Chapter 25: Just Part 4

Arna and Dana.

It wasn’t hard for Pia to guess why they had locked themselves away in their respective rooms without welcoming any visitors.

Both were likely blaming themselves.

Arna, imbued with the power of the elves and the World Tree, could have stopped the Demon King’s final rampage at the last moment.

Of course, it would have cost her life.

But to the rest of the party, that wasn’t an acceptable choice.

Neither Pia, Dana, Kalia, nor anyone else would have chosen between Arna’s life and one of the heroes.

Dana blamed herself for not completing her research in time.

If her research had been completed at the critical moment, the hero’s sacrifice might not have been necessary.

But even for an unprecedented genius like Dana, who overturned and redefined established theories and fought on the frontlines with unparalleled contributions, there were limits.

If she had been given ten years, she would undoubtedly have found the answer.

Yet she had only discovered the possibility a year ago—far too little time for her research to bear fruit.

The foundational theories she built in that short period, however, were so groundbreaking that the wizards of the Magic Tower were left in awe.

Thus, it wasn’t that the two of them failed to save the hero.

The circumstances simply didn’t allow it.

Everyone did their best and achieved the best outcome they could, even if that outcome required the hero’s sacrifice.

In war, death is inevitable.

If one were to claim that a death “didn’t need to happen,” it would tarnish the honor of the fallen.

…But still.

Even so, those left behind can’t help but revisit the possibilities again and again.

Because a life lost cannot be regained.

“Are Dana and Arna still avoiding contact with others?”

“They are.”

Last time, Pia hadn’t been able to give Kalia a proper answer.

All she could suggest was giving the two a little more time.

That was the best answer she could muster.

A few days had passed since then.

Fortunately, it didn’t seem like Arna and Dana were living like recluses.

They both occasionally stepped outside for necessary engagements.

But they hadn’t come to see Kalia or Pia.

The reason why they couldn’t visit the companions they had risked their lives with for five years was… probably just one thing.

Seeing their comrades reminded them of the one they lost.

It was the same for Pia and Kalia.

There were no thoughts like, “Why can I endure it but you can’t?”

They simply coped in different ways.

Neither of them would live like this forever.

“I don’t know exactly what Arna is doing in her room, but Dana is likely continuing her research. Even if the Demon King is destined to revive someday… that won’t be for hundreds of years.”

The situation seemed optimistic because Dana’s research wouldn’t take centuries to complete.

But Pia shook her head at Kalia’s murmur.

“No, that’s not why she’s rushing her research.”

“…I suppose not.”

Kalia nodded slowly, agreeing.

Dana believed they lost the hero because she was too late.

She must be thinking that she couldn’t afford to be late again.

The longer her research takes, the more danger someone might face—and that someone could be someone close to her.

That’s why Dana was so devoted to her research.

And indeed, the results of her research wouldn’t only be effective against the Demon King.

They would also be useful against the remnants of the Demon King’s army and certain demons.

The faster her research was completed, the lower the chances of someone losing a loved one to the remnants of the Demon King’s army somewhere in the world.

Even so, placing all that burden on Dana was undeniably unfair.

“So, the reason you called me must have something to do with those two, right?”

It was highly disrespectful for Kalia, the second daughter of a ducal house, to speak casually to Pia.

While her status wasn’t low, her position was far from that of someone who could casually address Pia, the head of the Church and an esteemed companion from the hero’s party.

But this familiarity was allowed because they had shared life-and-death struggles together.

Pia didn’t mind, even if Kalia was keenly aware of the breach in decorum.

“Yes.”

Pia’s firm answer made Kalia’s eyes light up.

“Do you have a clue to bring them back around?”

“Yes, I’m confident.”

“Oh?” Kalia nodded.

Although Kalia was the youngest to rise to the top of the knights, she had grown up as a noblewoman and possessed considerable knowledge of magic and holy power.

However, she was no expert.

Her knowledge was more about countering those forces as a knight and making minimal use of holy power.

Still, no matter how well-versed Kalia was, she couldn’t compare to Pia.

As the only person who could communicate directly with the goddess, Pia wasn’t just someone who sensed the goddess’s presence but one who could converse with her.

She might even have sought advice directly from the deity.

“I see. You called me to meet with them, then.”

“Yes. The remaining party members need to gather.”

“Is this related to holy power?”

“Yes.”

“I see.”

Kalia didn’t ask further questions.

Her trust in Pia, a companion she would entrust her life to, was absolute.

If Kalia ever heard rumors of Pia betraying the kingdom, she would immediately assume the kingdom was at fault.

Her five years with Pia made her trust the saint more than even her own brother.

“So, which one should I guide you to first? Arna, who is staying in the royal palace?”

“Yes, Dana surely doesn’t want to leave the Magic Tower.”

It wasn’t as if they’d be turned away outright if they went to the Magic Tower.

However, the tower was a hub of countless ongoing experiments, some of which posed significant risks to human health.

To prevent accidents, the tower meticulously divided its internal areas into zones and regulated access based on strict permissions.

Naturally, both Kalia and Pia, as outsiders, couldn’t enter the so-called “danger zones.”

Even if their request to meet Dana was granted, reaching her laboratory at the very top of the tower required following procedures—for the safety of the tower, its surroundings, and themselves.

Furthermore, as the master of the Magic Tower, Dana was deeply involved in complex and hazardous research.

Given that, meeting Arna at the royal palace, which required no special permissions, would be the better first step.

“Then let’s go. I’ve been in and out of the royal palace countless times.”

“Please lead the way.”

They knocked on the door and called out, but as expected, Arna didn’t open it.

No, perhaps it wasn’t that she wouldn’t open it, but rather that she couldn’t.

“…She’s right behind the door.”

Kalia sensed Arna’s presence just beyond the door and muttered.

If Arna wanted to hide, she could have done so completely, but it seemed she had no intention of doing that right now.

Kalia glanced at Pia.

She had tried several times before, only to get the same result.

This time, she simply hoped Pia, who had accompanied her, might hold the answer.

“Arna.”

Without hesitation, Pia stood before the door and spoke in a calm voice.

“There’s a way to meet Shihyun.”

Kalia’s eyes widened.

“But it won’t be easy. That’s why I need your help. And Dana’s and Kalia’s help as well.”

From beyond the door, Kalia noticed Arna stirring.

Arna, who always walked gracefully with the characteristic light steps of an elf, now seemed to be moving in a hurried, uneven manner.

The door, which had remained firmly shut except in the most necessary situations for days, suddenly flew open.

“…Is it true?”

Standing before them was an elf with a haggard appearance.

Her hair and attire were neatly arranged—Arna hadn’t neglected her responsibilities at formal events.

But no amount of grooming could hide the dark circles shadowing her eyes.

“Is it really true…?”

When Arna asked in disbelief, Pia nodded.

“Yes.”

“But there’s a significant chance of failure.”

“How?”

It was Arna’s question.

How could one possibly meet the soul of someone who had already died?

It was said that departed souls, guided by the goddess or an elven-style prophet, found peace in the afterlife.

Moreover, the soul of Shihyun, the hero, had already crossed over to another realm—

“We’ll persuade the goddess.”

Kalia’s jaw dropped at Pia’s statement.

“We cooperated to help the hero save the world. We’ll demand appropriate compensation from the goddess.”

Arna was equally speechless.

“I’ll handle the negotiations, but I need all of you to support me.”

No one could give an immediate answer.

If Dana had been there, she likely would have been just as stunned.

Even the goddess, watching this unfold, was at a loss for words.