-As expected of that Pointy Ears!
Wrath clapped his hands and exclaimed excitedly.
-No matter when or where, causing trouble is just like him!
He chuckled, saying it was just like Rimmer to thoughtlessly dodge Lady Siyana's attacks even in such a crucial situation.
'Don't laugh.'
Raon pushed away the snickering Wrath and nodded to Siyana, signaling her to attack again.
"O-Once more!"
Siyana raised her hand holding the ocarina and commanded the Highest-grade Spirits to attack. With a thunderous roar! Unlike before, the Highest-grade Spirits didn't concentrate their Spirit Energy on a single point, but instead released flames, wind, earth, and water energy from four different directions. The energy rumbled through the air!
The Spirit Energy unleashed by the Highest-grade Spirits created massive waves as it shot toward the mist surrounding Sepia.
'He won't be able to dodge all of this.'
Raon nodded as he lowered the hand holding the Heavenly Drive.
'Let's see how much he can repel.'
He extended his Aura Perception to determine how much power would be needed to purify Rimmer's soul. However, once again, things didn't go as expected. With a whoosh! The red mist and wind guided by Rimmer's soul created openings on its own, deflecting the Highest-grade Spirits' attacks into empty space.
"Huh...?"
Siyana's lips trembled as she looked at the holes in the sky before turning her gaze to Raon.
"L-Lord Raon. What's going on? You said Older Brother would let himself be hit..."
She trembled the hand holding the ocarina, as if asking why things were different from what was said. With a shriek! The Highest-grade Spirits seemed stunned by how easily the mist and wind had avoided their attacks, freezing in mid-air.
"I apologize."
Raon lowered his gaze, unable to meet Siyana's eyes properly.
"I couldn't predict this situation either..."
He had thought Rimmer came to Sepia to purify that red malice, so he expected him to willingly take the hits. However, Rimmer freely controlled the mist and wind to deflect the spirits' attacks, as if determined not to be struck.
'Should I just erase it myself?'
If he unleashed sword strikes too fast to react to, he could easily eliminate that mist and wind. However, that would defeat the purpose of purifying Rimmer's soul.
'Besides...'
Siyana wouldn't be able to gain the elves' support. Other elves were present at this location. If he solved the problem instead of Siyana, her support would decrease rather than increase.
"Could it be that Older Brother has been tainted by malice?"
Siyana paid no attention to the other elves' gazes, as if Rimmer's soul mattered more than anything else.
"That's not likely."
Raon calmly shook his head.
"If Master had been tainted by malice, he wouldn't just be dodging like that - he would have counterattacked. The fact that he's remaining still suggests he has other intentions."
The malice composed of red wind and mist harbored tremendous power. Though he had more than enough strength to counterattack, his stillness indicated that Rimmer's soul remained untainted.
"That's right. That fool may be stupid, but he wouldn't lose that easily."
Sterin nodded heavily, showing his faith in his grandson Rimmer.
"Indeed. Master is someone who smiled even while enduring the vengeful spirits within the Blade of Requiem."
Martha pressed her lips firmly together, showing her trust in Rimmer.
"T-Then why is he acting like this?"
Siyana tilted her head in confusion.
"I'm not sure either. He's always been quite peculiar..."
Raon sighed as he looked at the red mist and wind surrounding Rimmer's soul.
'It seems like he wants to say something.'
Since they weren't in the mental world and didn't have the Blade of Requiem, there was no way to know what Rimmer was thinking.
"Then I'll try once more!"
Siyana raised new Spirit Energy to attack the red mist and wind, determined to save Rimmer. With a whoosh! The Highest-grade Spirits launched stronger and faster attacks than before, but the wind and mist retreated like an ebbing tide, avoiding all attacks.
"Eek!"
Siyana chewed her lips in frustration.
"Perhaps..."
Raon lowered his eyebrows as he approached Siyana from behind.
"Can you summon Elayim?"
"Elayim?"
Siyana's eyes widened at the sudden mention of Elayim's name.
