Episode 119
“Are you saying I should start a war?”
The bird tilted its head at my question and ruffled its feathers. It looked completely unfazed.
—I didn’t say anything about war. They were able to gain so much power because of me. They’ll crumble without me.
“What does that even mean?”
—Where do you think the abundant divine power flowing through the Holy Kingdom comes from?
“Where…?”
I paused, lost in thought at its sudden question.
I had read about the source of divine power. When I was studying how to use this power.
But it was said that divine power was granted from birth.
And that one needed deep faith to properly wield it.
“I’m not sure. I know it’s granted from birth… perhaps the gods bestow it upon those they favor?”
—There are children in the Empire and other countries, too. Are you saying the gods only favor and bless that place?
The bird chirped as if scoffing and replied sadly,
—That’s not true. The gods aren’t biased. They can wield divine power because of my power. My power, protecting that land, has imbued those who grew up there, making it seem like a land blessed by the gods.
To think it could wield such immense power and even receive the love of spirits.
The more it spoke, the more curious I became.
A divine bird, a sacred artifact, a being that changes fate. There were many names, but no one had clearly explained what the bird I possessed truly was.
The bird, sensing my curiosity, proudly puffed out its chest and replied,
—I am a being created by the gods, a fragment of their power. The gods loved humans. So they sought a way for humans, who were constantly fighting amongst themselves, to find peace. Created as a guardian, I could freely wield divine power, the power of the gods, and I was given the strength to protect everything I loved. I was born in the land where the Holy Kingdom was founded.
“But in my memories, you always wanted to escape. If you truly loved the Holy Kingdom, my body wouldn’t react so negatively to it.”
—To them, I was just a convenient tool, endlessly replaceable. I trusted and loved them, but all I received in return was betrayal.
I could imagine the situation without hearing more.
A life deprived of freedom, burdened by duty, oblivious to the injustice… there was no way to understand true love in that kind of life.
—I don’t want to be controlled anymore. I don’t belong there.
“Then what are you going to do? As you can see, I’m unstable.”
—You’re unstable because my soul hasn’t fully merged with yours.
“But the High Priest said I need to receive divine power to live.”
—Forget what he said. It’s nonsense. Your innate divine power can’t disappear. It was just dormant until you matured, and you needed a catalyst to awaken it. You wouldn’t be able to use your power without learning anything.
The bird, its gaze serious as it met mine, continued,
—Thanks to you, I have a place to belong. I’ll live a life where I can learn about freedom and happiness.
Its voice was laced with excitement, as if it had been waiting for this for a long time.
—But to do that, I have to restore everything to its original state. Striking at the Holy Kingdom means taking back my power from them.
But that would surely cause a huge commotion. They had been enjoying the benefits of that power, even though it wasn’t theirs, so they would surely retaliate.
“But they might resent you if you take that power away. And they might even attack us, realizing something is amiss.”
—Don’t worry about that. That won’t happen. I told you, I was given the power to protect everything I love.
The bird fluttered over and perched on my shoulder. It rubbed its head against me and said,
—I’ll give you everything I have.
“Then I won’t lose my freedom?”
—That’s right. You’ll be free once this is over. And you’ll live happily with the person you love. I’m not lying. You can trust me.
Its confident words, as if trying to reassure me, made me chuckle.
“I believe you.”
Even though I had only known it for a short time, perhaps because its emotions had seeped into me through the shared body, I instinctively knew it wasn’t lying.
—Thank you. But to restore everything, we have to go to the Holy Kingdom. Heron, the Spirit Summoner, will help you with that. You need him for the spirits to help you.
He was the one I had been pushing away. Was that why he left, saying he wouldn’t stop me from doing what I wanted?
‘This is awkward… it seems like that bird made the promise on my behalf.’
I wondered if I had been causing so much trouble because of that bird’s soul merging with mine. I sighed, realizing I couldn’t undo what had been done, being informed after the fact.
I organized my thoughts and then voiced my concern.
