Ch.154154. Memory

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Walter Gares, the senior professor and dean of the Holy Department, is a famous eccentric throughout Elphante Academy.

Sometimes he’s spotted dancing half-naked while blowing hard liquor through a bottle on top of Gregory Hall, or jumping naked from hundreds of meters high claiming to test the limits of holy power, or singing hymns like a drunkard at all hours.

Sometimes he even does all of these things at once.

In fact, even without going that far, anyone who has spent more than three seconds with Walter would agree that he’s no ordinary human.

“The whirlpool of fate, the calling of the stars, and the primordial curse harbored by the black plague dragon sleeping in my right arm have guided our meeting to this place.”

“…”

[…What is he saying?]

He’s saying nice to meet you.

From his perspective, this is a normal greeting.

[…Isn’t he insane?]

‘…He actually is insane, for real.’

[…]

There was a silence through the Soul Linker that suggested disbelief, but I was just stating the honest truth.

This man is truly a complete package of mental disorders.

In other words, inside his head, the part responsible for “reason” and the “crazy” part that makes his body move freely and engage in eccentric behaviors are functioning simultaneously.

So while his normal thought process is completely rational, the words and actions that come out are occasionally those of an unhinged madman with no filter.

[…Why is someone like that working as a professor? Shouldn’t he be in a hospital?]

‘Well, aside from his strange behavior, he can communicate normally, and more importantly…’

[More importantly?]

‘His skills are the real deal.’

In other words, despite all those handicaps, he’s such an incredibly skilled person that he can serve as a senior professor in Elphante’s Holy Department.

So there are things that only he can be asked to do.

At the very least, when it comes to “holy crafting”—using holy power to process objects—Walter boasts skills that surpass even the Holy Maiden.

“…I’ve come to pick up the item I requested, Dean Walter.”

Upon saying that, Walter walked to his desk with exaggerated movements.

His gestures were so dramatic they could belong to the lead actor in a play.

“Behold, the masterpiece of the century created by the convergence of a being’s fundamental desires and primal instincts. By its very existence, it captivates—”

“Oh, did the work finish better than expected? What I requested was just a simple holy crafting job.”

“In a world filled with despair, humans are fragile yet strong beings who can endure with just a handful of hope—”

“Wow, so you preserved the original properties while making enhancement possible? You’re truly amazing.”

See?

I told you this person is skilled.

[…How are you even having a conversation?!]

“…”

Well.

Since I’ve encountered this person frequently in the game, I can roughly understand what he’s saying.

I’m just winging it based on intuition.

‘…It’ll be helpful later on too.’

Walter will also be of great help in removing Elnore’s unique debuff, madness, later on.

There’s no harm in being able to communicate with him.

Anyway.

“The mental defect of humans as social animals is that they cannot live alone, and in this terrible imbalance of dissociation, I cry out.”

“Thank you for the offer, but I’ll have refreshments another time.”

I politely respond and exit Walter’s office.

In my hand was the sphere-shaped spirit that Walter had processed for me.

To be more precise:

< Item Info >

[ ▲ Tatiana Grachelle ] [ Processed ]

[ Specialty: Curse ]

[ Form: Spirit ]

[ Processing Options ]

▶ Subordinate as a familiar

▶ Apply to item as enhancement material

▶ Resummon in complete form (disappears after one use)

That’s it.

Originally, you could only choose one of the three options, but thanks to Walter’s craftsmanship, it seems I can choose one more option after using it as enhancement material.

‘…That’s pretty good.’

Though far inferior to Valkarsus, Tatiana is still a creature capable of powerful curses. Whether as a familiar or resummoned, she’ll be helpful at some point.

Well, regardless of which I choose later,

The task now is to apply this to the Soul Linker as enhancement material.

I need to strengthen Calivan.

[…You’re enhancing me? Why?]

“Why are you being difficult when I’m doing something good for you?”

[No, that’s not it. If you have the means to enhance someone, shouldn’t you strengthen yourself or Elia? I’m just a parasite in your head at best.]

“…”

Why would you say it like that?

Of course, the only ability this person currently has is to shuttle my buff skills, but that’s because the soul synchronization rate is low.

