episode_0062

Amidst Hidden Trust and Distrust

“Hahahaha!! Those things happened? Your story seems more interesting than mine, Zeke.”

“Is that so? Well… there were some not-so-pleasant stories too…”

That night, as I drank the lemon tea Aria brought, I was showing Estur an exploration log where I had recorded everything that had happened so far and all the information I had gathered. Estur looked at the exploration log I showed him, then burst into laughter, praising me and Aria.

“You took down the smuggling organization Robdom, showed the elves what an open mind is, and protected the world from the World Tree. This, this… judging by what you’re doing, you’re the spitting image of H.S.A. Truly amazing, Zeke. And you too, Aria.”

“…. It means nothing to receive praise from you.”

“Well done, Aria.”

“Ah…!! Zeke-nim praised me…!! Hehehe…”

Seeing Aria completely swayed by my praise, unlike Estur, Estur let out a hollow laugh and scratched his head.

“Hahahaha…. Doesn’t she like you too much? No, wait… you saved her, the only survivor from a ruined kingdom, so it’s only natural, isn’t it? You gave her a reason to live, so that’s why, isn’t it?”

“Yes… well. I often hear that. Still, I wish Aria would show kindness to others too…”

“That will not happen, Zeke-nim. Have you forgotten that Aria only has Zeke-nim?”

“…. Don’t make that face… because I remember it not just in my bones, but deep in my heart…”

When Aria made a face as if she was forcing herself to suppress her anger, I sighed and spoke to her. Aria then smiled sweetly, pulled up a chair, and sat next to me, speaking.

“Then Aria is relieved. I’m even happier that Zeke-nim hasn’t found an eternal companion until now…!”

“But why do you dislike Zeke finding a companion? Even if Zeke gets a companion, couldn’t you just make him like you? Are you perhaps afraid someone will take Zeke away from you?”

Th-this is trouble… If she asks a question like that…!! I felt uneasy at Estur’s question, and slowly turned my head to Aria. Aria gave a chilling smile and slowly reached for the staff next to her…!!

“A… Aria, wait…!!”

Before I could stop her, Aria swiftly snatched her staff and immediately thrust it towards Estur’s side. At that moment, Estur lightly caught the staff Aria thrust with his right hand…? He caught it? Aria’s staff, which she had thrust, with his bare hand…?! When Estur lightly caught Aria’s staff, both I and Aria were greatly flustered.

“….?! How did you…?”

‘He stopped Aria’s staff, whose physical abilities had been further enhanced after the Radiance of the Sacred Ring?’

“Oh-ho…. Quite nimble, weren’t you? And this staff… it’s not an ordinary golden staff, is it? It seems to be made of a rather hard material… With such a strong owner using it, this staff must feel some pride, too?”

“…. It’s a staff made from Behemoth’s Tear. But how were you able to see my movements?”

“Hmm…. I guess it’s because I have a lot of experience?”

“Experience?”

“Working for H.S.A…. do you think I wouldn’t have fighting experience? These scars are from battles… Of course, I have a lot of combat experience.”

‘…. And that incredible age… Is this person a seasoned warrior who has participated in countless battles…?’

Although it’s hard to believe, if Estur’s age is truly around 400,000, and H.S.A is such an organization… then this person is undoubtedly as strong as Aria. I’ll have to see it with my own eyes to know if it’s true, but seeing Estur lightly block Aria’s staff just now, I… no, Aria also knew one thing: Estur was no ordinary person.

“Hmm…. Aria, you… you’ve killed a lot of people, haven’t you? More than 100.”

“….?! How did you know…?”

When Estur accurately deduced that Aria had killed over 100 people, we couldn’t help but be surprised again. This was because we hadn’t yet mentioned that Aria had killed over 100 people at Robdom. How did he know this…?

“Seeing your skill just now, I thought you might have killed a lot of people. And also, you deliberately aimed to miss to try and instill fear in me… Judging by your reactions, it seems my guess was correct. Most probably mistook that staff for one made of gold and charged at you, only to die, right?”

“…. That’s right.”

