Ch.440Chapter 440 – Maria Medimaker (1)

The massive armor crushed Sophia.

With a cracking sound, the heavy armor sank into the ground, raising a cloud of dust that temporarily blinded everyone.

As the dust settled, Noah immediately shouted at the fallen armor.

“Did we defeat it?!”

“No, that’s…”

Noah blurted out something he shouldn’t have said.

Just as someone was about to scold him, the massive armor began to lift slightly.

After glancing at Eve who had returned to their side, they readied their weapons as the armor shifted sideways.

Dust rose again faintly, and Sophia slowly began to stand up beside the armor.

One of her arms hung limply, and cracks were visible across her body, likely from being crushed moments ago.

Using her miraculously unbroken staff as support, Sophia stood up.

She looked at them with a small smile, then…

Collapsed forward again.

[The damage is too severe… I admit defeat.]

It seemed moving was too painful for her.

They could see Sophia’s relatively intact arm and leg twitching.

But each movement produced harsh creaking sounds.

It appeared that even she couldn’t escape unscathed after being crushed under such weight.

‘In other words, she wasn’t completely destroyed even after being crushed under that.’

It made them wonder what kind of durability she possessed.

But regardless, they had succeeded in subduing her.

There was something that needed to be done first.

“…If you’re surrendering, immediately stop the attacks on my companions wherever they are. We’ll talk after that.”

Though they thought there wouldn’t be major problems with Chris around, securing the safety of their separated companions was the priority.

As they deliberately pointed the halberd at her neck, Sophia nodded and closed her eyes briefly.

Soon, clanking sounds were heard from various directions, and Sophia quietly spoke.

[Hostile actions terminated as per surrender. Your companions are all safe. They just arrived where you are, so they should be here shortly.]

“Are you sure?”

[I’m certain. Everything here is under my surveillance.]

Of course, she had been monitoring their movements since before they entered.

Her claim that everything was under surveillance was probably true.

Just as they decided to confirm the safety of the three companions before proceeding, an explosion sounded from behind.

Turning around immediately, they saw Sia carrying Chris and Beatrice running toward them.

“There they are!”

“Helmet! Are you okay?”

“Mr. Kay!!”

Seeing the three with some soot marks but no serious injuries, they let out a light sigh of relief.

“You’re safe.”

Fighting the feeling of weakness washing over them, they transformed their weapon back into a sword and sheathed it at their waist.

“It’s finally over for now.”

“Yes.”

They nodded to Eve, who spoke quietly as she approached.

A sense of relief washed over them that it was finally over.

+

Though they confirmed each other’s safety, the matter wasn’t completely resolved.

After quickly sharing what had happened to each group, Beatrice quietly said:

“That was rough.”

“For you too.”

From what they heard, the other group had faced enemies resistant to magic during their assault.

Specifically, enemies that would immediately detach damaged parts to minimize injury and keep attacking, or ones that would suddenly explode.

Thanks to Chris’s presence, they hadn’t been seriously injured, but it seemed their battle had been quite precarious as well.

“But while our situation was tough, I honestly think Helmet’s side had it no easier. A golem that uses magic? That thing?”

Beatrice looked down at Sophia as she spoke.

Sophia nodded and replied:

[Affirmative. I can use magic.]

“…Though with limitations, I see.”

Beatrice quietly remarked, magical circles appearing in her eyes.

“Unlike mages who can use their own magical power or draw from nature’s magic, you seem to need to collect natural magic, refine it, store it somewhere, and then draw from that storage to use magic. You can only use simplified versions of complex spells. And you can’t cast consecutively either. …Still, I admit it’s impressive.”

As Beatrice explained the weakness they hadn’t properly identified during battle and grumbled about what kind of technology could achieve this, Sera stepped forward with a question:

“So, what exactly is this facility, Sophia? Can you answer that?”

[…If you fulfill one condition, I can answer.]

“Condition?”

They glared slightly at Sophia for setting conditions despite having surrendered.

Of course, Sophia showed no change in expression, and soon the sound of something heavy moving was heard.

[…I’ve opened the lowest level of this place. Go there. Obtain that jewel.]

