[– Seats and Roles (II) –]
After being paired up and wishing each other well, we decided to go in pairs.
The Valley of Delusion separates pairs into independent spaces as soon as they enter. This means that even if four or six people enter in multiples of two, they’ll be divided into groups of two and placed in separate spaces.
The moment you step into the entrance of the valley, two people vanish instantly. It’s like some sort of warp. Even though I was aware of this from The Arlandast Saga, it was still startling to see Jin and Velkina disappear so suddenly after taking their first steps.
According to the explanation Jin gave before we entered, it isn’t natural mana but something akin to a curse. Spooky stuff.
Now that I think about it, isn’t it unsettling how eerie this location is? First the Lake of Tranquility in the north, and now this magic research site…
Even as I tried to coolly organize my thoughts while warping into the valley, I couldn’t help but lose my composure.
In this isolated space.. with just Lumin… the two of us….
The only reason I snapped back to my senses after entering the valley was thanks to Luminus immediately casting a spell.
“O chains of reversal that break the flow, I call upon you.”
As the chant began, blue streams of light intertwined to form the shape of chains. When Luminus extended his hand forward, the streams of light stretched outward like a living creature in all directions.
“What is that..?”
“I’m mapping out the entire space. The Valley of Delusion reshapes itself the moment you step inside.”
According to Lumins explanation, the Valley of Delusion is not only tricky because it separates pairs into isolated spaces, but the structure itself is randomized every time someone enters. While the natural instinct would be to walk along the inner edge of the stream nestled between the cliffs, it’s impossible to predict what kind of annoying traps might be lurking.
After dispelling the spell with a wave of his hand, Luminus explained.
“It doesn’t seem to be in a special state. If we follow the stream for about 10 tahers, we should reach the exit.”
To be precise, it’s not an exit but a return to the valley’s entrance, the same spot where we came in. It really makes you appreciate the fantasy setting we’re in. Not that I should be surprised after encountering a lake that turned out to be a monster.
Still, if a taher is roughly equivalent to a kilometer on Earth, does that mean we have to walk 10 kilometers? It’s one thing for a game to display a distance; you don’t feel it when it’s your character doing the walking. But actually walking 10 kilometers myself? Yeah, that’s a bit unsettling.
“…. The Enchantment Lily grows between rocks, right?”
“Yeah. It’s a resilient plant that takes root in narrow crevices between stones and grows strong enough to push the rocks apart as it develops.”
The fact that this trial requires us to bring back the bulb intact makes it all the more challenging. It means we’ll need precise power control to split the rocks cleanly without damaging the bulb.
“Do you think Velkina and Jin will be okay…?”
“When it comes to mana detection and control, Jin’s instincts are leagues above mine, and while Velkina might lack experience, she has plenty of potential. There’s no need to worry about them. Besides, their combat skills are top-notch.”
Now that I think about it, I might have underestimated them because of Jin’s puppy-like demeanor so far. But as a strategy character in The Arlandast Saga, that little “puppy” is an absolute powerhouse. The only reason he’s been weaker is because I’ve been his mana provider.. Sorry about that, Jin.
“Senephin.”
“Uh, yeah.”
When I lifted my head at the sound of someone calling me, I saw Luminus smiling wryly.
The slowly setting sun cast an orange glow, making his golden eyes sparkle even more deeply. His outfit was different from what I was used to seeing him wear at the magic institute closer to travel gear, almost like a swordsman’s attire. It was a refreshing change.
Our Lumins, a scholar type with a great physique too… Is he a cheat character or something..?
Even though this wasn’t the time for such thoughts, he looked so dazzling that I wanted to just stare at him for 30 minutes straight. My heart couldn’t help but race.
After watching me for a moment, he spoke in a voice that felt incredibly sweet.
“From now on, don’t worry about that side. Just focus on this side.”
It took me three seconds to process what he said before I snapped back to my senses and responded hastily.
“Ah-! Y-yes! I’m sure Jin and Velkina will do just fine without me worrying about them! Honestly, I’m the one who might hold us back, so I’ll stay sharp and focus on clearing the Valley of Delusion!”
“….. No, that’s not what I meant. I’d like it if you only thought about me.”
“Pardon?”
“Never mind. We still have plenty of time.”
