Epilogue Part 4
A man with tanned skin, a red mark on his forehead, and long aquamarine hair tied in a ponytail slung over his left shoulder stood awkwardly as a pirate was staring at him with narrowed eyes and cupping his chin. More specifically, he observed his ears and mark, a distinct trait inherited by a certain Laguz tribe known to be the most powerful of all. The man, Nasir, became mildly cautious against the pirate in the bandana who stared at him curiously while at the pier.
'Has he found out...?' Nasir thought to himself. His ears and single tattoo on his forehead are often noted as a peculiarity among Beorcs. He changed his habits and behavior which indicated his dragon Laguz origins. However, someone seemed to have caught on.
Two of the pirate's cohorts looked at their fellow crewmate. One was a blue-haired pegasus knight (not from Begnion, apparently) while the other was a purple-haired fighter. The latter looked bored out of his mind while the former put her hand on her hip with a raised eyebrow. Their friend's actions were far too odd to the pair.
This pirate crew was a strange bunch. They arrived at Port Toha some time ago where they made it their den. The vigilantes... did not last long (they were very weak). No one was killed, fortunately. What was surprising was that the pirates even took care of other corsairs off the coast that dared to threaten the port. The town quickly got used to the freebooters, despite some pointed glances from the townsfolk. Their presence didn't evoke the response of Crimean knights, but there were more knights carefully observing the town. However, there were times when they got unusually quiet whenever townsfolk spoke a slur of Laguz, with a raise of an eyebrow from the pirates. A far cry from their jolly and raucous selves during the day.
At any rate, the pirates are said to depart for tomorrow, much to the relief of the town. But something was odd during this day... As today was a holiday for them (they weren't followers of Ashera). They didn't drink or do anything boisterous. They were much more reserved on this day. The sight of several pirates praying which included the captain was a rather surreal experience. However, one of the mates of the crew seemed to decide to stare at Nasir in particular which led to this moment.
"Did getting stripped by your archer friend make you inclined towards... men, Dart?" The purple-haired fighter asked the observing pirate. The pegasus knight narrowed her eyes at the man named Dart upon the purple-haired man's remark, as if somewhat jealous.
"Quiet, you scurvy dog!" Dart replied to his friend while focusing his attention on Nasir. "I once saw a wee lass like you... Her skin tone was light, but she had pointed ears and a mark or tattoo on her forehead just like you... Remember the lass from Nabata that went missing, Geitz?"
Nasir's eye twitched at the mention of the traits that may indicate a Goldoan dragon origin. The tattoos on their heads held great significance. But ears were also an indicator of non-Beorc traits. Who was this girl that this buccaneer referring to? Nasir became alert against this trio of pirates. Perhaps they were slave traders...
"... Hey, wasn't that the one who ended up in..." The man named Geitz trailed off as he took a closer look at Nasir. "Wait, didn't those siblings have round ears though...? And the lass that came with us...? I wonder... would they have pointed or round ears...?"
Nasir's brows furrowed at Geitz's last remark. Who were these people?
"Their father was human... so that might be the case..." The blue-haired pegasus knight whispered to Geitz who nodded in response. Nasir's eyes flickered at the mention of a potential Branded. "We all saw the portraits of those two. Now that I think about it, do the pure-blooded ones have pointed ears? Maybe we should have asked Nils if his mother had pointy ears..."
Nasir blinked repeatedly while Dart was busy tapping his fingers on his arm pondering on the same matter. He remained silent the entire time while their thoughts were easily conveyed through their whispers. This group was very odd, indeed.
"I saw that sketch of the kid and the woman that came to that country. Real pretty lady, sure made the captain whistle," Geitz added as he crossed his arms. "I wonder if we'll meet them if we cross the Gazaleah Sea. Then again, those bird people also had pointed ears, didn't they? They were pretty discernable based on those drawings that the Archsage made..."
The Goldoan Laguz once again felt more questions welling up within him. Now they were talking about some sorcerer and bird-tribe Laguz.
