kscans

CHAPTER 7 CHALLENGE TO THE LABYRINTH – Episode 8 Isteria (Part 2)

4

Taranka began asking questions. This was something they had discussed beforehand. Taranka would ask the questions, and the other party would respond. Bard would listen in and add additional questions as needed.

“Chief Popolbarpopo. First, I would like you to tell us. Why do you and your people desire the spirit swords and its wielders?”

After a brief silence, Chief Popolbarpopo began to speak. His voice was low and deep, but it had a scratchy, inhuman quality to it.

“Let me ask you first. Taranka. Do you know what the spirit swords truly are?”

Taranka carefully answered this question.

“I have heard that they are weapons in which ancient spirit beasts reside. Depending on the affinity between the wielder and the sword, they can unleash terrifying power.”

“Hmm. From the way you put it, it seems you believe that the terrifying power lies within the swords themselves. That is not the case. The spirit swords do indeed possess formidable power as weapons. But that is not their true value. The true value of the spirit swords lies in their role as keys.”

“Keys, you say?”

“Yes. By the way, are you familiar with the “First Human”?”

“You mean King Jean? We know that humans came to this land from a completely different world, and that King Jean was one of them, becoming the king who united all the various races here.”

“Not all races. The Dragonoids were not included among them. We Dragonoids originally ruled over all the races in this land. The prosperity and downfall of the tribes were decided by our will alone. The many races fought and sought victory, all to please us. We punished those who committed sins, and rewarded those who accomplished great deeds. The strongest and most beautiful were even granted the honor of becoming a part of our own bodies.”

Bard thought to himself, “That would be only from the Dragonoids’ perspective.” The idea of being absorbed into the Dragonoids’ bodies, essentially being eaten by them, was a horrifying prospect. He couldn’t imagine the other races having willingly accepted such a livestock-like existence. At least the tribes currently living would never want to live like that.

“Then the humans appeared. No. At first, only a single human appeared. The “First Human”. The “First Human” tried to stop the conflict between the tribes. We noticed that an alien had infiltrated us. The “First Human” was a wonderful plaything. We drove the “First Human” into hardship, threatened their life, and betrayed those who sided with them. We thought we would enjoy seeing how far the “First Human” could go. But to our complete surprise, the “First Human” did not falter. Not only did they not falter, they united almost all the tribes that were under our control. And they turned their fangs of rebellion against us.”

Here, Popolbarpopo took the wooden vessel placed on the table carved out of rock and drank its contents. The Dragonoids seem to be living a very primitive life. But conversely, they do not need clothes or weapons, and hardly any tools. That may be their culture and even their pride.

“It was a terribly unpleasant thing. But it was also terribly pleasant. We waited for the time to counterattack, watching the “First Human”‘s moves. If we attacked with the combined strength of our tribes, no tribe could resist us. However, the situation progressed in an unexpected direction. There were not just one human. Humans appeared one after another. And they wielded fearsome weapons. They casually invaded our sacred sanctuary, the sky and drove us with lances of flame. Our country was originally in the middle of Fyuza. They easily reached our country. We resigned ourselves to destruction, but it did not come to that. The humans split into two and fought each other fiercely. It became so intense that they no longer had time to bother with us. A long, long fierce battle. Eventually, the side led by the “First Human” emerged victorious. We lay low and waited for a long time. After that, the humans gradually stopped flying in the sky. We thought that the humans had lost their great power.”

Next to Popolbarpopo, Chichiruarchichi was listening without moving. Is this story also unknown to Chichiruarchichi?

“We descended to the plains. It was infested by humans. But the humans had lost their former great power. The humans who had lost their bows* of flame and flying machines were pitifully fragile creatures. We gathered the humans and built a single city. We modified the gathered humans, making them our complete servants who thought of nothing but serving us. And we made them create a powerful army. Do you understand? It is revenge. Our ancestors thought that the pain and humiliation inflicted on us by the humans should be repaid by the humans. (t/n: dunno why bow here. should be lance.)