As if plotting something, Sophia grinned.

[If you fulfill that, I will answer.]

‘She’s definitely planning something.’

There was probably some trap set on that jewel.

However, since they needed to escape this place and head toward the seal anyway, they had to move forward regardless.

After exchanging glances with everyone, they slowly headed in the direction Sophia had indicated.

“Eve, can you sense anything?”

“I can’t see anything.”

They had hoped to rely on Eve’s ability, but it seemed she couldn’t use it at will and couldn’t detect anything this time.

At that moment, Chris spoke to them with a slightly tense expression.

“…Something feels strange.”

“Are you hurt?”

They asked with concern, but Chris immediately shook his head.

“I’m not injured. It feels like there might be danger, but also like there might not be. If that makes sense.”

“What do you mean?”

Sera immediately questioned, but it seemed Chris couldn’t sense anything more specific.

‘Dangerous, but might not be dangerous.’

They unconsciously turned to look at Sera.

Somehow, they felt Chris’s words might prove true.

They continued walking along the corridor.

As they approached the end, a strange light began to filter into the passage.

“Rainbow light?”

They immediately thought it was different in nature from Evgenia’s golden seal.

A cool yet strangely warm feeling, as if drawing something out from within.

They began to feel oddly lighter.

‘Is this the power of the Philosopher’s Stone?’

According to Sophia, that jewel was what was stored here.

Confident that the jewel was just beyond, they continued walking.

And as they crossed through the corridor…

The light became too intense to keep their eyes open.

Shielding their eyes carefully, they peered at the light.

In the center, they could see a glowing stone.

“…Finally.”

It was unclear who spoke first.

However, everyone seemed to sense that this rainbow light originated from that stone.

Feeling almost entranced, they slowly approached the stone.

And reached out to grasp it.

At that moment, they felt a tingling sensation.

‘What’s this?’

Just as they instinctively withdrew their arm and tried to warn the others…

The surroundings had changed.

With their heart strangely pounding, they were momentarily confused by the sudden change when a voice came from behind.

“My, what an interesting visitor we have.”

The voice of an elderly woman reached their ears.

Turning around immediately, they saw an old woman who strongly resembled Sera standing there, looking at them.

They immediately knew who this person was.

“…Maria Medimaker.”

As if confirming the correct answer, Maria smiled slightly.

+

“Let’s sit down and talk, shall we?”

After saying this, Maria waved her hand in the air.

Suddenly, chairs and a table appeared, and they found themselves seated in one of the chairs.

As they quietly observed Maria, she smiled and said:

“There’s no tea or refreshments. Even if you ate anything here, it would be meaningless anyway.”

“Why is that?”

“Because this space exists within the mind. Specifically, it’s a special space created by the Philosopher’s Stone.”

Maria explained with a smile.

“The moment someone touches the Philosopher’s Stone, I designed it to send their consciousness to this place. Additionally, I created a barrier that gives a strong suggestion to touch the stone when one enters this area. This was in preparation for when that demon would eventually find this place.”

“By demon, you mean…”

“You know, don’t you? About Emiris.”

Maria looked at them as she spoke.

“Despite appearances, when someone enters this space, I learn everything they know. There’s no need to hide anything.”

This meant she probably knew about their relationship with Sera as well.

They nodded quietly and immediately asked:

“Are the others safe?”

“Of course they are. Unless it were that demon, this place doesn’t harm good people. It was created to identify those with good intentions, after all.”

Maria smiled and added that she knew they were loved.

“…It’s only natural, since they’re companions of our Sera. That child, due to her good nature, instinctively recognizes good and evil people.”

“Is that so?”

“Indeed. That’s why she stayed with you despite having just met. And thanks to her unique good fortune, even when chased by monsters or targeted by assassins, you were always by her side.”

Maria was slowly recounting past events, proving her claim that she could learn about everyone’s past.

“At the same time, that child is inherently good, capable of giving her all for others. Unlike me, who only changed after meeting my husband… that child will surely surpass me.”

Maria spoke quietly, lost in thought.

After waiting a moment, Maria looked at them and smiled.

