Chapter 344: End of the Inter-Academy Tournament (2)

Catacombs.

Once known by the infamous nickname “Dungeon of the Undead,” the Palace of the Fallen.

There, heroes of the past rest in peace—among them Abel’s father, Orion von Nibelung.

It’s essentially a commemorative mausoleum.

It 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.

Of course, most of the credit goes to Sköll and Hati, who ran without pause until we arrived.

Turned out they’d fully recovered by the second day, but kept pretending to be chihuahuas.

Shameless little things.

The moment I smiled at them, they dropped the act.

Hmm? How did I know?

— 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—!

“…”

I drew my best medicine—my Sword.

— “You’re not even better than a dog!”

I am the God of the Sword.

***

The Alpine wind tousled Abel’s hair.

She pulled the fur collar of her coat up to her nose and murmured.

“It’s been a long time…”

“Yeah, it really has.”

I adjusted the front of my black coat and looked ahead. In a place like the catacombs, the cold was inevitable.

We were deep in the Alps, surrounded by a vast forest that gave the area a serene atmosphere.

But that eerie, icy air from our first visit was no longer there.

The massive gate, which once felt like the entrance to hell, was now well maintained, exuding a serene solemnity.

The lined tombstones up to the entrance formed an awe-inspiring view.

Shhhk.

I turned. Abel sniffled softly, walking past each tombstone.

Her pure gaze reminded me of scattered stars in the night sky.

‘I’m proud of you, Abel.’

It was the result of ten years of effort between Abel and her grandfather, the Sword Master.

Together, they formed a research group and thoroughly explored the catacombs.

They did it to restore the honor of heroes nearly forgotten by history. The Nibelungs ensured that their fading glory would shine once more.

‘If Ryozo carries the future of the heroic world as a director, then Abel carries its history.’

I have wives I truly don’t deserve.

“Come on, Geom-Ma, don’t lag behind.”

I felt a flash of embarrassment and rubbed the top of my lip.

“It’s been three years.”

“Together, yes. My last visit was two years ago.”

“Sorry. I should’ve come with you more often.”

Abel shook her head.

“It’s okay. Who doesn’t know you’ve been busy with Demon Kingdom affairs? The fact you came without warning is enough.”

Grrrrr…

A low growl echoed powerfully. Sköll and Hati, who brought us here, were breathing heavily, catching their breath.

Now that I looked closely, their defined muscles were impressive.

Abel and I dismounted. I stroked their coarse fur, and their bodies shrank back to chihuahua size. Still so committed to the act.

“Well done. I’ll pamper you both today.”

“Heh heh!”

I hoisted Sköll, the white pup, onto my shoulders, while Abel lifted Hati, the black one, as if he were a treasure.

And so, we walked.

Crunch, crunch.

The snow underfoot brushed against our ankles.

We stopped in front of the gate.

Both of us placed a hand on it and closed our eyes.

Sköll and Hati joined the silent moment as well.

After a while, we lifted our hands just as the snow began to fall.

The tribute was done. No grand reason was needed.

Surely, our feelings reached the ancient heroes.

‘I promise I’ll visit more often.’

Abel suddenly asked.

“What did you wish for?”

“They say if you say it out loud, it won’t come true.”

“And I’m “someone else”?”

I was already in trouble…

Three pairs of eyes stared intently at me. Sköll, Hati… you too?

No helping it.

I replied, awkwardly.

“…If a great crisis ever comes, may the people around me stay safe, even if I—”

“What kind of wish is that?”

Abel puffed her cheeks and clung to my arm.

I felt her warmth—and Sköll’s—at the same time.

“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.”

Spoken with a universe in her eyes, her words carried a powerful conviction. I smiled. So did she.

Having fulfilled our purpose, it was time to head home.

We turned to leave, footsteps imprinted in the snow, when I felt it.

“…Huh?”

A gust of wind brushed my cheek. But it came from the opposite side of the mountain. And it smelled of stagnant moisture.

Crrrrrk…

The massive catacomb gate opened.

Beyond the crack, torches lit up along the walls. The hot wind blowing from inside was sticky.

“…What is this?”

Are 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.

“Geom-Ma.”

Abel tugged at the edge of my clothes. I grasped her hand firmly.

“Let’s go in.”

Ignoring it didn’t seem wise. And if it was going to show up in a dream later, better to confirm now.

“…Yeah…”

We stepped inside.

At that moment, the gate closed softly behind us.

***

We walked down a dimly lit corridor.

The torchlight illuminated our surroundings. It felt like walking through a cozy abyss.

‘Was this place always this peaceful inside?’

The warm flames seemed to dissolve the horrible memories just a little.

“Grrrrr…”

Sköll and Hati bared their fangs with tense brows.

“Hey, what’s up with them all of a sudden?”

“Wait, Abel.”

They were still as loyal as ever.

“…Do you feel anything?”

“No.”

I 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.

“Then why…?”

“Because I feel absolutely nothing.”

That 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.

I 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.

‘Abel, forgive me… but better to destroy and rebuild than let a danger linger.’

And just then—

Flash!

Something moved. I drew and threw Murasame.

They don’t call me “Faster-than-words Sashimi” for nothing. I’m the impatient type who only calms down after cutting something.

Shiiing!

Shiiiing!

Murasame flew like a crossbow bolt. It was tethered to my hand by a fine thread that vibrated like a ripple when it struck something.

‘A big catch.’

“Aaaaaaagh!”

A 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.

