Chapter 160
Simon had always known that Anna had a chronic illness.
Since he was a child, she would fall ill for a few days every year with a mysterious condition. Then, as if nothing had happened, she would recover and get back up.
But now, Anna lay in bed with a haggard appearance, looking worse than Simon had ever seen her.
Perhaps Richard had done something, because beneath the bed Anna was lying on, a magic circle made of mana had been spread.
"Come with me, Simon."
While she was asleep, Richard and Simon stepped outside. They climbed a low hill not far from the house.
"Father, what's happening to Mom?"
After walking a few steps, Simon couldn't hold it in anymore and asked. Richard replied in a calm tone.
"It's her usual illness. But there's been a bit of a problem."
The only place that could produce the medicine to alleviate Anna's symptoms was the Holy Federation.
However, due to the recent Neftis incident, Efnelle had issued the highest level of alert throughout the Holy Federation. All routes out of the Federation were now under strict control.
"The broker who used to provide the medicine once a year contacted me and said it would be difficult this year."
Simon had a blank look on his face. He never imagined that what happened in Keyzen would affect even this far-off place, Leshill, and his parents.
"Don't worry too much. I've already taken measures."
"Measures?"
Richard looked up at the sky as he continued.
"We've contacted an acquaintance of your mother. That person obtained the medicine and decided to personally come to Leshill to deliver it. No matter how late, they'll be here within the week."
"Ah…!"
Simon's face brightened.
"Th-that's a relief! They must be such a kind person!"
"Indeed. And that's why I have something to ask of you."
Richard met Simon's eyes and continued speaking.
"I want you to go meet that person. Things are unstable right now, and since they're from Efnelle, they might feel unsafe. I want you to be in charge of their escort."
Simon nodded energetically.
"Yes! Leave it to me."
The medicine would arrive within the week.
Anna would be okay.
Now that he had heard the full story, the heavy atmosphere between father and son lightened a little. Richard asked about life in Keyzen, and Simon, as if he had been waiting for it, began to talk endlessly.
The friends he had met in Keyzen, the professors, the classes and evaluations, and the necromancer techniques he had learned so far.
As he spoke, Simon felt it again. How truly precious and happy his time in Keyzen had been. Richard, listening to the stories, had a soft smile on his face.
"That place is still the same, I see."
There was a deep sense of nostalgia in Richard's voice as he said that.
"Are you dating any girls?"
"...!"
The sudden, surprise question made Simon flush in embarrassment.
"N-no, I'm not."
"I see."
Richard gently ruffled Simon's hair as if proud.
"This is the most important time in your life, when you're building your future. Healthy relationships are good, but youthful passion is always difficult to control. Be especially cautious when it comes to dating."
"...."
Simon quietly looked into Richard's eyes. There was a strangely defiant glint in his gaze that startled Richard.
Had Simon ever looked at him like that before?
"What is it?"
"It's nothing."
Simon pouted and turned his head away.
Richard was flustered. That sweet, obedient son of his, showing rebellion?
It seemed inevitable that spending time with kids his age at school had sparked some teenage defiance.
'…No, has Father already forgotten what he did?'
Simon, on the other hand, had already heard about Richard's school days from Neftis and Feer. Considering how outrageously promiscuous he had been, it seemed a bit much for him to be lecturing Simon about being cautious with dating.
A son's first rebellion, and a father's forgetful statement about his past—thus the thoughts of the two diverged in different directions.
As they descended the hill after talking about Keyzen, Simon steeled his resolve.
'I have to say it here.'
There was no point in dragging this out any further during this father-son time.
"Father."
"What is it, Simon?"
"There are two things I want to ask you."
When Simon stopped walking and asked the question, Richard knew the moment had come. He too adopted a serious expression and nodded.
"Ask away."
"First, what exactly is the nature of Mom's incurable disease? If the medicine can only be obtained from the Holy Federation, doesn't that mean it's related to priests?"
Even for Simon, Richard and Anna's past was shrouded in mystery.
Asking about their past had been an unspoken taboo, and Richard had once said that just knowing the truth could put Simon in danger.
But things were different now. Simon had become a Legion Commander, inheriting Richard's legion. He was directly involved now.
He wanted to know what his parents had gone through, and what his mother's "chronic illness" truly was.
"Yes, it's time you knew."
Richard raised his head.
"Your mother was one of the former Seven Saints of Efnelle. In the Holy Federation, she was called the 'Saint of Miracles'."
Simon's jaw dropped.
His mother had been one of Efnelle's Saints, like Plema!
He had thought she might have been a great priest, but this went far beyond what he'd imagined. And Simon… was the child of a Legion Commander and a Saint.
"And the illness Anna has was caused by the aftereffects of forcibly removing the 'Essence of the Saint' from her body."
"Removing… the Essence of the Saint?"
