After taking the written test on the last day of the exam and returning to the dormitory, three suns were still hanging in the sky.
I heard that grades are announced on Monday after scoring over the weekend, so from now until the weekend is a perfect holiday.
If the exam had proceeded according to the original schedule, it would have been right after the end of the holiday season, but since the exam was moved up a week, there is no such thing.
“Oh, too. It’s up, it’s up.”
As soon as I got back, I looked for Rin’s diary. It was the moment when the pleasant hypothesis was clearly proven.
Socrafres.
– You can inherit the ‘unique magic’ research progress in the surrounding environment.
– Progress 40.0% =＞ 40.8%.
Yes, fighting a strong enemy raises your progress. A very satisfactory result. However, I wonder if this is true that the unique magic rises just by fighting.
‘Take this too… … .’
I packed the diary into a package along with some clothes. I was planning to go somewhere for a while for 2 nights and 3 days. It’s a so-called power-up trip.
– Rin, after the expedition is over, would you like to visit our shrine in the Red Mountains?
This is a story from 300 years ago.
Friede had said that on the day he ate nearly 50 magic potions and fought for nearly four days.
– It’s called the dragon’s breath, because there’s a very magical elixir. I’ll give you that. The power will go up a lot.
– Can I give that to Friede?
– What do you see me as? This is Friede, a priestess who serves the Fire Dragon Bell’Dakidun. I’ll shoot the full course in the Red Mountains, so just come.
That’s why I’m going to go to the Shrine of the Fire Dragon, where all the red dragons are gone.
Chet, of course, the fact that it has been in a dormant state for 300 years due to the main sub-passage is a problem.
Still, wouldn’t it be possible that Friede was sure that I would come back and prepared the elixir? If you don’t have an elixir, you’ll just have to count on physical training.
‘I’m somehow reluctant to go to the black market in this state… … .’
In this state of being, where I can’t use the image barrier, which can be said to be a conversion technique, and I can’t use Bell Curious to my heart’s content, I feel uneasy for some reason.
“With this, the preparations are complete.”
I put the package on my back and looked carefully around the room for a while. There won’t be anything I haven’t taken care of.
“Then let’s go check it out.”
Friede, did you prepare the gift you were supposed to give or not?
* * *
The Red Mountain Range is a mountain range representing the south, and it was a divine mountain that played a role in dividing the boundary between the Holy Human Empire and the Republic of Yongin.
Since the fire dragon Bel’dakidun stayed with his legion for nearly a thousand years, the whole mountain is endowed with miraculous magic, and even today it is considered a sacred place by many believers, wizards, and witches.
After the corps left, the central and northern parts of the mountain range where ＜Golden Rose＞ was located became the territory of the Empire, and the central and southern parts, where the main shrines were located, returned to the Republic.
The peak that represents the Republic is Shinhwabong, where Hwaryong used to live. Even today, a shaman resides here with witches who supervise ancestral rites and conveys the dragon’s teachings.
‘This isn’t where I’m going… … .’
Before the legion left for the Antarctic, it was Seolhwabong, where the shaman lived and prepared for the ancestral rite. Simply put, the place where Friede was.
“Look, young man.”
While climbing the 1,000 steps that led directly from the foot of the mountain to the shrine of Shinhwabong by cutting the rock wall, sweating profusely, a voice came from behind.
“… … hmm?”
Wiping my sweat, I turned around and saw a middle-aged man sitting on the other side of the stairs, unwrapped in a cloth, eating an oatmeal biscuit.
“Where are you going in such a hurry at dawn?”
Although he was wearing a traveler’s attire, the muscles around his body were quite toned, giving the impression that he was not an ordinary worshiper.
“From what I can see, I don’t think you’re a young person going to worship at Shinhwa Peak. Is the purpose of robbing other shrines?”
“… … ?”
“There is nothing to be so wary of. It sounds like you have a pitiful situation to be robbing the Red Mountains at such a young age, so let me tell you one thing.”
He didn’t say anything, but it was so strange that he was talking by himself, so he decided to listen without saying anything.
“I don’t know about other places, but don’t go to Snow Peak. It has been neglected for nearly 300 years, but there is no grave robber who went there and survived.”
“… … Why? That you were left behind.”
