Ch.24Birds of a Feather (1)

I inscribed the names of the spirits on twenty-two stones, six names on each. This is the traditional funeral process in the Magic Kingdom.

Despite using magic, the task took two full hours to complete.

Finally, all preparations were done.

I slowly opened my mouth.

[“Boys. You’ve been through a lot, coming to the battlefield at such a young age. I understand everything—your resentment, your bitterness. I will never forget your sacrifice, so please forget what’s past and return home to rest in peace.”]

Words of comfort.

And.

A discharge order.

[“…Lucas Brown, Heinrich Stapel, Alan Lauer. I hereby authorize the discharge of these 132 men.”]

Comrades who once ate the same food, laughed together, and fought side by side.

It was time to bid farewell to these long companions.

[“Thank you all for your service.”]

***

The man called out the spirits’ names one by one. As he did, the evil spirits’ power gradually weakened. Each soul flew before the man, saluted, and then ascended toward the sky.

Passing on.

There was no other way to describe it.

“How…?”

There are mainly two ways for the dead to pass on. Either they leave on their own, having no lingering attachments in life, or they wander this world until they meet a cleric who helps them ascend.

This man had helped them pass on.

Despite not being a cleric.

Even though they had fallen to demons and become vengeful spirits beyond salvation, even for clerics.

It completely contradicted everything Tiria had learned and experienced.

“Excuse me.”

The man called out to Tiria.

“Since I can’t see them myself, could you please confirm if they’ve all gone?”

“…Yes. They’re gone.”

The vengeful spirits had disappeared. Every single one, without exception, cleanly.

“Honestly, I’m surprised. You’re the first person I’ve seen who helped evil spirits pass on without exorcising them.”

“Please don’t call my brothers evil spirits.”

“I’m not calling them that out of personal feelings. I can distinguish between evil and benevolent spirits by the color of their souls. Souls that harm others just by existing emit a dark, murky light.”

Tiria continued.

“It might be rude given the circumstances, but… their souls had already been sold to demons. Usually, such souls can’t be saved. But the moment you ordered their discharge, the color of their souls brightened again.”

Over the past two years, Tiria had seen countless souls who died unjustly. But she had never seen a corrupted soul ascend.

“You’re the first. Ever.”

“I see.”

The man looked down at the stone tower with a complicated expression.

“Holy Maiden, even though we’re enemies, may I ask you for one favor?”

“Go ahead.”

“Would you say a prayer for my subordinates?”

Tiria’s eyes widened.

“But you people don’t believe in the Holy Spirit religion. Don’t you dislike prayer, calling it superstition?”

“Not believing and disliking are different things. What deceased person would dislike having someone pray for their peace?”

“But… you heard earlier, didn’t you? Is it really okay for me to pray for souls that asked you to kill me?”

“That’s precisely why I’m asking.”

Tiria fell silent. The man continued.

“I’ve heard that prayers from high-ranking clerics influence spirits in their next life. Surely a prayer from the Holy Maiden could save even those who tried to use forbidden magic.”

He was right. The Holy Maiden’s prayer for the dead was like a guaranteed ticket to heaven. At least, that’s what the church taught as truth.

That’s why Tiria had been instructed:

Never, ever save a mage’s soul. Exorcise them on sight. If you mistakenly save them and their souls ascend to heaven, the upper realm will be defiled and the world’s order will be disrupted.

By principle, she shouldn’t do it. And yet.

“If it’s too much to ask, you don’t have to.”

“No, I’ll do it.”

Tiria surprised herself. What? Did I just agree to this?

“Thank you.”

She couldn’t take back her words now. Not when this mage was looking at her with such a kind expression.

Tiria quickly thought of an excuse before the Goddess could become angry.

Having studied the teachings of all denominations, finding an excuse wasn’t difficult.

“In the Holy Spirit religion, there are four goddesses. The Goddess of Battle, the Goddess of Healing, the Goddess of Creation, and… the Goddess of Embrace.”

The Goddess of Embrace, Leberon.

“She’s a compassionate deity who embraces even non-believers, atheists, and even mages.”

“I’ve never heard of a goddess by that name.”

“Actually, the Goddess of Embrace is just one interpretation that emerged during biblical analysis. It’s not mainstream. The Central Orthodox Church I belong to doesn’t recognize her existence.”

