Chapter 344: End of the Inter-Academy Tournament (2)
ZfBvh8lCatacombs.7zssc
dsTCk5pOnce known by the infamous nickname “Dungeon of the Undead,” the Palace of the Fallen.M2boD
ynGKBeThere, heroes of the past rest in peace—among them Abel’s father, Orion von Nibelung.ZdbVRoC
0wa4It’s essentially a commemorative mausoleum.v36j
Wn4gKXKIt took a little over an hour to get there from Parsy Academy, mainly because the catacombs are located in Geneva, right on the border between Lyon, France, and Switzerland.GmD
4AWFZ40Of course, most of the credit goes to Sköll and Hati, who ran without pause until we arrived.tG7ORyg
iWLagJ6Turned out they’d fully recovered by the second day, but kept pretending to be chihuahuas.bbg7Nr
T27Shameless little things.Mf1
1ZPiGVThe moment I smiled at them, they dropped the act.m0KtTjr
T2kIHmm? How did I know?h0C
NJL— Hey, you bastard! Even a dog lets its mother eat first! And you dare grab the spoon before your master, the one who gave you shelter, food, and education? You’re not even better than a dog—!sxQuF6q
YhwjFH1“…”OXknJ
v2IuI drew my best medicine—my Sword.CkSlqW7
Xil45m— “You’re not even better than a dog!”UE3
oQPSCUI am the God of the Sword.ubo9B
qHWolJX***78D
iBGThe Alpine wind tousled Abel’s hair.ZU9Ca
pFeEVShe pulled the fur collar of her coat up to her nose and murmured.vsN
SzA1“It’s been a long time…”pRtMy
B2BCk2W“Yeah, it really has.”q0F
WW3aJmAI adjusted the front of my black coat and looked ahead. In a place like the catacombs, the cold was inevitable.sk40eSV
zM9We were deep in the Alps, surrounded by a vast forest that gave the area a serene atmosphere.snjuYf
3cuVcLoBut that eerie, icy air from our first visit was no longer there.rBe
WxvvThe massive gate, which once felt like the entrance to hell, was now well maintained, exuding a serene solemnity.pTqN6Q
KpBaxThe lined tombstones up to the entrance formed an awe-inspiring view.uvHgaZ
feiShhhk.zLMFO
1n61iI turned. Abel sniffled softly, walking past each tombstone.Dsc
QnsHer pure gaze reminded me of scattered stars in the night sky.KyvV
TLb‘I’m proud of you, Abel.’fIlZ
ntjyIIt was the result of ten years of effort between Abel and her grandfather, the Sword Master.1o9ZE3N
EmCUiTogether, they formed a research group and thoroughly explored the catacombs.kjMhP
1xVhr0They did it to restore the honor of heroes nearly forgotten by history. The Nibelungs ensured that their fading glory would shine once more.jrsqA3
UaoDgmM‘If Ryozo carries the future of the heroic world as a director, then Abel carries its history.’UPsEaxV
nImjI have wives I truly don’t deserve.x1e
VX2hq“Come on, Geom-Ma, don’t lag behind.”9ULDz
9flXwCI felt a flash of embarrassment and rubbed the top of my lip.3ZbDo7W
IJwUxA“It’s been three years.”jff
6JsJg“Together, yes. My last visit was two years ago.”QkhI6
zEPf“Sorry. I should’ve come with you more often.”TZ1oZUe
CtJnAbel shook her head.aHvsq
EBvjmK“It’s okay. Who doesn’t know you’ve been busy with Demon Kingdom affairs? The fact you came without warning is enough.”g5yIdz
qQkGrrrrr…lnL
QqwoA low growl echoed powerfully. Sköll and Hati, who brought us here, were breathing heavily, catching their breath.z1wVyo
pgVANow that I looked closely, their defined muscles were impressive.10MC
StZAbel and I dismounted. I stroked their coarse fur, and their bodies shrank back to chihuahua size. Still so committed to the act.wxqRb
473Zq“Well done. I’ll pamper you both today.”poh
YYv1LBU“Heh heh!”sGcNl
odasgX8I hoisted Sköll, the white pup, onto my shoulders, while Abel lifted Hati, the black one, as if he were a treasure.vkCPJi
6jKAnd so, we walked.hmefTU
YAK3Rv0Crunch, crunch.T6UGk
mRZThe snow underfoot brushed against our ankles.GZbiOlY
Qce9uwVWe stopped in front of the gate.DhQVp
dU6ZBoth of us placed a hand on it and closed our eyes.GXKKmn
