Chapter 71

71

How much time had passed? I followed the small light and walked for a long time.

I had to be careful not to slip and fall on the old stone stairs, as they were extremely narrow, and a misstep could mean a one-way trip to the netherworld.

Moreover, some parts were so old that they crumbled underfoot. For the first time, I was grateful that I didn’t weigh much.

We’re almost there. Just a little more.

The small light whispered kindly, moving slowly ahead to illuminate the ground, considerate of my slow pace. I was convinced that the small light must have been thoughtful even in life. Why did the small light’s parents abandon such a kind child? And in such a deep pit, just because the child had the potential to become a wizard?

Phew, we’re here! Right here!

After what felt like the 15th floor, the small light said. I followed the small light, which was fluttering around, into a massive stone chamber.

The stone chamber was, as expected, very dark, and it smelled of damp mold and moss. After all, in a place where not a single ray of sunlight ever reached, it was natural for mold, moss, and mushrooms to grow.

Sister, it’s too dark, right? Wait a moment. Hmm...

The small light flew to somewhere in the stone chamber and tapped something on the walls and floor.

Suddenly, a faint blue light dimly illuminated the darkness, like fireflies. I was surprised and stood there dazed, only to realize later that the light was coming from several mushrooms.

The things the small light had tapped were those mushrooms.

Isn’t it amazing? These mushrooms emit light when I touch them.

“...Yeah, it’s amazing.”

I examined the mushrooms up close. The thin, bluish mushrooms looked ordinary. They seemed poisonous, though.

At that moment, I suddenly realized how hungry I was.

I unconsciously placed my hand on my stomach. I didn’t know how many hours had passed since I lost consciousness, but it must have been well past lunchtime, so it was no wonder I was hungry.

...But there didn’t seem to be anything edible in this stone chamber. Probably not in the entire pit either. Of course not, since this place had been abandoned for hundreds of years.

...I’m so hungry.

I was usually a person with almost no appetite, to the point where I wondered if I was a corpse. I couldn’t understand the concept of gluttony or gourmet, and I ate only to survive.

However, in this desperate situation where survival was paramount, I was extremely hungry. I wanted to eat something.

Fortunately, the small light had shown me a clear spring on the way here, and I had drunk some water to quench my thirst.

But a few sips of water wouldn’t fill my stomach. I was already weak, and my strength was gradually draining. ...If I don’t get out of this pit soon, I might really die.

“So... what about that dangerous being? Where do I go to wake it up? Is it in this stone chamber?”

I mustered my strength to ask, and the small light nodded up and down.

But it’s really a scary being. Sister, it might be better not to wake it up.

“...Thank you for your concern. But I have to get out of here. If I need to wake that being to leave, I will.”

The small light sighed deeply and said, as if there was no other choice.

Alright, then... I’ll show you where the being is sleeping. This way.

The small light started moving, and I followed it across the wide stone chamber. My footsteps echoed loudly in the cave-like chamber.

The small light continued to lead the way, occasionally tapping the mushrooms to brighten the light. ...Come to think of it, why do the mushrooms react when the small light touches them? Is it related to the fact that the small light is a ghost?

Or, could it be related to the fact that the small light was a magic-sensitive person in life...?

I was pondering this when the small light suddenly stopped. I also stopped in its wake. ...In front of us was a massive stone coffin.

...This is it.

The small light circled the stone coffin and said. I stared at the stone coffin, which was at least 2.5 meters tall, and asked, mouth agape.

“...Is the being you mentioned sleeping in there?”

The small light nodded up and down in response.

When I fell into this pit, the being was already sleeping in this stone coffin. There were many people here back then, but none of them managed to escape and died. Then, over time, fewer people came here... and eventually, I was left alone.

“...”

The small light quietly approached me, as if seeking a hug. I had no reason to push it away, as I felt sorry for it. So, I gently held the small light in my hands.

The small light spoke in a very sad voice.

Sister, I’ve been thinking a lot since I was left alone here. ...Was I bad? Did I do something wrong? I just wanted to make my parents happy...

“...”

I didn’t ask what the small light had done. I knew it was a child, and children often make immature actions. From what it said, it didn’t seem to have done anything bad.

It probably used magic to create a wonder to show its parents, expecting them to be amazed and praise it.

But in the era when the small light lived, wizards were called ‘children of monsters’ and were shunned. The small light’s tragedy was that it was born in such an era and met parents who couldn’t accept it even if it was their own child.

Yes, it was all just a tragedy. The small light did nothing wrong. I gently stroked the small light, which I held in my hands, and said softly.

“It’s not your fault. You did nothing wrong. You are not bad.”

...When I said it out loud, I felt a strange sensation.

It felt like something I should have said to myself, or rather, to my younger self.

How long had I waited for someone to say that? ‘Was I a bad child, so my mother left me? Am I as bad as the duke said? Is it natural for Owen and Hessen to bully me?’

‘No, it’s not natural.’

If I ever met my younger self, I would definitely tell it that. You are not bad, you did nothing wrong, it’s not your fault.

So, don’t be sad.

“...”

I hugged the small light tighter. My eyes, which had become moist, were now filled with tears. A life without anyone to comfort one’s sadness is too lonely and desolate. If one gets used to that loneliness, they become numb and no longer expect anything from life.

And that’s how I grew up. My life was full of darkness, and even the hope I had for Theodore was shattered. I had only wished for a small light, but even that was denied to me.

But at some point, I was no longer alone.

I will never forget the warmth Charlotte gave me. The playful but sincere and kind Harriet, the Jen who helped me even at a loss to herself. ...The world is not always dark. Even in the midst of despair, there are good people who can help you regain the will to live.

And I wanted to share that feeling with others, just as I had received it from others.

“Really, it’s not your fault.”

...

The small light, which had been still, trembled slightly in my arms. Perhaps it was crying. I hoped that the tears contained more than just sadness.

* * *

Thank you, sister. Now I’ll show you how to open this stone coffin.

The small light circled the stone coffin and said.

Come to think of it, I wondered who had made this stone coffin.

Its purpose was clearly to seal the dangerous being inside... and it must have been made at least a few hundred years ago. ...No, it might even be over a thousand years old.

...It could be from the mythic era.

I carefully ran my hand over the gray lid of the stone coffin. I immediately regretted it when my fingertips were covered in dust.

I wiped off the dust with a frown and waited for the small light to speak. The small light seemed to be looking for something and muttered, {Ah, right. It was around here.}

Then, the small light fluttered toward me and said.

Sister! Come over here!