Undying C80 The Precursor to the Three Battles
The time passed aimlessly as the team rested for several days.
Ever since that confession by One'day High, my life seemed to have entered a lull of sorts. Firstly, the revenge against Ferdila seemed to have stopped for now. Most likely it was because her anger from that day had begun to recede.
The other reason was that since I was given that trial by Hilda Karlyle, there was no longer a need for me to attend school. That was why Breman decided to fill in the papers for my official departure.
If only I knew what Hilda wanted I could've just skipped out on all these theology lessons...but then talking about this in hindsight was just as pointless as well.
Either way, life in the Checkered Path began to slowly revolve around One'day High and Breman.
The opportunities I had to talk to Breman had decreased noticeably and more often than not, he was found discussing some matter with One'day High.
Regarding One'day High...the impression I got from him was that of a flippant person however, that impression was nowhere to be seen now.
Di Qi Ju:...Mo Chuan.
Mo Chuan: What's the matter?
Di Qi Ju: What's going on with him these past few days? Breman hasn't given us any missions since that day.
Mo Chuan: One'day High? Him huh…
Mo Chuan: He wants to take part in the Three Battles and he has been making his case to Breman.
Di Qi Ju:......
Di Qi Ju: One'day High wants to join the Three Battles?
Mo Chuan: Mhm, he has even prepared his weapons.
Mo Chuan: Speaking of weapons, they are nothing more than a water dragon and a fire dragon plus that water dragon can't even be considered a weapon.
Water dragon...that's the tool we used to shower in the expedition. As for the fire dragon, that's the tool we used to burn those plants near the edge of Starfall.
Di Qi Ju: What did Commander Breman say about this?
Mo Chuan: Naturally, he wasn't too receptive of that request though he seemed to have softened his stance recently.
Mo Chuan: Who knows, we all might have to participate as well.
Di Qi Ju:...why?
Mo Chuan: Once a soldier from the Expeditionary Forces participates, it's no longer a personal matter.
Mo Chuan: It concerns the army's image and reputation so Breman won't take it lightly.
Mo Chuan: Although...the Commander doesn't seem to know how that image should portray itself in the upcoming Three Battles.
Halfmoon Leak'age: Are you guys talking about One'day High's matter?
Di Qi Ju: Ah...that's right.
In the midst of our conversation, Halfmoon Leak'age happened to walk by and decided to join in.
Halfmoon Leak'age: Last night, I managed to get some answers out of One'day High. do you guys want to hear about it?
Mo Chuan: Let's hear it, One'day High is the whole reason for these issues now anyway.
Halfmoon Leak'age: That man is Nine Heaven, a citizen of Numbers just like him.
Halfmoon Leak'age: However, he's no ordinary Numbers citizen.
Halfmoon Leak'age: According to what he heard from Three'floral Dawn, that man has an ambitious heart unlike that of a traditional person from Numbers.
Halfmoon Leak'age: The majority of the citizens in Numbers value wealth and authority, in short they have a interest-seeking personality. Nine Heaven on the other hand, desired strength and position even from a young age.
Halfmoon Leak'age: He hadn't gone through the typical education of a Numbers citizen but had instead experienced that of Molten Steel's where he spent the majority of his youth in.
Halfmoon Leak'age In the north, Molten Steel and Cold Iron had been engaged in perpetual skirmishes against each other so the power and influence of the army and its soldiers had always been high there.
Halfmoon Leak'age: Nine Heaven joined the army then with the intention of gaining the strength and position he desired.
Halfmoon Leak'age: Initially, his performance wasn't that bad either. He managed to gain the position of a low ranking officer and was assigned a platoon of his own.
Halfmoon Leak'age: However, after a certain scouting mission, he was accused by his subordinates of hiding some "treasure" he found in the midst of the mission.
Halfmoon Leak'age: He ended up being investigated by the military police of Molten Steel who swiftly stripped him of his rank and demoted him to a normal soldier.
Halfmoon Leak'age: This led to him deciding to leave the army and to return to the financial world.
