Chapter 108: The Mirror That Reflects Me

Several days passed quickly after that.

I had heard that stag beetles are common in broadleaf forests.

When I once asked the old man who told me this why that was, he said it was because the sap from the trees is their food.

Birch trees have stark white bark.

When I saw them before, I didn’t feel much difference from ordinary trees, but as I ventured deeper, a large number of birch trees appeared, looking as pale as if they had turned white from shock.

Even the branches were beginning to grow lush.

Though it was the season transitioning into autumn, it was a bit strange for them to be this lush.

Yet, just a few steps away, branches with the flat, wide leaves characteristic of healthy broadleaf trees were clearly visible.

As if the world changed in the span of a few steps, the climate and environment here were strange.

When the water mist rising from the lake settled thickly, there were times when it was truly difficult to see even an inch ahead, as if even the sunlight could not penetrate it.

Then, as if it were nothing, everything would clear up, and the distant scenery would come into view at a single glance.

That feeling became even more pronounced upon climbing a tall tree.

It was distinctly different from the scenery I had seen around Somern Village, where I had looked down upon the village landscape from a high vantage point.

Unlike when I wandered around on outings, pretending to have an inconvenient leg while picking flowers all day with the children, this place held an implicit silence and stillness, like a small world made of forest.

“Broadleaf trees are called hard timber, and conifers are considered soft timber. Each has its pros and cons and different uses, but unless you’re just making something haphazardly and leaving it, I recommend using the pines to the west. For tools… an axe will do, and as for the method, you can make it in a modular assembly style. To do that, the design…”

Those who had come to stay temporarily here, in the Lake Dragon’s Forest, following Gazef—one of the Nine Heroes—began to build small cabins.

Perhaps because everyone was physically robust, the labor progressed surprisingly smoothly.

Surprisingly, Ases seemed to have a knack for this; she gave detailed instructions on which timber to use based on the size and location of the dwelling, whether it was for temporary or long-term use.

Are mercenaries always this capable?

A blonde middle-aged man named Meier looked much younger than before, thanks to having trimmed his beard reasonably well.

His rugged impression was sturdy, and his brown eyes looked very steadfast.

However, because he always held a leather liquor flask of unknown origin, the overall atmosphere around him was relaxed.

And the boy and girl who followed him resembled Ases, in both a good and bad sense.

Mainly in terms of innate talent.

One was a boy from the Dabas Kingdom, which shared a border and maintained a hostile relationship with the Empire in many ways.

Possessing an aura that seemed somewhat detached from the world, this child exuded a profound atmosphere that didn’t suit his age.

Reddish-brown hair and blue eyes.

His build was average, but his innate physique was like a weapon.

Rurik.

Having mastered the War God Style—the swordsmanship for which Dabas is famous—at such a young age, he had caught Meier’s eye and was somehow led here.

On the other hand.

The girl named Aristhétis seemed timid and lacked self-esteem.

But she was equally eccentric.

Slightly tanned skin, blue hair bordering on silver, and eyes tinged with green.

For her age, her growth was prominent; her chest was well-defined and her waist was slender, but her hips were exceptionally large.

In some ways, her physical condition didn’t seem suitable for physical activity, yet she would exhibit ghost-like movements as if such things meant nothing.

…Seeing how her self-esteem was strangely low, it seemed the environment she grew up in was not very easy.

“I-I’m a girl… so, I’d like to marry well and have children. T-to do that, I need to be attractive… but I d-don’t really know how to do anything.”

She was saying things like that.

However, if she dressed up just a little, she would look quite attractive; wouldn’t that alone be enough?

Even from another woman’s perspective, she was an attractive girl.

Moreover, her face looked young, making her appear youthful and lovely.

She said she was from the Barta Kingdom.

The union of nations known as Krik, which had established systems for various academic fields, including philosophy and outstanding Magic Theory since ancient times.

