บท 85: [85] Eyes That Pierce the Soul
Ash opened his eyes, once again feeling the cool air of the mortal world surrounding him. The soft light of the two radiant eyes still floated in his hands, emanating a warmth that reminded him of Cherubim's presence. Slowly, he made his way toward the small hut where Martha rested.
Inside, Martha remained fast asleep, her small face peaceful despite the scars around her eyes—a grim reminder of the horrors she had endured. Ash knelt beside her, watching the gentle rise and fall of her breath.
The two luminous eyes, Cherubim's gift, hovered gently above Martha, casting a soft glow that filled the room with a serene warmth, almost like a divine embrace.
[Ciel, how do I do this?] Ash asked inwardly, his voice steady but laced with unease.
[It's simple, Ash,] Ciel replied, her voice calm yet firm. [These eyes are blessed with sacred power and contain the Heart of Luminaris within them. They will naturally bond with Martha's body. All you need to do is allow their light to touch her.]
Ash nodded slightly, his gaze never leaving Martha's face. His hands trembled faintly as he guided the glowing eyes toward the child.
"Martha," he whispered, knowing she wouldn't hear him. "I hope you can accept this... and reclaim the world that was stolen from you."
The radiant orbs began to glow brighter, slowly descending toward the scars on Martha's face. As the light touched her skin, the room filled with a warm energy that made Ash hold his breath. The glow gradually seeped into her wounds, banishing the remnants of darkness.
Martha's small body stirred, her breathing quickened. Then, where her eyes had once been, a soft light emerged, slowly forming into a new shape. Two crystal-like eyes, shimmering like tiny stars, replaced the empty voids that had once marred her face.
As the glow subsided, the new eyes shone with a quiet, mysterious beauty. Ash stared at the transformation, a mixture of awe and relief washing over him.
"Martha?" he called softly, gently tapping the girl's shoulder.
Martha slowly opened her eyes—a simple act that now felt miraculous. She blinked her new eyes, confusion flickering across her face before they widened in realization.
"I-I can..." Martha's voice broke, trembling with disbelief and joy. Her small hands rose to touch her face, verifying that this wasn't a dream. She felt the texture of her skin, the contours of her eyes, but what amazed her most—she could see. "I can see!"
Standing nearby, Ash allowed himself a small smile, a wave of relief coursing through him. "That's wonderful, Martha," he said gently. "How do you feel now?"
Before she could answer, Martha's gaze landed on Ash. Something unusual happened—her perception of the world had shifted. Her new eyes, blessed by the Heart of Luminaris, began to process reality in ways no ordinary sight could.
Colors and lights danced around Ash, forming an aura that radiated brilliantly. But there was more—within Ash's body, four points of light glowed intensely, like miniature suns suspended inside him. The energy exuded from those lights felt warm and soothing, instilling a deep sense of safety just by looking at them.
"Master..." Martha whispered, her voice trembling. Her eyes shimmered, reflecting awe and wonder. "You... you're glowing..."
Ash raised an eyebrow, puzzled. "Glowing? What do you mean?"
Martha tilted her head, trying to make sense of what she saw. "There's... there's light inside you. Four brilliant lights that are warm and beautiful. I've never seen anything like this before. It feels... so comforting."
[Those lights are the fragments of the high angels within you, Ash,] Ciel's voice echoed in his mind. [Martha's eyes, blessed by the Heart of Luminaris, allow her to perceive the essence beyond ordinary reality. And you, with four fragments of high angels inside you, shine like a beacon in the dark for those with such sight.]
Ash listened to the explanation, his attention shifting back to Martha, who was still staring at him with wide-eyed amazement. "Martha, are you alright? Does what you're seeing scare you?"
Martha shook her head quickly, tears welling up in her eyes. "No, Master. It's... beautiful. I've never felt so safe just by looking at someone."
Ash gently patted Martha's head, relief spreading through him once more. "That's good. But remember, those eyes are a gift, and you may see many things that aren't always beautiful. Don't let yourself fear what you see."
Martha nodded, though her gaze remained fixed on Ash with reverence. "Do... do all people have lights like you, Master?"
Ash paused, contemplating the best answer. "Not all, Martha. Light like that comes from something greater, something beyond this world. But that doesn't mean others can't be good or valuable. Their light may not be visible to your eyes, but it can be felt with your heart."
