Membalik usia, interior kuburan kuno yang terungkap kembali diselimuti kegelapan dan terasa sunyi. Bangunan yang didirikan Kishiar hanyalah kerangka belaka, kerangka permukaan semata, fakta yang terasa begitu nyata.
"Jika dibangun mengikuti gaya arsitektur kuno, pintu masuk asli menuju ruang jenazah seharusnya berada di bagian paling dalam bangunan. Jadi... pasti di sekitar sini."
Kishiar melangkah dengan percaya diri, berhenti di titik tertentu. Tanah di bawah pandangannya kacau, batu-batuan tercabut dan tersebar. Mustahil bagi tenaga manusia biasa menemukan jalan ke bawah, namun tak satu pun di hadapan merasa putus asa.
Mengapa khawatir saat Yuder Aile, yang bisa menggerakkan bumi seperti anggota tubuhnya, ada di sini?
"Saya yang mengurusnya."
Yuder mengarahkan kekuatannya ke titik yang ditunjuk Kishiar. Bagi orang lain, mungkin terlihat seperti dia hanya mengedipkan alis, tapi dalam sekejap itu, Yuder memegang seluruh medan sekitar dalam genggamannya.
Mengumpulkan kekuatan masif, dia menatap ke bawah, dan kondisi di bawah permukaan bumi menjadi jelas seolah dia mengamatinya langsung.
'Alasan tanah ini terasa berbatu adalah karena adanya terowongan dengan dinding batu di bawahnya. Tapi sekarang, terowongan itu tersumbat oleh tanah yang menumpuk seiring waktu, membuatnya tak terjangkau.'
Solusinya sederhana: hindari kerangka batu dan geser tanah pengisi untuk mengungkap jalan menuju gua di bawah. Menggerakkan tanah bukan pekerjaan sulit.
Setelah memutuskan, Yuder memerintahkan hanya Kishiar dan Nathan Zuckerman untuk mundur. Saat dia menarik napas dalam dan mengeluarkan kekuatannya lagi, getaran bergemuruh mulai terasa dari bawah.
'Ini mungkin terasa oleh warga desa sekitar, tapi mereka tidak akan mengira itu gempa.'
"Jika ada masalah, saya siap membantu," kata Nathan Zuckerman, tangannya di gagang pedang. Kishiar berdiri di dekatnya, tangan menyilang, kepercayaan tersirat dalam tatapannya. Tatapan itu sekaligus menggerakkan indera Yuder sebagai Pembangkit dan perasaan manusianya.
Ini tugas familiar, kehadiran pengamat membuat segalanya terasa berbeda. Dia ingin mengeluarkan kekuatan sempurna, tanpa kesalahan sekecil apapun.
Mungkin Kishiar memikirkan hal serupa beberapa saat lalu.
"Jangan khawatir. Ini akan segera selesai."
Dan Yuder melakukannya.
Saat kemudian, tanah mengheave dan berputar seperti rawa, mengeluarkan tumpukan tanah besar, terbuka seperti rahang raksasa di hadapan mereka. Serentak, arus udara, lebih dahsyat dari sebelumnya, terlihat jelas bagi indera Yuder yang tajam.
'Selesai.'
Akhirnya, pintu masuk situs pemakaman kuno yang lama tersembunyi, terungkap di hadapan mereka. Pemandangan berbeda namun sama megahnya saat Kishiar mendirikan bangunan.
Kishiar mendekati Yuder untuk memeriksa pintu masuk yang baru terungkap.
"Sempurna. Ditemukan dengan baik."
"Dari yang saya lihat, aliran energi lebih kuat dari sebelumnya, menandakan kita menemukan tempat yang benar."
"Maka turunlah kita?"
Mereka melangkah menuju pintu masuk asli ke ruang pemakaman bawah tanah. Saat berjalan di antara tanah yang dibersihkan dan dinding batu, hawa dingin dan lembab merayap ke leher mereka. Semakin dalam, semakin gelap, memaksa Yuder memanggil api untuk menerangi sekitar.
'Tempat ini terawat dengan baik untuk usianya. Lebih terlihat seperti jalur darurat bawah tanah daripada jalan ke makam.'
Jalannya sempit tapi langit-langitnya cukup tinggi. Nathan Zuckerman bisa berjalan hampir tanpa membungkuk. Bagi Kishiar, langit-langitnya masih terlalu rendah, memaksanya berjalan dengan kepala tunduk.
