Chapter 92

The Ruins of Caboli (5)

This continent of Lakironia, which had been nothing more than a game, and the Earth, which was the original reality. The phenomenon of me becoming a game character, possessing this body, was the beginning of everything and the greatest mystery I now harbored in my heart. Of course, I had never mentioned this to anyone, as it would have been meaningless and offered no benefit.

But what about a Great Sage?

With a tiny glimmer of hope, I asked for the first time.

- Another dimension?

"Yes, a world with completely different laws and civilizations from this one. Do you have any knowledge of such an alternate world?"

The Great Sage seemed perplexed by my question.

- Well... I don't know much. I have no meaningful basis for any knowledge about other dimensions.

"Nothing at all?"

- That's right. I've heard a few similar hypotheses from some fools, but they're all baseless and absurd fantasies.

...Absurd fantasies.

It seems even a Great Sage can't provide an answer.

I changed my question.

"Then, do you feel any sense of strangeness about my existence?"

Since I came from a completely different world, perhaps there would be something you could sense.

I didn't really expect much, but the Great Sage stared at me intently and then answered.

- Now that you mention it...

"..."

- Hmm, I thought it was just a feeling, but now I understand. There is a subtle sense of dissonance in your soul. I can tell because the soul was one of the subjects I delved into most deeply in my lifetime.

"Dissonance?"

- Yes, a dissonance where your soul and body don't quite mesh properly.

I opened my eyes wide at the precise description.

The soul and body not meshing.

Could this mean the possession phenomenon that happened to me?

"So?"

- So? I just feel that sensation. If you're asking for the cause, I have no way of knowing.

I felt a moment of excitement, but it quickly subsided.

Right, if they don't know about other dimensions, how could they have more information about this?

Still, the hope that the possession phenomenon I experienced isn't an entirely unknown and insurmountable mystery was a small consolation.

'A dissonance between the body and soul...'

At that moment, the Great Sage, who had been looking at me with a strange expression, seemed about to say something.

- I doubt it, but are you...

Whoosh!

Suddenly, the magic circle on the floor glowed brightly, and the Great Sage's form began to distort.

As she gradually faded away, she let out a small sigh.

- It seems our time is up. Unfortunately, our conversation must end here, adventurers.

I asked her.

"Are you going to completely disappear?"

- Yes. I was only barely holding on to my soul with magic after my body died.

If I had more time, I could have asked more questions.

I felt a sense of regret as I watched her slowly fade away.

- You can take anything left in the ruins, including this staff. Then...

Her soul soon vanished completely, leaving no trace.

I stared at the empty space for a moment before reaching for the staff.

I would have taken it anyway, even if she hadn't said so.

I pulled it out from where it was embedded in the floor and examined it.

'The Great Sage's Staff.'

Although she didn't provide a detailed explanation, having played the game, I knew the abilities contained in this magical item well.

Of course, it was useless to me, as I had no magical power.

Still, it was an excellent item, having been used by the Great Sage in her lifetime, and I could give it to someone later.

Rigon has a talent for magic, so if he grows more, he could use it.

"..."

I looked at Aesel, who had been holding the staff.

She seemed a bit dazed.

She said she was fine, but perhaps the shock was too much, or maybe it was because of what the Great Sage said. I couldn't be sure.

'Well... it must be bewildering.'

The advice the Great Sage gave was quite absurd but also very practical.

After all, Aesel was now the only surviving member of the White Moon Clan, and the fate of her clan rested on her shoulders.

If I were in her position, I would have felt both absurd and burdened.

The choice was hers, but given her character, she wouldn't let the clan's lineage end.

Ultimately, following the Great Sage's advice, she would need to find a human she loves and have descendants to continue the White Moon Clan.

"Aesel."

She jumped and turned to look at me when I called her name.

"Yes, Lord Ron."

...Her reaction seemed a bit strange, but it wasn't important.

I asked her calmly.

"What will you do now?"

There was almost no reason for her to stay by my side anymore.

