The Cursed Prayer was uttered in an ancient tongue capable of stirring nature itself. It was the language of a civilization from before the sun vanished.
The language itself had nearly gone extinct during the early eras of the cataclysm, as humanity struggled to adapt to a world changing so drastically. It took hundreds, even thousands of years for them to find a way to survive.
"I remember you have amnesia," Drake remarked, looking visibly shaken. "But how is it that you understand it?"
Kaelan stood stunned, unsure of how to react. He took a small step back, his mind racing. A small slip-up could lead to a far greater disaster.
He had learned much from his bitter experiences since digging his way out of the grave.
"I don't understand it myself—but it might be the same as how I remember how to count, or how to speak normally."
Even if memories are lost, something etched deeply into the brain and soul does not simply vanish.
"Maybe it's similar. I... maybe I was a historian!"
Kaelan wasn't lying about his confusion, but he needed to lace his explanation with a bit of a lie.
"Sometimes I feel an overwhelming sense of familiarity in ancient places. That language included; I feel very well-acquainted with it and just... understand it."
Kaelan's explanation wasn't entirely satisfying, but it was plausible enough that it couldn't be disputed. Drake and Reynold seemed to accept it; they even looked sympathetic.
Rebecca, however, was different. She stared at Kaelan for a long moment before averting her gaze. Kaelan could never tell what that woman was thinking. She seemed to loathe him, yet remain indifferent at the same time.
"Well, we'll discuss it later. Kaelan is clearly our friend, there's no doubt about that." Reynold laughed, trying to lighten the mood. "Drake, you can continue writing. Kaelan, go recover. Conserve as much energy as possible."
Kaelan nodded and began tending to his wounds.
Drake looked straight into Reynold's eyes; he understood without a word being spoken. He wrote an additional report without Kaelan's knowledge and hypnotized a rat to deliver the message.
Because the situation had changed, Reynold decided to alter the formation. They would also scatter for several kilometers before reuniting in a straight line.
Rebecca would go with Drake, while Kaelan went with Reynold.
"In a situation like this, we have to focus on what's ahead of us," Reynold said. "The thing about the Cursed Prayer was surprising, but I trust you."
Reynold slapped him hard on the back as he pulled him into a side-hug. "You protected us earlier. From that alone, I believe you're not a bad person, hahaha!"
Kaelan smiled. He felt relieved by Reynold's unchanging attitude. However, a seed of worry remained in his heart.
"Why do you trust me so much? I have no memory and no identity. I am clearly very suspicious."
Reynold glanced at him, observing Kaelan's face, which was filled with frustration and fear.
"What are you afraid of?" he asked. "We're good friends, just talk to me."
Kaelan fell silent for a moment. He felt hesitant and afraid. To him, Reynold was a stranger, and it didn't feel right to share so much.
"...No. I can't say it."
Reynold glanced over, pulling his arm back from Kaelan's shoulder. He stuffed his hands into his pockets and looked up at the sky.
"Well, there must be a lot of things bothering you. You have no one, you don't even know who you are. Thinking about that... I imagine it feels incredibly difficult."
Living without knowing anyone, being unknown, not knowing anything—including yourself. The only thing that mattered was his own name. Kaelan Veradis.
"I don't know how terrifying it is. The feeling that you are all alone in this world."
What Reynold said hit the mark. Kaelan felt lonely. Even with people like Reynold and Lunaria accepting him, Kaelan still felt alienated.
"I don't understand myself at all. I'm even afraid to try and know myself."
Kaelan understood the Cursed Prayer language, which turned out to be something most people didn't know. He was also a mid-tier Devourer without anyone knowing.
"I'm afraid of myself."
Reynold sighed. He stopped walking and turned to face Kaelan.
"Maybe that's the reason you don't remember anything. I think you should be grateful."
Kaelan was taken aback. "...What do you mean?"
Reynold scratched his head, looking like he was struggling to articulate his thoughts.
"Sometimes, remembering too much only hurts you. It's possible you lost all your memories because they were too heavy and too painful to carry."
Reynold gave a bitter smile; there was a sense of envy and deep sadness behind it.
"I envy you for not remembering the pain. And I'm sure there are many people like me. Rebecca, the Captain, even Drake—they're envious because you don't remember the bad experiences."
In this cursed world, everyone had unpleasant experiences. There was no way to erase them from memory.
"There are people who have to live while carrying wounds wide open in their hearts. They have to get used to it and live with that pain until they die."
Reynold touched his chest and beat it. He flashed a smile and showed off his chest muscles with high spirits.
"Even with these wounds and this hell, they still hope for a better life!" Reynold said, then laughed. "You, who don't remember the pain, are a blessing! I'll hit you if you give up just because of that!"
Kaelan was reminded that this world was full of tragedy and misfortune. There were many types of events and different experiences. The common thread was that they all carried wounds that were invisible and unhealable.
"Is it really okay for me to forget?" Kaelan asked. "Among them, there might be those who were truly precious to me."
Reynold was still smiling. "It does seem cruel to forget. But you always have the choice to try and remember them again—when you are ready to accept it!"
Kaelan felt doubtful. He didn't think Reynold's advice was easy to accept. However, it was a rational way to look at things.
"You might feel empty, but remember that you have us, the Radiant Covenant. We aren't an organization—we're a family gathered to chase hope!"