How did you know that?
Even though Lucion gave permission, Hu opened his mouth without any doubt.
It was so worrying.
Of course. I thought that if it was you, you could dream, Asha said happily and affectionately. Hus expression brightened as well.
I had a dream.
Yes.
Soone told to be the guide.
I knew it. You were a guide.
Asha stopped speaking and soon turned and bowed her head to Lucion.
Im truly sorry. I forgot about our important guest.
No, if you have sothing to say to Hu, feel free to do so.
She even knew that Hu was a guide.
The information Asha had would surely be helpful for both of them.
Thank you for your consideration. But Lord Lucion, you can co here anyti, so we can take our ti to talk again whenever you want.
I was told that I had to be invited to co here. Is that not true?
Lucion asked.
The invitation was just a ans to find you, to deceive peoples eyes, Asha replied.
It was a lure?
Thats right. Darkness. Isnt it a ti when just this word makes you a sinner? I cant be free either, so I had to invite a large number of people to the pilgrimage route just to hide this place and deceive peoples eyes.
Good thinking. But in the end, why ? Because Im a broken vessel?
The words Lucion wanted to say lingered in his mouth.
[So, it was all a lie about the Trial of Light?]
Russell, who was slowly bursting into laughter, held his stomach and laughed.
He doesnt know why the pilgrimage route was created, but in the end, wasnt it made for those who received the blessing of darkness?
Without knowing such a situation, those who were blessed with light were talking about sanctuary.
It was very funny.
[Wow. Its been a while since I last felt good!]
Russell found it difficult to stop laughing.
But the invitation I sent to Lucion was real. Didnt the darkness choose to co this way and not above?
I passed both, right?
Lucion noticed from Ashas words that there were two tests he didnt know about.
If it werent for Ratta, Lucion wouldnt have known.
Ms. Asha.
Lucion called out Asha.
Please call Asha. You are too much for .
Well, um, what do you an, the darkness chose just a mont ago?
I cant explain why.
Asha shook her head with a sad face.
I dont know what the darkness wants. I simply follow the decisions chosen by the darkness.
Thats right. The darkness isnt saying anything to Ratta now.
Ratta, who was about to run back to the grass, said in a slightly grumpy voice and then dashed off with a hmph.
So the darkness really chose ?
Lucion deliberately did not ntion Ratta. It was the last bit of suspicion he had, wondering if Ratta also knew.
Youre right.
What if its just a coincidence
Theres absolutely no chance of that. Im sending you the invitation and making the choice; its all the will of the darkness.
Lucion didnt say anything more to Asha, given her adamantly denying attitude.
However, there was sothing that concerned him.
Up until now, she, no, Ravien, had truly seed like a servant of the darkness.
So what did the darkness that the warlock possessed really an?
Even though they used the sa word, it sounded different.
May I ask more questions? Lucion inquired.
Yes, you can ask as many as youd like, Asha replied.
Is the darkness used by the warlock the sa as the one you speak of?
Russell, who had been curious about that point, swallowed dry saliva at Lucions question.
No, its different, Asha stated firmly before continuing, The darkness used by the warlock is just a part of the darkness I serve.
So the darkness the warlock possessed was just a part of the darkness Asha spoke of.
Then its the sa for , isnt it? Lucion glanced at her subtly.
If Asha hears the voices of the darkness, she will know what they are saying.
No. Lord Lucion is different.
Why am I different?
Asha closed her mouth at Lucions question.
She pulled out the expected words with an apologetic expression.
I dont know that either. The darkness didnt tell .
Lucion was not satisfied with the lack of information, but for now, he had to be content with just that.
Still, he got quite a lot of information.
So now I just have to go up the stairs again and start my pilgrimage?
Lucion pointed his finger upward.
No. As I ntioned before, the road up there exists for distinction. Please co this way.
Asha pointed her hand in the direction of the house and walked.
Is that pilgrimage route also a bait?
When Lucion asked, Asha smiled brightly.
Youre right. There are a lot of really interesting stories that seem to have been set up quite convincingly. I enjoy listening to those stories.
It seed like everyone was just playing into Ashas hands.
It was amusing.
So, whats different about the real pilgrimage route?
Are you feeling strangely unwell?
How did you know that?
You absorbed a black orb, didnt you?
.
Lucion stood up straight.
[I have goosebumps right now.]
Russell rubbed his arm.
He didnt know what was going on, but he thought he might be able to find the answer to what the black orb was here.
[That How did you know?]
Bethel imdiately approached Asha and asked.
I just relayed what I was told.
[Is that so? I didnt hear anything.]
Bethel looked at Asha with a suspicious look.
She was a death knight.
She could see, hear, and feel where the darkness was.
But unlike a mont ago, the darkness says nothing now.
Yes, youre right. Because the darkness conveyed it only to .
[What is the reason?]
Because they shouldnt listen.
[Who?]
I dont know his na. But I know that the darkness doesnt want their voices to flow into him.
[Him? Are you saying that he is an enemy of Lord Lucion?]
Im sorry. Im really sorry. As a servant of the darkness, I cannot speak unless the darkness allows it.
Asha bowed her head with a sowhat defiant look, and Bethel was taken aback.