She had realized there were no surviving members of her clan.

Of course, I had no regrets about this choice. In fact, I felt more relieved because she was so composed.

The decision was entirely hers, and I wouldn't try to stop her if she decided to leave.

"Initially, you became my bodyguard because I promised to spread your name across the continent."

I continued, looking at her with a slightly stiff expression.

"But that's no longer necessary. You've confirmed there are no surviving members of your clan, and you've grown tremendously in just a year."

"..."

"As I said before, whatever you choose is not wrong. You can leave my side if you want, whether for revenge or to continue your clan's lineage, as the Great Sage suggested..."

Aesel remained silent for a long time.

I waited quietly for her answer.

Although I said this, of course, I didn't want her to leave.

Where else would I find someone with her level 90 combat skills and complete trust?

Moreover, having played the game, I knew she had the potential to grow even more.

I respected her enough to let her make her own choice.

After a long silence, Aesel spoke.

"If you don't want me to stay, please be honest. If so, I will leave willingly."

"..."

"But if it's just out of consideration for me... I'm sorry, but I want to stay by your side, even with my limited abilities."

Her voice trembled slightly.

I should have been the one nervous, but she seemed tense, unsure of my response.

She had been dragged to this unknown ruin, faced trials, and learned the truth about her clan.

She could have had many questions about my strange behavior, but she never asked me anything.

'...It has been a considerable amount of time.'

I felt a mix of joy and relief.

I wondered if her decision to stay was out of gratitude or a sense of debt.

After all, I had saved her life several times.

But I didn't want to ask, as it was a small selfish desire.

"I have no reason to not want you by my side."

"..."

"So, do as you wish."

Relief flashed across Aesel's face at my answer.

I smiled inwardly.

She wasn't going to leave me after all.

This resolved all my concerns.

"Can I ask one more thing?"

Aesel asked.

I nodded.

"What is your ultimate goal, Lord Ron?"

She had never asked me this before.

It wasn't an unanswerable question, but it was a tricky one.

After a moment's thought, I replied.

"The peace of the continent."

"..."

"Why, do you find it hard to believe? Or too simple?"

I knew it myself.

I'm not a hero, and it's not a fitting goal for the ruler of Caldrick.

But it wasn't a lie.

To preserve my life, I had to save this world first.

Aesel blinked, then smiled faintly and shook her head.

"No. If that is your goal, I will gladly join you."

Thank you.

I suddenly wondered.

"What about continuing your clan's lineage?"

"..."

"Fortunately, you can have descendants with humans. Have you thought about what you will do?"

Aesel was now the last of the White Moon Clan. If something happened to her, the clan's lineage would be severed.

I was happy she decided to stay, but I was also concerned about the fate of an entire clan.

"Um, well..."

Aesel's face turned slightly red.

She looked around and then lowered her gaze to the floor.

"I will not let the White Moon Clan's lineage be severed, but I need to think more carefully about it."

I see.

Even if she wanted to continue the lineage, it would be difficult without a suitable partner.

Finding a companion to share her life with isn't something that can be rushed.

"If you find someone you like, let me know. I will do my best to help."

"..."

"Let's go."

Our business in the ruins was done.

I was about to leave through the entrance when I paused.

I wondered if there were any other items I could take besides the staff.

'...Nothing much.'

After searching for about 30 minutes, I realized there was nothing worth taking.

Even if there were no items, I would have taken any spellbooks, but there were none.

The Great Sage said we could take anything left in the ruins, but there was nothing to take. Maybe she didn't leave any inheritance.

In any case, I finished the simple exploration and went outside.

The sun, which had been high in the sky when we entered, was now setting, and dawn was breaking.

I looked at the sky, colored by the sunset, and then turned my gaze.

I saw Tion, who had been curled up and sleeping, wake up and stretch upon seeing me.

"Let's go."

I climbed onto the creature's back, and we set off immediately.

By the time we returned to Caldrick, the council meeting would be just around the corner.