Eps 173 Kerugo Autonomous Region (5)
The expressions of Shirone's friends were also uneasy. The only ones who didn't show any change in emotion were Canis and Arin.
“This is why Kerugo Autonomous Region cannot be opened. The only person who can open the underground door is someone who has inherited the power of angel. That's why we have been waiting for you."
The gate to heaven. It wasn't an absurd notion. Shirone had experienced reaching Miro of Time and Space through Immortal Function.
But this time, the scale was different. The world created by a mage and heaven were different. Kadum was talking about a place where gods reside.
"For a long time, angels have been intermediaries between gods and humans. They have conveyed the will of the gods by transcending time and space. Unlockers are known to have inherited the power of angels. Please. Please, I implore you to restore Kerugo's glory. The tribe is prepared to make any sacrifice for this."
Shirone was at a loss for words. To meet a god and come back. What could one possibly do at when they go to the stars in the sky?
“In the meantime, Kerugo went through numerous crises. We've endured volcanic eruptions, civil wars, and endured all kinds of humiliation from outsiders. The tribe is on the brink of extinction. The tribesmen are starving. However, I believe that the descendants of angels will revive Kerugo."
Amy, tapping her foot impatiently, asked,
"Why don't you buy food? Relying on faith in a situation where you can be self-sufficient is like gambling with your life. We know the income from Loop trade is unimaginably high."
"The situation in Kerugo is more dire than you know. The income from the ruins shared with the Galliant government is not enough to feed 20,000 people. Even if we survive by trading Loops, we will end up being exploited by outsiders, just like 100 years ago. As the chief, I've been praying for God's blessing and saving a fortune for it."
“Anyway, with money and women, did you think you could convince God’s messenger that way?”
"I don't know about that. I was just looking for a method through records. According to Kerugo’s history, a certain messenger of God demanded 100 million gold as a condition for departing to heaven.”
Hearing that someone had already gone to heaven, Shirone was astonished. Not even a businessman, but demanding 100 million gold, it's not something one would say unless they valued money over life.
Or perhaps, they were so powerful that going to heaven was not a fear for them. But was that even possible?
"What happened to that person? Did he come back safely?"
"Of course. 200 years ago, the messenger of God went to heaven with his companions, heard the will of the great Ra, and returned."
"How did they return? Through the gate?"
"That's impossible. As you might guess, the gate to heaven operates through Immortal Function. Because there is a gate, Immortal Function is possible. However, there is no medium in heaven to operate Immortal Function, so you have to use another method to return."
"What method is that?"
"I don't know about that. But records remain that they said it was not a profitable business when they returned."
There was silence.
The fact that powerful people who can even cross the unknown space where gods exists as a means of doing business said that it is not a profitable business means that it is impossible to return with one's own skills.
He finally understood what Canis said. In some ways, not being able to return was a more serious problem than death.
This wasn't about embarking on a journey to a distant land by boat. It was about passing through space and time and arriving at a star somewhere.
“I’m being honest with you. I am aware that it's a dangerous task. However, the fate of our tribe is at stake. If you willing to help Kerugo, I will do everything I can. If you want gold, we will give it to you. If you desire the women of Kerugo..."
"No, I don't want anything. I don't think I can accept any rewards."
Though they agreed to listen to the proposal during the banquet, the situation was now different.
Truthfully, even if they offered hundreds of millions of gold, his opinion would not change. However… he felt an intense curiosity that rivaled the fear of death.
Shirone, having thought of the best response, spoke without needing to consult his friends.
“I’ll think about it.”
@
Kadum, left alone at the altar, gazed at the stars.
The servile demeanor he had shown to Shirone's group was gone. As he stood with his chin raised like the ruler of Mount Toa, he sensed someone's presence and shifted his gaze.
At the entrance of the altar, an old man coughed as he approached. It was Elder Hashid.
"Are you really going to send them?"
When Hashid addressed him formally, Kadum's expression contorted.
"Father, it's not good to speak like that to your son."
"Son? You know my son is no longer in this world, don't you, Father?"
It was an odd situation where both were calling each other 'father.' Of course, it was stranger for the white-haired Hashid to call the robust Kadum 'father.'
Kadum revealed his true colors. The wisdom of someone who had lived for over 200 years was evident in his glaring eyes.
“Hmph, are you still misunderstanding? Kadum's death was an accident. I didn't kill him."
"Of course, you would say that. But if my son had not died, a father named Kang would not have become chieftain again under the name of Kadum.”
Kadum turned to face Hashid.
"What are you trying to say?"
"Father, they won't succeed. Even if that boy is the messenger of gods, our tribe won't get what it wants from him."
“It doesn’t matter even if that’s the case. Anyway, the wealth remains here. If they bring back what we want, I don't care how much I have to pay them. But if they fail, I'll just dispose of them. It's all for the sake of Kerugo."
"Is that really so? Father, you gained 300 years of life 200 years ago through the messenger of gods. Isn't that a matter completely unrelated to Kerugo?"
