Ein was surprised by how casual the first king’s words were, but obediently sat next to him.
“Congratulations,” Jayle said as Ein took his seat.
“It’s not over yet,” the boy replied.
“No, it’s surely been settled. You’ve not only defeated the red foxes, but you’ve surpassed me. Haven’t you?”
“I hate to break it to you, but I haven’t cut down the World Tree just yet.” Jayle shrugged as Ein went on, “But... I would like to thank you for your help back there.”
“Hmm? Help with what?”
“You lent me your power, as did Consort Laviola. I can’t thank both of you enough.”
“Ah, so you believe that we are the ones to thank for your victory.”
“Am I wrong?”
“I wouldn’t say we were. Ultimately, the effectiveness of any power depends on whoever wields it.”
Jayle looked as serious as ever—he didn’t seem like he was trying to be overly considerate, and his tone was earnest.
“You should be proud,” Jayle said. “Be confident in your own strength.”
Ein remained silent.
“Is that your reply?” Jayle asked.
“No, I just never thought you’d be showering me with endless generosity up until the very end here,” Ein admitted.
The first king broke into boisterous laughter. It seemed that Ein’s stubbornly given reply and terse expression had tickled Jayle’s funny bone.
“Ha ha ha, what a hoot!” Jayle said between fits of chuckling. “Whew, I never thought that I’d laugh like that again given my current circumstances.”
It was then that Ein recalled his own present situation. “Um, may I ask you something?”
“Sure, go ahead.”
“Are we sitting next to each other because of Ishtar, Your Majesty? Or more accurately, because of the memories it contains?”
“Hmm, I wouldn’t say that.”
“Then are you an Undead or something like that?”
“Nope... But I’m not going to give you the real answer to that. My lips are sealed, even if you pelt me with more questions. Consider it a friendly warning.”
“What... But you said I can ask you something.”
“But I never said that I’d answer. And besides, I don’t want to give something away so easily. It’s nothing major though, so there’s no need for you to worry.”
Ein felt like he was gazing in the mirror. Jayle’s verbal mannerisms and appearance resembled his own so closely—they were like clones. The prince was thrilled to know that he had so much in common with his hero, but he felt an odd sort of kinship with the man—it was eerily easy for them to get along.
“Now then,” Jayle said as he sat up straight. His cheery demeanor turned solemn. He gazed up at the mausoleum’s ceiling as he spoke. “With that taken care of, I’ve wanted to properly thank you. You’ve accomplished what I couldn’t. For so long, I’ve existed with so much regret looming within me... But thanks to you, I can finally move on.”
“So...are you sure you aren’t an Undead?” Ein asked.
“Ha ha ha, I’m never telling.”
“Ugh... All right.”
“Don’t sigh at me like that. Even if you did know, it’s of little consequence. Not to mention that it’s better that you didn’t know.”
“Honestly, that only raises more questions.”
“That’s the way of the world, kid. It’s a cornucopia of mysteries, and that’s what makes it so fascinating... Well, at least I think it does.”
“I give up. I doubt you’d answer any of my questions anyway.”
“Yeah, that’s for the best.”
Afterward, the pair fell silent for a moment or two. Only their faint breathing could be heard echoing within the majestic walls of the mausoleum. They quietly stood up and headed for the altar.
“Uh... At the very least, could I ask why your sword was named ‘Ishtar’?” Ein inquired.
“Sure, but there’s no special reason behind it,” Jayle replied. He paused for a moment and glanced at his blade, which was now fastened to his descendant’s waist. “The sword’s full name is ‘Ishtar the Mainland Blade.’ The dwarf who forged it coined that name. He thought that since the king’s blade was foretold to unify the continent, there wasn’t a more fitting name. So no, I didn’t name it with any illusions of grandeur in mind. Be sure to remember that.”
“I-I never doubted you,” Ein stammered. “Besides, that story leaves no room for doubt.”
Nowhere else in the world would one find a king more up to the task of unifying Ishtar—Jayle was the only man for the job. Over time, the king’s court would agree to blade’s new name. The first king now stood before the pedestal in which Ishtar had once slumbered. Ein was only a few paces behind them.
“Return Ishtar to its resting place,” Jayle said as he turned to face the crown prince. “You have no further use for it.”
“But...” Ein started.
“If you cast aside my power, you’ll be able to wake up. The very power Demon Lords detest will break you free of the World Tree’s grasp and allow you to escape. And after all that, freedom will be yours.”
Ein felt more than a touch anxious—he wasn’t sure if this gamble would pay off. The prince trusted Jayle and this avenue of escape, but he didn’t trust himself to defeat the World Tree. Knowing that the king’s power had to be returned to necessitate his escape, Ein couldn’t help but hesitate.
“You know... I’ll be mighty pissed if you tell me that you’re too scared to give up my power,” Jayle said. “Just something to keep in mind.”
“Can I ask you one more thing?” Ein inquired.
“Yeah, what?”
“I’m shocked that you’re talking to me without much decorum.”
“It’s not like the extra politeness and stiff manners would benefit me much here. I’m not a fan of all that anyway.” Ein still was unsure, but Jayle paid no heed and went on, “Let’s get back to the matter at hand. You’ve surpassed me, so you don’t need to rely on my power anymore, right?”
“I don’t think that I actually have surpassed you.”
“Oh no, you definitely have. You’re so much stronger than me now, and I almost didn’t recognize you when we met.”
Jayle’s smile was kind, a beacon of hope. He gently shook his head and pointed to the pedestal, encouraging Ein to return Ishtar. The prince took a deep breath and finally steeled his resolve as he walked ahead.
“King Jayle,” Ein said, calling out the hero king as he gripped Ishtar’s hilt. “I’m really glad that you were my hero.”
“Is this admiration... Or a recurrence? I’m really not sure,” Jayle replied.
“Recurrence, Your Majesty?”
“You’ll understand one day. Right now, I just want you to think about yourself.”
Still confused, Ein drew Ishtar with a backhanded grip and stood before the pedestal. Light poured in from the stained glass windows, and the prince noticed Jayle’s reflection in the blade—it was as if he were looking at his own.
“Thank you for everything,” Ein said.
“You bet,” Jayle replied.
“I’m gonna save the world now...”
“Yeah, get on out there.”
Ishtar slid back into its pedestal. The blade emitted a pale-blue light that spiraled upward towards the ceiling, and the mausoleum was dyed in the colors of a dazzling light show.
And finally...