Chapter 96

There's a history to people, I recalled such words.

I always thought Old Man Moran was an amazing person, but I never knew he could become a prime minister. There was no way I could have known.

It was all important talk. I never imagined so many people cared about the land of Hye-ran. But now, there's one thing I want to ask first.

"Does Old Man Moran still care about Harp?"

"…Yes, of course."

"Really…"

That's good.

After hearing the story, things started to fall into place in my mind. I also understood what Old Man Moran meant when he said he could save this land.

"So, you're saying I should do the job entrusted to the descendants 300 years later, as mentioned in the legend?"

"You're sharp. My friend Petal and Harp spoke of a prophesied child, and that must be Lady Kuri. Honestly, I never thought I'd realize this at such an old age. Sometimes, the truth is too close to see."

"It's not too late… After hearing Old Man Moran's story, I understood many things. There's something I want you to see. Please wait a moment."

Somehow, I felt a surge of vitality. My spirit welled up like a spring. I searched for something to show Old Man Moran.

The letter that arrived the other day, and the key item.

"Look at this."

As soon as we returned to the library, I handed the letter to Old Man Moran.

It was the letter I had dismissed as a joke the other day.

"The Hye-ran territory is in trouble. Immediate action is required. In one month, a great drought will come! We are considering measures, but we haven't found a solution yet. Lord, start preparing to evacuate the people! Hurry! The Hye-ran territory is about to lose to the curse!"

"This must be from Petal, as you mentioned, Old Man Moran. This person is still somewhere in Hye-ran, fighting."

Old Man Moran took the letter and read it over and over again.

Though it wasn't a long letter, he read it carefully and respectfully.

Before I knew it, his eyes, which seemed dry, were moist.

"Indeed, you're sharp. Ah, this is undoubtedly the handwriting of my old friend, Petal. Ah, he's still fighting for this land…"

Tears he had been holding back overflowed. I understood they were tears of nostalgia, joy, and various emotions.

After a while, Old Man Moran looked at me again, immersed in nostalgia.

"There's more, right? I sensed a surge of energy in you just now."

"There is! Here."

After the letter, I handed Old Man Moran a book.

"Magic Book, Volume 5"

"Is that so? You already had it. After searching for so long, the book was where it should be."

I found this book by chance when thieves broke into the mansion a few years ago. I never imagined it would be so important to me.

"Thanks to Old Man Moran, I know the contents of Volumes 1 to 4. If I master Volume 5, we can defeat this curse, right?"

"According to the legend… no, the story Harp told, that's correct. There's no doubt about it."

"Then, then it means… this land of Hye-ran can still be saved."

"However, there is a price. Your life. Just like Hye-ran sacrificed 300 years ago."

"If that's my duty, I'll accept it."

I looked at Old Man Moran with a determined gaze. There was no room for discussion. He understood my resolve. Now, it was time for action.

"You don't need to worry about the people. The good relationships you've built will protect them. Now, focus on mastering the ultimate magic."

"Still…"

I looked outside the mansion. The land was nothing but sand, and the air was dry. Just being there felt like the moisture was being sucked out of me. There was no food left. We might not survive a week.

"Should we rely on our old friend, Petal?"

I was surprised by Old Man Moran's suggestion. For some reason, he seemed to have realized something and suddenly said this.

It was as if he knew everything Petal was doing.

"Petal is still fighting for this land. He must have made various preparations and is there."

"There?"

"Yes, the place where everything began and will end. The 'Cursed Swamp.' He should be there."

"Do you know the way?"

"I've thought about this for years. I can find it even with my eyes closed."

Our destination was decided.

With the bare minimum of supplies, Old Man Moran and I set off.

The dry land was harsh on our bodies. But when I thought about the hardships of the first Hye-ran, it didn't seem so bad.

"The Cursed Swamp"

It was located in the southernmost part of the Hye-ran territory.

In this Hye-ran territory, which was more prosperous in the north, this area was undeveloped. It was off the trade routes, and as we approached, the houses became fewer.

"There it is."

Our destination came into view. As the legend said, there was still greenery there. It looked like an oasis in the desert. There must be water. I wanted to drink something quickly.

Still, the "Cursed Swamp" didn't seem like a place that deserved such a scary name. As we got closer, we realized it was protected from the dry, strong winds. This couldn't be a natural phenomenon. The curse, the powerful ancient magic, was indeed here.