The blue-haired pegasus seemed to affirm with Geitz with a nod. "Yeah, I even saw a man who was as pretty as Lucius... but the cat and lion people have feline ears..." The pair shrugged as they were left to their thoughts.
Now they were talking about Gallia's beast tribe. Nasir felt it was time to speak.
"You all seem preoccupied with yourselves... I'm afraid I-"
"Yer not human or Beorc as they're called here, are you? Yer a dragon..." Dart queried to Nasir who was cut off by the corsair. Nasir kept his poker face but his heart was thumping. It would be a risky endeavor to fight here. He could call for guards or authorities but there was still a risk of his cover as a merchant under the Begnion empire being blown. It was good that there were no townsfolk around as they were cautious during this day while the rest of the pirate crew seemed to be at the taverns (but not drinking) save for the trio that was here scrutinizing him.
"Or are you a bird-man? Can you hide your wings with magic?" Dart's line of questioning left Nasir baffled. Dart continued pondering for a moment before raising and snapping his fingers as if an idea had come to him. "Wait, I know yer a dragon. Farina, show me the sketchbook."
The pegasus knight named Farina already held a book in her hand as she was perusing it with Geitz. Farina shrugged and handed the book to Dart who flipped through the pages. Nasir's eye twitched upon the pages where the King of Phoenicis and his retainers as well as the King of Kilvas and Prince Reyson of Serenes. The sketches were well drawn with colors and names along with concise descriptions underneath the pictures. This book would be considered very useful information against the Laguz nations and especially useful for slave traders.
Stopping at a set of pages, Nasir felt his heart sink upon seeing very familiar faces. He saw Goldoans, namely Gareth and especially...
"There it is," Pointing to the pages where Dheginsea and Kurthnaga were listed, he looked up at Nasir. "These dragons or Goldoans here have tanned skin and pointed ears with those tattoos. Just like you."
Geitz facepalmed himself upon Dart revealing the contents of every single page of the book when looking for a reference. "You really think it was a good idea to show those in front of him!?" He yelled out.
Nasir's eyes were already narrowed against the trio as his silence was telling. His emotionless expression that did not reach his eyes became all the more apparent when Nasir was ready to take action if necessary. Farina looked ready to call for Murphy as the scene was becoming tense by the second. However, Dart remained fearless in the face of the Goldoan as he opened his mouth to speak.
"You think you could tell your brethren to welcome us or a blue-haired lad soon?" Nasir was once again astounded by the pirate's audacity to contact Goldoa. "We're planning a trek to all the countries including the Laguz ones! So we're hoping you could tell your people to expect us soon!"
Nasir snapped out of his stupor to frown at the young man before him. It was only then he realized Dart was being serious based on his fearless grin. Were they fools? Their captain and their crew were strong, no doubt. But waltzing to the Laguz nations without any formal invitation (especially when Goldoa was assuredly going to refuse Beorcs) was a death wish waiting to happen. Even if he was present with the pirate crew, he doubted his king would welcome pirates that weren't the bird-tribe Laguz royals during a formal conference. And what was that about a blue-haired lad?
"I've left my homeland due to disagreement with their isolationist policies..." Nasir truthfully answered. There was no point in hiding his Laguz identity anymore. He then looked into the young pirate's honest eyes that only sought adventure. "I would suggest sailing past any Laguz countries. Phoenicis and Kilvas do not have ports or docks as the hawks and ravens have no need of them. Moreover, you are likely to die upon setting foot in Goldoa. Your cordial interactions can only get so far until you reach the Gazaleah Sea where you will likely face opposition from the flying corsairs of Kilvas and Phoenicis who are likely to show no mercy. A voyage to Begnion would take at least two months so I would prepare accordingly."
The trio did not seem afraid. On the contrary, Dart seemed to marvel at the mention of flying pirates. Nasir had a bad feeling about that look.
