The World's Weakest Hero, Volume 2, Chapters 12-14 (Patreon)

Chapter 12

“Good night.” Lyra pulls the covers over her body and turns onto her side, her back facing me.

“See you in the morning.” I lay with my arms behind my head, my hands between my head and pillow as I stare up at the ceiling.

Zoe is with Lyra, but she's facing me instead, her eyes burning a hole into the side of my head.

“What is it?” I ask softly.

“Just still trying to figure out who you really are.”

“I already told you that I'm the former hero from 15 years ago. But that's not what you mean, is it?”

I can practically feel Lyra's attention focusing on our conversation, despite her claim to be going to sleep.

“You feel funny,” Zoe says. “That spirit inside you is so weak, but…”

“Unfortunately, you're right. She's weak. Far too weak. Just like me.”

“It feels stronger than a minor spirit like Cobble, but weaker than a lesser spirit. But there's nothing in between them. And it's way too weak to be a major spirit.”

“Everything you said is correct.”

“Then what? You beat the Great Spirit of Night 15 years ago. Is that what's inside you? Did you absorb it in its weakened state?”

“Nope. The Great Spirit of Night is well and truly dead.” I raise one arm above me, my hand spread wide. “There's no coming back from being obliterated from existence.”

“Hmm…”

Zoe still hasn't given up thinking about it, which isn't a surprise. Even Lyra obviously wants to know the answer, despite respectfully dropping the issue.

But I have promises to keep, so the two of them will either have to live without knowing or figure it out on their own.

“It is best to let the subject remain unearthed, little spirit.” Lyra’s Great Spirit of Water says telepathically. “You won't receive the answer, no matter how many times you ask.”

“But why? You know the truth, right? Why are even the Great Spirits hiding it?”

“I, too, am bound by the same promise.”

“So there's someone out there who can force heroes and Great Spirits to do whatever they say?”

“Not force. Request.”

“Hmm…”

Despite looking like a child, Zoe is far older than me or Lyra. Though a spirit's age doesn't always equate to the same level of experience or knowledge that a human would gain, major spirits are cognizant enough that they learn nearly as well as us.

It's only minor and lesser spirits that lack the higher levels of consciousness seen in humans, but even if Zoe spent most of her life as a mostly mindless spirit, she gained a lot of awareness after evolving into a major spirit.

And since she was powerful enough to take on human form, that can only mean she's been a major spirit for quite a while. Long enough to obtain a lot of knowledge and understanding.

Maybe it would be best if she knew the truth.

As promised, I can't reveal it. But there is someone who can.

I reach out with my mind, seeking to form a telepathic connection with a certain, young girl.

She answers immediately.

“You finally have something to say, Triton?” Shiro’s voice responds in my mind. And only in my mind.

“Hey, Shiro. And I go by Lezard now, you know?”

“Who cares. I don't.”

“C’mon, don't be like that. Well, it's not bad to be called my original name by you, so I don't mind.”

“Good, because I'm not changing.”

Shiro is the spirit who inhabits the smaller of the two moons. Alongside her older sister, Runa, the two of them watch over the world like guardians.

While most people believe the Great Spirits are the pinnacle of evolution, there is another tier above them. Shiro and Runa are proof of that, as their power exceeds every other by a large margin.

Unfortunately, Runa is sealed, just like my original power. What remains inside me is just a tiny fraction of what she holds, the rest still trapped at the Well of Power where the mist is created.

“Shiro, I know you've been watching us, so what do you think about Zoe?”

“She's one of the most capable major spirits. Or she was, before she took on a human form.”

“I thought so, too. She'd have to be to even take on human form as a major spirit. I plan to bring her along with us, but there's a problem…”

“She's too knowledgeable.”

I lower my hand and look to Zoe, who's still watching me. “Yeah. She'll definitely figure out our secrets, especially after I use my spirit power in front of her. Even Lyra has a pretty good idea about what's going on, even if she lacks some crucial pieces to the puzzle.”

Shiro's sigh reaches me, despite the massive distance between us. “It was so much easier when all your companions were humans.”

“I know right? Just make up some half-truth to explain it, and they didn't have the sensing ability to detect what was really going on. I do feel bad for keeping them in the dark, all the way until now. But it's not my place to spill your secrets.”

Shiro goes silent for a long second. At level 5, holding a telepathic connection at this distance is straining. But she knows that, which is why she speaks up after just a brief silence.

