Chapter 80: Forest Wave – Epilogue: Afterstory②

The afterstory continues.

It’s about Cerberostern.

Apparently, it was incredibly difficult.

Colon and Plancy, who participated in Forest Wave, nearly died during the Second Wave.

But with the elixir—the witch’s water—they fully recovered and managed to survive until the end. It was good that I had given it to them.

However, since they didn’t know anything, the three of them thanked the witch—and the name “witch’s water” got revealed.

The giant spider was defeated by Nabel.

As a cost, he lost his spider sword, but it seems Nabel changed somehow, as if he had gained something.

A bit of growth, perhaps.

That brought up a small issue.

For some reason, the three members of Cerberostern are extremely grateful to me.

I don’t remember doing anything special.

If anything, I made a major mistake this time and caused trouble for everyone.

And so… I ended up with one leftover use of Dimension Crack.

It can be used once if you have a Redstone.

It might come in handy.

Now, onto the next matter. Garad left Heizen.

He had no intention of restoring the Jinryu family and abandoned all supporters, collaborators, and relatives.

He declared he would become an explorer—and left.

That’s typical of him.

If anyone could become a great explorer and lead a party, it’s Garad. Perhaps we’ll meet again someday, somewhere.

Hoss is at the Belk Cafeteria.

He was preparing for opening with Summernia, who works part-time as a server.

Luma is expected to return tomorrow.

There are two other important matters remaining.

The first is to ask the witch. I explained the whole situation.

“Oh ho. Oh my, trying something interesting again, are you? Well, that could work, indeed.”
“Really?”
“Yes, yes, truly. So, it’s still inside Wof-boy, I suppose?”
“Yes. It is.”
“Hmm. Normally, a vessel for a soul contains only one soul.”
“Huh?”
“Well, well, it’s Wof-boy. There are exceptions.”
“…Um, there are people in my mind playing card games…”
“Oh my, that sounds quite amusing indeed.”

The witch laughed cheerfully.

“The gauntlets’ left and right sides each have the shape of a person.”

“Ah, then we shall begin immediately.”

The witch stood up, seeming to gloss over the matter.

What on earth did she use in the gauntlets?

“Begin immediately… but I don’t have permission—”

I hadn’t gotten permission from the original owner.

“Oh, oh, that’s not needed.”
“Eh, but—”
“Listen, Wof-boy. Even if it’s the original owner, even if that’s truly the case… it’s actually odd that it exists up to now.”
“Th-that’s true.”
“So we can pass it off as someone else who just looks similar.”
“That’s way too bold.”

Still, that body is thousands of years old.

It’s strange that it even exists.

Besides, the original owner apparently didn’t like her own body much.

Alright. If I use it quietly, it’s not scary. If it’s discovered, I’ll apologize.

In the warehouse rested a jet-black giant carriage—a custom vehicle called Skier Coffin Ele.

It was placed carefully on a bed in the back of the second floor.

It was the Haiyaan Body—the original body of Haiyaan.

Jet-black hair flowing elegantly past the waist, tanned skin.

The appearance closely resembled her descendant, Megadia, though her height was normal.

But her physical beauty as a woman was extraordinary, breathtaking.

It’s hard to believe this is Haiyaan’s original body.

Even now, I honestly can’t believe it.

Some things in this world are worth believing; some are not.

This is definitely one not to believe.

“So, um… what should I do?”

“Hehe, hehe, Wof-boy. Across history and lands, what is the method to awaken a sleeping princess?”

“…Pour water on her, maybe?”

No way. That has to be a joke.

“Ahahaha, so amusing! More amusing than the witch’s water, even!”

I was laughed at.

Of course, I understood.

“No, no, that’s not okay! That’s not a joke!”

“Oh dear, very simple. Just take a Phoenix resurrection egg in your mouth, place it on the lips of this corpse, and let it flow in.”

“Stop calling it a corpse… that’s a joke, right?”

“Well, that way the success rate is guaranteed, though.”

Seriously? No matter how amazing the woman is… that’s… unsettling.

“So basically, I have to give her the Phoenix resurrection egg to drink?”

“Well, yes, that’s how it would be.”

The witch nodded a bit disinterestedly.

I glared, then took out the Phoenix resurrection egg.

It was egg-shaped, similar to the Elixir’s sacred egg.

The golden ancient letters shimmered red in the light, making the whole egg appear red—truly a Phoenix.

The opening mechanism was the same as the Elixir.

Inside, the liquid sloshed.

“…To the lips…”

Red… vivid, slightly thick lips.

They stood out against tanned skin.

“Just a single drop will do.”
“…I have to open this, right?”
“Of course, of course. Otherwise, you can’t drink it.”
“…Me?”

I made a complex expression. The witch smiled warmly.

Alright. Steeling myself, I touched her lips. Soft. And… not cold.

“Why is it warm?”
“That’s because she’s not dead.”
“Huh, but—”
“The soul has just left the body, that’s all.”

Isn’t that… technically dead?

Well, whatever. I continue. I opened her lips with my fingers, then her jaw moved.

Warm… inside her mouth… it felt like I was teasing someone sleeping.

Before I felt an odd sense of guilt, I dropped a single, strangely red drop from the Phoenix egg.

I confirmed that it entered Haiyaan Body’s mouth.

“Is this okay?”

Nothing happened at first. But then, suddenly, out of nowhere, Haiyaan Body’s eyes snapped open.

Her irises were a bluish-purple.

She glared at me.

“!”

I stepped back in fright.

The witch spoke.

“Well, well, nice to meet you. Do you know who you are?”

“Nice to meet you. Yes. I am the queen.”

Queen… it worked!?

“Ni-nice to meet you.”

“Um… am I human? This feels… weird.”

She slowly sat up, checking her hands and face.

“Mm-hm. Definitely human.”
“Thank goodness. Wof… you…”
“Y-yes.”
“Thank you.”
“Y-you’re welcome…”
“And now, suddenly, I have a request for you, Wof.”
“What is it?”
“Could you… give me a name?”

A name… me?