Chapter 987: Alta.n.u.s (24)

Strictly speaking, it wasn’t an optimistic situation because the Mole Saint’s Cozy Sanctuary was far more difficult than I expected. It was more difficult than average unranked dungeons.

In addition to exceeding the expectations of dungeon researchers and power a.n.a.lysts, their plans had gone wrong as well.

This dungeon couldn"t be cleared using ordinary methods, and I was sure everyone who joined the expedition group could feel that deep in their bones.

‘Simply defeating a boss monster isn"t going to clear this dungeon.’

The dungeon monsters were spouting a bunch of nonsense, and there were incomprehensible anomalies as well. Above all, the s.p.a.cetime inside the dungeon was fragmenting, scattering into what appeared like a mosaic.

It was such a strange sight that I had no idea how to describe it. The s.p.a.cetime was repeatedly dividing and merging. It was an anomaly that not even people with PhDs or mages with degrees related to dungeons could understand.

It wasn"t caused by mana nor holy power.

“I-If we… consider the continent as one big program, then the program is probably in the middle of getting fixed, as we can see from the division of the s.p.a.cetime here,” Jung Ha-Yan said.

“Is that so?”

“Miss Jung Ha-Yan, how about using magic as an example?” Han Sora suggested.

“Ah! R-Right. Thanks, Sora. S-So, you can think of it as a summoning spell, but you"re not summoning a creature here. It’s more like a process of summoning an entire s.p.a.ce.

"Actually, I don’t know if "summoning" is the correct word… Maybe moving—no, you can think of it as releasing it. If that"s not it, then maybe s.p.a.cetime is being reversed, but… I can"t be certain of it. I’ll need to do more research…” Jung Ha-Yan explained.

“You’ve looked into it enough, Miss Jung Ha-Yan. I think you’re too obsessed with that strange s.p.a.cetime… and it’s worrying me…” Han Sora said.

“...”

“I-It’s fine, Sora. I’m not… obsessed… Ah! Anyway, what I want to say is that the strange s.p.a.ce we’re standing and looking at is probably an unfamiliar place for us, Hyun-Sung oppa.

"It could be the place beyond the rift that we had seen at the Rift Museum… a different world in the same time period, or it could be in the past or in the future that is unknown to us. Of course, this is an a.s.sumption as well since this isn’t magic,” Jung Ha-Yan continued.

“Is it safe to a.s.sume that s.p.a.ce and time are changing here?” Kim Hyun-Sung asked.

“Yes, probably…” she answered.

It could be a unique trick that the dungeon itself had or a side-effect that appeared after an extended period of time. It could be a crucial clue to clearing the dungeon.

“M-More importantly, have you not heard S-Saint Alta.n.u.s’ voice, oppa?” Jung Ha-Yan asked.

That could be why they couldn"t hear her voice...

“No. She… hasn’t said anything else yet. Is it the same for you?” Kim Hyun-Sung asked.

“Yes, it’s the same for me… D-Do you think she’s busy?” Jung Ha-Yan asked.

“Hey, did you make her mad again, Hyun-Sung bro?” Park Deok-Gu asked.

“...”

“That’s a possibility,” Sun Hee-Young chimed in.

“Hee-Young noonim agrees as well. You received a divine message to run away, but you overdid it and almost died. She didn’t talk to you for a year. Even though she told you not to make useless offerings, you kept offering that strange bag of yours to her, and she ghosted you for a little over three months.

"Wait, she never even said that she liked that bag…” Park Deok-Gu pointed out.

“She never expresses it openly, but she"s always happy about it. More importantly, didn’t she… choose the offering herself?” Kim Hyun-Sung asked.

“Hey, you didn"t have to give any offerings. All she said was that if you wanted to give her an offering, you could do it. Our leader sure adapts quickly to everything else… but when it comes to Saint Alta.n.u.s, you’re slow-witted things.

"Of course, it’s the same for noonim…” Park Deok-Gu said.

“M-My faith is simply strong. And I"m not slow-witted…” Kim Hyun-Sung remarked.

“Everyone here has a strong faith. Everyone has gathered here under the guidance of Saint Alta.n.u.s,” Park Deok-Gu argued.

I nodded at the sight.

“It’s the same for Ha-Yan noonim… me, Sora is kind of different… Hee-Ra noonim, Hye-Jin noonim, and all the new members… are here because of Saint Alta.n.u.s. She’s the one who gave us many things, and she changed us. The others have leveled up as well, but our leader was the one who changed the most,” Park Deok-Gu added.

“Please refrain from being rude to our leader…” Jo Hye-Jin commented.

“Hey, you’re too serious, Hye-Jin noonim. Don’t you remember Saint Alta.n.u.s telling you to loosen up a bit?” Park Deok-Gu asked.

“It’s fine, Miss Hye-Jin. It’s kind of embarra.s.sing, but… at least we can laugh about it now,” Kim Hyun-Sung told her.

“Hahaha.”

“Hahahaha.”

I saw everyone smiling.

They were probably talking about the time when we were in the tutorial dungeon.

It was the time when I crawled into a small s.p.a.ce and hid.

It wasn’t exactly funny, but we were like a family—no, we were a family, so we could talk freely about it.

I was sure the gap between then and now was amusing.

It was embarra.s.sing, but it was fun listening to them talk.

It made me feel good thinking that we could laugh about our embarra.s.sing moments together because we were all family.

“We can just laugh about it now, but you were a completely different person back then when you were still hiding. Aren"t you no longer the same weak bro that I know?

