Published at 25th of January 2021 11:10:12 AM
Chapter 110
Today marks the fifth time that I’ve come to the impoverished village during the last two years . And, actually, it’s the first time this year, since all four of my previous visits were right around the time that Alicia started living in that cabin .
My first time, I obviously came to explain Alicia’s situation to Gramps and Rebecca because they needed to know why she wouldn’t be visiting them for a while . And, as expected, they were quite shocked by the news, though thankfully they came to understand and accept the situation decently quickly .
The next couple of times were like routine visits, but as I got absorbed into my studies, I slowly stopped coming . And now, for the first time in over a year, I’ve come back once again .
Standing at the entrance, it’s just like how I remembered it: a huge layer of fog is creating a gargantuan barrier right in front of me . And I know that swallowed within its depths lies the the impoverished village, what had been my own personal hell for all those years .
I must have let a hint of revulsion slip onto my face as I stare into that void, since after glancing at me, Alicia suddenly gives me two gentle, comforting pats on the head . It’s an oddly gallant, gentlemanly gesture coming from her, but it helps me soothe my expression back into its indifferent mask .
Once I’ve composed myself, the two of us head straight into the fog .
As much as I hate seeing the squalid and decrepit state of the village, its disgusting glory comes into view much too soon . Though, my first glimpse tells me that the conditions seem to be slightly better than they were when last I came .
Was that somehow Gramps’ and Rebecca’s doing?
And almost as soon as we cross the barrier, there are a multitude of eyes on us . Their gazes are sharp and on edge .
This is bad . At this rate, Alicia’s going to be attacked… . I throw a worried glance her way .
But she looks undaunted by the stares . She merely gazes straight back at the villagers with calm, clear eyes .
… . Looks like I was worried for nothing . Alicia’s always been like this: brave, unwavering, not easily cowed . Of course this wouldn’t be enough to disturb her .
“What’s going on?” a familiar voice demands from a distance away .
Immediately, a path opens up between the surrounding villagers . And then some familiar faces are walking out into view .
I get the feeling that the one in the lead looks significantly taller than when I last saw her . And when her light brown eyes alight upon Alicia and I, they widen in surprise . Her long silver hair is pulled back from her face and her stance is tall and imposing as she stares hard at us .
“Ali… . . cia?” Rebecca calls out, hesitantly .
Standing right behind her is Gramps . And although he’s not standing at the forefront, from the deferential looks I can see some of the other villagers throwing his way, I get the feeling that Gramps might be like their de facto leader now .
Just what the hell happened during that year since I’ve been here?
Or maybe I should say two . Since I only ever came at night, this change could very well have been in the works even while I had been visiting, but I didn’t realize since the villagers were all asleep . What sort of transformations has this place undergone for the last two years?
“Hey, Rebecca . It’s good to see you,” Alicia says with a gentle smiling tugging at the corners of her mouth .
… . As I thought, she really doesn’t seem very villainous anymore . Why are her expressions so calm and tranquil today?
At her words, all of the onlookers’ eyes instantly focus on Alicia . And, from within the crowd, I don’t hear just one or two sharp intakes of breath as they are awed by her beauty .
Disregarding her personal intentions and speaking from the villagers’ standpoint, she must look like a divine saintess sent to deliver them from these inhumane conditions . Though, even if you held a knife to my throat, I’d never admit that I think she looks more like a saintess than a villainess . At least not while I value her good opinion of me .
Plus, knowing Alicia, she probably doesn’t even have any thoughts about wanting to save this village like a saintess would… . so I’d prefer to let sleeping dogs lie on this particular point .
“You’ve become so pretty,” Rebecca notes while openly staring at Alicia .
“Have I? Why thank you,” Alicia says, straightforwardly accepting the compliment .
It’s rather rare to find a woman in this country who would react so honestly after being called pretty . It is the custom to humbly decline or to skillfully change the subject else they run the risk of coming off as distastefully conceited or vane .
If it was the previous Alicia, I would have been convinced that this answer was calculated .
She’s explained to me on a number of occasions that a villainess mustn’t bother with undue modesty . And that she must consciously acknowledge her own beauty and flaunt it, brandishing it like weapon, just like how a rose can charm you even as its thorns draw blood .
