Part 2, Episode 235.
King of Divine Beasts, Barheim.
Unlike the grandiose name of the quest, the content was simple.
[King of Divine Beasts, Barheim]
– Rank: Guardian Quest
– Description: A being known as the King of Divine Beasts on the island of Divine Beasts, ‘Laksia’, in the distant past, and a guardian deity who looked after the Beastmen.
I came to realize that the noble being was Eliza’s true form.
Inherit Barheim and reclaim your lofty stature.
-Barheim Succession (0 / 1)
– Upon successful completion of the quest: Eliza regains her original rank and becomes Barheim.
[During the Guardian Quest, Guardians including ‘Eliza’ gain autonomous will.]
If I let Barheim succeed him, it’s the end…
This means that.
It meant that in order to complete the Guardian Quest, I had to say goodbye to Eliza.
Because if I become Barheim, I won’t be able to leave Laxia again.
This was not a guess, but a fact.
“-Master of Barheim. Since Barheim follows you, we beastkin must also respect the will of the two of you.”
-… … .
– A Barheim is a being that is reborn and lives forever when the physical body ends.
King Su, who had been explaining it that way just moments ago, said this:
Since the reincarnated body contains only the essence of the soul, memories and rank must be inherited through a proper ritual in Laxia.
It seems that for some reason, the Barheim of that era was born on the main continent rather than in Laxia.
-……okay.
– Once in history. Although records remain, it is a rare occurrence. There must have been some kind of destiny.
So, I will leave the decision to the two of you. Whether you become Barheim or give up.
King Su finished speaking, saying that he could not force someone to become a guardian deity, a subject he had not been able to find all along.
The current Eliza is also a being possessing the soul of Barheim.
Their position is that they will follow the decision made by Eliza and her master, Dohyeon.
A decision… … .
Dohyeon, recalling his conversation with Suwang for a moment, looked back at where Eliza was.
-Liza! Lizariza!
-Rikyu Kkyurikyu!
-Rikkyukkyu!
-Liza? Lizari!
Eliza was not next to Dohyeon right now.
Because she was hopping around huddled together with small balls of fur that looked exactly like Eliza, each with a different fur color.
They are just running around and playing together, but they are having so much fun.
Whether it is because of their peaceful and innocent appearance or their chirping voices, it sounds like the squealing of children.
“What’s with Rikkyu now?”
I heard from the King of Water that their name is Rikkuri. They say they are children who follow Barheim.
At first glance, they looked like nothing special, but once you knew their true nature, you couldn’t ignore them.
Because each and every one of those Rikkuri possesses the stature of a divine beast.
-Rikyu! Kkyurikyu!
-Rikkyuri!
-Riza? Rijarijarija!
All those Rikkuris were following Eliza.
They scurry after Eliza like children chasing the Pied Piper.
It wasn’t just the Rikkuris.
“Ah, that’s Barheim, isn’t it?”
“Kyaa! This is the first time I’ve seen Barheim in person! Isn’t he just too cute!?”
“What kind of manners are you speaking to Barheim? You should show him some respect.”
“But you’re so cute…… You’re like a ball of fur.”
“So, is Barheim going to be with us again now?”
“Well. I heard that Barheim hasn’t succeeded yet. Even the Water King said it wouldn’t be right to expect that.”
“Oh, really? That’s a shame…….”
It is a true honor to meet the great Barheim before I die……..
“He is like a benefactor to the Beastmen. So you should also be careful with your manners.”
“yes.”
Is it because of the authority the name Barheim carries?
Or is it because of the adult beastkin threatening from the side?
It felt strange to see the beastmen standing there like women gazing at the object of their admiration from afar, unable to bring themselves to approach.
I was always surrounded by people so I didn’t realize it… how should I put it?
That look is truly natural and suits him well.
Isn’t Eliza happier being here?
Enough to make me think that.
It was when I was staring blankly at Eliza, feeling a complex and subtle mix of emotions for some reason.
-Rizari? Riza!
Eliza, whose eyes met Dohyeon’s, shakes her small body as she looks at him.
A reaction like a child playing in a playground spotting their dad and waving.
-Rikyu? Rikkyukkyu!
Then, the Rikkuris who were following Eliza did the same thing and chirped at Eliza.
Just like little kids holding back a child who wants to leave early.
As Dohyeon smiled faintly at him and nodded in surprise, Eliza hopped away again.
Swoosh.
Dohyeon rose from his seat with a gentle smile and walked away.
The place I headed to this time was a rock where Jihadu was crouching on the opposite side, hugging his knees.
The timid fellow is sitting on a high rock, with nothing but cliffs and waterfalls visible in front of him.
It has been in that state ever since coming out of the King of Water’s room.