Nathan Zuckerman terlihat sedikit khawatir melihat tuannya berjalan bungkuk, tapi kekhawatiran Yuder berbeda. Napas pria di belakangnya terasa terlalu dekat dari sebelumnya.
"..."
Konnyah bahwa seluruh perhatian dan indera tertarik pada hal tak berkaitan saat dia bekerja. Untungnya, sepertinya dia bukan satu-satunya yang merasakannya, karena dia bisa merasakan tatapan menempel di belakang lehernya tanpa perlu menoleh.
Dahulu, sensasi seperti ini tidak akan timbul dalam situasi formal. Tapi sekarang, tatapan jelas yang dirasakan, bahkan saat disadari, tidak goyah, menandakan kesadarannya.
Perubahan halus tapi jujur ini, meski tidak besar, sangat menyenangkan bagi Yuder.
Saat Yuder mempertimbangkan apakah harus menoleh atau tidak, suara rendah sampai ke telinganya.
"Sebelum meninggalkan Tainu, Baron Koelt menyebutkan sesuatu tentang penelitian Adipati Tain pertama. Dia bukan penyihir, tapi sarjana yang mendalami dongeng dan sejarah. Dia meneliti dengan cermat konteks sejarah masa itu untuk memahami tujuan penelitian aneh Adipati Pertama dan tindakannya selanjutnya."
Baron Koelt tulus seperti yang dirasakan Kishiar saat pertama melihatnya. Meski sibuk membangun kembali Tainu dari eksploitasi merusak keluarga Willhem, dia tidak lupa meneliti penelitian Adipati Tain Pertama.
Dia menelusuri semua dokumen tersedia untuk memahami situasi awal Barat dan Imperium, bahkan memanfaatkan hubungan darah jauhnya dengan keluarga Tain untuk mengakses arsip pribadi yang diwariskan di rumah bangsawan Barat tua.
Dalam beberapa catatan langka yang ditinggalkan pengikut Adipati, Koelt merasakan sesuatu.
"Adipati Tain Pertama merahasiakan penelitiannya bahkan dari pengikut terdekatnya. Mereka mengira Adipati lebih tertarik pada hal lain selain sihir atau monster. Tahukah kalian apa itu?"
"Tidak."
"Sejarah."
Suara itu mengucapkan kata itu dengan lembut.
"Adipati Tain Pertama memiliki minat mendalam pada sejarah sebelum Kehancuran Besar. Sebagian besar hilang seiring waktu, tapi minat mendalam ini jelas menimbulkan kekhawatiran besar di kalangan kontemporernya."
Saat itu, orang-orang terlalu sibuk bertahan hidup di masa depan untuk menoleh ke masa lalu yang runtuh. Orang yang mengkaji masa lalu sering dilihat sebagai eksentrik berbahaya.
Namun, Adipati Tain Pertama tetap sangat tertarik pada masa lalu pra-Kehancuran. Hal ini tidak selalu terjadi. Baron Koelt dengan hati-hati mengusulkan bahwa minat mendalam Adipati pada 'sejarah hilang' dimulai sekitar masa wafatnya Kaisar Pertama.
"Menurut jurnal Adipati, penelitian intensifnya tentang monster juga dimulai setelah kematian Kaisar. Masuk akal untuk mengasumsikan hubungan keduanya."
Kehancuran Besar, monster, dan sejarah hancur yang tak terduga.
Kesimpulan Koelt dari menyusun semua ini adalah sebagai berikut.
"Mungkin wafatnya Kaisar Pertama berkaitan dengan hal-hal itu. Itu yang dikatakan."
Kediaman mengikuti, menggantung di udara seperti kabut.
"Tentu, dia tidak menafsirkan jurnal Adipati Tain Pertama sepenuhnya seperti kita. Kesimpulannya tidak berbasis informasi lengkap. Mengingat ini, menurut saya ini dugaan yang cukup masuk akal. Ingat entri terakhir jurnal itu?"
Yuder cepat mengingat kalimat terakhir versi terjemahan yang diberikan Kishiar.
"Setelah ayah saya meninggal, satu-satunya yang mempertanyakan hal sama adalah ayah spiritual saya. Apa yang didapatnya? Di mana dia sekarang setelah meninggalkan Bukit Gyllandr dengan kitab suci... Itu bagian yang saya maksud."
"Ya, saya ingat," jawab Yuder.