“I've decided. Prepare yourself, Triton.”

“Ah, you're doing that?”

“Yes. To every single one of you.”

I let the connection drop and refocus on Zoe, who's still watching me, even now.

I can feel the Great Spirit of Water's attention on me, as well. And Lyra is still awake, though her back is turned, making it hard to know if she's still paying attention to us.

But she'll certainly be paying attention soon.

“Everyone.” I give them a second. “Get ready.”

Lyra turns around. “For wha–”

That's all she manages to get out before the inn’s room vanishes from sight.

A blink later, our vision returns. But the room doesn't return with it. Instead…

“Greetings,” a young girl's voice flows across the desolate-looking landscape. “Welcome to my moon.”

“Eh!? What is this!?” Lyra looks around, catching sight of craters and hills made of white sand.

“It's home.” Shiro gives her a nonchalant reply.

Lyra’s eyes finally fall on the little girl, who appears to be only a few years older than Zoe. But despite looking like an 8-year-old girl, the moon spirit is far older than even the Great Spirit of Water.

Speaking of the Great Spirit…

“My Lady.” She bows to Shiro. “It has been too long.”

“I see you're doing as well as ever.” Shiro's eyes are on a pair of hills, but not ones made of white sand.

“It's not often I get to take human form, but I'm happy that you approve of my chosen figure.”

“Yeah…”

Lyra looks between the two humanoid spirits. “What do you mean ‘My Lady'? Who is this little girl? And where are we?”

“The moon!” Zoe makes an excited leap, giving off the feeling of a small child, just like one would expect from her young form.

Lyra looks up at the sky. Or rather, up toward outer space. Hanging in the darkness is the second moon, the larger of the two. It's a light blue, around the same shade as the sky on a clear day.

Further toward the horizon is another large object, though it's smaller than the moon. In truth, it's far larger, but the distance makes it appear smaller.

The planet we live on resembles Earth in many ways, with the only real difference being the shape of the continents. Seeing it from such a distance can give people a new perspective, which Lyra is no doubt realizing at this very second.

“No way…”

“It is so,” Shiro says. “Though your bodies still lie in your beds, I've brought your spirits here to me.”

“This is … this is where Lezard went to when we fought that Leviathan in the capital city.”

“Correct.”

“And after he returned, he gained power. Lots of power. And…” Lyra looks to Shiro, whose hair is pure white. “He unleashed a spirit power that turned his hair white.”

“It's good that you understand quickly. No wonder the Great Spirit of Water chose you.”

Lyra meets her own spirit's eyes. “So that's what you look like? I didn't even know you could take human form.”

“It's not easy,” the Great Spirit says. “Doing so drains me heavily, something which Zoe no doubt knows from experience.”

“I'm still recovering…” Zoe hangs her head.

“But why?” Lyra directs her question to Shiro. “Did you bring us here to tell us the truth about Lezard's power?”

“Correct,” Shiro says. “A major spirit and a spiritkin with your detection abilities would soon find the truth, regardless. But that's not the main reason why I've decided to tell you.”

“Then why?”

“Because…” Shiro looks up at the light blue moon. “You're helping Triton free my big sis.”

Lyra follows her gaze. “There's … another moon spirit?”

After a second, Lyra turns toward me. I can see her putting the pieces together, so there's no need for me or anyone else to explain.

“Light blue,” she says. “Just like your hair when you use your spirit power.”

“Guilty as charged. Runa is her name, Shiro's older sister. Just like how you house the Great Spirit of Water, so too do I house Runa, one of the twin moon spirits.”

“So that's why you have such a unique spirit inside you. And she's so weak because…”

“Because big sis is sleeping.” Shiro finishes for her. “She's using her power to hold back the mist. Or, she was.”

“Then why is the mist spreading again?”

“I do not know. The Well of Power clouds my vision. I cannot see inside it. But someone has interfered, using the one of the major sources of power to once again begin spreading the mist.”

“And you need us to stop them?”

“I cannot risk going alone. If I were to fall to whoever is controlling the Well, then your world would face a cataclysm.”

“It would…?”

“Worry not of the details. Simply understand that this task is up to all of you. Though I will provide assistance when I can.”

I place my hand over my heart. “I feel like I'd die for real if I took a fraction of your power, like I did against the Leviathan. So let's hope we don't have to resort to that any time soon.”

