Chapter 109

Celine removed her hand from the man’s shoulder, and the golden divine power that had been swirling around him gradually dissipated.

His complexion, though still pale, looked considerably better than it had before she treated him. At least now, he no longer seemed on the brink of collapsing from exhaustion.

“I’ve done all I can,” Celine said softly. “But…”

“You were about to say that complete healing is impossible, weren’t you?” the man interrupted, his voice calm.

“…I’m sorry. It’s my own limitations…” Celine lowered her gaze in regret.

“There’s no need to apologize,” the man reassured her. “I was already at death’s door. Thanks to you, I’ve been granted a bit more time. How could I possibly blame you for that? Please, don’t speak so harshly of yourself.”

He knew well that the scythe of death still loomed close. Yet, the way he faced his impending fate with such acceptance was both admirable and unsettling.

“When I chose to undergo the Ascension Ritual, I already made peace with this outcome,” the man stated.

Hearing the unfamiliar term, Celine couldn’t help but ask, “The Ascension Ritual?”

“It’s a ritual where one forcefully absorbs Magi to elevate their spirit and body,” I answered, sensing Celine’s confusion. “He’s part of the Demonic Race… or rather, you might know them as the Purifier Clan.”

The man gave me a wary look. He wasn’t expecting me, someone not of his kind, to be familiar with such a deeply guarded ritual. But, thanks to Edel, I had learned of it.

“As the young lady mentioned,” the man said, slightly more at ease, “the Ascension Ritual is an ancient practice where Magi is accepted into the body, raising one’s level of existence—both physically and spiritually.”

Celine tilted her head, clearly puzzled by the concept. “You mean… by accepting Magi, you can ascend to a higher state?”

“Yes, though it’s as dangerous as it sounds,” the man admitted with a chuckle. “You’re correct in thinking that it’s no simple feat.”

“Forcefully cramming Magi beyond your limit into your body is bound to be dangerous,” I said. “It’s like eating food until you can’t fit anymore, except the food is something rotten, and your stomach will either explode or make you sick.”

The man nodded gravely. “Yes, the risks are high. So far, only two people have survived the ritual—our previous chieftain and our current one.”

“Two people…” Celine murmured, her face clouding with concern.

The man took a deep breath, preparing to reveal more.

“Before I answer any further, let me tell you about our duty. Since you were brought here by Artisha, you must already know our purpose.”

“You’re responsible for purifying the polluted Mana, right?” I said, cutting to the chase.

The man’s eyes gleamed with a hint of respect. “Exactly. Given that, I can keep this brief.”

He then explained how Edel had once gifted the Purifier Clan with the ability to cleanse Magi, but over time, that power faded. As Magi began to overflow, their mission became more urgent, though many of the younger generation had chosen to flee, putting their survival ahead of their sacred duty.

“I couldn’t stop the children from leaving,” the man continued. “As important as our duty is, their lives are just as precious.”

I recalled the village of the Demonic Race back in Ardina. Even when they smiled, there was always a shadow lurking behind their eyes—a reflection of the guilt they carried for abandoning their sacred task to stay alive.

“Those of us who remain are either still capable of carrying out the mission or have resolved to die here, regardless of whether we succeed or not.”

It became clear that, for this man and many like him, the Ascension Ritual was a last, desperate attempt to reclaim what they had lost—both power and purpose. Yet, even with such sacrifices, the odds of success were staggeringly slim.

“What’s so special about that mission anyway?” I muttered, sounding more like a complaint.

The man chuckled softly at my grumbling.

“Those of us who can’t hold on any longer are left with three choices,” the man began to explain.

“First, follow the others and head to the Ardina Continent. Second, accept death. And the third is…”

“The Ascension Ritual,” I interrupted, easily guessing the third option.

He gave me an impressed look. “Exactly. If we succeed in the ritual, we can stay here in Laxia. And if we fail and die… well, most of us have already made peace with that.”

“Are you sure you’re not part of the Demonic Race?” the man asked, half-serious.

I lifted a lock of my hair and smirked. “You want to check for yourself?”

He waved his hand dismissively. “No, it’s not that I’m truly suspicious of you. It’s just that you’ve hit the nail on the head so precisely.”

“That’s because I’ve already read the answer sheet,” I said with a shrug.

“Answer sheet? Oh, but there’s one thing you’ve misunderstood. We don’t face the Ascension Ritual thinking that failure doesn’t matter.”

“Of course. Everyone would prefer to succeed,” Celine chimed in before shrinking back, realizing she’d misunderstood the man’s point.

“No, that’s not what I meant,” the man clarified.

He continued, “Even if we fail, our deaths still contribute to Laxia and to our people.”

“Even in failure?” I asked, curious now.

