< 128. In Search of the Scream (5) >
#128
‘This is…!’
Ronan’s eyes widened. The savior’s sword technique was very similar to the Nabiroze style. It was taught to me by a wanderer I encountered in the southern jungle.
However there was a far difference in level. I could tell just from that brief slash. The Nabirose style was one of the best swordsmanship Ronan had ever seen but compared to the Savior’s sword it felt like nothing more than a crude imitation. My non-existent hand started itching.
‘…Can I follow along?’
It was the first time I wasn’t sure I could copy something after seeing it. Ronan was wandering in the maze drawn by Geomro. A man wearing a robe approached with great strides.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
“Take the chopped horn and leave it behind. “It’s a precious material.”
“All right.”
Even after the conversation ended her man did not leave. Her man who had been wriggling his fingers carefully removed his mouth from hers.
“…I could have killed him.”
“I guess so.”
“You knew but you stopped me?”
“Because you wouldn’t have been able to kill Navardose.”
Her man who hit her right in the head silenced her. If Navardose who was enraged by the death of his family had come in person he would certainly have been reduced to a handful of ashes. Her silent man’s mouth opened again.
“…Isn’t it possible if you are a savior?”
【Enough with that.】
Suddenly the savior lowered his voice. It was a dignified voice as if he had become a different person. The feeling of intimidation that erupted for a moment made her man shrug his shoulders.
“…sorry. “You said something presumptuous.”
“It’s okay. “Go and rest.”
The Savior’s voice returned to its original state. The man who bowed to her stepped away from her seat. After adjusting her clothes the Savior turned to Ali Bry He and said
“Alibrihe. “Would you please supervise nearby construction with Elsia and ■■ for a few months?”
“Where are you going?”
“I think I should go see Navardose. “Even if it’s a sore finger it’s true that I touched her clan.”
“Haha your behavior is great. “I don’t think she’ll mind but she’s safer that way.”
Alibrihe chuckled. He said he liked the Savior’s attitude of trying to respect the dragon’s laws. Alibrihe pounded his chest and declared.
“Just leave it to me. “You better be careful when passing through Cainax in the central part of the country.”
“Why is that?”
“Not long ago a pale young guy played rare. “It’s a fertile land so people don’t listen even though they say they’ll come visit us at any time.”
Alibrihe grumbled. The savior reading his subtle expression chuckled.
“Still it looks like you don’t hate it.”
“Haha were you caught? He was full-blooded and reminded me of myself when I was younger. “It’s the same black dragon.”
“I guess I should say hello. “What’s your name?”
“Orsay. “It has four wings so you’ll recognize it at a glance.”
Ronan laughed when he heard the name Orsay. Once again I felt the remoteness of the past he was experiencing.
‘It’s a sight. A child demon dragon.’
The incident of Orsay’s departure to the West after being defeated in a decisive battle with the first emperor has long been relegated to myth and fairy tales rather than history. After saying a brief greeting the savior turned around.
“Then I will come.”
Her close associates including El Sia saw him off. It was the moment he left the village. Pot! Suddenly Ronan’s vision went black.
‘What the fuck?’
I couldn’t see anything as if I was blind. It was the car where Ronan was about to swear. Suddenly his vision became bright and the scenery of the village came into view.
However it was not the savior’s vision. The video showed the changing village by changing perspectives. It felt like I was watching a broadcast video filmed during Nabi Rose’s mid-term evaluation.
‘What are you trying to show me?’
Ronan tilted his head. Time in the video passed at an incredible speed. Every time I blinked the sun rose and set repeatedly.
Just as Elsia said people were gathering from all over. The river water drawn by the spirits began to flow through the village. The village which was gradually growing in popularity has now become a huge community that can be called a city.
The chieftain became the village chief and the village chief became the lord. The seeds planted on the day the dragon was driven out grew into huge trees and cast shade.
It was around this time that a flag with a seven-pointed star was flying over the brick wall of the city. The Savior and his group quietly left the city.
But their plan to disappear like smoke failed. Even though he escaped in the early morning while everyone was asleep the savior opened his mouth as he saw the people who followed him.