Shiro nods. “Perhaps in a moon cycle, you will be recovered enough to contain my power again. Until then, I cannot risk it.”

“A fraction of her power…?” Lyra looks at Shiro, then to me. “And you defeated the Leviathan with such ease?”

I shrug. “Just wait until I free Runa and get my strength back. You'll see just how ridiculous the world's strongest hero really was.”

“I wanna see, too!” Zoe raises her arms high. “I'm coming along!”

“Good. I wanted to bring you with us. Of course, the two of you can't share this with anyone. The Twin Moon Spirits like to stay anonymous, alright?”

“Okay!”

“To think there were spirits more powerful than even the Great Spirits.” Lyra shakes her head. “I never would have imagined it.”

“And yet, it is true,” Shiro says. “But it is best for others to believe otherwise. Balance must be maintained.”

“I understand. I will keep it from my fellow spiritkin. Not like they would believe me, anyway…”

The Great Spirit of Water pats Lyra's head. “At least now you know the truth. I'm glad for that. And I'm more convinced than ever that I made the right choice when I picked you.”

Lyra blushes a bit. “T-thanks…”

“Then it is done,” Shiro says. “Please continue helping Triton on his quest to regain his power and free big sis. It is the only way to save your world from the destructive mist that threatens it.”

Lyra and Zoe both nod, one with determination and the other with excitement.

With everything revealed to my new companions, Shiro takes a step back. “Rest well for the night, for I suspect your trip to the mist will not be an easy one.”

Without explaining further, Shiro raises a hand, and a flash of light blinds us.

Next thing we know, we're back at the inn, still lying in bed.

Though I suspect that sleeping might be a bit difficult for one or two of our members after such a revelation.

Chapter 13

“There's no mist, right?” Nina peeks out from the carriage doorway.

“It can't reach us here.” Mitsuki answers while scanning the landscape around her.

“Whew. I'm glad…”

“We came here to enter the mist, so there's no point in worrying about it.”

“I know, I know.” Nina stops beside Mitsuki and looks at the grasslands below, where the mist has gathered. “But I just need to see it first. Stepping right out into it is scary, isn't it?”

“I guess so.” Mitsuki doesn’t agree, but she knows there’s no point in arguing against Nina's feelings.

Alex quietly exits the same carriage as the two girls. Preferring his personal space, he stays a couple steps away from the girls.

Like Nina, he's still dealing with the memory of that powerful aberrant they faced back when they first entered the mist. Since then, the two have fought many monsters, but none have come close to that frightening battle.

Now, they're facing the mist again. And unlike last time, they're not here to just dip their toes into the safest sections as training.

This new mission will be taking them deeper. Much deeper.

And the further they go into the mist…

“Hey,” Alex says, the worry creeping up on him. “We're not going to fight that Leviathan thing here, are we?”

“Don't even joke about that!” Nina shivers. “They said it's way stronger than an aberrant, right? There's no way we can beat something like that.”

“But we're going really deep. What if we run into one?”

“Don't worry,” Mitsuki says. “I've seen Rosa fight. The aberrants that are supposed to be strong couldn't even put a scratch on her. I don't think she'll be defeated, even by a Leviathan-Class mist creature.”

The knight-captain in charge of the heroes, Rosa, waves them over just as she's mentioned. Though it's only because she's gathering all the students into a single group now that everyone has stepped out of the carriage.

The hill they're on overlooks the mist on one side and a camp on the other. But as expected, everyone's focus is only turned to the side where their destiny lies. The mist.

“As you see,” Rosa says, looking over the ten, young heroes. “We have arrived. You have a few minutes to make any last-minute preparation before we set out. Use the time wisely.”

The students already have everything they need in terms of equipment and supplies. To anyone paying attention, it's obvious that the time Rosa’s giving them is solely meant for mental preparation and nothing else.

But there are those among the heroes who have already prepared themselves, even mentally.

Two of them, in fact.

Mitsuki turns her back on the mist and looks to the camp on the safe side of the hill, where the mist has yet to spread.

While at first glance, it appears that the people have erected a wall to prevent any mist creatures from getting in, there's something peculiar about the wall's construction.

Why are the wooden stakes at the top of the wall facing inward, instead of outward?

If they were trying to keep monsters out, those stakes should be facing the other way.

As it is, it's only good at keeping the people in, rather than the monsters out.

