Chapter 152: The Twelve Thrones (4)
“Atra, I understand your intentions, but… I don’t have time for this.”
I had opposed the sudden task assigned to me, feeling both surprised and disoriented.
“There are comrades waiting for me outside right now.”
“Even if you spend a significant time here, it’s only a moment for those comrades outside, no? It’s not as if you can’t let them wait for even that brief moment, right?”
Does Atra know everything, too? Is it because he’s aware that he is doppelganger, or does he know because of a prophecy? Because of that, I had no excuses left to make.
“Not only me, but other heroes too will come to meet you someday. I’ve given them a hint through prophecy.”
“Alright… while it feels unusual, since the old heroes prepared this for me, I might as well give it a try.”
In the end, I sought out the followers of the Muses. Thus, 10 seconds in real-world time and 10 days in this world’s time passed.
“… Haa.”
I was slowly becoming accustomed to this world manifested by my mind.
It was an ordinary life with nothing particularly objectionable.
The only thing that stood out was that I had to perform songs, dances, and recite poetry in front of the followers of the Muses as part of my daily routine.
“Why do I have to perform songs? I have bad memories associated with singing and don’t want to do it.”
One day, I had approached Atra with this complaint.
“The purpose of singing is to fully reveal and purge those bad memories and emotions.”
From observing me, Atra noticed that I had been suppressing my emotions excessively.
When they mentioned that I rarely get angry except under specific circumstances, it felt as though they could see right through me.
“Alright, singing might have its reasons. But why must I dance? I’ve never had any ties with dance all my life.”
“You sure have many complaints. Dance is also a means for you to express your emotions.”
I asked about the poetry recitation last. It was said to help organize my complicated thoughts rather than emotions.
“This feels like I’m undergoing some art therapy… Actually, this is exactly like art therapy, isn’t it?”
In truth, I wasn’t sure whether all of this was really helping me. It seemed like it would be far more beneficial if…
“Can’t you just spar with me? I think I’d learn something and it’d be much more helpful for the future.”
“Possibly. Other heroes might help you through sparring as well,”
Atra responded in a leisurely manner.
“But shouldn’t I provide something that only I can give, which others cannot?”
“That’s true… but it feels like I’m not making substantial progress or learning anything,”
I sighed. The long period felt wasted, which was disappointing.
“I don’t have this kind of luxury. Among the Dwellers of the Abyss, a new threat called the ‘Princess’ has emerged, and I must prepare for it.”
Atra smiled and played the lyre.
“Haven’t you been going through life without any room for relaxation? You’ve likely not had much time for mental rejuvenation either.”
“I have the Golden Blood Elixir, and my mind recovers little by-”
“That’s just enduring, not recovering. Eventually, you will break down.”
Atra’s previously gentle demeanor had changed.
“If they can’t defeat a stronger you with force, your enemies will try to break your spirit.”
His voice, cold and reminiscent of many battlefields he’d faced, continued.
“One day, when your companions are cruelly slaughtered, and you’ve lost everything, no matter how strong you are, that sense of loss will bring you down. That’s how you’ll be defeated.”
I quietly inquired.
“Is that a prophecy?”
“It may be, or it may not.”
Atra gave an enigmatic response and resumed strumming the instrument.
“In preparation for that worst-case scenario, you need time to recover your mind.”
“I understand what you mean, but now isn’t the time for that. I don’t have such leisure.”
“Then, will you have the leisure later? Will you ever have respite, apart from death?”
I had no response.
I had never experienced leisure, constantly killing the foes I faced, preparing for new threats, and fighting again.
Even aboard a sailing ship, I never set aside the scriptures.
“If you don’t want to end up shattered and ruined, appreciate this opportunity.”
“What should I do? Is there a miracle or a divine relic here for healing one’s psyche?”
“Oh, you frustrating friend. I’m already providing everything here, so just accept and enjoy the present. Let go of that anxiety.”
After that, I tried to follow Atra’s advice, and before I knew it, more than a month had passed in this place.
Initially, the followers of the Muses had little to say beyond criticizing my dance moves, but they gradually began to ask me questions.
“What were you feeling just now?”
“What emotion do you think was conveyed in these lyrics?”
And then I began to see. The desolate landscape within myself. The followers of the Muses and Atra asked me,
“What kind of life do you wish to live?”
Initially, I considered various responses. I want to drive away the Foreign Gods and bring peace.
I want to condemn the corrupt religious figures.
Every time I gave an answer, Atra and the followers would ask if that’s truly the life I wanted.
/Eventually, I realized that I didn’t particularly wish for any specific kind of life.
“Most people would say they want to live a peaceful life. Seeing children grow up in a family, things like that.”
