The contaminant's corpse rapidly turned into black smoke and dust, dispersing into the air. Having dealt with this trouble, the Great Sage returned to stillness and stood quietly where he was.
Like a Magical Puppet that had completed its objective but received no further instructions.
Ausia had also shaken off the sensation brought by the candy. The indescribable taste was gradually fading, but she felt exceptionally clear-headed.
"Hmm?"
She let out a soft sound of surprise, her gaze falling on the spot where the contaminant had been.
Something seemed to have fallen there.
Ausia walked over, crouched down, and picked up the object from the ashes, brushing the smoke and dust from its surface.
It looked... like a badge.
It was indeed a badge.
Its surface was carved with stars, swords, and blades. Though it was already covered in rust, the pattern could still be clearly made out.
So he really had been a warrior once?
Whether he had been an ordinary soldier or a general commanding an army...
It no longer mattered now.
Ausia recalled the murmur she had heard earlier, like the ramblings of someone sleep-talking. At the time, she had eaten candy from Steel City and vaguely caught the words within.
"Enemy... eliminate..."
He had merely held fast to his duty as a soldier.
Perhaps the reason he had attacked was simply because a wisp of faith still remained in his heart.
Ausia sighed softly, removed a short sword from her waist, and placed it nearby.
"Soldier, you may rest now."
She rose to her feet and gazed into the distance.
The reflection of history left behind who knew how many years ago was quietly fading, gradually becoming illusory and transparent, like a hazy dream now reaching the moment of awakening.
Many questions still awaited her investigation.