[CHAPTER 4] — RED RANGER

Rin gracefully retrieved the last remnants of bread from the concealed kitchen cupboard, bearing them alongside a steaming bowl of freshly concocted medicine. With quiet dedication, she stepped into the sacred confines of the hospital room. On her tray, a few cakes were carefully arranged, a testament to her unwavering commitment to those entrusted to her care.

As she neared the hospital bed, her steps barely a whisper, she began administering the medicine to a fragile teenager, her touch gentle, her expression serene.

In the dimly lit chamber, where wisps of incense perfumed the air, two weathered adventurers found themselves entangled in a thought-provoking conversation. Their faces bore the etchings of countless trials, yet their eyes glittered with the promise of new discoveries as they regarded the youthful guardian.

The slender Ranger Stanalav, his voice tinged with curiosity, turned to the diminutive girl, his inquisitiveness laid bare. "Little girl, why did your master summon my commander for a private discussion?"

Rin, her countenance revealing nothing but a hint of detachment, retorted, "How should I know?"

Stanalav, lost in fanciful daydreams, pondered aloud, "I believe Lord Rigel intends to take our commander under his wing. After all, our commander possesses both intellect and martial prowess. It's a true shame for such a gifted individual to remain confined to the Continent. Oh, how I yearn to reside in Estjanor and embrace the gift of eternal life."

A scoffing voice cut through the musings, as Stanalov, a bite of bread in hand, rebuked, "What absurd notions you harbor! Our commander once possessed an immortal existence."

Rin, her curiosity piqued by their discussion of immortality, raised her gaze to meet the adventurers' eyes. "Is immortality truly desirable?" she wondered.

Stanalav responded with conviction, "Undoubtedly, fear of death is a sentiment shared by all."

Drawing upon her master's teachings, Rin shared her own musings, "I've heard that humans dread the most the four inevitabilities: birth, aging, sickness, and death. Among them, death is the most dreadful of all. My commander once explained that adventurers are those who stake their lives against malevolent beings. Why then, would you choose such a path if you fear death so profoundly? Wouldn't a peaceful life, where one marries, raises children, cultivates crops, and tends to the land, be more serene? While both humans and gods must ultimately meet their demise, isn't passing away due to old age a gentler fate than perishing in the throes of battle?"

The adventurers exchanged somber glances and turned their gaze toward the open door, where the night sky stretched infinitely, adorned with a multitude of twinkling stars.

Stanalov, striving to articulate the ranger's ethos, ventured, "Do you comprehend the essence of a ranger's philosophy?"

Rin, puzzled, contemplated, "Rangers?"

Quoting verses that resonated with their way of life, Stanalov recited, "Sky is boundless, and the path lies beneath your feet; nothingness is absolute, void is the ultimate reality. Everything we hold dear is but an illusion, and every illusion is merely an aspect of the void."

Perplexed, Rin inquired, "What does this poetry signify?"

Stanalov, with a knowing smile, responded, "This is the ranger's creed."

Perplexed by the term "poetry," Rin probed further, "Poetry? What is its significance?"

Rabert, the seasoned adventurer who had been eavesdropping from the shadows, emerged to provide enlightenment. "The natural world, the earth and the sky, all emanate from the void. Wanderers such as us, devoid of noble lineage, are akin to slaves—our lives once hung precariously on the precipices of the Continent below. We existed in perpetual uncertainty, never knowing when our lives might be extinguished. When our existence was veiled by obscurity, our future faded into oblivion, leaving us as mere phantoms, traversing the realms of heaven and earth."

Rin, moved by the tales of their hardships, expressed sympathy, saying, "That sounds incredibly harrowing."

Rabert, with solemnity, insisted, "It is not suffering; it is the natural order of the heavens. We emerged from the void, and the laws of this world are an inherent part of existence."

Delving into the complexities of the world they inhabited, Rabert continued, "In the present age, the demonic forces reign supreme, spreading confusion and discord. People willingly embrace chaos, forsaking their beliefs and overturning societal hierarchies. They disregard the lives of others in their pursuit of self-preservation. Families crumble, high-ranking officials indulge in atrocities, consuming the flesh and blood of common folk. Merchants, scholars, and officials conspire to craft weapons that not only yield poison but also unleash relentless tempests of fire and wind. I often wonder whose life isn't precariously poised at the edge of a precipice."