"Jika kita ambil kalimat itu secara harfiah, setelah kematian Kaisar Pertama—yang adalah ayah Adipati Tain Pertama—baik Penyihir Agung Luma maupun Adipati Pertama, Blake Van Tain, mulai melakukan hal yang tidak pernah mereka lakukan sebelumnya. Setelah kematian Kaisar, Luma meninggalkan Imperium beberapa tahun kemudian, dan Adipati Pertama mulai meneliti sejarah hilang dan monster dengan giat. Bahkan Luma pernah menunjukkan minat pada penelitiannya."
Satu kematian. Dan perubahan jalannya kehidupan orang lain setelahnya.
"Kematian Kaisar Pasti meninggalkan pertanyaan mendalam bagi mereka, memicu sesuatu yang baru. Baik sebabnya seperti dugaan Baron Koelt—sebab kematian—atau hal lain, tetap tidak jelas. Tapi ini kemungkinan yang patut dipertimbangkan."
Kediaman lama menyusul. Saat Yuder menuruni tangga, dia merenung cerita yang dibagikan Kishiar.
'Sebab kematian Kaisar Pertama...'
Sebab kematian Kaisar Pertama yang diketahui sederhana: dia meninggal dini setelah mendirikan Orr, berkat pencegahan Kehancuran Besar—sejenis legenda.
Kematiannya terbayangi oleh pencapaian gemilangnya. Lebih terkenal kisah Permaisuri yang memimpin Orr sendirian setelahnya dan Pangeran Mahkota yang naik tahta sebagai Kaisar Kedua di bawah bimbingannya.
Memikirkan Kaisar Pertama, pikiran Yuder alami melayang ke cerita Enon. Dialah yang melihat 'halaman terakhir asli' jurnal penelitian Adipati Tain Pertama, yang tidak dilihat Kishiar.
Yuder belum sempat berbagi ini dengan Kishiar dengan baik karena terjemahan belum lengkap dan kesibukan beruntun.
"Sebenarnya, ada yang ingin saya sampaikan. Ingat saat saya bilang ada yang akan saya ceritakan begitu saya yakin, setelah membaca terjemahan Anda?"
"Tentu."
Yuder memikirkan Nathan Zuckerman di belakangnya. Dia ragu, apakah harus bicara di hadapannya, tapi Kishiar cepat membisikkan solusi.
"Jika perlu, saya bisa menciptakan penghalang sihir agar hanya saya yang mendengar."
"Baiklah. Saya tidak keberatan kedua-duanya."
Nathan Zuckerman setuju. Sesaat mempertimbangkan, Yuder mengangguk.
Mungkin tidak langsung berkaitan dengannya, tapi karena terkait pengalamannya sendiri, dia ingin bertindak hati-hati.
"Baik. Saya bisa menciptakan penghalang seperti itu sendiri, jadi izinkan saya menggunakan kekuatan sejenak."
Kekuatan angin naik tajam, mengubah aliran udara di belakangnya dengan halus. Meski tidak pasti apakah ini sepenuhnya efektif melawan Master Pedang, selama pihak lain tidak bermaksud mendengarkan, ini cukup.
Yuder menstabilkan napas dan mulai berbicara.
"Enon menemukan informasi tersembunyi di dalam jurnal. Saya belum tahu teks aslinya persis, tapi saya mendengar beberapa detail kunci. Menurutnya, Kaisar Pendiri mungkin... dalam situasi mirip saya."
Chapter 638
Rewinding through ages, the interior of the ancient cemetery, once again revealed, was shrouded in darkness and lay desolate. The structure that Kishiar had erected was but a mere skeleton, a superficial framework, a fact that seemed all too obvious.
"If it's built according to ancient architectural styles, the real entrance leading to the chamber of corpses should be in the innermost part of the building. So... it must be around here."
Kishiar strode forward confidently, halting at a particular spot. The ground under his gaze was in disarray, with stones uprooted and scattered about. It appeared impossible for mere human effort to find a way down, yet none present felt a hint of despair.
Why worry when Yuder Aile, who could manipulate the earth as his limbs, was there?
"I'll take it from here."
Yuder directed his power towards the spot Kishiar had indicated. To others, it might have seemed like he merely flicked an eyebrow, but in that fleeting moment, Yuder had the entire surrounding terrain in his grasp.
Concentrating his immense strength, he cast his eyes downward, and the conditions beneath the earth's surface became as clear to him as if he were observing them firsthand.
'The reason this land seemed rocky is due to a tunnel constructed with stone walls beneath. But now, it's blocked by the soil that has accumulated over time, making it inaccessible.'
