Chapter 74 – Rest (3)

“Die… you say?”

“Yeah. You might think it’s easy since I, weaker than her, succeeded… but it’s different.”

Charlotte tapped the desk, carefully choosing her words.

“The intensity varies for each person taking the trial.”

“Isn’t that the same for Erden’s trial?”

“It feels different… Though I haven’t taken Erden’s trial, from what I’ve heard, that’s like facing your trauma. This is—”

Charlotte’s words were cut short as the door burst open.

“Hmm!”

A small child entered the office.

“…A greatsword?”

The first thing I noticed was the black hair and red eyes, like Noah’s. Then… a build similar to Noah’s and a greatsword at their waist.

The difference was in their appearance.

Sharp eyes, short hair barely reaching the shoulders, and… protruding fangs caught my attention.

Their clothes were like any ordinary adventurer’s… no, even more worn.

“Greetings! Are you Charlotte?”

“And who are you?”

“And you there… must be Rubia!”

“…Who are you?”

Ignoring our questions, the child calmly closed the door and walked in. With each step of their short legs, the greatsword scraped the floor, reminding me of Noah.

“So, the one sprawled here is… hmm…”

The child peered at Noah’s face, tilting their head with a hand on their chin.

“Hey… kid. I asked who you are. How did you even find this hideout? It’s concealed by an artifact.”

“Hah! This body can discover anything!”

“What… kind of idiot are you?”

“How dare you! Watch your tongue when addressing this body!”

The child, who had been smiling pleasantly, scowled at Charlotte’s harsh words.

“The hell… Kid, I’m this country’s princess… You’re speaking as if you’re above me?”

“Of course. Isn’t that obvious?”

“What…? Fine, then what’s your name?”

Hearing Charlotte’s question, the child crossed their arms confidently, raised their chin, and with a smug expression that made you want to flick their forehead, spoke in an ill-fitting, awkward manner:

“Prepare to be astounded! This body’s name is… ‘Sirin’!”

Sirin?

That name sounds familiar…

“Master… Sirin?”

Charlotte’s trembling voice jogged my memory.

Ah.

Rebuge had mentioned that name — the tenth person to reach Master level recently.

So this child is…

“Hehehe! That’s what they call me in the world!”

As Sirin nodded, Charlotte’s flames ignited.

I, too, sharpened my divine power as I held Noah close.

“Eh? Why the hostility…?”

“Right after we defeat Kalt, another Master shows up. Your intentions are pretty damn obvious, aren’t they?”

“This body has no interest in such trivial matters…”

Sirin’s eyes, which had calmed slightly, scanned Charlotte and me before settling on Noah.

My hands cradling Noah began to tremble violently.

My back was already drenched in cold sweat, and my breathing grew ragged.

The terror of facing Kalt began to resurface.

Still. Even if my body shatters, I’ll protect Noah…

“…Don’t even think about touching her.”

“Hmm… I’d prefer if you put away those frightening things, but… you won’t listen to words, will you?”

Sirin’s hand grasped at the air. In that instant.

“Huh?”

Charlotte’s flames vanished.

“…What the…”

The divine power enveloping Noah and me scattered in all directions.

“Ah, now I feel more at ease. Let’s have a calm conversation, shall we?”

After performing such an impossible feat, Sirin casually approached the sofa and plopped down.

“Hmm—! So this is coffee!”

They shivered with delight as they caught the coffee’s aroma.

“Wh-What just… What did you do?”

“You were being so scary, I had no choice but to use a bit of power. Now, sit down.”

Ignoring Sirin’s casual smile, I tried repeatedly to summon my divine power.

But. It wouldn’t gather at all.

I could control it inside my body, but the moment I tried to release it, it scattered.

“Ch-Charlotte. Can you…?”

“Yeah, me too… I can’t use my unique ability… No, even my magic won’t move.”

“Ahem! How long do you plan to stand there chattering?”

Sirin, sitting on the sofa with their legs swinging, frowned and shouted.

Seeing Sirin, Charlotte and I exchanged glances and reluctantly sat down.

“Hmph! Now we can have a proper conversation!”

“…So, why are you here?”

“To talk with you, of course.”

“About what?”

“Hmm, to be honest… I had business with Noah over there, but… she seems to be in a deep sleep.”

