章 136: Chapter 136
"You've changed, Takarion."
The monk Isilla was alone with Takarion in his room.
Takarion had changed dramatically compared to before his trip to the North.
Both his appearance and his inner self were different.
Perhaps due to his long suffering, his belly had shrunk, and his cheeks had hollowed.
However, his eyes shone with a vivid inner strength.
"A lot has happened."
Takarion briefly recalled the past.
He had been kidnapped by Northerners and dragged around the distant barbarian lands.
He met Ian when he had given up and was in despair.
Encouraged by Ian, he had found courage but then fell into despair again over his own pathetic skills.
Nevertheless, he had not given up and had tried to accomplish something...
"In this vast world, I realized how insignificant I am."
"You've realized a very important truth."
Isilla nodded.
In this vast world, a single person is insignificant.
No matter how great you are, someone greater will appear somewhere.
Even if you are the best in the world, you cannot overcome the flow of nature.
Always be humble.
Takarion had been an arrogant young man who knew no humility, but now he was definitely different from before.
"... It's embarrassing to admit, but I wanted to become a noble."
It wasn't entirely unrealistic.
A noble was someone granted territory by the emperor.
Even a mere monk like Takarion could, by making a name for himself, be granted a title by the emperor and become a noble.
Takarion had wanted to compensate for his childhood complexes through success.
If he could live grandly as a noble, no one could look down on him.
But the experiences in the North had taught Takarion a lesson.
"I am not capable of such things."
"Hmm... Are you saying that sincerely?"
Takarion nodded.
He knew one truly incompetent person and one truly competent person.
Those people were Takarion and Ian.
"I don't have the ability to lead people. Wanting to become a noble or a respected person was just a worthless delusion."
A delusion.
Something Takarion excelled at.
If the world could be as easily and smoothly navigated as his delusions, he would have no complaints, but unfortunately, reality is not so accommodating.
Takarion had clearly realized this.
The people who change the world are those like Ian.
People who overcome adversity with exceptional talent and achieve what they desire.
'You've had a hard time.'
Isilla quietly observed Takarion.
Just from his words, he seemed like someone who had lost interest in all worldly affairs.
He seemed like a pitiful person whose spirit had been broken by despair.
But Isilla knew.
Takarion's eyes were not those of a person whose spirit had been broken.
"Then how do you plan to live from now on?"
Takarion spoke slowly.
"I don't have the talent to stand before people. I lack great abilities and can't offer much help."
"But..."
"I have the talent to remember someone's achievements and write about them."
Takarion had clearly realized this.
He couldn't become a hero.
The path of a hero was not one Takarion could walk.
Instead, he chose the path of a writer.
"... I will write a chronicle."
"A chronicle?"
A chronicler.
Someone who writes about the life of a particular person.
Usually, this job is entrusted to a scholar by a noble...
Takarion was now declaring that he would voluntarily write a chronicle without any commission!
Isilla understood the significance of this.
"Could it be... the chronicle of Ian, the wizard?"
Takarion answered with a small smile.
After witnessing Ian's feats in the North, Takarion made a firm vow.
That vow was...
To turn Ian's story into a book so more people could read it!
"But he's too young, isn't he? Even though he's a great wizard, it's not the right time to write his chronicle."
Isilla spoke with concern.
A chronicle is a complete record of a person's life.
Someone who shines brightly in their youth can still fall as they age.
If you write a chronicle, you must also record such downfalls.
"I believe in Ian."
Takarion spoke firmly.
"He's not someone who will stumble halfway. He will certainly become a great person, known across the continent. I just want to support him in that journey."
Takarion had already made up his mind.
He would compile Ian's adventures into a book and publish it.
And it would end with a historic conclusion.
Isilla blessed Takarion.
"Yes... You have a talent for writing. It's a gift from the heavens. It's right to showcase your abilities to their fullest."
"Thank you."
Thus, Takarion decided to write Ian's chronicle...
"Wait!!!"
There was a person who opposed Takarion's plan.
It was the abbot, Renis.
"Takarion! If you write the chronicle now, what will happen to the countless believers awaiting your next work?"
Takarion sneered at Renis's words.
"Those false gospels are no longer worth writing."
"F-False? Are you calling the Gospel of St. Marcus a lie?"
"Yes. It's a lie. A bundle of my delusions and speculations."
Takarion bluntly spoke the truth.
Is the Gospel of St. Marcus full of lies? - Yes.
Is it not worth reading? - Yes.
Takarion's version of the gospel was not the only one containing the teachings of St. Marcus.
Takarion also referred to previous versions of the Gospel of Marcus to write his own. Otherwise, how would Takarion know the life of a man from the Golden Empire era?
Gospels were written in a manner similar to martial arts novels.
The settings and backgrounds were all predetermined, and one could just change the desired parts.
It was the same principle as accepting the appearance of groups like the Hebei Peng Clan and the Zhuge Clan without question.
Renis knew this too.
He knew that Takarion's gospel had somewhat exaggerated parts.
But...
