WIEDERGEBURT Act III: Chapter 44

“That is strange. I’ve never heard of someone who gained a third affinity before,” the cloaked woman said.

The scent of rain filled the room, mixing with another scent, that of smoke, woodchips, and soup. Thunder crashed outside of the cavern as a heavy downpour splattered against the ground. The sound of falling rain and thunder overpowered the crackling of the fire, which I kept going by adding some of the spare firewood I’d brought in the day before.

I gave the woman a wry grin. “I haven’t either, but I can’t deny what happened.”

After I finished putting one more log into the makeshift fireplace, which was just a small stone wall shaped like a circle, I grabbed the ladle sticking out of a pot. The pot was hovering over the fireplace, attached to a simple tripod stand. The scent of fresh soup was coming from inside of it. Thick and creamy, the soup was made from a combination of milk, freshly chopped vegetables, and a variety of herbs. The milk came from a type of F-rank Demon Beast called a cow.

After stirring the ladle, I spooned up a small bit and taste tested the dish. Just like its appearance, the thick and creamy soup possessed a very hearty flavor. The mixture of spices were also combined with herbs that were beneficial to a person’s health. I knew it wouldn’t help this woman heal, but I still wanted to do something.

I spooned the soup into a bowl and grabbed a spoon from the drawer by the wall. Then I turned toward the bed, where the cloaked woman sat with her hands in her lap, walked over, and sat down on the chair right next to the bed.

I continued talking. “I had gone into the ‘place where my Spiritual Power resides’ just like you said I should, but while I was there, I discovered three spheres. Two were glowing, but one of them wasn’t. However, the moment I touched the sphere, it glowed with a brilliant golden color, and then I gained the ability to use the light element.”

After saying this, I raised my hand and channeled my Spiritual Power through my hand. A brief flicker appeared above my palm. It looked like something was trying to burst into existence. Another second passed, then a golden orb that illuminated the cave suddenly appeared above my hand. The cloaked woman stared at the orb before I dismissed it.

“Well, it’s hard to disprove you in the face of such evidence… and I can eat myself, you know,” her last words contained a dry note.

“I am aware.” I took the spoon and gently blew on it. “However, I would prefer feeding you myself.”

“I… I’m not a cripple, you know? I can… feed myself.”

I tilted my head at the woman, wondering why she was so intent on insisting she could feed herself. I was well-aware that she wasn’t a cripple, that she could still move and do things for herself, but I wanted to make her life as easy as possible. Oh. But then, maybe she was one of those independent types?

“I understand,” I said in a soft voice before holding out the bowl. “Here.”

The woman stared at the bowl for the longest time, then reached out her hand. She stopped just before touching the bowl. I wondered what she was doing, but then she retracted her hands and placed them in her lap.

“Can I ask why you are so insistent on feeding me? Is it because you pity me?”

“That isn’t the reason.” I shook my head. “I just want to do whatever I can for you.”

It was true that I pitied her, pitied the circumstances that had led to her current situation, but the respect I felt for her strength and tenacity far outweighed the pity in my heart. This woman was incredible.

“But why?” the woman asked as if she couldn’t understand.

“Why? You ask me why, but I don’t really have a reason.” I didn’t think she’d accept that, so I gently began stirring the warm soup in the bowl and thought about what I should say. “I guess, if I had to have a reason, it’s because you saved me.”

“You mean when you fought those Demon Beasts?” I could have sworn I felt the woman frowning. “It was only a coincidence that I found you there. I just thought it would be a shame for you to die after I finally found another human.”

I shook my head again. “I wasn’t talking about that. When you brought me here, I was a wreck. I was completely lost, consumed by hatred and thoughts of revenge. I felt like I was slowly becoming a monster. At the time, I didn’t really care if I became a monster or not. If it would help me get my revenge, then becoming a monster was fine, but then you appeared before me. You saved me without a second thought, never asked question about my past, and taught me about alchemy and spiritualism. And, I don’t know, I guess you reminded me of someone else I once knew.”

The warm bowl in my hands caused a heat to spread through my palms and up my arms.