She ended up pushing Asha too hard.
[Im sorry. My mind got ahead of , and I ended up being rude.]
Bethel didnt know what to do but touched Ashas hand, which was tightly holding the cane.
But because no contract was made with her, Bethels hand passed through Asha.
Bethel hid her hands behind her back, feeling empty for the first ti in a long ti.
No, I also cannot tell you much, Im sorry, Asha said with a warm smile, looking at Bethel.
Looking at Bethel with a bitter expression, Lucion answered on her behalf.
You dont need to apologize.
Lucion pointed ahead.
So now I want you to tell what it ans for to walk the pilgrimage.
Asha walked slowly.
Lucion and Hu also followed suit.
The power contained in the black orb is too strong, almost too much for the body to handle. So, a space that can naturally absorb the power is needed.
Is that a pilgrimage route?
Thats right. This is the space that darkness created for you.
Sounds like they knew I was coming.
Im sure the darkness has been waiting for a long, long ti, even if its not right now.
Asha drew a bittersweet smile.
As they passed Ashas house, they saw a tree.
It didnt look any different from the surrounding trees, but when Asha tapped the tree a few tis with her cane, a door appeared with a swish.
This is the real pilgrimage route.
Can I ask whats inside?
[Youre not scared, are you?]
Russell nudged Lucion.
Its not like that. I can at least ask whats inside, right?
Its a path. You just have to keep moving forward.
Asha lightly laughed and answered Lucions question.
Lucion, Lucion.
Ratta hurriedly ca running.
Before Lucion could open the door, he looked at Ratta.
Can Ratta co inside too?
Is it possible for one person and one animal?
[How about two ghosts here?]
Russell added.
In other words, technically, they werent people.
At the unexpected question, Bethel rubbed her face slightly.
[Why? Youre curious, too, Bethel.]
Russell gave Bethel a pointed look.
Bethel did not deny it.
Deep down, she was curious about what was inside.
Ihavent tried it. Asha said, flustered.
In that case, Ill give it a try.
When Lucion tried to bend down, Hu quickly picked up Ratta and held her out to Lucion.
It would be nice if I could go in with you. Would you be okay with one arm?
Hu asked with concern.
Even if Ratta has gotten heavier lately, I can still handle that much.
No. Ratta is as light as a feather!
Ratta wagged her front paw and grunted.
If you keep shaking your front paws like that, I cant take you.
Ratta is as light as a feather!
Ratta put down her front paw and grunted.
Lucion held back his laughter and asked Asha, just in case.
If its really just who can go in, what happens to the rest?
They just cant get in and you wont get hurt.
Yes, thank you. Ill go in then.
Russell grabbed the hem of Lucions clothes. Bethel blinked and then smiled.
Whats wrong with you?
Lucion felt goosebumps rising all over his body at the uncharacteristic behavior of Russell.
[Just in case. Im not doing it because I like it, so dont look at like that.]
I understand.
Lucion took a step and looked at Bethel.
Arent you going to grab my shirt?
[Im going to Hu.]
Im fine. Im not alone, so its okay. You can go if youre curious, Bethel.
Hu smiled at Bethel.
[No, I dont like the feeling of being trapped. I also want to see the scenery around here.]
Then do as you wish.
Lucion didnt press further.
He never asked how long Bethel had been in that underground place filled with corrupted ghosts.
She usually went underground easily, but this ti was different.
Bethel could have been reluctant because it was not a place where she could leave if she wanted to.
[Thank you.]
Bethel approached Lucion and stroked his head.
[Youll do well and co back. There is no need to be afraid because there is Russell.]
Im not afraid.
As Lucion frowned, Bethel laughed lightly.
Lucion snorted loudly and looked at Hu.
Anyway, Ill be back, Hu, Bethel.
Ratta will co back too.
[Okay. Be careful.]
Yes. Please co back safely.
Hu stared at Lucion, Russell, and Ratta until they entered the door.
Now then, shall I talk with you until Lord Lucion returns? You can dream better here.
Asha held out her hand to Hu. Hu took her hand willingly.
Great. I was hoping for that too.
[Then, Ill take a quick look around.]
Bethel said to Hu and flew to the right.
Hu headed to Asha house, supporting her.
* * *
Hmm.
As he cautiously opened the door, he saw a frozen world.
No ones here? Did I co too late? Or is this not the place?
He shook his long hair and stepped outside.
The scent of the divine beast of darkness he had discovered was very faint, as difficult as finding a gem in the desert.
He looked around.
It was flat like a mountain, and there was a mine in the distance.
He wiped the ground with his hand and slled the dirt on his fingers.
Smirk.
He laughed.
At the sa ti, the darkness trembled with anxiety.
What should I do about this? How can I handle this? They hid it so well. They desperately covered my eyes.
The divine beast was definitely here.
Right in this place.
He learned the obvious fact that the divine beast of darkness was born here.
Whoever the vessel is.
He chuckled again as he looked at the darkness.
I.
His head tilted slightly to the right.
Even his eyes, exposed through his hair, were half-circled.
Creepily eerie.
Found it?
Author's Thoughts
Hahahaa...
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