Chapter 335: Silver Pact Five
Javier, the Fae’lkyn.
Even now, many years after, she still cannot forget the one whom she took her name from.
In the past, she had been nothing but a nameless slave.
However, thanks to the efforts of a single man who brought her out of captivity, she was able to reunite with her people and become free.
Sadly, Javier Aditi was a wanderer at the time.
He had to leave.
Before he departed, however, he gave these people a means to protect themselves, and he taught them many things. This served as a foundation, allowing them to protect themselves and even build upon it.
The Fae’lkyn developed some confidence and even began to explore the mountain range.
There, they found many things.
C Grade Armaments... a Spellbook that contained all kinds of secrets... a Grimoire for Potions and all manner of Fabrication Techniques...
...The list went on.
Thanks to this, the Fae’lkyns were able to lead a very prosperous life.
Javier Junior experienced a good life.
Then, on a certain mysterious day, someone visited the village.
He didn’t particularly look like a Nowe’arn.
He had ebony skin, glowing green eyes, and an unmistakable royal disposition.
This man was also far more powerful than they were, yet—just like Javier—he showed them great kindness and even traded with them. In exchange for his goodwill, he requested that Javier Junior follow him to his private chambers and attend to him for however long he would dwell there in seclusion.
No one else was allowed to enter or leave apart from her.
The Fae’lkyns, due to their culture and their unwillingness to offend this powerful stranger, agreed to this arrangement.
And so, it so happened that he took her with him to a secluded location.
And he showed her something unbelievable!
—Apotheosis!
The mysterious man spent nearly a month in Apotheosis before finally emerging and explaining the enlightenment ritual to her. At the time, she too had changed considerably, and he explained that she had become just like him.
A Leviathan!
He told her many secrets, educating her in the fundamentals of his ways.
He told her she was a Witness of the Caster Pathway, and that one day... she would also have to undergo the same enlightenment ritual in order to advance.
Finally, he informed her that she would have to practice her powers and work hard so that one day she would be able to reunite with her savior, Javier Aditi, and repay him for the kindness he showed her people.
He gave her the Potion Formula for Existential Deficiency, and he also warned her against rashly undergoing the risky Apotheosis.
He helped her obtain a fundamental grasp of her powers.
He even provided two Grade 6 Potions, one for immediate use and one for the future, after she would have undergone her Apotheosis and needed to restore her lost Mystical Characteristic.
And in the end... as though he were only a dream... he vanished from the world.
By the time Javier Junior returned to her people, they had not a single clue about the stranger.
None of them remembered him.
None of the things he traded with them remained as well.
It was as though he never visited the Fae’lkyn civilization to begin with.
But Javier Junior remembered everything.
She also recalled his name.
—Hassan!
.....
"Whew! I am so stuffed!"
Kelvar, who had been so stiff and unsure around the Fae’lkyn teenager called Javier, has now completely loosened up.
Rubbing his bloated tummy while burping softly, he sighs in relief.
As for Dustin, although he presents a more refined demeanor, he too has loosened his guard slightly. The pleasant meal and warm hospitality he and his partner received from Javier have completely torn down his defenses.
This, he believes, is one of the very rare instances of kindness he has experienced in his travels.
’So this is what a fortuitous encounter feels like...’ The Silent Knight of Darkness cannot help but smile wryly at his present circumstances.
Not only will he be able to obtain supplies for his travels—which includes Potions and Special Resources of all kinds—but the girl has been generous enough to provide the two of them with one C Grade Armament of their choice.
This is too auspicious!
’Isn’t all of this too coincidental? We met her just when we were at our limits. She bears the same name as my cousin. She also has many resources to spare, and she is willing to share them. I really think this is the girl spoken about in the prophecy!’
Dustin wishes to tell Kelvar these things, but he doesn’t know how to bring it up.
This girl understands the Nowe’arn language despite being a Fae’lkyn, and she is also fluent in Randalorionese.
