Children of the Rune – Winterer - Chapter 170

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 170.
The Voice of the Sealed Land (16)
Daphnen could not answer and merely gripped Nauplion’s hand more tightly than before.
No jest or quip emerged as it normally would have—because those words struck deep into his chest that day.
Even if he were to be with Isolet, if it wounded Nauplion’s heart, he would not be able to bear it in the end. There was no other way.
Just as it had been on that first day when they all learned the truth—without hurting anyone’s feelings, everything should remain as it was.
He had already changed, and “as it was before” no longer brought happiness, yet Daphnen repeated this thought to himself over and over.
He tried to believe he could return to how things were. He only needed to endure it himself. Isolet and Nauplion would be content as things were now.
“Nauplion, then let’s do this instead. When I pull your hand, just follow me. Don’t let go of each other’s hands—wherever I go, come with me. We won’t be able to hear voices, but perhaps we’ll see something, won’t we? We can’t accomplish anything by staying still like this.”
He closed his eyes once more, feeling the weight of Winterer on his back, and leaned against the stone monument.
His left hand was firmly grasped by Nauplion’s right hand. In that state, he waited for the guide to appear.
He did not have to wait long. That figure was already waiting right before his eyes. It gestured again and spoke something. Daphnen rose without releasing his hand and approached him.
As he drew near, the figure retreated slightly and spoke again. In this manner, the two of them slowly made their way to the Blue Stone Temple standing on the ground of the Alternate Space.
His mind grew hazy at times and he nearly lost Nauplion’s hand, but Nauplion did not release his grip, so they remained together.
Nauplion’s eyes likely saw nothing. Yet Daphnen beheld hexagonal pillars that rose like cliffs. It was a dwelling of blue stone that gleamed as if dusted with moonlight.
He climbed stairs that stretched a dozen paces to either side. The sensation beneath his feet was firm yet slippery.
After ascending all five layers of foundation stones and reaching the hall, he saw countless shadow figures wandering about in all directions.
There was no order, but their steps were slow and their movements gentle, so they neither collided nor became entangled with one another.
Daphnen watched them for a long time, but no one turned to look at him, so he did not know what to do. Since he could not hear voices, he could not speak to them.
The figure who had guided him had also disappeared among the others, leaving no way to find him again. He felt like a foolish child who had come to watch a slow circular dance.
Then, suddenly, one figure broke away from among the drifting souls and approached him directly. Upon seeing the face, Daphnen was greatly startled.
It was none other than Endymion. He had hoped for this, but he had not expected to meet him in such a manner.
“….”
Yet still, no words could pass between them. Endymion’s face showed shock. He continued to speak rapidly, gesturing frantically, but Daphnen could not understand a single word.
Daphnen too poured out questions, but none of them seemed to reach him.
Endymion quickly grasped the reason. He pointed to Daphnen’s hand and, with clear lip movements, said “release that hand.”
Daphnen shook his head. Whether he trusted Endymion or not was beside the point—he could not go against Nauplion’s will.
Endymion seemed even more bewildered. But then, after a moment, he changed his mind and spoke to Daphnen through lip movements and gestures. Only after several repetitions did Daphnen finally understand.
Do not come further in. Most of them are merely shadows of the past—only a few, like me, are actual human spirits. Right now they are lost in their own thoughts and cannot see you, but if they discover you, they will not let you leave easily.
It was the Tempting Shadow who brought you here, wasn’t it? That one has no substance. Following him was not safe.
Leave this place at once. Because of the person holding your hand, you are caught in the boundary between neither space.
Hurry and go outside. Because of the person holding your hand, you’re stuck in the boundary between two spaces.

