Chapter 761
Before knocking on the door, Chain's mind was filled with all sorts of negative thoughts.
He worried that his wife might be angry upon seeing him return, that his daughter might be cold despite her letters, that his son-in-law whom he was meeting for the first time might find him uncomfortable, and that he might be driven away without even seeing his grandchild's face…
The worst possible scenarios crowded Chain's mind.
As he had not been a devoted family man, the fear took a concrete form and choked him.
"…"
But Chain exhaled and summoned the courage to knock on the door.
He had already seen the end of the world on the battlefield.
He wanted to apologize for his past mistakes before it was too late, and… he wanted to see the faces of his precious, still-living loved ones at least once.
Knock, knock-
After knocking, what felt like an eternity passed.
"Yes! I'm coming~!"
A young woman's voice came from inside, and the door opened.
The young woman's eyes widened. Chain didn't recognize her at first, but she immediately recognized him.
"Dad!"
"…Kate?"
His daughter, whom he hadn't seen in ten years, was now an adult, grown beyond recognition.
With a slightly awkward but bright smile, she gestured him inside.
"You must have had a hard time traveling. It's cold outside, come in quickly. Hurry!"
"Ah, well, um…"
Kate tugged at Chain's hesitant sleeve and pulled him inside. Chain awkwardly entered the house.
Inside, a sturdy young man was moving a pile of firewood. Kate patted the young man's shoulder and said,
"Al! Greet him. This is my dad."
"What? Oh…! Hello, father-in-law!"
The young man, who had dropped the pile of firewood to the ground, greeted him stiffly.
"It's, it's a pleasure to meet you. I've heard a lot about you from Kate! My name is Al! Ah, I look forward to your guidance!"
"…"
Chain, who was just as stiff, spoke in a trembling voice.
"I'm sorry."
"Yes? What, what do you mean?"
"For not being there for the wedding…"
"Oh, no! It's me who should apologize to Kate. I didn't have any savings as an orphan, so we couldn't have a proper wedding…"
"No, if I had saved up properly…"
"Oh, no! We will work harder and…"
As the son-in-law and father-in-law kept bowing apologetically to each other,
"Mom, Mom! Dad's here!"
Kate ran towards the kitchen connected to the living room, shouting.
"…"
His wife stood at the stove, her back turned. Despite the news of her husband's return, she silently stirred the pot. Chain, approaching her, stopped at a distance, leaning on his crutch.
"…Hannah."
When he cautiously called her name, his wife stopped stirring the pot and spoke in a curt voice.
"I heard the news. You've been fighting at Crossroad all this time?"
"Huh? Uh-huh…"
"I wondered which front you were working as a mercenary on, and it turned out to be that notorious monster front?"
Her voice carried layers of resentment and sorrow, and also…
"Well, at least… you were fighting to save the world, not just to line the pockets of some other kings or nobles."
A faint sense of pride.
Turning slightly, she gave him a smile with more wrinkles than he remembered but still the same.
"That's what makes you admirable."
"…"
Only then did Chain understand the source of the goodwill from his daughter, son-in-law, and wife.
Everyone knew that the people of the World Guardian Front fought to save the world.
Everyone knew that the world continued to exist because of those who sacrificed their lives there.
Chain, who was retiring after a great battle, was rightfully someone to be respected.
Everyone knew that.
Except Chain himself.
"Why are you so cautious? Are you afraid we can't even treat a hero who saved the world to a meal?"
"But…"
Chain stammered.
"I've been away for ten years…"
"I knew from the moment I first saw you that wizards don't stick around at home."
Hannah lifted the pot with both hands, making a grunt.
"It would be a lie to say I don't have any resentment, but if you had been as shameless as before, I would have gotten angry. But you look like a beaten old dog, so I can't even get mad."
"…"
"Come sit at the table, wandering black wizard. It's New Year, so let's have some meatball stew. We can talk after that."