We have perfected bodies, so we have no need for the weapons or homes that humans use. But humans need weapons and armor, so we made them produce many weapons and armor. With that army, we attacked the people of other cities. But that was a failure. The humans had not lost their power at all. To our surprise, even after two hundred years since the appearance of the “First Human”, the “First Human” were still alive and well. The flying machines and bows of flame had not been lost, but had been hidden by the “First Human”. The city was instantly destroyed. The “First Human” presented us with conditions to avoid annihilation. That is to leave the continent and move to this island. Not to set foot in the places where humans live. And to watch over the “Captive Island”.

So King Jean destroyed a whole city, along with the humans living there. What could have angered King Jean so much? What kind of treatment did the people of that city receive, and how were they transformed? It was a horrifying thing to imagine. But perhaps King Jean thought that destroying that city would be a mercy for its people. The Dragonoids must have done something to make King Jean think that way.

4

“The ‘Captive Island’, you say?”

It was not the chieftain but his daughter who answered Taranka’s question.

“You saw it on the way here this morning. It’s a small island to the north of this island.”

“What is being held captive on that island?”

Popolbarpopo answered Taranka’s question.

“We were not told. We were only commanded. That island holds criminals, so we are to watch over it and no one is to approach that island.”

“A criminal? Is that what King Jean said?”

“The exact words used by the “First Human” at that time have not been passed down. Whether a sinner, a criminal, or an evil person. In any case, we thought they were human. After several decades, it was assumed that the sealed human had died. Even so, we did not approach the island as agreed. But two of our ancestors broke the taboo. They were Uldruu and Echidorkiye.”

Bard recognized the name Uldruu. He was the fearsome sorcerer, the dragonoid who could freely manipulate people’s hearts, who was aboard the large black carriage of the Shinkai Army. Bard had heard that from the General of Greed. Taranka also seemed to remember that story.

“I recognize the name Uldruu. He was the dragonoid sorcerer who could control people’s hearts.”

“Oh, you know of him. Uldruu and Echidorkiye descended upon the island. But the sealed being was still alive. It was not a human, but a terrifying and powerful existence that they had never seen before. ‘It’ immediately took control of Uldruu and Echidorkiye’s minds and gave them formidable power. The two became ageless and gained the ability to use incredibly powerful sorcery. They became the ‘It’s’ hands and feet, and ‘It’ grew its power ever more. Eventually, ‘It’s’ control reached this island directly. ‘It’ can freely manipulate anyone living on this island. ‘It’ can hear any word spoken on this island and easily discern whether it is true or a lie. ‘It’ has reigned over us with its transcendent power. ‘It’ has become our ‘master’.”

Popolbarpopo spoke in a low, impersonal voice. But when he uttered the word “master,” his tone was tinged with unrestrained hatred.

5

Hearing those words, Bard and the others tensed up for a moment. So they were now in the hands of the monster. But the tribal chief, Popolbarpopo, raised his hand to calm them down.

“No. It is now asleep. That’s why I could summon you. The rebels could also have rebelled.”

“Asleep?”

“That’s right. “Master” awakens for about twenty years, then sleeps for ten or fifteen years. Six years ago, “Master” fell asleep, leaving behind the words ‘I have found it.’ It will likely be several more years before “It” awaken again.”

So the monster of the captive island was indeed the one who spoke that voice. The Queen of Manuno said that it existed in a place other than this world, meaning beyond the Great Barrier or outside the continent. Bard had an idea and asked Popolbarpopo a question. Was the Patarapoza calendar, the cycle of the “Master’s” waking and sleeping?

“Ah, you know some rare words. Yes, that is a term born from us, the Dragonoids. The Patarapoza calendar refers to the period in which “Master” awakens, sleeps, and awakens again as one cycle.”

‘I see,’ thought Bard. So if the “Master” awakens for twenty years and sleeps for ten to fifteen years, then one “night” in the Patarapoza calendar would be thirty to thirty-five years. The Queen of Manuno said it took two “nights” in the Patarapoza calendar to gather the demonic beasts that attacked Lordvan Castle. That means it took sixty to seventy years to prepare. They had been under the Dragonoids’ curse for that long. But if the sleep cycle of the “Master” is called Patarapoza, could that monster actually be the God of Darkness Patarapoza? Bard asked Popolbarpopo if their “Master” was the God of Darkness Patarapoza.