Daphnen attempted to convey his intentions through lip-reading, much as Endymion had done, but with one hand bound, it proved far from simple.
Yet Endymion seemed to grasp the gist of it. He nodded and gestured urgently toward the entrance, indicating I should leave.
Daphnen shook his head and spoke with only his lips. “I came here to see you. There’s something I need to ask you.”
Endymion considered for a moment, then rose and beckoned me to follow him out.
Daphnen changed direction and followed in his wake. Once I descended the foundation stones, a long Stone Paved Path stretched before me, extending far into the distance. Its end vanished into mist.
The two of us stepped onto the Stone Paved Path.
As we walked, I suddenly noticed that Endymion’s attire differed greatly from what I had seen before.
His flowing garments were faintly dusted with what resembled white gem powder, and his sleeves bore intricate silver embroidery of hawks. Between the strands of his hair gleamed a simple golden crown.
After a time, Endymion veered from the Stone Paved Path.
At some point, a sloping Valley had begun to follow along the left side of the road. Endymion descended into it, winding his way through until he entered a shadowed Cave beneath a rocky outcrop.
Within the Cave stood a structure built of brick—a circular wall rising to waist height, resembling both a dried well and a bathing chamber.
The top lay open to reveal a blue-green sky. Green tendrils of vine descended through the darkness, reaching down to my shoulders.
Endymion perched lightly upon the wall’s edge, lowered his feet, and turned to face Daphnen.
His lips formed the words: “Say what you came to say.”
Daphnen too moved only his lips in response. “Before that, is there no way for the person holding my hand to listen as well?”
Endymion shook his head. “It’s impossible.”
Daphnen asked again. “Why?”
Endymion’s lips answered. “Because that person is not you. My sword’s power permits only you. Release that hand instead. Speak with me, then return to him afterward.”
This time Daphnen shook his head. “I can’t. I made a promise to him. I’m sorry.”
Daphnen moved to the edge of the bathing chamber-like structure, sat down, and spoke. “What I want to know is about the great fire that occurred in our world not long ago. Did you see it?”
Endymion replied, “How could I not have seen it? It was a terrible disaster.”
Daphnen continued, “A child is dying because of that disaster. If you saw anything at the time, could you tell me whatever you remember?”
Endymion fixed his gaze upon Daphnen’s eyes and spoke thus. “I apologize, but conversing this way is proving far too difficult. Bear with me a moment. It would be better if I made direct contact with your consciousness.”
Endymion sprang down from where he had been sitting.
He stood before Daphnen and extended both hands, cradling my cheeks. Simultaneously, he lowered his eyelids and pressed his forehead against mine.
In that instant, all sight vanished.
A single voice called out persistently through my consciousness, barren as a sandbank swept clean by the tide, until at last it reached me.
No other sound existed—only our two voices echoed loudly, repeating between us.

「Speak. If you talk as you normally do, our voices will pass through your mind and reach each other. You wanted to ask about the fire, yes?」

Yes. I want to know what happened to that child before the fire broke out. And I’m curious about who set it.
「I’m not certain of everything. But that child did not set the fire. The child was already unconscious when it started.」

Suddenly, the scene of the fire blazed vividly before my eyes as if I were witnessing it directly. Then the situation Endymion had just described unfolded rapidly. He was pouring his memories into my mind.
Yet it seemed Endymion had not ventured inside the Library to investigate.
From the burning Library, several children rushed out and ran a dozen paces before turning to look back.
One of them had clearly locked the door behind them, just as Nauplion had suspected.
The young boys exchanged words with one another, then disappeared in a direction away from the Unnamed Village.

「That’s all I saw. You’ll recognize who they are without me telling you.」

Of course. Yes…. I have just one more question. That child is dying without ever regaining consciousness. And because of that, one person has lost their sight. Is there any way to help them? Do you… have any way to help them?
「Well…」

Endymion’s consciousness, which had been flowing ceaselessly into me, paused for a moment. He had clearly broken the stream and fallen into thought. After a brief silence, his voice flowed in anew.

「There’s nothing to be done for the one who lost their sight, but the child who lost consciousness—I might be able to help with that. The reason the child cannot awaken is a matter of the soul. However, if I were to do such a thing, our elders would quickly discover what I’ve done. It’s no small feat…. If you truly wish to save that child, there is but one way.」
What is it? Tell me anything—I’ll do whatever it takes.
「Do you have the courage to meet our elders, even though you cannot guarantee what will happen?」
What?

Daphnen was momentarily taken aback, but he quickly steadied himself.
Not being able to guarantee what will happen means nothing might happen at all. I’m not in a position to flee toward safety just because the future is uncertain. I’ll go directly to those people you mentioned and ask them to save that child myself.
「Do you know why you must go to them yourself?」
No. I don’t know. Is there a particular reason?
「There is.」

In that moment, Endymion released his hand and pulled his forehead away. His voice vanished, and I could see his face.
He moved his lips to answer. ‘They have been watching over you for a long time. They now wish to know whether your existence is a threat or not. Go and prove yourself to them, and I hope you will receive the gift you desire from them.’
Endymion turned his body toward the entrance, then looked back at Daphnen one last time and spoke briefly. ‘We’ll meet again soon.’
He disappeared outside. And I opened my eyes.
Darkness suddenly engulfed my surroundings, and I could see nothing. At the same time, an unpleasant stench assailed my nostrils.
Daphnen fumbled about, then suddenly called out to Nauplion.
“Where is this?”
Suddenly, two arms wrapped around him in a tight embrace. At the same moment, Daphnen felt himself returning to the original world.
Led by Nauplion’s hand, as I walked out, the place where I had been sitting with Endymion was revealed to be inside a massive Tree Root.
Tree sap and rotted leaves clung to my entire body and hair, and my feet were soaked up to the ankles with something I couldn’t identify.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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