"Old Man Moran, I'll fetch some water. Rest in the shade."

"Sorry, this old body can't keep up. I'll wait here."

I left the supplies with Old Man Moran, took two water bottles, and set off to find water.

This cursed land, it felt like a forest.

Covered in trees, it was isolated from the outside world. The temperature and humidity were different from the dry land outside. The difference was so clear that it made me wonder if this was even the same world.

I didn't wander for long. My senses led me to the water quickly. There was a large spring. The water was clear and clean.

I cupped my hands and took a sip.

Yeah, it's good. Drinkable water. Then I plunged my dirty face into the lake and drank as much as I wanted. My stomach was full.

I opened the water bottles and filled them both. I wanted to get back to Old Man Moran quickly. He must be waiting.

Just as I was about to run back with the water bottles, I heard a clear sound. A sound, maybe. Something resonated. I turned my head and looked.

"…Lady Kuri?"

The source of the clear sound… there was a woman standing there, and she was the person I had been worried about and searching for for so long. Why is she here? Why is Eliza here…?

"Eliza… is it really you?"

"Are you really Lady Kuri?"

Before we knew it, we were both walking towards each other, stopping at a spot by the spring where we could clearly see each other's faces, and confirming multiple times.

Yes, it was definitely Eliza.

She wasn't wearing her usual beautiful dress. Her outfit was more like Iris's, but her usual elegance was still intact. Even in this place, she had the same dignified presence.

Eliza reached out and touched my cheek.

Then she pinched my cheek with her thumb and index finger.

"Ouch…"

"It's not a dream."

What!? Don't you usually pinch your own cheek to check? Why pinch someone else's?

"Since Lady Kuri is here, the prophesied descendant must be you, right?"

"Why does Eliza know about this?"

"I heard it from Petal. I've been quite indebted to him. Besides, this land is important to me, so I've been helping him."

"So, the mysterious man and woman were Petal and Eliza!?"

"Yes, I'm a bit embarrassed…"

So that's how it was. Still, why did Eliza stay in this land and help Petal…? I never knew she had such a connection to this place.

And she disappeared from the capital and came all the way here alone. She's tougher than I thought. She could probably make it as a farmer's daughter.

"Eliza, there's a lot I want to talk about. But first, I need to bring water to Old Man Moran. He's about to wither."

"Yes, I have a lot to talk about too. Let's go to Petal's place after this. Our goals are the same, right?"

"Right."

After bringing water to Old Man Moran, we visited Petal's residence with Eliza's guidance.

There was a wooden house right next to the Cursed Swamp. According to the legend, 300 years ago, Hye-ran and others built a house here and conducted research on the curse.

Eliza's voice rang out, and Petal, with his characteristic "nari! nari!" at the end of his sentences, opened the door.

"Eliza, you're back, nari?"

Concerned about Eliza, who had gone to fetch water, he opened the door from the inside, but there were not only Eliza but also me and Old Man Moran.

Petal looked at Eliza, then at me, and finally at Old Man Moran, took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled.

"How many years ago did the greatest ascending dragon of Kudan leave the capital, nari? It's been a long time since an excellent librarian entered the Hye-ran lord's mansion, nari. Harp died even longer ago, nari. I waited alone for so long. You're late, Moran, nari."

"I'm sorry. I made you wait until I became an old man."

Old Man Moran's voice was also trembling.

"Leaving a friend waiting is a bad thing, nari… Harp's grave is nearby, nari. Shall we go together, nari?"

"Yes, will you guide us, Petal?"

"I'll come with you, nari."

The two of them left the house together. They were going to visit Harp's grave. It must have been decades since they last saw each other, but they bridged the gap and were together again.

Left behind were Eliza and I.

We could talk in the house, but for some reason, in this situation, I didn't know what to say. I had so much to talk about.

"I'm glad I ran away from home. I made it here and was able to reunite with Lady Kuri."

"I was worried about you."

"I'm sorry, but it was an exciting journey."

Eliza's bright face made me laugh. It must have been her first trip, and she must have had many experiences.

"Will you tell me about it? Your exciting adventure?"

"Yes, of course."

In the quiet room, I listened to Eliza's beautiful voice and prepared to hear her great adventure.