Calivan is a core pillar for clearing this chapter along with Elia. There are countless situations where this person needs to play an active role.

Especially in situations where my life will be constantly threatened, I’ll need Calivan’s help a lot.

Prioritizing his enhancement is only natural.

With a shrug, I bring the sphere-shaped spirit to the Soul Linker.

A window immediately appears before my eyes.

[ Soul Linker ] [ Exclusive Equipment ]

[ Enchant: Epic ]

[ Equipment with a great spirit dwelling within. You can awaken the spirit’s consciousness by increasing the synchronization rate. ]

[ It always contains magical power due to the influence of the great soul. ]

[ Current magic charge rate: 100% ]

[ Current synchronization rate: 40% ]

It’s been a while since I’ve seen this window.

This is practically the first time I’ve seen it since initially awakening this person.

[ Current synchronization rate: 40% ]

[ You can unlock the soul’s phase 2 consciousness! ]

[ Would you like to proceed with the unlocking? ] [Y/N]

Without hesitation, I touch Y.

Then.

“…Hmm?”

The Soul Linker began emitting an unusual light.

So intense that my consciousness felt like it was flying somewhere as I looked at it.

●

It feels like floating in a dream.

That’s the first impression I get as I hover in the air.

Looking around, I see a changing room made of rough yet elegant marble.

“Hmm…”

It feels like I’ve become a spirit myself. My body is transparent, and none of the “humans” around me can perceive me.

Previously, when raising Calivan’s synchronization rate, I remember being forcibly pulled into this person’s mental world.

I guess I’m experiencing something similar now as I increase the synchronization rate.

Nearby, well-trained humans were chattering noisily as they passed through me.

The place has a distinct locker room atmosphere of athletic types. The hot sweat and macho vibe are palpable.

However, one thing worth noting:

Every single human nearby has scars on their bodies that are almost too terrible to look at.

Each person here eloquently demonstrates what kind of battlefield they’ve survived as battle-hardened warriors.

“Damn, how do you walk around with that size between your legs? I would’ve killed myself. I can clearly see why your wife cheated on you—”

“Say one more word and I’ll make yours shorter than mine—”

“As always, the two guys with obviously the smallest ones never stop their bullshit—”

“…”

Listening to the casual banter passing by makes me a bit dizzy, but these people are definitely battle-hardened warriors.

And then.

Someone walked into the changing room with heavy footsteps.

Golden armor with runes engraved on it. Equipment symbolic of elite knights.

And the person leading them is someone I know.

‘…Gideon?’

It is Gideon, but he looks several years younger than now.

Come to think of it, when I first entered this space, didn’t they say memories would be “replayed”?

This is clearly a memory from long ago.

“Who’s in charge here?”

As soon as those words were heard, the noisy changing room fell silent in an instant.

Question and wariness filled everyone’s eyes.

“I am.”

In the complete silence, a man with orange hair spoke those words, echoing throughout the room.

Gideon scanned the name written on the locker where the man who spoke was sitting.

Calivan Chrysanyx. The first Guardian.

“I am—”

“I know who you are, Grand Duke Tristan.”

Gideon’s voice was cut off by Calivan’s statement.

He spoke while carelessly drying his freshly washed hair with a towel, as if annoyed.

The knights accompanying Gideon furrowed their brows at this disrespectful attitude, but all the Guardians seemed unconcerned.

“How many personnel are currently available?”

At Gideon’s voice, all the Guardians remained silent.

The Guardians, the most powerful among the Imperial Guard, are guaranteed considerable independent authority. Besides the Emperor, no one can speak to them with such authority.

Nevertheless, in cases like this, nine times out of ten, there’s only one situation:

When chaos has erupted that only they can suppress.

“…Ten people here, and including those off duty, about 15 in total. What’s this about?”

“Call everyone in and arm them. There’s a mission you need to be deployed on.”

Calivan snickered.

“Is that so? What kind of mission?”

“…I can’t tell you yet.”

“…”

Calivan silently chuckled.

With the towel draped over his shoulder, he walked up until he was right in front of Gideon.

His orange eyes gleamed coldly.

“Then we’re not interested, Grand Duke.”