“Long ago, there was another person who saved me. Like you, she did everything in her power to help me and supported me for so long. You remind me a lot of her. But more than that, being with you has made me realize that the person I am now is not the person she loved. I still want revenge, but I don’t want to get revenge at the cost of betraying the expectations of the person who gave her life for me.”

I had every intention of killing the Great Overlord of the Seventh Plain. My hatred for him would never abate so long as I lived. However, if I became a monster to kill him, then I would have dishonored Kari’s memory. I understood that she didn’t save me so I could become consumed by revenge. Such thoughts would have never crossed her mind, and while I couldn’t give up on the idea of revenge, I could at least retain my humanity.

“I’m very grateful to you,” I continued. “So I guess, if I had to give you a reason I want to do all this for you, it would be that.”

“I-I see.” The hood shifted a bit. “Well… if you are that insistent… I suppose… it would be okay.”

It was the first time I’d heard this woman sound so bashful. I couldn’t see through her hood, of course, but I could have sworn she was blushing.  

“Thank you,” I said as I scooped another spoonful of soup and held it out for the woman.

Leaning forward, I watched as the spoon disappeared inside of the dark hood. I felt some resistance press against the spoon as the woman took it into her mouth, then retracted it, eyeing the now empty spoon. Like this, the process repeated itself over and over again. All the while, it was accompanied by the sounds of rain.

***

Kari, Lin, and Fay spent several days inside of the ruins. During that time, they made many new discoveries. Kari was particularly ecstatic at what they had discovered, though she understood that, at present, they were unable to do anything about what they had found. Still, she couldn’t wait to show Eryk once he returned from his expedition with her grandfather.

“We’re traveling back home tomorrow, right?” Lin asked where she sat… though even now Kari wasn’t sure if what Lin did could be called sitting. Her tail was coiled up like unused rope, and she was sitting on top of it, which kinda made it look like she was sitting on a throne of scales.

“That’s right,” Kari said with a nod. “There’s not much more that we can do here, and considering what we found, I’d like to get back as soon as possible and report this to Eryk. I’m sure he’ll be excited to learn what we’ve discovered.”

“I think the one who is most excited is you,” Fay said with a weary smile.

“That’s true,” Kari replied, not even bothering to hide her joy.

The three of them were sitting around a fire. They had brought with them a portable fire pit and grill, which was made from black steel. Light from the fire illuminated their faces, and the heat permeated outward to warm them right up.

Because they were currently located inside of a ruin with nothing they could catch for food, they were eating the dried and smoked meat with them. It tasted a little stale. Kari understood after eating it why Eryk preferred catching fresh food and cooking it using herbs and spices. The taste was simply incomparable.

“Still… I’m not really sure what to make of that… that thing you’ve discovered,” Fay admitted.

“I’m not really sure what it is either,” Kari said. “But I’m sure Eryk and I can find out with some research. I’ll have to begin scouring all the books I can. I think Mother’s library should have something regarding this, and if not, then I can always visit the Nadine Library.”

“Hmm… yes, I suppose so.”

Lin held her arms and shivered despite being near the fire. “This princess is not sure about you two, but that giant… whatever it is gives her the creeps.”

“Why is that?” asked Kari.

“This princess is not sure,” Lin admitted. “She just knows that thing makes her wary.”

Lin had some fairly powerful instincts—a result of her race, no doubt. Kari had read in a book that Lamia were natural predators. They had an incredible sense of smell and the ability to sense when danger was nearby. She didn’t know how true it was, but Lin was always the first among them to respond when they were attacked by Demon Beasts, almost as if she could use Spiritual Perception.

Kari, Lin, and Fay continued talking as they ate their meal, then Kari summoned the futon from her storage ring and placed it on the ground. It was such a large futon, one capable of fitting all three of them plus Eryk. Even Lin with her six meter long tail could sleep comfortable in this, though that was partly because she liked to curl her tail around them.

The three of them crawled inside the futon and snuggled together for warmth. While Kari wished Eryk was with them, she couldn’t deny that sleeping with her two future sisters was nice too. Lin was clingy and hugged her close for warmth. Her cuddly nature and disposition was at odds with the cold-bloodedness of her species, but Kari thought it was cute. Fay wasn’t as affectionate. However, she was Kari’s best friend in the entire world.

