Chapter 90

The Ruins of Cabolis (3)

Unknown memories.

I hurriedly urged the guide, wondering if they might resurface if the magic's intensity increased, but the response was disappointing.

- I, I just activated the already engraved spell; I can't control its intensity. No, why is it still so intact...?

Ah, damn.

I clicked my tongue and scratched my head.

The memories that had completely vanished now only lingered in my mind as fleeting moments.

'What was it exactly?'

It was different from the déjà vu I experienced in Actifol.

I instinctively knew that these were definitely memories related to the original owner of this body...

I felt quite disappointed that the memories ended here.

While there wasn't a specific reason I needed to know the past of this body, I couldn't help but be curious since it was the one I was possessing.

I recalled the faint fragments of the remaining memories and then looked up.

- Was there an error in the magic? It shouldn't be... But resisting with pure mental power is even more absurd...

"Hey."

I asked the guide, who was circling above my head, acting quite restless.

"Is this the end of the trial, then?"

- ...

The guide, looking displeased, groaned and finally reluctantly answered.

- Yes... You have passed the trial. This is the first time I've seen such an absurd case.

It ended so simply.

Since I had the Emperor's soul, it was something I had expected from the beginning, so I didn't feel much excitement.

I turned my gaze to Ashel, who was lying on the ground.

I had passed, but it would take her quite a while to overcome the trial and wake up. That's how it was in the game.

'It took her a full day last time.'

In the game, when she faced the trial, her level was even lower than it is now.

I don't think a higher level would make it easier to pass the trial, but at least the conditions wouldn't be worse.

Now, all that's left is to wait.

I approached Ashel.

I turned her over and laid her down straight, then moved back to the corner and leaned against the wall.

The guide, who had been watching the scene with curiosity, asked me.

- You're a very unusual person. Don't you have any more questions about the trial? Your companion hasn't regained consciousness yet...

My calm attitude seemed strange to him.

He probably thought I was just an adventurer who had entered the ruins by chance and knew nothing.

I asked the guide.

"Since I've passed the trial, do I have the right to receive the reward you mentioned?"

- Hmm, yes. But only after the results for your companion are also in. If you leave alone, the trial will be invalid.

Of course, I had no intention of leaving without Ashel.

But I needed to prepare for the possibility that she might not pass the trial...

"Will the illusion magic's effect be lifted if we leave this space?"

- Yes.

"Then, if I forcibly take my companion who hasn't passed yet, would that be a violation of the rules?"

- Of course, it's a violation! Once the trial begins, no one can interfere. In that case, I will enforce the rules myself.

The guide said firmly.

I stroked my chin and looked at the guide's level.

【Lv. 83】

A fairly high level.

The guide was a spirit, but not a simple soul. Otherwise, it wouldn't be visible.

From the aura I felt, it contained magic power... It must be the magic of a great sage.

The source of its power was magic, not the energy of nature, but it seemed similar to an elemental spirit.

'If we fight, it will probably be with magic.'

If Ashel fails the trial and is obstructed from escaping, I'll have to fight.

I can't let it put up a barrier, so if a battle breaks out, the best option might be to eliminate it with a surprise attack.

The guide, seemingly unaware of my thoughts, stood with its arms crossed and a stern expression.

I spoke to it again.

"I'm bored. Why don't we talk?"

- Talk? Hmm, sure. I can provide conversation.

Although it said that, it seemed more excited than I was.

Given its initial reaction and the fact that it had likely been alone here for a very long time, that made sense.

In any case, getting a bit closer and building some trust would make it easier to surprise it if needed later.

Of course, since it was the only one I could talk to, I was also really bored.

- The last challenger came over 100 years ago. There were five of them, and they all perished in the trial of might.

- I don't know about the current era, but the great Cabolis was the most powerful mage of his time...

...But I soon got tired of the guide's endless chatter.

Even if I tried to extract information about ancient times, it wasn't particularly useful.

Time passed like that.

I ate the food I had brought in small portions and checked on Ashel's condition.

I knew what she was experiencing in the illusion.

It would be painful and agonizing, but ultimately, she would have to face and overcome everything to grow.

***

A night of storm and thunder.

A woman was running down a mountain path, cutting through the heavy rain.

Ashel, tightly holding her younger sister's hand, swung her sword, cutting down the assailants attacking from all sides.

The destination of this desperate escape was always the same.

Stopping at the edge of a cliff, Ashel panted heavily, looking down at the swollen river, then turned around.

A spear-wielding assailant was slowly approaching.

"......Aaaah!"

How many times has this happened?

Ashel screamed and lunged at the man, but it was futile.

Thud.