"Winged pirates you say?" Nasir shook his head in exasperation as Dart looked visibly more excited about the idea of meeting bird-tribe Laguz pirates. "Maybe we can recruit some bird people onto our ship. Then the Davros can also be sky pirates! We'll be masters of the land, sea, and skies!"
Nasir found himself even more astounded by this pirate's way of thinking. At the very least, the pirates here didn't call them "sub-humans". Then again, Dart did believe every word Nasir, a Laguz, said.
Farina raised an eyebrow at Dart as she was technically a sky pirate. "Did you forget Murphy and me, Dart?"
Dart turned his attention to her and grinned. She had a bad feeling about his smile. Nasir once again dreaded that look from the young corsair.
"That's right!" Dart replied with a new idea in his head. "You'll take to the skies and convince them to join us! And you can also carry the crew with Murphy onto the Hawk and Raven country's shores if they can't carry us!"
Geitz laughed at Dart's suggestion while slapping his knee. Nasir closed his eyes in deep thought to understand this group of pirates was arguably the most suicidal and rambunctious Beorcs ever to exist in Tellius. Yet he couldn't find it in his heart to admonish them.
"You are the stupidest pirate I have ever met..." Farina groaned to herself as she shook her head. "Maybe I should have just stayed with my sisters instead of going on a suicide mission with you..."
"Yer knee deep with us, lassie!" Dart replied with a hearty grin. "We are the Davros's suicide squad after all!"
"That's not something to be proud of!" Farina yelled out.
"Hahaha! I won't ever be bored with all of you around..." Geitz chuckled as the trio decided to go back to their ship.
"Wait!" Nasir called out to the trio who halted. Their attention went to the white dragon Laguz. "What was that about a girl with markings and ears like I? And how did you get that detailed book? And why do you want to visit Goldoa?"
Nasir swore he also saw the Beast King and one of his retainers listed in the book. With such invaluable knowledge of individual people from various tribes, he wondered how such a thing was in the hands of this pirate crew. He had a feeling it wasn't for nefarious purposes but he had to know.
The three looked at one another and shrugged. Dart took a step forward to answer him.
"Well, I came across the lass in a desert. Turns out she was a dragon. Then a mishap happened and she ended up in your former home. Her friends want her back. We probably won't be the ones to escort her, though," Dart answered truthfully. He then pointed to the book. "We got this to have general info of the people she met. This was made by a group of old men who spied on her. We're planning to give some copies to some of the Laguz kings in good faith."
After speaking those words, he turned and walked to the ship. Just as Nasir was about to stop and inquire more about what was revealed, Dart turned back to the Goldoan with a big grin on his face.
"That, and we want to drink the night away with all of them!"
With that, Dart nonchalantly returned to the ship with a smile while Nasir was left speechless at his last statement. Farina and Geitz thought about objecting to Dart's crude statement about old men only to realize it was true. A group of old people (the elders of Arcadia and Athos) were watching a little girl without her knowing. The pair shivered at the idea before following Dart back to the ship.
"I wonder if the Laguz are even able to drink..." Geitz wondered as he trailed behind Dart.
"I have a bad feeling about all this..." Farina added as she sighed to herself mildly regretting joining the crew.
Nasir was dumbfounded by the answer given by the mate of the Davros. From what Dart implied, this was a dragon who did not originate from Goldoa (likely the place uttered by Dart called "Nabata"). Who was this dragon girl that ended up in his homeland? And what was that about old men? He was very sure that the Laguz royals would not appreciate a book with general information and an accurate drawing of them presented. Moreover, the book was far too invaluable to be in the hands of any pirate.
He had thoughts about stealing it but realized that was not his task. He would inquire about the matter in due time... The pirates here would undoubtedly be making strides with their name likely to be known for trying to drink with Laguz.
"To drink with every Laguz king... The feat would be impossible with King Dheginsea, especially. Hahaha..."
Nasir chuckled to himself at the absurdity of this pirate crew. Where did the Davros come from? Their way of thinking was honest and pure... something that he appreciated in people.