"Not being rude here; the thought just came into my head. Seeing how much you’ve grown, you really are the legendary Sunset Holy Knight. I feel overwhelmed just thinking about the things we experienced in the past,” Park Deok-Gu said.

“Haha. I never would have left if Saint Alta.n.u.s hadn"t called me out. While we’re on that topic… What about you, Mr. Deok-Gu? I remember you crying when you lost the s.h.i.+eld that Saint Alta.n.u.s had bestowed upon you…” Kim Hyun-Sung asked.

“T-That’s too… Don’t you think it’s unfair to bring that up?” Park Deok-Gu complained.

“You were. An embarra.s.sment. Back then,” Kim Ye-Ri commented.

“Y-Y-Ye-Ri thinks that way as well?” Jung Ha-Yan stuttered.

“The holy knight who lost his holy relic. I wonder if someone like that actually exists. She gave that to you herself, so Saint Alta.n.u.s was so shocked, and she was at a loss for words. She didn’t know what to say…” Kim Hyun-Sung added.

“...”

“I. Was. Really. Going to. Interrogate you. Mister Deok-Gu,” Kim Ye-Ri said.

“Hahahaha.”

“If. Saint Alta.n.u.s didn’t care about you. You would have. Suffered from divine punishment. I don’t know why. She cares about you so much. I really don"t know,” Kim Ye-Ri added.

“I-I also… thought that losing your holy relic… w-was a bit too much,” Jung Ha-Yan mumbled.

“You, too, Ha-Yan noonim?” Park Deok-Gu said.

The pattern was similar each time, but it never failed to make me laugh. It had become a precious part of my daily life.

And that was when I heard a voice from afar…

“Are you talking about the past again?”

“Jung… Yeon noonim,” Park Deok-Gu mumbled.

“Looks like our leader bullied my cute husband again. Also, darling, why are you still calling me noonim? We’ve been married for a while… Are you still embarra.s.sed to call me darling or honey?” Hw.a.n.g Jung-Yeon asked.

“...”

“You get embarra.s.sed easily despite being a big boy…” Hw.a.n.g Jung-Yeon added.

“Ahem…”

“Anyway… ahem… the food is ready,” she said.

“Is it that time already?” Park Deok-Gu asked.

“What about… the others?” Hw.a.n.g Jung-Yeon asked.

“Commander Jin said that something is off… so he’s been wandering around to investigate or something… I believe the Mercenary Queen is going to have a light meal. She must be dissatisfied about how we retreated in the previous battle,” Park Deok-Gu answered.

“I see.”

“Ah! The menu looks great. Today must be a special day. The Pope must’ve worked his magic…” Hw.a.n.g Jung-Yeon said.

“Then, before we eat—”

“I know. I’ll call the other members,” Hw.a.n.g Jung-Yeon interrupted Park Deok-Gu.

There was always this kind of event.

Only Alta.n.u.s’ Holy Knight Order would do it before eating, before leaving on an expedition, before sleeping, and before doing anything.

The remaining members entered the tent as if they had been waiting for this.

Elena was a priest serving Elune, but she decided to live as a follower of Saint Alta.n.u.s.

Miss Ah-Young was there along with Mr. Chang-Ryeol, who was now working as a Heretic Inquisitor. Alps and Belier, the rookie, gathered around. They started talking until everyone sat down.

They were in a difficult situation, but they smiled as if they were in a good mood.

“Is everyone here?” Kim Hyun-Sung asked.

“There’s… one person missing…”

“Ah! Miss Lian is coming.”

Others would find this strange, but I had long gotten used to this sight.

Many people thought this was a ceremony for the Knight’s Order, so the people nearby left. They grabbed each other’s hands and created a circle. Then, they closed their eyes and prayed.

They showed appreciation for the fact that Saint Alta.n.u.s had chosen them and had given them hope during hopeless situations.

They chanted each word clearly and with indescribable feelings of grat.i.tude.

“Thank you for always watching over the continent and us…”

“Please forgive the sins of those who serve you and those who don’t serve you…”

“Those who don’t serve you…”

“So that they shall follow your will…”

“Your will…”

I was sure everyone was thinking about it.

They were saying their prayers while thinking about Saint Alta.n.u.s" words.

‘My little lambs.’

“Please…”

‘Actually… my babies… my children. I want you to be happy.’

“...”

‘I want you to treat each other like family and support each other. Give each other strength.’

“Please…”

‘Things can get tough sometimes. You will find yourself in a pinch, but I always believe in you. If everyone walks on the same path, you’ll be able to overcome any trial. So my children… empathize with each other; laugh and cry with each other.

"Remember that I—the worthless one—am always with you.’

“...”

“O Alta.n.u.s.”

‘I want to see you smile, my children. I want you to enjoy your ordinary days and the life bestowed upon you. Even if you experience hards.h.i.+ps and trials, I want you to overcome them with a smile. I want you to value and enjoy the gifts I have given you…’

“Thank you as always.”

"Keep smiling…

“T-T-Thank you as always, Saint Alta.n.u.s. T-Thank you very much… for watching over us.”

‘Keep.. having fun. That’s what comforts me, and it is my wish.’

“...”

‘I hope you don’t forget my words. I hope you"ll always carry my words with you. I hope you"ll always carry my sincerity in your hearts, and I hope you"ll never forget that I love you.’

“...”

‘Don’t forget… ever… again.’

“Yes, O G.o.d. We’ll never forget.”

“...” “We’ll never… ever forget.”

“...”

“We will never forget.”