If Takarion stopped writing the gospel, how would they maintain the Blue Key Monastery's star product?
The Blue Key Monastery's recognition had been raised solely by Takarion.
Although he had a tough time in the North, in other cities, Takarion was worshiped as the great Takarion.
"Without you, the monastery will collapse!"
Renis was sincere.
But Takarion was not.
"Then I'll have to transfer to another monastery."
"No!!!"
There were many monasteries.
Couldn't he find one that would take him in?
"Isilla! Say something!"
"It's wonderful to see you finding your own path!"
"Isilla!!!"
Takarion bowed his head, Isilla laughed happily, and Renis tore at his thinning hair.
'I need Ian's help!'
Renis hurriedly went to find Ian.
Ian looked for Gerard, but he had disappeared.
Ian had wanted to ask something about the gods.
But since Gerard had already vanished, there was nothing he could do.
Ian set his next destination to be the territory of Baron Vincents.
Honestly, Ian had no obligation to help Professor Inglan.
But Ian and Inglan were both wizards.
There was a camaraderie among wizards.
In other words, if Ian faced trouble, other wizards would come to his aid.
Taking on such quests helped to grease the wheels of these relationships, making it easier to seek help when needed.
Ian finished his travel preparations at the monastery.
Although supplies seemed a bit lacking, he figured he could resupply by visiting any noble along the way.
Ian had already started to think of nobles as sponsors.
This was a sign of a well-developed wizard's mindset.
"Did everyone get a good rest?"
Belenka and Kira were also ready to depart.
With their preparations complete, Ian set off towards the southwest of the empire...
"Wait!!!"
"What is it, Abbot?"
Just as they were about to leave, Renis stopped Ian.
"Takarion... Please see Takarion before you go!"
"That was my plan."
Ian nodded briskly.
He had intended to say goodbye before departing, and of course, that included seeing Takarion.
"Convince Takarion to release his next work!"
"Next work?"
Renis tearfully explained the situation.
It was pitiful to see an old man almost in tears, but Ian understood and went to find Takarion.
After all, old men are as delicate as high school girls.
"Takarion!"
"Aah! Shala! Ian! My brother of the soul!"
As soon as he saw Ian, Takarion spread his arms wide.
Having rested well at the monastery, Takarion's complexion had returned to its usual state.
"I heard from Renis. You're not writing gospel anymore?"
"Yes. The gospel... I can't write it anymore."
Ian was taken aback.
Why? Why wouldn't he write that amazing light novel?
"Because... Ian, I want to write your chronicle!"
"What the..."
"Let me write your chronicle!"
Ian coldly brushed off Takarion, who was about to cling to him.
Though Takarion wasn't exactly obese, he was still a large man, and it was unsettling to see him lunge like that.
'... I really wanted to read it. The gospel's sequel.'
Ian was genuinely disappointed.
What was Takarion's gospel?
In this dreary medieval era, lacking in dopamine like sugar, it was the only truly engaging book he had ever read!
Renis wanted Takarion's gospel for selfish reasons, but Ian had a slightly different motive for wanting him to continue writing.
"If I want to read it... won't you write it?"
When Ian spoke, Takarion's expression changed.
"You want to read it? Ian, you? My gospel?"
"Yes."
When Ian confidently replied, Takarion was momentarily awed.
He had felt this before, but Ian...
He had an incredibly deep faith!
No wonder the heavenly god often answered Ian's prayers.
Thinking this, Takarion felt even more ashamed.
What had he been making such a devout believer read...
"If you write the gospel's sequel, I'll let you write my chronicle."
"... Really?"
With Ian asking so earnestly, Takarion couldn't refuse.
Alright. Writing the chronicle was important, but Ian wanted the gospel!
"Alright. I'll write the gospel first."
Takarion decided to use this gospel as a practice piece to improve his writing skills.
He would start with the gospel and then move on to writing Ian's chronicle!
"Waaaaa!"
Renis let out a scream-like cheer from the side.
And then he blushed.
It seemed he was aware of how embarrassing he looked...
"When the gospel is finished, Ian, I'd like to collect some stories about you."
"Are you planning to follow me around?"
Takarion shook his head.
"No. I still vividly remember being swept away by an avalanche in the Holy Mountain. Someone like me would just be a burden."
Ian crossed his arms and pondered.
Meeting with Takarion again to share stories would be ideal. However, Ian was constantly on the move, and who knew when he'd return to the monastery?
"Oh."
At that moment, Ian came up with an idea.
"Would you consider staying in the Talian territory?"
"Talian territory?"
Takarion tilted his head.
"My friend is the lord there. If you stay there, we can talk later."
It wasn't a bad idea.
Anyway, it was common for clergy to wander as guests across various territories.
If it was Lucy of Talian, she would treat Takarion well as a guest.
"Hmm!"
Takarion nodded.
"Alright! As soon as I finish writing, I'll head to Talian territory!"
"Great. Takarion, let's meet there again."
With the promise of the next publication secured, Ian set off on his journey.
The next destination was the territory of Baron Vincents, where Inglan was imprisoned.
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