Simon had already heard about the Essence of the Saint from Neftis.
—When a Saint dies, the 'Essence of the Saint' seeps out and floats through the air! Soon, it'll settle into someone with high compatibility, and a new Saint will be born in the Holy Federation.
The power that turned a human into a demigod-like being called a Saint. To forcibly extract that, Simon imagined it must have been a massive surgical ordeal. And Richard had also willingly disbanded his own legion.
Simon had thought life here in Leshill was peaceful and carefree, but in truth, the two of them had made great sacrifices to protect this normal life.
"There's no cure for the disease. But thanks to the medicine made by the Holy Federation, she can continue living."
"...."
Simon nodded, then looked at Richard again.
"The second question is about you, Father."
"Go ahead."
"You used to be a Legion Commander."
Richard's face showed a flicker of surprise.
"I heard you were famous even in Keyzen. But the records of a Necromancer named Richard Follentia are strangely nonexistent."
Except for Neftis, none of the professors or his friends knew the name Richard Follentia. Simon had searched the Keyzen library for clues about his father, but had found nothing.
"Who are you, really?"
"...."
Richard gave a faint smile.
"I used a pseudonym."
As a child, Richard resented and hated his father, Tellon Follentia. He was a brilliant Necromancer, but also the worst kind of father.
A sociopath, an alcoholic, and someone who frequently used violence on his wife and son. For the sake of his own research, he even experimented on Richard's body.
Unable to endure the tyranny any longer, Richard had run away from home, abandoning both the family name and his given name. He declared he would choose his own name, and created one for himself.
Even after catching Neftis' attention and entering Keyzen, and even while serving as a Legion Commander, he continued using that name.
"Yona."
Richard smiled.
"When you return to Keyzen, try searching for that name."
Richard didn't offer any more detailed explanation. Having gotten his answer, Simon didn't press further.
"Father."
"Yes."
"The truth is, I became a Legion Commander. I inherited your legion."
Richard's pupils shook violently.
"...Did Lady Neftis tell you?"
"Yes."
"And Feer?"
"He was released from the seal and is doing well. Right now, I've gathered Erzebet and even Prince."
Simon was curious how Richard would react.
Would he be proud?
Or would he scold him?
But Richard didn't show either reaction.
"I see."
That was all he said. Yet his voice carried countless emotions.
"If you don't regret it, that's enough."
Richard didn't ask any more about the legion. Before they knew it, the two had arrived back at the house.
* * *
The next morning.
Simon departed early, running through the mountain range.
'It's really been a while since I came here.'
Back when he served as acting lord of Leshill, Simon had often crossed the mountains to oversee the large and small villages within the territory. Even without a Core, he had crossed Leshill's treacherous mountain ranges more than a thousand times.
Now that he was a necromancer, he could traverse the mountainous terrain much more quickly. As he maintained his internal Darkness operation and stepped on Darkness itself, the scenery around him blurred past rapidly.
As he ran, Simon recalled what Richard had said.
—The guest should already be nearby. But the Split Forest Path is full of monsters, and the terrain is confusing. For someone coming for the first time, it's easy to get lost. You should personally guide them.
A guest from the Holy Federation.
Simon felt a surge of curiosity.
To come all the way to the Dark Alliance, in a time when the entire continent was in turmoil, solely to deliver medicine for Anna. Someone willing to risk their life for Anna, they must be truly admirable.
Thus, Simon arrived at the Split Forest Path.
It was the gateway one had to pass through to enter Leshill.
Simon climbed a tall, visible tree and concealed himself, waiting.
Nom.
He popped a rice ball into his mouth, the one Richard had clumsily made. He didn't know how many days he might have to wait here until the guest arrived.
A few merchant wagons had passed by occasionally, but the place was otherwise quite deserted. Simon, expecting a long wait, pulled out his vacation assignments from subspace.
'…Ah!'
While diligently working on his homework, he spotted a traveler entering the Split Forest Path.
A white robe pulled all the way over their head, and a backpack slung over their shoulders.
Aside from that, their appearance matched almost exactly what Richard had described. Simon returned his homework to subspace and leapt down from the tree.
"It's a pleasure to meet you."
Simon bowed his head politely.
The traveler flinched and came to a halt, apparently startled by the sudden appearance.
"Ah, I'm..."
Whoooosh!
A gust of wind blew.
The traveler's body vanished, and in an instant, a kick flew in from Simon's flank.
Thoooom!
Simon barely managed to block it by raising his right arm.
Their leg and his arm trembled against each other, locked in a test of strength. The surrounding leaves scattered into the air, and a cloud of dust rose from the ground.
Simon maintained a smiling face as he spoke.
"Hold on a moment. I think there's been some misunderstanding."
"You."
A woman's voice came from inside the robe.
"You're a necromancer, aren't you?"