Barta was one of the many nations claiming to be descendants of that Krik.

In terms of the continent, it was located on the Krik Peninsula at the southeastern tip, but it was once a region called the center of the world.

Though hegemony was later seized by the ancient Great Empire Vera, until then, the union nations of the Krik Peninsula had taken turns holding the continent’s hegemony.

And even Aristhétis—Meier appraised that she had not only mastered the War God Style but had reached the Master Level.

“She reached that level without ever holding a sword, just by watching. This one is a genius among geniuses. I see her as something beyond that.”

To this, Ases added,

“She’s just about my level,”

in a tone that was unclear whether it was boasting or a compliment.

And the reason why they came here, what they were pursuing.

And why one of the Nine Heroes had dumped this task on Ases.

Mines happened to overhear those twists and turns.

“Long ago, the master of this place—that is, the dragon of the lake and virtue—was defeated by someone called the Sword Saint.”

The humiliation of losing to a mere human provided the catalyst for the Lake Dragon to research and develop weaponry and sword techniques.

For several decades after that.

The Lake Dragon, who challenged the Sword Saint with a sword.

Surprisingly, he was defeated even by the Sword Saint in his old age.

The Sword Saint grew stronger by the day.

Every time they met, though his body decayed, he was twice as strong as before.

No, how could he get even stronger from there?

In that manner, the Lake Dragon, who repeatedly drank the bitter cup of overwhelming defeat, cycled through shock and recovery.

He is a human, is he not?

It is normal to inevitably weaken as one ages. What on earth is this nonsensical case?

In fact, less than two days after the final battle with the Sword Saint, the elderly Sword Saint passed away quietly, as if taking a nap.

Thus, in ten duels, the Lake Dragon was unable to achieve a single victory over him.

Eventually, many succeeded the name of the Sword Saint.

But the Lake Dragon never lost to them during his lifetime.

Yet, the Lake Dragon still remains unsure whether he could have defeated the Sword Saint of that time.

That was a story from hundreds of years ago.

The culmination of hundreds of years of obsession is the sword technique that the current eccentric Lake Dragon and his descendants are pouring their efforts into.

It is called the Dragon God Sword.

And Dabas’s War God Style is, in fact, a lower-level swordsmanship used to enter it.

In other words, the ancient Great Warrior who spread the War God Style in Dabas was someone who had been taught the Dragon God Sword.

“So that’s what happened.”

“See. I told you she wouldn’t be interested in this, didn’t I?”

At Mines’ calm reaction, Ases gestured toward her.

“Tsk.”

Meier seemed to expect Mines to be shocked, but he had misjudged her completely.

“It was a secret history known to fewer than ten people, even within the kingdom.”

Even though he added that as a footnote, Mines merely gave a slight nod.

“And Aseratte here is also one of the people who received the Dragon God Sword. As am I.”

However, except for the occasional times she used that skill as a secret technique, Ases generally used the Swordsmanship of Grandeus—the swordsmanship she learned from the Order of Relief Knights—as her main force.

The reason?

“Because it’s the most optimal swordsmanship for crushing the opponent.”

At the very least, those facing that technique for the first time are guaranteed to suffer greatly.

“When Kariel first told me the name of that swordsmanship was the Sword of the Fool, I wondered what he was talking about.”

The Sword of the Fool.

“I also roughly understand why I cannot achieve greatness with it.”

Ultimately, it was right for Ases to focus more on the Dragon God Sword than the Sword of the Fool.

She didn’t know much about the Sword Saint’s magnificent swordsmanship since she had never seen it.

In that sense, this was a swordsmanship perfectly suited for geniuses.

The Dragon God Sword is something for which one only gains the qualification to learn after polishing the War God Style for a hundred years.

However, most humans die before then.

So, if there is someone who understands the logic and principles that can be gained by polishing the War God Style for over a hundred years.

If there is someone who not only understands but can actually acquire and use it.