"As you well know, Lord Raon, Elayim and Ifrit are currently working on stabilizing the spirit realm, so it will be difficult for them to come. But why?"
"I thought Elayim might be able to figure out why Master is acting this way."
He asked Siyana to summon the Water Spirit King Elayim, thinking she might be able to communicate with Rimmer in his current state.
"I'll try calling her."
Siyana closed her eyes after sending the Highest-grade Spirits back to the spirit realm.
-You have that one too. That pathetic Fire Seed.
Wrath jerked his chin, suggesting to call Ifrit.
'I've been calling, but there's been no answer.'
Even during the war with the White Blood Religion, when he wanted to borrow Ifrit's power, there was never any response despite his calls.
'Still, just in case...'
Ifrit! Raon closed his eyes and called Ifrit's name with his soul's resonance.
'Ifrit! Answer if you can hear me.'
He concentrated his mind and called out to the Fire Spirit King, but again there was no response.
"Hah..."
Siyana let out a deep sigh, seemingly unable to contact Elayim either.
"It seems it didn't work."
"Ah, no. I did make contact."
She nodded, indicating she had spoken with Elayim.
"However, she says she's in the middle of important work and can't even send an avatar. She mentioned that Ifrit lacks the ability to even respond. She asked me to convey her apologies."
Siyana scratched her cheek as she explained why Elayim and Ifrit couldn't come.
"Ah, so that's why..."
Raon smiled faintly as he finally understood why Ifrit hadn't been responding. Fortunately, it seemed the connection wasn't completely severed.
"Then for now, we'll have to endure this..."
"But Elayim mentioned that conversation might be possible with Lord Raon's spirit?"
Siyana extended her hand, pointing at Raon.
"My spirit? I don't have any connected spirits except for Ifrit."
Raon blinked blankly.
"What? She definitely said there was one."
Siyana tilted her head, insisting that Elayim had said so.
"A spirit that I have... Ah!"
Raon clapped his hands as he realized which spirit Elayim meant.
"I do have one. Though we don't have a contract, I only gave it a name."
He thought he couldn't call it since he had only given it a name without forming any contract.
"Giving a name to a spirit builds an even deeper relationship than a contract. Spirits cherish names above all else."
Siyana nodded, encouraging him to try quickly.
"I'll try."
Raon closed his eyes while slightly spreading his hands.
"Haerang."
He called out with his heart to the Sea Spirit who had played a crucial role during the war with the White Blood Religion. With a splash! A small water droplet rose between his hands and transformed into a young wolf containing the essence of the sea. With a howl! Haerang let out a sharp cry toward him, as if asking why he hadn't called sooner.
-Scold him more! It's as if he abandoned you!
Wrath furrowed his brow, saying it was too much to leave such a child alone.
-This fellow has always been heartless and petty. Don't be hurt, just come to me, your King.
He stroked Haerang's back, saying the demon king of Wrath would personally accept him.
"It's not that I didn't want to call you. I thought it would be better to leave you be since you live in the sea."
Raon patted Haerang's head, saying he didn't know the spirit had been waiting all this time. With a playful growl, Haerang seemed to cheer up immediately upon receiving the apology, grinning happily.
-What kind of wolf has such a good temperament! Just bite him!
Wrath patted Haerang's behind, telling him to bite Raon's arm. However, naturally, Haerang couldn't hear Wrath's words and just wagged his tail at Raon.
"C-Could that child be a Sea Spirit?"
Siyana's eyes widened in surprise.
"Yes. This is the spirit who played a crucial role in the war against the White Blood Religion."
Raon nodded as he gently pressed Haerang's forehead.
"Hmm, though it seems quite young, it possesses power far exceeding that of a Highest-grade Spirit. Impressive."
Sterin let out a breath as he sensed Haerang's Aura.
"It's because he's been through a lot. That power was both a blessing and a Curse."
Raon smiled bitterly as he recalled what Haerang had been through.
"Indeed, the realm of the soul is on a different level. That child might be able to understand Older Brother's intentions."