Hannah carried the large pot to the table. The table was already set with a tablecloth and utensils.
Al, the son-in-law, came over to support the still hesitant Chain.
Chain sat down, placed his crutch beside him, and blankly stared at the table being set with warm food. Hannah quietly served him a large portion of stew.
"Dad, before you eat!"
Kate ran into an inner room and came out holding something very small wrapped in a blanket.
"You should greet your grandchild too!"
"…!"
Kate carefully showed the tiny baby nestled in her arms.
The baby was sleeping soundly, its small, weak breaths barely audible.
Seeing the innocent face of the baby, Chain suddenly saw the faces of his fallen comrades.
For another child, for this world, and for this baby…
He saw the eternally resting faces of his comrades who died fighting.
"…"
Chain, choking with emotion, finally smiled and whispered softly.
"Happy New Year, little one."
Feeling the profound meaning of all the battles, all the struggles to protect the world.
"May you continue to receive blessings next year, and the year after that, forever. Blessings to you, little one…"
* * *
Crossroad.
Junior's Room.
Bang, bang! Bang, bang, bang, bang!
Junior, trying to focus on a book that wasn't holding her attention due to her uneasy mind, was startled by the sudden rough knocking at the door.
"What is it?"
Bang, bang, bang! Bang, bang, bang!
The persistent knocking made Junior hurry to the door and cautiously open it.
Standing outside was…
"Huff, huff, huff…!"
"Hecate?"
It was Hecate.
She was dressed just as she had been for her date with Lucas, meticulously done up. Junior blinked in surprise.
"Didn't you go on a date with Sir Lucas? Why are you back so soon…"
"I, I, I…"
Hecate, stammering, shouted with a flushed face.
"I broke up with Lucas…!"
Junior, not understanding the context, blinked.
"What, what?"
"I, I dumped that stuck-up guy. Can you believe it? Well, technically, he let himself be dumped…"
Hecate, rambling, suddenly wobbled as if her legs gave out. Junior quickly supported her and guided her to a chair by the table.
Hecate briefly explained what had happened during the date.
That she decided to be reborn anew, having lost everything.
That to do so, she had to let go of Lucas, her first love and obsession, completely.
"So my heart feels clear, so clear… like there's a hole in it. A huge hole bigger than my body…"
Hecate, covering her face with both hands, took a deep breath.
Junior made a cup of warm honey tea and placed it in front of her.
For a while, the only sounds in the room were the crackling of the fireplace and the faint, calming scent of honey from the tea.
After a long silence.
"…I still don't know where to go or what I can become," Hecate said in a voice tinged with tears, slowly removing her hands from her face.
"But… I'll go somewhere, become something. I won't fear any new 'where' or 'what' anymore."
"…"
"If I keep trying, I'll eventually find it. What I truly want to do in this world."
Junior nodded at Hecate's rambling words.
"You will. Definitely."
"…"
Hecate, her eyes red, looked at Junior and then lowered her gaze.
"And that time you said… were you serious, Junior?"
"Huh? What did I say?"
"When you said I could visit your resort with a swimming pool when you retire…"
Hecate's voice trembled.
"When you said I could come to your dream. Was that real?"
"Of course. If you come, I'll always open the door for you."
Junior shrugged playfully.
"In return, when you find your dream, you have to tell me. I want to visit your dream too."
"Okay. Then we're both making a promise?"
"We're both making a promise."
Their conversation paused.
In the ensuing peaceful silence, the two women quietly looked at each other.
The deep chasm of history between them was still too vast to fill, but for the first time, Hecate… didn't mind the enmity and looked Junior in the eyes.
There she saw a person, just like herself, wounded and bleeding, yet still walking towards her dream.
And at the same time.
A young woman who simply wanted to be friends with her.
Hecate smiled unconsciously.
"Hey. Junior."
"Yes?"
"Do you remember reaching out to me for a handshake a few days ago?"
