The Celestial Race also had its own peculiarities.
Some of its members employed something similar to the Divine Magic of Milis, with beams of light that they manipulated to fight any threat.
This magic, although visually alike, was quite different—it was an innate power of the Celestial Races.
Just as Demons were resilient and possessed every kind of magic, the Celestials had wings and used their own magical tricks.
The lifespan of the Celestial Race was greater than that of dwarves, but shorter than that of elves, hovering around seven hundred years.
Their cities floated on vast suspended islands or atop mountains protected by natural and magical barriers.
As the conversation wore on, Ilya shared with Rygar information about other races.
She spoke of the Dragon Race, which had been gradually exterminated over the millennia, and also of some prominent figures of the Beast Race.
Like Giger, the Second Beast God.
From what Ilya knew, he did not wield swords or axes; he fought with his own claws and fists, and was very skilled in using a variation of Howling Magic.
According to Ilya, he was considered the greatest user of that Magic—of course, until recently. Currently, Rygar was deemed the best, surpassing Giger.
Ilya was a veritable well of knowledge, albeit with her limitations.
She seemed fluent in several languages, so Rygar took the opportunity to ask if she understood the ancient tongue of the Dragon God, since he had some books and ruins containing those texts.
Unfortunately, she did not. Still, she indicated a possible source: Demon King Beethove.
Beethove was a singular entity.
Besides belonging to a rare demonic tribe, he possessed the Demon Eye, the "All-Seeing Eyes," an enhanced version of the Clairvoyance Eye.
The only other known figure with that power was the Demon Empress. Ilya mentioned that if anyone in the world had ancient records about the language of the Dragon Gods, it would be Beethove.
Despite being a Demon King, he actually spent all his time in a library.
They talked for many hours, from which Rygar gained much knowledge. Everything he wanted to know had already been asked.
But there was one final question he needed to pose.
He looked firmly at the elf and said:
"There is still one being I need to learn more about… Few people in the world have even heard of him, much less know him."
Ilya tilted her head, curious.
"Do you know anything about Hitogami?"
Upon hearing the name, Ilya shuddered. An almost imperceptible tremor ran through her body. But, with a faint smile, she replied:
"I don't know who that is…"
It was a lie. A lie that Rygar caught instantly. His eyes narrowed slightly.
"Did I mention that I'm very good at reading people?" he said, in a soft tone, yet loaded with intent.
Ilya seemed to understand immediately. A cold sweat broke out on her brow. Yet she still hesitated. Rygar, however, remained calm. There was no anger in his voice, only firmness:
"As long as you're not against me, I have no reason to harm you, Ilya."
She glanced around nervously. Then she murmured, as if afraid of being overheard:
"It's not fear of you, Rygar… It's of him. Hitogami may be watching us right now. I don't want to be involved with him again; I don't want anything to tie me to him."
Rygar nodded slowly. He understood that she had probably not had good experiences in her contacts with the Human God.
He knew through Badigadi how tortuous Hitogami could be.
But he could not back down now.
"Even so, I need to know what you know. He's probably targeting me, Ilya. If I don't understand this enemy, I won't be able to protect my family from him."
The elf stared at him for long seconds. In her eyes, Rygar saw the shadow of fear… but also a glimmer of resolve.
Finally, she whispered:
"Alright. I will tell you what I know. But I want you never to come back here after today…"
The words were harsh. Ilya seemed reluctant to say them, yet she did.
Such was the shadow that Hitogami cast over her life.
Rygar could imagine why Ilya had asked him never to return.
Still, Rygar wanted answers.
And so, he nodded solemnly, accepting Ilya's condition. The elf sighed with regret, and spoke slowly.
"I don't know much about who he is or his goals," she began, in a contained voice, "but if you count him as an enemy, I have only one recommendation."
She looked Rygar in the eye, with an unusual firmness for her normally serene demeanor:
"Abandon any rancor against him. And give up seeking him out. Don't direct any thoughts of malice toward him."
Rygar frowned in surprise and immediately shook his head:
"I never held anything against him from the start! It was he who, from the beginning, seemed to want me dead!"
Ilya's expression turned bitter, almost resigned. She stammered:
"Then it's more complicated than I expected…"
Rygar, even more curious, pressed:
"And why?"
The elf crossed her arms, drawing a deep breath before explaining:
"If he sought you with malicious intent, there's nothing you can do to 'wash away' that rancor. No matter how hard you try… He can see the future. If he has decided that you must die, it's because he cannot tolerate the outcome of your actions. Be it something you yourself will do in the future, your descendants, or even the kingdom you founded…"
Rygar remained silent, listening, but a chill covered his heart. Ilya continued:
"You have somehow crossed his path. He saw something that made him fear you. And I'm sorry, Rygar… but he is a God. A true one. It's not just a fancy title. He cannot be defeated."
She spoke with such firmness that it seemed she had accepted this truth long ago.
"The only way to escape his influence is to ask him directly for his reasons and try to settle any unfinished business…"
As she spoke, something stirred within Rygar. A growing irritation inside him.