Siyana licked her lips, saying Haerang might be able to discover Rimmer's intentions.
"Then I'll send him."
Raon lifted Haerang and met his eyes.
"Haerang. Master's soul is inside that mist and wind. Could you ask that damn Elf what he wants to do here?"
He stroked Haerang's head as he made the request. Haerang wagged his tail as if saying to leave it to him and leaped into the air. Sea-colored waves flowed around his spirit body as he began pushing away the harsh wind and red mist.
Haerang passed through the mist and wind that even the Highest-grade Spirits couldn't penetrate, making contact with Rimmer's soul deep within.
"H-He really went in!"
Siyana stamped her feet in excitement.
"Such ability despite not being one of the four Spirit Kings... We might be witnessing the birth of a new kind of King..."
Sterin nodded his chin as if suggesting Haerang might become a new Spirit King. Having lived his life as nature's Guardian, he seemed to see the future of the spirits. Soon after, the mist parted again and Haerang began descending slowly.
His appearance hadn't changed at all from before, suggesting there had been no fight.
"Are you alright?"
Raon asked as he caught the falling Haerang with both hands. Barking, Haerang moved all four legs as if swimming, indicating he was fine.
"Then did you hear what Master had to say?"
He quickly turned his head to look at Siyana and Sterin. Haerang descended to the ground and approached Sterin. He trembled his legs as if injured, then suddenly straightened his back and howled proudly.
Haerang then stood before Siyana. He shook his entire body as if frightened, then straightened all four legs and let out a majestic roar like a king of the plains.
"Why is he acting like that?"
Martha tilted her head in confusion.
"Maybe he's hungry?"
Evelyn blinked, equally puzzled.
"Ah, I understand!"
Dorian shouted as he jumped forward.
"Master wants to give vitality to Lord Sterin to save him, and also give Lady Siyana the courage to become a Guardian!"
He nodded vigorously, certain of his interpretation.
"...That's correct."
Raon closed and opened his eyes heavily.
"As Dorian says, it seems Master wants to help Lady Siyana and Lord Sterin."
He nodded, agreeing with Dorian's interpretation.
-When did you come up with such thoughts?
Wrath blinked as if asking what he meant.
-Just a moment ago, you were thinking the same as that madwoman about him being hungry!
'I thought that internally.'
-No, I was reading your thoughts...
'I did. Really.'
-There's no need to lie to your King...
'I'm telling you I did.'
-...You crazy bastard!
***
"Even in death, he's still worrying about me!"
Sterin bit his lip upon understanding Rimmer's intentions as he remained in Sepia's sky.
"That foolish grandson!"
Despite his harsh words, his eyes reddened with emotion.
"Older Brother..."
Siyana also sniffled as she realized Rimmer was still worried about her.
"I'm sorry. For being such a foolish little sister..."
She bowed her head, apologizing to Rimmer instead.
"Some people really never change."
Martha looked up at the sky and smirked. She seemed happy that Rimmer hadn't changed.
"But though I understand why he's staying that, what are we supposed to do?"
She narrowed her eyes, suggesting this was the most important question.
"Indeed. Just purifying that Aura won't be enough to provide vitality and courage."
Evelyn wiggled her finger, saying they needed to think rationally. Haerang barked in sequence while looking at the ocarina Siyana was holding, the World Tree, and Raon's sword, as if indicating he had learned about that too.
"The World Tree, the ocarina, and the sword?"
Martha tilted her head, completely confused.
"I see."
Raon nodded after examining each item Haerang had pointed to: the World Tree, the ocarina, and the Wooden Ring Sword.
"I think I understand this."
-What nonsense.
Wrath wrinkled his nose, telling him not to pretend to know when he was so clueless.
'This time it's real.'
He pushed Wrath away, insisting he really understood everything.
"R-Really? What should we do?"
Siyana clasped her hands together, saying she would do anything to save Sterin and rescue Rimmer.
"It's not that difficult. With me..."
Raon drew his Wooden Ring Sword and pointed it at the ocarina Siyana was holding.
"Would you like to perform a duet?"