And from the looks of it, those people are…

Mitsuki spots a familiar face helping organize the carriages after having dropped them off. With a large wave, she gets that soldier's attention and calls her over.

“Need something, Mitsuki?” Selene comes to a stop just in front of her.

Mitsuki points to the camp. “Those workers in that camp. Are they slaves?”

Selene follows Mitsuki’s finger. “Ah, yeah. You see the poor guys all over the work camps near the mist. Nobody would agree to be this close to the monsters, so they send the slaves. Most are just criminals serving their sentence, but it's still not pretty.”

“Why are they working here, so close to the mist? Isn't there a lot of unused land all over the kingdom?”

“Because this might be the last chance we have to do anything with this land. In a week, a month, or maybe a year, this part of the kingdom will be covered in mist. That's what I heard, anyway.” Selene shrugs.

“I guess that makes sense.” Mitsuki frowns just slightly as she watches the work camp.

“Does it bother you?” Rosa stops just beside Mitsuki, looking over the same camp. “Forcing slaves to work the land just beside the mist?”

“It would be a lie to say it doesn't bother me. Even if there are soldiers guarding them, monsters do attack from the mist when they sense humans outside. That makes camps like this a target for mist creatures.”

“I see you're still reading from the royal library in between your combat training.”

“I have nothing else to do.”

“You could always take a day off, like most of your fellow heroes.”

“I have far too much catching up to do before I can even think of taking a vacation.”

Rosa turns just enough to see Mitsuki's face. “Catching up to who?”

“Who else?” Mitsuki returns Rosa’s gaze. “The hero from 15 years ago.”

The two girls share a moment of silence, both thinking about the same hero, just in very different ways.

Finally, Rosa breaks out of her thoughts to refocus on her mission.

She pats Mitsuki on the shoulder. “An admirable goal. All my worries would cease if we managed to get someone as reliable as him.”

“Are you saying we're inadequate?” Isaac joins the conversation when he hears something he finds interesting.

“Make no mistake, you have a long way to go before you can finish what he started. But whether or not you can achieve his level of strength is entirely up to your own actions and abilities.”

Isaac pushes up on his glasses. “Considering how he failed to eliminate the threat, I'd say Triton was the one who was inadequate. Perhaps if he had calculated more effectively, he wouldn't have lost in the end.”

“Then it's a good thing we managed to summon someone with your intellect to fill that role for us. We may be relying heavily on you to deduce the truth behind the mist.”

“I already have a few hypotheses, but the limited selection of books in the royal library is a difficult handicap to overcome. I do wonder why the kingdom restricts access to their own heroes.”

Rosa is silent for a heartbeat longer than normal. “What makes you believe we don't share all our information?”

“Because nowhere in the library does it reveal that aberrants are actually humans who have been turned into monsters.”

“Eh!?” Nina's the one to shout, but many of Mitsuki's classmates are just as surprised. “We beat a lot of aberrants when they attacked the city. Does that mean we…”

She can't even finish her own sentence, as if afraid to follow her own thoughts to their inevitable conclusion.

“That's right.” Isaac finishes for her. “Every single one of them was once a human.”

“You knew? Even back then?”

“Of course. Rosa herself told us that humans also mutate in the mist. Did you not think some of the monsters would have been humans?”

“I just … didn't think about it.” Nina turns to Mitsuki. “Did … did you know, too?”

Mitsuki nods. “The only way to help them is to end their suffering. I'm sure that's what they would have wanted, too.”

“No way…”

“This world can be cruel,” Rosa says. “Far more cruel than your own. You should steel your nerves, for your own sake.”

Isaac toys with the small stone in his hand. “Not a problem.”

“Triton was upset when he learned that slaves are essentially sacrificed for the sake of others.”

“Are you saying I should be emotional, as well?”

“No. Doing so would only cause friction with the king, as was the case for Triton.”

“Everyone must play their role if we want this world to survive.” Isaac turns his back on the slaves laboring in the camp. “For us, that means dealing with the monsters, even if they used to be humans. And for those former humans, it means providing us with the strength we need.”

“Leveling up,” Rosa clarifies for everyone. “Aberrants do provide more power than an average mutant.”

“That's why we should prioritize hunting them. Not only do we do them a service, but they can benefit us at the same time.”