"Bwahaha! So he met the goddess, eh? Knowing him, he probably did! Hahaha!" Fargus laughed heartily as he read the letter sent by Ike after returning from the tavern. And it said and quote:
In all my interactions with the Goddess (or at least part of her), she wasn't one to give favoritism to one race. And she didn't know about Branded or "Parentless" as the Laguz call them until I told her (AN: Base Convos Part 19). Fargus, I know you and your crew are superstitious. But don't believe in the doctrines of whatever omen the people call them. My best friend is one of them, and he's no omen. So keep sailing and treat people as you usually do.
"You don't need to tell me twice, lad! Hahaha! The Goddess of this world must be smiling down on you as we speak!" Fargus once again laughed. All the while his silver-haired messenger was present.
"So, planning to sail to Laguz countries?" Legault remarked.
He ignored the fact that Ike revealed he met a deity. That piece of tidbit was hardly the most absurd thing he'd heard since meeting him on their journey. And Ike is a boy who traveled to their world and themselves to his world.
He was more concerned about their escort going on a borderline suicide quest to drink with the native race that was not always friendly to humans (or Beorc as they are called here). The crew was likely to die if the Laguz decided to become hostile (assuredly) regardless of whether Fargus and his corsairs were strong. Moreover, some of the folks from Elibe might need a ride back.
"Aye, was waiting to get supplies and those copies from Anna. Did the lad get one as well?" To which Legault nodded.
He was asked to deliver a message from Ike along with some copies of sketches and descriptions made by Anna after being given time to copy the original from Athos. From all the interactions Fae had with the Laguz and the people she met, Athos constructed the books with what limited knowledge was given through his scrying crystal.
"Tell the lad to not worry! I'll treat everyone with the same Davros hospitality if they deserve it!" Fargus bellowed out. Legault then looked at the rest of the port town from the ship.
"I assume they've exhausted your hospitality?" Legault queried to the Davros captain. Fargus took a moment to nod slightly.
Despite being a relatively peaceful town, they were far too placid. And the uncomfortable expressions from the civilians when the Davros announced at the tavern after the taboo was lifted (religious holiday ended) that they would set sail for Gallia and other Laguz countries (even some Crimean knights that were present were dumbfounded, wondering if the pirates were Laguz slave traders). The reason they gave was to invite the kings and their followers for a drink and party away (dumbfounding the town further because you could tell that they were serious after being with them long enough). It left the entire townsfolk in silence.
The ones fond of the Davros even had the gall to tell the Pirates to just sail to Begnion where all the humans were. That somewhat left Fargus in a sour mood.
"Aye, I can tell these mooncalves have yet to see the world with their own eyes. There will come a day when their peace will end... and they will regret not holding vigilance or an open mind," He then looked to Legault who held a neutral expression. "I know you and your family like protecting citizens, but you need to consider what's important at the right time. Give help to those who desire it, clean your hands of those who waste your hospitality. Don't let their self-imposed consequences drag you and your family to the depths of the sea. You're no help if you've drowned in the briny deep."
Legault remained silent for a moment before exhaling. "I just hope that day never comes... For my family's sake..."
"Well, stay at our ship until the morrow. We're going to celebrate Dart's 6th year anniversary!" Fargus offered to which Legault shrugged.
"Ah well, might as well share in some libations..." As Legault stared into the distance at a particular spot.
That night, the Davros and former Black Fang member drank the night away. All the while a man with brown hair and dark attire quietly observed the ship. But he could tell that he was spotted by the silver-haired man on the deck. His vantage point was stared at multiple times in the night. Whenever he moved to another spot, the other party's eyes would follow while holding a bottle of mug of ale with a bored expression.
He could tell this man was engaged in a similar business as he. But how was he able to spot him...? Unless...
He quickly surveyed his surroundings but no one was present. He couldn't let his guard down. He had to report to Greil. But the news will likely result in his employer thinking the group of pirates acquainted with his son are the boldest or the most foolish corsairs ever to live. Probably both.
