Dago watched with his own eyes as the rotting bird corpse melted into the mud like wax. A half-illusory glowing bird then flew out of the ground, finally transforming into countless motes of light that merged into the vast forest.
Ewakuai repeated this process without pause. He carried animal corpses out of the swamp one after another, using a mysterious ritual to send off each of their souls with utmost devotion.
After a wizard advanced to the formal rank, their soul underwent an initial sublimation. Even if their body was destroyed, there was still a certain chance for the soul to be preserved.
With the support of special secret techniques, a wizard could likewise survive for a long time in the form of a Soul Body. However, it would be difficult to advance any further, and in the end, they could not avoid returning to the Land of Tranquility.
As Ewakuai carried out the "ritual," Dago stood nearby, constantly pondering the relationship between soul and flesh. For some reason, merely observing Ewakuai's ritual filled him with an unprecedented sense of peace and tranquility.
He watched as the mud in the swamp gradually dwindled with the removal of the animal corpses, the water level dropping inch by inch.
Three days later, at dusk near the full moon, the entire swamp vanished completely. In its place lay a dried-up basin. All the mud from the swamp had somehow drained away, and at the center of the basin stood a black, faceless stone figure.
"It's ready."
After cleansing himself, Ewakuai gave Dago a look and led him step by step into the basin, toward the black stone figure.
By then, the sun's light had completely disappeared, and the disc-like full moon rose above the treetops.
Silver moonlight blanketed the entire basin. At some