Return of the Fallen Volume 10 Chapter 109
Kazuki now understood why Nevius found the idea laughable. For Kazuki to sense billions or even trillions of tiny details all at once and process them, and identify them in any meaningful way was basically an impossible thing for him to do. Nevius though was different. Druids had this capability. Whether it be the flow or changes of magic and the natural world itself or the emotions, memories, and so on of another’s soul, druids could easily do it. It was almost like breathing, it was second nature.
“So it’s not something I can do on my own, I’ll admit that. At the same time, what you are capable of seems more mysterious than I. So how is it exactly that you need my help when you seem to have more capability than me?”
Nevius shook his head.
“Knowing the ways of energy, sensing the elements and souls, even I have my own failings. I may be at the convergence stage just as you are but what I need…my powers cannot grasp.”
Kazuki became curious. As far as he could tell, he outmatched the man in both physicality and magical power but the man was still above his other friends. Even if he wasn’t a fighter, with his mysterious abilities, Kazuki didn’t doubt the man could deal with those around him in one way or another. After all, the man had easily gotten past his own defenses.
Kazuki glanced at the flying silk-like objects in the sky and Nevius already figured out what Kazuki would say.
“Those, I still haven’t told you much have I. You must be thinking I have so many different abilities but can’t do what I need. Those Artifacts are not what they seem. Those things flying around, this world, and a few other things here and there are all artifacts.”
Kazuki had heard of artifacts before but these did not seem to be simple ancient relics but something more.
“Artifacts? I’ve heard of artifacts but nothing like these.”
“That’s because these are a bit special. They use Origin energy or rather Origin energy uses them.”
“The way you say it, it’s like the origin energy is alive or something.”
Nevius shrugged.
“I coincidentally found these artifacts several thousand years ago and have been studying them ever since. They have no real inscriptions that I can see and from the outside only appear to be made of a thin material that I still haven’t been able to identify. Above all of that though these artifacts use Origin energy to operate, in actuality though I can’t tell you if the artifacts are just devices or living things. You see the origin energy itself simply does its own thing. You saw earlier, the moment you attacked me, the artifacts and even the world changed. They were ready to attack you. It wasn’t me who made them do that but since they’ve been around me for thousands of years, it’s natural for them to lean favorably toward me than toward an outsider who threatens attack.”
Kazuki still couldn’t quite grasp what the old man was saying.
“So then they are alive?”
Nevius shrugged again which was annoying but Kazuki just went with it.
“Origin energy is quite mysterious.”
Nevius held out his arm and one of the flying artifacts transformed into an artificial bird before landing gracefully on his arm.
“Just now, I didn’t tell the artifact to become a bird but deep in my soul, I asked it to become a bird. It became a bird and then seeing my arm, again without asking, the artifact landed upon my arm as if it really were behaving like a bird.”
The fake bird lifted up a wing and began pecking at its feathers as if it were cleaning itself. It was acting just like a real bird in every way shape and form.
“From what I’ve gathered Origin energy may be the thing that is actually alive, while the artifact is simply the host or puppet. After a while, though the Origin energy sticks with the artifact, and something new and wonderous happens.”
“And what is that?”
Nevius lifted his arm up and the bird took off into the sky before transforming back into a silk-like object.
“Sentience. Whether it is fake sentience or real who is to say. It is because of this development though that I cannot simply use the origin energy how I wish whenever I wish. A second ago, one of the artifacts transformed into a bird because I asked to form the depths of my soul but also because I have a bond of some type, a relationship with it. This doesn’t mean I can convince it of anything and everything. Plus, it could transform into that shape because of the material it was made from. Simply folding itself here and there and it can take on the form I asked for. What I want though, none of these artifacts can help. It’s hard to explain because Even I don’t have a full grasp on artifacts and Origin energy but it is within these things as well as you that hold what I seek. Kazuki, I know things didn’t start off well between us but I swear to you I have reasons. If you help me, then I, even if I have to devote my all and become your slave, I will do everything in my power to fix the damage to your soul and serve you for all of eternity. So please, I need your help.”
Nevius mentioned one mysterious thing after another but Kazuki still didn’t know what the old man needed his help for. One thing for certain though, it was true there was a problem with his soul. Up until now, no one had a reason or rhyme for why he couldn’t grow anymore but now there was not only an explanation as to why he couldn’t continue to grow but also a possible way to resolve his issue. Kazuki decided to hear him out.
“What is it exactly you think I can do that you yourself can’t?”
Nevius who seemed to be on the verge of tears suddenly felt his spirits rise hearing Kauzki’s tone shift.
“You mean you’ll help me!?”
Kazuki’s brows furrowed slightly.
“I never said that, I’m simply asking what the problem is. After all, there’s no guarantee I’ll actually be able to fix it but if there is a chance I can help, and you can also solve my own issue…I don’t see much of a reason to refuse.”
What Kazuki said was the truth. The two may have gotten off on the wrong foot and Kazuki may have been manipulated but in the end, Nevius did not attack him. As a matter of fact, he was showing some of his own cards by bypassing Kazuki’s defenses and not attacking. It was like saying see see I could have done something but didn’t. That could be interpreted as childish but it also showed restraint and patience.
Kazuki didn’t like being manipulated like that but at the same time, he respected it on some level. From everything he could tell, Nevius wasn’t a bad person. Since in the end, nothing terrible had come out of the situation so far, and Kazuki still needed help in his own way, Kazuki decided to at least listen. If he really didn’t care for what Nevius said, there was always the option of him just leaving and the two never communicating with one another ever again.
Even though there was no guarantee of cooperation, the fact that Kazuki said he would at least hear him out made Nevius buzz in excitement.
“Well, say something. What problem do you have?”
Nevius got a grip of himself and thought about his own situation and sadness crept over him but he remained calm as he explained.
“I won’t bother you with insignificant details and I’ll just tell you the most important matter.”
Nevius began to turn a ring on his finger by rubbing it with his thumb.
“Long ago…My wife and child were killed. How and why no longer matters since I already dealt with the venomous creatures associated with it. Those matters are buried. No, what’s important are my wife and child. Back then I was weak, and although I’m part druid, at the time my abilities were latent and had not awakened. Only, later on, did my powers fully realize and I learned that souls were real.”
Kazuki started to get where this was going but remained quiet.
“As you saw while making your way through my world, there are many animals beasts, and other strange creatures. All of them were made by my hand. Just as Zephris used alchemy to create new life, I used my own powers to bring new existences into being. I have restored my wife and child’s bodies and have kept them perfectly preserved for thousands of years now. They are missing the key element and without it, they are nothing more than bodies. In order to bring them back to me, I must recover the most important piece to the puzzle. You know of what I speak of right?”
“Their souls.”
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