“Everything else is fine. I don’t even mind going back there. But Cesar will be worried if I tell him I’m leaving the Dukedom and returning to the Holy Kingdom, even if there’s a reason. He might misunderstand.”
Even though I would recklessly do anything for him, I became timid and hesitant when I thought of him. I didn’t want to hurt him anymore.
—Since when have you become so timid? I was supposed to die at his hands. But you changed my fate. So you can do this, too. You have to be happy here, in the place you created. This is where you belong.
That’s right. This was where I belonged. The place I had always longed for.
“Alright. I’ll talk to Cesar.”
—Yes. Oh, Lily.
“What?”
The bird called my name affectionately, like a friend. It made my heart flutter strangely.
—Thank you. For creating a place for me… so that even if the place I once tried to protect disappears, I’ll still have somewhere to belong. I’m truly happy about that.
The bird, speaking as if relieved, seemed to have no more regrets. As if it didn’t even care that its original self would disappear, merging with my soul.
It should have been a scary prospect, but its voice was so clear and cheerful that I couldn’t bring myself to say anything sad.
—Can I ask you one last favor?
“Yes, of course.”
—They practically monopolize divine power. They use it as a weapon, accusing those they dislike of heresy and hunting them down like witches. They exploit those who come seeking healing for their loved ones, accumulating wealth and using it for political gain. So… destroy them, so they can no longer abuse divine power.
It’s easy to take back the divine power I bestowed upon them.
Its whispered words echoed in my ears like a melody. It felt like we had shared so many stories, but all I remembered was its final farewell.
—I wanted to stay longer… but this is the end.
Goodbye.
Its voice faded away. The pink feathers disappeared before my eyes, and everything that had been unstable settled into place.
I understood why the bird hadn’t answered my questions immediately. It wanted to see more, with its own eyes.
The place it would now belong, the unfolding scenery.
And perhaps, listening to the sound of the wind, it had felt a moment of true freedom.
I no longer resented the soul that brought me here.
It wasn’t complete annihilation, after all. I would live a happy and free life, so that you could feel it, too.
That was my promise.
I paced anxiously around the room. I now knew everything, what I had to do, but there was one big obstacle.
‘Even though that bird encouraged me, I honestly don’t think Cesar will allow it.’
I had already damaged his trust by repeatedly acting recklessly. And it hadn’t been long since I reassured him, telling him not to let me go, when he was worried I might return to the Holy Kingdom.
How could I tell him I had to leave again?
“Sigh. This is bad.”
But if I kept delaying this, those who were certain I wouldn’t return to the Holy Kingdom would make plans to kill me.
Things would go wrong before I could even start.
“I hope Cesar is in a good mood today.”
“My mood isn’t that bad today.”
Startled by the sudden voice, I turned around and saw his handsome face. But his purple eyes, looking at me, held a hint of suspicion.
“Lily, why are you pacing around so anxiously, worried about my mood?”
“W-well…”
He had clearly noticed my suspicious behavior.
It was understandable; anyone would find it suspicious. And he, being perceptive, might have noticed something else.
Feeling like a thief caught red-handed, I desperately searched for an excuse and blurted out,
“The weather seems nice today. Would you like to go for a walk?”
I couldn’t tell him in this situation. What if he confined me to my room?
Cesar, observing my anxious expression, pulled me closer. My hand naturally landed on his.
“I don’t know what you’re so worried about. But since you suggested a walk, I suppose I should accept.”
He agreed, his eyes crinkling playfully.
I had a bad feeling and was about to say it would be better if we didn’t go, but he kissed my cheek and said,
“Don’t even think about running away. You can tell me what’s on your mind while we walk.”
I gave up on avoiding the conversation and took his hand, letting him lead the way.
“I’m not running away. How could I, with you holding my hand so tightly?”
Of course, that only applied to this moment. But he, unaware of what was to come, smiled with satisfaction at my answer.
It was a rather awkward situation.