Chapter 136: House of Spirits (2)

Chapter 136: House of Spirits (2)

***

As Cassion led the way into the Beast Forest, Aris used his ‘Hold’ ability to carry Ruel and kept a watchful eye on him.

“Are you okay now, Ruel-nim?” Aris asked.

“I’m fine,” Ruel replied with a slight nod. Although he felt a bit weak, being carried by Aris meant he didn’t have to walk on his own, so he managed.

Ruel was trying to inhale Breath when he called out to Cassion.

“Cassion.”

“Yes?” Cassion responded.

“Look into Treitol Kran more closely. Something doesn’t seem right.”

Cassion chuckled for a moment. Having overheard the conversation between Ruel and Treitol, Cassion had a rough idea of where Ruel’s suspicions were coming from. First of all, it must have been suspicious that Treitol treated Ruel like a celebrity.

“Ruel-nim, you are much more famous than you think you are.”

“Me?” Ruel asked, disbelief evident in his voice.

“What Cassion says is true. If you simply walk around Apor’s Street, you’ll see children dressed in black, idolizing the title ‘Noble of Darkness...'” Aris was happily telling the story but quickly fell silent as he noticed Ruel’s expression turning serious.

“When did this start?” Ruel’s eyes flickered slightly. If even children were using his title, it meant that the news had already spread far and wide.

“It started a while ago. It happened about two days after you returned from Cyronian to Leponia,” Cassion replied, mentioning the exact date while raising the corner of his lips.

‘Damn you, Ganien.’

Ruel cursed Ganien in his mind several times before pointing ahead.

“Anyway, look into it.”

“Understood,” Cassion replied cheerfully.

***

They safely arrived at the place where a monster named Rupina had appeared.

The trees in the area were not the usual trees found in the Beast Forest, but instead were taller and thicker than normal. The forest looked different than before, and somehow the monsters that had been chasing them suddenly began to retreat.

It took them a moment to catch their breath.

“Am I seeing things? The trees have changed,” Aris quickly took out his notebook and asked Ruel for confirmation.

“It has changed,” Cassion answered, looking at Ruel. “Is that because the monster is dead?”

“I don’t know.”

When Ruel looked to Leo for his thoughts, all he could see was Leo’s eager request for a quick petting session.

For some reason, they ventured deeper into the Beast Forest in a relaxed and comfortable manner, as if taking a leisurely walk.

***

—Ruel is so popular! The spirits are always flocking to him like this!

Leo, perched on Ruel’s shoulder, turned back and smiled.

Numerous spirits followed Ruel, their numbers increasing from the last time they were here.

—Ahem.

Leo felt an unfounded sense of pride, as if he were the leader.

“Now you’re not scared of this place, are you?” After inhaling Breath, Ruel spoke.

—Not at all. This body has overcome this level of fear now.

Following Leo’s words, the spirits also seemed to have lost their fear, no longer clinging to Ruel’s body. Leo raised his front paw and tapped his head lightly.

—This body can sense it!

“What do you sense?”

—A warm energy is flowing from over there!

Leo immediately turned his body in the direction Ruel and the group were heading.

Sniff sniff.

—The smell is also very nice! It’s the same smell as Ruel’s!

Ruel hesitated at Leo’s joyful words.

Ruel knew that the scent emanating from his body was not normal, but he never expected it to be the same scent as the spirits’ home. He couldn’t help but laugh.

Kuroo kuru.

“I stopped searching for the one who corrupted the guardians.”

“Guardians?” Ruel suddenly thought of Rupina at the mention of guardians.

“Could it be that the name of the guardian of the spirits is Rupina?” he asked.

In an instant, her eyes widened. Ruel bit his lip. It couldn’t be, but it was Rupina.

-I have protected this place, faithfully following your orders until now. Please aid me in finding rest.

The place Ruel Setiria had commanded Rupina to protect was just beyond that door.

“You... met? You met Rupina?” She asked anxiously, impatience evident in her voice.

Ruel hesitated before answering. “Let me get through to that place first. That’s the priority.”

“You can’t enter without the permission of the Spirit’s Progenitor. It’s not something I can control,” she replied.

Before her words fully sank in, someone slightly opened the door and then swung it wide open.

—The door has opened! The scent inside is so delightful!

Leo exclaimed, his feet ready to dash towards the door.

“Come in, my children,” a solemn voice resounded from inside.

Ruel chuckled and looked at her. “They’re inviting us in?”

“I can’t believe it,” she said, staring at the open door in disbelief. “Didn’t the Spirit’s Progenitor fall asleep?”

***

Aris clutched his notebook, his gaze fixed on the being known as the Spirit’s Progenitor. His hands trembled uncontrollably, unable to believe this situation. He finally saw another spirit other than Leo.

The appearance of the Spirit’s Progenitor captivated him—their shimmering hair and radiant presence, akin to enchanting fairies from a tale. With three pairs of wings draped like a cloak, the Spirit’s Progenitor walked ahead in silence, pausing briefly to glance back.

With a few graceful movements of their fingers, the ground transformed into a table. “Will the humans take a seat?”

“Yes, of course,” Ruel replied, responding with proper etiquette. Seeing the numerous blooming flowers around, Ruel’s heart naturally eased.

“Child,” the Spirit’s Progenitor softly smiled at Ruel. “You’ve grown so much.”

“Yes...?”

“At that time, you were only this tall.” The Spirit’s Progenitor waved his hand around his knee.

Ruel felt more embarrassed than surprised. It seemed the Spirit’s Progenitor knew everything about him. “How do you know me?”

“Didn’t you come here to see the king? Ah, someone has tampered with your memories.”

Cassion’s eyebrows furrowed as the Spirit’s Progenitor casually revealed the secret he had been hiding.

Ruel licked his lips and asked, “Are you saying someone manipulated my memories?”

“I apologize. It seems I unintentionally revealed the secret you were hiding,” the Spirit’s Progenitor apologized, offering a sympathetic gaze to Cassion.

Cassion cautiously inquired, “Do you possess mind-reading abilities?”

“I, too, am a spirit, and I can sense emotions,” the Spirit’s Progenitor replied.

Approaching Aris, he gently stroked his head.

“Don’t hesitate to ask any questions you’re curious about. You’re the one who protects Ruel, aren’t you?”

“Th-Thank you!” Aris replied breathlessly, his face turning red.

The Spirit’s Progenitor’s gaze shifted to Leo, filled with a tinge of sadness.

“Great Purifier.”

—Do you know this body? Leo asked.

“Of course. I have something to discuss with you. Will you listen?”

—Can Ruel come with this body?

“You can come together,” the Spirit’s Progenitor replied with a faint smile.

Leo followed him, laughing joyfully.

—That’s great!

“Child,” the Spirit’s Progenitor, approached Ruel once again.

Ruel’s gaze fell upon a white being with exquisite scales, as if adorned with gems, buried amidst a variety of colorful flowers.

Author's Thoughts

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