Chapter 60 – That Can’t Be Reality (2)

“Isn’t it too reckless to cross the Buruut Mountains on foot… alone?”

“…….”

“Even getting across them normally is difficult, but considering who’s lurking there, you could’ve died ten times over.”

“The harder it is for me, the more trouble it will be for those pursuing me as well.”

“Even so….”

The carriage journey was a long one.

While traveling without needing to set up camp was an advantage, being confined inside for such an extended time was frustrating in its own way.

The only saving grace was having Philbar around to converse with.

For instance, he shared information about the current location of Elbart, the cherished sword of Grandeus.

“A forest in the Kingdom of Metlan? I heard it’s buried somewhere in a mountain valley.”

A country with no borders or significant contact with the Empire.

Diplomatically, there was little friction, and, in fact, since it was positioned behind the Dabass Kingdom, it could even be considered a cooperative ally in foreign affairs.

However, cultural, religious, and racial differences meant their relationship wasn’t exactly smooth.

Especially since Grandeus and the Relief Knights had been particularly active in Metlan, to the extent that he was revered as a hero.

And,

Most of those who believed Grandeus had defeated Luelde, the Knight of Radiance, as an indisputable fact were from Metlan. Considering that, their relations couldn’t be considered entirely amicable.

…Though in this era, such historical disputes were quite common.

Even so, compared to the war against the Demon King’s Army, this situation was said to be five or six times better. For those who hadn’t lived through that era, it was impossible to truly understand.

“I won’t be able to accompany you all the way, but… I can introduce you to a capable guide.”

“…Is that really okay?”

At Cariel’s question, Philbar smiled.

“Think of it as repayment for what you’ve shared with me. It’s not often I meet someone who provides so much inspiration and material for my work.”

“…….”

“There’s no need to feel burdened. I’m simply offering an equivalent exchange.”

In any case,

“Crossing the Empire’s borders is one thing, but if you’re not planning to sneak into a foreign country, it would be wise to either have some form of identification or assume an identity that allows you to move freely. If you don’t have plans for that yet, I can take care of it for you. What do you think?”

“…….”

Now that he thought about it, he hadn’t considered that at all.

No matter how discreet he was, if his identity was revealed, his location would be compromised.

…He had thought simply lying low would be enough, but life rarely made things that easy.

“I’d appreciate it.”

“Very well. I’ll take care of that as well….”

Philbar continued offering advice on their journey.

During the scorching daylight hours, he would casually retreat inside the carriage to rest.

When his servants or Cariel himself needed a break, they would stop the carriage, take their meals, and set up camp as needed.

Philbar always took the night watch, so it wasn’t a problem.

During his waking hours, he was entirely focused on writing, finding inspiration in the natural surroundings.

“…….”

As Cariel took a brief moment to himself, slightly away from the camp, he spoke into the air.

“You’re surprisingly quiet.”

-Why? Did you want me to interrupt?

“…I just expected you to be more talkative.”

-You had company. Wouldn’t it have been annoying if I butted in? I was being considerate, you know. You’re awfully ungrateful!

“…….”

-So? Do you have something to say?

“No. Not really.”

He had already asked everything he wanted to.

If anything else came to mind, he would ask when the time came.

“Do you think it’s absurd to believe Grandeus foresaw the future and set all of this up…?”

-Not this again?

Cariel had seen it himself, so surely, the Demon King had as well.

If even she didn’t know the answer, then perhaps,

-Besides, that would mean he specifically set all this up for you, the ‘chosen one’ or whatever. Isn’t that a little too self-flattering?

“…….”

-When coincidences pile up so neatly, they become inevitabilities, but still… I can’t say for sure. You know me. I can’t fully believe anything without certainty, and that’s just one of my many exhausting mental afflictions.

“Was it the right decision to not allow Alesia to accompany me?”

-Why are you asking me? It’s your life. Are you going to ask for my opinion when you get married too? Or when you decide to have children?

“…….”

Cariel let out a dry chuckle.

“You’re right.”

-Do as you please. Your happiness or misfortune is entirely your own.

“So, have you been enjoying watching all of this?”

-Hm? Watching what, exactly?

Cariel’s gaze was sharp, as if he had realized something.

“It’s not easy to meet good people. Yet somehow, on this journey, I’ve encountered one after another—almost like a string of absurdly fortunate encounters.”

-The fact that you’re aware of it means you haven’t completely lost your rationality. Well done. If any of them had harbored ill intent, you would’ve been able to respond accordingly. That’s progress, at least.

“…You’re avoiding the question.”

-Me? How so?

“You must have thought this while watching me.”

He hadn’t expected anything.