9Sx64WeSköll and Hati joined the silent moment as well.QHzwsR
Nwh1After a while, we lifted our hands just as the snow began to fall.mp8
2fG5Y5xThe tribute was done. No grand reason was needed.QZx
T1ySurely, our feelings reached the ancient heroes.wgHGp
Z9gcGiB‘I promise I’ll visit more often.’idVUn4R
Z6YQZAbel suddenly asked.Q03
McLS“What did you wish for?”csOEuct
JWI“They say if you say it out loud, it won’t come true.”IjrL
jujG1“And I’m “someone else”?”KcNi
zZK77EI was already in trouble…pbQpj
QYcStAThree pairs of eyes stared intently at me. Sköll, Hati… you too?t8CmGg
PlSbNo helping it.NqQiTB
T7XhvI replied, awkwardly.fMBkRT
CwtqeV“…If a great crisis ever comes, may the people around me stay safe, even if I—”mVhBy
bNf“What kind of wish is that?”9Qq3nd7
LuDnVAbel puffed her cheeks and clung to my arm.S0mt
7O15aI felt her warmth—and Sköll’s—at the same time.YNHwOkk
XZLrrF“No matter what happens, we’re together. Don’t say things like ‘even if I’m not around.’ If something happens to you, I’ll search the ends of the world—no, the entire universe—to find you. I’ll scour the whole galaxy if I have to.”f7na
Pi0h5Spoken with a universe in her eyes, her words carried a powerful conviction. I smiled. So did she.iVmjJ
wZw6FHaving fulfilled our purpose, it was time to head home.pAcHGD
FvmWe turned to leave, footsteps imprinted in the snow, when I felt it.AMjbyg6
yo4vzk“…Huh?”rbrw
1LbzMA gust of wind brushed my cheek. But it came from the opposite side of the mountain. And it smelled of stagnant moisture.H6LRYB
yGct6kmCrrrrrk…1mYlk8
o5l8uThe massive catacomb gate opened.eKIw6P
nYdZBeyond the crack, torches lit up along the walls. The hot wind blowing from inside was sticky.uHCuF
ealfSfk“…What is this?”ioEX6Z
wMbeAre they filming “Korean Legends” at this hour? Come to think of it, we once shot an impromptu horror movie in an annex during high school. Looks like this was the sequel.m3y
w07zFKA“Geom-Ma.”r6ls
Sn3yCLAbel tugged at the edge of my clothes. I grasped her hand firmly.RTn
Eqdu“Let’s go in.”1Uw
3qPIgnoring it didn’t seem wise. And if it was going to show up in a dream later, better to confirm now.wG2OIb
rUVAW“…Yeah…”Vb1m0k8
hAYWe stepped inside.hU4DZI
sSayxcoAt that moment, the gate closed softly behind us.gpRfsA7
JW9RnfL***Knaou
Mm22K7We walked down a dimly lit corridor.egHW
IoucWLQThe torchlight illuminated our surroundings. It felt like walking through a cozy abyss.UZe
FaED5‘Was this place always this peaceful inside?’QfFpz
yPLkTThe warm flames seemed to dissolve the horrible memories just a little.BpjOFP
Hg9N7“Grrrrr…”GABudjp
iTkuPSköll and Hati bared their fangs with tense brows.ajlTE
Zvz4rl“Hey, what’s up with them all of a sudden?”HbCem
isah0“Wait, Abel.”zlqzuuY
Cah4zmThey were still as loyal as ever.WzngG
kl2eF5“…Do you feel anything?”3mc
cxm“No.”CxIdaSC
nMPPXI gently pushed Abel behind me. Protecting the Lady of the Sword… anyone hearing that might have laughed, but I was doing my duty as a husband.fw4pS
OkaRY“Then why…?”rncsu8S
hxQu2K“Because I feel absolutely nothing.”zES
oPIMuIGThat was precisely what was suspicious. There was no presence at all, and yet, Sköll and Hati’s hackles were raised. Their animal instinct was giving a clear warning.t9M
5H8gCEI slipped my right hand into my coat. If something happened, I planned to bring down the pillars supporting the ceiling with a single slash from my sashimi blade.CpR
ljMM0lI‘Abel, forgive me… but better to destroy and rebuild than let a danger linger.’p4oA5q
T41And just then—8Pb
Xz5rTFlash!3wH
8VeklaSomething moved. I drew and threw Murasame.tlVBNv
YSIrbmThey don’t call me “Faster-than-words Sashimi” for nothing. I’m the impatient type who only calms down after cutting something.pMKPh
1JQfq7CShiiing!H7Ad3fZ
l48Q1lyShiiiing!8P3UP
jZoiMurasame flew like a crossbow bolt. It was tethered to my hand by a fine thread that vibrated like a ripple when it struck something.Oekl2Ii
