<Chapter 116>
Quite literally, it was something beyond reach. Should I say it felt like living trapped in an illusion, an empty fantasy unattainable in reality?
[Why did you attempt to embrace the source of the Spirit King with a mortal body?]
“…”
As those thoughts swirled in my complicated mind, I gazed at the Spirit King of Light.
Ignis spoke in a tone that was both sorrowful and admonishing, as if addressing a foolish child.
“How did you…?”
[Dryad told me.]
Dryad?
I listened in shock as Ignis continued.
[Since the birth of life, this has never happened before. Even I cannot be certain what harm our essence, confined within a mortal body, may bring. And yet… What could have made you so desperate to attempt such a thing?]
His eyes, filled with deep sorrow, looked down upon me.
[The most precious thing one must protect is their own life. Had you not been in a situation of being pursued, would you have still tried to contain the source within your body?]
A pure white hand, delicate as a fine brushstroke, touched my cheek.
Contrary to its appearance, it radiated a warmth so profound that it made me want to abandon everything and sink into it.
[I have eradicated the venomous fangs of the serpent that were embedded in your body, feeding off your life force. You will no longer be unable to summon spirits, nor will this woman’s lifespan be shortened.]
With a soft whisper, a golden veil, woven as if from threads of silk, descended upon my vision.
[Moreover, I shall return you to your original time and body.]
Kneeling before me, the Spirit King of Light murmured in a serene voice,
[So, give up.]
As I gazed blankly at the divine face suffused with light, those words struck me like a torrent of cold water pouring over my entire being.
“…What do you mean?”
My voice trembled as I cautiously took his hand in mine, as if trying to anchor myself.
[Whatever mission Lore has entrusted you with, I am advising you to abandon it.]
Like dreams that dissolve into nothingness, everything began to shatter.
Ignis, the Spirit King of Light, spoke in a voice heavy with resignation.
“You’re telling me to give up…? Without even knowing what my mission is, you simply ask me to abandon it?”
How could he…
I clenched my teeth, glaring at him.
“I will not give up. I am truly grateful for your grace in destroying the poison that was consuming my life. But I cannot accept your demand to forsake my mission and return.”
[Are you devoted to Lore’s will?]
His sorrowful gaze bore into me.
[He has always chosen to provoke conflict rather than maintain peace…I do not claim to be incapable of understanding his intentions, but I cannot so easily call them the right choice.]
From Ignis’ lips, a story from an ancient past unfolded.
[Arkane, the serpent, has existed since the birth of this universe. He is darkness itself, a being of primordial power. No matter how desperately Lore fights, there is no way for him to win.]
“…So.”
Hearing his words spoken in that beautiful voice, I realized…
He was neither holy nor great.
“So you did nothing? Like a coward, you shrank away and refused to act?”
I scoffed, my gaze fixed on the weak-willed dreamer before me.
[…It was to preserve peace.]
At my words, Ignis’ face stiffened slightly.
Hearing his response, which sounded more like an excuse, I let out a hollow laugh.
“You were born with the most powerful and singular ability to drive out darkness. If you had joined forces with Lore from the beginning to fight Arkane, have you truly never considered that the present reality might have been even slightly better?”
I knew my voice was laced with thorns, far sharper than necessary, yet I couldn’t stop myself.
So it wasn’t just his outward appearance that resembled Roberick.
How could someone who called himself the Spirit King of Light be so utterly foolish?
[…I have not. I never have.]
Despite the sharp criticism, Ignis did not reveal a trace of anger on his face. Instead, he lowered his gaze and murmured quietly, almost self-mockingly. His calm and composed demeanor felt unbearably frustrating.
Filled with fury, I shouted,
“Why do you act like such a bystander? You speak as if you care for mortals and bestow mercy upon them, yet in truth, you are even more detestable to humanity than that ruthless Lore! You’re nothing but a coward!”
[…]
“At least give me a reason. Tell me why you’re doing this!”
My vision blurred. I was truly enraged, consumed by despair, and on the verge of tears.