“Hmm… By the way, where did that confident expression of yours go, Aria? Why are you answering with such a surprised look?… Ah. I get it. You massacred the Robdom members, didn’t you? The reason is probably because Robdom did bad things to Zeke, whom you like… And looking at your desire not to leave Zeke’s side… did Robdom kidnap Zeke, or threaten him?”

We couldn’t say anything to Estur’s questions. We were too surprised; our mouths wouldn’t close. What is this person’s true identity…? How does he know things he shouldn’t know so perfectly? It’s almost chilling how Estur speaks as if he’s seen everything… Wait. Just now…

“Estur-ssi… You just said ‘you too’ to Aria, didn’t you…? Does that mean you also…”

“Ah… I forgot you’re quick-witted. Anyway, my mouth got ahead of me…. No, wait…. I already knew you didn’t believe me from the start.”

“Huh?”

“Lu-ssi must have been busy, so he wouldn’t have told you, but I’ll make it clear, Zeke. If it’s an otherworlder, you believe it, but who would believe all that just by showing them a machine like this? Right?”

Estur took out the projection device from his pocket and crushed it with one hand. As the machine shattered into pieces and scattered on the floor, I thought: This person… he saw right through all our thoughts from the beginning…

“… How did you know that?”

“When I learned you were an explorer, and when I realized this dimension doesn’t easily trust others. Some dimensions don’t suspect others like they do here. Well… unless it’s a place like Half the World…”

“This dimension doesn’t easily trust others?”

“That’s understandable, didn’t even the elves in Provelitu act that way? Well… there’s also the karma aspect. Besides… as I was talking, I already knew your eyes showed no trust at all. You outwardly agreed, but inwardly, you still doubted me. I knew it when I saw you look at Cecilia with eyes full of trust.”

“Then why are you only telling me this now?”

“From the start, I never even thought you’d accept all this difficult talk. I was just gambling. Don’t think I’m the only one like that. H.S.A, Kaju, Busterz, and so on. They all have that mindset when they tell those who don’t know the structure of dimensions about it.”

“…. You underestimated me then.”

“Underestimated? From your perspective, perhaps. But I, who have been in and out of countless dimensions with this level of distrust, have experienced, felt, heard, and remembered everything. You are just similar to 80% of the people I’ve met. If you want, I can even show you my memories… but would you truly believe that? You probably wouldn’t want to believe it anyway, as it completely deviates from your common sense, just as you didn’t recognize Lu-ssi as an otherworlder before hearing this story.”

…. Damn it. I couldn’t say anything. His story was certainly interesting. It was interesting. But I didn’t believe everything. I firmly believed he was an otherworlder, but couldn’t believe the rest. This was because the thought crossed my mind that a being from the unknown might be trying to deceive us about doing great things.

“Somehow, the conversation about how you’d feel if Zeke got a companion turned into a talk about our true intentions. Well… I was half-believing, half-doubting, but it’s a bit shocking that it’s all true, Zeke Luprian.”

“…. If that’s what you think… Zeke-nim. I can help Zeke-nim.”

“What…? What do you mean, Aria…?”

“Didn’t this man just say he could show you his memories? Then I can use my ability to determine if it’s true or not.”

“Oh-ho… You have an ability like a lie detector, Black Saintess Aria Rit?”

Estur chuckled and released Aria’s staff, which he had been holding. Aria then began to pull her staff back, and as she did, we discovered something astonishing. The part Estur had just held… was slightly dented.

‘Aria’s staff, made from Behemoth’s Tear… was damaged, even if only slightly?’

“….”

“Ah, I guess I used too much strength… I felt a sudden murderous intent, and I couldn’t help myself… Hahaha… Well… I’m weaker than Lu-ssi though.”

“…. Huh?”

“Hmm? Didn’t you know? Lu-ssi is several times stronger than me. I’m just a mere beginner compared to him.”

…. I could believe that. Lu had once accidentally brushed against a barrier Aria had created and broken it. Aria’s barrier was sturdy enough to block even the World Tree’s fist. It made no sense for such a barrier to break by accident…

“So… what are you going to do?”

“… The moment you show Zeke-nim your memories, I will pray. Through prayer, I will discern whether your memories… that is, your thoughts, are fake or real.”