“I apologize for talking to myself. Anyway, I can see that my child loves you very much. Isn’t that right?”

Maria smiled at them meaningfully.

Immediately understanding what her smile implied, they bowed their head slightly and said:

“I will take good care of her.”

“Thank you. Though it’s somewhat regrettable. If possible, I would have liked to hear those words while still alive.”

“While still alive.”

Upon hearing this, they immediately questioned Maria:

“Are you not real?”

“Who can say? If I died, a part of my soul was set to be transferred here to activate the final trap. However, whether this soul fragment should be considered a real soul, or if I’m just under that illusion, even I don’t know. If I were to think more deeply about it, just a fragment remaining…”

Was this her personality?

Maria suddenly began lecturing.

They felt their energy draining as they faced Maria, who kept talking to herself with a gentle smile.

Fortunately, Maria seemed to notice their boredom.

“I’m sorry. Since you’re neither an alchemist nor a mage, such talk must be meaningless to you.”

“It’s fine.”

They had a feeling that Sera and Beatrice would probably enjoy conversing with Maria.

Meanwhile, Maria smiled again and said:

“Well, let’s wrap this up. It seems the final trap has become meaningless.”

Maria quietly explained that it was merely a trap to distinguish between good and evil people.

They carefully asked Maria about something they were curious about:

“What happens if an evil person comes here?”

“They will be trapped in this space with me until the magic I cast disappears. I’m not sure what would happen to the body left behind when the mind is trapped.”

This grandmother is unexpectedly frightening.

As they shuddered slightly, Maria smiled and said:

“You all pass, so there’s no problem.”

“That’s a relief.”

“I’m the one who should be relieved. Now what I left behind won’t fall into their hands.”

“Their hands” likely referred to Emiris and Idea.

Maria’s expression darkened momentarily.

“That god fundamentally possesses the authority of conquest, so they consider it natural to take what belongs to others. That pitiful one lost everything and finds meaning in nothing, paying the price for choosing the wrong actions for what was precious. They are monsters who don’t hesitate to harm and take what’s precious to others. I lost my dear husband to such monsters. My granddaughter’s life was threatened to steal the Philosopher’s Stone while she was with my husband.”

“…”

“Fortunately, the more precious treasure that he protected with his life still remains. That treasure is under your protection.”

Maria looked at them quietly and said:

“I am grateful.”

Maria’s gaze poured onto them, as if expecting something.

Understanding her meaning, they nodded quietly.

“I will protect her even at the cost of my life.”

“Thank you.”

Maria smiled as she spoke.

For a while, no words were exchanged between them.

This was because Maria had bowed her head, as if calming her emotions.

After some time passed, Maria raised her head.

“It would be a shame to part like this… Would you deliver my words to my granddaughter?”

“What words?”

At their question, Maria closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and continued:

“Tell her that both success and failure are part of her. So, she should pour everything she has.”

Maria spoke quietly.

“Tell her that by doing so, she can gather the small things within, that these small things together can be called a world, and that if she creates such a world, she can achieve what she desires.”

It was like a riddle.

But simply delivering the message shouldn’t be difficult.

“I will convey it.”

When they nodded, Maria smiled with satisfaction.

“Thank you, young one.”

After saying this, Maria quietly added:

“If it comes from you, that child will surely understand the meaning and respond.”

“Yes.”

Perhaps feeling no need for further conversation, Maria stood up.

As she waved her hand, the table and chairs disappeared, and the space began to collapse.

“Go. You and your companions have earned the right to take what I’ve hidden for this world. I pray you achieve what you desire.”

“Thank you.”

As they bowed their head to Maria in gratitude, she smiled again.

And then, she quietly added:

“Please take good care of our Sera.”

With those words, something with a slight weight appeared in their hand.

As they grasped the rainbow-colored stone and looked at Maria, the surroundings were once again filled with light.

And shortly after…

“…Mr. Kay, are you alright? Mr. Kay?!”

Sera’s face appeared before their eyes.

As they raised their hand to reassure her, they felt a weight and looked down.

In their hand was the rainbow-colored jewel.