"Uh… did I?"
"You did. You said you'd go through any funny, absurd thing with me. That we should live together. That you wanted to be my friend."
Junior's cheeks flushed.
"Oh, right. I remember. Sorry for being so silly…"
"But we couldn't shake hands because of the monster attack and all that, right?"
This time, Hecate, feeling shy, stammered.
But she didn't hesitate anymore.
"Can you… offer me that handshake again?"
"…"
Junior, surprised for a moment, then smiled.
"Of course. Anytime."
In the room, the fireplace crackled, and the scent of honey warmed the air as snow silently piled up outside the window.
Without saying a word, they both slowly reached out to each other.
And finally, their fingers gently clasped together.
As if they were laying a bridge across a deep chasm for the first time…
Very slowly. Very gently.
* * *
Crossroad. Central Plaza.
On New Year's Day, the plaza was filled with citizens and soldiers enjoying the peaceful afternoon air.
"…"
Evangeline sat on a bench in a corner of the plaza, her chin resting on her hand, wearing a deeply sullen expression.
"It's so unfair… so unfair…"
She muttered continuously with a voice filled with resentment and frustration.
"I can't live like this… How do I release this grudge…"
Frightened citizens, sensing the negative aura emanating from Evangeline, hurriedly moved away. Ignoring them, Evangeline continued to exude a dark, brooding air.
At that moment.
"What are you doing?"
"…?"
Evangeline turned to see a familiar blonde-haired, blue-eyed knight.
It was Lucas, dressed in neat civilian clothes.
Evangeline snorted and turned away, grumbling again.
"Don't mind me, Mr. Handsome who went on a date today~ I'm just growling because I set a rare record of zero confessions and one rejection."
"Ha ha, that's a funny story."
Lucas laughed out loud. Evangeline glared at him with narrowed eyes.
"Is that funny, old man?"
"Not teasing, just amazed."
Lucas sat down next to Evangeline with a thud.
"I'm also in the zero confessions and one rejection state."
Chapter 762
Snow quietly fell from the sky.
Evangeline exhaled white breath and slowly murmured.
"So that's how it happened…"
Lucas nodded slowly.
"That's how it happened."
Today, Lucas and Evangeline shared what had happened to each of them.
Having both achieved the unprecedented record of zero confessions and one rejection on the same day, they were sharing the same feelings.
It felt unfair…
"Well, it's somewhat a relief," Lucas chuckled.
"If Hecate had continued to struggle, I was thinking of helping her as a supporter… after all, we're friends."
"As a friend?"
"As a friend. I've never thought of Hecate as anything more than that."
"You're really good at building walls…"
"But it seems like she's decided to pull herself together and stand up… we should cheer her on."
Evangeline sighed lightly and clasped her hands behind her head, leaning her head back.
"I'm also relieved. That waiter decided to give up."
"Was it that hard to turn him down?"
"Well, he's also a resident of the city I'll be governing… and to be honest, it was the first confession I'd ever received."
"Ha ha ha!"
Lucas suddenly burst into laughter.
Evangeline glared at him with narrowed eyes.
"Why are you laughing now?"
"No, it's just…"
Lucas looked up at the sky with his blue eyes and murmured.
"It's funny how we're reporting this to each other."
"…"
Evangeline puffed out her cheeks slightly and looked at Lucas's side profile. She suddenly stood up with a noise.
"We can't just let this end with us being unfairly rejected, can we?"
Evangeline raised her small fists and showed her determination.
Lucas tilted his head.
"Zero confessions and one rejection is certainly unfair, but… so? How do we overturn this score?"
Then Evangeline gave a mischievous smile.
"Let's go reject someone too! Spread the score of zero confessions and one rejection to increase the number of innocent victims!"
"Hoo…"
It was quite a crazy idea, but for Lucas, who had been dumped without doing anything, he found the proposal oddly appealing.
"But, who?"