As she lay there on the futon, Kari closed her eyes and let sleep take her.

***

They woke up early the next morning, ate a quick breakfast, and stored their belongings inside of Kari’s storage ring. Their goal in coming to this place had been accomplished. Now all that was left for them to do was return to Nevaria and inform Eryk about their discovery.

“You really are talented at drawing, Lin,” Kari said as they walked through the massive hallway. Even now, she could not help but marvel at how big everything in this ruin was. It was like someone had built this place with giants in mind.

In her hand was a sheet of parchment with a highly detailed map of the ruins drawn into it. This map showed all the floors and rooms they had explored, along with whatever items lay inside. There were even several notes about each floor written in neat cursive.

“This princess is glad you like her map,” Lin said. “It’s her first time making one.”

“Hard to believe this is your first time.” Fay had come up alongside Kari and also looked at the map with keen interest. “I’ve seen maps of Nevaria before. This map you’ve made wouldn’t look out of place in a map makers shop.”

“Now you’re just making this princess blush.”

They had spent the previous night inside of the room they had used during their expedition with Catalyna, which meant it was just a quick hop up the stairs before they reached the exit. Sunlight rained on them from above as they emerged from the large archway. Several birds chirped in the distance. Kari took a deep breath, smiling as she inhaled the fresh scent of grass and flowers.

“Are you two ready?” she asked.

“Of course,” Fay said.

“This princess is ready to leave,” Lin added.

Their responses gave Kari a warm feeling in her chest. “Then let’s go back home.”

The journey back to Nevaria did not take more than fourteen days, but they had spent five days exploring the ruins and another fourteen reaching the ruins, making for a total of thirty-three days gone. Kari thought that might even be the longest amount of time she’d spent outside of Nevaria. Their last expedition with Catalyna had been long, but they had been in a rush to get back home because of the Demon Beast attack.

As they entered the northern gate, the sights, sounds, and smells of Nevaria penetrated Kari’s senses. The shouts of vendors filled the air, mixed in with the joyful screams of children playing a game of tag as they ran between the legs of adults. Several different scents filled the air. Lin, who had the greatest sense of smell, glanced at some of the less hygienic people wandering by with a frown, but Kari ignored the smell of unwashed bodies.

Several members of the Imperial Royal Guard stood at the entrance. That in itself was rather odd since the Imperial Royal Guard was not responsible for safeguarding the gates.

“Lady Kari, we’re pleased to see you’ve returned safely,” one of the guards said. He was dressed in the golden armor of an Imperial Royal Guard Captain. “I’ve been asked to inform you that Empress Hilda has requested your presence the moment you arrive back home.” He looked at Lin and Fay, bowing his head to them. “Of course, Lady Lin and Lady Fay are welcome to come with you.”

Kari was able to keep the frown off her face, but a sense of discomfort filled her at this man’s words.

“You are… Captain Sterk, correct? Can we at least freshen up before we see her?”

Captain Sterk shook his head. “I was told that you were to arrive as soon as possible. We have even prepared a carriage for you and your two companions.”

“Very well.” Kari finally did frown as she looked at Lin and Fay. “Shall we go see what Mother wants?”

“This princess was hoping to get a decent meal before anything else.” Lin grimaced. “But it sounds like whatever your mother wants to see you for is important.”

“I am with you,” Fay said. “Don’t worry, Kari. We’ll go see what your mom wants together.”

“Thank you.” Kari turned back toward the captain. “Please take us to the Imperial Royal Palace.”

“At once, Lady Kari.”

Captain Sterk snapped off a salute, then ordered his guards to form up around Kari, Fay, and Lin. He escorted them to a large carriage made with Lamia in mind. The three of them climbed into the back, while the guards formed up around them. Captain Sterk also entered the carriage and sat on one of the benches. Meanwhile, the three girls sat on the same bench, with Kari in the center.