While the assassin quickly left the port, a man shrouded in a dark cloak with short blonde hair peered out as he quietly observed from the rooftops. He gestured to Legault with an affirmation.
"You're lucky none of us are in the mood for playing tag like the Davros, so hide-and-seek will do..." Legault muttered as he took a swig of his ale.
Why was Ike's father spying on them? Maybe for protection...? At least they knew Greil was a cautious man who would ensure the safety of his family. Jaffar was very good at remaining undetected and informing him and Lloyd of Greil's intentions. There was no offense taken. None at all...
"My my..." A man with long curlish golden hair tied in a ponytail remarked after reading a report from the knights about the pirates in Port Toha. Count Fayre, Bastian, sat amused in his estate by the pirate crew's plans to drink with the Laguz from every country.
With him was a close friend with cyan hair and yellow-green armor. His expression was more of a concern than amusement.
They heard of this crew first arriving at Port Talma some weeks ago with a group of people who became mercenaries and merchants. It was a rather odd event where pirates did not pillage a town (discounting the fact that some of the pirate crew and the captain were seen praying). On the contrary, they fought off other corsairs on the coast that dared to threaten the ports. Given the cordial interactions with the locals, the authorities stayed their hand but with a watchful eye on the crew.
"With hearts aflame with gold and dreams to show, a motley crew of buccaneers doth sail, their wish to share a moment, wine and dine. The treasure of a tale, worth more than gold..." Count Fayre eloquently spoke in front of his friend. "Wouldn't you agree, Sir Geoffrey?"
"It's ludicrous, Bastian," Geoffrey swiftly replied with a stern tone. "They seek audience with the Laguz royals, even with the corsairs of the skies and mighty dragons of Goldoa. These freebooters will be torn apart by the talons of the Hawks or claws of Gallia's beast tribe. Even if they are granted an audience with King Caineghis (highly unlikely) and sail past Gallia, they will be turned to ashes with a single breath from the sentries of Goldoa or sink to the depths of the Gazaleah Sea from the Hawks or the Ravens that scour the South Sea. Will this not sour the relations built between Crimea and Gallia if it is known that we allowed them to sail freely on our waters? The relations between Beorc and Laguz are fragile enough as is, we needn't an international incident to occur because of Beorc ruffians of the seas."
Bastian shrugged to himself as they read more reports and testimony related to the Davros. Whatever the pirates had planned was considered absolute insanity. A group of sea robbers seeking thrills that could instigate conflict between nations. It was all the more reason for them to be stopped. With that, they needed more information from those related to them.
The pair looked through witness testimony from the townsfolk of Port Talma. The group that came with the pirates joined the local mercenary group known as the Greil Mercenaries. Some of the officers were former Crimean Knights. Oscar of the 12th regiment and Titania, a former royal knight... Geoffrey was reminded of the former as one of his men of the Fifth Platoon howled in sadness at his eternal rival leaving the service of Crimea.
A red-haired woman in a ponytail began a merchant company named after herself (and her sisters supposedly). She was seen with assistants and guards selling her wares within their capital. The latter were involved with mercenary work near Melior recommended by the Greil Mercenaries and received stellar reviews from the locals. Lloyd and Linus Reed, the former being most cordial and friendly with the civilians while his brother was noted to be loud but helpful. Another included a silver-haired man with scars on his left face named Legault worked as the company messenger.
The ones who joined the company or are planning to enter the capital as reported by the citizens. A group of mage scholars, exotic nomads, and pegasus knights (possibly sisters with one of the pirates of the Davros) worked to help locals clear brigands and ruthless pirates. They performed splendidly near their base of operations in a short time to the point where some civilians even recommended they be in the service of the Crimean throne.
What was more intriguing to the Count was how the civilians described the meeting between the son of the company founder who was considered missing for a year and the green-haired beautiful woman who was said to embrace one another upon the Davros's arrival. The former was spirited away which led to the company turning in search requests and inquiries for over a year. Eventually, the inquiries halted one day upon his return several months ago...
