# Chapter 2: Awakening
Year 832 of the Falling Stars Era, April 15th, late night.
Northern Lands, Moldavia Lord's City, Lord's Manor.
The spring night still carried a hint of chill, with moist mist spreading through the empty streets and alleys. The entire main city was silent, with nothing audible except the footsteps of patrolling guards.
The rear section of the Lord's Manor, which had been damaged by the Abyss Demon Dragon's assassination attempt, had already been repaired. To cover up the pockmarked ground left by the explosion, the craftsmen had specially transplanted a Lightfeather Tree with silver leaves into the backyard.
This beautiful plant was said to have been born from the descent of angels. Its leaves could naturally absorb magical elements and convert them into positive energy to release. In the darkness, countless silver leaves resembled angel feathers, emitting a holy radiance.
Because its leaves, roots, and heartwood could all be used as divine spell materials for crafting high-level holy staves and sacrificial items, the Lightfeather Tree was a strategic asset at the national level. It was exceptionally rare, impossible to purchase even with money. Being able to plant such a magical plant in the backyard fully demonstrated the identity and status of its owner.
Silver leaves drifted past the window, casting faint white light onto the windowsill, illuminating the quiet room.
In the dim light, one could see a silver-haired girl sitting by the bedside. She held a small knife in her hand, frowning as she peeled an apple.
Although the girl's technique was somewhat clumsy, the actual result was passable. Though she had cut away some excess flesh, the remaining apple still maintained a relatively complete shape. Placing the peeled apple on a plate beside her, the girl turned to look at the sleeping man on the bed.
On that face composed of countless rigid lines, the warrior's eyes were tightly shut. But like a sleeping ferocious beast, a resting evil wolf, the man's face even in slumber exuded an imposing presence that made one's heart tremble.
Just then, a soft sound came from the door. The silver-haired girl turned to look and saw her younger brother slowly walking in, holding a censer emitting curling smoke. The black-haired youth took a few steps into the room, then noticed the fruit plate by the bedside. He couldn't help but laugh and say, "Sister, we don't know when Master will wake up. Why are you peeling an apple now?"
"I'm happy! Can't I practice in advance?!"
Somewhat annoyed, she retorted in a low voice. Ying's eyes darted around, noticing the incense in his hand. She asked curiously, "Wait, Lin, did the Bishop send this?"
"Yes. This incense is said to calm the mind and soul, helping one enter a meditative state and communicate with the gods."
Lin placed the incense by the bedside. White smoke rose gently, then transformed into a fresh and subtle fragrance that spread throughout the room. Smelling the scent, the black-haired youth murmured softly, "Of course, it can also awaken a sleeping soul... Though I don't know if it will work, I hope Master can wake up soon."
Ying nodded silently. The two gazed at the sleeping man on the bed, waiting quietly.
This was the third day of Joshua's coma.
Three days ago, the group had returned to the Mycroft Continent from the space-time passage. They quickly realized they were in the southern forest of the Great Aias Mountains. At the same time, the azure-blue space-time rift rapidly closed, and a low rumble came from the direction of the Great Aias Volcano. The furnace of magma that had slumbered for four hundred years spewed a black smoke column reaching toward the sky, and the air immediately filled with the smell of sulfur.
This was a manifestation of the space-time passage inside the volcano closing. Before his slumber, the Father of Nature had sealed all space-time passages of the entire Ilgena World. Even across the distance of two worlds, the residual power of the divine being's actions caused the volcano to react.
Although the Father of Nature had healed Joshua's body, his soul still slumbered. After confirming the warrior's safety, Loranda immediately ordered the group to return to Moldavia's main city. Upon returning to the city, the paladin immediately went to find Bishop Atanis in the cathedral.
Though both were at Gold-rank, when it came to healing and soul-related abilities, a paladin couldn't match a priest even on horseback. But after a detailed examination, Bishop Atanis also shook his head regretfully. Joshua's body was perfectly healthy. Though there were strange reactions occurring deep within, they were definitely benign transformations. The only reason the warrior remained unconscious was that his soul was still lost in darkness.
This was a common occurrence, often happening to warriors who had suffered near-fatal injuries but received timely treatment. Their bodies were intact thanks to healing spells, but they remained in a deathlike slumber. This was because their souls hadn't yet realized they hadn't died, still trapped on the border between life and death, unable to return.
"I don't know what you all experienced, but Joshua's awakening has nothing to do with anyone. You can only wait, and only need to wait."
These were the old bishop's exact words. Perhaps a week, perhaps a month, or even years. The longest awakening process was that of a knight commander from a kingdom in the Western Mountains. He struggled on the border of life and death for seven years before waking from that deepest nightmare.
Perhaps having witnessed the terror of life and death, understanding the truth of the other side and the present world, that knight broke through his original realm within seven days of awakening, then advanced to Legendary within five years, protecting that kingdom for two hundred years.
Joshua's awakening would surely be faster, but no one knew exactly when.
So, until then, the youths would keep waiting.
However, this moment came sooner than they had imagined.
Because Lin had said the apple would go bad if left too long, and that she should eat it quickly, Ying was hesitantly picking up the apple from the plate. She looked at the somewhat irregular apple, then turned to glance at the black-haired youth who was meditating with eyes closed.
—She had wanted to present a plate of fruit when Master woke up, but now was indeed too early. In that case, to avoid waste, she would just have to eat it herself!
Thinking it over, Lin was indeed right. So she steeled herself and took a crisp bite of the apple.
Mm—it was quite sweet!
The girl's somewhat heavy thoughts immediately dissipated a little due to the sweet taste. Taking small bites of the flesh, the silver-haired girl began to wonder where this apple had been produced. Next time she had the chance, she would definitely buy more.
Master was the type who ate anything, so it was hard to know what ingredients he preferred. But regardless, sweet fruit was something no one would dislike!
Meanwhile, the black-haired youth slightly opened his eyes, watching his sister's expression, and let out an almost imperceptible laugh.
But just as the girl was enjoying the fruit's deliciousness, a sudden movement came from the bed. Ying instinctively looked up, and in the darkness, a pair of red pupils were gazing at her with a hint of amusement.
"—Eh?!"
Holding the half-eaten apple, the silver-haired girl immediately sat up from the bedside. She let out an unintelligible sound and said in a short, tense voice, "Master! You, you're awake?!"
Because it was too sudden, her mind was in chaos. Instinctively, Ying held out the half-bitten apple and said incoherently, "Um, Master, want an apple?"
"No need. Seeing you enjoy it so much is enough."
The warrior, who had awakened from the Steel Serpent illusion, sat up from the bed. He declined Ying's apple and, while rising, casually reached out to pat the head of the blushing silver-haired girl. Joshua turned to look at Lin, who was also stunned with a shocked expression, and said in a gentle voice to his two weapons, "You've waited long. I'm awake."
And in his other tightly clenched hand.
A freezing cold steel cube was slowly rotating with a silver-white glow, as if containing an unfathomable authority within.