Halfmoon Leak'age: Roughly a year ago, Nine Heaven decided to leave the financial world and Numbers once more despite having made some name for himself. He wanted to pursue the strength and position he desired from young and thus left for Skills.
Halfmoon Leak'age: From last night's chance encounter, I can vouch that his skills are top notch and that he is a formidable warrior.
Mo Chuan: Hmm...this guy, he seems rather competent in whatever field he works in.
Di Qi Ju: Putting aside One'day High's misgivings, this Nine Heaven seems like a pretty good role model to follow.
Halfmoon Leak'age: Is that so? To me, he seems rather suspicious.
Di Qi Ju: Hmm? How is he suspicious?
Halfmoon Leak'age: I can understand his decision to come to Skills to be a warrior.
Halfmoon Leak'age: But, why did he decide to become a merchant for several years after being chased out of the army for hoarding some "treasure"?
Mo Chuan:......
Di Qi Ju:......
Halfmoon Leak'age: Do you guys see the inconsistency?
Mo Chuan: If he was as principled as we thought, there's no way he would be tempted by any "treasure" nor would he leave the army so calmly.
Mo Chuan: In other words…
Di Qi Ju: ...what he was accused of hoarding wasn't some treasure at all?
Halfmoon Leak'age: ---but was instead some kind of power.
Halfmoon Leak'age: If it's similar to what we know, then it should be wish points or wish abilities.
Mo Chuan: That is...definitely possible.
Di Qi Ju: Then why did he become a merchant? Shouldn't he have come to Skills directly to become a fighter?
Mo Chuan: That's right. Why did he do that?
Halfmoon Leak'age: If my theory isn't wrong, it's likely that he needed an environment to test his own abilities.
Halfmoon Leak'age: He probably wasn't sure about the limits of his abilities and wanted a relatively stable environment to test it out.
Halfmoon Leak'age: The financial world is a rather secretive field and given that he was a Numbers citizen to begin with, that environment was definitely suited to his needs.
Halfmoon Leak'age: Should anything go wrong, he could always call it a commercial secret and use non-disclosure agreements to prevent the news from leaking.
Mo Chuan: ...while I'm not too sure about how the Financial World works, it seems rather shady to me.
Di Qi Ju: Then...exactly what kind of power was that?
Halfmoon Leak'age: That's something I can't speculate on.
...a power he stumbled upon?
If that was true, this Nine Heaven is rather similar to me in some sense.
With that in mind, I subconsciously rubbed my chest. That blade was still lodged inside my chest though it wasn't because I couldn't take it out but rather the thought of ripping open my own chest to take it out, unnerved me.
Just the thought of that grisly act brought up memories of that burning pain I experienced outside that restaurant. If I were to try and pull it out myself, will I have to go through that level of pain again?
...fear, and more fear.
Well, I'll just endure it for now since it's not affecting me in any way. I can always pluck it out once I've recovered from this trauma.
Breman: You guys---I'm going out for a while.
Breman walked up to us and interrupted our conversation.
Halfmoon Leak'age: Roger, where are you headed to, Commander?
Breman: Today is the last day of the Three Battle's registration, I'm going to register One'day High.
Mo Chuan:...
Mo Chuan: So you've decided already?
Breman gave us a bland nod.
Breman: Do you guys want to come along? I don't mind if you guys join as well.
Mo Chuan: I'll pass.
Mo Chuan: Competition and fame is fine and all but once it crosses the species line, a lot of meaningless and irreconcilable things that to get involved.
Mo Chuan: If my frenzied state were to flare up, the ones who would have to pay would be you guys.
Halfmoon Leak'age: Lee Sole'shot?
Breman: He's definitely on the side of One'day High so I wouldn't be surprised if he joins.
Halfmoon Leak'age: I guess that's true, those two have always been together since they met…
Halfmoon Leak'age: ---I think I'll join as well.
Di Qi Ju: ...huh?
Breman: Oh? I thought you wouldn't want to join, Halfmoon.
