The Rebirth Of The Hero’S Party’S Archmage [EN]: Chapter 118

118

“But in terms of the overall framework of how to use power, Kasena might be closer to that person than you are.”

Kasena seemed more taken aback by that assessment than I was. Alakish waved her hand as if to correct a misunderstanding.

“Of course, it’s still a far cry from being compared to that person, but I’m just saying I saw that potential.”

Alakish said she paid attention to the fact that Kasena had drawn a magic circle on her palm in advance to respond to unexpected situations.

‘But isn’t that assessment a bit old-fashioned? Most Remedier-type mages leave indexes on pages in preparation for such situations,’ I thought.

As I was wondering about that, Alakish uttered a Dragon Word [a word of power in the ancient dragon language], and blades of fire, knives, and arrowheads materialized in order from her left and right sides and behind her.

“As Alakish remembers, Karenden always approached battles in this way.”

“……?”

“From as few as four to as many as ten… she would construct the power she deemed necessary for the assumed situation in advance like this, so that it can be taken out and used immediately as needed.”

‘What the heck is that…’ As I let out a dumbfounded laugh, Kasena pinched my elbow.

“Don’t just admire it, Rain, explain it a little!”

“It’s just… it’s an absurd method. I can’t follow it. No, I don’t think any mage can do it?”

“Not even my mom?!”

‘Of course, Headmaster Madelia is below me,’ I thought.

To explain it in terms of the Remedier-type magic usage method, it would be like floating a piece of paper with 90% of the magic circle drawn in the air and then drawing the remaining 10% whenever needed to activate the magic.

Since the magic is not completely constructed, it is a matter of course that rune modification or mathematical formula correction can be easily adjusted to the situation just before use.

‘It’s not just floating the necessary magic. Is it like bringing tools? Tools that can be quickly assembled.’

The reason why the limitations of the Remedier type are clear is that variable situations cannot be completely controlled.

It’s easier to understand if you think of it as a puzzle structure. Instead of a puzzle that fits perfectly in that spot, you’re forcibly inserting a puzzle that’s similar in shape.

But the method Karenden used… it’s like it compensated for all the shortcomings of not only the Remedier type but also the Yorgen type.

But no matter how much I think about it, I can’t understand it.

“Magic is either not activated or activated… how is that possible without Dragon Words?”

Alakish explained calmly, as if to persuade me.

“The power you call magic is not much different from the power Karenden used, the miracles used by the fairies. It’s just that it has been established to be easier to use.”

Unlike humans, who can only use the miracles of Tersia, the first descendants, the fairies, could handle all the miracles of the gods.

The divine authority of Terbel’s thunder.

The divine authority of Shurigan’s blood light.

The divine authority of Maxencia’s crescent moon, etc.

Of course, unlike magic, it was the exclusive property of a very small number of people, so only those who were anointed as judges and priests could use miracles.

I once saw the ‘Wandering Judge Simian’ during Rin’s time, and its power was so great that it could be called a miracle.

But that miracle was actually the same system as magic?

The fairies used to mock that humans didn’t have the right to use miracles, so they created magic to imitate them.

“But aren’t the methods of miracles and magic completely different? Miracles are about praying. Magic is about calculating.”

“No, all the power that the gods received from the Mother of Light is the power of origin. Not the realm of reason, such as calculation or computation.”

‘Power of origin? Isn’t that the power the Fae Quearier use to awaken the Supreme Star Sword? Does that go all the way up to the divinity of the Ones Who Came [ancient powerful beings]?’ If I had known this would happen, I should have asked Rista in detail.

Alakish, who seemed to be lost in thought for a moment, suddenly looked at me.

“Yes, I think I know now. The reason why you can’t handle Dragon Words unlike Kasena.”

“Oh, what is it?”

“You are trying to control power too rationally. The power of the gods and the power of Dragon Words are not like that. It is about wishing, praying, and receiving.”

Wishing and praying?

‘Is that why Kasena, who desperately wanted to walk and was relatively free from the realm of mathematics thanks to her bloodline limit, was able to quickly reach the usage of Dragon Words?’

Hmm… Could it be seen as an extension of the idea that ‘magic is about putting your heart into it’ that Headmaster Ajumma [a respectful term for an older woman] told me?

“There’s no need to be impatient. If you think about it calmly and think again, you will find the answer.”

“Hoo… I only live to be a hundred years old, even if I live an incredibly long time. I have no choice but to be impatient.”

“No, it’s okay. With your temperament, you will be able to reach it someday. Because I smell the same scent from you as Karenden.”

Alakish smiled kindly and patted my head lightly three times, and Kasena nodded with her arms crossed.

“That’s right, Rain will be able to reach it! He’s so smart!”

At that time, in my embarrassment, I couldn’t understand why Alakish mentioned temperament rather than intellectual brilliance or technical skill.

But looking back later, wasn’t that the signpost leading to the truth?

The lamp leading to the truth that the True Dragon, who had lived since the Age of Origin, deeply and thoughtfully unraveled and told me for my sake.

But the reason why I only realize this later is probably because I will receive something more precious shortly after.

* * *

Our camping was always done with a clear division of roles.

Alakish sets up a fire like a barrier around the area (a landmine-type Dragon Word that ignites immediately if a monster appears) to ensure the safety of the camp. Kasena watches and learns from it.

Meanwhile, I cooked simple dishes with the game hunted by Pipi or the food ingredients provided by Griffion at the bonfire in the center of the barrier.

“Alakish?”

But today was a bit strange.

I thought Kasena and Pipi were just going to do the barrier work, but Alakish stayed by my side and watched my work intently.

“Don’t mind me. I’m just watching and trying to remember how to cook.”

‘Oh, is the True Dragon cooking?’