"And why not kill him? That would solve the problem, right? Literal God or not, anyone who needs to resort to machinations and manipulations to win… is not strong enough to crush his opposition!"
Ilya shook her head, with a sorrowful look.
"I have seen someone walk that path, Rygar. Hitogami's influence is everywhere. He does not move in haste. Almost everything he says or does is a lie. He surrounds you little by little…"
She raised her eyes to the ceiling of her cabin, as if facing the skies:
"You may even think you have beaten him. May think you thwarted his plans once or that you have the upper hand… but in the end, he wins. Nothing will remain."
A shiver ran down Rygar's spine.
He gritted his teeth.
"Then let him try…"
The elf sighed, looking defeated.
"Alright… Hitogami cannot be found. But he will also never attack you directly. He fights using borrowed weapons, mostly from humans. Beware of betrayals."
She looked at him with some concern, "That's the best I can do for you."
Rygar was not exactly happy with the news, but at least he now knew a little more about Hitogami.
And now he knew that he would be a far more irritating thorn than expected.
He stood up, looking at Ilya one last time. The elf avoided his gaze, as if feeling guilty.
"When I deal with Hitogami," he said firmly, "I will return to reward you."
Ilya did not answer. She just stood there in silence, staring at the ground.
Rygar left the cabin. For a moment, he just stood under the forest sun before silently taking flight.
The last thing he heard was a whisper:
"I'm sorry, Rygar… I have lost this battle long ago. I can no longer fight."
As he flew, Rygar was somewhat agitated.
He was restless.
He already knew that Hitogami was dangerous.
Rygar had confirmed with Verdia that the Human God was advising Pope Lucios, the main schemer behind the war that consumed the Iron Legion.
Furthermore, from their first encounter, Rygar had sensed the pure malice emanating from the being.
The advice he offered might sound helpful, but Rygar's instinct told him otherwise. He never trusted that God.
But hearing those words from Ilya's mouth was different.
A woman like her, so knowledgeable, so wise, with so much information… and yet she said that the only way to resolve this was to try to settle whatever issue Hitogami had with him.
Rygar was not irrational, even if he often acted impulsively.
He knew when to retreat before a powerful enemy; he knew how to analyze coldly when needed. But in this case, it was different.
He had done nothing. Nothing that justified being hunted as an enemy.
Just because Hitogami foresees an unfavorable fate for himself? Was that enough to want to kill him? Without even an attempt at conversation or understanding? That was unacceptable.
Rygar would not be defeated so easily.
As he cut across the sky of the Great Forest at absurd speed, his eyes shone with resolve.
Another suspicion arose in him from Ilya's words.
Since Ghislaine had become pregnant, his instincts told him not to leave her alone. He simply felt it was a bad idea to stray too far.
That feeling was one of the main reasons he had not left the Gaia Continent until now.
Now with Verdia, it was similar. A similar restlessness had settled in his heart in recent days.
Now he began to believe that this protective instinct might have some connection to Hitogami.
As for betrayals, he did not worry much. For a spy to hide from him was almost impossible.
But still, he would conduct a thorough check for precaution. He could not leave any gap.
He reflected on the information he had learned from Ilya. So many revelations in so little time.
The elf knew far more than he had expected.
Even about Hitogami, which had been a great surprise.
He needed to become stronger, faster. With enough strength, he could withstand any adversity.
Ilya said that Hitogami fights with borrowed weapons. He would need to investigate that carefully.
And although he was preparing to kill Orsted, his revenge would still have to wait a few years. Something more important was approaching.
His first child was about to be born.
The Kingdom of Gaia was in full ascendance. New prodigies were joining the Legion, growing and proving their worth.
But time did not seem to be his ally. His enemies did not seem willing to let him rest for long…
----
Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, an elf with long, wavy blonde hair was in a carriage, gradually approaching the Magic City of Sharia.
After nearly a year and a half of travel, she was finally close to her destination.
Accompanying her was a group of adventurers called the Stepped Leader, led by Soldat Heckler, a skilled swordsman.
The elf conversed with the group naturally, as if she did not mind being the only woman among so many men.
Her presence, charming and confident, kept everyone comfortable—and alert.
"Hey, Elinalise," said Soldat as he took a sip of his drink. "The boy you're looking for seems to be quite famous around here…"
Another adventurer, who had recently joined the group, nodded.
"The Magic King is very powerful. Not even experienced swordsmen can face him on equal footing. They say a Wandering Red Dragon crossed paths with him during training, but he summoned lightning and stone cannons so violently that the creature didn't even have time to react!"
The members of the group fell silent for a moment, impressed by the description. But Elinalise had already seen Rudeus Greyrat in action. She knew well what he was capable of.
Finally, the silhouette of the city of Sharia emerged in the distance, with its magic towers and vibrant aura.
Elinalise wasted no time. She leapt from the carriage, landing deftly.
"It's been a pleasure traveling with you, gentlemen," she said with a seductive smile.
"I'll be around the region for a while. Do pay me a visit, okay?"
Winking at the group with deliberate charm, she turned on her heel and walked alone toward the Magic Academy.
She was excited to meet new young people…
Full of energy.
-----
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