Halfmoon Leak'age: I thought so myself as well but there's a nagging pain in my chest that keeps telling me to do so.
Halfmoon Leak'age: I guess I can't really stand up to my own heart after all.
Breman: Alright, I don't mind if it's another, or perhaps two more...Di Qi Ju.
Di Qi Ju:......
Di Qi Ju: Mhm, I'm participating.
Thus, in such a casual manner, I managed to obtain a reason to join the Three Battles under both "Breiya" and "Breman".
One'day High's matter was completely unexpected but that was something he had to solve himself.
As for me, it was about time for me to focus on the matter of Hilda's task ---finding that "sinner" who could steal another person's wish abilities.
That person...could it be Nine Heaven?
Was this mysterious power he gained the reason why he became a sinner?
It might just be that...I had better observe him closely when he interacts with my friends. Plus, that incident where I inexplicably lost my wish points after running into him was noteworthy as well.
Somehow, it feels like this matter wasn't as simple as it looked on the surface…
Doubt began to fill my heart once more...just like that time when I first opened my eyes in world.
Whenever this happened, my thoughts would always drift towards a certain person. No matter what, it was always that person.
Di Qi Ju: About that...Commander Breman.
Di Qi Ju: I want to go out and find someone.
Di Qi Ju: It will just be for a short while...I'll be back real soon.
Running all throughout that short trip, my shoulders collided multiple times with the incoming crowd as I recklessly weaved my way through the crowd.
Standing before me was the school gate, slightly ajar as always as if welcoming me in.
Pushing open the gates, I entered the school. Along the way, Bailey who was usually sweeping the grounds was nowhere to be seen. It was soon after that I found out that she hadn't come to school at all for these past few days.
She...where could she be?
……
Within one of the cubicles of the teacher's office...
Slowing pushing open the door, my breathing subconsciously stopped.
Poppy: …?
Poppy: Oh, Little Ju.
Di Qi Ju:......
Di Qi Ju:...hah.
Calmly breathing out, I suddenly let loose a laugh.
Di Qi Ju: Mhm, I'm here, Poppy.
Footnotes:
Credits:
Special thanks to Kaung Thant Win Naing!!
Undying C81: Poppy (draft)
Standing within the school's courtyard, Poppy waved a goodbye to Di Qi Ju. Even though he had already left the premises for a while, she didn't return to the compound yet.
In that short alone time they had together just now, they didn't talk about anything special in particular nor did they do anything special. All they did was share a light hug while he told her what happened. She then encouraged him a little and that was the extent of their meeting.
It was an understanding that was simple, peaceful and warm as you would expect if she were a family member. It was the same warmth he experienced when they had first met.
After comforting him, Poppy bid her farewells to Di Qi Ju under the pretext that she still had to something to do.
Truth be told, she didn't have anything in particular to do right now. Ever since coming to Reitdarke, the main thing she did was wait. Waiting was all she needed to do and Di Qi Ju's actions would give her the breakthrough she needed.
Poppy: …
Poppy: It's really late huh...
Within the empty courtyard, Poppy muttered to herself.
Poppy: I thought that the Divine Hall would find me on the first day but instead they took this long to do so.
Poppy: You followed him, didn't you?
??:......
??: When I decide to find you is my own business, there's no need for me to follow him.
As that voice rang out, a clergyman walked around the corner of the school gate and revealed herself.
Even without looking at her face, there was no way Poppy could ever mistake this person for anyone else; there was no way for her to falsely identify a person's voice after all.
Poppy: I believe this is the first time we met in private isn't it...Hilda Karlyle?
Hilda Karlyle: You can say that.
Hilda Karlyle pulled down her hood, revealing a head of short, blond curly locks that framed a bland and expressionless face. She was merely here as a clergyman and a representative of the Divine Hall; there was no personal emotions involved in this decision at all.
Poppy: What's the matter? Are you here to enroll in theology classes?
Hilda Karlyle: ……
Hilda Karlyle: Since you set down roots so close to the Divine Hall, I thought that you intended to return to your post after a round of contemplation…
Hilda Karlyle: However, it seems like Di Qi Ju has refuted this assumption.
