continued.

“A flower does not spread its fragrance for itself.”

The sun and moon do not emit light to illuminate themselves.

“And there. That too.”

Lansruth pointed to a distant place, as if cutting through the forest.

What was there, what he was pointing at.

Mines quickly realized.

“The lake does not fill itself with water for its own storehouse. It doesn’t fill itself with water to drink its own water.”

“…?”

Aseth looked confused, but Mines immediately understood.

“Everything you just mentioned… you’re saying it’s all for others, not for oneself?”

“What do you mean?”

Why couldn’t the intelligent Aseth understand this simple statement?

“That’s right. In the end, it’s you and the animals and plants living around here that use the water in the filled lake. It’s you and the surrounding animals that eat the fruits from the trees.”

“What? So what are you trying to say? That we should also create and produce things?”

“Aseth. You’ve been moving around and honing yourself to help Kariel, right? You’ve focused on goodness and justice, even if inefficient, for the sake of future reputation?”

“Yes. For the future. Kariel told me the same thing, and I judged it to be right at the time.”

“That’s exactly it.”

“…?”

What on earth is this old one trying to say?

“Though unseen, everything we do is being counted. Actions, thoughts, will, consciousness. Even the results triggered by them.”

“……”

At those words, Mines felt a chill down her spine.

It was something she always heard in religious doctrines.

Live righteously, and you will be blessed.

If you commit evil, you will surely pay a fitting price.

You reap what you sow.

You reap.

What you sow.

“Understanding this, and the fact that even the Demon King, who plunged the world into chaos, understood this, is something I cannot comprehend.”

“Do you understand what he’s saying?”

Aseth asked Mines.

“Karma.”

“Huh?”

“You brought this upon yourself. You are as good as having done it. You wished for it. You demanded it.”

“Why are you suddenly like this too?”

“As you give, so shall you receive.”

Lansruth nodded at Mines.

The curve in his slit eyes was certainly not just a mood.

“The ancient philosophers of Krik said that phenomena have objective causality, independent of the will or consciousness of intelligent beings, didn’t they?”

What is the origin?

Starting with this inquiry, various philosophical and magical schools diverged.

But the starting point and foundation were simple.

What is the origin?

Those who sought to find or embody it in the form of matter focused on natural elements.

Initially, it was fire and water.

And they focused on their changes and all the phenomena and results derived from those changes.

“Some came to conclude that everything that exists has a valid reason, and the cause of causes, the highest foundation, is God. The simple-minded logic of ‘if you don’t know, it’s because God willed it so’ originated from here.”

“Old one. You know I hate philosophy and abstract talk, right?”

“What do you think is the root cause, the foundation of how Kariel could become like that?”

“That… I don’t know?”

“What I find strange is that Kariel has reached this point and gained such power with that very premise.”

It could be packaged under the name of trial.

“It means he was inherently qualified.”

But having qualifications doesn’t mean achieving it is a given.

“They might have been qualified to learn the Dragon God Sword, but without reaching this point, they wouldn’t even have had the opportunity to learn and master it. Until the moment of their death. Even Lyurik and Aristetis, though qualified, if Mayer hadn’t brought them?”

“…They would have lived content with their circumstances? Or somehow managed even if dissatisfied?”

“Let’s move on to Kariel’s story. Assuming Kariel was qualified, his journey so far, and his coming here to achieve results and organize them. Who guided him here?”

“……”

On the surface, it was Aseth himself who guided Kariel here.

But, applying the old one’s words a bit.

…Was it Kariel’s past good deeds? Good intentions?

Because of that, his connection with Kariel was established.

In the end, because of that karma, he ended up guiding Kariel here.

This is neither coincidence nor necessity.

Yet, it is both coincidence and necessity.

As you give, so shall you receive?

Mines now understood why she had said those words.

‘That’s right.’

In that sense.

Let’s think again.

Before connecting with him, what made Kariel leave his own country and come to a foreign land?

Moreover, what was the reason for such determination?

And before that, where and from whom did he learn Grandeus’s swordsmanship?

Thinking about it, it was an incredibly simple question.

…Why had he never seriously thought about this?

He had assumed Kariel had his own intentions.

Because he was an extraordinary person.

But who gave up thinking, using “extraordinary” as an excuse?

Let’s go back to the original starting point.

Kariel, how did you learn Grandeus’s sword?

Also, Grandeus’s swordsmanship, unknown even to the Relief Knight Order. How do you know its origin and principles?

Who told you about it?

And.

How can you still push forward so stubbornly, with such certainty, a training method that no one has told you about?

“It doesn’t make sense.”

What he had taken for granted suddenly began to seem like an impossibility.

And even the fact that he had accepted it all without question.

Now, for some reason, it was starting to give him goosebumps.

====

“……”

Again, placed here.

I know this is space.

But it’s not real.

It’s all a mental image.

Just a landscape created by someone.

“Not much time left.”

And there.

Someone in a dark form.

Was welcoming me again.

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

In his hand, something that is a sword but not a sword, a dark form of something, is held.

“What I know and what you know will probably be separate things from now on.”

“……”

“Knowing the future is, in a way, cruel.”

Because I violated the natural order, I must pay a fitting price.

But if that leads to a worthy outcome.

Even this, like a momentary wave in the great flow of the natural order, like foam created by waves.

A momentary tremor. A variable. Something like a dragon’s roar.

“But I, who could neither bear nor create descendants, had no choice but to promise the future in this way.”

“What a piece of trash.”

A golden girl standing at a distance sneered with a scoff.

“I apologize.”

This is not communication.

It’s a one-sided explanation, a sermon, a confession, a complaint.

But the dark form responded to the golden girl as if he had heard her.

“Still, I only did what I had to do. I feel like I’ve repeated this hundreds of times already.”

“……”

The golden girl waved dismissively, as if it was beneath her.

And Kariel, watching this.

“So is this the last sparring match?”

“Yes.”

The dark form answered clearly.

“From now on, forge your own path.”

He raises the sword he holds vertically.

So familiar, to the point of being tired of its familiarity.

But now it’s become so natural, more than breathing, that I feel no discomfort or hesitation.

Like opening and closing eyes.

To the point where I can’t even recognize the act of lifting eyelids.

Something truly familiar.

Somehow, I too was holding my sword in the same form as him.

The starting stance.

Yes.

This was Para (Parā).

Meaning “prepare,” “be prepared.”

Was that it?

“……”

It was truly a simple meaning.