"That’s quite a complicated backstory you’ve got there." I remarked after hearing their original tale from Shika and her mother, "But that doesn’t mean Mavi Clan is to blame entirely. What Mr. Hiba did was something anyone else would’ve done too. Breaking the Daiken and sharing its powers hadn’t made any difference. It might’ve given you your appearance back, yeah, but it’s not permanent, is it?"
"We didn’t have any option left but to do that." Ms Yuukina replied, gesturing as though she had done nothing wrong.
"On the contrary," I replied, "Given time to learn more about the curse, you could’ve found a suitable way to counter it."
According to Ms. Yuukina, the former Eleventh Heaven Kingdom was ruled by a single bloodline from a dynasty known as the Iceborn. Since their origin indicated their existence starting from ice, they worshiped the Supreme Seraphyll of Ice and its various incarnations.
There were five clans, yes; however, the current leaders weren’t part of the clans—excluding Mr. Hiba, who belonged to the Mavi Clan from birth.
Yuukimura, Yuukihara, Yuukina, and Yuukihi... they were royalborns and were descendants of the Iceborn Dynasty. To end the rivalry and the controversial matters among the clans, they each decided to lead their clans.
However, instead of achieving their goals, they adapted to the aura’s nature and became one with it. Of course, that influenced their rivalry more—ultimately leading to the emergence of the Superior Seraphyll of Ice.
Led by four royalborns, the four clans were already in possession of my influence. Selecting a leader among them might disrupt the balance so she elected Mr Hiba to lead them as the new ruler of the Iceborn Dynasty.
It wasn’t a wise choice or something anybody would accept. However, they couldn’t go against their solemn faith on the Seraphylls so they accepted.
’That acted as a catalyst to bear hatred towards him I guess.’ I thought as I continued considering the tale.
As the new ruler, Mr Hiba ascended to the throne, wielding the Frost Daiken to maintain peace. For some reason, the Daiken backfired and unleashed a curse upon the entire heaven, causing them to mutate and blanketing several of the following heavens in ice and snow.
They were soon abandoned by humanity and came to be known as the Iceborns—the same name as the dynasty that had ruled them for generations. Find the newest release on novel✦fire.net
’Since it was the Daiken that transformed them, they thought using the Daiken could reverse the effect. So they requested Mr Hiba.’
However, he refused.
Most of them thought he indulged himself in the luxury of his ruler’s life. It infuriated them. They never considered that another wrong step could end their entire origin itself. That was when the act occurred.
Of course that was my point of view. I didn’t find it in Ms Yuukina’s words. They still believed it was Mr Hiba’s fault.
Besides, the whole sealing the Daiken thing was just a lie that I heard from Mr Hiba. It was to support his side of the story—which Shika was afraid that I wouldn’t reconsider saving them.
Anyway, now that everything was clear—and I hoped I wouldn’t get another fragment of this broken tale, there was but one thing to do.
"What if mutation into Iceborn wasn’t a curse to begin with?" I continued speaking, "Sometimes curses aren’t curses and blessings aren’t blessings. They become the opposite of what we tend to believe."
"Why do you say so?"
"Look at me... my exile may look like a curse to me as well. But what if it’s a blessing for me to start over a journey and reclaim my preordained inheritance?"
It was strange. Although I did say that intentionally, it felt like the dialogues were already set. Perhaps, those were the words of the Fallen Heir that I dreamt a while ago. Even so, I felt unimaginably surprised.
"Is that so?" Ms Yuukina replied. Neither she nor Shika appeared as shocked as I was.
"Absolutely! It’s all about how we live with them. If we can accept, even the unbreakable curse might seem destined for salvation. Only through conviction and firm belief, can it be possible."
"Hah-hah-hah-HAH!!!"
Ms Yuukina burst into laughter, wiping her tears. I felt embarrassed, thinking I might’ve said something I shouldn’t have. But it wasn’t. Her reply confirmed it.
"That’s a very peculiar way to see things, hah-hah! Let’s say I give you the third fragment, and somehow you manage to get the fourth—how exactly do you plan to bring reclamation upon the Iceborns? How do you plan to bring the five clans all together? I don’t believe in optimism. Give me certainty."