Hilda Karlyle: Your actions so far have been ridiculous, whether from the perspective of the ordinary men or God.
Hilda Karlyle: Exactly what are you planning, clergyman of "Speech"...Poppy. (TL: I think I used another term previously but I'm switching to Speech.)
Poppy: …
Poppy: Rather than me, the one who should called strange here is you, Hilda Karlyle.
Hilda Karlyle: …?
Poppy: Since you knew of my presence here long ago, why didn't you just bring me back to the Divine Hall directly?
Poppy: If you truly thought that I was going to return to the Divine Hall after some reflection, why did you assign that test to Di Qi Ju?
Poppy: You seem to want to let me off hook yet don't all at the same time…
Poppy: ---ah, I get it.
As if she had thought of something, Poppy smiled thinly and with head lowered, approached her provocatively.
Poppy: It's because you don't have the ability to capture me isn't it?
Hilda Karlyle:......
Hilda Karlyle: When have the clergymen ever acted alone?
Poppy: But aren't you standing alone before me right now?
Poppy: Don't tell me you really believe that words alone can make me change my mind?
Poppy: Let me think about this for a second, what other ways do you have to threaten me…
Hilda Karlyle: …what do you think?
Poppy: Are you trying to implicate him in some kind of scandal?
Poppy: That won't do, that won't do at all.
Poppy: You can't blackmail me just by doing that, I'm fully aware of what kind of powers he has.
Poppy: Hurting him is basically impossible.
Hilda Karlyle: Haha.
She laughed disdainfully, finally revealing a shred of her true thoughts.
Hilda Karlyle: Then what if I blackmailed him instead?
Poppy: That's true impossible too.
Poppy: Don't you know? My wish ability allows me to communicate directly with him. Whatever lie you concoct will be exposed in an instant.
Hilda Karlyle: ……
Poppy: In this world, there are some things only I can give him.
Poppy: He will tirelessly toil for me till my wish has finally been fulfilled just like how I'm willing to do anything to satisfy him.
Poppy: He belongs to me and no one can take him from me. At the same time, no one can take me away from his hands.
Poppy: That feeling...it's like if you clergymen formed the bond of your dreams with Westrealm; the feeling that there's nothing in this world that can stop your wish from being fulfilled.
Poppy: ---hahaha…
Hilda Karlyle:......
Her face reddened from the uproarious laughing while Hilda Karlyle stood quietly by the side watching, temporarily at a loss for words.
If it was merely a fight between the two, the clergyman of "Bounty" might win against the clergyman of "Speech". (TL: Bounty will be used to describe Hilda Karlyle from now on.)
However, that's only true if they went all out. Doing that won't bring her back to the Divine Hall at all.
Besides, Poppy still had a trump card in her hands. A trump card known as Di Qi Ju.
Hilda Karlyle knew exactly how much she could accomplish with this trump card obeying her. In that case, there was only two options left open to her.
The first option was to test how strong this trump card was. Was this boy really that strong that Poppy could ignore the Divine Hall's sanctions?
However, based on her previous assessment, Di Qi Ju doesn't seem all that willing to divulge what his wish abilities were. That could only mean two things. One, that he was weak and his so-called regenerative abilities were nothing but hot air. Two, he was so strong that he could stand up to the Divine Hall or the God they believe in.
Unless Poppy had gone mad, it was most likely the latter. If that's true however, testing Di Qi Ju was going to be a difficult matter…
The second option was to sever their connection by using Poppy as the breakthrough point...in other words, get her to give up on Di Qi Ju.
It was a tall task to be sure but this was the best option Hilda had right now. It was precisely this reason that led to her visit today.
Hilda Karlyle: Did you truly believe that I would resort to such underhanded means to settle this problem?
Poppy: Alright then, how about you enlighten me about this visit then.
Hilda Karlyle: Given your close relationship with the boy, I'm sure he had told you about the task I set him already.
Poppy: Catching a criminal isn't it, what about it?