Who would be the unfortunate victim?
Evangeline's mischievous smile deepened.
As if she had someone in mind from the beginning, she whispered quietly.
"How about the person who seems to have never been rejected on this front?"
* * *
It's the first day of the new year, but I always have a lot of work.
"Horrible~ so horrible~"
Humming a song I made up on the spot, I was handling various documents in the lord's office when there was a knock on the door. My two knights walked in side by side.
I waved at them.
"Did you both have fun? How's the atmosphere in the streets? I took a brief look around earlier, but I was busy, so I only stopped by the temple and came right back."
"…"
"…"
But Lucas and Evangeline didn't respond.
They were nudging each other, signaling 'You go first,' 'No, you go first,' until Evangeline finally stepped forward.
"Hmm?"
I blinked, not knowing what was going on. What are they up to?
"Is something wrong?"
"Um, Senior. Well."
Clearing her throat and adjusting her voice, Evangeline stood in front of my desk. After glancing around and organizing her thoughts, she began to speak.
"Actually, at first, I think I liked you a bit, Senior."
I was surprised but listened quietly. Evangeline scratched her cheek and continued.
"You came to rescue me when I was isolated in front of the golem army, taught me and led me in place of my father, defeated any enemy without hesitation, and knew everything… Honestly, to my young self, you were like a prince on a white horse."
"…"
"So… yes. Honestly, I liked you."
I looked at the grown-up figure of my shield knight standing before me.
The sixteen-year-old kid I first met was no longer there.
Three years had passed, and Evangeline Cross, now an adult, was speaking her mind shyly but calmly.
"But as time passed, I realized. That feeling wasn't love, but admiration."
"…"
"You had many things I didn't have. Maturity, wisdom, a strong heart… I wanted to be like you. A commander like you, a lord like you, a leader like you."
Evangeline no longer avoided my gaze, her emerald eyes shining as she looked straight at me.
"But now, I also know. You and I are different people. I can learn from you, but I can't be a leader just like you. I'll govern Crossroad in my way, making my own path…"
"…"
"Well, of course! That's still a few months away."
Although I hadn't taught or passed down anything, the rightful heir of this land had grown up so much on her own and was smiling brightly.
"Forever, you'll be my object of admiration, Senior. But Evangeline Cross will live in her way."
"…"
"Thank you, Senior. Truly. For all you've taught, all you've given, and… most importantly, for making me love this city again."
Hearing Evangeline's sudden but firm declaration of independence made me realize.
That my three years as the lord of Crossroad were almost up.
And that I had to reach the ending and return this land to her.
Because I also wanted to see Evangeline become a great lord, ruling this city in her unique way.
"Um… how should I finish this…?"
Stumbling over her words, Evangeline finally exclaimed and stepped back, hitting Lucas on the shoulder.
"Okay, I'm done! Baton touch! It's your turn, old man!"
Lucas, rubbing his shoulder, squinted his blue eyes and stepped forward to stand before me.
I smiled, finding the situation amusing, and focused on Lucas. What would he say?
"…There was a time when my life had no purpose other than serving my lord."
Lucas slowly began to speak.
"A time when protecting my lord was my sole purpose in life. It might have been due to guilt from my youth, or it might have been my duty as a knight… anyway, my life's purpose was solely to follow my lord's orders."
Lucas, who had been looking down at the floor, slowly raised his head.
"But staying in this city with my lord, seeing and feeling many things… I've gained many precious things."
Suddenly, I recalled a memory.
When was it?
We had each taken a spot on the garden sunbed, lying down and basking in the sun, overlooking all of Crossroad.
— It has become precious to me… So, I want to protect it.
Lucas had told me then that he treasured his other companions too.
And now, Lucas had grown even more since then.
"Those I fight alongside have become precious to me, and the entire city has become precious. Furthermore… I believe this whole world is worth protecting."