“We’ll be going deeper into the mist, so fighting aberrants is unavoidable. And this part of the mist is even more dangerous than most, so be on alert from the moment we step inside.”

Isaac pushes on his glasses again. “And what is it about this section that makes it more dangerous?”

“Any place where the mist hasn't moved in a long while becomes more dangerous. And this particular section has been stationary for nearly a year. There are bound to be some powerful enemies lurking within.”

“I see.” Isaac turns back to the work camp. “It seems they play an even greater role than I first imagined.”

Mitsuki follows Isaac's gaze, but she can't put together what he means by that mysterious statement.

As she watches in silence, she realizes that her new friend, Selene, has been standing beside her the entire time.

“Unfortunately, you can't enter with us,” Mitsuki says.

“It's fine.” Selene casually waves her arms, the prosthetic one catching some of the students’ eyes. “I'm not a frontline soldier anymore, but I'd be happy to keep escorting you wherever you need to go.”

“Thanks. Once I return, I'll put in the official paperwork to have you transferred.”

“That's more than I can ask for.” Selene gives her a nod and a wave. “I better get to work unloading the caravan. Be safe on your trip into the mist.”

With Selene's departure, that leaves just Rosa and the heroes standing atop the hill.

“It's time.” Rosa raises her scythe. “Follow your training, and this will be no different from the time before.”

After a round of confirmations, some more willing than others, the knight-captain leads the group of ten heroes down the hillside and into the mist below.

Chapter 14

“Line up.” Selkie motions to the ground in front of the teleportation portal. “High ranks first.”

The magic school’s students quickly jump into motion, no doubt having been ordered to line up by rank many times before.

Selkie always was a stickler for structure and organization. Guess that hasn’t changed, even after becoming the headmaster of a magic university.

There’s one little problem with her order, though…

“Miss Selkie.” I raise my hand. “What about–”

“Back of the line.” She answers before even giving me a chance to ask.

“Figures…”

“Haha.” A laugh comes from a nearby student.

Turning, I meet the eyes of the one currently enjoying my misery. “Why are you even here, Quiche?”

“It’s Guiche!” He takes out a white rose, though it’s not a sleeping snow rose like the one I gave Selkie. “And I am here to take the next step in my adventurer career! With Miss Selkie’s guidance, I can safely enter the mist and grow even stronger than my forefathers, being the first heir of the head family to become an A-Ranked adventurer!”

“So you just want to leech off Selkie? How shameless.”

“Leech!? I have absolutely nothing to do with those disgusting creatures! I am simply performing my duty as a member of this great kingdom.” He looks toward Selkie, who’s once again dressed like a schoolteacher. “The fact that I am under the protection of a powerful mage is simply an added bonus.”

“Yeah, yeah.” I wave my hand as I start heading toward the back of the line. “Just try to keep your eyes on the mist creatures and not the headmaster.”

“I have absolutely no idea what you may be suggesting.”

Even though we have to get into the back of the line, we don’t have far to go. In fact, Guiche is still within speaking distance, though we’d have to raise our voices to hear each other.

“Don’t know why you’re so arrogant when you’re almost in the back of the line, too.” I see a clump of Guiche’s hair move, as if he could feel my negativity despite not being able to hear my words.

“You’re just mad that you’re C-Rank!” Zoe lands a critical hit without the least bit of hesitation.

“Hmph!” I cross my arms. “I’d never do something as petty as plan my revenge against him simply because he outranks me.”

“Lezard.” Lyra gives me a flat stare. “Your face suggests otherwise.”

“Kukuku.” I cover my mouth. “Oops. I imagined it too clearly, and the laugh just came out.”

“You sure do enjoy your games.” Lyra shakes her head. “I’m beginning to empathize with what Miss Selkie must have gone through fifteen years ago.”

“Heh. Well not to brag, but I once had Selkie yell, ‘What do you think you’re doing, Triton!?’ eleven times in a single day. It’s my highest record to date!”

“As long as you have no intention of trying to surpass that record any time soon, then we’ll be fine.”

“Ah…” I look away.

“You have no intention of doing so … right?” Lyra’s stare burns into the back of my head.

“Twelve is just such a great number, isn’t it?”

“No. No, it’s not.”

The line starts moving, beginning as a ripple at the front as the people near the portal step through. Soon, that ripple reaches us at the very back, the queue now shrinking at a quick pace as each group walks through the teleporter.