“…Please, say something… anything…”
In the end, I collapsed at his feet, swallowing my sobs in silence.
[If I were to say that it is because a being tasked with preserving the balance of this universe does not desire conflict…]
At that moment, a bitter voice fell from above my head.
“Balance…”
That unforgettable presence was once again brought up. I blankly repeated the word and lifted my head.
[Would that ease your sorrow, even in the slightest?]
Through the radiant light of his gaze, I saw my own tear-streaked face reflected back.
Ignis, as if comforting a pitiful soul, gently wiped away my tears. Then, he fell into silence once more.
“Balance/Neutrality…”
“So, there truly is such a thing as balance in this world.”
Long ago, when I learned the truth about my mother, Mariette, from Meinhardt…
‘The Spirit King of Wisdom granted Lady Mariette a mission to protect the world, but the entity that guards balance, ‘Neutrality’, did not allow any further intervention.’
‘The one who upholds neutrality, an absolute providence whose very name remains unknown, claims to grant fair opportunities to both good and evil… but the Spirit King of Wisdom once said that ‘Neutrality’s’ most beloved being is Arkane. That he has no intention of abandoning the darkness of the universe.’
An absolute providence that loves the darkness of the universe and turns a blind eye to all its injustices…
“Balance.”
Like mist suddenly clearing from my mind, everything became strikingly clear.
“If that’s the case… then you must know the true identity of the entity that upholds balance—Neutrality.”
At last, I had found a clue to that unreachable, unfathomably noble existence.
“Tell me, who is he? I’ve met Arkane in person. He despised all the Spirit Kings, yet he showed deference to Ilipia alone. Does that mean Ilipia has a close connection with this ‘Neutrality’?”
The flood of unanswered questions, which had been bottled up inside me for years, burst forth all at once.
[…I cannot say. He is a being far beyond any of the Spirit Kings.]
“Then…!”
[Thus, my advice remains the same. Abandon everything and return to your body.]
Again.
I bit my lip hard and shut my eyes tightly.
He is impossible to reason with.
To be honest, ever since I fell into the past, I had constantly cursed the Spirit King of Wisdom in my heart. But now, I felt like I owed him an apology.
At least Lore, for all his reckless struggles against Arkane, was fighting with everything he had.
The Spirit King of Light, bound by lofty ideals and empty hope, refused to make any attempt at all.
[Abandon any hope of gaining my cooperation. Once more, I urge you, return.]
“…No.”
But how many stubborn fools had I dealt with before?
Slowly, I opened my eyes and gazed at Ignis, whose expression wavered ever so slightly.
“I refuse.”
“As you said, the Spirit King of Wisdom thrives on conflict. If I were to abandon the mission he bestowed upon me and simply return, I can only imagine the severe punishment that would follow… The mere thought of it sends shivers down my spine.”
[That…]
Ignis’ expression turned to one of visible dismay—clearly, he hadn’t expected that response.
[I will protect you.]
“Forget it. I have no desire to put my trust in the promise of a weak coward like you.”
He had hesitated for a moment before offering his assurance, but my cold rejection left him visibly disheartened.
A Spirit King this fragile?
I looked at Ignis, feeling both frustrated and resigned.
And yet, for all his weakness, he was infuriatingly stubborn.
A truly difficult adversary.
But I still remembered…
[It has been a long time since we’ve met, Oried. And… you as well.]
That day, when I was young, I had been completely mesmerized by you, the most beautiful being I had ever seen.
Yet, there had always been something enigmatic about you…
Something I had not noticed back then.
Your words, your gaze.
[A debt? No… This moment has only given me newfound certainty.]
The way you looked at me, your eyes filled with radiant sincerity and… an unexplainable tenderness.
“Ignis, you once asked me if I had ever seen you before.”
[Indeed. Do you know me? This should be our first meeting.]
“That’s right. I met you in the time I came from.”
I could only hope that the emotions I felt in that moment would serve as the key to overcoming this impasse.
“And in the future, you acted as though you already knew me.”
I looked directly at the Spirit King of Light and spoke.