“That’s right,” the man said with a smile.

“Finally, I get to share something you didn’t already know. When we die after failing the ritual, the Magi we carried also dissipates with us.”

“That can’t be…,” I began to protest, but he cut me off.

“It’s true. Though our bodies are tainted by Magi…” He placed a pale hand over his chest, “…our souls remain pure.”

In the final moment of death, when the soul leaves the body, it mixes with the Magi and dilutes the pollution, buying time. While not a full purification, it prevents an immediate overflow of Magi.

“The Ascension Ritual is performed in remote areas to avoid accidents. Those who fail often go to secluded places to die alone,” the man explained.

A vivid image popped into my head—bodies scattered along the coast, as well as those who had died on the road, never making it to their destination. Celine must have had the same thought because she covered her mouth in horror.



“That’s insane…” she whispered, barely able to comprehend it.

I couldn’t help but smile grimly. “Then again, who am I to judge?”

“Pardon?” the man asked, not quite catching my muttered comment.

“Never mind,” I waved it off. “So, is everyone who’s still alive gathered at the center?”

He nodded. “Yes. Most of those who lived on the outskirts have gone to the Ardina Continent. The ones who remain have moved to the center. If we don’t stick together, the village won’t survive.”

“Yeah, makes sense,” I agreed. With fewer people, it would be impossible to maintain a village without consolidating.

The conversation that had started off long-winded finally reached its conclusion with a shocking revelation. Even though I’d heard about the Ascension Ritual from Edel, I hadn’t realized how the participants viewed it. Like Celine, I was left deep in thought about the weight of the Demonic Race’s sense of duty. It was far more intense than I’d imagined.

The man seemed to sense that his story was finished and politely asked, “If it’s not too much to ask, may I inquire something as well?”

“…What is it?” I replied, curious about his question.

“Why are you all heading toward the center?” the man asked, wasting no time.

“You sure are quick to ask,” I noted with a smirk.

“Haha…”

Well, I suppose there really wasn’t a chance to say anything until now.

“That Ascension Ritual you mentioned.”

As I spoke, the campfire, which had been dying, was already smoldering. I tossed in the remaining firewood, and the flames grew larger than I had ever seen before.

“I’m going to try it too.”

Of course, unlike you, I’m not thinking, it’s fine even if I fail. Sacrificing my soul for the benefit of others? Yeah, that’s not me. I’m not the self-sacrificing type.

I will succeed. No matter what.

As I poked at the fire with a stick, stirring the flames, I suddenly noticed the silence. When I looked up, both the man and Celine were staring at me with identical expressions—like they were asking if I had lost my mind.

“…What?”

Shouldn’t Celine, at least, already know what I’m thinking?

“Edel didn’t tell you?” I asked.

Celine quietly nodded. “No….”

“Aha, no wonder.”

So, you don’t even know our objective, do you? It’s strange, right? Working together without knowing the shared goal is clearly absurd.

What was Edel even doing, not explaining something like this?

It’s why having a proper leader is so important, I thought.

In that sense, I was a fairly good superior back in the day. At least, no misunderstandings like this ever happened under my command. No matter the chatter from below, the final decision was always mine. And if I sensed any disagreement, I would quickly assert control.

Usually, it was the noble-born knights who caused problems. But even the rebellious ones would come to see my way after a good, earnest conversation. Of course, each time, the number of patients in the infirmary mysteriously increased, but knights getting hurt during training isn’t that big of a deal, right?

BAM!

“That’s not the point!” Celine suddenly stood up, her voice unusually loud.

I flinched at her outburst, which was quite unlike her, and frowned.

“You’re going to wake her up. Lower your voice.”

“Are you seriously considering doing it after hearing that failing means your soul will disappear?” she demanded, ignoring my warning.

“We only use that method to dilute the Magi; failure doesn’t mean the soul will disa—” Searᴄh the ηovelFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

A sharp glare from Celine silenced the man instantly. Even though he was likely much older than her, given that he had called Artisha a child, he looked completely cowed by her presence.

“You’re misunderstanding something,” I said calmly. “This was Edel’s idea.”

“…Edel’s?” Celine’s eyes widened.

“Yeah.”

Honestly, I wouldn’t have even thought about trying it if Edel hadn’t told me.

“What on earth for…?” Celine asked, still in disbelief.

“What for? I already told you.”

The purpose of the Ascension Ritual, as the man explained. I needed a higher level of power, and if I succeed in the ritual…

“It’s to raise my level,” I stated plainly.



I’ll reach a much higher level than I am now.

Oh, I phrased that wrong.

“It’s not if I succeed…”

“I will definitely succeed.”

Like I said before, failure isn’t even a consideration.