The Rebirth Of The Hero’S Party’S Archmage [EN]: Chapter 142

142. The Reincarnated Archmage of the Hero Party – Episode 142 (142/280)

It was then that I first met Yeriserika, the Water Dragon (with piercing eyes), one of the Three Divine Dragons and guardian of the World Tree. Or rather, it was her illusion.

Yeriserika’s true form couldn’t move because she had to protect the World Tree, or so she said.

Even though it was just an illusion, Yeriserika’s sincere and gentle tone, along with her genuine compassion, created an aura of wisdom that was beyond approach.

Without anyone ordering us to do so, I realized that everyone, including myself, was kneeling and worshiping the Divine Dragon.

“Arise, you who have returned. It is I, Yeriserika, who should recount the deeds you have accomplished and express my gratitude.”

Despite hearing those words, I couldn’t dare to lift my knees, overcome by unspeakable awe.

“How was Alakish’s end?”

The image of Alakish entrusting Aki to me and turning away flashed through my mind, and my eyes welled up.

“True to the Fire Dragon’s lineage… she sealed the abyss until the very end, with greatness and dignity, before returning [to the cycle of life],”

The White Dragons each let out a sigh, and a poignant echo of sorrow filled the wetlands.

At that moment, Akirea woke up and reached out to Yeriserika with curiosity, but Yeriserika’s gaze was so sorrowful that a wave of sadness washed over my heart as well.

“Come closer, child of Alakish. You resemble your mother so much; you are truly lovely.”

Incredibly… Aki voluntarily left my arms for the first time and began to crawl towards Yeriserika.

Or so I thought, but suddenly she turned back, returned to me, tugged at my pants, and demanded to be held.

The White Dragons were even more surprised than I was. As all dragons, regardless of their legion, revered the Divine Dragon as their parent, Aki’s choice must have been perplexing.

“Indeed, you already wish to live a life befitting the name Akirea (Freedom). So be it.”

However, Yeriserika seemed to have foreseen this outcome, as she let out a clear laugh.

Then, a miracle occurred… Clear water filled the swamp where the stench of decay had been rampant, and greenery sprouted everywhere.

As all mortals blankly opened their eyes, Yeriserika began to summarize the situation in a solemn tone.

“I, Yeriserika, will take responsibility for the beastmen. As humanity does not yet have the courage to communicate with the beastmen, I foresee a future where the land is flooded with blood if they try to forcibly unite the beastmen with humanity.”

Yeriserika’s judgment was absolute. Just as no one dared to disobey the Emperor, no one could rebel against the judgment of a god.

Yeriserika protected the World Tree and dreamed ‘Pure White Dreams.’ In those dreams, she could observe fragments of the past and snippets of the future.

Originally, it was the sole responsibility and authority of the Mad Dragon Haraderi to oversee the present’s shackles, but now the Mad Dragon was sick and dying, leaving a void in the realm of observation.

Then, the Magic City Seigan suddenly spoke up.

“I dare to speak, but if the Water Dragon says so now, it must mean that the beastmen are truly innocent…”

Then what did my brother die for? His head was cut off for treason… That was what I was about to say.

“Do not worry; your blood relative is safe.”

Could she even read minds? Seigan blinked his eyes. Rain was also surprised.

‘Kiran…?’

‘He’s not dead…?’

It was hard to believe, but unlike humans, gods do not lie.

According to Yeriserika’s explanation, a wyvern from the White Dragon Legion had arrived at the right before the execution and resolved the situation.

Yeriserika realized the gravity of the situation north of the barrier when Alakish’s presence disappeared, and she immediately looked at the future south of the barrier through her Pure White Dream and intervened in the situation.

“…?!”

It must have been around that time.

Suddenly, the flow of time slowed down sluggishly, and all senses felt dreamlike and unreal… Then, a strange lake unfolded before my eyes.

It was a clear and pure white lake, so clear that I could see all the way to its depths. As if looking into countless mirrors at the same time, hundreds of reflections of myself were visible on the surface of the lake.

And from the center of that lake, the goddess of Qingcheng gracefully fluttered her sleeves and greeted me.

“I have invited you into my dream, Yeriserika’s dream, to share an important story. An era has come where we do not know where the eyes of the abyss may be.”

Her noble hair, pure eyes, elegant dragon horns, and elegant silk clothes were all the color of a cool and clear sea. She looked to be in her mid-60s in human years.

“Are you Yeriserika-nim [esteemed]?”

“Of course, who else would I be?”

Yeriserika approached with a gait of perfect grace and authority, reminiscent of Shar’Kars, and looked me up and down before smiling kindly.

“Indeed, the texture of your souls is truly similar. I now understand, at least a little, what she saw in you when she chose you.”

“Similar to whom?”

“Unfortunately, your intellect seems to be inferior to hers.”

Then, my faces in the mirrors that filled the lake showed different reactions. Some blinked, some tilted their heads, and others questioned it.

What is that?

But rather than exchanging meaningless questions and answers, the ‘real me’ wanted to ask what I hadn’t been able to say earlier due to my confusion.

“Where are you planning to take the beastmen?”

“It seems that what you should be asking and worrying about is not the beastmen, but your own future.”

“Pardon?”

“Do you know what the situation is on the continent right now, and why she had to send you beyond the barrier?”

“Honestly… I don’t know very well.”

I answered briefly, but I could feel my gaze wavering uneasily. What is it? Again, countless versions of me were showing various reactions.

“In this Pure White Dream, all human images are revealed. Everything in this lake is you. You who have made different choices in life.”

“…?”

“Let me tell you one truth: I only see one future for you. To be precise, a future where you arrive in the Antarctic with Akirea.”