That person is given the qualification to learn the Dragon God Sword.

In itself, they would already be a top-tier swordsman and a master.

However, those who have climbed a very high mountain eventually realize.

No matter how high they have climbed.

They are still in a place far lower compared to the sky.

At that moment, if someone lowers a ladder to the sky?

…Could they possibly not climb it?

“I… I was told that if I have ability, I can get a good husband. And if my husband is violent, I’ll be able to defend myself well. If I absolutely can’t live with him, I’ll have to run away, right? If I’m frail, that would be difficult too.”

Aristhétis was a bit different.

It was a reason more materialistic than imagined, but the important thing was that she was given the qualification to learn.

No, regardless of the reason, only that mattered.

“…….”

Come to think of it, Mines herself didn’t become the heir to the legacy because she wanted to.

Is this also the will? The intention? of God?

Whatever it is, there must be a reason.

Meier only gave advice and did not try to force Rurik and Aristhétis to do anything.

On the other hand, in Ases’s case.

“I’m yawning. Won’t you give me some real exercise? You’ve moved that much and not a single drop of sweat has fallen. Do you even have any motivation?”

She exerted violence under the guise of sparring.

Even to Mines, Rurik and Aristhétis seemed to possess incredibly outstanding skills.

Yet, Ases was at least several steps ahead of them.

In terms of experience, and in terms of the understanding and utilization of swordsmanship, she was overwhelming.

However, the children she pushed were no pushovers either.

As expected of those called geniuses, it was intuitively visible that they were growing day by day.

But Ases pushed them just as much as they developed.

She was driving them desperately, as if adjusting the intensity step by step.

And so.

Amidst the repeating daily routine.

Mines periodically visited the stone cave where Kariel stayed.

But he still had not awakened.

But why?

“……?”

One day, when the dawn mist was thick.

Sensing some commotion outside, she suddenly opened the door and stepped out.

He was casually lighting a fire in front of the cabin and boiling soup in a pot.

For a moment, did she see wrong? Was it a dream?

“…….”

Mines eventually accepted reality.

Meeting her eyes, he casually stirred the pot with a wooden ladle.

As if her presence there didn’t evoke any particular emotion.

Perhaps he had known in advance, or expected her to come.

…Does it matter?

He looked thin and truly frail.

He still looked like a walking corpse, devoid of any color in his skin.

But his gaze alone was piercing beyond comparison.

To the point where even the blazing flames seemed to slow their intensity, suppressed by that light.

He was burning indifferently.

…And yet, the thing he was actually doing was stirring soup alone since dawn.

Maybe it was a bit touching?

No, was she still half-asleep?

Or was she feeling emotional because she had just woken up?

“You’ve… awakened?”

“Leaving it as it was any longer would be detrimental to the body.”

Leaving it?

Mines sat down, using a fallen long log opposite him as a chair.

“Then the reason you woke up now is…”

“As long as one is a living being, one must eat to survive, must they not?”

Calmly.

As if stating a simple, obvious common sense, Kariel spoke.

It was true.

But the fact that the person saying those words was in that state was a bit confusing.

Mines cleared her throat slightly and asked.

“Was it not unexpected that I am here?”

“All phenomena are things that can happen. No matter who is here, if that is the reality, then it is reality.”

He stated the obvious as if it were obvious.

Yet, for some reason, while it sounded confusing, it also seeped in with a certain heaviness.

Should she say she felt a sense of presence?

Something that couldn’t be felt from a boy of the same age… no, generally from an ordinary human, was present in him.

…It was hard to explain.

“So, you came because you have something to say, right?”

“Ye… yes.”

Now that she was in the situation, she found herself at a loss for words.

Still, she couldn’t avoid asking.

And so.

“I…”

Mines calmly touched her chest, steadied her breathing, and began to pose her small question.

The sound of the wood being eaten by the flames, the sound of the contents of the pot bubbling and boiling.

They blended into that small question.