"…"
"At first, it was enough to be the sword you wielded, Lord. It was enough to be the blade following your orders without any awareness or thought. But now, arrogantly, I want to follow your banner with my heart."
I looked into the eyes of Lucas, who had undergone many changes over the past three years.
The blue eyes of a knight that were once unbelievably cold, blazing like a beast, and as dead as metal devoid of emotion, were now deep like a well.
A well containing many emotions, calm and serene.
"I now want to fight for your banner not as your hunting dog, but with my own will… Will you allow me, my lord?"
I gave a faint smile.
"Of course."
Then I looked alternately at the two knights standing before me.
My knights, who had grown a head taller both in body and spirit…
And I decided to accept their declaration of independence with joy.
I didn't say anything more but stood up and lightly embraced both knights, patting their shoulders.
"You've grown well, all of you…"
They've grown up.
In an instant, they grew so much, so quickly.
As I let go of the embrace, Evangeline and Lucas, who had been looking awkwardly at each other, opened the office door and ran outside.
"Then this, let's say we did it to you, Senior!"
"Thank you, my lord!"
"Wait, what do you mean by that?"
I was about to ask, not fully understanding the context of this declaration of independence, but they didn't answer and quickly fled.
"Zero confessions, two rejections! Congratulations!"
"Congratulations on breaking the record, my lord!"
"Wait, what do you mean by that-!"
I scratched my head, watching the two knights run down the stairs and out of the lord's mansion.
'Well, whatever works.'
I chuckled, watching the backs of my two knights running side by side.
The new year had begun.
Whether it would be cut short in a few months or continue, I didn't know yet…
But watching people grow every year is a joyous and delightful thing.
* * *
"Huff, huff…"
"Huff, huff, huff."
The two knights, who had fled desperately, caught their breath in a nearby clearing. Evangeline wiped her chin and grumbled.
"Weren't we supposed to go reject someone? Why did it turn into us confessing our past feelings?"
"You set the mood like that…"
Lucas, stretching his back, laughed heartily.
"Well, still… it made me feel a bit less unfair."
"…"
Evangeline, glaring at Lucas, bit her lip.
And, since she had already made an embarrassing confession…
She decided to ask an equally embarrassing question.
"By the way, old man. You said earlier that those you fight alongside have become precious to you."
"Yes."
"Then am I… precious to you too?"
It was a big question for her, but Lucas answered immediately.
"No."
"…"
Just as Evangeline's face was about to turn red with anger, Lucas added.
"You're very precious."
"…"
This time, her face turned red for a different reason.
Wait, what does that mean? Very precious? Why did he answer like that? What is the speaker's intention with those words?
Is it that? Precious as a comrade? Precious as a capable shield knight in close combat? Is that the build-up he intends to follow?
Then Lucas, still with a mysterious and shameless expression, glanced at Evangeline.
"Evangeline, it's your birthday soon, right?"
"Oh, what? You remember?"
"After this birthday, you'll be an adult."
"Yes. I will finally meet the conditions to inherit the title of Margrave."
"Yes…"
Lucas exhaled deeply.
"When this war is over, and you become an adult…"
"…And then?"
Evangeline swallowed hard.
When she becomes an adult, what?
Lucas cleared his throat and began walking ahead.
"…I'll tell you then."
"What, what?"
"Well, you'll hear then."
"Can't you just tell me now?! Why delay it, making me curious! Tell me right now!"
"No."
Lucas added bluntly.
"…I've waited a long time too. You can wait a little longer."
Saying that, Lucas's earlobes turned red as he walked away.
"Huh?"
Evangeline, her face turning bright red, covered her mouth and made a strange noise.
"Wait, what? What…?!"
White snow continued to fall.
It was the first day of the new year.
Chapter 763
The respite left until Stage 46 isn't very long.
Despite the hardships of rushing through the previous stages, we've only bought ourselves a few weeks. In fact, it might be more accurate to say that we've managed to gain this much time because of our hard work.