“That’s good. It’s perfect since Zeke trusts you. Alright…. This method is H.S.A’s masterpiece to convince those who refuse to believe, like you two… However. I won’t show you everything.”

“Huh?”

“If you don’t want Aria to see you losing your mind, you’ll have to accept that too.”

“…. Just by seeing your memories, I could lose my mind?”

“Yes.”

“…. Understood. Let’s begin.”

Hearing my answer, Estur smiled, seemingly satisfied, and rose from his seat. Aria then stood up and placed the chair she had been sitting on in front of me, and Estur sat on that chair and looked at me.

“Oh, great one in the heavens… respond to my call and pass judgment upon those who speak falsehoods….”

“That’s quite a fierce prayer… It’s not false, but… if it were, would lightning strike me?”

“…. Estur-ssi…. You make such grim jokes…”

When Estur made a grim joke, I looked serious. Estur then chuckled softly, placed a hand on my head, and spoke to me.

“Hahahaha… Then let’s begin, Zeke.”

“….. Yes.”

I composed myself and focused my mind on Estur’s hand placed on my head. And then…?!

“Ugh…. Aaaahhhhhh!!”

“This is… too much…!! It seems it will be dangerous if I go further…!!”

“Your ind….?! Ze… Zeke-nim!!”

As I suddenly screamed and collapsed, Estur was greatly flustered and quickly removed his hand from my head. Aria, who had been praying, stopped her prayer and gently lifted me in her arms. Ugh…

“What… what did you do, Estur…!! How dare you do this to Zeke-nim…”

“There’s always a risk that comes with viewing memories. Zeke probably knew that. Especially Zeke, who has seen Cecilia’s memories.”

“Ugh… Ugh…. Hah… Hah….”

“Zeke-nim! Zeke-nim! Wake up! Can you hear me?!”

“Uh… Uh…. Aria… I’m fine… Thank you….”

“Zeke-nim…”

As the pain in my head gradually subsided, I took Aria’s hand and slowly got back on my feet. That just now… what I saw just now… was it all real…?

“Aria… So, is it real?”

“Huh?”

“…. Did anything happen just now? When Estur-ssi transferred memories to me?”

“No… not at all….”

“… Then if that’s true…. If that’s really true….. How many people did you kill, Estur….?”

“What you saw was only about three minutes of footage, Zeke. I have killed over a million lives with these hands.”

At Estur’s words, we were speechless. What I saw were memories of Estur happily eating and talking with various H.S.A members, memories of Estur smiling while looking at a calendar, and memories of Estur single-handedly annihilating an entire city. How could this be…?

“What was the reason…?”

“Well…. Mostly those who tried to collapse dimensions, those who viewed others as tools… those who trampled on human rights…. They were those kinds of people. The memories I showed you were of me happily eating with my 2nd unit comrades, memories of me feeling the passage of time, and memories of saving innocent people from those who still plundered and murdered in collapsing dimensions. Do you believe me now?”

“…. Seeing that Aria had no reaction, it seems it’s real…. How did you manage to survive, then…?”

“…. I endured through sheer willpower. To not lose my smile.”

…. I couldn’t say anything to those words. There was one thing I understood from watching those memories: Estur was tormented by futility and loss. This was because, during those three minutes, Estur grieved for those he couldn’t save.

“I have a responsibility and a mission, Zeke. No… that applies to all of H.S.A.”

“But complete strangers whom no one knows…”

“We endured and endured, always, for those strangers. There were pleasant times, but… in this life, we’ve tasted almost nothing but tragedy.”

“…. Zeke-nim… What is all this about…?”

“…. It means everything he said is true, Aria. Everything was real.”

I had no other choice. I had to accept it now. That memory… experiencing the same thing as when I saw Cecilia’s memories, made me believe it. And I realized two more facts: that we could never defeat this man, and that the World Tree was destroyed because it was weaker than Revo.

“… I’m sorry, Zeke. For showing you those memories.”

“No…. I chose this, so it’s fine. I apologize for doubting you, Estur. You are a terrifying person, but… I can tell you have a good heart.”

“… Thank you for understanding, Explorer. Could I ask for one favor?”

“Yes?”