Luminus extended his hand. “The path is rough and dangerous, so hold onto me,” he said, adding an irresistible smile brighter than the sunlight.
“Shall we go, my lady?”
The moment I took his hand, the treacherous dungeon path ahead felt less like a trial and more like a staircase leading to a magical palace.
―This space, awash in vibrant hues, was entirely transformed by him, the flawless magician.
To describe what happened next, well… It felt more like a leisurely stroll than anything else.
In the Arlandast Saga, Velkina, as a low-level character, still had room to struggle and level up through battles. But for an overpowered character like Lumins, this was utterly trivial. If I were to compare it to an MMORPG, it was like a max-level player massacring enemies in a beginner’s zone.
It felt a bit overwhelming to just let myself be carried along like this, so I tried to make myself useful by keeping an eye out for the Enhancement Lilies, scanning the surroundings, and casting support spells. Of course, it didn’t really help much.
“Heat contained at the edge of the Milky Way, heed my call.”
Before any monsters could get within 100 meters of us, Luminus would detect them and fire off spells like heat-seeking missiles. There was no way for danger to even approach us. I passed by the remains of a defeated monster, and it wasn’t just a bloodied mess, it had been taken down with precise, clean strikes aimed directly at its weak spots.
“…Lumins, didn’t you say you were more of a research-focused mage than a combat-oriented one?”
I asked while staring blankly at the corpse of a monster that looked like a giant frog. Lumins shrugged nonchalantly.
“It’s a matter of preference, not capability.”
“………. Well that makes sense.”
Honestly, what’s even the point of asking questions when the man is capable of freezing a lake spanning about a kilometer in all directions, only to shatter it into dust in an instant? Complaining feels redundant.
Still, I can’t help but question the portrayal of Lumins in Arlandast Saga as mostly a healer. What was that even about? Clearly, it was the developers ploy to elevate the protagonist, Velkina. Typical game developer favoritism for the main character…
“….Something on your mind?”
His hand, still holding mine, gave a firm squeeze. It suddenly hit me again that I’d been walking hand-in-hand with Lumins this whole time. My face flushed, burning with embarrassment, and I barely managed to mumble a reply.
“Um… it’s just… I feel bad for being so useless.”
“You don’t need to think that way.”
He spoke with such unwavering conviction that it left no room for argument. Then, in a low voice, he chanted another spell.
A cluster of glowing orbs, about the size of a grown man’s fist, appeared and began floating around us like protective guardians, illuminating our path as the surroundings grew darker.
“Looks like the sun’s about to set completely”
“Yeah, it’s already dusk…” I replied, glancing at the fading light.
“Are you cold?”
“Oh, no, not at all.”
Not when the warmth from your hand spreads through my whole body like a comforting fire, Lumins. Honestly, the heat in my chest, stoked by you, burns far brighter and fiercer than anything the chilly night could ever throw at me…..
“You know what, Senephin?”
“Yes! Is there something you need me to do!?”
I answered energetically, as if I had been waiting to be given an errand. Lumins looked at me with wide eyes and then let out a chuckle.
“….No, that’s not it. Senephin, don’t you feel like you need to take on some sort of role?”
“That’s… well, it feels like an obvious truth even before thinking about it.”
“In what sense?”
“Um… well… Everyone helped because of my stubbornness when we came to the Valley of Delusion. In such a situation, doing nothing feels just… too much…”
Perhaps the sun had set while we were talking, as the orange sky left only traces behind the mountains before being swallowed by navy darkness. Lumins, who had been gazing in that direction for a moment, let go of the hand he was holding and gently tucked my wind-tangled hair behind my ear.
“Lu-Luminus…?”
Could you please stop doing cool things? My inner fangirl heart can’t take it anymore!!
Oblivious to the silent scream in my heart, he smiled softly, seemingly satisfied after fixing my hair.
“What do you think is a person’s role? Being strong in magic? Having great physical strength? Being smart? Being proactive?”
He didn’t seem to expect an answer. Holding my hand carefully again, Lumins started walking.
“You know, I used to be very weak and timid. I cried a lot, too.”
I looked up at Lumins side, doubting my ears. Although he smiled quietly, there was no trace of him joking.
“……That doesn’t seem like you at all.”
“I made a conscious effort to change, and time has passed. I used to have struggles similar to yours, Senephin.”
I had always thought his calm demeanor and confident attitude were innate, something he was born with.