“Are you allowed to say such things? Won’t you be labeled a heretic?”

“It doesn’t go as far as heresy. It’s merely a difference in interpreting doctrine.”

“Sounds like you’re making it up.”

“Ahem.”

Clearing her throat, Tiria clasped her hands together. Sparkling particles rose around her. The sight resembled stars in the night sky imprinting their image on the canvas of a sandy beach.

“Goddess of Embrace, please guide these souls to a better place. Forgive their sins, and grant them joy and glory in the afterlife.”

Why?

Why was she praying for the peace of Magic Kingdom spirits, her enemies? Just moments ago, she had believed they were irredeemable evil spirits, fighting desperately to exorcise them.

She didn’t understand how things had come to this.

“May they rest in peace.”

After finishing her prayer, Tiria sighed.

“If word gets out that I prayed for Magic Kingdom soldiers, the High Priest will be furious. I might even be excommunicated.”

“It seems I asked too much. I apologize.”

“I did it of my own free will. No need to apologize.”

“Then I’ll take this kindness to my grave. Thank you.”

Tiria was quite shocked.

Thank you?

Did she just hear those words from a mage?

Suddenly, she recalled the man’s behavior earlier that day.

From his statement that he would desert if the Magic Kingdom was researching forbidden spells, to his bitter expression when hearing about the development of military magic stones used to kill people.

Until now, she had suspected it might be an act.

But what the man had just shown couldn’t possibly be feigned. Yes, perhaps this was his true self.

“Ah.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

Suddenly, she felt her breath catch.

“…No way.”

Had she unconsciously been captivated by this man’s sincerity?

Tiria became afraid of the man before her.

Afraid that she might develop feelings for him, her enemy.

Afraid that her lifelong faith might be uprooted completely.

***

After finishing the night’s work with the Holy Maiden.

I woke up Valkyrie for her shift and slept until morning. To be honest, my sleep wasn’t pleasant. Perhaps because of the distressing experience before dawn.

“David, how long did I sleep?”

[‘You slept for about five hours.’]

Longer than I expected.

Though not completely rested, I needed to move now that the sun was up. Besides the few berries Valkyrie brought yesterday, we had no food. If we didn’t secure provisions in time, we wouldn’t be able to properly fight the monsters.

I climbed down from the rock and walked toward the lifeboat. I could hear the two women talking.

“Ma’am, what happened last night?”

“What do you mean?”

Perhaps because I’d been hearing the Ascalian language so much, I was starting to understand bits of what Valkyrie and the Holy Maiden were saying. Though I could only grasp a few words at best.

“You kept staring at the mage yesterday.”

“I was just keeping watch. I had to make sure the mage wasn’t doing anything suspicious.”

“For someone doing that, your eyes are very… pink.”

“You’re mistaking red for pink because of the light. Ahem, anyway, shouldn’t we discuss what we’re going to do today?”

Once the sentences got a bit longer, I couldn’t understand. What are they saying?

The Holy Maiden hurriedly stood up. Our eyes met.

Cherry blossom-colored eyes. Did she feel embarrassed about her conversation with Valkyrie?

“Ahem.”

Clearing her throat, the Holy Maiden approached and said:

“Good morning, Mage.”

“Yes.”

“We talked about this yesterday. Remember?”

“Yes, I’m going to the lake with you.”

“Brokenheart will take charge here. While the Major fishes, we’ll explore other paths to find water and food. We’ll also look for other natives. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

Water and food. I understood that much. I nodded.

Of course, water and food are important, but I had already decided what to do first when we reached the lakeside.

A bath.

It would be nice to finally wash my greasy hair. And maybe shave with a knife while I’m at it. Even on a deserted island, one should maintain cleanliness. Otherwise, it’s easy to fall ill.

It’s a bit embarrassing since the Holy Maiden coming with me is a woman.

[‘Think about it. She’s a Holy Maiden after all. She’s the kind of woman who was so embarrassed to show her bare legs that she wanted to wear stockings in this weather.’]

David’s words ease my worry.

Right, that’s true.

She’s a Holy Maiden, after all.

Surely she wouldn’t watch a man bathing?

***

She did.