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Chapter 86: Pegasus Evolution!
Chapter 86: Pegasus Evolution!
Chapter 86: Pegasus Evolution!
"Fly, Fer! Fly!"
The Pegasus flapped its wings vigorously. Behind them, a bright light was relentlessly chasing.
Being caught in that light meant you would turn into a hero.
"Hold on tight so you don’t fall, Eileen!"
"Huh? Oh, okay!"
Eileen, caught in an existential crisis about how she ended up in this situation, reflexively tightened her grip around his waist at Ascal's command.
Realizing what she had done, her face flushed red.
Ascal, oblivious or indifferent, continued to steer the Pegasus.
"Neighhh!"
Having never truly flown freely due to the prying eyes of people, the Pegasus was elated to seize this rare opportunity.It sharply turned and even toyed with the chasing light with a dazzling drift. It was an ultra-modern self-driving experience, transcending time.
And then it happened.
?Wow! In my 500 years as a sword, this is the first time I've experienced something this dynamic! As expected of the master I chose!?
Before they knew it, Lightbane had slipped into Ascal's scabbard.
Like a cuckoo, it had pushed out the original sword and claimed the scabbard for itself.
Ascal drew Lightbane.
Lightbane gleamed with a golden light.
It hurt his eyes.
To Ascal, the light felt like the unnecessarily flashy LED lights on a cheap computer case.
He prepared to drop the sword.
Terrified, Lightbane trembled.
?Wait, wait! Don’t do that! Give me a chance! I have many useful abilities!?
"Turn off that light first. You do have an off switch, right?"
?Yes, I can turn it off!?
The golden glow of Lightbane vanished.
?In addition to the light, I can amplify your voice to be heard from a hundred leagues away! Isn’t that desirable??
"What’s the difference between you and a karaoke microphone?"
?...And I have a hundred epic lines stored from ancient times, ready to be recited whenever needed.?
"Give me an example."
?Even if this sword breaks, my conviction will never falter!?
Ascal prepared to drop Lightbane...
?Wait, wait! Give me another chance! I can play thrilling music to enhance the excitement when you fight!?
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Ascal moved to drop Lightbane...
?Alarm, alarm! I can wake you up at any time you wish!?
Ascal prepared to drop Lightbane...
?Weaknesses, weaknesses! I know the weaknesses of countless monsters! For example, how to deal with an ogre!?
"Oh? Do you know the weakness of a dragon? Like an ancient one?"
?Crazy! Even for a hero, how could you expect to take down an ancient dragon...?
Ascal readied to drop Lightbane...
?They do have a weak points! I know the exact location! Give me a chance!?
"I’ll believe you. You might be useful after all."
Ascal sheathed Lightbane once more.
Lightbane breathed a genuine sigh of relief.
Had it been unlucky enough to fall into a lake, it might never have seen the light of day again. Quietly, from within the scabbard, it muttered to itself.
?Do ancient dragons even have a weak point? I just made that up, but it's not like we’ll ever actually run into one, right...?
?****
?
"We've caught our breath. Well done, Fer."
"Heehing!"
Fortunately, the light seemed to have ceased its pursuit.
But there was a problem.
After flying for quite some time, they found themselves in an entirely unfamiliar place.
The Pegasus began to descend slowly.
"Where are we?"
Eileen, feeling dizzy from the rough flight, held her head and asked.
"It looks like a remote island."
As they descended and took a closer look around, it appeared to be a small island in the middle of the sea. There were no signs of human habitation.
"We're all exhausted, so let's rest for a bit before heading back. It seems the pursuit has stopped."
"Yes..."
Eileen had gone along with the flow and ended up on the Pegasus, but now...
Her mind was a tangled mess.
‘Why does Mr. Carl have a Pegasus? And that light—it felt sacred, somehow familiar. Why were we running away from it? And where exactly is this island? Are we really alone here? I’m feeling nervous for some reason. Everyone must be worried. And earlier, I think I saw someone who looked like Sirius. I miss the kids. So, what should I be doing right now? I’m hungry. No, I have to resist. I can’t let my appetite win.’
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-Growl.
"Sounds like you're hungry."
"No, no, it’s... I mean, it’s a hunger I can endure! My body just reacted on its own because I was momentarily flustered!"
Eileen hastily tried to explain, but she couldn't hide her reddening face.
"Are you still thinking about that time?"
Ascal recalled the time he had visited Haven Orphanage—no, Haven Training Center—years ago.
Back then, Eileen had...
"I’m going to jump into the sea. Don’t try to stop me."
"Calm down! The past is the past! I’ve already forgotten about it! People are creatures that grow!"
"Really?"
"Except for belly fat."
Ascal couldn’t hold back anymore.
Eileen quietly walked toward the shore, picked up a large rock, and began preparing to enter the water.
Her resolve was evident.
‘I need to stop her.’
In situations like this, it's crucial to stay calm.
When persuading someone who seems to have given up on life, it's important to change the subject.
