Chapter 53

“…Don’t stare so intensely.”

“Ah, I’m sorry.”

There’s no time to linger.

Kalen just needed a moment to understand the utterly unfamiliar situation, but there’s no desire to delay in rescuing Sinarth.

Pelicius leads the way, with Kalen and Tia-se following close behind.

A beauty unlike ordinary humans, moving with grace.

If only there was time to leisurely take in the fantastical sights of the spirit world with such stunning beauties—it would feel like a dream. But the quickly passing scenery in the distance only urged them to hurry.

So beautiful… and also so cute, she turned her face toward him.

Even while running, Tia-se couldn’t help but steal glances at Kalen.

“I… it’s my first time making a contract. Of course, after this is over, we’ll part ways…”

Her voice shy, her fists clenched, she bashfully covered her mouth. Her eyes modestly cast downward—she looked incredibly endearing.

If Tia-se had been a human noble lady moving in high society, her pure and adorable demeanor would certainly have won her many suitors.

Certainly. Pelicius had previously hinted that it was somewhat disappointing that Kalen was Tia-se’s first contract partner.

Kalen recalled that spirits found humans fascinating and mysterious beings.

Spirits find humans intriguing and worth exploring, and the same is true in reverse.

Reflecting on Pelicius’s words, Kalen nodded his head. Though they agreed to sever the contract after this mission, there was no need to remain distant during this time.

Even though Kalen could temporarily harness Tia-se’s powers by consuming strange beams of light, it was better than fighting with animosity.

It is absurd for a spirit to exhibit physical force in the human world, especially when they cannot even manifest their form. But the entity associated with Sinarth, called the Betrayer, had stained Kalen’s heart black.

If anything, the Betrayer was as strong in the spirit realm as he was during their prior encounter.

“You can look.”

Having concluded his thoughts, Kalen’s sudden change of heart from forbidding to allowing caused Tia-se to look at him with confusion.

“If that’s the case… Excuse me.”

As soon as she received his permission, Tia-se leaned forward and placed her hands gently behind her back while looking at him intently, though the speed of their run made it seem somewhat risky. Still, her composed gaze was unshaken.

Her eyes roved over his face, and though Kalen didn’t know why his cheeks were growing red, he concluded that befriending her wouldn’t be a bad thing.

“Tia-se.”

“Yes?”

“I’ve heard they shorten names, right?”

Responding to Kalen’s gaze, he nodded to Pelicius who was running ahead, and saw Tia-se’s eyes light up with a bright smile.

“It’s a nickname.”

“Nickname?”

Sinarth also shortens Kalen’s name to “Kal.” The nickname seemed to symbolize friendliness, but was it really that effective?

Kalen understood it as something similar to his shortened name, and Tia-se continued.

“Pelicius’s name is long, and we often ended up playing together, so it just naturally stuck.”

“Is it because both of you hold high status?”

“High status?”

“Heir to the royal family, right?”

The moment Tia-se tilted her head in surprise at Kalen’s words, she immediately smiled in understanding.

“Pelicius seems to be very interested in Kalen.”

“Was it supposed to be a secret?”

“No, I just tried my best to explain it in a way that humans can understand.”

“Not entirely unrelated to secrets, though…”

“…Out of urgency, there wasn’t much choice. I did my best to help you understand.”

Interrupting their chat, Pelicius’s voice joined them. Her tone, slightly softer and kind, was unforgettable.

Looking ahead, Kalen saw Pelicius glancing backward, exchanging gazes with Tia-se before refocusing forward.

“Pelicius is kind. Had things been different, Kalen might have built a good relationship with her.”

“…”

“It was also Pelicius who convinced Lord Eckelart first.”

“Lord?”

The single word echoed in Kalen’s ears, catching his attention completely.

This question had been in Kalen’s mind from the beginning. Based on the ancient texts that Blamia had deciphered, Kalen assumed the spirits who contracted with Sinarth were called “Lords.”

Seal and Lords — their connection was impossible to unravel with ancient texts alone.

“No, we’re heirs. We’re simply undergoing the training to eventually become Lords.”

“I see.”

Pelicius had said the ones who sealed the Betrayer in the ancient times were the three kings. Their lineage served a role similar to royalty, passing down the responsibilities of maintaining seals via heir training.

Kalen quickly pieced together fragmented information. A conclusion began to form.

“I understand. The Lords are akin to the rulers of the three kingdoms, and the ones who sealed the Betrayers were also these Lords. You’re not there yet as heirs, so that’s why contracting with Sinarth had implications for Pelicius after that incident.”

Kalen glanced at Tia-se as if asking if he was right, met with her clear eyes blinking.

“Uh, yes.”

“So, you need me because you’re not yet strong enough to reseal the Betrayer.”

“How smart of you…”

Still, there was one piece that didn’t make sense—why the need to “convince” the Lords.

If the Betrayer had committed grave wrongs in the spirit world, why wouldn’t the Lords directly step in and reseal them?

Moreover, why would the word “persuade” even be relevant?

