103 – Specter Queen (2)
Even after resting, we continued walking. When will it ever end?
The gloomy atmosphere had become quite familiar, to the point where we could only see the mist-covered streets.
The rest of the group, especially Lina, was the same. She started walking as if she were on a leisurely stroll, with a more relaxed expression.
“Aren’t you scared?”
“…I’ve been tormented by specters every day. This side actually feels more familiar now.”
“I heard it has been less lately.”
“Yes. Once you learn how to deal with specters, it becomes so easy to silence them.”
“Because I taught you so well. It wouldn’t make sense if you couldn’t do it.”
“I know that too. If you were going to make such a fuss about it, you should have taught me sooner…”
“Oh well. I couldn’t help it because of my own purpose.”
“Is your purpose fulfilled now, then?”
“More or less. It’s still a long way to go, but… we’ll take it slowly.”
Nea and Lina began chatting with each other. It was definitely not like this in the original. Nea laughed at Lina, and Lina had expressed hatred towards Nea… It seems like things have turned out for the better, strangely enough.
While watching Lina and Nea chat, Asty was carefully observing the surroundings.
“…I can roughly predict where we are going.”
When Asty said that, I nodded in agreement. The specter knight is most likely taking us to the throne of the specter queen.
She had mentioned that it was a place only specters could enter. Asty probably knows that too.
“Me too.”
“Nothing serious, right?”
“Probably not. I didn’t feel any bad vibes.”
“You never know.”
“But it’s something that has to be done… so I can’t help it. I can only hope that a dangerous situation doesn’t arise.”
I said those words, but I wasn’t particularly worried. Even if I hadn’t expected Umbra to contact me first, I knew her personality.
Umbra had been designated as the protagonist’s ally from the beginning. And when the ghost queen joined in, it was clear that the protagonist wouldn’t be able to grow much, so I pushed her to the background of the story.
In other words, she doesn’t antagonize anyone without a reason. That means, as long as I don’t provoke her, the chances of her causing trouble for me are quite low.
So there’s no need to be nervous when I meet her.
Also, she mentioned that she was waiting for the presence that would release the shackles of the captive’s sword from someone I don’t know… and she seemed to think that I was that presence, so she must also need me.
If there is any problem, it would be the captive’s sword.
Since I have no idea what kind of test that sword will impose… I should be cautious. But I didn’t intend to cover up and tremble in fear.
Such trials cannot be endured by those with weak spirits.
I have overcome all sorts of wretched situations. If I can’t even pass the trials that the sword brings, I won’t survive in this world.
Moreover, there will clearly be even greater situations in the future.
With that confidence, I told Asti, and she smirked.
“Yeah. You’re not someone who trembles at insignificant things.”
* * *
How much time has passed? As we continued to walk in this misty place where the concept of time is ambiguous, we saw the ghost knight who was walking ahead suddenly stop.
“Have we arrived?”
-Yes, we have. Get ready. To pass through here, we need to be the same presence as us.
The ghost knight stopped and looked ahead. There, a whirlwind composed of ghosts was swirling.
-aaah!
The screams of those who died unjustly, the hatred of those betrayed by the ones they believed in, and all kinds of negative emotions they felt in their lifetime were gathered and engulfed in one place.
“Ugh….”
“This is….”
Even Nea and Asti, who were demons, showed signs of disgust. It was an incredibly horrifying space.
I also felt chills running down my spine. It was completely different from when I described it in words. It truly felt like death was right in front of me.
“From now on, I need your help. Lina, Nea.”
With a hint of disgust, I deliberately spoke with strength.
“Our help?”
“Separating my soul from my body. Can you do that?”
“…Yes?”
“I can do it.”
Lina looked shocked, while Nea looked intrigued.
“Wait, what are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“I mean it. I have to pass through here. The purpose of my journey to the kingdom was ultimately to reach this place, and I called for you to meet the presence ahead.”
“The presence…? So, is the Queen of all specters here?”
“That’s right. Queen Umbra, the first specter and ruler above all. Isn’t that right, knight?”
-Yes, that’s correct. The Queen is waiting for you, so please prepare as soon as possible.
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“Alright. They’re urging me from over there, so we need to do it quickly. I’m counting on you, Lina, Nea.”
“Understood.”
Lina initially showed a bewildered expression, but upon hearing that it wasn’t particularly dangerous, she nodded in relief. She seemed to be taken aback by the sudden need to separate my body and soul, but it didn’t seem like she was unfamiliar with the method.
Indeed, it was a good decision to keep Lina by Nea’s side. It’s quite surprising to suddenly step up like this. It seems like Nea didn’t ask Lina for no reason.
“Then, lie down here and relax your body.”
Following the instructions of Lina and Nea, I lay down on the soft bed that Asti had quickly prepared. How is something like this even possible? Indeed, it is a sight befitting the price of magic.
“And stop all your thoughts. Like when you fall asleep.”
Listening to Nea’s words, I gradually stopped thinking.
Just like forcibly inducing sleep.
Then, slowly, Nea’s magic began to envelop my body. I felt a slight tingling sensation, but there didn’t seem to be any problem.
Subsequently, I felt my consciousness being pulled somewhere. However, it wasn’t particularly painful. It felt more like Nea’s magic was holding my hand and pulling me here this time.
Finally, when I opened my eyes, I found myself looking down at my own body.
-Oh.
At the moment when my body and soul separated, I couldn’t help but exclaim. Unlike when I was being pulled by gravity, I was able to freely fly in the air.
It was a quite fascinating feeling.
“We did it.”
Lina was sweating profusely, but Nea looked at me with a clear expression, wearing a self-satisfied smile. Asti let out a sigh of relief.
-Is the preparation complete?
I nodded in response to the specter knight’s question.
-Yes. The rest of them can wait here.
“I’ll be back.”
“Be careful.”
“Got it.”
I replied with a smile mixed with Asti’s concern, and followed the Phantom Knight towards the whirlwind of phantoms.
Swoosh. As if my body was seeping into it, I merged into the whirlwind. The endless cries and screams followed.
“Don’t get swept away. Maintain your sense of self. If you get caught up in them, you will lose yourself.”
“I know that much too.”
I had to remain focused.
Continuing to move forward, I gradually felt the screams and cries around me fade away. It was as if I had entered the Queen’s influence.
“We’re almost there.”
“Is that so.”
The Phantom Knight remained silent after that. I just had to push through this endless vortex of souls.
After a short while, I realized that I had reached the center of the whirlwind. It was a space as calm as the eye of a hurricane, and in that space, an old, worn-out throne stood alone.
“We have arrived.”
The Phantom Knight spoke without saying any more, and respectfully knelt before the Queen.
“You’ve fulfilled your duty.”
“Thank you, please allow me to take my leave.”
“Yes.”
Then, the soft and gentle voice I had heard earlier resonated in my ear, and the form of the Phantom Knight dispersed, disappearing as if it had blended into the vortex.
“You’ve come. It was a brief wait, but it felt longer than any other wait I have experienced.”
At her words, I raised my head even higher to look at her.
Her white hair, as calm as snow, caught my attention first, and then her delicate figure entered my sight. However, her frailty could not hide her beauty.
The Phantom Queen had a physical form. She sat on the throne, lazily but with a mix of joy in her expression, looking at me.
“Let me introduce myself properly. I am Umbra, the Queen of all phantoms.”
She stood up from the throne and slowly walked towards me in a graceful manner reminiscent of a character from an old tale. As she did so, she opened her mouth again.
“Come to think of it, I forgot to ask for your name last time. Tell me your name.”
“Prach. Prach Rancel.”
“Prach. I see.”
She smiled after hearing my name.