He hadn’t trusted anyone. He hadn’t dared to hope.

And yet.

“Now, I think that during my journey, I might just meet more kind people, somewhere along the way. Whether I want to or not, I’ve started to hold onto that hope.”

People like Alesia.

Or the Baronenes family.

People like those he met in Cariela, kind and understanding.

And,

People like Philbar, who, while somewhat suspicious, openly showed goodwill and were easy to converse with.

“But luck like that… it doesn’t keep going forever.”

-……

The Demon King, who had remained silent, suddenly burst into laughter.

-Kuh, kuhaha! Ah! Having a sharp mind really does make things troublesome! I was looking forward to seeing your face twisted in despair when you finally hit a wall! But you already saw it coming? You really are something! Your insight is beyond absurd! You’ve grown so much—far beyond my expectations!

“…….”

-So that’s why you kept that gloomy look? Here I thought you were just like a frightened cat, still too wary to trust people. But I was completely wrong, wasn’t I?

As the Demon King laughed heartily, Cariel let out a sigh.

“I’ve had enough of building expectations only to watch them crumble.”

Rather than seeking happiness, he had learned how to avoid disappointment.

And once he had learned and mastered that,

…He would never make the same mistake again.

“Besides, placing high hopes in people only to get exhausted by disappointment… would be rude to them as well.”

-More than that, aren’t you simply afraid of ending up in that situation again?

“…….”

-The present and future are uncertain, so you bury them away. As long as the past remains beautiful, you think that’s enough, don’t you?

That’s why,

The affection and unwavering love from Alesia,

…was overwhelming joy.

As long as he could remember that moment, it was enough.

Morning dew was more beautiful than gemstones.

But it was fleeting.

Yet,

For him, that fleeting moment was necessary.

And, more than anything, he cherished it.

-How strange. I never taught you, yet you’ve arrived at conclusions eerily similar to my own beliefs. Could this be one of those cases where people start resembling those they spend time with?

“…Do you feel the same way?”

-I’ve always lived in the past. The present is just a bonus, and the future? That’s someone else’s problem.

That’s why nothing ever fazed her.

That’s why she could observe, even this situation, as mere amusement.

“We lived through the past. Some might have simply coasted through it, but… I won’t ever forget it. Not even in death. That sets us apart from them.”

-Yet, seeing the present and striving toward the future—that is the privilege of the living.

“…If I say anything more, you’ll probably call me arrogant, so I’ll hold my tongue.”

-Hah! At least you’ve got good instincts.

The Demon King smirked.

-Secure Elbart as soon as possible. You’ll need it if you want to resist the grudge clinging to you.

“…What exactly is it?”

-If it hasn’t revealed itself to me, how should I know? It’s probably tied to your past… but if you don’t remember, what can I do?

“…….”

It was likely a curse he had picked up while wandering as a hostage from place to place.

Both he and the Demon King had reached that conclusion long ago.

“Will Elbart really let me resist it? What’s the mechanism behind that?”

-Figure it out when you get there. I deal with wisdom, not truth. If I did, I’d be like Grandeus or the Great Demon King—or in your terms, one of those monks, truth-seeking mages, or sword-wielding fanatics who spend their entire lives chiseling stone and carving wood, searching for answers they’ll never find. Maybe?

“…What nonsense are you on about now?”

-What else? The path you have to take.

The Demon King snorted.

-Whether you carve stone, whittle wood, or pave roads—that’s for you to decide.

“…….”

She was spouting incomprehensible things again.

But she was the embodiment of wisdom. It wasn’t something to be dismissed lightly.

Their contract was unyielding.

She was on his side—for now.

But the choice to accept or reject her guidance was his alone.

It would be foolish to assume her intentions aligned perfectly with his own.

-One thing’s for sure—your growth has been accelerating beyond my expectations. Whether by chance or fate, you’d best keep up.

“…….”

He didn’t need to be told.

Didn’t need to be urged.

…He was already set on that path.

And he had already received his answer.

Mental Resolution.

She had mentioned it before.

That even if words, characters, expressions, tone, and intonation remained the same,

The meaning behind them would change depending on the listener’s perspective, level, and state of mind.

[Otherwise, there’s no way to explain the miraculous results you achieved. Maybe even I overlooked something in that simple resolution I passed on to you?]

And,

[After all, Grandeus sought the Great Demon King’s guidance before refining it further.]

In other words, it was a realm beyond wisdom’s full grasp.

So it wasn’t something to be recklessly unraveled.

But he could make inferences.

Because,

…It was the realm of truth.

And so, with that as his guide, his lantern in the dark,

He would carve his own path forward.

That was…