Chapter 52 Part1 (2/2)
Because Lee s.h.i.+n Woo had formed a contract with the Spirits' Spring, he could create a gate to the Spirits' Spring anytime, anywhere. Thus, he could call over more personnel (surpa.s.sing the gate's limitation) more quickly than usual.
Dana had been prepared to jump into the fight against Seagald if necessary. But as you are well aware, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo hadn't needed Seira, let alone Dana.
”It... truly is dark. I've never seen such darkness, even when I was strapped to the Heaven Rending Cannon in Bayran. This is the first time I've seen such a thing... ever since I was born.”
”Yeah. It's scary since it's so dark.”
”Hoo, hoo. I'm not scared at all. Since I now know that there's a true sun on the surface.”
”...”
Contrary to everything she'd learned, the surface was very different from what she'd expected, and she was deeply moved by what she'd seen.
The underground was changing so quickly due to the machinations of just one man. And regardless of how events progressed, the Underground Empire would soon meet its end.
What would happen to her then? She thought about it and then smiled bitterly. She dare not think about it. After all, she hadn't expected that she'd be sublimated into a greater existence, an Immortal.
'The Hero must have some sort of scenario mapped out already. Everything will go as he wishes, and I have no complaints there. On the contrary, seeing such exceptional ability from the man I love causes my heart to pound. ...But how much can I really do on his stage? Can I really help him?'
Coincidentally, she was thinking along the same lines as Kratia. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo was so talented that they felt stupid for pledging their aid.
Kratia, who had no idea what she was thinking, tilted her head at Dana, who was vacantly gazing at the sky and asked.
”Are you sad now that your fiance's dead? ...Or did you want to be there when it happened?”
”...Pardon? Fiance? Ah, you're talking about Seagald. I'm not sure. I regret not being able to sock him in the face, but we weren't close enough for me to feel sad over his pa.s.sing. He was my fiance in name only... And I also have someone I love.”
”You sound like the main character of a romance novel.”
Kratia said, dumbfounded, and Dana looked askance at her and repeated.
”You seem to not have any dreams; it must be because you're a magician. Most Elementalists are pure and have a wild imagination. Everyone carries a story within their hearts. It's just that my story is a romance.”
”Then what about s.h.i.+n Woo? s.h.i.+n Woo's an Elementalist too.”
”Mm... I heard there was a darkness magic book on the surface made of human skin.”
It sounded more like a book a demon would carry around, rather than an Elementalist, but Kratia could understand completely.
”You can appraise someone so calmly, yet still like them, huh...”
”He's extremely cruel and not considerate of others, but he also cares for us immensely. I like him. But sometimes, I think he spoils us too much.”
”I don't really get it. His Heaven Defying General persona's really cool, but... I think I'll need to study love a bit more.”
Kratia always thought he'd been the prime candidate to practice on. If he, a mere skeleton, was able to draw the affection of so many women and form such complicated relations.h.i.+ps with them, then he would be really helpful in her understanding of love and human feelings. If Lee s.h.i.+n Woo had heard her, he'd probably be really mad.
”Persona...?”
”You were both out here?”
”Oh, it's you, Seira.”
Dana was somewhat perplexed at Kratia's speech, as she spoke as though she wasn't human. But then, Seira appeared at such perfect timing. She floated over to them and then looked at the night sky, which had once occupied the two's attention.
”The Empire will soon disappear without a trace. You know that, right?”
”Yes, somewhat. Were you perhaps thinking about what your role was in all this, Seira?”
”No. As long as the Empire perishes, I'm happy. Since it's no time to be worrying about our methods. I don't care if Lee s.h.i.+n Woo uses me as a chess piece or puts me on his stage, so long as he destroys the Empire. ...You were thinking quite lavishly, it seems, Dana.”
”...”
Seira wasn't concerned with Dana's petulance or her puffed up cheeks and just said what she wanted to say. Her att.i.tude had changed so dramatically that it was hard to believe that just a short while ago she was praying for the dead.
”If you have any unfinished business on this curse-ridden world, then you should deal with it before everything ends. ...Oh my, I should get going.”
”What about the Hero? It's just you, Seira?”
Dana's cheeks puffed up even more. Seira, feeling her gaze, smiled as if entertained, and turned around. At that moment, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo entered the chatting channel and was met with...
[Lloyd H.K.: S-Silene is... s.h.i.+n Woo, Silene's been captured! We have to go and save him!]
[Lee s.h.i.+n Woo: Oh, no. What sad and surprising news...]
What an obvious trap! Moreover, there was an idiot right here who wanted to go head long into that trap!
A signal for battle had been lit in such an unexpected locale.
</chapter>
<script>