Chapter 881

"What's the harm! At least thinking that way is better than nothing! This is what you get for talking nonsense after all the trouble of saving you."

Yuder, who normally wasn't picky about his food, found himself eating a whole raw lemon for the first time. It was so sour he thought his mouth might actually melt, but seeing Enon's enjoyment, he chewed and swallowed it without spitting it out.

'Enon eats this every day and is still fine... I guess he truly is not a real human...'

"I'll be going now."

"Ah, wait a moment."

Enon grabbed Yuder's arm as he rose from his meal.

"There's something important left to discuss."

"Something important?"

"Remember the day it hailed? I knew about the strange cracks from what you told me, but that day was the first time I actually saw one. The monsters emerged and disappeared before I could inspect closely, but I did see them."

This indeed seemed significant. Yuder sat back down.

"So, what did you feel when you saw it?"

"I'm not sure if 'feel' is the right word, but seeing it in person, I understood why you were so alarmed. I also remembered what Luma said."

"What did he say?"

"Before Luma left, he gave me a final message."

Enon's gaze became distant, as if searching for a memory.

"He spoke of a time when everyone dreamed of a peaceful future, yet he worried about the return of the past. He said he had done all he could for that person, and when the time came, I would be needed... he asked me to be ready."

Yuder closed his eyes briefly, feeling a mix of confusion and realization.

The return of the past felt undeniably like a prophecy of a great destruction. So, the great mage and his associates of the newly-founded Orr Empire had prepared, thinking the calamity might return? They created the guardian, Enon, to protect the capital?

It made sense. A life spent on the battlefield would make one vigilant, even in peace. The buildings from the early days of the empire were more functional than beautiful, prepared for war. Even the Seven Walls of the Capital, though more beautiful and mystical, were built in the same context.

But if there was a 'basis' for these preparations, more than just the fears of those who had experienced war, the statement took on a significantly different meaning.

Now, a thousand years have passed, and Yuder Aile here is a living witness who struggled and died because he was convinced that the world was heading toward destruction.

And if the great mage from a thousand years ago had the same belief, with solid reasons...

Yuder's fingertips twitched. He struggled to contain his rising emotions and asked,

"Was there a basis for that belief?"

"I don't know. Until you appeared, I was confident that the capital wouldn't face such danger. That was before I heard how desperately you fought that giant monster in the west."

Remembering a previous conversation with Enon, Yuder recalled their past exchange.

In response to Enon's question about why he killed the colossal Pethuamet alone without waiting for backup, Yuder replied that it would have been too late to turn back. He had known what could happen if the creature grew larger over time, becoming a disaster of immense proportions.

Enon had said something then.

'I think I understand now what you meant by a goal that wasn't personal. But... no, it's not yet time for that. Or is it?'

Those words had barely been audible.

Had Enon been recalling Luma's statement at that moment?

"I've told you before, I possess the soul of a spirit but have no memory. So, I don't know what the world, shattered and ruined a thousand years ago, was like. But I do think that the destruction Luma faced then might have looked like the strange cracks we saw that day."

"..."

"Because of what Luma said back then, I always thought he wanted me to guard within the Seven Walls if the capital ever faced a crisis that could lead to its destruction. But after seeing those cracks and thinking more about the great destruction... I wonder if that wasn't all there was to it."

"If not that, then what else could there be?"

"I don't know... Did Luma ever consider that I, a being with self-awareness he created, might one day decide to leave the capital on my own initiative...? That's a question that's only now occurred to me."

"So you mean that even these exceptional decisions you're making might actually have been intended by Luma?"

"Something like that... It's hard to be sure, but yes. The great destruction isn't just about preventing it from reaching the capital."

Indeed, Luma's last instruction wasn't precisely to 'guard the capital.' He had simply said that Enon would be needed 'when the time came.'

Enon was a guardian of the Seven Walls and part of the walls themselves. Yet, he could temporarily wander far away without any issue. Was this characteristic given to him without reason?

'Luma wanted to create a guardian with a soul, believing it to be the best course. So, the best course might be...'

Perhaps, in the absence of the mage Luma, it was necessary to have an entity capable of deciding when and how the legacy of the Seven Walls, left by Luma, should act.

With this thought, Yuder's perspective on the Seven Walls, which he had always taken for granted, suddenly shifted in a completely new direction.

Yuder had always believed, like others, that the Seven Walls of the Capital were created to protect the palace, the imperial family, and the entire capital.

Yet, despite the Walls being fully functional, countless people, including members of the imperial family, had been assassinated within the palace over a thousand years. More than that, Awakeners, including the sage, had even summoned monsters to attack the Sun Palace, where the Emperor resided.

At the time, it was speculated that this was the result of unprecedented abilities of the Awakeners, unaffected by the magic-created Walls. But what if the Seven Walls had never actually been activated for their true purpose until now, merely existing with their given power?

Because Enon, a part of the Walls and a guardian with decision-making authority in Luma's stead, hadn't made that decision yet.

And even Enon had always considered himself merely a part of the Seven Walls, waiting for the uncertain 'time' Luma had spoken of.

"Enon."

"Hmm?"

"This is just my thought, but..."

Yuder hesitated for a moment before slowly sharing his ideas. Enon, who initially listened as if wondering what Yuder was talking about, pressed his lips tightly together in silence by the end of the conversation.

"It's absurd, but... it's a speculation worth considering. I know I'm a guardian and I'm aware of my purpose and power, but I've never thought about actively moving the Walls. I've never stepped forward for my mission in a serious way."

"If you think I've gone too far, feel free to ignore it."

"No. Since I'll have to continue acting as a guardian anyway, I should definitely be clear about that aspect. And about the strange cracks. I plan to keep investigating them." 

"How will you investigate?"

"Well, your fellow mages and the mage unions have been quite diligent in investigating the traces of the strange cracks that appeared last time. I should join in and have a look. There was something I felt when I saw it... I'll talk about it once I'm more certain."

"Got it. I'll let them know you'll be joining the investigation."

"Alright. But why do you keep calling me 'you'? Aren't you being a bit cheeky?"

Shouldn't you say 'big brother'? Enon grumbled and pinched his cheek, just as the door opened again. The entrant was Gakane, just like before. However, this time, he looked too urgent to even glance at the situation inside.

"Gakane?"

"Sorry to interrupt, Pharmacist, and Yuder. Urgent news just came in..."

"What happened?"

"There's been a report of another strange crack sighted near Charloin, in a place called Mclara. It's not confirmed, but it seems to be exactly like the cracks that appeared in Charloin...!"

Yuder immediately rose from his seat, his previous thoughts vanished without a trace.

"Who reported it? Lead me there right away."