Atra showed a bitter smile.
“But you don’t seem to have such answers, do you?”
It wouldn’t be bad, but it wasn’t something I actively aspired to. Days passed, 100 days in total, without a proper answer.
“I suppose after all, I am not really wishing for life.”
In the end, I found my answer.
“Why do you think that?”
“I imagined a life without inference from Foreign Gods or doubts about my friends. I also imagined a world without the corrupt clerics who anger me.”
Atra and the followers of the Muses listened patiently.
“I thought about how I would live in such a world and what I would want to do, but… there was nothing.”
“Perhaps some people want to live a life without grand purposes. But not you?”
“For me, such a life isn’t much different from being dead.”
So I reached a conclusion. I would leave this place now.
“Atra. And followers of the Muses. Thank you for everything until now.”
“You’re leaving?”
“Yes. I want to go outside and search for my life’s purpose.”
Atra gently smiled and handed me the lyre.
“Once back, look for other relics left for you akin to this.”
“Relics left for me?”
“Yes, all twelve heroes have prepared these for you. Through meditation, you can contact them to receive guidance and grow. I’ve left prophecies and requests.”
Atra said with a bright smile.
“There will be the battles and training you yearn for. Most of them will help in that way. But don’t forget.”
I knew what not to forget, even without being told explicitly.
“I’ll make sure not to push myself too hard.”
During my stay here, my mind had greatly improved. My mind felt clearer and my heart more tranquil.
“Though many things may await you, brace yourself and endure. May your future be brilliant.”
As Atra’s blessing echoed, the world slowly faded.
The doppelganger of Atra and the followers of the Muses quietly accepted their dissolution and departure.
“I’ve rested well. Thank you.”
That was how I opened my eyes.
“He’s awake!”
“Already?”
Familiar voices sounded.
Although I had only been meditating for a short while, it felt as if I’d returned from a long journey.
“Was it unsuccessful?”
“No, it was a success.”
I checked my character sheet. My recovery was more than just a restoration of mind.
“No wonder my mind feels refreshed and clear.”
The value for my mind had grown to a staggering total of 200. Though multiple stats had already surpassed the human limit starting from the 3rd rank, this was remarkably exceptional.
“And there are 11 more heroes to provide such guidance. I’m looking forward to it.”
As I chuckled to myself, the people around me began to murmur.
“Doesn’t it feel like he’s changed a bit?”
“He seems more relaxed, doesn’t he?”
『Could that Apollo’s priest have possessed him instead?』
I couldn’t blame them, but it was quite something.
“Stop with the nonsense and let’s gather the divine relics.”
When I pressed the sculpted piece of a box on the wall, it split open, revealing a hidden space behind it.
A pristine and beautiful bow. Shoes with feathers. A shield with Medusa’s image.
An elegant belt woven with golden thread. It was a room containing all the divine relics.
“How did you know?”
“I asked Atra directly. Ah, I almost forgot.”
I carefully approached the statue and broke the cup it held. I expected a goblet inside, but surprisingly, there was a seed.
“This is… a grape seed. Am I supposed to grow grapes and make wine with this?”
This was quite unique for a relic. I took the seed and Aphrodite’s relic, the belt.
“I think it’s best to use this during meditation and then give the belt to Gluttony,”
I thought. It was a charming object meant to enhance beauty or allure, but it wasn’t particularly necessary for anyone.
『I’ll let you eat this belt later.』
『Yay!』
Not having consumed anything unrelated to Foreign Gods or people for a while, Gluttony eagerly anticipated the new type of meal.
“Let’s go now. I’ve gathered everything I needed.”
The remaining relics not found here would undoubtedly require direct discovery.
“Can I really take all these?”
Talia looked flustered at the sudden abundance of equipment.
“Each of these must be an incredible relic…”
“You have to stay and continue guarding this island. It’s essential to enhance your combat power.”
I added a request to borrow them when I meditated later.
“Aren’t you doing it now? I figured you’d handle all the meditations today.”
“It doesn’t feel like the right time now. We’ll know when it is.”
It was a baseless hunch. One thing I was certain of was not to push myself excessively.
“Wow… You seem so relaxed now. Like a grandfather.”
“Hey.”
Playfully tapping Talia on the head, having fulfilled our tasks, we left the temple.
Watching the entrance close behind as soon as we exited, I turned to my companions.
“Mary, Lyla, and Eldritch. You’ll need to work hard from now on.”
『Huh?』
“Why are you saying that so suddenly?”
To the puzzled trio, I replied with a smile.
“Before facing the Princess, I’ll elevate you all to the 4th rank. Prepare for intense training, everyone.”