"Upon the quay, beneath the setting sun. His heart aflutter, eyes scanning afar. With green-streaked hair that dances in the breeze, her locks of jade, like waving fields of grain. He ran to her, enraptured, lost in bliss. In warm embrace, their hearts unite once more. And tenderly upon their lips they pressed..." Bastian poetically recalled the incident while Geoffrey gave a blank look at his friend. Bastian shrugged as he decided to drop the poetic diction. "She was described to be very beautiful with long green hair and caused an uproar when they lovingly embraced one another at the pier. Perhaps as lovely as our Lady Elincia..." The Count's last statement earned him a glare from the young general but he ignored the harsh gaze and continued: "The town celebrated the arrival of the corsairs and new members of the Greil Mercenaries with all of the listed people in the reports. There was also a bard with a pretty face for a young lad (along with a beautiful acolyte)."
The most peculiar set of people acquainted with this group of pirates. Everyone wondered where all these people came from.
Geoffrey tapped the documents while mulling over the set of events that have occurred. There were no traces or anything that indicated the origins of the people that had arrived in Crimea. Not even the pegasus knights are said to come from Begnion.
"Ha..." Geoffrey sighed out. "Can we call them in for questioning?"
Bastian cupped his chin to contemplate before shaking his head. It would likely be far too impulsive to approach and demand answers.
"They say the group of mage scholars seek out our royal library..." Bastian stated as he slowly grinned and bowed to his friend. "An archive vast, where knowledge dwells and bides. To search of answers from shadowed souls... I take the task to seek the truth from them..."
The man of fair countenance and long flowing black hair walked across the forest road. He saw a fellow acolyte meditating underneath the shade of the tree with his staff beside him. A devout follower from what he could see as the man was muttering a quiet prayer.
"Setting an example by meditating to the Goddess, I presume?" The monk, Sephiran, kindly asked the bishop with short gray hair and a matching cloak. The man in question halted his prayer and looked up at the fellow bishop before him, only to shake his head.
"I am not a bishop of your church. I'm afraid we don't follow the same deity..." Sephiran's brows slowly raised at the man's response. "I come from a faraway land where we follow the teachings of a saint to guide ourselves to God and his domain. I know I will one day be judged based on the life I've lived to this point. And I am aware of the fate that awaits me..."
God? The only deity of this land is the Goddess Ashera... Only she shall judge every being on Tellius. What this man was proclaiming was heresy and non-commitment to the Goddess of this land. Nevertheless, Sephiran was curious about this stranger who followed another religion.
"My, to come across an acolyte of a different faith..." Sephiran remarked with a welcoming smile. "I'm curious as to wonder if you seek to convert civilians here in Crimea... Our Goddess may not welcome those who lead astray her followers."
The man suddenly chuckled to himself while Sephiran remained smiling.
'Is this perhaps an insult?' He thought to himself.
What kind of man of faith would laugh away such a warning? Sephiran wondered if he would proclaim an absurd idea of the Goddess being non-existent or false. Perhaps this was another way of disrespecting another religion.
Sephiran would not stoop to such an act that disparages one's other beliefs. However, the man before him was beginning to sound like the nation of Daein who are known to dislike holy men who preach the Goddess's moral ideology (while there is also a black market that follows in the tracks of the acolytes). Perhaps he's just a swindler...?
The man finally stopped chuckling and shook his head. "Forgive me, I am merely a fraud," Sephiran raised a brow after the man confirmed his suspicions with an affirmation. "I offer no solace as a bishop. I cannot preach, I cannot even forgive myself..."
It was then that Sephiran's upward smile turned downwards as he stared down at the bishop before him. How peculiar...
"You cannot forgive yourself, you say?" Sephiran repeated to the man as his smile returned. "I wonder if your place of worship involves a confessional? Would you like to confess your sins to a pilgrim such as I...? Despite following Goddess Ashera, perhaps I could offer you some solace if you wish..."
It was then that the bishop, Renault, smiled and closed his eyes. Nodding his head while remaining in the shade of the tree before the acolyte. He would confess to this man devoted to another deity.