“It could be said both that it is and is not. “Master” has been involved with the human world since ancient times, through us Dragonoids or through human collaborators. At times, he have directly wielded his immense power. On a rare occasion, he have even summoned and conversed with humans, bestowing them with power. Humans who encountered “Master” in this way came to call him Patarapoza. We borrowed that term to refer to the “Master”‘s cycle of awakening and sleeping as the Patarapoza calendar.”

Is the monster the true Patarapoza, or did they call the monster Patarapoza, borrowing the name from the Patarapoza myth? As Bard was falling into an aimless train of thought, Popolbarpopo’s voice reached his ears.

“Well then, the question was why we desire the spirit swords and its wielders, was it not. “Master” is searching for something left behind by the “First Human”. The spirit swords are the key to summoning and freely controlling it. The spirit swords were sealed within weapons by the “First Human” through contracts with the divine beasts. They can only unleash their true power when a suitable wielder appears.

If the wielder commands the spirit swords, they can draw power from the legacy of the “First Human”. And then they can freely wield it.”

The dragonoid tribe chief looked at Taranka with a terrifying gaze when he asked, “Tribe chief Popolbarpopo, why does this “Master” of yours desire the legacy of the “First Human”?”

“Why, you ask. Of course, it is to destroy it. What other reason could there be?”

“Destroy it, you say. Why must it be destroyed?”

“Because that is the only power that can annihilate “Master”.”

“What? Then, is this legacy a weapon?”

The third eye oh the dragonoid tribe chief forehead suddenly opened wide. Taranka stared straight at the tribe chief’s face without flinching. After a while, the third eye closed again.

“I do not know if it is a weapon or not. But there is no doubt that it possesses the power to destroy “Master”.

“How do you know that?”

“There is no other reason why “Master” would be so desperate to find the legacy.”

Something is wrong with this logic. Popolbarpopo must be hiding something, some information he does not want to reveal to the humans.

“The rebels who revolted this time thought to seize the power of the legacy before “Master” does. That is why they desired the spirit swords and its wielders.”

It took Bard some time to comprehend this unexpected new information. The legacy of King Jean, the monster that desires it, the faction of Dragonoids who sought to obtain its before the monster. The key to acquiring the legacy. His mind was in disarray, the information not fitting together smoothly. As if to help Bard organize his thoughts, Taranka carefully chose his words to ask further questions.

“Where is this legacy, and what kind of thing is it?”

“I do not know the details of where the legacy is or what it is like. “Master” never reveals such information to us. But we do know the location of the relay. It is within Mount Fyuza.”

“In the… middle of Fyuza?”

“Yes. “Master” has spent a long time searching for it. It was hidden deep underground, dug into the middle slopes of Fyuza. By using the relay there and commanding it with the spirit sword, the power of the inheritance can be summoned. The rebels wanted to seize control of that power before “Master” does, and to destroy “Master”. This is the final opportunity, you see.”

Taranka asked a bold question.

“Do the Dragonoids hate “Master”?”

“How could they not hate him? He has manipulated and ruled over us. At times, he has taken control of our minds, making us move and speak as he wished. At other times, he has ordered us to work like slaves. Those who dared to act against his wishes were mercilessly killed. Now that the “First Human” have died and the powerful humans have vanished, we could live freely, but “Master” still binds us to this island, because it is more convenient for him to use us as pawns.”

“Is it right to speak such words? No. Is it because the monster is sleeping now that it is acceptable?”

“”Master” has known from the beginning that we hate him. After all, “Master” has the power to read the very thoughts in our hearts, and to discern whether they are true or false. But as long as we fear “Master” and obey his commands, he will not destroy us. Ironically, by connecting our hearts, we too can read the thoughts in “Master’s” mind and know whether they are true or false.”

Here, Bard asked another question. What did he mean by “the final opportunity”?

