Chapter 81: What is Imsoda’s aim…?
ㅤ―― Imusoda’s aim is to turn the real world into a spiritual colony and increase his power in the Netherworld, huh… I see. If you think about it that way, the seemingly random forced awakenings make sense…
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ㅤThe Dream Weaver said.
ㅤOr rather, it felt like his thoughts were being transmitted, since the old man in the water sphere wasn’t moving an inch.
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ㅤ”In causing chaos in the real world, your power, Dream Weaver-san, was convenient for Imusoda. Imusoda is a demon, so he has no means of interfering with the real world.
ㅤHowever, there is someone who can interfere with the real world while being halfway in the Netherworld. That’s you, Dream Weaver-san.”
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ㅤ―― That would be the case… When people dream, they approach the Netherworld from the real world…
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ㅤ”He interferes there with your power, Dream Weaver-san, and awakens the dormant power.
ㅤBut why do they rampage when they awaken? It’s a power they originally possessed, right?”
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ㅤ―― To fully realize the potential of the spirit, the body is too small a vessel… Normally, the body has shackles to prevent the spirit from going too far… But those driven by strong emotions sometimes break those shackles… Also, a magician could be said to be someone who has the ability to partially remove those shackles…
ㅤ
ㅤ”Eh? Is magic that dangerous?”
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ㅤ―― If you have the Grandmaster’s Blessing, there should be no problem… Stray magicians without the blessing are constantly in danger, but even then, unless they are exceptionally talented, they can’t use magic powerful enough to drive them mad…
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ㅤ（ I have an aptitude of 7.9… I wonder if I’m okay? ）
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ㅤIt might be better not to do anything too reckless.
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ㅤ”So, the forced awakening that Imusoda is doing is breaking those shackles, right?”
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ㅤ―― That’s right… Of course, he can’t break just anyone’s shackles… Only when someone with strong emotions — typically resentment or jealousy — agrees to Imusoda’s interference, can he break their shackles…
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ㅤ”『 Do you desire power? 』 That’s what he’s saying, huh.”
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ㅤ―― My daughter… I heard your answer… Kukuku, 『 Enough within my reach 』… wasn’t it…
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ㅤ”Ahaha, he was listening.”
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ㅤ―― That’s a saintly answer… Paradoxically, it’s someone like you who can wield power in the Netherworld… You’re popular with ghosts and spirits, right?
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ㅤ”Well, I don’t know if I’m popular, but I do seem to have a connection with them.”
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ㅤ―― The Netherworld is a world of only spirits… The body is both a shackle and armor that prevents the spirit from dissipating… For those who aim for enlightenment, it’s a 『 prison 』 that must be broken… However, in the Netherworld, a weak spirit will quickly scatter… Someone like you, with an unwavering ego, is like a giant ship that has dropped anchor for them… It’s something that anchors their existence…
ㅤ
ㅤ”H-huh…”
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ㅤBeing told that makes me feel like a weight has been placed on my back.
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ㅤ”It’s like a big-hearted Okaa-san who takes care of rambunctious children…”
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ㅤMy Okaa-san was definitely not that type, though.
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ㅤ―― Fufu, hahaha! That’s good… I also feel at peace when I talk to you… Without good or evil, you just accept existence and care for people’s wounds as if they were your own…
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ㅤ”N-no, I don’t think I’m that great…”
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ㅤPlease don’t talk about me like I’m the ultimate healing mascot.
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ㅤ”Besides, Sherry-san also rejected Imusoda’s question, right? I heard that Lewis and the other knights did too.”
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ㅤ”M-me?”
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ㅤSherry-san, who had been listening silently, was surprised to be suddenly brought into the conversation.
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ㅤ―― That’s right… That knight’s daughter is also admirable… She clearly sees what she wants and resolutely refuses to be tempted to deviate from it… Some might call her stubborn… But don’t worry… That’s what conviction is…
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ㅤ”H-huh. Thank you… I guess?”
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ㅤSherry-san is having trouble responding.
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ㅤ（ Well, even though the Dream Weaver was threatened, he’s still an accomplice. ）
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ㅤHe said he felt relieved when he saw the awakened ones rampaging, so he’s mentally an accomplice.
ㅤBut well, I’m glad he didn’t give in to Imusoda’s temptation.
ㅤThe combination of the Dream Weaver, who can interfere with people’s dreams, and Imusoda, who can forcibly awaken people, is too dangerous.
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ㅤ（ The problem is how to get rid of the threat from Imusoda. ）
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ㅤThere’s nothing we can do if he’s in the Netherworld.
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ㅤWhile I was thinking, the Dream Weaver sent a （ bewildered thought ）.
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ㅤ―― But that’s strange… Certainly, there was another knight who answered 『 If I can live a normal life with my wife and children, that’s all I need 』 to Imusoda’s temptation… See, it’s the knight standing guard right over there…
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ㅤAh, so that’s how he answered.
ㅤI like that kind of answer.
ㅤI wish I could make my father drink a decoction of his nail clippings.
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ㅤ（ I wonder how he’s doing now. ）
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ㅤIf we think logically, he’s probably under arrest and awaiting trial.
ㅤThere’s also the possibility that he committed suicide.
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ㅤ（ Well, I’m sure he had a lot of hardships. It seems he had a decent job and was doing fairly well in this era, but with a wife like that, and being a forceful person, I’m sure there was a lot of friction at his company too. ）
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ㅤWait, why am I thinking about the man who killed me?
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ㅤ”What do you mean by strange?”
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ㅤSherry-san picked up the Dream Weaver’s statement in my place.
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ㅤ―― Hmm… Besides you two and that knight, no one else answered 『 No 』 to Imusoda’s temptation…
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ㅤ”Eh…”
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ㅤ”What!?”
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ㅤSherry-san and I exclaimed at the Dream Weaver’s words.
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ㅤThe next moment,
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ㅤ”―― What are you!? Guaaaaah!”
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ㅤWe heard the scream of the knight on guard from the entrance.