Chapter 42
“Pretty much. Save the commentary for later. What about the thieves’ bodies—did you find them?”
“Ahem! Of course we did! We gathered all of them inside the village hall, so you don’t need to worry!”
Hamma puffed out his chest proudly, patting it with both hands.
I ruffled his hair a few times, then turned my gaze to Ria.
“Ria. Did you bring the souls back safely?”
“Mm… yeah… they’re here…….”
Nodding shyly, Ria carefully set her backpack down on the ground.
A moment later, palm-sized souls began emerging one by one from inside the bag.
When they saw their own bodies sleeping peacefully inside the temple, tears streamed down their faces.
“Ah…! My goodness! I’ve finally found my body again!”
“Seven years… seven long years! Oh, gods above!”
Ariel, who had been among the first to emerge and reclaim her body, stood there for a long while, too overwhelmed to speak.
Slowly, her gaze turned toward me.
She bowed deeply, then lifted her head with a gentle smile.
“Thank you. I have received a debt I could never repay.”
I glanced at Kaizen, then spoke to Ariel with an anxious expression.
“No. You can repay it.”
“…Pardon?”
Before she could question it further, I unloaded everything in rapid-fire.
“I was going to explain properly and ask later, but as you can see, we don’t have the time. Kaizen is on the brink of death. I need your help.”
The smile vanished from Ariel’s face.
Her expression hardened as she nodded gravely.
“Please tell me. What can I do?”
I already knew how sacred the Essence of the Volcano was to the villagers—Ariel herself had told me before.
To people with such deep faith, it was practically a symbol of their god.
But to me, Kaizen mattered more than any symbol.
“Give me the Essence of the Volcano and the Eternal Flame. I know they’re treasures of Volcano Village—but I need them right now.”
Ariel’s face froze in shock, clearly having never imagined I would ask for such a thing.
The bones stood out sharply on the back of her hand beneath her sleeve.
“…….”
Slowly, she turned and looked back into the temple.
Villagers weeping in joy, families finally able to feel each other’s warmth again—
And Kaizen lying among them, pale and unmoving.
Ariel turned back to me.
The stiffness in her expression softened.
“…So it was you. I wondered when the owner would finally appear.”
“Huh?”
“I’ll give you everything you need. The people of Volcano Village never forget a debt.”
She bowed once more, her eyes curving into a warm smile.
The soul restoration ceremony began.
One by one, the villagers returned to their empty bodies and reclaimed their lives.
Meanwhile, Hamma and Ria gathered the souls of the still-sleeping thieves and took them to the village hall.
‘Once all the souls are inside, we’ll tie their bodies up tight with ropes!’
After that, I followed Ariel toward the rocky cave where the Fire Spirit resided.
Climbing along the fortress wall, a massive cave came into view atop the hill.
Its entrance was narrow, but bright flames burned around it, making it visible even from afar.
Just before entering, Ariel stopped.
“This is my first time bringing an outsider before Lord Sheir. I hope he takes a liking to you, Lady Romi…….”
Tension colored her face.
I looked at her with puzzled eyes.
“If he doesn’t like me, what—does he kick me out or something?”
“Not exactly, but……”
After hesitating, she continued.
“The Eternal Flame is a fire born from Lord Sheir’s breath. Unlike the Essence of the Volcano, it can only be given with his permission.”
“Permission…?”
My mouth fell open.
Why would you tell me that now? We’re already here!
If I’d known, I would’ve brought some kind of bribe for this Sheir-whatever!
Seeing my thoughts written all over my face, Ariel gave a faint smile.
“He judges humans by very different standards than we do. His likes and dislikes are the same.”
“Ha… this is driving me crazy. Then can’t I just use it secretly?”
Ariel shook her head.
“The Eternal Flame can only be used with Lord Sheir’s will. Without his permission, it won’t ignite at all. Still, you don’t need to worry too much. He’s quite benevolent toward humans.”
Even with her reassurance, my unease didn’t fade.
If I failed to earn Sheir’s favor—
Kaizen’s regression would never end.
Tensing up, I stepped into the cave.
The moment I entered, scorching heat pressed down on me, stealing my breath.
The interior glowed with a writhing crimson light, as though the cave itself were alive.
I inhaled the hot air and took a step forward.
[Who dares. To awaken me.]
A thunderous voice echoed throughout the cave.
Just hearing it was enough to feel crushed by its pressure.
I swallowed hard and looked at Ariel.
She smiled reassuringly and mouthed words silently.
It’s fine. Say what you need.
Encouraged, I nodded.
Right—she said he was friendly toward humans.
I went straight to the point.
“Hi, Sheir. I came because I need your help. May I use the Eternal Flame?”
“…….”
Ariel’s mouth fell slightly open, her face filling with shock.
What? Did I say something wrong?
Silence stretched on.
Then, at last, an angry voice thundered through the cave.
[To speak my name so lightly… How arrogant you humans are.]
…What?
Hey, you never said I wasn’t allowed to say your name.
Unlike my indignation, Sheir made his anger known by asserting his dominion over the cave.
Red heat haze flooded the space, and it felt like my body might melt away.
I blinked, enduring the pressure—
And then Sheir revealed himself.
But…….
“Pfft.”
I burst out laughing before I could stop myself.
Because Sheir was—
A chick.
No exaggeration. He looked even smaller and cuter than Hamma.
A tiny yellow chick, no bigger than my palm, waddled toward us.
Beady black eyes, a tiny beak, and round orange blush marks on both cheeks.
His legs were so short he had to flap his little wings as he walked—so adorable I almost got a nosebleed.
But… this isn’t what I thought a fire spirit looked like.
At the very least, I expected a majestic bird or something.
My laughter sent Sheir hopping madly in fury.
“You insolent human! Not only do you dare speak my name so casually, you mock me as well?!”
The moment he revealed his form, the booming voice turned unexpectedly cute and high-pitched.
The overwhelming pressure vanished completely.
“I-I’m sorry! You just look so cute—I laughed without thinking!”
“You wretched creature! If I appeared in my true form, your entire body would be reduced to ashes! I manifested like this for your sake!”
Oh. So he was being considerate?
He’s kinder than I thought.
Ariel squeezed her eyes shut, clearly trying to escape reality.
Her eyelids trembled violently.
I wiped the smile off my face and stepped closer to Sheir.
“I’m sorry for saying your name. I didn’t know that rule existed. But… why can’t humans say your name?”