Once powered, the stone ring that makes up the portal device will stay active, letting whole groups of people inside at a time without having to wait. Thanks to that, the line moves at a natural walking pace as the orderly students move forward in unison.

Ahead, Guiche and his party step through. They don’t disappear when they walk into the glowing ring, but their figures do turn ephemeral, as if I were looking at them on a television screen with bad reception.

Although I acted surprised when I saw Guiche here, the truth is that I already knew he was a student. I’ve tracked his presence a few times and found him inside the magical academy. As a mage from a noble family and someone who’s looking to get stronger, it’s obvious that joining Selkie’s school would be a good idea.

And since his party was recently promoted to B-Rank, Guiche can finally go with Selkie to the mist and safely fight the creatures inside. He even mentioned having an important mission soon, which is actually this very trip to the mist.

With all that information combined, it was easy to conclude that he would be here today.

“Woah.” Zoe holds her hair with both hands. “Windy.”

“And wet.” I look on the horizon and see some dark clouds. “But the storm has already passed. And at least it’s not raining.”

Lyra offers Zoe a hair tie, then puts one on herself. “It’s good that I came prepared.”

Zoe looks at the band in her hand, then to Lyra, then back to the band. As a spirit, she gets her knowledge of humans from observing and copying them, similar to a small child.

Mimicking Lyra, she pulls her long, pink hair into a single clump and wraps the hair tie around it, making a ponytail. As soon as she lets go, the wind whips her hair around with enough force to start pulling strands loose, which fly in her face.

“You forgot one thing.” I reach behind Zoe and pull off the loose hair tie. “You have to wrap it around twice to get it tight enough when it’s this windy.”

Zoe watches on as I double-up the band and show her how much tighter it gets. I gather up her hair next, putting the hair tie on in a blink.

“Oh!” Zoe feels at the band holding her hair in a ponytail. “I understand now!”

“Good, but…” I place a hand under my chin as I look at Zoe. “Maybe we should have gone for a twintail style…?”

Many sets of eyes stare at us, no doubt wondering why a little beastkin girl came through the portal, all the way to the edge of the mist. The students are here to fight deadly battles alongside one of the most revered mages in the entire world. It’s no place for children.

Even the scene they just witnessed appeared like nothing more than a kid being taught how to bind their hair for the first time. None of them can even imagine Zoe’s true age being counted in centuries–even if most of that time was spent as a mostly mindless spirit.

I can see even the top ranked students and teachers looking to Selkie for an explanation, as everyone knows only the best are chosen to travel with her into the mist.

“I’ve tested that child myself.” Selkie speaks with supreme confidence. “She’s coming with us.”

That’s the only explanation she gives. Normally, such a statement wouldn’t be enough to bring a child into the mist, but Selkie is my former adventuring partner. Her reputation and strength can’t be compared to almost anyone else in the world.

The teleportation gate isn’t the only thing here at the edge of the mist. There’s a whole settlement. A town, really.

Farms can be seen across the countryside. Merchants are travelling on the well-packed road. Guards patrol the walls, the streets, and the edge of the mist, looking for both troublemakers and mist creatures.

With my back to the cloudy white dew that threatens to overtake this world, it almost looks like a normal town. In a way, it is, but only because of the trips Selkie makes here on a regular basis.

“So many spirits.” Zoe speaks telepathically since there are so many students around. “And so close to the mist.”

I look around at all the multitude of spirits that fill this town. “Well, you know how much spirits gravitate towards people. As long as this town is filled with them, the spirits won’t run from the mist.”

“And if the spirits don’t run, then…” Zoe turns around, toward the mist.

“That’s right. The mist won’t move as long as the spirits stay here. That’s why Selkie set this town up–to keep the mist at bay. No doubt she has other towns scattered along the border, each filled with people. With people come spirits, and with spirits comes a barrier that prevents the mist from encroaching.”

“Then why don’t the humans just do that everywhere?”

“They do, sorta.” I think back to the first camp I saw back when I was summoned to this world fifteen years ago. “Most of them use slaves and prisoners, forcing them to live near the mist to prevent it from moving. But there’s a problem with that method. Several, in fact.”

“Most spirits detest suffering.” Lyra reveals one of the problems, a bit of disgust in her voice.