"I was once a mercenary... and I lost an old friend of mine... In my grief, my path intersected with another who lost his beloved family..." Sephiran patiently listened with eyes closed as Renault trailed off his words. "We sought the impossible to regain them... To achieve it, we've done heresy, blasphemy against against all that was natural... In our path, was nothing more than a road of corpses as we treaded in a pointless struggle against natural fate. I killed and trespassed against many innocents, and sacrificed their lives...What we constructed in the end were dolls, imitation puppets that were an insult to all life... An insult to people who once lived... I already became something less than human upon my actions... Whatever apprehension people have against these Laguz, they should understand what kind of horrifying being I am... A sub-human wretch who killed countless people in his fruitless path..."
Sephiran remained silent to the confession as he slowly opened his eyes to a man quivering to the horrors he committed. He was curious as to what crimes this bishop committed to haunt him to such an extent. He could tell dark sorcery was involved of the blasphemous kind. Somehow, he felt empathy towards the man before him and the one involved in his tale. Two men who sought to regain their loved ones by taking the lives of others to do so. At the very least, this man referred to the Laguz with the proper term.
He was used to such foolishness from the people of this land. All the more reason everyone must face the sins they've committed one day...
"Did you and your cohort... end your offenses...?" Sephiran asked with a neutral expression. Renault shook his head in response.
"I regained my senses after seeing my friend desecrated and insulted... The other fool continued in his carnage..." Renault then pinched his clothing in a gesture to show off his attire. "This piece of clothing is nothing more than a way to escape the sins I committed. A way of attempting to find providence to atone. But it did nothing... Hahaha..."
So that was why he wore the bishop's attire. Sephiran nodded his head in understanding. So he was still wallowing in his despair. But the tale was not finished as Renault pulled out what appeared to be a stiletto.
"I killed a child's father before his eyes with one of these daggers..." Renault revealed to Sephiran, who did not react to the weapon being brandished. He looked up at Sephiran as he trembled with the blade grasped tightly in his hand. "That child later became a monk who led a miserable life. A life I caused... I sought out his judgment... and you know what he said to me...?"
Sephiran stood patiently but his heart was thumping. His expression of neutrality, but underneath, his emotions were tumultuous. Why did he feel such empathy against this sinful man?
"... What did he say?"
It took a moment for Renault to compose himself but his eyes watered. His body trembled as he once again looked up at Sephiran.
"I forgive you..." Renault replied as he sniffled with tears in his eyes. "He forgave a foolish wretch after everything I've done against him... He even embraced me and told me he was still happy after everything he suffered through... He told me to forgive myself..."
It took a moment for Sephiran to process Renault's words. He closed his eyes to mull over the fellow bishop's words.
"I see... and I assume you never will?" It was then that Renault shook his head in affirmation.
"... No... I know I will never find peace as long I live... No matter how much I attempt to repent, it will never be enough..." He then looked up at the sky which was blocked by the branches. Sephiran was about to snort as if he expected such an outcome. At least until he heard Renault's next set of words. "But I will continue onwards with my life... I will walk carrying the sins I've committed until my last breath. I will live facing the path to the heavens forever blocked to me. But I'm still happy... Happy knowing the boy continues to live on, undaunted by his past and surrounded by radiant companions... And that is good enough for me..."
Holding widened eyes in a shocked expression, Sephiran watched Renault slowly stand up. The bishop grabbed his staff and continued to walk in the direction he intended. Sephiran closed his eyes in deep thought.
"All beings endure tragedies for as long as they continue to live... As long as there are beings who feel, they will feel pain... So why...?" Sephiran opened his eyes with an indescribable emotion as he spoke softly. "How do you continue to live with such a past...? Despite being tortured by your sins...?"
He would look forward to the day he reunites with this miserable, but happy bishop. For now, the bishop of the Goddess would continue on his own path. No matter how unforgivable it was... After all, his sins were as deep as the fellow he just met...