One-Eyed Monster

”We all thought the same. We would rather die as heroes in the Eternal Tranquility Realm than live on in this wretched state!”

Blaine thought, You’re all still a bunch of looks-obsessed fools! He bit back the retort, knowing a joke probably wouldn’t make much of a difference at this moment. He needed to assist the Great Mentor, but it seemed his efforts were counterproductive.

”Wretched state?” The Great Mentor, having finished his work, turned to look at the agitated figures in the cage. Blaine’s arrival, while offering little comfort, had caused the breathing of those already resigned to entering the Eternal Tranquility Realm to quicken.

It seemed Blaine’s ’medicine’ had, at least, some effect.

Great Mentor Guzan nodded at Blaine, acknowledging that the ’medicine’ he had chosen had indeed played a certain role.

”Better to die in glory than live in disgrace!” another voice cried out.

Blaine’s scarred face tightened. He had encountered no resistance upon entering. The Alchemy Workshop’s testing grounds were typically accessible only to Alchemists, but the Great Mentor had apparently smoothed the way for him. Had he not unexpectedly met an old friend, missing for years, outside the door, Blaine would have reached the cage sooner.

”You bunch of cowards! Have you thrown away even the courage to live?” Blaine had no other encouraging words; he found himself repeating the same few lines.

This man, the first of the Seven Glorious Knights and commander of the Silver Lion Knights, lacked a Politician’s eloquence. Only on the battlefield could his imposing presence inspire the timid. Now, apart from harsh rebukes, he had no other means to sway them.

He faced a group of battle-hardened warriors, long accustomed to life and death. He knew they listened to his harsh words only because of his status.

”Life is indeed precious; it’s a pity to cast it aside.” The Great Mentor shook his head.

These warriors were already on the brink. A few words from him wouldn’t be enough to dissuade them.

This was all due to Kuyi Tulan’s overconfidence. The boy is still too young, always selfish and lacking discretion. He needs much more experience before he can stand on his own.

The Great Mentor thought, May this failure serve as a wake-up call for him.

Blaine continued his tirade, but the ’monsters’ in the cage had lost their will to live. They only wished for a swift release.

”Great Mentor, do you even know what you’re saying?”

”We gave up on life and death long ago! But this time, we don’t even know how we’re dying!”

Everyone began talking at once, rambling incoherently, not caring what they said, only intent on venting their dissatisfaction.

There’s still hope for people like this, the Great Mentor mused. Those who had truly despaired would have no complaints left; they would have fallen silent long ago, their eyes vacant.

The Great Mentor pondered, How exactly is this ’medicine’ of Blaine’s to be used? For a moment, he had no idea.

Often, that’s how things are. When you feel you’ve hit a dead end, sometimes the smallest detail can turn everything around.

The monsters, clamoring one after another, wore down even the steadfast Blaine with their words, bringing him to his knees.

With a THUD, Blaine fell to his knees. A single, glistening tear escaped his remaining eye.

”Living... is truly exhausting!” exclaimed Chief Blaine. This man, a formidable figure almost like a monster, and the head of the Silver Lion Knights, now knelt outside the cage in the Alchemy Workshop’s testing grounds, weeping bitterly—a sight that astounded everyone present.

”You’re right! Living like this... it’s better to die!”

”Living such a wretched life, I have to face the world’s strange gazes, I have to pretend I’m still normal.” Blaine sobbed as he spoke.

”Living is a torment. You can’t be with your loved ones. You can’t truly embrace those you care about. You’re always afraid your appearance will hurt them.”

”Sir, you’re absolutely right.” Some in the crowd began to murmur their agreement, and sounds of whimpering spread.

This is the power of resonance, the Great Mentor sighed. He sensed a new current stirring within the cage.

He didn’t know what this power would bring, but he, too, waited with anticipation.

”This body is just a walking corpse now, devoid of all feeling. There’s no meaning in living like this.”

”I understand your pain. Living like this is indeed more painful than death.”

”All I have is an ugly, repulsive face. But you... you’ve been completely transformed. Your current forms would terrify not only ordinary people; even I, a soldier of the Empire, feel a chill looking at you.”

”We are deeply comforted that Chief Blaine understands our suffering. But Chief, you still have reasons to live. Please don’t grieve with us here.”

This reaction was something no one had anticipated. That this group, so set on death, would now urge someone else to live—the Great Mentor certainly hadn’t foreseen this.

”You are my brothers, who have shared life and death with me! How could I abandon you and leave?” Dean Blaine’s voice was thick with emotion, his conviction flaring.

His words sent a tremor through the cage, an electrifying fervor. No one quite understood why. At first glance, it was a group of men weeping. But these were not ordinary tears; they were heavy with unspoken understanding, like a silent pact on a battlefield, an unbreakable bond forged in the crucible of shared hardship.

The Great Mentor remained silent. There was nothing he could do. Saving these souls required more than just passion; it needed resonance.

So, the resonance is here. This is how the ’medicine’ was meant to be used.

Politicians truly do have foresight, and the Scholar’s deductions are remarkably astute, Grand Master Guzan thought at this moment, recalling his two old friends. It was their advice that had led him to make this move today.

The medicine has taken effect. Now, all that remains is to see their reaction.

”My only regret is that I could not ride into battle alongside Chief Blaine in this life.”

”But in death, you can enter the Eternal Tranquility Realm with me!” Blaine declared.

”What a pity! Only our names will remain in this world, but none of our deeds!”

After this moment of profound resonance, a wave of shared grief and understanding washed over them and Blaine.

The Great Mentor watched it all unfold, unsure whether to laugh or cry.

”Great Mentor, grant us our wish! Send us on our way!” someone cried out.

”Great Mentor, please send us on our way!” they all repeated in unison.

The Great Mentor shook his head. ”I came here only to help you keep living.”

”Great Mentor!” At this, their expressions all changed, no longer holding their initial questions and laments.

”My apprentice made a terrible mistake, and I am powerless to undo it. I can only grant you your freedom now. Beyond that, I can do nothing.”

”Great Mentor, what do you mean?”

”I have removed the Markers from your bodies. The gates of the Alchemy Workshop’s testing grounds are open. You are free.”

”Free?”

”I know this freedom may no longer seem important to you. But before I leave, I want to say this: life is something to be cherished.”

”Great Mentor, look at us! Just look at us! Can you call this state ’life’?”

”My children, you must understand this: you are always yourselves. Though sometimes we live for more than just ourselves, if you give up on who you are, what meaning is left in anything you care about?”

A moment of silence.

”Alright, I must go now. Children, this land no longer has a place for me.”

”Chief Blaine, you’ve endured much. It seems you too have found where you belong.”