Chapter 62 - The Spirit King of Light
"Is that..."
His Highness leaned forward, his eyes narrowed as he strained to see through the intense light. As the brilliance gradually softened, revealing the figure within, the arena erupted into a fresh wave of commotion.
"Is that really..."
"No way..."
"Could it be?"
So this is it.
Part of me had felt that he might not appear this time. I had known who was supposed to manifest today, but because I had been in the waiting room during the previous timeline, I had never seen him with my own eyes. The reality was beyond anything I had imagined—his presence was breathtakingly overwhelming. While one needs high mana to see ordinary spirits, the Spirit Kings are different. It was said that when a Spirit King appeared three hundred years ago, every person present could see him.
Judging by the reaction of the crowd, everyone in the arena was currently beholding the radiant figure.
"The Spirit King... of Light," I whispered.
The priests and mages nearby, though bewildered, seemed to realize the gravity of the situation and immediately prostrated themselves. I glanced at His Highness, who had placed a hand over his heart and bowed his head. I followed suit, offering a respectful bow from my seat.
With my head down, I couldn't see the surroundings, but the voices of confusion soon turned into cheers before falling into a hushed, reverent silence as the students caught on.
"It is well. I do not seek your prostrations."
At the sound of that voice, I slowly raised my head and looked toward the center. There stood the Spirit King of Light, radiating an absolute presence. His golden hair reached his waist, shimmering with light, and a crown—the symbol of a king—rested upon his head. He was tall and slender, with cool, sharp features. He was the embodiment of absolute authority and beauty.
"Now then... was it you who summoned me?"
The Spirit King scanned the area with his gaze alone before stopping at Anna-san. Her cheeks were flushed with excitement she couldn't hide. "Yes," she answered in a firm voice.
"To think a human could call me forth... It has been a long time since I have seen one so interesting. Indeed, your mana matches the color I saw when I was summoned... or does it?"
The Spirit King looked at Anna-san, his expression shifting into one of contemplation.
"...Something feels off."
"Something?"
The Spirit King moved slowly, as if searching for something, scrutinizing Anna-san and then Theodore-sama. Then, his gaze shifted toward the spectator stands.
Wait. Did he just look at me?
My heart thudded painfully against my ribs under his sharp gaze. My body froze, as if paralyzed. Despite the distance between us, it felt as though he were standing right in front of me.
What is happening?
Overwhelmed by anxiety, I forced my stiff fingers to reach out and grab the nearest thing I could find. A large hand immediately enveloped mine.
Ah... His Highness?
I must have grabbed his uniform. Realizing this, he had squeezed my hand back. I couldn't turn my head to look at him, but the warmth of his hand felt like he was telling me, It's okay. I felt a wave of relief. As the Spirit King looked away, the paralysis vanished, and my body felt light again.
"What is it, Rachel?"
"Nothing..."
His Highness noticed the change immediately and peered into my face with concern. He might have been calling my name for a while without me noticing. Deciding it would be too difficult to explain what had just happened in this setting, I simply offered him a vague smile. He looked like he wanted to say more, but the Spirit King's voice drew our attention back to the center.
"Changed the future? No... you went back. I see."
The Spirit King closed his eyes for a moment, looking thoughtful, before muttering something under his breath. We were too far away to catch the words. Then, his shoulders shook as he let out a soft, amused chuckle. "To think even I didn't notice until now. You've played me well."
"It seems there are several interesting humans here," he said, turning back to Anna-san.
"Since you called me, you must have a wish. What is it?"
"...A blessing. I wish for the blessing of the Spirit King."
"Ho? A blessing. And you claim to be worthy of my protection?"
"Whether I am worthy is for you to decide, Spirit King-sama. I simply desire your blessing."
Anna-san looked him straight in the eye. The Spirit King rested his hand on his chin, considering her request.
"You have suppressed your original personality. No, that was also you to begin with... You regained your previous memories at the cost of your current ones?"
"Wh—!"
The Spirit King seemed to be whispering something into Anna-san's ear that I couldn't hear. Whatever he said caused her to recoil, her eyes widening in shock. Her face turned pale—or perhaps that was just my imagination.
"I wonder what they're talking about."
"I can't tell from here. Theodore might be able to hear, being so close..."
His Highness had overheard my mutterings. He nodded and spoke softly, as if to himself. "Still, for a Spirit King to actually appear..."
Indeed. Who would have expected a Spirit King to manifest? It was the stuff of fairy tales. Because I hadn't seen it in the previous timeline, I hadn't truly understood the magnitude of it. But the Spirit King standing before us possessed an aura of undeniable divinity. It was clear why he was worshipped as a god in this country.
Anna-san and the Spirit King continued their private conversation for a while longer.
"You cannot hide anything from me. I can see the future you desire."
"Is it... is it possible?"
"I do not interfere in the affairs of men. Therefore, I shall say nothing of your ultimate fate. Everything depends on you. However, is there truly value in something that may never come to pass? There is no guarantee the future you want will arrive."
"Even if I have to gamble everything... I want to make it happen. If I miss this chance, I'll run out of time."
"Amusing. I truly cannot fathom the thoughts of humans. ...However, I find your singular devotion to be to my liking. I shall grant you my blessing. But know this: my power cannot be used for evil. Light is a power filled with mercy. It cannot be wielded by those who do not understand that."
"Yes... yes! Thank you so much!"
I still couldn't hear a word. Anna-san seemed to be pleading desperately. I had never seen her like that before. As their talk concluded, Anna-san closed her eyes and clasped her hands in front of her chest. The Spirit King placed a hand on her forehead. Instantly, a shimmering, brilliant light enveloped her entire body.
In that moment, I understood.
Ah, it didn't change. The Spirit King of Light has given his blessing.
Right here, right now, a Saint was born. Anna Carroll, the Saint.
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