ggq‘A big catch.’vXq5
W9qQ“Aaaaaaagh!”PDi
yY0A piercing scream echoed through the corridor. I pulled on the thread. The sashimi and the figure ensnared in it came flying toward me at high speed.3RFjP2
c5I61XBBrutal as it may sound, it was fine. I had the Blessing of Transfer and the Blessing of Regeneration. I could heal instantly.V0q
N7VhSB‘Just like I did with that guy when we met here before, right…?’Qw39rI
0f1OdVWhen the figure was close enough to recognize, Abel peeked out from behind me.tPPoN
0Idu6“…!”TPdkV
FHwEShe covered her mouth in shock.IkNbhMj
tBVuX7While I tilted my head, confused, Abel pointed at the person’s neck.n4y
zwla“I-it’s… the mister!”lm1h
huRASTThe mister?SyHBtiR
W69vjn“Sir M-Michelan!”80O
6oA“What?”2r62
LYw1As soon as I heard that name buried in a corner of my memory, I looked down immediately.yrv8pGh
qZz6sEven after ten years, that neck was unmistakable.r7M
wMvkbN“Ugh… undead, help! Agh… wait, I’m not undead anymore…”o9BZ
zJzomrcMuttering old jokes, the man stumbled to his feet. Just as Abel had said.azJ69
XUL2XeF“You’ve grown so much.”y1j
35dJPHe smiled. Through the gap where a tooth was missing, the catacomb hallway was visible. A grayish veil gave him an almost translucent look.TsvwUh
C49l6D“I really wanted to see you.”idzt4
I6UR5OMichelan, once an undead, had now reappeared as a ghost.Mzi9
bkHq***7RPcbxt
lw8FBack when the catacombs were still known as the Undead Dungeon, Michelan had guided Abel, Shail, and me.SCSc5
LPVapnHe wanted to be freed from the draugr’s curse with our help.Jq7Fmmv
jCvRWD2He had also shared, if only a little, the truth from 700 years ago.yjZ
xmVSxPThanks to the clues he gave, I was able to obtain the “Memory Fragment.”skjY
5iFYLhBAnd in the end, with those fragments, I awakened the “Blessing of the God of the Sword” and defeated the demons.vLjN
uylOur encounter with Michelan was brief. But it had an undeniable influence on my journey.Kkg
6LI“What an honor to see you again! Living centuries was worth it just for this!”bGBv
uk3yAs a former undead who had lived for centuries, Michelan had a unique sense of humor. Abel spoke.54zxm
oLD4zs“…Sir, how…?”mY88
eEMIad“Yes, I’m wondering that too.”oRa7C
VtxMichelan scratched his cheek.ZWif
XrG5uZTThe situation was serious, but I almost burst out laughing.WgoS
76knZoIHis fingers and face were so translucent they sank into his own cheek.4ieU0G
3kMP“I also thought I had finally found eternal rest, but at some point, I ended up in this state. And not just me…”Kwf3dNf
bzruHis voice trailed off.MJgpQ
pH6“Well… it’s not the time to talk about that. Anyway! I’m so happy to see you again!”VWGWkW
31bPkMichelan was so overjoyed that we couldn’t help but smile.6su
t36FPWe owed him a lot in many ways.icFplPl
W1jF7I felt bad for throwing the sashimi at him without thinking, so I apologized multiple times.FvFEu
vwN“It’s fine! It brought back good memories!”k7Ezru
G38q“That sounded a little bitter…”o05R
LNmf“No way! I don’t even have bones anymore! I’m a ghost, hahaha!”iX2HKGL
vqpw31He definitely was a bit salty.2GQpY
ACQAfter that light-hearted reunion, we caught up with Michelan.sHl
atuWe told him how humanity had won the Second Great Human-Demon War, and even that Abel and I had gotten married.Dh9sV
1opZMichelan listened quietly to the first part, but when we told him the second, he floated in joy, twirling in the air like an acrobat.SGC
LXZSköll and Hati just stared at him like he was a pesky fly, but in the Palace of the Fallen, true laughter bloomed.pvAlb3i
NkAM3cUEven the torches flickered as if the surrounding spirits were applauding.VjrZ
plT4We had shared nearly everything.rbtKFf
zuBvwM“From undead to ghost, how strange.”DHGf1
bKd“I was surprised too! From undead to ghost, I once thought, what if I’ve become a kind of shinigami who’s transcended death?”Fhyael