However, in her thanks just now, I could sense none of that intention . Her demeanor held a steady dignity and her words nothing but an honest gratitude .
“Alicia,” Gramps greets, coming forward to stand next to Rebecca .
As always, his posture is straight and regal and he’s filled with a silent majesty that commands attention .
Although his hair is white, his face is unlined by wrinkles . And even though his eyes are blank and pure white, with just one look you can tell that his features are strong, symmetrical… not bad looking for sure . His kind wisdom also shines through clearly on his face .
“Grandpa Will!” Alicia joyfully calls out to him .
When she’s in front of Gramps, her expressions and mannerisms become just like those of an ordinary young girl . Seeing her act like this, she must have really missed him .
“You look to be in high spirits,” Gramps remarks, a broad smile stretching across his face .
Without waiting a second longer, Alicia bounds over and flings her arms around him tightly .
For a moment, Gramps freezes, looking taken aback, but then his expression softens again and he brings his hand up to gently pat Alicia’s head .
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… . . Could it be that the reason Alicia hasn’t seemed like a villainess at all today is because she was too excited about being able to see Gramps again?
The bond between the two of them seems so strong that I almost find myself feeling a bit jealous .
Even though I’m definitely the one who’s spent more time with him since we lived in the same house together, his relationship with Alicia still seems to run deeper .
But, even if he and Alicia are closer, I still know him quite well, or at least enough to know that Gramps is one of the most intelligent, collected people that I have ever met .
And so his reaction to what happens next… . surprises me a great deal .
“Grandpa Will, would you lean down a bit for me?” Alicia requests, and Gramps complies, albeit with a curious expression on his face .
No one says a thing . We all just stand there and watch in puzzled silence .
Without paying us any heed, Alicia draws closer to Gramps, bringing her mouth up near his eyes .
I’m starting to wonder what she’s trying to do when she begins chanting a spell . The words sound silky and smooth, rolling off her tongue easily, but somehow I can’t understand them . They’re words that I’ve never heard before . And the way she chants them, drawing out the vowels and keeping to a slow, unhurried rhythm, makes it feel like she’s singing .
As she continues, a faint light starts glowing around the two of them .
… . The more I listen, the more I’m convinced that she seems to be singing in the ancient language of the Duelkis Kingdom . But I’m still only half certain, since even for the nobles that have managed to reach level 100 in magic, I didn’t think there was anyone capable of using those spells .
The people who would be able to understand this language should have long since left this world . And even if there were some left, those who had passed the words down from ancestor to ancestor up until now, there shouldn’t be more than a handful of people . And even they would likely not be able to decipher the characters anymore .
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I know just how complex the ancient language can be, since I came across a book written in it once . But, no matter how hard I tried, I could not understand a word of it .
I’ve heard it can take serious scholars decades to become proficient in it . It must have been an extremely difficult skill to acquire, so why would she have bothered with it?
… . . Don’t tell me she learned it just so she’d have the chance to be able to use this kind of magic? Even though it’s basically considered a lost art?
Her clear voice rings out throughout the silent area . And at the same time glittering white light slowly engulfs her and Gramps . It’s so radiant I can hardly keep my eyes open .
As the light continues to grow brighter and larger, I’m forced to shut my eyes . But even then the light still burns like a hot brand on my closed eyelids .
And just as I’m about to throw up my hands for extra protection, that blinding light vanishes completely . Simultaneously, the surrounding area grows completely silent as Alicia stops chanting .
Slowly, I open my eyes again .
… . . So it really was that sort of magic after all . Although I had suspected as much, the realization still hits me hard, causing goosebumps to break out across my whole body .
The rest of the villagers also seem to be frozen in shock and amazement . There are even a few whose mouths are hanging wide open as they stare .
Even Rebecca seems to be shaking, and there’s a crazy smile splitting her face .
“Woah… . . ” she whispers, while staring wide-eyed in wonder .
It certainly is an unbelievable sight . Even I want to doubt my own eyes .
Right in front of me, something like black smoke is billowing out from Alicia’s left eye . And, opposite her, Gramps’ own previously blank left eye now has a brilliant, golden iris shining out from the middle of it .