Her body wouldn't respond, and the last thing she saw was her sister's bitter smile as she pushed her off the cliff.

Splash!

Ashel sank beneath the water, too exhausted to struggle.

This scenario repeated itself countless times, and she never questioned it, like a futile dream, a terrifying nightmare.

She only felt the terrible pain and the slow collapse of her heart as she found herself back at the scene of the massacre.

"......Run, Ashel! Don't look back!"

Her father, holding her dead mother, cried out.

Ashel ran again with her sister.

She left behind the massacre of her clan by the assailants and was driven to the edge of the cliff again.

She fell alone into the abyss again, and the cold spear pierced her sister's chest again.

Again, again, and again.

"......"

At some point, Ashel realized that this was all an illusion.

She remembered that she had found some ruins with the Seven Lords and had unknowingly faced a trial.

Is this the trial?

If so, what is it for?

The past cannot be changed. Even in this illusion, she couldn't change anything.

"......"

The realization was so tragic that Ashel burst into tears.

The spear-wielder walked towards her with a cold gaze.

Her sister, holding her hand, looked back at her in confusion.

"Big sister, why are you like this? This isn't the time. Hurry......"

Yes, nothing will change.

Even if she returns to reality, the only thing she can do is seek revenge. Her dead family and clan won't come back to life.

She might be truly alone in the world.

'Whatever happens, your choice was not wrong.'

On the brink of complete collapse, Ashel finally accepted everything. She finally understood everything.

An overwhelming sadness washed over her, but she was no longer confused.

Thud.

Ashel grabbed her sister's hand, which was trying to push her away.

She pulled her into a tight embrace.

"I'm sorry, I'm really sorry......"

"......"

"......So, let's go now."

Her sister's struggle to break free stopped.

Ashel held her for a long time before slowly letting go.

Her sister was smiling.

But less sadly, and less bitterly than before.

Swish.

Her sister's body dissipated like a mirage and disappeared.

Ashel wiped the tears and rain from her face and looked ahead. The spear-wielder stood there.

The surroundings changed. From the cliff to an endless darkness.

She tightened her grip on her sword and charged at him.

After five exchanges, in the next moment, Ashel's head was severed by the spear.

Darkness engulfed her, and time reversed.

Ashel, who had died instantly, found herself standing face to face with the spear-wielder again.

She charged again, and this time, her heart was pierced before the third exchange.

"Kuh......!"

He was strong.

His power was incomparable to the one she fought at the Earthhill banquet.

She had grown significantly since that duel, but the gap was still vast.

This was the true strength of the spear-wielder and the real distance between him and her.

But this was an illusion, a part of her memory. What was the basis for his existence? Her subconscious? Imagination?

A small doubt arose, but it didn't matter.

Ashel looked at the spear-wielder with emotionless eyes and charged again.

Dozens of duels, hundreds of exchanges.

Ashel died and revived repeatedly.

In this illusion where death was not the end, there was no reason to fear for her life.

She adapted gradually. She suppressed her fighting spirit and emotions to a minimum and began to observe calmly.

She watched the battle between them as if from a third person's perspective.

She analyzed every movement, imprinted it in her mind, and, if necessary, reenacted it by charging again.

In this endless repetition, she finally began to understand and accept. She broke through the barriers.

Snap!

3056th death.

Ashel's body split in half and regenerated.

Surprisingly, there was a faint bloodstain on the spear-wielder's arm, a wound from her sword.

'Not enough, not yet......'

She didn't know how close she needed to get to him or what level she needed to reach for the trial to end.

But Ashel hoped it wasn't close to the end.

Even in this illusion, she wanted to keep swinging her sword until she surpassed him.

***

After about half a day, a change appeared in Ashel.

She was still lying there like a corpse, but her level, which was floating above her head, had changed.

【Lv. 86】

Her level had increased by one.

Seeing this, I felt a bit relieved.

The level increase meant she was overcoming the trial without breaking down in the illusion.

A little more time passed, and her level increased again to 87.

It was an abnormal speed, but it stopped there for a while.

And after another full day.

"......?"

I, who had been lying there staring at the ceiling, suddenly sat up.

Ashel's body, which had been motionless until now, twitched slightly.

And......

【Lv. 90】

......It had jumped from 87 to 90, finally breaking the 80 barrier.

The same level she had reached in the game when she overcame the trial.

- Oh......

The guide's low exclamation echoed.

Ashel's eyes slowly opened.

She sat up and calmly looked around, then met my gaze.

Without a specific question in mind, I instinctively asked.

"Did you overcome it all?"

After staring at me blankly for a moment, she slowly nodded.

"......Yes."

With a smile that mixed sadness, joy, emptiness, achievement, and a sense of closure.

"I think so."