Le Petit Prince (3)

As an apostle, my symbol is essentially a pure crystallization of holy power.

That’s why my chains can be used as a resource in themselves.

And the same applies to the Saintess and Nina. Their wings and roots would connect to the sky and earth respectively, pouring out holy magic.

I’m the same.

Converting holy power shot as bullets into chains, or transforming those chains into Jupiter’s lightning to attack opponents.

That’s how I’ve been utilizing it.

“Holy magic is a type of offering. By presenting the power of holy force as an offering to the gods, we borrow their strength.”

Yes, that’s why my chains, woven from pure holy power, can also be utilized the same way.

“But, Cielo. You’re doing the opposite. Haven’t you ever felt that something was strange about that?”

I never had.

It was just a method I discovered while searching for what I could do.

Converting chains into holy magic, then transforming it back into chains.

This was something I’d been doing since I first started crafting bullets from holy power.

Firing a bullet and then creating a chain that follows its trajectory. Then loading that chain with holy magic.

That was one of my combat methods, and I prided myself on using it effectively.

That’s why I practiced and adapted it.

“You’ve essentially resurrected livestock that was already sacrificed.”

I never properly thought about what that meant.

I never even questioned it.

An apostle is special by nature. I figured it wouldn’t be strange for such things to be possible.

“It seems you know very little about yourself.”

“…What do you mean?”

“While you call yourself an apostle, strictly speaking, you’re somewhat different.”

“What?”

“Yes, it was strange. When you introduced yourself.”

Nina stretched out her hand.

Following that motion, roots connected to the earth sprouted trees.

A holy magic I’m not familiar with.

It seems to be a primitive faith’s power passed down only among elves.

Vegetation flourishes, trees grow, and finally bear fruit.

And simultaneously, Nina’s outstretched hand touches that fruit.

“You don’t have a name.”

“…Did you know I was affected by the Dreamer?”

“No. But… I see. So that’s what you thought.”

Plop.

Nina plucked the fruit from the tree and held it out to me.

Only after confirming its form could I identify the holy magic.

This is ‘Idunn’s Apple.’

A recovery-type holy magic. Moreover, an elixir that can be prepared in advance.

I accepted it and took a large bite. My body and mind, tired from sparring with Nina, began to recover.

“Vicarious Saint, you never had a name to begin with.”

“…”

“You might have titles that refer to you, but nothing that could be called a name.”

“How… do you know that?”

I thought as I ate the apple.

I have no memory of her. This is our first meeting.

Even if she knew about the regression through the gods’ favor, she couldn’t possibly know me.

After all, I never encountered her before my regression either.

Does that mean she’s connected to the memories I’ve lost?

“There are more people who know about you than you might think.”

“…”

“It’s just that you’re the only one who doesn’t know.”

“Wait… what exactly…”

“If you’ve recovered, let’s begin again. I may not have much to teach you, but I can help with training to awaken your senses.”

Nina started pouring out holy magic as if trying to gloss over the conversation.

After that, I couldn’t hear anything more about myself.

***

Time passed, and finally, preparations for conquering the trial were complete.

Now is our chance, with the monsters of the <Wind’s Tomb> coiled up in their respective territories.

We’ve made thorough preparations.

While Hecate merely floated around making snide remarks as usual, Geppetto and Pinocchio had prepared meticulously for today.

“Here you go. Use it well.”

“I’ll maintain it properly this time.”

“I’ll hold you to that.”

We received our weapons back from Geppetto after his inspection and headed to our positions, standing before the barrier.

“Titan couldn’t make it after all.”

“Nina didn’t have time either, so it can’t be helped. Trying to manage both sides inadequately just ruins everything.”

“Shouldn’t you have been the one to fail, Lost?”

“Watch your mouth.”

I pull on Claire’s lips to scold her as she spouts nonsense.

I have no idea why this brat is so picky only with me.

If we had to choose between me and Titan to strengthen, it’s obviously me.

It’s not self-importance; it’s simply much clearer that way.

Titan’s problem is more about his heart than the rampage of his spirit magic. That’s why I don’t know how to solve it.

On the other hand, I have specific issues, so prioritizing my side makes sense.

“Besides, Titan should be sorting out his feelings by now. That idiot, he didn’t budge until Nina came to him.”

The biggest problem is here.

Titan didn’t go to Nina because she didn’t come to him.

Even though he should have taken the initiative to solve his problem.

I told him where Nina was and when I would be training.

I gave him the opportunity, but it was Titan who didn’t move.

