Chapter 162

(5)

10.

Right after defeating the Arch Lich.

Delia was panting heavily.

“Huff! Huff!”

It felt like her chest was about to explode, and all her strength drained out. She had poured all her magic power into that last strike.

Her body was wobbling like it might collapse at any moment.

Yet her gaze was sharp.

“Hah, hah.”

She steadied her ragged breathing and tried to observe the magic power in front of her.

The overwhelming magic that had been weighing down on her had completely vanished. Delia realized this. She had defeated the Arch Lich.

“Now, with this, everything….”

Is it over?

A faint mumble that hadn’t even formed into words scattered into the air. Just as she was about to let out a sigh of relief.

“Yes, just as you said.”

“……!”

An unfamiliar voice echoed in her ear.

Delia turned her startled face toward the source of the voice.

The first thought that popped into her mind was, ‘Did I mishear that?’, but before she could dwell on that thought, the voice continued.

“I assure you. You are rightly qualified as a hero who can confront the Abyss.”

The voice rang clear and beautiful.

Soon, someone was approaching her.

The fairy light on the wall glowed brilliantly, and Delia was able to see the face of her visitor clearly.

Golden eyes shone like stars.

Pale skin and bright silver hair that seemed to shimmer with moonlight cascaded down her back.

Not making a sound, she moved gracefully, and Delia’s eyes widened as her lips parted.

“You are…?”

A face full of surprise.

And rightly so. It felt almost like she was looking in a mirror; the woman bore a striking resemblance to her.

No, to be precise, it felt like she was seeing her future self. Both the face and figure exuded a mature charm.

“Hehe, my introduction was a bit late.”

The woman stopped just five steps away from Delia.

Then, with a faint smile, she opened her mouth.

To introduce herself.

“I am Artina Mun Arpen.”

Immediately after revealing her name in a calm tone.

She spoke with a smile.

“I am the one who created this trial and now exist only as a thought.”

The introduction seemed significant, but Delia’s eyes began to widen slowly.

Her expression shifted from surprise to shock.

And, of course, it was understandable.

It wasn’t just her; anyone from Arpen would know that name.

“Artina Mun Arpen”

The founder of the kingdom set up in the rugged mountainous region, a figure who arranged for noble fairy blood to mix into the royal family.

The first king of the Arpen Duchy.

11.

The first page of the history book of the Arpen Duchy.

The pure-blood fairy and founding king appeared first among them. Revered as a living goddess among the subjects of the Duchy.

All of this referred to Artina Mun Arpen. So, after the woman finished her introduction, Delia wore a look of utter disbelief.

As if she couldn’t believe it.

‘But…’

Her beautiful brows twitched slightly.

While it was true she felt distrust, the more she looked, the more it felt like the truth.

There was only one reason.

The fairy blood flowing through her own veins felt as if it was whispering to her.

Just as Delia was lost in confusion.

The woman revealing herself as Artina took a step closer. Then, suddenly, with a look of fascination, she spoke.

“It feels like looking in a mirror.”

As if she had read Delia’s thoughts, she repeated the same statement. Artina murmured with a charming smile.

“That means you’ve inherited my blood the most. Fairy blood manifests only in those most suitable over many generations.”

“…….”

“It’s truly a joy that the bloodline I left behind has been unbroken and continues to this day.”

Delia’s eyes trembled as if they were shaken.

That fairy blood only manifests in those deemed suitable over generations was information known only to the royal family.

‘If she knows that…’

Does this woman really mean to say she’s the founder of the royal family?

The first lord, Artina?

At that moment, amidst a single question, countless questions and curiosity began to sprout.

“You have many questions on your face.”

Suddenly, Artina leaned in closer.

As if reading Delia’s expression, she wore a gentle smile and replied.

“I will allow your questions. You have the right.”

You can ask whatever you want.

The moment the permission was granted, Delia unleashed the questions that had been swirling in her mind.

“This place, what exactly is it for? And, why are you in a place like this….”

“This is the trial of magic. A place that verifies whether a challenger is qualified.”

“What kind of qualification?”

“Knowledge of the Stars. And it also refers to being the heir who inherits Einar’s mission and the qualification of a hero.”

The kind response came back, but it was filled with incomprehensible stories. As she tilted her head in confusion, a name suddenly popped into her mind.

“Einar?”

When she opened her eyes in this place.

The first gateway blocking her path had told her she was Einar’s successor.

Recalling that moment.

“Einar Mel Arpen.”

Artina’s lips moved.

Shortly after, she provided a brief introduction of who Einar was.

“He is my twin brother and the most powerful spirit master. The first to gaze into the Abyss and recognized its threat early on.”

The word ‘Abyss’ unexpectedly popped up.

In that moment, new questions related to the Abyss began to sprout like creeping vines.

However, it seemed Artina, who looked like she would tell her anything, suddenly shook her head. As if she could no longer clarify her curiosities.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t answer everything. Perhaps too much time has passed, and there aren’t many remnants left.”

A bittersweet smile blossomed on her lips.

Just as she said, Artina’s form was slowly disintegrating, scattering into the air.

Since she had lost her physical body, she couldn’t maintain her shape any longer as a mere thought.

“Don’t worry. My memories also exist within the Knowledge of the Stars. So when the inheritance is complete, you will come to know everything.”

Just as she finished speaking.

Lights sprang forth from the dense, pitch-black darkness. They were starlights, imbued with Artina’s magic and memories.

“However, if you read all my memories and still have questions, then head to the desert.”

“……Desert?”

“Yes, a place where once a splendid civilization bloomed, but its end was just as fleeting as withering petals. Seek the ruins of the Desert Kingdom.”

