Chapter 107: Myst (4)

“Why are you looking so serious? I was only joking. There’s no way you can actually get your hands on a Dragon Heart, right?” Arkemis said with a dismissive wave. The last recorded dragon sighting was more than ten years ago. People claimed it had built a lair somewhere in the mountains, but nobody knew the exact location. “Still, there’s a chance,” Ketal replied. “Well, theoretically, yes, but...,” Arkemis remarked. “That’s all I need,” Ketal said with a grin. He felt disappointed that he couldn’t use Myst immediately, but that didn’t change the fact that he had obtained it. Over time, he could just keep increasing his Myst reserves. At least I know a way, he thought. If something like a Dragon Heart existed, it could solve his problem. A Dragon Heart, huh..., Ketal wondered. That very phrase quickened his pulse. Noticing his intense expression, Arkemis grew uneasy. He did take that as a joke, right...? “In any case, thank you again,” Ketal said earnestly. “I really appreciate all you’ve done, Arkemis.” “No, no, I should be the one thanking you. This whole experience was incredible,” she replied. Now that the alchemy was complete, the stress weighing on her lifted, and Arkemis staggered a little as if the exhaustion finally caught up with her. “You look tired,” Ketal noted. For several days, she had neglected food and rest to focus on her alchemy. It was no surprise that her body was finally demanding some relief. She wobbled as she headed for the stairs. “I need... just a little sleep. Ketal, let’s talk more tomorrow,” she said. “Sure, let’s meet tomorrow.” Ketal left with a satisfied smile, while Arkemis climbed into bed to catch up on her lost sleep. That night, clouds shrouded the moon, plunging the world into darkness. Most people had already gone home to prepare their dinners and retire early, enjoying the ordinary calm of their daily lives. Far from this routine, however—on the road leading into the capital—space abruptly tore open. From the ragged opening in the air, something vile began to seep out. A deeper, filthier darkness oozed into the already shadowy night, spreading slowly as if contaminating the surroundings. *** “Hey, you’re back!” Arkemis greeted Ketal the following day with renewed energy. She had looked considerably refreshed, as though she had finally slept off her fatigue. “You seem fine now,” Ketal remarked. “Thanks to that good rest. By the way, nothing strange happened to you while I wasn’t around, right?” “No problems. The Myst inside me feels stable.” “I’m relieved to hear that. Sometimes these procedures have delayed side effects, so normally I’d check on you regularly, but I was too exhausted to think straight yesterday,” Arkemis admitted. She performed a few brief tests to confirm the results, and everything seemed perfectly in order. “It looks like the process succeeded without any lingering issues.” Ketal grinned. “I can’t thank you enough.” He owed Arkemis for so much. She had taught him alchemy and helped him awaken to Myst. From what Milayna had said, the ability to induce Myst in another person was nearly unheard of, and might be exclusive to Arkemis in this world. Even if other people could do it, it would still be an exceptionally rare and impressive skill. Few individuals would ever share such a valuable technique with a complete outsider, especially someone like a barbarian. Without Arkemis’s help, Ketal might never have found a way to acquire Myst. “As promised, all the leftover particles belong to you. It’s the least I can do to repay you,” he said. “R-really? Is that okay?” “Of course,” he replied, nodding resolutely. Arkemis beamed. She exhaled as though a tremendous weight had been lifted. “Thank you! Seriously, that’s a relief. Without those particles, I don’t think I could accomplish my goal.” Ketal tilted his head curiously. “May I ask what your goal is?” “Oh...” Arkemis froze. She murmured, “My goal?” “Yes.” She hesitated for a moment. “It’s nothing grand. It’s really personal.” “You don’t have to tell me if it’s too difficult to talk about.” “No, it’s not that. I’m just... a bit embarrassed.” She clenched her small fists as if deciding something. “You gave me such precious materials. It only makes sense to tell you how I plan to use them. Have a seat.” “Ooh,” Ketal said, his interest piqued. He settled into a chair across from her. There was a thrilling sense of anticipation, like discovering the secret of a mysterious companion. Arkemis, wearing a serious expression, began. “I’m an elf, Ketal.” “I know that,” Ketal replied with a shrug. “But I’m not an ordinary elf.” “Really? I never noticed,” he said, tilting his head thoughtfully. He’d encountered a few elves in the past, but he hadn’t seen any obvious differences between them and Arkemis. “You wouldn’t be able to tell. It’s something only elves can perceive. Among elves, I’m... special.” “I see.” “Why are you looking at me like that...?” “No reason,” Ketal said, shaking his head. This is a fantasy world—she really might be special. Arkemis continued, “That’s why I went to the Empire. It’s the largest human power, so I thought they might help me achieve my goal.” Arkemis paused to collect her thoughts, and Ketal waited patiently. Just as she was about to speak again, something odd happened. “Huh?” Arkemis exclaimed as her eyes went wide. “Wait a second. Did you... not feel that?” “Feel what?” Ketal asked. He felt nothing