For example, saying life is more beautiful than it seems or that dying like this will only make those around you sad would be the wrong approach. It would only keep their thoughts lingering on the negative.
?
The answer lies in stimulating human desires.
"There are plenty of clams on the beach. Imagine roasting them over a fire until they're perfectly cooked, then adding a squeeze of lemon…"
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"Do you have lemons with you?"
"By sheer luck, I found a few lemon trees."
It was working.
Ascal decided to press on.
"Do you like grilled fish? Freshly caught and cleaned, skewered, and grilled until the skin crisps up. The flesh inside is tender and juicy."
Eileen had lived like a monk until now.
She hadn't touched grilled food, subsisting on small amounts of grains and fruit. It was both an act of penance and a result of trauma.
But now, Ascal's vivid descriptions stirred Eileen's long-dormant appetite. Desires that had been buried for so long began to surface once more.
"Is it really okay for someone like me to eat something so delicious?"
Drawing strength from his core, Ascal spoke solemnly.
"I give you permission."
-I absolve you of your sins.
"…Thank you, oh merciful one. I promise not to waste this second chance you've given me."
Eileen clasped her hands together and looked up at the sky in prayer.
Is this really something to pray about?
But as expected of someone often called a saint, Eileen’s praying figure looked almost holy. A golden aura even seemed to shimmer around her…
"Wait! Stop praying!"
The prayers of someone with divine power can summon a deity.
In this case, it was like holding a lightning rod and dancing in the middle of a thunderstorm, drawing attention to their location.
The sky grew dark.
‘Just as I feared…’
-Found you.
The sound of laughter from the light seemed to echo in the air.
Ascal resigned himself to the situation and closed his eyes tightly.
But then, at that very moment…
Sensing its master's peril, Fer began charging toward them at full speed.
-Just become a hero quietly! Wait, what’s this horse doing!
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As a golden bolt of lightning struck down from the sky, Fer soared into the air.
"Fer!"
Fer, taking the lightning in place of its master, convulsed before beginning to glow with a radiant golden light.
?This can’t be! That’s the Pegasus of all Pegasi from ancient myths! A Golden Pegasus!?
Unable to contain itself, Lightbane burst out of the scabbard, making a huge fuss.
"Heehing…"
Fer, now drained of strength, collapsed to the ground.
Ascal rushed over.
Forget the Golden Pegasus for now—Fer’s condition was what mattered.
Thankfully, Fer didn’t seem to have sustained any serious injuries.
The only difference was that its fur, eyes, and especially its wings had transformed into a magnificent golden hue.
Ascal pulled a carrot from his backpack and fed it to Fer.
?
Fer happily munched on the carrot, then licked Ascal's cheek with his tongue.
"That tickles, you rascal. But thank you."
Ascal pondered the situation.
But what happens now?
-...Congratulations on becoming a hero. Well, my job here is done, so I'll be going now.
The voice sounded drained of energy. The sky gradually brightened again. Eileen, who had been deeply absorbed in prayer, opened her eyes.
Her eyes were also glowing with a golden hue. She had officially been chosen by the gods and had become a saint.
"The God of Light has given me a great mission. I am to support the hero and bring peace to this world."
"So it has come to this..."
"Carl, you truly are a hero. I feel a strong bond with you."
Eileen smiled as she approached. Her golden eyes gazed at Ascal, but then she blinked in confusion.
"Huh?"
"Just as I thought. Fer, come here."
"Heeing!"
Eileen's eyes widened when she saw Fer, now a Golden Pegasus.
"Then... does that mean this horse is...?"
"Yes. From now on, Fer is not just a Pegasus, but a heroic steed. It was a truly noble sacrifice."
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Ascal patted Fer's head. Fer purred contentedly.
"Does this mean that instead of me riding Fer, Fer and the saint should be riding me?"
Eileen was momentarily thrown into confusion but quickly composed herself.
"No, Carl. You are the hero. Just as a sword bears no sin for striking down an opponent, the blame does not lie with the weapon. You are Fer's master, so you are the hero."
"Wait a minute, but a sword is just a tool, while Fer has intelligence!"
"You are the hero."
This was bad. Ascal began to sweat. There seemed to be no reasoning with her. This is why people with deep faith can be so intimidating.
"In the end, it seems we were destined for this. Everything is as fate has guided... Carl, I am grateful that you are my fated one. Hehehe."
It seemed she had awakened to something strange. Now he had one more person to escape from.
"First, let's satisfy our hunger, and then we'll head back to the capital."
Ascal headed to the shore to gather clams and fish. What he saw there was beyond belief.
In the distance, on the horizon, something was visible.
People.
Hundreds of people were swimming across the sea.
It was a mad sight.
And there were only a few groups capable of such madness.
‘The Lion Tribe!’
Yes.
The Lion Tribe had braved this vast distance, crossing like iron men, to follow their god.
And their faces bore smiles.
"Mazar-nim! At last, we have come as promised! Your faithful followers!"
– – – The End of The Chapter – – –
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