Brutal as it may sound, it was fine. I had the Blessing of Transfer and the Blessing of Regeneration. I could heal instantly.

‘Just like I did with that guy when we met here before, right…?’

When the figure was close enough to recognize, Abel peeked out from behind me.

“…!”

She covered her mouth in shock.

While I tilted my head, confused, Abel pointed at the person’s neck.

“I-it’s… the mister!”

The mister?

“Sir M-Michelan!”

“What?”

As soon as I heard that name buried in a corner of my memory, I looked down immediately.

Even after ten years, that neck was unmistakable.

“Ugh… undead, help! Agh… wait, I’m not undead anymore…”

Muttering old jokes, the man stumbled to his feet. Just as Abel had said.

“You’ve grown so much.”

He smiled. Through the gap where a tooth was missing, the catacomb hallway was visible. A grayish veil gave him an almost translucent look.

“I really wanted to see you.”

Michelan, once an undead, had now reappeared as a ghost.

***

Back when the catacombs were still known as the Undead Dungeon, Michelan had guided Abel, Shail, and me.

He wanted to be freed from the draugr’s curse with our help.

He had also shared, if only a little, the truth from 700 years ago.

Thanks to the clues he gave, I was able to obtain the “Memory Fragment.”

And in the end, with those fragments, I awakened the “Blessing of the God of the Sword” and defeated the demons.

Our encounter with Michelan was brief. But it had an undeniable influence on my journey.

“What an honor to see you again! Living centuries was worth it just for this!”

As a former undead who had lived for centuries, Michelan had a unique sense of humor. Abel spoke.

“…Sir, how…?”

“Yes, I’m wondering that too.”

Michelan scratched his cheek.

The situation was serious, but I almost burst out laughing.

His fingers and face were so translucent they sank into his own cheek.

“I also thought I had finally found eternal rest, but at some point, I ended up in this state. And not just me…”

His voice trailed off.

“Well… it’s not the time to talk about that. Anyway! I’m so happy to see you again!”

Michelan was so overjoyed that we couldn’t help but smile.

We owed him a lot in many ways.

I felt bad for throwing the sashimi at him without thinking, so I apologized multiple times.

“It’s fine! It brought back good memories!”

“That sounded a little bitter…”

“No way! I don’t even have bones anymore! I’m a ghost, hahaha!”

He definitely was a bit salty.

After that light-hearted reunion, we caught up with Michelan.

We told him how humanity had won the Second Great Human-Demon War, and even that Abel and I had gotten married.

Michelan listened quietly to the first part, but when we told him the second, he floated in joy, twirling in the air like an acrobat.

Sköll and Hati just stared at him like he was a pesky fly, but in the Palace of the Fallen, true laughter bloomed.

Even the torches flickered as if the surrounding spirits were applauding.

We had shared nearly everything.

“From undead to ghost, how strange.”

“I was surprised too! From undead to ghost, I once thought, what if I’ve become a kind of shinigami who’s transcended death?”

Michelan was clearly thrilled.

“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.”

“Do you have any idea why you came back as a ghost?”

“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.”

What Michelan said matched my own deductions.

‘Michelan became a ghost. The mana invasion has manifested in a tangible way.’

While I was reflecting, Michelan gave me a profound look. He nodded slightly, then spoke.

“Would you come with me for a moment?”

“I don’t see why not… but where to?”

Abel asked. Michelan smiled warmly.

“Come with me to the underground.”

“…”

Abel hesitated. And rightly so.

Deep within the catacombs, her father, Orion von Nibelung, had vanished into dust. Naturally, she didn’t want to return.

But as the good wife who never knew defeat, it seemed she gathered her courage.

“Let’s go.”

Abel took the lead with determination.

Michelan looked at us with smiling eyes and picked up the pace.

I followed them in silence.

Step. Step.

We descended a long spiral staircase until a crypt opened before us.

The atmosphere had changed.

The gloomy landscape had been replaced by something mystical.

Frost melted, forming puddles that splashed beneath our feet.

Moss, though faint, showed signs of life, and a cascade of moonlight streamed through the collapsed ceiling.

Michelan walked confidently and stopped beneath the moonlight.

“To tell the truth… I always knew the two of you would return one day.”

Standing tall like that, Michelan looked like a sage. The moonlight gave him a radiant halo.

“As I mentioned, I now have limited freedom. Were the memorial tombstones in front of the catacombs your doing?”

“Not mine. Abel did it all.”

“N-no! My grandfather helped too…! And also.”

Abel pinched my sleeve.

“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.”

“Haha… It’s admirable how you both credit each other. Truly, like a couple out of a painting.”

Michelan’s outline began to glow. Not metaphorically—particles of light started gathering around him.

In that magical place, it looked like fireflies flocking to his sides.

“We… or rather, I… didn’t remain in this world just to say that.”

And in a blink, the scenery changed.

We were now standing in a lake with water up to our shins, bathed in bright sunlight.

It resembled “The Lake of the Sword,” my inner world.

I looked around. Souls covered in light formed a ritual circle.

“Thank you.”

The ancient heroes bowed their heads to us.

“We will always be by your side.”

Having transcended, I had already seen countless wonders of the universe. And still, I struggled to describe how I felt.

One of them raised his head as their spokesperson.

I could only sigh. My nose tingled, and my chest tightened.

Abel was more overwhelmed than me. She could barely breathe. Her trembling lips moved faintly.

“Dad…”

She ran into Orion’s arms.

Sköll and Hati rubbed against her legs, asking for affection.