Did Tia-se read his mind? She looked away from Kalen’s probing gaze and directed her eyes at the scenery of the spirit world.

“Have you heard the part where Sinarth uses a human body to allow the Betrayer to indirectly be reborn in the human realm?”

“I have.”

“While doing that would bring great tragedy to Sinarth’s body and the human realm alike…”

Tia-se trailed off.

Her voice filled with regret — it seemed explaining further was difficult for her.

And the rest came from ahead of Kalen, closer to Pelicius.

“There’d be no impact on the spirit world.”

“He’s resurrecting, right?”

“In the human realm. If a spirit forcibly takes over a human body to revive, the spirit would not be able to return to the spirit world afterward.”

It was then that Kalen finally understood why the phrase “persuade” had been used.

The Betrayer was akin to a terrible nightmare.

If the Betrayer were to resurrect within the spirit world, the ruler would do all they could to stop it.

However, the Betrayer was attempting to bypass the usual route and resurrect in the human world instead.

Moreover, once resurrected through such a method, it would be impossible for the Betrayer to return to the spirit world.

In short, it came down to this.

Spirits found humans fascinating and even endearing at times.

Their interactions were bound by contracts of magical attributes, creating a partnership.

But that was the extent of it.

There was no reason for the spirits to exert themselves to prevent danger in the human realm when it wouldn’t affect the spirit world.

It might sound cruel, but Kalen understood.

He had seen their world—an intricate existence that could not be summarized as merely “the spirit world.”

A world where spirits didn’t just teach humans the ways of magical contracts but were living beings cultivating their own realm.

Understanding this, Kalen accepted why the Lords of the spirit world would not risk themselves to protect the human realm.

Moreover, Kalen found gratitude in the care the two spirit women took in choosing their words so as not to offend him.

“Thank you. And it’s alright if you don’t speak so cautiously. I understand the perspective you’re in.”

Sinarth, Eliana, Celsicaer.

Kalen had experienced many relations, complex and intertwined.

The two spirits were surprised when they realized Kalen truly understood.

It was convenient to assume Kalen understood everything.

Having a perspective did not mean one was entitled to empathy.

Understanding each other, adjusting, and finding common ground—that’s what relationships were built on.

Pelicius and Tia-se, in particular, were especially delicate in spirit.

They were hesitant to hurt Kalen with their words, yet he was sharper than they anticipated.

Realizing this, they braced themselves for any critiques.

Instead, Kalen’s heartfelt acceptance filled them with admiration and gratitude.

“Thank you sincerely.”

“Me, too, Kalen.”

Kalen nodded, as if to signal that he didn’t keep grudges.

And so, although the conversation ceased for a moment, the atmosphere between them had grown much softer.

*

Running without delay, they soon arrived at a familiar location.

Kalen, Pelicius, and Tia-se stopped in front of a large crater.

An ominous darkness swirled within.

Its unmeasurable depth seemed bottomless. The crater emitted a foreboding aura, like where a meteorite had struck.

“The way might be unclear, but the Betrayer’s energy will surely be overwhelming. We just have to follow the most grotesque and powerful presence.”

“Got it.”

“Tia-se has transferred all her power to you, so she’ll stay at the rear. I’ll provide support, but Kalen, it’s on you.”

There’s no Lord here with the power to seal.

Fortunately, Kalen possessed the power of Eckelart’s land, making this possible.

“Pelicius.”

“Yes.”

“Why, as a spirit, would you risk your safety to save Sinarth?”

Pelicius paused mid-instruction, startled by Kalen’s sudden question.

His gaze wasn’t one of true ignorance but of confirmation.

He simply wanted to validate Pelicius’ heart.

“…Because it’s good, isn’t it?”

Sinarth is pure.

Maybe somewhat idealistic, maybe even hard to put into words at times, yet undeniably pure.

Seeing the world as it is, accepting it fully.

If she could not look at Pelicius in this way, she wouldn’t be the one she was.

Though she may have been forced into acts of madness with spirits in her education, even naming a dreadful creature the “Dragon-Knife,” it didn’t change how Pelicius felt.

She truly liked Sinarth.

Pelicius spoke with sincerity, and Kalen found satisfaction in the truth.

“Alright, let’s go.”

With all the precautions in mind, it was truly time to rescue Sinarth.

Just as Kalen was about to leap into the crater, Pelicius held him back.

“…Honestly, I’m not sure how far things have progressed. In the worst case, Sinarth might not recognize you, Kalen.”

After taking a deep breath, Pelicius continued.

“So…”

A few moments later, the three figures hurled themselves into the crater.

“Look who’s come to dig their own graves.”

A mysterious creature laughed in a chilling tone. Its eerie gaze directed toward the girl bound by chains, her head bowed.

“Kalen…”

The girl whispered, as if lost in her own mind, her crying having ceased.

It was now only one step.

Just one step.

Even if they arrived here in time, there would be nothing they could do. The descendant of the one who had cast her into this abyss, and the human wielding his power, had come here.

Rising for the first time since forcefully extracting the girl’s soul, the creature smirked, anticipating the beginning of a long-rehearsed revenge.