The ride to the Imperial Royal Palace was mostly done in silence. Kari did not feel comfortable talking in front of Captain Sterk. She didn’t know much about him, but she’d heard rumors that during the Demon Beast attack several months ago, the captain had not participated in the defense of Neveria. Whether or not those rumors were true, she did not know. However, the mere fact that such rumors sprang up meant something must have happened.

Fay and Lin must have sensed her emotions because they were also silent.

When they reached the Imperial Royal Palace, Captain Sterk led them to an informal meeting room. It was much smaller than her mother’s receiving room, but that did not mean it was lacking in majesty. Small columns decorated the interior and held the ribbed ceiling aloft. The walls featured archways with Rune motifs etched onto their surfaces. Only slightly longer than it was wide, this room featured a small throne on the other side.

Her mother sat on the throne, dressed in a royal red gown that went well with her pure white skin and blonde hair. Standing behind her were Dante, Rainer, and Valence. While her blood-father was dressed in the traditional armor of the Imperial Royal Knight’s general, the other two were not wearing armor. They wore a formal black military uniform with red trim.

Herleif was also present.

Kari’s eyes immediately went to her grandfather as she walked forward with Lin and Fay, offering a polite curtsy as she greeted her mother. She did not let her thoughts slip on her face. However, an alarm went off inside of her when she saw Herleif standing beside her mother and not Eryk.

Fay and Lin also curtsied, though Lin’s looked a little awkward because she didn’t have legs.

“Mother, I have returned.”

“I’m glad to see you are back,” her mother said. She paused for a moment to cast her eyes on Captain Sterk. “You may leave.” While the captain wore a stiff expression, he did nothing more than offer a polite bow before turning on his heel and exiting through the door. Her mother turned back to her once the captain was gone. “I would love to hear about your trip, but at present, we cannot afford the luxury of a long chat.”

The fact that her mother was being so short worried Kari. Something must have happened. Judging from the fact that her grandfather was present but not Eryk, she believed that something had to do with her fiance.

“I will not beat around the issue, so let me get straight to the point.” The empress stared into Kari’s eyes with an expression so grave Kari felt her throat go dry. “Herleif and Eryk traveled to the Morkdypt Ravine where they discovered a large group of Sekbeists. They were forced to flee, but during their escape, they were attacked by a Dragon. Eryk told Herleif to flee while he distracted the dragon. They were supposed to meet back up, but…”

“Does that mean Darling is missing?!” Lin could keep silent no longer. “Where is Darling?!”

“We do not know.” Her mother shook her head. “Before they could meet back up, Herleif discovered a large army of Sekbeists and Demon Beasts marching toward Neveria.” She glanced at Herleif before turning back to Kari and continuing. “He was not able to get an estimate accounting, but we judge the numbers to be in the tens of thousands.”

Kari did her best not to let her worry show. She did her best, but even though she succeeded in keeping a calm facade up, the feeling of her stomach twisting itself into knots was difficult to ignore.

“I believe Eryk is alive,” Kari said at last. “I’m sure he will return to us soon.”

While it was hard to be confident given what she’d heard, she still believed every word she said. Yes, she was worried; she was fraught with worry, so much so that she felt sick, but she also believed in Eryk. That man had proven himself to her and everyone else time and time again. She also loved him. If she could not remain confident in the man she loved, then who could she express confidence in?

“I believe he is alive as well,” Empress Hilda said. “That young man is incredibly strong. I do not think he would be killed easily, and he seems quite cunning and intelligent on top of that. He is probably doing what he can to avoid the marching army and make his way back home. Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do for him right now except pray that he returns soon. At the moment, we have to deal with the current problem facing us.”

Her mother paused again and turned her head to look at Rainer, who stepped forward. It looked like he would be doing the talking now. Kari, Fay, and Lin turned their attention to him.

“At present, there is an army of Sekbeist traveling this way. We’re going to hold a discussion with all the commanding officers of the Nevarian Spiritualists, Imperial Royal Guard, and the higher ranking members of the nobility.” He paused to make sure Kari was following along before he continued. “Given the Nevarian Braves current strength, they are a force that we cannot ignore. Normally, we would have spoken with Eryk, but since he is not here, you three are currently the highest ranking members of your sect present. That is why we would like you three to take part in the meeting.”