unusual. Arkemis, however, looked deeply alarmed, unable to hide her shock. “Why is that descending upon this world...?” she whispered, staring toward the heart of the Denian Kingdom as if she could see right through the walls of her home. *** A guard stationed at the northern gate of the capital let out a long yawn. Scratching his belly, he stared down the empty road with half-lidded, sleepy eyes. His senior guard clicked his tongue in disapproval. “Pay attention, if the captain finds you slacking off, you’ll get an earful.” “I know, sir, but it’s so dull out here,” the guard replied. His superior couldn’t argue. In general, the human lands enjoyed a fair amount of peace. Not every region was like that—after all, the Empire was still trying to dominate the continent, and strange occurrences were popping up here and there. Yet, for most people, life was calm enough that any trouble felt distant. The Denian Kingdom was no exception. Whatever turmoil brewed across the world was little more than tavern gossip to them. The guard blinked his bleary eyes. I wish someone would show up already. As if granting his wish, a lone figure appeared on the road. “There’s a visitor,” the senior guard noted. “Yes, sir,” the first guard said, straightening his posture. The figure drew closer, and both guards gasped. The newcomer’s face was astonishingly beautiful. Though dressed in ordinary clothes, her radiance couldn’t be concealed. She looked like a princess who had wandered away from her palace. Unconsciously, the guards stiffened, trying to appear dignified. The woman drew nearer and smiled gently. “Oh my, you must be the guards.” “Is there something you need?” asked one guard, his voice turning oddly soft. His comrade shot him a brief, incredulous look. “Well...” The woman wiggled a slender finger. “This is the Denian Kingdom, right?” “Yes, that’s correct.” “Phew, glad to hear it. I was a bit worried I’d taken a wrong turn.” “Are you a traveler?” the guard asked. “Yes, something like that,” she said with a laugh. Enchanted by the smile, both guards grew dazed. Her sudden appearance with no escort should have raised alarm bells, but they were too enthralled—like men ensnared by a succubus—to notice. “In that case, I have one small favor to ask,” the woman continued. “Anything,” the guard said, his voice brimming with eagerness. Whatever she might request, even half his fortune—he was ready to give it willingly. Leisurely, the woman reached out a hand. Her delicate fingers curled around the guard’s head. Despite the oddness of it, he smiled, dazzled simply by her touch. The moment of bliss was his last. “Please die,” she whispered. Crack! His skull caved in, and he collapsed. The remaining guard froze in horror. Without missing a beat, the woman tapped the second guard’s chest with a flick of her finger. Crunch. His armor caved, and he spewed blood as he fell lifeless to the ground. “Mmm,” the woman purred, surveying the two mangled corpses at her feet. A contented grin spread across her face. “This feeling... It's so satisfying.” Stretching her arms, she turned her gaze to the massive gate ahead. “I should’ve told them to open the gate first before killing them. Oh well, not that it matters much.” Muttering under her breath, she strode forward. As she approached the gate, her form began to distort. The false guise melted away, revealing her true appearance. She had two curling horns glowing with violet sheen, eyes of pure white, and skin bronzed as though scorched by the sun. The demon gave a sly grin as she pressed her hand against the gate. It exploded with a deafening roar, shards of wood and metal flying in every direction. *** “T-they have arrived!” In the royal palace of the Denian Kingdom, a priest who had been praying suddenly screamed the words, “Evil has descended!” “So, it’s true,” Barbosa muttered as he scowled. He had been on edge ever since the Earth Goddess’s revelation, which warned them to prepare for evil. Though no one knew precisely when or where this evil would appear, it was still a revelation from a divine being. Naturally, Barbosa had made preparations. With a grave expression, he demanded, “Where did it show up? At the border?” “N-no, not the border!” The priest’s face went deathly pale. “It’s in the capital! Right here!” “What?” Barbosa’s eyes widened. “That’s impossible. We didn’t sense any sign of a demonic descent!” A demon’s arrival was never subtle. Signs and powerful waves of energy usually preceded it. There was no way the priests could fail to detect something this close—yet instead of appearing far away, the demon had manifested right in the capital. “B-but...,” the priest stammered. “I understand,” Barbosa growled. The fact was, it had already happened. There was no time to change that. All they could do was respond to the evil’s descent. “Which level of demon is it?” At least if it had appeared without a warning, it was likely not too formidable—or so Barbosa hoped. Surely the priests and knights stationed in the capital could deal with it. But the priest’s next words made Barbosa’s face go as pale as his own. “It’s a Named demon...!” the priest shouted. “W-what?” A named demon was in an entirely different league. But before Barbosa could regain his composure, the priest delivered even more horrifying news, and Barbosa nearly wished he were dreaming. “It’s not just one! There are two Named demons! Two of them have descended upon our capital!”