The Forest Race Clonne

Chapter 93

―Isn't it too clichéd to assume plants like green just because they're plants? Honestly, I think black suits you all far better. Your hair is black now too, isn’t it?

‘I… don’t quite understand your question.’

―Maybe this is how a farmer feels facing a storm just before the harvest. For that reason, I’ve decided to dislike green from now on. Here, you should take my side. I’d feel genuinely hurt if you didn’t.

‘I really don’t understand what you mean.’

It wasn’t a foreign language, so why did it feel so hard to interpret? I often felt they toyed with me, but today I could barely keep up with the conversation. It wasn’t helping that their emotions felt more complex than usual.

―Fine, fine. I’ll let it slide, for now.

Somehow, it seemed they had come to a one-sided conclusion on their own. The confusing emotions I couldn’t even begin to grasp gradually calmed.

―But remember this, Seirakia. The power meant for you is far greater than you realize.

‘What…?’

―Don’t put too much trust in that pitiful, flimsy little device. It’s already a bit late for that. Especially for my patience. It won’t hold out much longer.

Ah. I think I knew what they meant this time. I could even guess what they were scheming. But before I could respond, they spoke again, even faster.

―And one more thing. This isn’t the tenth time we’ve met.

‘What?’

―Not even close. If you count your childhood, it’s been far more than that.

‘My childhood? Are you saying we met when I was a child, too?’

―That’s right.

Their voice sounded almost angry as they answered.

―When you were under the harsh discipline of that stubborn grandfather, when your irresponsible mother died and left you all alone.

‘...!’

―From the moment you were born, we’ve been together all along. It’s just that you’ve never remembered.

For a moment, all my thoughts vanished at once. Although it was still clearly dark, it felt as if the whole world was turning white. It felt like I couldn't breathe, yet it also seemed like I could finally breathe again.

‘I understand now.’

―What?

The voice grew more secretive. It wasn’t because he was truly curious. He already knew what I was going to say. He also knew that I had realized the truth as if it was the most natural thing. That’s when I understood the significance of it all.

‘You are... my Guardian.’

A deep laugh echoed.

It was the joy and passion of fulfilling a long-held wish.

―My dear master, you’ve finally realized.

(T/N): The gender of the Guardian is still unknown, so I’ll translate it as 'they/them' as a neutral option.

* * *

Each time I blinked, the surroundings gradually brightened. It wasn’t until I saw the ceiling becoming clearer that I realized I had finally woken up from the dream. I tried to get up, but my body felt weak and heavy, likely drenched from sweating in sleep. But what mattered more...

‘I remember the dream.’

The details that usually vanished like mirages upon waking were now all vivid. The darkness, the floating sensation of wandering within it, the countless conversations with an unknown entity, and the array of vivid emotions.

「You’ve finally realized」

Even the overwhelming voice at the end.

‘To think it was the Guardian.’

A sigh, or maybe just a breath, escaped me naturally. Why did I only realize it now? The one in the dream had said I had "realized," but to me, it felt more like I had been enchanted by something and had just now broken free.

“Prince Sei, you’re up already?”

As I was trying to calm my still-thumping heart, a neat voice came from beside me. A shadow flickered in the hazy darkness. It was Semeion.

“Did you have a restless sleep?”

“No, it’s just that I had a dream.”

“A dream, you say…?”

“It seems that I met my Guardian.”

The approaching figure halted abruptly. I could hear the sharp intake of breath, clearly indicating his surprise. To be honest, I was just as taken aback by this situation. Regardless of how sudden it was, this wasn't something that should have happened.

My body is supposed to be sealed right now.

“Why not try stopping your Awakening?”

Markatis, after hearing the details, suggested this with a cheerful smile. The logic was that if the time flowing through my body was sealed, the Awakening would stop as well, and I wouldn’t collapse.

“I can’t help with rescuing the captured ones, but this is something I can do for you.”

Normally, wouldn’t the opposite be easier? For a Dragon, is stopping time the simpler option? As my mind grew more tangled, I was relieved to see that this wasn’t a common concept, as Semeion also expressed his doubts.

