Chapter 91

The Ruins of Cabolis (4)

After regaining her composure, Ashel felt that the atmosphere had changed slightly, even more serene than usual.

I couldn't tell if it was because she had reached level 90 or if she had undergone a significant change in mindset during the trial, but at least it didn't seem to be in a bad direction, so I felt a bit relieved.

- Since both of you have emerged from the illusion, the trial is over.

The guide said this and moved to one side.

It was a wall with nothing on it, but as the guide seemed to channel some mana, a change soon appeared.

Rumble.

The wall split and slowly began to open to the sides.

Ashel and I looked at the scene that was revealed inside.

At the end of a short corridor was a magic circle, and in the center, a staff was embedded.

A space I had once seen while playing the game.

For Ashel, it would be a significant turning point.

Recalling that faint scene from my memory, I felt a bit of an odd sensation.

- Since you have passed the trial, as I said, you are worthy of the reward.

I didn't ask what the reward was because I already knew.

I glanced at Ashel and followed the guide towards the staff.

Ashel followed me with a look of mixed curiosity.

- Well, then...

As we stood in front of the staff, the guide channeled mana again, much more powerfully than before.

Golden mana swirled calmly and the magic circle flashed.

I watched the scene and suddenly looked up. The guide had vanished without a trace.

Whoosh.

The massive surge of mana was absorbed by the staff in an instant.

The surroundings grew quiet, and soon a faint figure began to rise from the staff.

A translucent spirit in the form of a young woman, different in appearance but similar to the guide.

The Great Sage Cabolis.

A great mage who flourished during the golden age of ancient magic.

She scanned Ashel and me with a dazed look.

- Ah... So, finally, someone has passed? How much time has passed that the magic...

Her voice, filled with lament, echoed in my mind, and she continued.

- Welcome, adventurers. I am Cabolis Ovilt, the mage who created this ruin.

"..."

"Why are you not answering? If you know who I am, introduce yourselves.

I blinked and spoke briefly.

"Ron."

Ashel, who was looking at the Great Sage in amazement, followed.

"Ashel."

The Great Sage, with a slightly displeased look, continued.

- Fine. I have many questions about the outside world, but time is short. Your presence here and waking me means you have successfully passed the trials I set.

"Right."

- The reward is my knowledge. For about 10 minutes, until the magic that sustains my existence runs out, I will answer any questions. Originally, it was much longer, but time has passed, and a small error has occurred in the magic formula. I never thought no one would pass the trials for so long.

She sighed again.

Since she was a figure from a very long time ago, even among ancient mages, this ruin must be from that era.

- I was once the human who understood the world's truths the most. If you seek magical enlightenment, I will help you. If you desire other knowledge, I will answer to the best of my ability. Ask anything.

With little time left, I asked without hesitation.

The reason I came here was to ask this.

"Do you know about the Moon Clan?"

Ashel was startled by my question.

The Great Sage answered.

- The Moon Clan, of course, I know. They are a race with the ability to purify and enhance the purity of mana. I even had a few close friends among them.

"This woman is a Moon Clan member."

I continued, looking at Ashel.

"In the present era, the Moon Clan has been almost completely wiped out for some reason."

- Hm?

"What I want to know is whether there is even one other Moon Clan member alive on this continent besides this woman. Can you find out?"

The Great Sage looked at Ashel with a peculiar gaze.

Ashel turned to me, quite flustered.

It was understandable. Even if she was a Great Sage, she wasn't a god; how could she know such a thing?

But I knew she had the ability to find out.

- That's quite a novel request.

"Is it impossible?"

- No, it's not impossible. The necessary conditions are all in place.

A loud sigh was heard.

Ashel's eyes trembled as if an earthquake had struck.

The Great Sage said to Ashel.

- I need your blood. Just a few drops on the floor.

"Y-Yes, yes."

Ashel hurriedly cut her arm with a knife and let the blood flow.

I watched the scene from the side.

The blood on the floor formed a small puddle.

- Let me explain briefly. The magic I will cast will search for beings with the same roots as your blood. In other words, it will find your kin.

The Great Sage explained while channeling mana.

Ashel, who had been in a daze, asked in a trembling voice.

"Can it... find my kin no matter how far away they are?"