“I am not a great person you can trust and follow.”
“Savior. “There is no one in this city who does not know your miracles.”
“It is a miracle that you have achieved. “Say a prayer of thanks to your ancestors and go get some sleep.”
“If we can’t look at the same star please allow us to look at your back!”
Despite the savior’s dissuasion the people did not break their stubbornness. In the end the savior had to move on leaving only the words to take care of it. Ronan nodded slowly.
‘The power has increased in this way.’
After wandering around the continent for a while they settled down again in the far north. The indigenous people who lived in small villages shouted in panic.
“Who are you!”
“It is a barren but strong land. “I came to help you.”
The savior said. What I had seen before was repeated. The village which was nothing more than a collection of tents around a fire was transformed into a splendid fortress in just a few years.
As soon as they had settled down to some extent they left for the north. At that time the number of people calling themselves believers had increased several times.
The savior continued to prosper the community and then left. It was one day decades later. Ali Bryhe who was walking alongside him opened his mouth.
“I guess we need to decide on a name for the organization.”
They were wandering the continent looking for a place to prosper again. A blue sky hung over the distant western prairies. The Savior shrugged his eyebrows.
“Is there really a need for that?”
“Well everyone wanted it. “It’s nice to have a sense of belonging right?”
“I heard that in the world it is already called the Nebula Church.”
“That’s not cool. Moreover it is a name given by those who treat us as heretics.”
Alibrihe frowned. Elthea and the man wearing a robe who were walking next to me also nodded as if they agreed.
“I also agree with Alibrihe.”
“Yes. “When the word ‘denomination’ is mentioned people tend to be wary.”
The savior who was smoothing his chin looked back. The people following him came into view. Ronan frowned as the number exceeded his imagination.
‘Fuck how many people are there?’
There seemed to be at least a few thousand people. The people gathered regardless of age gender or race were all wearing pure white robes imitating the savior’s attire. Their appearance across the prairie looked exactly like a flock of sheep following a shepherd.
“It’s a name….”
The savior sighed. As he walked looking at the sky he finally opened his mouth.
“Nebula Clage.”
“Ho what does that mean?”
“Nebula Church. “It is the old language pronunciation of the name by which we are called in the world.”
“Well it’s the same in the end.”
Alibrihe laughed. The savior stopped for a moment and put his child who was following right behind him on the horse. A sound of innocent laughter rang out.
“Kyahaha!”
“How about a name as long as you don’t lose the meaning?”
The sky was clear and the wind was refreshing. I really liked the feel of the grass crunching with every step. He quietly stared at the horizon and muttered quietly.
“I believe people can become better. Even if we are a foolish species whose instinct is to destroy ourselves…”
The video ended with an inexplicable muttering. My vision went dark. For a moment I thought my vision was getting dark but then it became bright again.
****
“Uhm….”
Ronan opened his eyes. The red sky stretched out over my forehead. Crack. widely. There was a sound like burning dry firewood coming from somewhere.
Suddenly an acrid stench pierced his nose. Ronan frowned and slowly stood up.
Whoa! The fierce wind blew my bangs back. Ronan noticing that his five senses had returned opened his eyes wide.
“This is…”
The body also came back. Judging by the familiar eye level it was Ronan himself not the savior.
La Mancha and Ymir. Two beloved swords were also hanging intact on both waists. But he had no time to be happy about that fact. Hell unfolded before my eyes.
“Fuck. “What happened?”
The place where he was standing was on top of a cliff. Because the altitude was relatively high the surrounding devastation was visible at a glance. The city was engulfed in flames.
No survivors were found inside the horribly destroyed walls. The roaring flames were growing stronger devouring corpses and debris. Smoke rose like a waterspout obscuring the stars and the moon.
The river winding through the city was colored red and boiling. It was difficult to open my eyes due to the heat and flying embers. At that time a familiar voice was heard from not far away.
“It’s in vain. “I never thought something like this would happen after I was gone for a while.”
When I turned my head I saw people I had seen before. The Savior and his entourage were huddled together looking down on the city.
‘shit!’