He even refused Eliza’s offer to play together.
“Why are you moping around here all alone?”
Ah, master.
“You little brat, are you worried Eliza might leave?”
-… … Ah, no, that’s not true. I’m a big-hearted guy who respects my friends, you know?
“Good grief, every time he glanced at Eliza, lingering affection was practically dripping from his eyes.”
-Hehe! When did I.
Dohyeon chuckled at the sight of Jihad repeatedly waving his hands in denial.
Anyway, he was a dishonest guy.
As I plopped down beside him, Jihad, pouting, shifted his gaze again.
Then, he glanced sideways at Eliza playing with her friends, and hung his head low.
—… … If Eliza says she wants to stay, I have no intention of stopping her. I will accept her.
What’s wrong? I thought you would be crying and making a huge fuss saying no.
He is the guy who cried his eyes out, saying that when he reunited with Eliza, they would never be separated again.
After that, wasn’t he the type to stick to me like gum and get really jealous?
But he isn’t exactly a deep person either, so when I think it’s unexpected.
-……master.
The guy, whose eyes had turned bitter and wistful for some reason, spoke up while looking at the waterfall pouring down.
I remembered something earlier when I was in the King of Water’s room.
“Ah, right. You’ve been seeing things all this time. What were you seeing?”
Jihad, who had been hesitating for a moment, slowly answered.
-… … The Black Clan’s dwelling.
“what?”
Memories of the time I spent there came back to me. The Guardian Room that unfolded when I first became the owner’s Guardian was different from now.
A land where clouds and earth are connected.
A heterogeneous world with a glacial zone on the left and a lava zone on the right.
There was a reason why that place felt comfortable to Jihad.
That place… … turned out to be our clan’s dwelling.
“ah.”
Because that was the hometown where Jihad was born and raised.
What came to mind along with him was.
It was a memory from the time when I had just emerged from childhood and entered adolescence.
Although they were a small clan and the total number of people in their residence was only a few thousand, everyone got along well and interacted with one another.
I realized I have a family, too. And lots of friends.
A life of eating with family, playing with friends, and then casually visiting each other’s homes to sleep over.
Jihad also lived the ordinary life that everyone else lives.
I just forgot about it.
Because of the aftermath of the incident that occurred on that day, which was peaceful like any other.
Master, you asked why I was trapped there, didn’t you? You asked what I did in there that even Eliza couldn’t remember.
“……That’s right.”
I only had a hazy memory of hiding from someone, but now I remember clearly.
The eyes that had been staring into the void slowly sank, and the focus faded.
However, that gaze was staring more clearly at ‘someone of that day’,
Suppressed fear and belatedly revived anger.
Mixed with lingering regrets that cannot be concealed even by complex emotions.
-Bargan… … no, Volkarn Black.
He was a reliable older brother whom Jihad followed in the past, and an idol of the young Black people of that era.
Because he was a tough ‘Bargan’ of the Black clan.
An epithet given to the one who has manifested the bloodline factor imbued with the greatest blood of the era.
In particular, Volkarn Black’s bloodline was so noble that it was difficult to find a match even when compared to the Vargans of all time.
– The sin of gluttony. It is the ‘factor’ that serves as the original source of the bloodline factor awakened by that fellow. It is the ‘factor’ of a great monster that no longer exists, said to have lived perhaps even longer than the gods.
“Gluttony…… Bloodline Factor……? Hey, then surely not?”
That’s right, Master. That winged fellow you fought.
There is only one winged guy who fought this time.
A man characterized by massive black wings that covered his entire body, which stood 3 meters tall.
No, it would have been more appropriate to call him a black monster.
I mean that monster from the Moon Command Group.
“her.”
Dohyeon’s expression turned serious.
Our ancestors who were active in ancient times have all vanished without a trace.
They say that our ancestors inherited the strongest bloodline, so every single member is as strong as the Vargans… If that is true, I wonder if the ancient Vargans were comparable to gods.
Jihad did reply to Dohyeon’s words, though.
Even taking that into account, it was clear that he was an incredible guy.
… … So the commander is strong enough to render such a monster helpless.
I’m curious. Just what on earth is that guy’s true identity?
However, for now, it was time to focus on the story of Jihad first.
Volkarn Black left us and joined them. Vargan, who was supposed to be the greatest warrior and a reliable guardian.
“……Did you betray me?”
Yeah. He left without a word, then came back with the commander and turned everything upside down. So we had to move.
Many sacrifices were made in the process.
The king who was ‘Bargan’ before Volkarn Black died, and numerous great warriors lost their lives one after another.
Fortunately, Jihad and his family survived, but they had to pay a heavy price.