“Manipulating time through magic is extremely dangerous. When we sealed the King, it required great sacrifice.”

“That was a permanent seal that hid his entire existence. What I’m suggesting is a light seal. But it does come with side effects.”

“Side effects?”

“It’s like briefly stopping flowing water. Once the seal is undone, there’ll be a backlash.”

It meant that all the halted time would surge forward at once. If the Awakening had been scheduled during that time, it would have commenced the moment the seal was lifted.

The problem arose when the sealing period was longer than expected. If the right timing was missed, the Awakening process would proceed all at once, and the state of dormancy would last that much longer.

“Last time, your young Acacia was unconscious for a month after the sprouting. If the Awakening happens all at once, who knows how long he’ll be asleep.”

As soon as he said that, Semeion opposed it, but I responded that I would still go through with it. Even without his help, I had planned to push through, and now that the most troublesome issue could be resolved, there was no reason to refuse. Since he couldn’t change my mind with any argument, Semeion eventually gave up.

“I don’t understand why you’re pushing yourself so hard. They are people you’ve only known for a few months at most.”

“Well, because I owe them.”

“Owe them...”

“Everyone was captured because of the King’s son. To rescue someone they’d never even met. Despite that, they risked themselves to save me, causing significant damage to the forest.”

“...”

“Then it turns out, I am the King’s son.”

I am neither particularly righteous nor courageous. If anything, I’m closer to someone who opts to evade and ignore difficult and arduous tasks—a coward. But this was not something within the realm of choice for me. It was the least I could do to maintain my decency.

At that point, Semeion fell silent, unable to add more words. I avoided looking at his forlorn face, not having the heart to face it.

‘If only you had recognized me right away. Would none of this have happened?’

Even though it wasn't his fault, dark emotions kept welling up inside me. It was as if I was seeking something or someone to blame. The self-loathing and disgust made my stomach churn. It was a filthy feeling in many ways.

‘Anyway, the seal is in place. So the Awakening should have stopped...’

Rolling up my sleeve, I saw a small mark etched inside my elbow, like a tattoo. It resembled both lightning and branching twigs. Markatis said this mark was the seal's emblem. It meant the magic he cast was still intact. However, becoming aware of the Guardian's presence was an unmistakable sign of Awakening.

“I need to contact Markatis again. There must have been a mistake.”

Markatis had already left long ago. Seeing Semeion, anxious and reaching for the communication device (which Markatis had left, warning us not to do anything foolish), I quickly shook my head.

“No, it won’t help even if he comes. I think this is a different issue.”

“A different issue?”

“In the dream, the one who claimed to be my Guardian said something. That it was already too late. That his patience wouldn’t last much longer.”

Semeion's mouth slowly opened. He seemed to instantly understand what I meant. I lowered my eyes, unable to look up.

“...It appears that my Guardian is trying to break the seal.”

The intention was so clear that it couldn't be mistaken. As absurd as it sounded, a sigh escaped me as I spoke.

‘No wonder he was grumbling so much.’

It seemed this mysterious Guardian was very displeased with the delay in my Awakening. Understandably so, as it would also delay our meeting. But for him to try and break the seal? And on the very day it was placed, no less.

‘Does he have a bad personality?’

Semeion was also dumbfounded, silent for a moment. It made sense; an un-summoned future Guardian sabotaging our plans was indeed absurd.

“Amazing.”

The responding voice was unexpectedly bright. When I looked up, I saw his face lit with excitement.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen a Guardian in the awareness stage exerts such strong influence. And to be able to break a Dragon’s seal! It seems an incredible Guardian will be summoned, Prince Sei!”

“...”

Now I realized that his silence wasn’t due to shock, but rather awe. He seemed so focused on the fact that the Guardian was powerful enough to break the seal that he had completely ignored the chaos it was causing. Perhaps, since he’d been so worried about the seal, he was actually relieved that it was being undone.

—

(T/N): Can’t wait to finally meet Sei’s Guardian. On the other hand, Sei is really relatable with his dark thoughts and emotions lol