What does that mean…? Then suddenly, countless ‘me’s, who were as faint as nightmares yet as vivid as reality, began to disappear.

Leaving only the real me…

I looked around the lake in bewilderment, and a chilling realization made my hands and feet grow cold.

“Does that mean there’s only one possibility… that I can reach the Antarctic?”

I asked cautiously, feeling a sense of foreboding, and Yeriserika nodded gracefully.

“Lami Orbarden, the shadows of the abyss rampant throughout the continent… According to my perception, it is right for me, Yeriserika, to take Akirea and send her down to the Antarctic with the legion, but she does not wish it.”

“Are you referring to Karenden-nim [esteemed]? But why? It would be instantaneous if she went down with the legion.”

“Who can know the will of the gods? The gods give trials to those they love. Darung On Durka [Only the gods know the path of man], and she seems to be planning to train you on that path. To use you as pure gold.”

I was momentarily speechless.

Training? What and how am I supposed to train? On a path where there is only one chance of success?

I dare to guess that even one mistake among the many choices, big and small, would lead to complete failure.

“I cannot take Aki on that dangerous path. I don’t mind if it’s just me, but Alakish trusted me with the child… Isn’t there anything I can do?”

Yeriserika quietly shook her head at my plea.

“She believes in you. Neither you nor I, Yeriserika, can change her will. She cherishes you so much that she even reveals her sick body before the old gods for your sake.”

“…!”

“You must make a choice, you who once had the name Rin (Spring Breeze). Whether to finish the race of life according to her will, or to give up everything and live a meaningless life.”

Yeriserika’s words echoed heavily in my heart. The race of life according to Karenden’s will was so vague that I couldn’t even grasp what it meant.

“Do you wish to see the truth (眞理) [Shinri – Japanese for Truth]?”

At that moment, the worries swirling in my head suddenly disappeared, and I could feel my hands and feet trembling slightly.

“Do you wish to refill the chains of fate that were severed in your past life?”

I was overwhelmed by the ensuing concise yet profound question, and I couldn’t even breathe.

The fate of a past life?

The chains of fate?

I was overwhelmed by the ensuing concise yet profound question, and I couldn’t even breathe.

That was when I opened my mouth to ask.

“If so, go south with Alakish’s clone. On the way, first find a small ghost.”

“What do you mean by a small ghost?”

“You will soon find out. She has prepared everything on that difficult and arduous path… Only for you.”

Truth, the fate of a past life… Those words caused a strong ripple in a series of emotions that had been sealed deep within my heart.

To be honest, I didn’t understand.

To be honest, I couldn’t accept it.

I didn’t understand the reason why she would make me walk that dangerous path with Aki… But if the creator of truth, with my mortal perception, really said that there was truth at the end of that path.

“I will go.”

I had already died once, and Alakish had told Aki to show her your dream.

Not only Karenden, but Alakish also wanted me, not anyone else, to take Aki… So I have no choice but to follow their will now.

No, it may seem like I’m saying it reluctantly, but this is my will and my choice. I wanted to know more desperately. What is truth, and what are the chains of fate?

“From the moment you enter the continent, the abyss (深淵) [Shin’en – Japanese for Abyss] will relentlessly seek you out, so do not delay at all, leave only a short greeting to your blood relatives, and leave immediately to the south.”

A smile, so sad it was, formed on Yeriserika’s face as she looked up at the distant sky for a moment.

“And this is also her will.”

Then suddenly, the pure white that had dominated this illusory lake was condensed into one in Yeriserika’s arms, forming an adorable shape.

It was a sleeping baby.

Could it be even younger than Aki?

Its hair and eyebrows were of a pure white color that could not be imitated by anything on earth. A cold purity like a winter lake… and a transcendent presence.

“MirünGadia, my fifth child with the name ‘Wisdom’.”

She hesitated for a moment, perhaps not wanting to let go of her arms…

Yeriserika looked lovingly at the pure white incarnation for a long time, stroking her hair preciously, and then suddenly held her in my arms.

I was quite embarrassed by the sudden action. What is this now? Why?

“Dracyu Or Durben [The age of dragons is coming to an end]. When all the dragons disappear, the abyss will run rampant, so this child is the one I have prepared for that last age.”

“…!”

“It means that you are the last dragon to spend the last age… that nightmarish age, with Alakish’s child.”

I couldn’t answer.

In the first place, I didn’t even know what this meant, so I just blinked, looking back and forth between the baby and Yeriserika.

Yeriserika smiled lightly, and her body began to scatter into feathers of light.

“I entrust her to you according to her will. I hope you will teach her. This dazzling world created by the gods, and how to love that world. Just like you learned.”

Again, dreams and illusions seemed to be intertwined in a chaotic manner, and the hazy sensation disappeared in an instant, and reality unfolded before my eyes again.

However, the weight that pressed down on both hands, slender yet fierce, remained the same. When I carefully lowered my head, there was a dragon egg…

It was an egg with five jade-colored stripes on its pure white surface, and I could feel a mysterious pulsation from within.

“Oh, come on…”

I suddenly had two children. A red child in the back, and a white child in the front… Is this responsibility without pleasure?

It was a joke that I couldn’t even laugh at. These children are the dragons who will live in the last age, and you’re entrusting them both to me?

I don’t know what Karenden-nim has in mind, but if she trusts me that much… then, let’s give it a try.

“South…”

I raised my head and looked at the other side of the swamp.

The endless horizon was being soaked in deep darkness, and the secretly blowing wind was as cold as a blade cutting through my skin.

That was the point when the first act of my hundred-year journey came to an end, and the second act began in earnest.