“I know. The demon that the shrine maiden raised guards that place.”
“A shrine maiden? devil? Does that make sense?”
“That’s what it’s called. I once went to the entrance with my eyes closed, and I almost died. If I went any further, I would have died.”
Are all of Friede’s successors psychos?
Something was funny and I laughed out loud.
Aren’t Tourai and that guy accused of dabbling in black magic, but now the shrine maiden breeds demons? No, Friede wasn’t normal from the start.
Seeing that innocent smile, the middle-aged man sighed, as if he was mistaken.
“I think my story rather ignited your ambition to make a fortune. I know very well that the voices of old people do not reach the spirit of youth, but it is good to think again.”
Summons? Or is it a monster?
Whatever it is, you will need to be vigilant. Because a shrine maiden is the most outstanding person in the Republic. Skills, not titles.
“Thank you for the story. Thanks to that, I won’t be attacked.”
I lightly thanked him with a smile and climbed the stairs again.
Around the time my calves started to cramp, a winding mountain road opened next to the Ilcheon Stairs. This is the road that leads to Seolhwabong Peak.
I picked up a lantern that lit up the 1,000 steps and entered the mountain path, illuminating my feet.
The mountain at night was quiet and noisy. The grass insects cried endlessly, and the eerie cries of things that I do not know whether they are wild beasts or monsters can be heard.
“… … .”
I can’t sleep in memories.
When you do something like this adventure, the echoes of memories rear their heads. It was a night like this when I first met Friede.
– This little guy is our party wizard?
– Yep. How are you cute?
– no? Our Pipi is cuter?
How many hours did you walk while groping for the past, laughing alone and getting depressed over and over again?
After the gentle climb, the view opened up, revealing a temple built of red igneous rock in its primeval form.
The temple said to have been built by dragons might not have survived the passage of time. The flagstones on the road were cracked, weeds were prosperous in the garden, and the fancy glass panes were shattered.
‘I came all the way here without any countermeasures… … It feels like there is no real countermeasure.’
Where do you want to go?
Let’s go inside the temple first. If you go to the shrine maiden’s bedroom, something might come out.
No, let’s take Ludyen out first and detect it.
– The demon that the shaman raised is guarding the place.
Was it just a rumor? A guy like that, can’t be seen anywhere. I don’t even feel a presence.
Still, I carefully checked my surroundings, just in case, and after a while, I jumped through the gate of the temple, which was wrapped in vines.
A dreary silence filled the old shrine. This silence, which seemed to be broken at any moment, was creepy.
quickly… … .
It was the moment I stepped on a tree branch.
A graceful three-story pagoda was built on the top of the temple, and a phosphorescent light suddenly flashed from the top of the three-story pagoda.
“… … ?!”
intense hostility.
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As soon as the sensation of standing upright rushed in, something on top spread its wings to both sides.
Then the flames raged and formed huge wings and beaks… … Soon, it scattered sparks and soared high into the night sky.
“Could that be… … .”
The dizzying thrill that shook my head at that moment. It flashed in my mind… … Reason suppressed the hope-like delusion.
Roaring———!
The flames descended like lightning. If he hadn’t rolled his body forward, his entire body would have been burned. Because that’s such a creature.
‘I can’t do that. How could it… … .’
The flames that brushed over Lane’s head immediately went into a glide state and shot up into the sky again.
– Lynn, hello. This is Friede. And this is Pippi. She is a child that Friede raises like his own daughter.
Taking advantage of that opportunity, Lane ran through the moss-covered porch of the temple.
Just then, the light reflected brilliantly on the plate glass of the shrine… … Before the heat hit, Lane fell flat on the floor once more.
Qrrr!
A fierce heat rushed over my head. It smelled like how many strands of hair had been burned.
Could it be because of the smell?
Even when we first met, I remembered that the guy who landed on my head suddenly spewed fire and his hair was burned and smelled like this.
– Ah ha ha ha ha ha ha! Pippi took a hit! The mascot for our party is me, Pippi, because this is it!
How much Friede laughed at that time… … In the background of getting close with Friede in an instant, there was that guy’s mischief.
‘but… … no, this is impossible It’s been 300 years since then.’
My footsteps, which blindly ran to the front gate of the temple, stopped without my knowledge. No eyes to see, no ears to hear.