Sirin’s red eyes turned to Noah.

Up close, I could see their pupils were elongated, with an eerie energy flickering within.

“What business do you have with Noah…?”

“My, you’re holding her like she’s precious. Hehe.”

Sirin chuckled, seeming pleased, then looked back at Noah.

“It’s nothing crucial. I just wanted to see her face after a long time… or maybe it hasn’t been that long. Either way, it’s unfortunate.”

A long time?

The same black hair as Noah. The same weapon, a greatsword.

And… that expression reminiscing about the past…

Is this the mentor Noah has mentioned before?

“…Are you Noah’s teacher?”

“Huh? Me, that one’s teacher? Puhahahaha! Teacher? Well, causality might be twisted, but… perhaps I will be this time! Hehehaha!”

Hearing my words, Sirin fell back laughing hysterically.

What’s this about causality? And what does ‘this time’ mean?

“What exactly do you mean…?”

Come to think of it, when Rebuge mentioned Sirin’s name, Noah didn’t react at all.

So they’re not her teacher?

Then… what’s with the familiarity and that expression?

“Hoo… Ah… Thanks to you, I’ve had a good laugh after a long time. Thank you… truly.”

Sirin wiped a tear from their eye and smiled brightly.

“There’s a mountain of things I’d like to tell you, but I can’t violate the contract… so please be patient.”

“Hey… Rubia. Do you understand what this kid is saying? I don’t get it at all… So are they Noah’s teacher or not?”

“Well… I don’t…”

“Hmph! This body is not a mere child!”

“Then what? An old lady?”

“Hmm, by your standards… I suppose that would be correct.”

Sirin pondered with a hand on their chin, then smiled again.

“Anyway, I’m glad to see you’re fine after such an ordeal. It seems the elixir I gave worked well. That’s good.”

“…Elixir?”

“Yes! The elixir I gave to the one-eyed fellow! I believe you were there too, weren’t you?”

Right now. I’m struggling to understand what Sirin is saying.

No. I’m struggling to accept it.

“By one-eyed, do you mean Luchi—”

“Ah! Luchi! Yes, that was his name. Sadly, he’s dead… but he died after fulfilling his role, so it wasn’t in vain.”

“What… do you…”

“Wait, ki— I mean, Sirin. You know Luchi?”

“Of course, I know him well. I helped him so much when he was lost! I even gave him the elixir. Hehe… Though I didn’t expect it to be used like this.”

Sirin chuckled contentedly as they sipped their coffee.

At that moment.

The door burst open, revealing Yuria’s contorted face.

“You… what are you…”

“Hmm? Oh! You’re awake—”

A loud crack interrupted Sirin as tree roots shot up through the floor.

Roots as fierce as those used against Kalt flew towards Sirin.

But Sirin casually waved a hand, unbothered.

“…What is this…”

Just like that, Yuria’s unique ability crumbled to dust.

“Tsk tsk… Young ones these days have no respect for their elders… What a troubled world…”

Then. The dust gathered on the floor, perfectly restoring the broken floor.

“What… the hell did I just see?”

Charlotte dropped her magic cigarette in shock.

I, too, was so startled I almost let go of Noah.

“Hmph… Impressed?”

“Impressed doesn’t begin to cover it…? What exactly are you?”

“I told you earlier! This body is Sirin!”

“I get the name… but… Yuria, calm down for now. It doesn’t seem like they intend to attack us.”

Yuria, who had been staring blankly at the floor, slowly nodded at Charlotte’s words.

“Hmph… Yuria, you’ve seen enough too. It’s about time you woke up.”

Yuria tilted her head. Charlotte and I couldn’t help but do the same.

“No, ki— Sirin. What exactly are you? How did you find this place, who are you really, why did you give Luchi the elixir, and why do you talk like you know us… Can’t you answer at least one of these questions?”

“I understand your frustration, but you’ll learn everything soon enough. So don’t be hasty.”

Sirin smiled leisurely as they looked us over.

“Still… since you treated me to coffee, I’ll tell you one thing.”

Then, looking at Noah again.

“Soon, ‘snow’ will fall. Be careful when that time comes.”

They said in a deep voice.

“Especially you, Yuria, the ‘Challenger’… be extra cautious.”