Hashid glared at Kadum with disdain.
The child was so old that it was difficult for him to even walk, but the father was enjoying his youth with strong muscles and a smooth body.
After gaining 300 years of life, the chieftain went on a rampage. In order to extend his lifespan, he searched for Unlockers in various places and spent a huge amount of money. As the tribe's wealth dwindled, he even sold Loops to outsiders.
In a way, it seemed inevitable.
It was immortality. Eternal youth. If it could be attained, what in the world wouldn't be worth it?
"Now isn't it enough? Since that day, numerous Unlockers have left, but none have returned. If you become obsessed with eternal life, you will lose your humanity. Miro realized this fact early on and warned us.”
"Shut up! There's no chieftain who can lead the tribe as strongly as I can. Have you forgotten how miserable Kerugo was during your time as chieftain? You are nothing but a failed leader. Kerugo needs me. I am Kerugo itself!"
Watching Kadum howl towards the sky, Hashid couldn't say anything.
The father was strong. A cunning snake over two hundred years old, equipped with formidable force. He might indeed raise the tribe as he boastfully claimed.
But maybe... after him, Kerugo might vanish from the world.
--
Shirone's group headed to their accommodation.
The cave stretching northwest from the square was complicated, but for Shirone, who came and went from Istas as if it were his home, it was just an area with many annoying forks.
The accommodation was a large room, unexpectedly equipped with beds. Even bedside cabinets were provided.
It was a room for outsiders. How many people had stayed here until now? Did they go to heaven? Or have they now disappeared from the world?
The chief's words were so shocking that everyone remained silent even after arriving at the lodge.
After unpacking and organizing their luggage in the cabinets, everyone turned to Canis. Messenger of gods, heaven, Kerugo's circumstances. Now it was his turn to reveal what they knew.
"I've kept my promise. Now it's your turn to explain."
"Just as you've heard. Everything."
Amy sat next to Shirone. She then turned to face Canis and confronted him.
"Heaven, really? Does such a place exist? And when did you know about it?"
“Honestly, I’m not sure either. And it might be quicker to hear about it from Shirone. Hashid asked you, what did you see when meets Miro of Time and Space?"
Amy asked, looking back at Shirone.
"That's right. Shirone, tell us. What did you see?"
“It’s not something. Rather, it’s somewhere.”
Canis' guess was spot on. Shirone nodded obediently and continued his explanation.
"Yes, it was a place."
There was an ocean, a forest, and in the center of the city surrounded by circular walls, there stood a spire.
Shirone was sucked into the light atop the spire and when he regained consciousness, he was back at the altar.
"That's all I saw. If that place is heaven, then Kadum's story might not be so far-fetched. That's why, before making any judgment, I want to hear from Canis. What exactly did you know?"
Harvest, who was standing guard at the door, returned to Canis. He was usually the type of person who constantly spewed out foul language, but now he maintained silence.
"My master, Arcane... seems to have been to a place called heaven."
Shirone stood up from the bed.
Arcane had been to heaven. It must have been long before he betrayed Alpheas and was confined in a dungeon for 50 years.
“Are you saying Arcane also came to the Kerugo Ruins?”
"No, it must have been somewhere else. As Kadum said, it seems that ancient ruins around the world are connected to heaven in some way. Of course, they are controlled by their respective countries, but 80 years ago, it seems like their existence wasn't even known. In that sense, the Kerugo ruins are unique."
80 years ago, Arcane was only 60 years old. Although his age is not young compared to the human lifespan, considering how strong Arcane was at 149 years old, it is safe to say that his magical prowess was presumably at its peak during those years.
"What's in heaven? What kind of place is it?"
“I don’t know that.”
Sirone narrowed his eyes.
It makes no sense not to know. If Arcane experienced heaven, Canis had to know. This is because Harvest inherited Arcane’s knowledge.
Harvest supplemented the explanation.
"Canis is telling the truth. Arcane erased his memories of heaven. The only fact we are aware of is that he went there."
"Erased his own memories?"
"Yes. It was completely erased. So, we don't know what he did there. Perhaps he didn't want the stories about heaven to spread in the world."
Sirone, who knew what person Arcane is, could not believe it. What secret did the universally acknowledged third-grade archmage need to hide so desperately that he even erased his own memories?
"Canis, what is heaven? Is it really where the gods lives?"
"There's nothing certain. That's why I want to go. I need to see it with my own eyes. So take me there."
"No, I've changed my mind. You were right. It's too dangerous. It's not a place to go out of mere curiosity."
“No, I don’t care what you think. The deal I proposed was for you to take me and Arin there. No matter what, we are determined to enter heaven."
"Frankly, I don't want to send you either. Once you enter, you can't return through the original gate, as they said. Besides, if I don't go, they won't allow the use of heaven's gate. The chieftain seemed desperate."
Tags:
Infinite Mage (Novel)