“I normally would not let you take part in a meeting like this,” her mother spoke again. “Truth be told, I do not want you getting involved in such a dangerous matter, but I understand that this is not something I can keep from you. Aside from the promise I made to Eryk still being in effect, you have also proven yourself to be a strong and capable Spiritualist. That is why I am letting you take part in this meeting to help us decide what we will do about the incoming army.”

“I understand, Mother,” Kari said.

“Good. The meeting will take place in three hours. I know you girls just got back from your expedition, so please use this time to freshen up and rest.”

“Yes, Mother.”

Kari, Lin, and Fay bowed to her mother before they were escorted out of the room by a young maid. They were led to her previous bedroom, which had not changed since she moved out. Kari glanced around the room. Everything looked the same as it had the last time she’d seen it.

“If you need anything, I shall be waiting right outside this door,” the maid said with a bow.

“Thank you,” Kari responded. The maid bowed again and left the room. Once the maid was gone, she turned to the other two. “Why don’t we take a bath first?”

“This princess approves of that idea,” Lin said as she slithered over to the door leading into Kari’s private bath. Kari and Fay followed her.

After stripping out of their clothing, which was covered in dirt from their travels, the three girls entered the private bath and began washing each other. They decided to wash Lin first. Her six meter long tail took a lot more effort to wash. Kari used a scrub to wash the dark-skinned girl’s tail, while Fay washed Lin’s back and front. Lin released a pleasant sigh as the other two girls pampered her.

“Being washed like this is soooo nice, though this princess wishes Darling was with her.”

“I’m sure he’ll return soon. Then we can all take a bath together,” Kari said as she finished scrubbing Lin’s tail, then filled a bucket with water from the bath and poured it onto the tail. The dirt and mud that had been on her tail washed away along with the soap suds. She really had been dirty.

“Do you really think Eryk is okay?” Fay asked.

“Of course Darling is okay,” Lin said. “There is nothing in this world that can defeat Darling.”

“But… Empress Hilda said he and Herleif were attacked by a Dragon.”

“This princess has heard of dragons before, though she has never seen one herself. Either way, this princess is sure Darling is fine.”

“Dragons are a mythical race of beings that are said to be the strongest and most long-lived race in our world,” Kari told Lin. “They are powerful creatures that are so strong even an army of Spiritualists are not enough to defeat them. They are large reptilian species that look sort of like a lizard with wings. However, dragons can change into a human shape and are even capable of speaking our language. They are highly intelligent and incredibly dangerous… according to what I’ve read.”

“No matter how powerful and smart they are, Darling will never lose to anything, not even a Dragon.”

“I believe you are right.”

While Kari and Lin expressed confidence, Fay said nothing, neither an agreement or disagreement. She was probably the most worried out of them all. Of course, she and Lin were worried too. They just had more confidence in him than they did worry for him.

Because they had several hours before the meeting would take place, Kari, Lin, and Fay stayed in the bath until their skin was flushed red. They emerged only after becoming light-headed from the heat. After getting dressed, Kari asked the maid by the entrance to deliver them some food, and the three of them ate a simple meal while waiting for someone to come and escort them to the upcoming meeting.

A knock suddenly came at the door while the three of them were sitting on Kari’s bed.

“Who is it?” asked Kari.

“It’s Garret, Lady Kari. I’ve come to escort you to the receiving hall.”

“Looks like it’s time,” Fay said.

“About time. This princess is getting anxious.”

While Lin expressed her impatience, Kari merely climbed off the bed and walked over to the door. Garret was standing in front of it. He looked the same as always.

“Lady Kari, are you, Lady Lin, and Lady Fay ready?” he asked.

“We are. Please take us to the receiving hall.”

“At once.”

With Fay and Lin in tow, Kari followed Garrett as he led them away from her bedroom and toward the receiving hall. Despite acting calm on the outside, she was anything but calm on the inside. She could not help but worry about what was about to happen.

Please hurry up and come home, Eryk.