After all, the Lumins I saw in the game had been like that.
“I used to feel so worthless for being passive and crying at the smallest things. It felt like there was no role I could fulfill.”
“………”
“But thanks to something a person I deeply respected said to me, I found courage. I still remember it to this day.”
His eyes narrowed as if he were reminiscing, a small, wistful, yet happy smile gracing his face.
“Let’s go back to the Crown Prince, Kalt. In terms of magic alone, he’s untrained and probably weaker than you, Senephin. Does that mean he doesn’t have a role to play?”
“Ah.. No.”
I may internally mock him as the “Prince of sparrows” all the time, but because I’ve played Arlandast Saga, I know how much of a workaholic he is.
Even if I find him insufferable, Kalt Ashan Faynance is someone this country can’t do without.
“If you hadn’t made the decision, neither Velkina nor I would have come here. If the Crown Prince’s purpose was to bring Velkina and me to the capital, then the person who played the biggest ‘role’ in making that happen was none other than you. He probably knows that, too.”
“………….”
Through the completely fallen darkness, only the beautiful glow emanating from Lumins illuminated the surroundings.
“I think I understand now. The reason why you wanted to be with us as a ‘participant in the plan.’ It must have been because you wanted to find a role for yourself, right?”
I was struck to the core and couldn’t say a word. I wanted to be by their side, but I wasn’t equal to them. I was searching for a legitimate reason.
“I know. I’ve felt the same way. —I’ll return the words that person once said to me, exactly as they were.”
“What…?”
“Even without creating such a ‘role,’ I just want you to be by my side.”
“Lumins..”
“If Velkina hears this, he’ll probably burst into tears and cry his eyes out, don’t you think?”
With a slightly playful tone, he said that, then released my hand.
“….. That’s enough nagging for now. It’s getting late, and it seems like the stronger monsters are coming out, so you should be careful too, Senephin.”
Lumins began chanting again. His spell, now more dazzling under the night, cut through the air in bright streaks.
I could only watch his back as I took a deep breath, as if to swallow the light.
“Ah, Lumins. I found it! It’s the Enchantment Lily!”
Though it was harder to spot due to the darkness of night, not long after the sun had set, I was able to find the native habitat of the Enhancement Lily.
The Enchantment Lily, growing firmly between rocks that looked solid at a glance, revealed its black appearance, just like the materials described. Instead of the purple or dark blue colors often associated with flowers, it was an eerie, pitch-black shade, as if coated in tar. It was such an unnerving color that if I had seen it during the day, I probably would have felt even more creeped out.
“Senephin, step behind me for a moment.”
As soon as I stepped back, Luminus quickly began his spell. In a flash, he activated a protective shield and neatly shattered the rocks. Among the crumbling stones, the Bewildering Lily bulbs fell, drained of energy and collapsed. The flower part was about the size of a typical lily, but the bulbs were large, roughly the size of an adult’s head. Was it really necessary for them to be this grotesque, from the color to the size of the bulbs…?
Luminus picked up the largest bulb and handed it to me.
“This one’s for you, Senepin.”
“….Thank you, Lumins.”
“Shall we head back now? I made a bet with Velkina on who would arrive first.”
Whew, thank goodness. It’s nice to know they’re close enough to even make a bet without me noticing.
Hmm… I guess there’s no rule that says I have to follow the original route exactly, right!? A love blossoming from a bet… a love blossoming from gambling…
Well… I can’t even think of this one.
“Senephin?”
Not hearing any response, Lumins called my name, sounding a little puzzled.
“Oh, it’s nothing. Let’s head out. By the way, if you bet with money, wouldn’t Velkina be at a disadvantage?”
“That’s because we didn’t bet with money.”
“Oh? Then what did you bet on?”
Lumins narrowed his eyes and gave me a mysterious smile, the kind that made it hard to tell what he was thinking.
“…The right to go on a date with Senephin first when we get to the capital?”
“What??”
“Alright, let’s head back now. I’m really curious to see who won.”
“…That’s a joke, right!?”
Lumins laughter echoed through the valley, but in the end, the truth of his joke remained unresolved. The bet’s outcome was left hanging as both Velkina and Lumins emerged from the valley at the same time, sighed at the sight of each other’s faces, and the whole thing ended in anticlimax.
”
