A voice echoed in my head.
Feeling frustrated that I couldn’t speak underwater, I looked deeply into the ancient giant fish’s eyes and concentrated hard.
(No, we were trapped by this thing. We escaped on our own.)
“Then it was you who defeated the fragments of the evil one?”
(That’s right.)
“I understand. You have saved our paradise. Do you wish for assistance?”
This was bad. My consciousness was beginning to fade.
(…I wish.)
“I have heard your request.”
As the scenery started to waver, the ancient giant fish approached and surrounded us with its massive body.
A wave of relief washed over me.
“Cough, cough!“
After coughing up water, I realized I could breathe.
A spherical barrier had formed around us.
It blocked the intrusion of water and was filled with air.
The face of the ancient giant fish was right beside me.
“The air of the outside world is toxic. However, we have the means to overcome it. Therefore, we can live long in this world.”
This world likely referred to the clear stream where they lived.
Still, I was surprised by the ancient giant fish’s power.
With my drenched bangs sticking to my forehead, I bowed my head to the ancient giant fish.
“Thank you. You’ve saved us.”
“It is I who should thank you, human. You have defeated the fragments of the evil one.”
It seemed that they were indeed on our side, and I let out a sigh of relief.
That’s right. Almoa.
I quickly checked her condition and made her spit out the water.
Almoa hunched over, coughing violently. I continued to pat her small back until her breathing calmed down.
I’m glad… we just made it in time.
But she still hadn’t regained consciousness.
“I’m sorry. Could you take us to the shore like this?”
“I understand.”
Maintaining the barrier, the ancient giant fish started to move smoothly.
As we approached the water’s surface, I asked,
“Did you also get attacked by that skull-like creature?”
“The fragment of that evil one intruded into our domain without permission. Many of our kin have died or been tainted by the waves it emitted.”
“Do you know anything about its true identity? You’ve been calling it ‘the fragment of the evil one’ since earlier.”
“The one who harms us is the evil one.”
Well, that was a very straightforward answer.
“And that one is not just a single entity. It is merely a fraction of a much larger evil one.”
“What do you mean…?”
A larger evil one?
Does that mean there’s a master behind the skull that attacked us?
However, when I pressed the ancient giant fish further, I only received a simple, “I do not know.”
The water’s surface was drawing closer.
The ancient giant fish brought us right up to the shore. I leaped out of the barrier while carrying Almoa, landing safely on the bank.
“Thank you, ancient giant fish.”
I turned back and expressed my gratitude to the master of the clear stream.
“I expect you to defeat the evil one, brave human,” the ancient giant fish said before disappearing to the bottom of the clear stream.
…Even you call me a hero.
Though I felt a bit disheartened, I laid Almoa down on the shore.
A cry was heard. When I looked up, the great spirit Avril landed beside Almoa with a worried expression.
She seemed slightly smaller than before.
“Avril. Are you okay?”
She chirped in response.
Wait? Didn’t we establish that we could communicate through the Heart of Life?
Or are spirits different?
Avril merely tilted her head and didn’t respond.
“Well, whatever. Right now, my priority is your master.”
I looked at Almoa again.
Her breathing had stabilized, and her expression was much softer.
Her rich silver hair clung to her body, sparkling in the tilting sunlight.
As if sensing the situation, the great spirit Avril warmed the air around us. This should help Almoa’s cold body.
Now, what’s next?
I gathered dead branches and weeds from the surroundings and piled them a bit away from Almoa.
Then I used Avril’s power to start a fire.
Thick smoke billowed up.
This was a signal fire to inform my companions of our location. There wasn’t much time before sunset, but I wanted to do what I could.
Now, we would wait for help.
I sat down beside Almoa and relaxed my body, feeling my brow unfurrow.
As I calmed down, memories naturally came flooding back.
Almoa’s gifted skill.
It was incredible.
She easily defeated so many enemies with her magic.
My power was borrowed from her and the others.
The ones truly worthy of being called heroes are Almoa and Philoé, I thought.
Then, what could I do?
Both Almoa and Philoé had power, yet they were troubled. They had faced dead ends.
“To help these kids fully realize their potential… that’s probably it.”
That may be my role and the meaning behind receiving the gifted skill Awakening Appraisal.
…Oh no. I’m starting to feel a bit sleepy.
I can’t let my guard down until Almoa wakes up…
“Almoa!”
A voice echoed from somewhere, jolting me awake and dispelling my drowsiness.