6

After drinking the contents of the vessel, Popolbarpopo answered Bard’s question. However, his gaze remained fixed on Taranka, who stood before him. The tribe chief Popolbarpopo never once looked towards Bard. Bard noticed that Popolbarpopo’s mouth was a pale color, whereas Chichiruarchichi’s mouth had been reddish. Perhaps the mouths of male Dragonoids are white, while the mouths of females are red.

“In the beginning, there were seven spirit swords. Each of those seven swords was a key. It took a long time to uncover this fact. The “First Human” left behind various clues to lead us to the inheritance, in the human world. That is why “Master” had to learn the human language.

Do you know that the human language was not originally human? It was created by the “First Human”. The “First Human” studied the languages of the various tribes in this land, and arrived at the hypothesis that there was once a single language. From the common elements found in the languages of the different tribes, the “First Human” created a new language and made the humans speak it. That is why the human language is not particularly difficult for any tribe to learn.

After hearing this, Bard realized something. Through his interactions with various tribes, he had felt that their languages, aside from differences in pronunciation, were remarkably similar.

“Master” also forced us to learn the human language. We became “Master”‘s hands and feet, pursuing the whereabouts of the inheritance. Among us, Uldruu and Echidorkiye were particularly active. However, as they have been operating on the continent all this time, I do not know the details of what they have been doing. “Master” also sought collaborators among the humans. Many collaborators appeared, but the most important role was played by the human Lugurgoa Geskas. The human Lugurgoa became “Master”‘s collaborator and informed “Master” of the existence of the spirit swords. “Master” was overjoyed. “Master” commanded us to never be known to be moving around in the human world. Not out of concern for the humans, but to avoid disrupting the human world. The remaining clues were like thin threads, and “Master” feared they might be severed.”

Ah, in the shadows of history, in the darkness behind the scenes, the monsters and dragonoids had been covertly active.

“Echidorkiye eventually discovered that there was a relay device inside Fyuza. The human Lugurgoa searched for the spirit sword and its wielder, and Uldruu took control of his heart. The means to summon the power of the inheritance were now in place. But they were unable to summon the power of the inheritance. It was a strange occurrence. Based on the information gathered, the power of the inheritance should have manifested. In any case, the human Lugurgoa proved to be useful, so “Master” granted him great power. Furthermore, in response to Lugurgoa’s request, Uldruu was lent to him, and even the Red Stone (Lologorg) was given to him. Do you know the Red Stone?”

“Yes, I know,” replied Taranka.

Hearing Taranka’s affirmation, Popolbarpopo continued the conversation.

“I see. It was us who dug up the Red Stone that the “First Human” had buried outside the “Great Barrier”. It was an arduous task to locate the whereabouts of the Red Stone.”

Hearing that the monster had unearthed the Red Stone and made it their own, a fierce anger welled up in Bard’s heart. It was an act that trampled upon King Jean’s wish.

“We failed over and over again. And finally, I understood. It is the heart. If the heart is controlled by the power of the curse, the wielder’s heart becomes “tainted.” If a wielder with a “tainted” heart uses the spirit sword, the power of the legacy cannot be summoned. In other words, unless it is done by the wielder’s own free will, the legacy will not respond. Moreover, once the wielder’s heart becomes “tainted,” the spirit sword also becomes “tainted” and can no longer be used to summon the power of the legacy. And so, even the power of the sixth spirit sword was lost. The last spirit sword is the one possessed by the human Bard Rowen. That spirit sword is placed somewhere in the human world. “Master” waited patiently. Someday, the wielder would encounter the spirit sword and unleash its true power. The reason Echidorkiye is trying to control the Queen of Manuno and force the horde of demonic beasts to invade the human lands was the expectation that the wielder of the spirit sword would appear and demonstrate its power against the demonic beasts. And as soon as the demonic beast’s advance began, the spirit sword and its wielder appeared. “Master,” who should have been sleeping, watched this and then fell asleep. By now, he must be enjoying a most delightful dream. He must have understood the significance of this being the last opportunity. When “Master” awakens, he will make a proposal to the human Bard Rowen. An irrefutable proposal. And then “Master” will destroy the legacy, and the means to defeat “Master” will be lost forever. For those who do not accept this, now is the last chance, and Bard Rowen and his spirit sword are the last hope.”