“Exactly. Well, it’s less that they detest it and more that spirits are just naturally drawn to a wide variety of emotions. A work camp isn’t really the best place for anything but fear and hatred, which only attracts a few types of spirits. Not to mention that spirits group up with other spirits, too. So you need a sort of critical mass of them in order to gather enough and create an effective barrier against the mist.”

Zoe tilts her head to the side. “Then why don’t they just do what Selkie does?”

“Because most people are terrified of the mist. As soon as it starts creeping close, they abandon their homes and towns, along with anything they can’t carry when they flee. It’s not easy to convince them to live next to the mist, knowing they could wake up with an aberrant knocking at their door. Besides, the kingdom doesn’t understand why a town can slow the spread of the mist, they just know that it does. So to them, it doesn’t matter if it’s a group of willing citizens or a bunch of prisoners forced to work at a camp.”

“But Selkie knows, right? Why doesn’t she just tell everybody?”

“Even Selkie doesn’t know the whole truth. Though she is a genius, so she’s figured out enough that her method is far superior to the king’s. And that’s the problem. The king. Even fifteen years ago, he was a desperate and petty man. I can only imagine how much worse he would be these days. Selkie’s probably already tried to convince him to adopt this method, but I doubt it did any good. That’s why she’s doing it herself, to prove that her theory is correct. Only then would she have the leverage to force his hand.”

I eye a guard who’s patrolling nearby. “Then there’s the problems caused by the use of prisoners to keep the mist at bay. Since they perform a vital function for the kingdom, of course there’s going to be a high demand for them. And with so many people fleeing the mist and becoming refugees, social problems are inevitable. That gives the king plenty of opportunities to gather as many people as he wants and brand them criminals, even if those people were just desperately trying to survive during the worst moments of their lives.”

“A criminal is still a criminal, no?” Lyra opts for a sound explanation.

“Yes. And if that were really the case, then even I wouldn’t get upset by it. But when refugees are rounded up and deprived of food, shelter, and protection for the sole purpose of instigating criminal behavior through sheer desperation, then at the very least, some of the blame for their actions falls on the shoulders of the king. And yet after manufacturing suffering to sustain his influx of criminals, he goes to sleep in his royal room full of comforts that none of his victims will ever feel again in their short, miserable lives. The scales are imbalanced, and there’s nobody willing to risk tilting them back.”

“And what about you? Are you willing?”

A smile forms on my lips. “That king knows exactly what I think of him and why. No doubt he was very pleased to learn that I died after putting a stop to the mist fifteen years ago. After all, even he wouldn’t have been safe from me, if I had come back as a victorious hero who had saved the world from destruction.”

“Then it’s unfortunate that it did not play out in such a fashion.”

“Yeah, but now that I’m on new game plus, I can go for the true ending.”

Lyra raises an eyebrow. “More of your strange terminology.”

I shrug. “You’ll figure it out one day.”

While we’ve been talking telepathically, Selkie has been giving a speech. I’m listening to it with one ear, but it’s just basic stuff about the dangers of the mist and to follow our leader’s instructions.

Those leaders are Selkie’s three most powerful teachers, each given several groups to oversee. Everyone has already gathered together with their leader and gotten into a proper formation.

Except for us three.

Selkie motions to us. “You’re with me.”

More than a few jealous glances come our way, mostly from the young men. Since I’m getting singled out as an object of hatred from these powerful students, I do what any normal person would do.

I strut toward Selkie with a smile.

“Oh, pardon me, pardon me.” I walk between two rows of students, nodding at them as I pass. “Don’t wanna keep her waiting.”

“Sorry.” Lyra follows behind me, her apology much more genuine than my own. “It’s because Miss Selkie wants to keep a close eye on her.”

Zoe walks through the same row of students, a big smile plastered all over her face. “This is going to be so much fun!”

Somehow, the glares lessen. I guess children really are a great shield to disarm animosity directed my way.

“Good job, Zoe.” I pat her on the head.

“Thanks!” She tilts her head again. “I think?”

I ignore Selkie’s calculating eyes as we reach her. I’m sure she’ll have plenty of chances to find what she’s looking for, so I’m in no rush to give her any clues.

After all, there’s another reason why she wants us by her side.

You can figure it out, Selkie! Your old companion believes in you!

After mentally encouraging her, I turn toward the mist. Everyone is already prepared, including Selkie.

“Follow.” Selkie takes the first step, leading the way toward the cloudy dew that covers the landscape ahead of us.