[T.L: punisher87]
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[Welcome, come in.]
As they entered the forest, Sheila greeted the party.
"It's been a while, Ms. Sheila."
Since Jin's and Valeria's last visit to the Wantaramo Forest, Sheila had regained the power of the cursed Fairy King.
After a long time, she possessed a stronger mana, and the forest centered around her was perfectly organized.
[It doesn't seem like a long time to us, but I'm very glad to see you and Valeria. Especially Valeria... It seems her heart has become much kinder.]
"Can you see into my heart?"
Valeria asked with a playful expression. Since their last meeting, she had developed a sense of camaraderie with Sheila.
Although there was a difference between someone who had become a ghost due to a curse and someone who inherited the will of a true fairy, they were both rooted in fairies. Valeria felt Sheila was like a loving grandmother figure, and Sheila saw Valeria as a granddaughter.
[Anyone who knows you would think the same way. The face of the girl which was once filled with a sense of duty and vengeance has become so clear. Thanks to Jin and the others, I suppose.]
When Valeria showed an embarrassed look, Sheila smiled and looked at Jin.
[I should thank you. Not just for Valeria's improvement... but also for saving this world. Every living creature on the surface owes you a debt.]
"You're too kind."
"Yeah, you're being too kind. Actually, it was the Plutonian tribe's battle god who saved us... Oh, why are you hitting me! Get off!"
It wasn't Jin who hit Bale, but the felinoids tribesmen. Jin chuckled as he watched Bale get angry at them.
[You must be Bale Runcandel.]
"Huh? You know me?"
Sheila was recalling some of her memories from a thousand years ago, before she was cursed by Helluram. As Jin solved one major event after another, Zipfel's history manipulation was gradually losing its power.
[I have seen you a thousand years ago. It seems you don't remember. I used the name Shil Damiro back then.]
"Shil Damiro? It feels like I should remember. Ah, were you a servant of the head butler back then?"
[No, I was her younger sister. The concept of a servant didn't exist among fairies at that time.]
"I see. Wasn't there another sibling?"
[... I sent that child away with my own hands. Because she forgot her duty and betrayed us, putting the tribe in danger.]
"Oh, I asked a pointless question."
[No, it's not. However, Bale Runcandel must have a similar duty. An obligation that must be fulfilled. It's probably related to the protection of Runcandel or Solderet's legacy. You were a ten great knight, right?]
"I don't know about that stuff. I fought back then for Serah, not for any clan."
[No, you will remember one day. My elder sister said that everyone was fighting with one heart back then, so…]
Normally, Bale would have made a sarcastic remark, asking why it mattered to her. But for some reason, he didn't want to say anything bad to Sheila.
"Ms. Sheila, Lord Neru mentioned something on the way. He said there was a strange reaction when he took your energy to the destroyed hiding place."
[Yes, Jin. It seems my energy triggered a blue light. It must be the manifestation of my sister's power beyond Solderet's subspace.]
The origin of the Record Magic, the Fairy's Ability.
The Felinoids tribesmen had witnessed traces of it. Jin nodded, feeling his heart race.
-[I would love to share many stories about Runcandel from a thousand years ago, but unfortunately, I don't have many memories of that time.]
Luet's words from the third tomb of Temar.
Even if they were to find Luet now, not all the secrets from a thousand years ago would be revealed. Even though history manipulation weakened, the possibility of all of Luet's memories returning was low.
However, even with the small clues she remembered, they would be a source of strength.
Above all, it would greatly help in the advancement of Valeria's Record Magic, and that would mean restoring the history of that time.
"[Perhaps my sister also senses it.]
"Let's go quickly then."
[The passage is already prepared.]
Neru said, raising a violet energy from the ground. The distinctive sacred violet light of the Felinoids tribe drew a magic circle.
Then a door emerged from the magic circle.
[The door seems a bit small. It was challenging to adjust to our standards due to the distance.]
"It's okay."
[Go and return safely. I have a feeling I might hear good news soon.]
Sheila's voice sounded excited, as she sensed the possibility of finally delivering a belated apology to her lost sister. The Felinoids tribe received Sheila's energy and placed it in a basket. The energy flowed abundantly, yet it never diminished.
"Yes, Ms. Sheila."
The group crouched down and entered through the door.
Beyond the door was the hiding place of the Felinoids tribe destroyed by the Spectres several years ago.
In the midst of the ruins, a blue light, similar to the Record Magic, flickered like a firefly.
For some reason, Valeria's heart trembled as soon as she saw that sight. It was because she couldn't help but think that Luet was struggling, just like herself, to fulfill her mission, to not be completely forgotten.