When Calivan spoke those words while staring directly into Gideon’s eyes, one of the knights accompanying him spoke up in outrage.

His hand was on his sword hilt, ready to draw at any moment.

“How dare you! Do you know who this is—!”

“Shut your mouth if you don’t want to die.”

At those words, the hands of the knights gripping their swords trembled slightly.

“Think carefully before drawing that unless you’re confident you can kill us all. We’re being very patient right now.”

At Calivan’s words, fierce smiles spread across the faces of the nearby Guardians.

They are all unarmed. The knights are all fully armed.

Yet, it’s not the Guardians who are being intimidated, but the fully armed knights facing them.

Scratching the back of his neck nonchalantly, Calivan continued in a dispassionate voice.

“We’re Guardians. Our job is to save people. Nothing else matters.”

But.

The eyes that spoke those words were filled with a violence reminiscent of a ferocious beast.

“Even if it were the Grand Duke’s grandfather, we wouldn’t move without a valid reason. Got it?”

“…”

After staring at him in silence for a while, Gideon finally sighed and opened his mouth.

“…It’s a request from the Inquisition. They ask for your cooperation in exorcism, and they’ll provide holy-crafted equipment.”

Upon hearing those words, surprise spread across the faces of all the Guardians, including Calivan.

“We’re knights, Grand Duke. We’re not skilled at hunting demons.”

“The Inquisition specifically requested your mobilization. It’s classified information, so I should only tell you after you’re deployed, but—”

Gideon continued in a stiff voice.

“…Symptoms of a rampaging demon have been detected in the far east of the Empire. Three cities turned to ashes in half a day.”

He looks like he’s barely managing to speak.

“They want you to stop the demon’s actions, even if just for a moment.”

“…Stop it? For how long?”

“One night.”

Calivan let out a hollow laugh.

“…That sounds like an absolutely shitty mission just hearing about it.”

Gideon bit his lip until it bled.

“You’re saying you’ll sacrifice all of us to save the imperial citizens, aren’t you?”

“…”

Even Gideon himself would know well.

A rampaging demon is a disaster that can’t even be confronted without a hero wielding a holy sword.

To ask them to face such a thing for an entire night…

Even with holy-crafted equipment provided, it’s nothing short of suicide.

Right now, Gideon is sending them to their deaths.

“…”

After a long silence, Calivan sighed and opened his mouth.

“How many will die if we don’t do it?”

“…I don’t know.”

Gideon answered in a somber voice.

“What’s certain is that if we don’t subdue it, at least hundreds of thousands will die. Just yesterday, thousands died.”

“Then we have to do it.”

Calivan gave that answer without hesitation.

His response came out in such a calm voice that even Gideon, who had brought up the request, turned to look at him with wide eyes.

“Let’s hear more details, Grand Duke.”

As if.

“After all, it seems no one else can do this but us.”

As if for them, this was the most natural thing in the world.

●

< System Message >

[ Target ‘Calivan’s’ consciousness is being unlocked! ]

[ Special memory is being played! ]

[ If all special memories are collected, an event related to the ‘Holy Sword’ will be created! ]

With that message, my consciousness was pulled out.

“…”

I stare at the Soul Linker with a dumbfounded expression.

This.

It was definitely Calivan during the Red Night incident.

[What? Why are you suddenly spacing out?]

“…”

No, honestly speaking.

I’m seeing this person in a new light.

I’ve only seen him engaging in trivial banter until now.

This person truly wasn’t a Guardian for nothing.

[Huh? What’s suddenly going on?]

“…It’s nothing.”

I shake my head with a bitter smile.

For this person, it’s a memory related to his own death. There’s no way he’d be pleased to know I saw it.

As I think about this:

<System Message>

[ As the thought entity enchanted in the ‘Soul Linker’ awakens, some functions are unlocked. ]

[ Fusion with ‘Spirit: Sphere’ confirmed. ]

[ Additional skills are unlocked! ]

Such a window appeared before my eyes.

‘…Ah, come to think of it.’

Previously, skills were unlocked as the soul’s synchronization rate increased.

This must be something similar.

Thinking that, I scan the next window that appears.

“…Holy shit.”

My pupils dilated to their maximum.

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