Poppy: Hmph, to think you actually need someone to do your job for you, some clergyman you are.
Hilda Karlyle: Hah, I set that up on purpose.
Hilda Karlyle: I gave him that task under the pretext that I knew who the criminal was already.
Poppy:......
Poppy's mocking stare disappeared in an instant.
Poppy: What do you mean?
Hilda Karlyle: Maybe you might think that I'm merely out to get him but...in truth, I'm just giving him an opportunity to clean up the mess.
Hilda Karlyle: After all, that criminal was the mess you caused yourself when you left the Divine Hall.
Poppy: ……
Hilda Karlyle: ……
The two glared at each other silently. To Hilda, this had to be the longest few seconds of her life.
She knew, that this was the decisive moment when victory was decided.
Poppy knew exactly who she was talking about so she definitely knew of the implications of this task.
That was the biggest reason why she left the Divine Hall and also the reason why the Divine Hall was pursuing her till this day. There's no way she wouldn't know of this.
According to her gut feeling, Poppy was probably trying to craft the image of an ideal woman in Di Qi Ju's mind. Warm, understanding and worthy of his reliance. Yet what he didn't know was that she wasn't such a woman at all.
From birth, she was a woman that was cursed and will never be able to have an ordinary life. She could give a person the sweetest of pleasures but also the deadliest of poisons. Thus, she was "Poppy".
Seeing the change in Poppy's expressions, her mood changed as well. Slowly but surely, things were beginning to progress in the way she wanted.
Poppy: ...Hilda Karlyle.
Hilda Karlyle: Mhm.
Poppy: ...that guy, he has shown himself again?
Hilda Karlyle: That's right.
Poppy: Where?
Hilda Karlyle: Recently, he has been rather active in Skills and Reitdarke.
Poppy: ...you really sent Di Qi Ju after him?
Hilda Karlyle: What's wrong with that? For all we know, this might be the best chance for him to understand you. The real you.
Poppy: …
Hilda Karlyle: If your relationship is truly as you say, then doesn't he have the right to know what the real you has done before…
Hilda Karlyle: If you can't even allow that, then your relationship with him is merely superficial, a passing dream that's merely nice to look at but nothing substantial in the end.
Hilda Karlyle: That wish of yours would be nothing more than a castle in the sky.
Hilda Karlyle: Poppy...there are some things in this world you will never attain.
Hilda Karlyle: Those things you were born with...those secrets, we clergymen know about it.
Hilda Karlyle: The Divine Hall is the only place you can spend the rest of your life. There's no home to be had anywhere else.
Hilda Karlyle: Only Westrealm can accept your entire being…
Poppy: ---ENOUGH!!
Poppy: *heave*...*heave*...
It was a rapid but heavy breathing. Her face had changed completely now. It was one of unease, violent and frenzied; completely unlike the calm and confident look she had.
Looking at her face, no one would doubt what kind of tragedy would ensue and yet, Hilda merely smiled.
It was a thin smile that clearly reflected the triumph she felt right now.
Hilda Karlyle: That's right...that's the look.
Hilda Karlyle: That's who you are; the real Poppy.
Hilda Karlyle: That's the curse you are born, you've finally revealed it.
Hilda Karlyle: You should know of this already, but only by staying in the Divine Hall will you one day be able to rid yourself of this curse and become a normal, happy human being.
Hilda Karlyle: Even if that process takes up your entire life...
Hilda Karlyle: But that's still a lot better than randomly destroying a person's life! Isn't it Poppy!?
Poppy:......
Poppy: Hoh.
Poppy: Is that so?
Poppy: So that's your plan?
Poppy smiled, instantly reverting back to her warm and elegant smile as if her lips were a flower that was in the midst of blooming, bewitching and fragrant. Yet, beneath this enticing exterior was a danger that no one knew of.
Poppy: I permit you to try, Hilda Karlyle.
Poppy: To try if I'm a person who can be blackmailed that easily.
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Footnotes:
Credits:
Special thanks to Kaung Thant Win Naing!!