“And what should I do when I get there?”

“Find him.”

After a brief, directive mutter.

Her golden eyes gleamed fiercely.

“The one who carries the blood of Kazan Rudrik. If you do that, you will be able to unravel all your questions.”

Again, a familiar name was mentioned.

Just before entering this place, she had randomly picked up a book in the Library of the Stars. There, the name “Kazan Rudrik” was mentioned too.

“Of course, you probably won’t grasp it right away. Even now, the Abyss will surely be dismissed as an ancient legend.”

After wearing a bittersweet expression again.

Artina continued earnestly.

“However, the Abyss clearly exists and is a tangible threat to the world. So while it might be hard to believe right now…”

Just as she was about to press that point again.

Delia shook her head.

“No, I believe it.”

“……What?”

“Because I’ve already faced the Abyss.”

“What? What do you mean….”

The first instance of bewilderment showed on her face.

As Artina’s golden eyes wavered, Delia summarized what she had been through.

From the opening of the Abyssal Rift to defeating two Lords of the Abyss. By the time her explanation was complete, Artina’s eyes widened.

“May I… ask to see your memories?”

Delia silently nodded.

It was consent. Artina reached out her hand and immediately showed a variety of expressions.

Surprise, confusion, shock, and so on.

Leaving behind all these diverse reactions, she muttered, her face full of disbelief.

“It’s true. To have already vanquished two Lords… to achieve in such a short time what couldn’t be done a thousand years ago.”

Artina still looked dazed.

As if genuinely astonished. Then, in a voice as small as a mosquito, she murmured.

“Perhaps this time…”

“This time?”

Delia asked back, puzzled, but she couldn’t hear an answer. Artina seemed lost in deep thought and didn’t respond.

After a considerable amount of time passed.

Just as Artina’s form was halfway crumbling away, she finally parted her tightly sealed lips.

“I’ve decided.”

“Decided what?”

“I will stake all your destinies on you.”

A peculiar resolve was infused in her words.

Artina whispered earnestly.

“There’s only one chance. If you fail, the wheel of time that has repeatedly turned will break, but I believe in the heroes of this life.”

After finishing that nonsensical revelation.

Fwoosh!

The starlight multiplied, filling the space even more than before. It was an intense light that could perfectly dispel all darkness.

“What is this…!”

Delia’s eyes widened.

The amount of magic contained in each star far exceeded common sense.

It was far more than when she faced the Arch Lich. This was likely the real power possessed by the founder king Artina.

“Now it’s time to part.”

With her body almost gone, Artina gently stroked Delia’s head with her crumbling hand. Then, she quietly whispered with her face full of emotions.

“I’m sorry to burden you with such a difficult task. Please forgive me, my dear….”

With her voice fading away.

Artina’s body completely broke apart, scattering like stardust. Then the starlight that had illuminated the place poured down towards Delia.

“……!”

Her golden eyes widened.

As countless stars reflected on the surface of her eyes, an indescribably powerful magic enveloped her body.

Artina’s knowledge, memories, and powers.

Her small form absorbed all of it without exception. After what felt like an eternity, the inheritance was finally complete.

Delia’s world shattered.

An infinitely expansive darkness.

Countless twinkling stars.

This place, where even the flow of time had come to a stop, was strange yet familiar. Thus, she inevitably knew the name of this place.

The universe.

The moment she faced the myriad wonders existing within it, she finally understood.

What she had thought was the world until now was merely a single egg.

Like a chick breaking its shell to hatch, she shattered the walls and soared toward a higher sky.

The place known as the pinnacle of magic.

To the realm of the High Mage.

12.

In a valley covered in Ashen Remains.

Ulan, having eliminated all the Abyssal Monsters, continued to guard the entrance of the trial.

Time passed swiftly, and on the morning of the third day, uneasy Noah was greeted by a familiar notification before her eyes.

【Achievement Unlocked.】

The notification she had been waiting for so anxiously.

When her blue eyes widened in surprise.

Detailed information soon appeared.

【Achievement】: Witch of the Stars

【Condition】: Delia Arpen must complete the Trial of the Hero and inherit the memories of the stars.

【Reward】: Ancient Fragment of the Stars

It outlined that she had completed the Trial of the Hero.

Noah immediately jumped up. Then, she shouted towards Ulan inside.

“Ulan! Delia…”

“I know.”

The blunt reply came back.

What? How does he know? The system message shouldn’t be visible to him. Just as she was caught up in such a doubt, it soon got resolved.

“She just came out.”

There lay Delia nestled in Ulan’s arms.

Covered with a blanket, she was sleeping soundly as if she had fallen into a deep slumber.

Meanwhile, just after witnessing this scene.

“Huh? But….”

Suddenly Noah trailed off.

A look of disbelief crossed her face. And rightly so.

Currently, Delia was completely without any clothing. It finally dawned on her why Ulan had covered her with a blanket.

But even more surprising was something else, so Noah awkwardly asked.

“…Is that really Delia?”

“It is.”

Ulan nodded silently.

But Noah’s expression remained unchanged.

And Ulan understood why Noah was reacting this way. So much had changed since their last encounter.

‘She has grown.’

She had gotten taller, and the baby fat that had once been on her face had faded, and her figure had transformed.

Just a few days ago, she was merely a child, but now she looked almost similar to Noah.

And one more thing.

There was something crystal clear now.

“She has surpassed the wall.”

“……!”

The brief mumble that came from Ulan.

The moment she heard it, Noah quickly focused her gaze on Delia and blinked.

The phrase ‘surpassed the wall’ could only mean one thing.

After that, not long later.

Delia’s status window appeared.

Chapter 38. Witch of the Stars