Chapter 124: Aoi Part 2
Translator: Soafp
Aoi began to talk about the relationship between miasma, humans, the mana stream, and the Spirit King.
“First, what do you think happens to people when they die?
“Is it about things like heaven?”
Aoi turned a mocking face towards me.
“Those ‘human creations’ don’t matter. When people die, their souls leave their bodies.”
“Soul…”
“The soul gradually turns into mana. It varies from person to person, from a minute to ten years. Its length depends on the attachments. But eventually, it all returns to mana.”
“Mana…”
“And then, that mana returns to a large flow. The mana stream. Think of it as the bloodstream flowing through this planet.”
“Mana is like blood, and the mana stream is like the bloodstream…”
“Yeah. But here’s the problem. Among the souls of living beings, only human souls contain an abnormal amount of malice.”
“Malice…”
“This malice-contaminated mana has been called miasma since ancient times.”
“Miasma…”
“Miasma transforms animals into monsters and withers the land.”
“…”
“The Apostle’s duty is to purify the miasma. To destroy the monsters and cleanse the contaminated land.”
“I understand defeating monsters, but I can’t cleanse the land.”
“That’s where I come in. If you touch the contaminated land with the hand wearing the ring, I’ll purify the miasma.”
“That’s helpful.”
For the first time, I felt like I could share consciousness with Aoi.
“Changing the subject, what does the Apostle think of the Spirit King?”
Aoi abruptly changed the subject.
“In myths, wasn’t he entrusted with managing the world by the gods?”
“That’s not entirely accurate. The Spirit King is the mana stream itself.”
“The mana stream itself?”
“The end of creatures is mana, the flow of that mana is the mana stream, and the Spirit King is the collective consciousness of all living beings.”
“Sorry. I can’t imagine…”
“Well, that’s understandable. Just listen. If the miasma increases too much, the collective consciousness of the Spirit King becomes diseased. If left untreated, eventually, the mana stream will collapse. It’s the destruction of the planet.”
“Didn’t you say earlier that half of the mana spots were contaminated?”
“Yeah, mana spots are vents. The overall impact won’t happen immediately. But if we don’t do something about it soon, the future will be bleak.”
“I see…”
“You’ve become significantly smarter compared to before, haven’t you? Now there’s hope for more than just reproduction.”
“What’s with all this talk about leaving offspring and reproduction?”
“Eh? Isn’t it about the new species?”
“New species?”
Aoi’s eyes, which had improved somewhat, turned back to something disdainful.
“Isn’t it natural for the Apostle’s children to become a new species?”
“I don’t understand what you mean by ‘new species’…”
Aoi sighed and began to speak.
“Listen. Initially, every time an ‘Apostle’ appeared, a new species was born in a world of only ‘human races.’ ‘Elves,’ ‘Dwarves,’ ‘Beastmen,’ ‘Demons,’ and so on.”
“Wait a minute…”
“What’s up?”
“My child isn’t of the ‘human race’?”
“Of course not. I’ve been saying all along that he’ll become a new species.”
It’s not just me. My mother, El… and Ashera behind me should be surprised too. But I couldn’t turn around and see Asheera’s face.
After the surprise, what kind of expression would she have? Joy? Sadness?… Rejection?
I could only bow my head without being able to speak.
Footsteps approached from behind. I was embraced.
“Aldo, no matter what happens, I’ll follow you….”
I squeezed the hand that was placed in front of me and replied with a strained voice.
“Thank you… Ashera. I love you.”
“Me too…”
It seems like I’ve been dragged into something incredible, but as long as Ashera is with me…
Just as I was moved by Ashera’s kindness, Aoi bluntly interrupted without reading the atmosphere.
“Wait a minute. The Apostle has to leave offspring to establish itself. You can’t do it alone. You need to have at least a hundred children.”
W-Wait, even if that’s the case, do you have to say it here and now?
Even though I was supposed to be gently embraced from behind… somehow, I felt pressure like a bear hug.
“Aldo… cheating is not allowed. Understand?”
“Yes! Of course!”
Finally, the pressure on my arm began to ease.
I’m still only 13 years old. Let’s postpone the talk about children for now. Anyway, I understand about the Apostle. If there’s something I don’t understand, I can ask Aoi again.
For now, let’s focus on the goblins. If he can restore my magical power, I definitely want to try that power.
“Aoi, can I meet you here?”
“I am the real body of that ring. If the Apostle wishes, it’s certain to reach me.”
“Can you stop calling me ‘the Apostle’? I’m Aldo.”
“Aldo… It’s a good name for someone who lacks brains.”
“Thanks. Well, then, can you restore my mana right away?”
“Hmm? Got it.”
As Aoi said that, mana flowed from the ring. With this, I can fight without worrying about magical power.