He can’t exactly hide his conversation from her, and it would be quite rude to.
’But we have to confirm this!’
It’s just rather awkward bringing this up when they have just been saved by her generosity.
’How strange would it be if I were to just tell her that we have a prophecy that she will join us, and we will travel together with another heroic group to fight the forces of evil?’
Right as Dustin sighs deeply about this, Javier Junior’s voice echoes loudly in the cave.
"I was told something by my teacher. He said my people would one day experience destruction, and I would be unable to save them from their fate with my limited strength. After this inevitable destruction, I would have to follow the first group of fated strangers into a different land. There, I would become strong and find my destiny."
"...."
At this point, Kelvar and Dustin stare blankly at the teenage girl in front of them.
This... this is similar to the prophecy they received!
What does this mean?!
The girl before them does not need any kind of convincing, because she is already aware of her destiny and how it is tangled with theirs!
"I tried to fight fate. I decided to dedicate myself and grow strong. I even... I decided to undergo Apotheosis early so I could possess enough strength. But who would have thought that the tragedy would occur while I was undergoing Apotheosis? I was saved from the destruction as a result, but everyone else perished. In a bid to escape my destiny, I caused it to happen..." She smiles bitterly, speaking to herself in a rather saddened tone.
Despite talking about such tragedy, a hint of maturity reflects in her youthful silver eyes.
"I suspect that you two are strongly tied to my fate. I won’t fight it anymore, and so I wish to travel together with you... across the land."
Dustin and Kelvar immediately nod their heads. "We understand."
Someone this wealthy and powerful, possessing all manner of knowledge and items, would surely not be a liability to them. With their identity as local heroes, they would be able to protect her against societal ostracization and inequality.
As for her possessions, they would come in handy on many occasions.
Plus, the prophecy includes her in the journey.
There is literally no reason to refuse.
"However, we need to wait for the second group to arrive. According to the words of my master, their name will contain the color of my eyes."
Javier has an unusual eye color for a Fae’lkyn... silver eyes that glow even in the dark.
Neither Dustin nor Kelvar knows this, but this wasn’t always the color of her eyes. It changed after she consumed a Potion of Silver Sight, given to her by the mysterious Leviathan.
The Mystical Characteristic she obtained gave her the Special Trait of seeing through obstacles such as walls, structures, and all kinds of barriers. However, depending on the quality of the Mystical Characteristics that exist in the barrier, it could take some time to see through it, or she may not even be able to see through it at all.
Coincidentally, this is actually one of the two Special Traits that Amnesis from the Ouroboros Sect possesses, but of course she isn’t aware of such details.
After undergoing one Apotheosis, Javier Junior is already a Rank 2 Leviathan.
Her Existence is much higher than before, and her powers have experienced a qualitative change.
Quite hilariously, she is already stronger than Javier Aditi, the man she has continued to admire and still strives to emulate.
Regardless, she believes she is ready to leave for another land.
"How long do you believe we have to wait?" Dustin raises a brow and asks the question.
"We can wait for as long as possible. I’m in no rush..." Kelvar quickly adds, licking his lips while massaging his protruding belly.
After spending so much time traveling and suffering, and then seeing so much comfort in the form of excess resources, why would he want to go anywhere just yet? He would actually prefer to wait and laze around for as long as possible.
"I am actually not—"
Javier’s pointed ears suddenly perk up, and she falls silent in that moment.
Then, she creases her brow.
"We have intruders." Her expression turns grave while her eyes flash with concern. "They noticed the illusion and are making their way into the cave as we speak."
"W-what about the other traps?"
"They’re very good. They must be really experienced. They’ve been able to identify and deactivate all of them accordingly..." She whispers, a small smile forming on her face despite the clear pressure mounting on all of them.
"I see... Are they enemies?" Dustin asks, ready to pick up a blade and fight.
"Not sure."
"Then—"
"You two, come closer. Stay behind me, and don’t worry. I’ll protect you."