Martha fell silent, pondering Ash's words. Then, she smiled softly, her expression growing calmer. "I understand, Master. But to me... you're the brightest person of all."
"Good to see you're cheerful again," Ash replied with a warm smile of his own. Relief washed over him as he watched Martha's spirit begin to heal.
Martha, now sitting atop the soft straw, giggled quietly. "It's all thanks to you, Master," she said softly, though her gaze carried a newfound confidence.
Ash ruffled her hair gently. "You're strong, Martha. Don't ever forget that."
A few days later, Ash traveled to Millishion, the capital city. His purpose was simple: to share the good news with Alice, a beastman from the rabbit tribe he knew well.
Alice was a girl about Martha's age, though her childhood was marked by scars that had forced her to mature far too quickly.
The horrific incident involving the cult had left deep wounds on Alice, particularly because she had once been a victim of their rituals—a harrowing ordeal that nearly claimed her life. The trauma had made her deeply wary of humans. Though she lived in Millishion, she kept her distance from people, especially those of human descent.
Ash understood Alice's fear. He knew how difficult it was to confront a painful past, and though he was now a beastman of the silver wolf tribe, the fact that he had once been human—before his transmigration—complicated things further.
When Ash found Alice in a quiet corner of the city, the girl initially froze in surprise. But upon recognizing Ash's face, a small smile broke through her usually sullen expression.
"Master Ash!" Alice called out, skipping toward him. "I'm so glad you're okay! I've been hearing terrible things lately... I was worried something had happened to you."
Ash smiled warmly, crouching so he was level with her. "I'm fine, Alice. Sorry for making you worry."
Alice nodded slightly, though a trace of unease lingered in her eyes. "But... why are you here? Is everything really okay?"
Ash exhaled softly. "I wanted to share some good news. The girl I brought with me—Martha—she's healed. She can see again."
Alice's eyes widened, a mix of wonder and relief lighting up her face. "Really? That's amazing! I'm so glad she's alright..." She fell silent for a moment, lowering her gaze. "Master Ash... why do you always help others? Isn't it... dangerous?"
Ash chuckled and patted Alice's head, much like he did with Martha. "Maybe because I know what it's like to have no one. I don't want others to feel that way. You know what that's like, too, don't you?"
Alice hesitated, then nodded. "Yes... I do."
Ash reached into his pocket and pulled out a silver pocket watch with the emblem of Konstantine engraved on its back. He held it carefully before handing it to Alice.
"I have to leave again after this, Alice," Ash said. "But I want you to have this. If you ever feel alone, look at this watch. Remember that I'm out there, thinking of you."
Alice took the watch in her small hands, her eyes filled with curiosity and gratitude. "This... is for me?"
Ash nodded. "This watch isn't just for telling time. It's a reminder that time keeps moving forward, no matter how hard the present feels. You have to keep moving, too."
Tears began to well up in Alice's eyes, but she managed a small smile. "Thank you, Master Ash. I'll take good care of it."
After returning from Millishion, Ash began training Martha. He knew that her new eyes were an extraordinary gift, but they could also become a burden if not used wisely.
Martha, now more confident, eagerly embraced the training. Ash taught her survival basics—running, evasion, and using her sacred eyes to read auras and discern people's intentions.
"Focus on your target," Ash said one morning, pointing to a small bird perched on a branch. "Use your eyes to sense its intent. Does it feel threatened? Or just curious?"
Martha closed her eyes briefly, then opened them slowly. Her gaze glowed faintly as she concentrated on the bird. "It's... curious," she said finally. "But also a little cautious."
Ash smiled. "Good. You're starting to understand. Those eyes aren't just for seeing, Martha. They're tools to understand the world on a deeper level."
Day by day, Martha grew more skilled at using her eyes, and her confidence continued to build. She learned not only to see the world with her new sight but also to feel it with her heart.
That evening, Martha sat by the campfire, watching Ash as he planned their next journey.
"Master Ash," she called softly.
Ash looked up, smiling. "Yes, Martha?"
"Thank you... for everything."
Ash paused, then nodded. "You don't need to thank me, Martha. We all have roles to play in this life. And mine is to make sure you're ready to face the world."
Martha gave him a small smile, feeling stronger than ever. The world was full of challenges, but she knew that as long as Ash was by her side, she could face anything.
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