Chapter 178: The Light In The Eyes of A Man That Dreams

’Raijin is a real crook.’

Tristan glanced at me and smiled.

"They’re all stories, though. Don’t depend on them too much." He turned back to the ocean, the wind catching his hair. "These stories have existed since before the Calamity eras. So many things would have changed about them — especially during those times. A lot was twisted to satisfy the nature of war."

I narrowed my eyes for a moment.

"Wait, wait..." The pieces were clicking together. "I think I just understood what these tiers actually are. So according to what you’re trying to explain — the first era would be an era of mortals, where ordinary men walked the world. Then the awakened era, then elite, then champion, then hero, legend, myth era, and then the era of the sovereigns before the recent era of calamity."

My mind raced ahead.

"Does that mean, in the future, there’s a chance the era we’re currently experiencing could be transcribed into a new tier and updated?"

Tristan shrugged. "Based on the pattern so far, I wouldn’t say that isn’t possible. Ealdrim does have a unique way of writing its stories."

"Oh wow... this is..."

I let the thought trail off. To have a better understanding of what the tiers actually were felt genuinely refreshing. And it made me truly understand now why Stormwhite had given Kassie such a difficult time.

’Each tier is basically an epoch. An entire age of existence, crystallized into a rank.’

"It’s all different when it comes to Heroic and Villainous summons, though."

Tristan’s voice cut in.

"Oh. Because of fortitude?"

He nodded. "Yes, but to put it more plainly — regular spirits have been written. When they’re summoned, their story is completed, and because of that they have no chance of growth. They’re summoned at their peak strength. Which means you’ll see fortitude 3.0, or highest 5.0. Stormwhite is 4.3, so a 5.0 fortitude summon is plenty strong — undoubtedly a Sovereign rank, possibly capable of defeating you and your spirit if you’re not careful and prepared."

He turned to the ocean, admiring it as he continued.

"But for Heroic and Villainous spirits, they’re different. I don’t know why, but they’re remembered as a story still being written. With their increase in fortitude, the world is writing them back to their peak." He paused, seeming to choose his next words carefully. "I’m not sure why it’s different, but I think what separates the notable figures that become Heroic spirits from regular spirits is Will."

I looked at him with doubt.

"Will?"

Tristan looked at me, a small smile playing on his lips.

"Yes, think about it. Heroes are heroes because of their undying will. If there exists a world that loves to write stories, don’t you think the one element to tempt the world never to give up on your story is an undying will? One that even after your death, the memory of your resolve continues to persist in the world — making your story stall, unable to come to an end just yet."

I nodded in understanding. Tristan made perfect sense.

’Power of friendship type shit...’

Still, the logic was sound. If the world was a narrative engine, then will—the refusal to accept an ending — would be exactly the kind of thing to keep the story running.

"There are many figures with such a will," Tristan said, "as there are many figures without such a will."

I shrugged.

"That’s fair, I guess... so Stormwhite, one could consider him some thunder guardian spirit that used to live on a mountain surrounded by storms."

Tristan laughed. "I guess that’s one way to see it."

My gaze hardened.

"And Brutus handed your defeat to you."

Tristan’s laugh stretched into something more uncomfortable. He didn’t meet my eyes.

I studied him. "Who is this Brutus guy?"

Tristan laughed again, but now it was brittle—the sound of someone acknowledging a wound. "I’m not permitted to say much about him. Influentially, Brutus could be considered the most dangerous man in Solarium. As regards strength, he is quite strong—he’s been a Spirit Summoner for the past forty years of his life and has a Villainous Spirit serving him." He looked at me. "Although his is male, quite unlike yours."

"He is also the leader of the mercenary guild that was destroyed, and a very uncomfortable existence to the Eternal Light church and the Empire."

’Oh! Way to go, Brutus.’

From the weight in Tristan’s voice, I could tell that this Brutus person was the kind of existence that shouldn’t be allowed to live — but nobody could just do anything about the fact that he walked around however he pleased.

"Well, he sounds very powerful." I let the waves fill the silence for a moment. "Where is he now? Why wasn’t he able to save his guild?"

Tristan smiled somberly.

"Brutus is in the Northwestern Twilight Frontier. Along with the main members of the mercenary guild." His voice quieted. "I was left to protect the rest and our home."

His gaze fell.

"But I failed."

I noticed Tristan bite his inner lip. The wind pushed against us, salt and spray, and for a moment neither of us spoke.

Then I touched his shoulder and patted him.

"You tried your best, you know... and we most certainly will have those bastards for what they did to us. You might not know how deep my determination is—my will to destroy the church—but I will eat and leave no crumbs."

Tristan raised a brow.

"Eat and leave no crumbs?"

"Ah, it’s a metaphor. I just meant I’ll destroy them and let not even an ant from their church survive."

"Oh ohhh." He nodded. "What an odd phrasing, but I understand now."

I smiled too. "So, you knew the Black Company from hating them, and then became their friend through Brutus. That means Brutus knew the Black Company too?"

"Well, he was majorly their combat instructor. He taught Levi, Derry, Nisha, Milo, and Senna all they know about combat."

’Right. There are other members.’

"So he didn’t teach you?"

Tristan’s lips curled cockily. "Of course not. My only goal is to defeat him. That bastard only has a legend tier Villainous spirit, yet he and his spirit always make a fool of Stormwhite and me every single time." His eyes gleamed with something stubborn. "My purpose is to defeat that bastard. Nothing is happening to me until I do."

I stared at Tristan for a few moments. The kind of stubborn light in his eyes — I admired it. It was familiar.

’I guess I feel the same way... somehow, I won’t rest until I help make this place a better place by destroying the Eternal Light church. After that I’m going to own an island, build a mansion there, and dress up all my villainesses in maid clothes.’

It was a good dream. But first — the Eternal Light church.

I grinned with satisfaction.

’...and then start looking for a way home. Damnit I almost forgot about home!’