The solution then was simple: avoid the stone framework and shift the filling soil to reveal a passageway leading down to the cave. Moving the earth was not a difficult task.
Having reached his decision, Yuder instructed only Kishiar and Nathan Zuckerman to step back. As he drew a deep breath and exerted his power again, a rumbling vibration began to emanate from below.
'This might be felt by the villagers nearby, but they won't think it's an earthquake.'
"If there's any trouble, I'll be ready to assist," Nathan Zuckerman said, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. Kishiar stood close by, arms crossed, his trust implicit in his gaze. That look simultaneously stirred Yuder's senses as an Awakener and his human emotions.
It's a familiar task, yet the presence of an observer made everything feel different. He wanted to exert his power flawlessly, without the slightest error.
Perhaps Kishiar had entertained a similar thought just moments ago.
"Don't worry. This will be over shortly."
And Yuder did just that.
Moments later, the ground heaved and churned like a swamp, spewing a massive mound of earth, opening up like a gaping maw before them. Concurrently, the air currents, more violent than before, became distinctly visible to Yuder's heightened perception.
'It's done.'
At last, the entrance to an ancient burial site, long concealed, was revealed before them. It was a sight different yet equally magnificent compared to when Kishiar had erected the building.
Kishiar approached Yuder to examine the newly unveiled entrance.
"Perfect. Well found."
"From what I see, the energy flow is stronger than before, indicating we've found the right place."
"Shall we descend then?"
They stepped towards the real entrance to the underground burial chambers. As they walked between the cleared earth and stone walls, a cold, damp chill crept up their necks. The deeper they went, the darker it became, prompting Yuder to summon fire to illuminate their surroundings.
'This place is remarkably well-preserved for its age. It looks more like an emergency underground passage than a path to a tomb.'
The path was narrow but with a ceiling considerably high. Nathan Zuckerman could walk without almost stooping. For Kishiar, however, the ceiling was still too low, forcing him to walk with his head bowed.
Nathan Zuckerman seemed slightly concerned about his lord walking hunched over, but Yuder's worry was of a different nature. The breath of the man following right behind him felt too close than before.
"..."
It was absurd that his full attention and senses were drawn to something entirely unrelated while he was working. Thankfully, it appeared he wasn't the only one feeling this way, as he could sense eyes fixed on the back of his neck without even looking back.
In the past, such a sensation wouldn't have been elicited in a formal situation. But now, the clear gaze he felt, even when he realized it, didn't waver, indicating its awareness.
This subtle yet honest change, though not significant, was profoundly pleasing to Yuder.
As Yuder pondered whether to glance back or not, a low voice reached his ears.
"Before leaving Tainu, Baron Koelt mentioned something about the research of the first Duke of Tain. He wasn't a mage, but a scholar deeply versed in lore and history. He meticulously scrutinized the historical context of that time to understand the First Duke's peculiar research aims and subsequent actions."
Baron Koelt was just as earnest as Kishiar had felt when he first saw him. Despite being overwhelmed with reviving Tainu from the ruinous exploitation of the Willhem family, he hadn't forgotten to examine the First Duke of Tain's research.
He scoured all available documents to understand the early situations of the West and the Empire, even utilizing his distant blood relation to the Tain family to access private archives passed down in old Western noble houses.
In a few rare records left by the Duke's retainers, Koelt sensed something.
"The First Duke of Tain kept his research secret, even from his closest retainers. They thought the Duke was more interested in something other than magic or monsters. Do you know what that was?"
"No."
"History."
The voice softly uttered the word.
"The First Duke of Tain had a profound interest in the history before the Great Destruction. Much of it has been lost over time, but this deep interest apparently caused considerable concern among his contemporaries."
Back then, people were too preoccupied with surviving the future to look back at a crumbling past. Those who delved into the past were often seen as dangerous eccentrics.
Yet, the First Duke of Tain remained deeply interested in the pre-Destruction past. This wasn't always the case. Baron Koelt cautiously suggested that the Duke's deep interest in 'lost history' began around the time of the First Emperor's demise.
"According to the Duke's journal, his intense research on monsters also started after the Emperor's death. It seems logical to assume a connection between the two."
The Great Destruction, monsters, and the shattered, unknowable histories.
Koelt's conclusion from piecing all these together was as follows.
"It's possible that the First Emperor's passing had something to do with those matters. That's what was said"
Silence followed, hanging in the air like a mist.