As I said before, dragons absorb energy from nature from the moment they become adults, so they don’t eat food separately.

Alakish only ate skewers once because Kasena kept recommending them, and I’ve never seen her eat anything since then.

“Are you going to cook? Why?”

It was such a mysterious thing, so I asked lightly out of curiosity, but Alakish kept her mouth shut for a long time.

In this forest north of the barrier, where birds don’t chirp and insects don’t cry, the only sound is the pine trees swaying in the wind.

Then, just as Kasena returned, she turned the basket she carried so preciously on her back to the front and placed her hand on the dragon egg inside.

“My daughter will have no memories to become a light of heart.”

“……?”

“In this empire of extreme cold, there are no friends to spend her childhood with and no scenery to hold in her heart. She will be born and live in a land of only cold, fear, and madness.”

Alakish stroked the dragon egg with a regretful hand and gave a sad smile.

“But if Alakish can clumsily make food with a deep flavor… wouldn’t she have at least one thing to remember?”

I was momentarily speechless. What could I have said at that time?

Alakish had never expressed it, but she had been in pain these twelve hundred years she had lived here. That’s why she’s worried.

About her daughter’s life, who will have to live alone in this land for an eternity, just like her… when her fellow dragons are at the far south end.

– Rin.

– Rin.

– Sabu.

– Rin.

Perhaps it was because I knew the lament of someone who had to live with all the relationships they had built up over their lifetime severed that a corner of my heart ached.

“Let’s go with us, Alakish.”

‘Is that why I started saying things without even thinking about it for the first time in my life?’

“In the first place, it’s impossible to monitor north of the barrier now. Aren’t the beastmen also withdrawing?”

“……!”

“The Fire Dragon might use Alakish in a better place. If he tells you to go back? Then you can go back then.”

Kasena, who didn’t know what to do in the heavy atmosphere, immediately nodded her head vigorously.

“That’s right! Let’s go together! Who would say anything?”

Alakish’s golden dragon eyes widened with some expectation, but soon sank weakly.

“It’s impossible. The mission given to a dragon along with their name is absolute.”

“I have a connection with the Fire Dragon. Things might go well. I’m serious.”

“Stop it. I think that’s why he gave me the name Alakish (Alakishi; mission), knowing this kind of life.”

Alakish, who gently placed her hand on Rain’s head, had a slightly different voice.

Dragons receive their names at birth. And they live a life that fits that name. For reference, Yoshhar means benevolence in Dragon Words.

In that direction of life, the name Alakish received was too harsh. A mission, meaning to live and die only according to the given command?

“Still… I am truly happy for your hearts.”

Then, she suddenly smiled with a face full of smiles and started laughing, not just a soft laugh.

It was surprising enough that the Red Dragon was smiling, but her bursting into laughter like this was truly embarrassing.

“Hehe, for Alakish to be told to go south with you. You are the first humans to say such a thing.”

Everyone took it for granted that Alakish was monitoring the abyss here…….

At that time, was the poetic inspiration that arose in Alakish’s head like a spring sun with a quiet bell sound a daydream?

A dream scene where she, her daughter, Rain, and Kasena were laughing and chatting on the way to the south with the legion somewhere in a field of reeds where the warm southern sunlight shone dazzlingly.

Because it is an impossible dream, a daydream, it can be so beautiful and so heartbreaking… Alakish gave a bitter smile.

“That’s why the fact that I have to part with you tomorrow is indescribably regrettable.”

Rain and Kasena lowered their eyes and pressed their lips miserably.

Alakish had done everything for us, and I was so angry at my powerlessness that all I could do was teach her how to cook…….

The Red Dragon always smelled of fire burning in firewood on a winter day, but today that scent felt more fleeting and sad.

“Then, shall we cook something right away?”

If so, let’s do what I can do now. So that Alakish can make the best food for her daughter.

That’s my reward.

A flower offering to the dragon who has kept her mission for a thousand years, to you who have protected and guided us this far.

“Hmm, I’ll watch and remember well.”

“No. It’s important to actually try cooking.”

“……I’ll try it later when I’m alone.”

“Tsk, geez! I’m telling you, you have to do it together. Now, hurry up and follow me.”

Alakish hesitated for a moment, as if she was ashamed of showing her unskilled skills, but she quickly learned how to prepare food, how to cook it, and how to season it.

As the world was dyed with twilight, the Arctic rabbit skewers were completed.

Mine was excellent from an aesthetic point of view, while the meat skewered on Alakish’s was crooked and had blackened parts.

“Okay, let’s eat!”

If it were me, I would have hesitated because I would have thought of Alakish’s dragon food, but Kasena, who had never experienced it, bravely (?) held two skewers at the same time and bit them in turn.

The expression on Alakish’s face as she anxiously watched Kasena chew on the meat was somehow refreshing, and a smile naturally appeared.

And a flower bloomed on Kasena’s face after swallowing the lump of meat after a long time as if enjoying a delicacy.

“Wow, it’s really delicious! Both of them!”

Alakish looked at me with a dubious expression as if she couldn’t believe it. I picked up the skewer made by Alakish and said.

“The person who taught me magic used to make me cook often. He said that’s because the core principles of cooking and magic are similar.”

“Cooking and magic?”

“Both magic and cooking are about putting your heart into it… Alakish will definitely be able to make good food.”

Alakish looked at me with surprised eyes, then nodded with a faint smile.

“Yes, I really hope so.”

At that time, there was a rustling sound in the bushes behind us.

‘There should be a barrier, how……’ Kasena, who turned to that side first, gasped.

The next moment, a wolf appeared before our eyes, staggering. I muttered.

“White wolves……?”

It seems that it was a signal of fate.

The faint and fleeting relationship that had bloomed in this land of extreme cold was sending a signal just before it was cut off.