"...."
Both Kelvar and Dustin stare awkwardly at each other, realizing just how embarrassing the current situation is. Not only have they become freeloaders, mooching off the goodwill of this young lady, but they also have to receive her protection during a time of potential danger.
"We can also fight!"
"Thanks for helping us fight!"
After thinking for about a second, Dustin and Kelvar say different things at the same time.
Then, they stare at each other in apparent shock, each man highly concerned about the declaration of the other.
"You shameless coward! You would actually let a young girl protect you?"
"Speak for yourself. My stomach is too full. I can’t fight well enough."
"Is that an excuse?"
"Look, if you want to fight... go. Don’t drag me into this."
"You—!"
"Javier over there has two C Grade Armaments that she is clearly accustomed to. She is also in her home turf, with all kinds of arrangements around. Even though we’ve been rejuvenated, we haven’t fully recovered from our exhaustion. If anyone stands the best chance, it’s her. Choosing to fight instead of her would be tactically foolish. Fighting alongside her could actually hold her back and create disharmony. By standing behind her, we can even offer her backup with the greatest level of efficiency."
The same Kelvar, who would normally be too tired to think, suddenly lists several reasons to justify his cowardice.
However, his words make enough sense that Dustin cannot refute them so easily.
"I guess... you’re right."
"Hehe... Of course!" Although Kelvar did not think of any of this when he initially wanted to rely on Javier Junior, his quick mind had saved him this time.
Naturally, there are many holes in his argument.
For example, taking Potions can immediately cure them of their exhaustion. They could also replace their lack of synergy with rapid bombardment of the enemy with the excessive resources that they have at their disposal.
Perhaps Dustin and Kelvar could even take on more strategic roles than simply relying on a teenager to save their lives.
This teenager in question is a Leviathan, but they don’t know that.
They could have thought a little harder of another way.
However, due to the precariousness of the situation, it would be extremely difficult to consider many of these things so quickly.
As such, both men decide to take refuge behind the wary Fae’lkyn.
Then, the mysterious group finally emerges from the shadows, causing silver streaks of light to manifest from different parts of their bodies.
The blade of the man at the forefront.
The left glove of the fierce woman right next to him.
The right middle ring of the beautiful damsel at the man’s other side.
The necklace of the serene woman who stands at the center of the group.
And the crown atop the head of the noble girl at the rear.
These silver gleams shine off the respective symbols that are etched on their Armaments, and as they make their presence known, the loud masculine voice of the vanguard bursts out.
"Fear not, wary travelers... for we mean you no harm!"
He raises both hands, revealing his dashingly handsome face and his completely harmless smile.
"We have traveled across the land, following the paths of our predecessors of the Golden Pact Five, which existed since the Second Age... formed during the Treaty of Goldfire." The fierce woman to the right suddenly speaks aloud, following the same grandiose tone as the man.
After her, the beautiful lady to the left shouts:
"We carry the torch of justice, saving the weak and innocent and constantly driving off the forces of evil!"
Then, the serene woman at the center speaks in an unusually loud tone, "Wrestling against the constant shadows of the Umbren Cults and maintaining a constant watch to prevent the return of the Umbren Dominion!"
Finally, the noble girl behind yells out in a somewhat nervous and shrill voice.
"W-we are the heroes of this new age! We are..."
"...THE SILVER PACT FIVE!"
All of them suddenly make embarrassing poses, their capes fluttering in the air while silence reigns within the cave.
Their respective poses last for an entire minute, with each person not moving until the time is over. Only then do they break up their silly formation and catch their breaths.
Then, the handsome man turns to the noble girl at the rear.
"You messed up the last line again, Astra. We have to get it right next time, okay?"
"A-alright, Tristan!" The fancily dressed teenage girl clenches her fist while giving a look of determination. "I’ll do my best to get it right next time!"
While all of this is happening, Javier Junior, Dustin, and Kelvar are caught up in confusion.
