Ch.141141. Farewell

The war was over.

Quite amusingly, it happened as suddenly as rain stopping abruptly, leaving those still caught in the heat of battle feeling awkward.

Just as puddles remain after rain stops, the horrors of war still lingered in the Griffin Kingdom and the Great Marias Forest, spreading the bitter smell of blood.

The nobles from Griffin Kingdom.

Romerzhan, Heroin, and Boman were the first to be arrested and taken away. They would likely be headed to Griffin’s execution grounds.

According to what they confessed to me when I confronted them separately in the forest, this invasion was part of negotiations with the Zerman Kingdom beyond the desert.

The three of them, who had no way to survive in the Griffin Kingdom anymore, planned to use the Marias people to occupy parts of Griffin Kingdom’s territory, after which the Zerman Kingdom would follow with their own invasion.

However, the Zerman Kingdom judged there was no hope and unilaterally cut ties with the three, ultimately abandoning them.

It’s quite amusing, but I thought that the very idea of negotiating with Zerman over Griffin’s land by using the Marias people showed great audacity, regardless of how foolish it was.

They believed everything happened under their direction, but there must have been involvement from Dante’s Black Mage.

‘That man probably orchestrated everything.’

The Black Mage from Dante, who died unable to endure the pain as his limbs burned away.

I collected his soul along with Balkzar’s. It was preparation for the coming battle with Dante.

‘Dante is moving too quickly.’

The invasion plan of the Zerman Kingdom itself wasn’t particularly surprising. After all, it was part of the main episode.

But it’s happening faster than expected.

The episode’s starting point involving the Queen of Zerman should begin in the second semester of the third year, but it’s still only the second semester of the first year.

A flow that’s two whole years ahead of schedule.

I understand that Dante’s side is taking various actions in response to my existence as a Spiritmaster.

But I never expected beings like Horua and Balkzar, who weren’t even mentioned in the game, to appear.

‘This means there could be many more powerful beings I don’t know about.’

Wondering what on earth was going on with this continent, I slowly made my way out of the Great Marias Forest.

I left the situation cleanup to Gloria, and Illuania had already left earlier for her protection.

Perhaps because I came out a bit late, dawn was already breaking.

The air, which had been humid due to the rain, was just beginning to feel fresh.

[Deus!]

Whoosh!

Something flew through my body.

“Hmm?”

I couldn’t help but let out a subtle exclamation of surprise.

Glancing behind me, there was the Dark Spiritmaster flailing in midair, and then—

Wham!

A heavy impact followed, crashing into my body. Unlike with the Dark Spiritmaster, this had definite weight and warm temperature.

“Master!”

Findenai, her tobacco scent faded, rushed at me and clung to me, wrapping her arms around my neck and legs around my waist, dangling there.

“……”

Though I was a bit taken aback by this unexpected welcome, Findenai buried her face in my chest and murmured.

“You did well, really well.”

“……”

“Shit, slaughter doesn’t suit you. I’ll do that kind of thing, so just sit with your legs crossed drinking warm tea.”

The rare sense of relief in her voice made me feel how much she had worried about me.

Perhaps because of that.

Feeling somewhat awkward, I spoke coldly as usual.

“Not if it’s tea you’ve brewed.”

“Ha! Bullshit!”

At my words, Findenai wiggled her hips and leaned forward. Already tired and not particularly strong to begin with, the sudden movement made her lose balance and fall backward.

Thud!

Though Findenai’s hands cushioned the back of my head as we fell, so the impact wasn’t severe.

But now she was on top of me.

She slightly pulled away and looked down at me with a playful smile on her lips.

“Look forward to it. I’ll make you unable to live without my tea someday.”

“Sigh, get off.”

When I sighed in annoyance, Findenai just laughed again and deliberately rubbed her bottom against my waist.

“Getting hard?”

That was the end of it.

My mana pushed her away, and Findenai rolled on the ground, letting out a miserable groan.

“Ack!”

“You crossed the line. Your pay is cut this month.”

“Ptui! Ah, dirt got in my mouth! Ptooey! Wait, pay cut? I rolled across the battlefield and my salary gets reduced?!”

As I stood up and dusted off the dirt from my clothes, intending to move forward, a woman in a black robe stood with her arms crossed, glaring at me.

[You know I spotted you first and flew over, right?]

“Yes.”

[That means I should have been in that position.]

“What does that even mean?”

[Really, you’re so annoying.]

Despite her words, she subtly approached and reached out her hand.

I instinctively tried to pull back, but the Dark Spiritmaster made a hissing sound and took another step forward to maintain the distance.

Tap.

A touch with noticeable weight.

She had become quite skilled at handling mana, as the hand she placed on my head conveyed a slight weight and faint warmth.

[You really did well. And thank you.]

“……”

[You should just continue being as you are. Noble and beautiful.]

A faint smile visible through the black cloth. I could feel that the Dark Spiritmaster, in her own way different from Findenai, had been worried about me.