There were similarities in the destiny of those burdened with the mission of recording, between her and Luet.
"Bale."
At Jin's words, Bale unleashed his power, spreading a golden ability.
As his power intensified, the blue light reacted even more intensely.
"Your prediction was correct, Valeria. Something related to Ms. Luet is already reacting as soon as it touches."
Then, when Silus was placed at the center of the energy, the blue light amplified once again.
[Ohh!]
[Can we finally meet Luet?]
The members of the Felinoids tribe shouted with joyous voices.
However, the changes seemed to stop there. It was certainly an impressive phenomenon up until now, but compared to Shakan's reaction to Temar's tomb, it felt somewhat weak.
The same thing happened when Jin unleashed his shadow force. All the tombs of Temar had always responded to shadow force.
[What should we do? Should we bring more of Sheila's energy?]
[That's what we tried before Jin arrived.]
While the group was momentarily lost in thought, Valeria quietly infused her staff with mana.
"I'll examine the records."
A blue recording window appeared amidst Luet's energy.
<...Th...e...ha...>
As always in these situations, the record magic only provided extremely limited information.
[It doesn't seem to be working well. It's not like we can't retrieve Luet, right? Do we need something else?]
"Don't make negative comments and just stay still. Valeria is concentrating."
For over ten minutes, the sentences appearing in the recording window remained unchanged. Valeria was already drenched in sweat and her body was overheated.
[At this rate, she might collapse first.]
[Yeah, Jin. Valeria might get hurt. Wouldn't it be better to gather more clues and come back again?]
The members of the Felinoids tribe added their concerns about Valeria.
Valeria opened her eyes and turned to Jin.
"Jin, Luet's energy and my mana are resonating right now."
"Really?"
It didn't look that way in Jin's eyes, but he didn't argue. Valeria wouldn't speak nonsense.
"But I need a catalyst. Neru, please go and keep transferring Ms. Sheila's energy over here."
[Okay!]
[Got it! See, I told you we need more of Sheila's energy!]
"Bale, go and assist as well. Jin, stay here and watch over me. If you see any signs of my mana going out of control, you have to help me."
Jin and Valeria sat facing each other.
"Cover the overflowing mana with your shadow force. Whenever you bring Ms. Sheila's energy, place it in the center. From now on, I won't be able to speak until this is over."
Valeria was engaging in a very dangerous action, but Jin decided to trust her.
"Alright, don't worry and focus."
From then on, Bale and the Felinoids tribesmen went back and forth through the passage, bringing Sheila's energy. Jin remained by Valeria's side, protecting her.
Like adding more firewood, Sheila's energy was added every 5 minutes to Valeria's mana and Luet's abilities.
It looked as if the flames were gradually growing stronger.
Occasionally, Valeria would narrow her brows and groan in pain, and Jin calmly covered her mana with his shadow force.
Since some time ago, Valeria hadn't been demanding anything in return from Jin when events like this occurred. Even in cases where her life was at risk, like now.
Valeria wasn't just risking herself for the sake of completing her record magic.
Their relationship was slowly becoming closer, like in a past life.
The resonance between Valeria and Luet continued throughout the night. Valeria had never once opened her eyes, solely focusing on unleashing her mana.
Jin was also starting to tire. He was engaged in a task that required as much concentration as Valeria did.
And finally, around midnight.
Wooaaah...!
Valeria's mana, which had been flickering like a small campfire, suddenly amplified, raising a massive pillar of light.
[Ohhh!]
[Wow! Hey, Valeria!]
At the same time, Valeria collapsed into Jin's embrace.
Fortunately, she hadn't lost consciousness; it was just a temporary loss of strength due to the exertion. Jin comforted her back, which was as hot as a burning ember.
"Phew, don't worry. I'm okay. I just need a moment to rest."
[Did it work?]
"Yes, if I examine the pillar carefully, there should be an entrance. Ms. Luet said that it will open when Jin brings his shadow force close."
During the resonance process with Luet, Valeria had been engaging in several internal conversations with her.
[There really is an entrance!]
Jin adjusted his posture to ensure Valeria could rest comfortably, and she didn't bother getting out of his embrace. Seeing this, Bale and the Felinoids tribesmen exchanged glances and whispered to each other.
"We're done here. Let's go."
Jin stood up with Valeria and positioned themselves at the entrance of the pillar. He raised his palm, conjuring a bit of shadow force, and the door immediately opened.
Inside, they saw Luet, who was sitting exhaustedly, catching her breath, just like Valeria.
[You truly... haven't forgotten and came back to find me.]
Luet said with a smile.
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