NHHAMichelan was clearly thrilled.cuzfz8s
zxsh“Since I became a ghost, I can move around the catacombs, but I can’t go to crowded cities. Ah! But don’t pity me! Being a ghost was my own choice. I can pass on anytime I want.”qEy
cBQwI“Do you have any idea why you came back as a ghost?”pAJaA5H
7YqINV“An idea… well, maybe. I think there’s mana flowing in the mortal world. Since becoming a ghost, I’ve been able to see mana flow. I think that’s involved. Just a personal opinion.”ICY
n04TsWhat Michelan said matched my own deductions.uRaWqH
bx5U7‘Michelan became a ghost. The mana invasion has manifested in a tangible way.’iFBVl2W
FCXPrlsWhile I was reflecting, Michelan gave me a profound look. He nodded slightly, then spoke.xQcOY3W
cRsS5y“Would you come with me for a moment?”sKFfbxD
LLZAT“I don’t see why not… but where to?”zhXH8
RfX0QEqAbel asked. Michelan smiled warmly.ryJhCcH
04b“Come with me to the underground.”0l0QTp
qYQTb“…”gcLeD
on3Abel hesitated. And rightly so.rjqO
2FFvrNDeep within the catacombs, her father, Orion von Nibelung, had vanished into dust. Naturally, she didn’t want to return.3ELWMu
VWIMfxBut as the good wife who never knew defeat, it seemed she gathered her courage.ZcmdGN
IGm“Let’s go.”U56d
bVEzDGgAbel took the lead with determination.pLUs
kOE9Michelan looked at us with smiling eyes and picked up the pace.WcLmp68
pu6rI followed them in silence.tIGgP
NkS8sStep. Step.3BIT0v
s1EJtbbWe descended a long spiral staircase until a crypt opened before us.bJuiY
4S7The atmosphere had changed.dBqFa6W
hGntccThe gloomy landscape had been replaced by something mystical.4r7I
7W9cyFFrost melted, forming puddles that splashed beneath our feet.2TtVnim
1qFueMoss, though faint, showed signs of life, and a cascade of moonlight streamed through the collapsed ceiling.N6Grw
b4VWk4Michelan walked confidently and stopped beneath the moonlight.ThAxor6
17vgt“To tell the truth… I always knew the two of you would return one day.”0DqN
R86QrStanding tall like that, Michelan looked like a sage. The moonlight gave him a radiant halo.3EPj
GVp6d“As I mentioned, I now have limited freedom. Were the memorial tombstones in front of the catacombs your doing?”vOwHb
FbdTvaU“Not mine. Abel did it all.”t8AEC
q9Xt“N-no! My grandfather helped too…! And also.”oOr7
lNTDAbel pinched my sleeve.97Hl
RJNQWI“If it weren’t for Kang Geom-Ma, we’d never have been able to honor the fallen heroes. Thanks to him, the world of heroes was reborn.”AQfHxO
PkPG“Haha… It’s admirable how you both credit each other. Truly, like a couple out of a painting.”3z0IO
4RqMichelan’s outline began to glow. Not metaphorically—particles of light started gathering around him.e5IN6Q
6lA6In that magical place, it looked like fireflies flocking to his sides.v8m
TWXC0“We… or rather, I… didn’t remain in this world just to say that.”MHk6
WXUJAnd in a blink, the scenery changed.ebQm3d
jiG0dBoWe were now standing in a lake with water up to our shins, bathed in bright sunlight.lwc
7NyIt resembled “The Lake of the Sword,” my inner world.0JP0zCZ
O2A4NI looked around. Souls covered in light formed a ritual circle.q81
JBjCtj9“Thank you.”osy
PRJq9f4The ancient heroes bowed their heads to us.zsUgF
YrAC“We will always be by your side.”ut2lsyo
VmAGIcaHaving transcended, I had already seen countless wonders of the universe. And still, I struggled to describe how I felt.W1Xg
AZ0wOne of them raised his head as their spokesperson.02uA4
aYYwI could only sigh. My nose tingled, and my chest tightened.pIDs2
k5brRAbel was more overwhelmed than me. She could barely breathe. Her trembling lips moved faintly.2sep
5MW“Dad…”Otn32A
4cJ5NShe ran into Orion’s arms.DcvM
tEl9Sköll and Hati rubbed against her legs, asking for affection.QIk6By
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