The fight ended only when the number of people, which had reached 4,000, dwindled to just over 1,000.
After the adults’ desperate resistance, they succeeded in escaping and finding a new place to live, but no one was happy.
And witnessing that tragedy, Jihad made a vow.
I needed to know. Volkarn… why that bastard betrayed us.
“…….”
So, I secretly slipped out of the residence and searched through the places Volkarn had visited before his betrayal.
I was only able to find it after reaching Raven, the first city on the main continent.
A clue presumed to be the decisive reason for his betrayal!
After that… well, I suppose the owner expected it, but I was eventually discovered right before I could get a clue. I was swept up in an explosion while trying to escape.
The moment I thought, “So that is how I die.”
In the process of being swept away by the explosion, he fell into a dungeon connected to a tunnel dug by the cowardly goblin chieftain for an emergency escape.
It happened to be a secret dungeon that the cowardly Goblin Chieftain had built to serve as a bunker.
When I opened my eyes, all my memories were gone. I had been unconscious for several days, and I suspect it might be because I hit my head too hard.
“……her.”
I guess I should be lucky since I survived.
I got caught right before I could get the clue I was looking for, so I guess I should say I’m unlucky.
Now that I finally know the guy’s circumstances I didn’t know, my doubts are resolved, but I don’t feel entirely satisfied.
I survived thanks to that cowardly chieftain.
Jihad smiled weakly and bowed his head deeply.
So, I can’t catch Eliza. How could I?
I understand now.
Jihad, having added those words, captured the sight of Eliza happily playing with a bitter look in his eyes.
“Tuck,” Dohyeon said, placing his hand on the guy’s shoulder as if spat it out for no reason.
“You little brat, acting like you’re so thoughtful, unlike yourself.”
“… … I’m naturally deep, you know? The owner doesn’t even know how I feel.”
“Hey. If you want to go back, you can just go whenever you want. What’s the problem?”
I suppose I’d be a bit sad if this annoying guy actually left, but he still has some conscience.
You can’t stop a guy who says he’s going to his family, can you?
However… the guy hesitates without answering.
The way he hung his head low and fidgeted with his hands didn’t feel like he was checking Dohyeon’s reaction to see if it was real or not, as he usually did.
Look at this guy!
Dohyeon, raising the corners of his mouth slightly, spoke in a playful voice.
“You’re not sad, are you? Because if you leave, you won’t be able to go around with me anymore?”
“-What, what are you talking about! Who would say it’s good to hang out with a devilish owner like this? The owner is the most vicious devil I’ve ever seen…”
“……what?”
Ah, no. I’m just saying. I think the owner is a really good person. Hehe.
“But why are you moving further away? Huh? You’re not going back to the original position.”
-P-the floor got too lukewarm. It’s cool here.
Dohyeon chuckled at Jihad’s feigned ignorance and feigned indifference.
He was acting so pathetic, unlike himself, but this is the kind of jihad I know.
Did bickering lift your spirits a bit?
The atmosphere is much better compared to that pathetic look from earlier.
At that, Dohyeon also smirked and unnecessarily extended his fist, and Jihade hesitated before lightly bumping fists with him.
Thump.
Stop by my place once this job is over. You can decide when you return. My family is waiting.
The guy didn’t answer.
However, Dohyeon could tell. That the guy had accepted the offer.
perhaps…….
I had a bad feeling that this war might be the last one with him.
It was then.
So you were here, Master of Barheim.
“-K-Keruk! S-My heart hurts. Make some noise when you go around, Suin!”
“Ah, King Su.”
As I looked up at the benevolent old man’s voice, I saw the Water King who had already approached.
Not even the sound of footsteps, let alone any sign of human presence, could be felt.
Secretiveness to the point that even Jihad, who was always the first to notice the approach of formidable enemies, could not detect even the slightest hint of it.
Furthermore, even the Water King’s perception that recognizes the source.
At this level, shouldn’t I be able to be an assassin?
Shaking off a fleeting thought, I asked what was wrong, and the Water King answered calmly.
“……Wouldn’t you like to speak?”
“A story?”
However, the face answering is somewhat serious.
At the sound of Suwang’s voice that followed shortly after, Dohyeon’s expression also sank heavily.
“I understand the world is in an uproar. Didn’t the Master of Barheim come to inquire about the Moon Spirit Group?”
“……So you knew.”
I didn’t mean to pretend I didn’t know. I was just waiting for the right moment.
And now, the time has come.
“He is coming. Now is the time for you to know everything as the successor to the God of Fighting.”
“If it’s him…….”
Dohyeon’s question could not be continued to the very end.
To be precise, there was no need to do so.
Ah, you just arrived.
[It’s been a while.]
Because the person who could resolve the doubts came in person.