They stare at this group incredulously.
It has become apparent that these are the people they’ve been waiting for.
"Forgive us, wary travelers. We’re still working on our introductory line..." The man called Tristan makes a genuine and apologetic smile while bowing flamboyantly.
His cape waves in the air, reminding everyone of the previous pose the group had to undertake.
"I-it’s fine..." Javier Junior mutters with a strained smile.
This causes him to smile even more.
If not for his strikingly handsome looks, perhaps his cringe would not be so easily overlooked.
After an excruciatingly long period of time, he finally breaks the silence by coughing lightly. "We discovered hints belonging to the Umbren Cult and traced their activity to this Kingdom. But we were unable to find anything. Instead, we stumbled upon an ancient ruin, and after fighting for our lives and barely surviving the danger, we found an ancient tome. It gave us certain coordinates which led us here."
"...."
Tristan must have expected the audience to gasp or express some level of shock after his dramatic pause, but the three simply blink at him.
They already knew what he was driving at, so they felt no surprise.
"Ahem... Beneath the coordinates, an ancient language which we were able to decrypt after some time told us that we would obtain our next clue regarding the Umbren Cult when we arrived here. We would also meet new allies who would journey with us in order to fight off the emerging forces of evil that is the Umbren Dominion!"
"I understand..." Javier Junior nods, stepping forward. "My Master left behind something. It’s a map of a land different from this one. It has certain places marked, but I have no idea what they mean. It must be what you are looking for."
"I-I see..."
Tristan stares at his team, and they also look surprised.
After traveling far and wide, experiencing their fair share of mystery, they probably didn’t expect things to be so easy and coincidental.
"As for the people you were meant to find, that would be us. We each received a prophecy regarding this very thing. I believe our fates are intertwined, and we ought to travel together in order to fulfill our destiny and save the world." Dustin quickly steps forward and adds.
His words must have struck a chord within Tristan, as the handsome man instantly smiles and nods excitedly while blushing.
"You’re right! From this moment on, let us be comrades! My name is Tristan Des’garte, fallen noble of the House Des’garte, and a man who wishes to protect the innocent. My family was murdered when I was but a child. I later discovered it was done by the Umbren Cult, and so from that moment on I vowed..."
After over five minutes of introducing himself, Tristan finally stops to introduce the rest of the women he has as his companions.
"The fierce maiden Rhitta! The enchanting damsel Emilie! The serene beauty, Laurel! And the runaway princess, Astra! Together... we are the Silver Pact Five!"
Once again, the group makes their embarrassing pose.
However, none of the three who watch them cringe or show any kind of discomfort at this.
After all, they are more overcome with excitement.
The prophecy is real!
Everything is finally coming together, all dictated by fate or the will of the gods.
"My name is Dustin, from the fallen Aditi Knight Household. I am known across these lands as the Silent Knight of Darkness."
"I am Kelvar Cradle, former Chief of Zen Village and the Serene Squire of Darkness."
Javier Junior watches everyone introduce themselves and introspects.
She remembers the words of her Master.
This mysterious Leviathan had made her swear not to tell anyone that she is a Leviathan.
"Unless they recognize you as such, do not reveal it." He had told her those words explicitly.
As such, she is limited in what she can share.
Still, her lips curl up.
Standing among all kinds of heroes and future legends, her heart swells with pride.
Heat rises in her body, and her lips curl up.
This is a brand new start for her.
She can take on a new identity and travel the land in order to grow stronger.
She will fight against evil and defend the innocent.
Then, at the end of the journey, she will finally reunite with the one who saved her life and gave her the name she now bears.
Seeing that everyone’s gaze is on her, waiting for her introduction, Javier Junior clears her throat.
Then, she declares loudly and boldly.
"My name is Javier, the last survivor of the Fae’lkyn of the Southern Mountain Range. However, I am only one bearer of this great name, and as such..."
She pauses, smiling at her new comrades.
"...you may address me as Javier Junior."