“That idiot didn’t have enough time to prepare. That’s why he couldn’t make it.”

The season has already turned to spring.

Coldness still lingers, so Hraesvelgr’s power remains strong, leading to a stalemate.

But once full spring weather arrives, this place will become a battlefield again.

The three monsters will clash daily for territory, and we won’t have time to deal with them then.

The essence of this plan is to defeat them one by one.

We can’t handle the damage if all three are together.

Combined, our individual strengths clearly outweigh theirs. But if it turns into an all-out battle rather than defeating them one by one, we’d need to devise ways to protect each other.

We’re different from the <Wind’s Tomb> entities who are desperate to kill each other.

“Let’s move first. Titan now knows he’s falling behind, so he’ll catch up somehow.”

In fact, he has to.

Surprisingly, this plan hinges on trusting him from the start.

“Let’s go monster hunting. Everyone, be careful not to get lost in the storm while following.”

***

The Saintess of Earth, Nina, stood in her usual garden.

Lost, Hecate, and Pinocchio’s trial conquest would soon begin.

In this situation, all she could do was maintain the barrier to block the aftermath.

In a sense, her burden could be considered the heaviest.

Swish.

As she waited in the garden, Nina slowly turned her head at the sound of footsteps on fallen leaves behind her.

“You’re late.”

“Very late.”

“But you came now.”

“Yes…”

Titan had a backpack on his back. Nina nodded slowly as she sensed the faint scent of herbs emanating from it.

“So you knew. That spirits originally reject other powers.”

“…That’s why I became stuck in this in-between state.”

He used aura as a refuge.

It was good that he found clues about that power, but in exchange, he lost his ability to control spirit magic.

Titan felt this more and more as days passed, which is why he had been postponing creating a mana circle.

But not anymore.

Either he had to give up one of the two, or forcibly embrace both.

Titan needed to move forward.

“You can do it, can’t you?”

“…”

Nina simultaneously handles three powers: holy power, spirit magic, and mana.

Not only was she an elf who could handle mana when elves originally couldn’t, but she also harmonized spirit power, which unlike mana or holy power, has its own consciousness.

Titan needed the power that made this possible.

“I know you dislike me.”

“So you say.”

“But please help me. I don’t want to remain an incompetent fool.”

“Do you know why I dislike you? Nephew.”

“…”

Titan shook his head.

He had a guess. Rosaria died because of Titan.

Isn’t she saying that she too lost family?

“The day Rosaria died. I was in the Malachite Kingdom.”

A squirrel scurried over to Nina, who was staring blankly into space, and clung to her feet.

The squirrel with a ribbon around its neck looked dejected.

“I was on my way to save Rosaria but was delayed by a human trap.”

She arrived later than originally planned.

But Nina had run as fast as she could, arriving just in time to potentially save Rosaria.

“But you ruined it. Foolish nephew. Rosaria died because of your ignorance.”

“Yes… Mother died because of me. Your resentment is justified. However, they are different. My companions have done nothing wrong and act only out of goodwill. So please help me. Help me control this power.”

Titan was crying.

Such a strong warrior wasn’t hiding his tears.

The young prince of the Malachite Kingdom who had to part with his rose.

He wanted to become an adult.

He knelt, humbled himself, and begged the other.

“I know. I had the same thought. Let me be honest. I still hate you. But I intend to separate personal feelings from duty. So…”

Nina picked up the squirrel crying at her feet.

Then, as she opened her empty hand, a white snake emerged from her wide sleeve.

“Titan, my foolish nephew. Allow me to forgive you. Accept this trial and find the path you must take.”

Nina extended her open hand toward Titan. With his head bowed, Titan decided to accept the trial.

“This is the poison of the spiritual beast, Jormungandr. If you carry this in your body, you’ll be able to freely mix spirit power with other powers, just like a spiritual beast.”

The spiritual beast, Jormungandr, sank its fangs into Titan’s shoulder.

“This poison will surely be painful. But this is the most necessary act for you to forgive yourself.”

A pain like being burned by fire.

Titan, gritting his teeth and enduring the pain, felt his vision growing increasingly blurry.

“You must forgive yourself before I can forgive you.”

Nina began walking into the forest, leaving Titan kneeling and enduring the pain.

The squirrel in her arms was urging her on.

“Let’s go, Rata. It’s time for you to change too. It’s time to end your sorrow and your guilt here.”

She headed toward the location where the World Tree’s root protruded.

Toward that place where everything had begun and also ended.