Turning his attention to Rin, Rabert offered sage wisdom, "Everyone aspires to lead a tranquil and prosperous life. This aspiration is not misguided. However, tranquility is contingent upon land, territory, and governance."

Rin, her curiosity unquenched, sought answers. "Why is that? Is there no suitable land upon the Continent?"

Rabert, with a deep sigh, explained, "To dwell upon the Continent, one must firmly plant their feet upon the earth, gazing upward at the cerulean skies and fluffy white clouds. Such a realm embodies the true essence of human habitation. Regrettably, the Continent has been marred by tumultuous invasions, the agonized cries of civilians, the wails of children, and the merciless clash of weapons. The once earthy terrain has been tainted by the blood of its inhabitants. The once azure heavens now bear a somber gray pallor. In such a desolate place, humanity can scarcely endure."

As Rabert stroked Rin's hair gently, he continued, "In truth, life on the Continent pales in comparison to the serenity of Equatorial Heaven. Only through cultivation in this realm can one attain inner tranquility. A calm spirit breeds contentment, and only those who remain unswayed can embrace peace and stability."

Rin, her eyes clouded with newfound understanding, took a few hesitant steps backward, her gaze directed at her master, a concealed anger simmering beneath her facade.

"You're advocating on behalf of that old man, aren't you?" she retorted, her voice tinged with resentment. "Commander, what did that old man offer you to drink earlier? Do you remain oblivious to my sentiments? Have both of you become stagnant, devoid of ambition, surrendering to a life of aimless existence?"

Rabert, his voice tinged with weariness, sighed deeply. "I often fail to comprehend your desires. Yet, the path of spiritual cultivation cannot be hurried. The pursuit of the Way entails the refinement of one's spirit. Building character demands patience and diligence. But in the end, what can one truly attain?"

Turning away, Rin averted her gaze, unwilling to listen any further. "My master is someone who has traversed ten thousand years of existence. Those blessed with such longevity encounter myriad challenges and acquaintances that elude us mortals. Living for ten millennia may well be a divine punishment. Isolation often leads to recollections of joy and sorrow. Without a means to numb the pain, how can one endure?"

Defiantly, she challenged Rabert, "You've lived for over a thousand years. Can you still maintain serenity?"

Rabert, adopting a philosophical tone, replied, "Some are ensnared by inebriation, while others remain sober. Let us ponder who is truly drunk and who remains sober. Those inebriated may find solace in slavery, whereas the sober seek purpose in conflict. Yet the world is vast, teeming with countless souls, each bearing unique personalities and embarking upon divergent paths. For us, who were once enslaved, life offered a singular course—whether one drank or remained sober, the destination remained the same: death. If life and death are inevitably intertwined, then it is preferable to confront death with valor rather than succumb to a life of degradation. However, should the day arrive when tranquility is restored to all, even I am uncertain whether I can sustain serenity or whether I, too, will succumb to the turmoil, much like your master."

Rin, though appreciative of his wisdom, confessed, "Your words hold profound meaning, yet they remain elusive to my understanding."

In the ensuing silence, the room felt heavy with unspoken truths.

Stanalov, seeking a change of subject, inquired of the commander, "Should we now return to Norenheim?"

Rabert turned his gaze toward Rin and decided. "Indeed, it is time. We must hasten our return. Three day later, marks the wedding of Sir Krylo, and it is our duty to extend our felicitations."

Rin's heart plummeted, and she withheld her thoughts, choosing instead to exit the room in silence, leaving the three ranger behind.

Stanalov, observing her retreating form, remarked, "It appears she is still grappling with acceptance."

Rabert, his voice tinged with concern, mused, "Regardless of the depth of our spiritual pursuits, we must come to terms with our own trials. She is still young, and despite her residence in Estjanor, she clings to the delicate balance between life and death. I fear that, if we do not engage with her now, it may become a source of regret in the future."

As they readied themselves to depart, the air filled with uncertainty, the shadows of impending changes lurking in their wake.