[As a Spiritmaster, not a Black Mage.]

Looking at the Dark Spiritmaster, a thought suddenly occurred to me.

The Dark Spiritmaster is with me to see the ultimate end of spirit magic. When her own grudge is fulfilled, she will find peace.

A woman who will eventually leave.

I’m advancing toward the truth of spirit magic, but I still don’t know what lies at the end.

One thing is certain, though: parting with the Dark Spiritmaster is already predetermined.

“This path of mine could, in a way, be seen as comforting you.”

Was she surprised by my words?

The Dark Spiritmaster’s eyes trembled briefly before she smiled faintly and nodded.

[I suppose it could be seen that way.]

We didn’t continue the conversation further. Another indescribable emotion was welling up inside my chest.

But being already mentally exhausted, I turned away out of a desire to avoid becoming more tired.

Saintess Lucia also came out to greet me and healed my wounds, but I was too fatigued.

Without even eating, I simply washed up and went straight to my tent to close my eyes.

Perhaps because I had entered the Great Marias Forest immediately after finishing the spirit ritual.

The accumulated fatigue hit me harder than expected.

* * *

I’m not sure how long I slept, but I could tell that people had been taking care of me quite diligently while I was asleep.

Despite sleeping on a cot in a tent, which should have left my back sore, I felt no such discomfort, and I wasn’t too hot or cold.

Rather than the damp discomfort of a tent, it felt like waking up in a clean mansion.

There was no one inside the tent, but outside it was bright enough without lamps, suggesting the sun was up.

After getting up and quickly fixing my hair, I stepped outside where the bright sunlight pierced my eyes.

‘How many days have I been sleeping?’

The sunlight felt so unfamiliar that I felt like a vampire, and my stomach was quite empty.

“Oh? You’re up.”

Findenai, who was crouching outside the tent smoking tobacco she must have borrowed from another soldier, spotted me.

Since I had just woken up and wanted to regain my senses, I used my mana to send Findenai’s tobacco flying far away.

She looked at her hand that had been holding the tobacco with empty eyes, wiggling her fingers.

“Shit, I just got that.”

Ignoring her whining about having only taken one puff, I asked:

“How much time has passed?”

“Two days, master.”

Right, two days.

Grateful that not as much time had passed as I thought, I spoke again.

“Where is Illuania?”

“Illuania and Sebia are both fine, so don’t worry. First, eat something. Look how gaunt your face is.”

Findenai was concerned, but I shook my head.

“No, the other matter is more urgent.”

There was still one soul whose grudge remained unresolved.

Hearing my answer, Findenai sighed and shouted loudly.

“Hey, Owen! Prepare food! We’ll be there to eat soon!”

“Eek! Yes!”

Owen’s voice came from somewhere. He still seemed afraid of Findenai.

“Let’s go, we’ll eat right after finishing what needs to be done.”

“Alright.”

Findenai guided me to a large tent. Inside were Illuania holding Sebia and the Dark Spiritmaster standing guard.

“Ah, you’re awake!”

Illuania welcomed me.

I had wanted to let her recover somewhere nicer than this place.

But it seemed she had been waiting for me to wake up.

That’s a relief.

“Illuania, there is a soul that remained in this world to protect you and this child.”

“Yes, I know. She protected me at the hotel too.”

“And soon, that woman will fall into a deep sleep.”

“……”

Protecting Illuania until the child safely came into the world and smiled—that was the promise I made with the burned woman.

“Would you allow that woman to hold the child for just a brief moment?”

It was only natural that I needed the mother’s permission, so I asked politely.

Illuania smiled and nodded.

“Of course. Certainly.”

I immediately looked at the Dark Spiritmaster. The reason she was here was to keep the guardian spirit awake.

With the help of the Dark Spiritmaster’s mana, the guardian spirit woman appeared again.

Having directly taken Horua’s flames to protect Illuania, her previous appearance of resentment and malevolence had completely disappeared.

She was barely maintaining consciousness, sweating profusely.

I extended my hand and received her into my body.

Just as I had allowed Owen’s grandfather Oster to possess my hand.

This time, I entrusted my body to her, the guardian spirit.

I slowly reached out.

Illuania handed over Sebia, who was wrapped snugly in swaddling clothes.

My hands, holding the child, stroked the baby’s forehead of their own accord.

Kyaaa!

Sebia laughed, delighted for some reason.

Various emotions that weren’t mine spread within me.

Relief, gratitude, joy, happiness.

And regret.

[Ah.]

The woman’s voice echoed inside me. Not from the pain of half her body being burned by fire.

A woman who wandered even after death, driven by regret and obsession over losing her child.

[Would my child have been this beautiful too?]

At her tearful question, I gave a small nod.

“Certainly.”

Her emotions merged into one within me.

[Thank you.]

With that.

The woman who had fought for her child even after death slowly closed her eyes and entered eternal rest.