"Of course, he hadn't interpreted the First Duke of Tain's journal as thoroughly as we have. His conclusion wasn't based on complete information. Still, considering this, I think it's a fairly reasonable conjecture. Remember the journal's final entry?"
Yuder cast his mind back swiftly to the last sentence of the translated version Kishiar had given him.
"After my father's death, the only one who held the same questions was my Spiritual father. What did he gain? Where is he now after leaving Gyllandr Hill with the scripture... That's the part I'm referring to."
"Yes, I remember," Yuder replied.
"If we take that sentence at face value, after the death of the First Emperorwho was the First Duke of Tain's fatherboth the Archmage Luma and the First Duke, Blake Van Tain, began to do things they had never done before. After the Emperor's death, Luma left the Empire years later, and the First Duke started fervently researching lost history and monsters. Even Luma showed interest in his studies at one point."
One death. And the altered course of others' lives thereafter.
"The First Emperor's death certainly left them with profound questions, sparking something new. Whether the cause was as Baron Koelt suggestedthe cause of deathor something else, remains unclear. But it's a possibility worth considering."
A long silence ensued. As Yuder descended the stairs, he pondered the tale Kishiar had shared.
'The cause of the First Emperor's death...'
The known cause of the First Emperor's demise was simple: he had departed this world early after establishing Orr, following the prevention of the Great Destructiona legend of sorts.
His death was overshadowed by his magnificent achievements. More renowned were the tales of the Empress who led Orr alone after him and the Crown Prince who ascended to the throne as the Second Emperor under her guidance.
Thinking of the First Emperor, Yuder's mind naturally drifted to the story Enon had told him. He was the one who had seen the 'real' final page of the First Duke of Tain's research journal, which Kishiar hadn't seen.
Yuder had yet to properly share this with Kishiar due to an incomplete translation and subsequent busyness.
"Actually, I have something I'd like to share with you. Do you remember when I said there was something I'd tell you about once I was certain, after reading your translation?"
"Of course."
Yuder thought of Nathan Zuckerman behind him. He hesitated, wondering if he should speak in his presence, but Kishiar swiftly whispered a solution.
"If necessary, I can create a barrier with magic so that no one but me can hear."
"That would be fine. Either way is okay with me."
Nathan Zuckerman agreed. After a moment of consideration, Yuder nodded.
It might not be directly related to him, but since it was connected to his own experiences, he wanted to proceed with caution.
"Understood. I can create such a barrier myself, so let me use my power for a moment."
The power of the wind rose sharply, subtly altering the flow of air in its wake. Though it was uncertain if this would be entirely effective against a swordmaster, as long as the other party was not keen on listening, it would suffice.
Yuder steadied his breath and began to speak.
"Enon had unearthed hidden information within the journal. While I don't yet know the exact original text, I have heard some key details. According to him, the Founding Emperor might have been... in a situation similar to mine."
[BL] Bermuda
Leonardo Blaine, the true war hero of the Raina Logia Empire and the commander of the Armsilver 11th Squad, is dishonorably discharged for disobeying orders during the final battle that could have led the Empire to victory in the territorial war. People criticize and point fingers at him, and after being released on parole from prison, he disappears without a trace.
Three years later, his name has been forgotten by the world. The Council has been persistently pursuing him, but he has proven difficult to capture. Frustrated by this, Hugo Agrizendro, the commander of the Council's army, decides to personally apprehend him.
"Since when have you been watching me?"
Leonardo was calculative and astute, so it wouldn't be surprising if he had been observing Hugo for some time now. However, Leonardo's answer was something that even Hugo had not anticipated.
"From the very beginning."
[BL] Cloudless Sky
Jin Soram, the top-ranked hunter representing South Korea's Rift Phenomenon Management Headquarters, is stronger than anyone else and lazier than anyone else. As soon as he arrives at the office, he buries himself under a blanket and falls asleep. When he goes out on a mission, he causes accidents and returns to the office, often shirking his duties.
"Do you know how it feels to play a game that's already messed up? ...Anyway, the next round will come, so this time, I'm just going to play it recklessly."
In fact, his true identity is someone who has regressed through three lives, trying to save the world from the Great Rift but failing each time. After repeating a life where he couldn't sleep peacefully even for a day, he became completely exhausted before this life even began.
"I know. You worked hard, Jin Soram."
Komentar Chapter (0)
Login buat ikut berkomentar.
Belum ada komentar di chapter ini. Jadi yang pertama!