That was something I didn’t know myself... not yet anyway. I didn’t reply to it though. Instead, I said something again from the memories of the Fallen Heir.
"Only the fallen had the urgency to rise back again. As for someone who had been deprived of the legacy I was preordained to inherit, I know the relevance of your situation. Perhaps, it was the reason why I—The Fallen Heir—in particular was selected to complete this impossible task."
’Perhaps it was the reason why my system wants me to clear the Dynastic Singularity Quest as well.’
"All I can give you is a hope—a hope that you’ll be reunited with the other clans and the Iceborns will obtain the reclamation."
Unknown to me, I clenched both my fists and said it seriously.
I might’ve bragged too much. I didn’t know how to turn that imagination into a reality. I didn’t have reality-changing abilities. But there was no harm in trying—not after coming more than half way. So, they were my honest thoughts as well.
...Besides, the Daiken had yet to reveal its relevance on this quest as well. It wasn’t a whim that the system particularly informed me to retrieve the fragments.
Ms Yuukina was surprised to see the look on my face. Seeing how I supported the Mavi Clan, Shika smiled a low smile as well. Zariel was smiling proudly as if a parent pleased by their child’s achievements.
"You know, the way you spoke just now reminded me of my elder sister Yuukihi. Whether it was permanent or not, she still gave us alternatives after convincing us. If I follow your words, will I regret it?"
"That’s up to you. But I promise I won’t disappoint." I reassured.
Of course, I went with the flow too much. The promise wasn’t necessary, but it played a key role in giving her a sense of certainty. After all, their entire can lived on certainty instead of being optimistic.
"That’s it Yuukina." Shika interjected, "I didn’t regret waiting for a decade for him to show up. You won’t be either."
"Still... at least call me mother." Ms Yuukina replied with a feigned impression of crying.
"Maybe I will. But not right now." Shika replied strongly, "After everything is settled that is."
"Then you may need this."
As Ms Yuukina replied the third fragment of the Frost Daiken came floating, changing her appearance into that of an Iceborn.
"If you’re certain about bringing us reclamation, you’ll need this. But don’t expect the ’Unwritten Pledge’ from us. I’m not like Yuukimura and Yuukihara."
I was baffled to see the sudden turn in the event. She just handed over the third fragment.
"Do keep this in mind though." Her voice suddenly became heavy as she stared at me with her piercing gaze, "The Ungu Clan is the most different than all of us. They are smart, strong, and formidable. Don’t take their words too lightly—especially my elder sister Yuukihi. She may look decent. But believe me, she’s not a person who can be trusted easily."
"I’ll keep that in mind." I said, standing from my zabuton "Looks like our job here is done."
Seeing me stand up, Shika stood too, and Zariel suddenly got energized, flying around the room nonstop.
"At least call me ’mama’ before leaving." Ms Yuukina burst into imaginary tears.
"Not gonna happen!"
The request was denied instantly.
It was funny—and I laughed inwardly.
Just as I was about to leave, Ms. Yuukina called out to me again
"Wait a minute Zanthrix."
As I halted a servant approached me with a pouch and a scroll.
"It’s the next heaven entry permit as well as your remaining 900,000 Arthum."
"I thought it went to you as per the agreement." I looked dumbfounded.
"Nah-uh! We don’t steal anyone’s credit. Your party deserves the money. Besides, it was to test whether you were careful in every conversation. You failed though."
"It wasn’t my fault. You gave me a mercenary quest without a mercenary contract."
"Ah.. my bad, I guess, hah-hah!" she laughed it off, "Anyway see you soon."
With our conversation being over, we came out of the Rojo Clan sect and headed towards the teleportation center. Of course, I sent Zariel back. I didn’t want to draw any more trouble to myself. I learned my lessons.
"You alright now, Shika?" I asked.
"Of course, I am. I regained my lost motivation again. I’ll show Yuukina that we can achieve the impossible."
"Speaking of.. why do you call your mother by name? I’m curious."
"That’s a silly reason I have, heh-heh."
"Care to tell?"
"Perhaps later."
She continued smiling strangely.