- Normally, it would be impossible. No matter how vast the mana, searching the entire continent would be impossible.

"Then how...?"

- But by combining one of my mysteries with the magic, it's possible for a very short time. Explaining it would be too complex, so just understand it that way.

Ashel tightly closed her mouth.

For her, the important thing was not the principle of the magic but whether there were any living kin.

Hum.

Golden and black energies intertwined and infused the blood.

One was the Great Sage's mana, and the other was an unknown force, likely one of the mysteries she mentioned.

Soon, a translucent sphere appeared in the air above the blood, and the writhing mana inside formed an arrow.

Ashel swallowed nervously, and I, too, watched the result with a tense expression.

Honestly, I had a tiny hope.

In the game, there were no survivors besides Ashel, but there was a chance it could be different here.

Naturally, I deeply hoped that even the slightest possibility existed. But...

Swish.

The arrow, like a broken compass, spun chaotically in all directions and then disappeared.

I sighed inwardly.

The small hope was betrayed, and the expected result came.

Ashel, not understanding the meaning, turned to the Great Sage.

- Hm...

The Great Sage nodded slightly and said.

- They do not exist.

"Y-Yes?"

"There are no other Moon Clan members on this continent besides you. That's the result.

Hearing this, Ashel froze.

She stared blankly at the floating sphere, motionless.

Finding surviving kin.

It must have been Ashel's sole purpose in life and the driving force that kept her going.

But now, it was all over.

Only after reaching this point did I feel a bit of regret. Had I been too hasty?

Had I, swayed by the main story, thrown her a pain she couldn't bear without considering her current state?

"..."

Contrary to my worries, Ashel's expression showed no sign of wavering.

No sadness, no denial, no anger, no reaction at all.

She simply closed her eyes, opened them, and murmured with a bitter look.

"Is that so."

Her calm voice even carried a sense of relief.

I looked at her and then asked the Great Sage.

"Is there even the slightest chance the result is wrong?"

"No. The magic was cast perfectly. If you wish, I can cast it again, but the result won't change."

The Great Sage turned to Ashel.

- I am sorry, child of the Moon Clan. I don't know why your clan was wiped out...

Ashel shook her head.

"No. I am truly grateful for casting the magic."

Ashel seemed to have fully accepted the truth the Great Sage told her.

Honestly, I was surprised by her calm reaction.

Even if she hadn't held much hope for surviving kin, the last shred of hope was now gone and completely confirmed. She was the only Moon Clan member left in the world.

Perhaps she had firmly resolved her heart during the trial.

'...Well, at least it's for the best.'

Well, this was as good as it could get.

After a moment of searching for words, I spoke.

"Are you okay?"

Ashel nodded.

"Yes, I'm fine."

"..."

"Really, I'm fine, Ron. I just feel a bit empty. Knowing I'm the last Moon Clan member on this continent, that my clan's lineage will no longer continue..."

At that moment, the Great Sage interjected.

- What do you mean your clan's lineage will not continue?

"Huh? Well, since I'm the only Moon Clan member left on the continent..."

She looked at Ashel with a puzzled expression and then said, as if understanding.

- Ah... Did you not know? The Moon Clan can reproduce with humans.

"..."

- If a Moon Clan member reproduces with a human, there's a fifty percent chance of a Moon Clan child. Even if you're the only Moon Clan member left, it's not impossible to have descendants.

Ashel blinked in surprise.

- If you reproduce with a human male and have a Moon Clan child, and your children reproduce with humans and have Moon Clan children, and their descendants continue to do so, maintaining the Moon Clan bloodline... Well, it might take a very long time to flourish again, but at least your clan's lineage won't be severed. Do you understand?

"..."

- So, find a human male, marry him, and have as many children as possible. That's the only advice I can give you.

Ashel nodded, looking bewildered, and murmured.

"Human male."

She glanced at me, and when our eyes met, she startled and shook her head.

"No, no..."

"..."

"No, absolutely not... I'm sorry."

What is she talking about?

I wondered why she was acting like that but then turned my attention back to the Great Sage.

With little time left, I had a question of my own.

"Great Sage."

- Hmm?

"Do you know anything about beings in other dimensions?"