Come to think of it, El’s magical power must have decreased too.
“El, I’ll restore your mana.”
As I said that, I grabbed El’s shoulder and transferred mana to him. At that moment, Aoi suddenly started to shine and turned into a “blue light.”
The “blue light” moved to El and showed a hesitant movement. However, El slowly raised his right hand… I thought it was bad and tried to stop El, but my body wouldn’t move a muscle.
El’s gauntlet fell… the “blue light” slowly wrapped around El’s hand and eventually turned into a ring.
There was a blue ring shining on El’s right ring finger, just like mine.
30 minutes later…
Ice Witch was sitting with her head in her hands.
“Mom, don’t be discouraged.”
Ice Witch lifted her face and glared at me with sharp eyes.
“Even if the Blue Ring territory is saved, the Blue Ring family will be extinguished!”
Ice Witch’s argument is as follows:
Both I and El became Apostles.
If what Aoi said is true, our children will not be of the ‘human race.’
The Blue Ring Barony is one of the territories within the human race’s country.
No other species’ lords would be allowed here…
The worst-case scenario would be marrying Clara off to someone else.
As for the final solution… there’s another person who’s also holding their head.
“El, I’m sorry for the reckless magical resonance…”
“No, you didn’t do it on purpose, and you were doing it for the sake of restoring mana…”
What El says is true. However, ever since I told El that I would leave home at 15, he seemed to have discussed with Marl and had intentions to succeed the Blue Ring family.
I’ve completely messed up El’s life plan.
Even if we saved the town of Blue Ring, what would Marl think… I’m worried.
According to Ashera, Marl seems to be willing to follow El… Haah.
While I, El, and Mom are feeling down, for some reason, Ashera and Aoi seem to be getting along and playing together.
Well, is that considered training instead…?
Among us, Ashera probably has the strongest individual combat ability.
Aoi seems to sense that and doesn’t go against Ashera’s words.
Even now, Ashera is throwing a ball made of a hand towel and making Aoi fetch it. Ashera, that’s supposedly a manifestation of the Spirit King…
While feeling something cold on my back, I pretend not to notice.
There’s been too much going on, and I’m exhausted.
“Mom, El, why don’t we take a break and return to our rooms? We haven’t had dinner yet…”
“Al, is your mana restored?”
“While my mana is fully recovered, I’m still very tired…”
“I completely understand…”
“El, wouldn’t you like to take a break too?”
“Yes. While my mana has been replenished by Aoi, I still feel incredibly tired…”
With that, we each retreated to our respective rooms for a rest. A separate guest room was prepared for Ashera, as we didn’t know what to expect in the Blue Ring town and wanted her to stay in the mansion. Naturally, a guest room was also prepared for Halva.
Despite the chaos, we managed to gather for dinner after our rest. It was a much-needed moment of solace amidst the mountain of problems we faced. And now, I couldn’t help but wish for a bath. Though there was none available, I secretly ordered Roland to urgently prepare a bathtub, along with 200 wooden buckets and stone plates enchanted with a spell to heat water.
While my Mom, Ashera, El, Halva, and I discussed this, none of them tried to stop me. After dinner, I bathed using a tub of warm water in my room. As I relaxed, there was a knock on the door.
“Come in.”
To my surprise, it was Ashera. Clad in casual attire, she glanced at my naked body. I internally praised myself for having the decency to wear underwear.
“What’s… what’s up?”
“I… I just wanted to talk…”
I was taken aback by her unexpected visit, but I couldn’t just tell her to leave.
“Could you, uh, just sit down? It’ll be quick.”
“Alright…”
As Ashera sat down, she couldn’t help but sneak glances at my back.
“Are you alright? Do you need something?”
“I… I’m just a little tired…”
It seemed Ashera was curious about something, but I couldn’t quite figure out what.
“Anyway, it’s been quite a day, hasn’t it?”
As I started the conversation, Ashera nodded in agreement.
“Yes, indeed…”
There was something I wanted to confirm with her, despite my fear.
“Ashera, are you sure about me? Having children of a ‘new race’ should bring about many challenges.”
“I’m sure about you, Aldo. You’ll figure out what to do about the children.”
“Figure out’? You…”
“…A new race needs a country of its own. Naturally, a new country for the new race.”
“Haa, that’s it after all.”
“Yeah, we need to prepare a country for the children who will be born.”
Until Ashera mentioned it, I tried to avoid thinking about it as much as possible.
Among the existing races—the human, elf, dwarf, beastfolk, and demon races—all have at least one country.
If El and I are to become the “ancestors” of a new race as apostles, then we should use our apostolic powers to lay the foundation for a country. This is so crucial that it surpasses trivial matters like goblin extermination.
As I talked with Ashera, I pondered about the concept of a country that we would build together with Ashera, El, and Marl.