“Please never write about this place or me in your exploration log. People wouldn’t easily believe it… and anyway, this place is to commemorate the innocent demons who died. For Merzel and Cecilia’s sake, please don’t let this place be known.”

“…. Understood, Estur. But…. can Aria’s staff not be fixed? That’s… a bit…”

“…. Uh… C-can I fix it by kneading it again…?”

When I pointed to the dented part of Aria’s staff, Estur’s serious face crumpled into a flustered, awkward expression. Aria then sighed, and I looked stern. And the next morning, after many twists and turns, Aria’s staff returned to its original form. Because Estur and I had worked hard to fix it… Thanks to that, I, who had barely slept all night, felt like my soul was about to leave my body.

“Aaaah…!! The staff Zeke-nim fixed…!! I will cherish it!!”

“…. Hey, Zeke. Did something happen last night? Merzel and I were sleeping soundly…”

When Cecilia woke up to find Aria hugging her staff and grinning widely, and me sprawled on the desk almost exhausted, she whispered in my ear. Yes… something did happen…

“Ughhhhhh… I feel like I’m going to die…”

“Hahahaha! I did most of the work, so why are you so tired, Zeke?”

“Well, yes…. Estur-ssi did the hammering…. But I was mentally exhausted yesterday because of Estur-ssi’s memories, you see….”

“Ah… Oops. That happened. Hahahahaha!!”

Yesterday, when Estur showed me his memories, I was mentally almost exhausted. Forgetting that, Estur was flustered after hearing my words and started letting out hollow laughs. Merzel then pinched Estur’s waist and asked.

“Estur. Did you really do that?”

“Aaaah! I’m still a patient, a patient!!!”

“Sigh…. I’m sorry, Zeke.”

“No… I asked for it, so…. But are you leaving right away?”

“Yes. I’m curious if my comrades are still alive.”

As Estur walked out with his backpack, we also gathered our belongings and headed outside. The clear sky, unlike yesterday’s cloudy one, welcomed us. Estur chuckled and said.

“Ah… The weather’s nice!”

“Oh, boy…. You’re right… But what’s that equipment, Estur?”

Dragging my tired body outside, I realized that what Estur was carrying on his back wasn’t a backpack, but equipment with iron wings and a strange cone. I asked him, bewildered. Then from the cone…

“Huh…? There’s fire coming out of there…?!”

Fire started coming out of the cone, and then… Estur’s body began to rise! Wh-what kind of equipment is that?! Cecilia was horrified too, screaming in shock.

“What is that?!?”

“Well then, it was fun, Zeke! And thank you, Merzel! See ya!!”

The fire grew stronger, and soon Estur began to fly far into the sky… This other dimension… it’s full of strange things. Good thing I decided not to explore. As I stared dumbfounded at Estur flying away, Cecilia also spread her wings next to me and soared into the sky.

“Then I’ll go get my luggage too! Zeke!! See you nex…”

“If you do, you’ll die, Cecilia…?! I repeat, do not go anywhere near Zeke-nim’s sight…!!”

As Cecilia was about to say “See you next time,” Aria flared up at her like fire, making everyone present feel an inexplicable sense of dread, and they all fell silent. At that moment, Cecilia grinned and spoke to Aria.

“But meeting unexpectedly like this might be possible! I’m going!!”

“Wh… What did you say?! Ceciliaaaaaa!!”

‘Ce… Cecilia provoked Aria?!’

After Cecilia teased Aria one last time and ran far away, Aria and I were momentarily flustered. Then Aria began to get angry, and I remained dumbfounded.

“Then… are you all leaving too?”

Just as I was lost in thought, Merzel called out to us. I snapped out of it and replied to Merzel.

“Huh? Ah… Yes. We need to head to our next destination now.”

“… Zeke-nim. No amount of gratitude seems enough for you. Thank you, truly.”

“…. I hope you get along well with Cecilia, Merzel. Then…”

“Yes… If fate allows, I hope we meet again, Zeke-nim. And… Aria-nim too.”

“… I don’t want to.”

As Aria spoke a phrase that ruined the mood again, Merzel and I looked serious. Then, for some reason, Merzel and I started laughing. Well, I guess… if fate allows, I’d like to see everyone again. Perhaps it’s because I’ve grown fond of them all…