If the… … .
really if… … .
Maybe, even if it’s true… … .
It took a tremendous amount of strength just to make the mokuldae ring. The voice that barely escaped broke into a high-pitched voice.
“Pippi… … it’s you?!”
Flames hovered in the sky, waiting for an opportunity to instantly kill the intruder.
“Pippi, it’s me! Rin!”
As the flames flapped their wings, the remnants of fire were beautifully scattered everywhere like a cluster of stars. … It started its descent leaving a long beam of light.
“It’s Rin———!”
the boy sobbed.
A cry that I have never been able to say since I was reincarnated… … That cry with no one to speak to… … In a voice mixed with sadness, doubt, and joy.
“… … ?”
The advance of the flames, which had been rapidly descending with terrifying heat, stopped for a moment. right in front of your eyes. The flame tilted its slender beak.
“Lin? Lin? Rin?”
It was an awkward sound, as if he had been imitating that voice for the first time in a long time, but he soon started calling the name.
“Yes, it is me… … We had mascot competitions and that’s it… … .”
Fifi was the sun parrot that Friede had brought to the party.
It is a breed that is rare across the continent and cannot be obtained even with gold and silver treasures, and was famous for its intelligence comparable to that of a human child.
Is it just intelligence, or because of the beast theme and the mysterious trait of freely handling flames, some even worshiped the sun parrot as a legendary creature.
“It’s not Rin. It looks different. I’m looking for a Pippi friend.”
As if angered at having deceived him, the sun parakeet started spewing flames several times more violently than before.
He may have been burned to death.
If it hadn’t been for that moment, a semicircular barrier hadn’t been placed around the body with water-attribute magic… … . Water and fire clashed, and steam rose thickly.
‘It’s the real Pippi… … ?’
Is this emotion that is burning hotly in my heart right now confusion? No, this… … Isn’t that the feeling of joy?
“Pippi, I look different, but it’s me. I am!”
In the fury of impersonating a friend, I shouted at Fifi, who was randomly trampling the water barrier.
How come you don’t have any memories to share with this guy? I can tell you at once that I am… … .
At that moment, something flashed in my mind like a thunderbolt. Everyone in the party laughed brightly.
“Look at this, don’t you remember?”
The magic square shattered in Rain’s palm, and the water curtain that formed the barrier shattered into countless water droplets, which danced like snowflakes.
It was the magic Pippi liked.
It was the magic that Fifi used to dance with. It was a magic that Fifi liked, so Friede liked it, Lista liked it, Keith liked it, and Rin liked it too.
A fragment of memories that were not written in any book, but were very trivial and yet brilliant.
“… … .”
Pippi, who was circling the air as if on alert, suddenly landed on the ground and stared blankly at the water droplets, as if she had glimpsed the same memory in that magic.
“Lin? Lin? Rin?”
“Yes, it is me… … It’s Rin.”
In an instant, the flames that made Pippi’s body bigger than an eagle hissed and disappeared.
If there is no flame, it is just a cute parrot with golden fur. A right crown that spreads up, down, left and right like a sunflower, and a head that blooms like a flower in the middle.
Fifi flew over Lane’s shoulder. He wiggled his head back and forth as if he was excited.
“Rin, the clumsy wizard Rin, Fifi’s friend.”
In an instant, my vision was blurred.
The glossy feathers of 300 years ago were terribly worn, and the beak and claws were broken and worn out by the wind and waves, but they were ugly.
It was the Pipi who accompanied me to the ends of the earth, even when it snowed or rained.
“You, how… … until now… … .”
His legs gave out and he fell to his knees. A sound that I couldn’t tell if it was crying or laughing continued to leak from my vocal cords.
This was no mere reunion.
Pippi was a being who sublimated echoes that were thought to be out of reach forever into memories. It was like a link that held on to the past that could not be grasped now.
“Lin said he’s coming back. Lin is here.”
As if Pippi was extremely excited, he moved up and down Lane’s head and shoulders, shaking his head and hips.
“You are such an idiot… … why me… … 300 years have passed… … .”
Tears flowed nonstop from the boy’s eyes, but what caught on his lips was a smile of joy.
“Wait Lin, said Friede. Pip waited. until a friend arrives. continue. Because we are friends.”