Ronan bowed down without realizing it. The savior’s face had turned into a shimmering shadow. Alibrihe who had been watching the devastation in a daze opened his mouth.
“Is it war again?”
“yes.”
The man covered in a robe hesitated. As he said the sound of weapons clashing was still echoing in the distance. Shouts of death killing and vomiting mingled with the wind.
“What number is this? “I watched destruction.”
“On a country-by-country basis alone it will probably happen more than a hundred times.”
“Among them which country did we contribute to founding?”
“More than seventy percent.”
Tsk. Alibrihe spat on the floor. Elsia who was watching the devastation in silence chewed her lips.
Ronan looked around at the surrounding terrain and realized that this was the first village he had visited. He defeated the dragon by possessing the body of a savior. The savior who had remained silent finally spoke.
“let’s go.”
“Where do you mean you are going?”
“We have to save the remaining people.”
“Everyone in the city is dead. “Aren’t you watching?”
“There are survivors among those who invaded. “They left the injured people behind.”
Alibrihe and Elsia’s faces hardened. The man managed to take a deep breath and opened his mouth.
“…Saving the believers comes first. “You must return to the sacred site as soon as possible and understand the situation.”
“There is no superiority or inferiority in mortal life. “Follow me.”
The savior took a step forward. But no one followed. An angry voice came from behind him.
“…I refuse.”
The Savior turned his head. The person who spoke was a man wearing a robe. He continued speaking in a strained voice.
“I can’t understand it anymore. Where on earth can you find the values they must protect? “I have followed the Savior for thousands of years and tried to understand his meaning but now I am at my limit.”
“It’s the limit.”
“Yes. This is not salvation. It’s as foolish as pouring water into a bottomless jar. “No matter how hard we try mortals only push themselves into the mire.”
The man covered in a robe continued speaking. He began to recite what had happened during the time Ronan had been out of sight. It was a list of common human affairs. Killing each other waging war for trivial reasons and destroying each other arbitrarily…
However deep hatred was evident in his passionate tone. The man who was spitting out words glared at his savior.
“Nebula Clage needs to be reborn. At least this is not the correct way to be saved.”
“Are you guys of the same opinion?”
The Savior looked back at Alibrihe and Elsia. The two people who hesitated avoided eye contact. They responded by not moving from their seats.
“I see.”
“Savior….”
It seemed like there had been a conversation between the three in advance. The savior who was quietly looking at the three people nodded his head.
“Then there is nothing we can do. “This is where we say goodbye.”
“…Are you really going on like this?”
“okay. I don’t think it would be meaningful to say any more. “I hope you find your own answers.”
Without hesitation the Savior began walking to the edge of the cliff. It felt too vain to say goodbye to colleagues who had spent countless years together. A man covered in a robe shouted desperately.
“Savior!”
“May the blessings of the stars be with you.”
But rather than stopping the savior did not even look back. At that time the figure of the man covered in robes disappeared from sight. Ronan who felt an instinctive fear was about to shout something.
“for a moment…!”
Sigh! It sounded like a stone being dropped into a swamp. A silence as if time had stopped fell on the cliff. The savior slowly lowered his gaze. A pure white blade was sticking out of the stomach.
“Wow.”
“All right. “I will find the answer.”
The man who had disappeared appeared behind the savior. Blood was dripping from the spot where the tip of her knife tore it open. He brought his face to the savior’s ear and whispered dryly.
“So leave your strength behind.”
“■■….”
The savior’s body swayed. It seemed like it wasn’t an ordinary sword. He was looking at her man without any resistance.
Her man had one of her arms pressed against the savior’s neck to keep her sword from slipping out. The sparkling energy was being absorbed through the sword body. Ronan who belatedly realized the situation cursed.
“Fuck…!”
From here on it was an act based on instinct. Ronan kicked the ground and ran away. Shortening the distance in an instant he swung his sword and shouted.
“이 개새끼야! “What are you doing now?”
“what?”
The man wearing a robe turned his head to her. The two blades were already in front of his eyes. He hastily pulled out his sword and raised his arm. Kaaaang! A fierce metallic sound echoed over the cliff.