After finishing the repairs on the equipment that was under maintenance, we created new gear with the newly acquired magic cores.
We upgraded the overall equipment level of the soldiers, expanded various defensive artifacts, and continued the soldiers' training.
We held funerals for the dead and allocated budgets for the living…
Busily and diligently, we prepared for the next stage.
At the same time, the grand strategy for the true ending was also being prepared.
Rumble, rumble, rumble-!
La Mancha, which had been urgently dispatched north during the rest period, returned to Crossroad.
Hanging beneath La Mancha was a giant black spike, the very reason why the only warship on the front was dispatched.
La Mancha carefully placed the black spike on the eastern plains and landed the ship beside it. I hurried to the spot.
"Father!"
As soon as La Mancha finished landing, the hatch opened, and the emperor, the guards, and the wizards poured out.
The emperor, wearing a prosthetic leg and an eyepatch over his lost eye, had left his empty sleeve fluttering where his arm once was.
"Welcome back. Did you have a good trip?"
As I greeted him, the emperor, seemingly accustomed to his prosthetic leg, grumbled with a casual gait.
"You're a scary son, making your father work in this condition."
"It was a task only you could accomplish, Father."
"Bah… Enough. Anyway, I brought what you asked for."
The emperor glanced at the black spike.
"It's the main body of Everblack."
The black spike was the condensed form of humanity's guardian, Everblack.
It was brought here to Crossroad from New Terra to transplant the Everblack itself.
"You're moving the walls from New Terra, the guardian tree, and next, will you move the entire palace?"
"Haha… Thank you and sorry."
Of course, if it helps fend off the monsters, I would bring everything, including the palace. But for now, this Everblack is sufficient.
The wizards who came down from the imperial capital with the emperor embedded the black spike into the eastern plains, drew a magic circle around it, and began some sort of ritual… Soon, the spike transformed into a giant thorn tree, burrowing into the ground.
"As you know, Everblack's roots reach the spiritual world. Its physical location in this world doesn't matter much. The main body in the spiritual world doesn't change its position."
The emperor looked at me steadily.
"Despite that, you insisted on transplanting it here… There must be a reason, son?"
"Yes."
I gently touched the trunk of the thorn tree, which quickly grew and spread out, and added quietly.
"It is essential for reaching the true ending I have in mind."
* * *
The relocated Everblack quickly regained its function, and I accessed the spiritual world for the first time in a while.
"You're bringing me along here?"
The emperor looked perplexed, but he agreed to accompany me.
"If it's necessary to protect the empire, how could I refuse? I must lead and break my bones for this cause. Although, I feel like I've already done enough bone-breaking and reshaping."
Then he dramatically flapped his empty sleeve.
This man… It's hard to tell if he's joking or holding a grudge with that serious face…
"Let's go, Father."
"Alright."
There are multiple reasons why I brought Everblack's main body here.
One of them is to fix the coordinates for entering the spiritual world.
While it's not difficult to access the spiritual world by synthesizing Everblack's branches, the entry coordinates are random. In other words, you never know where you'll end up in the spiritual world.
However, accessing through the main body of Everblack in the physical world allows for a direct entry following the roots of Everblack planted in the spiritual world.
This method is the best optimized way to reach my destination—the roots of Everblack.
Splash…!
Wading through the swirling currents of magical energy, the emperor and I, now in our spiritual forms, swam downwards as if diving into the depths of the spiritual world.
In the spiritual world, the emperor's form was restored, with both eyes, both arms, and both legs intact.
I checked my own form and found no significant changes compared to before, but instead, a red and a black flame were slowly rotating within my chest.
And floating above my head was a silver halo, resembling a crown.
"…"
I decided not to think too deeply about it. Let's consider it a power-up and a new skin…
Flying through a sky filled with auroras of various colors, we swam through the void, diving deeper into the spiritual world.
The trunk and roots of Everblack extended from the top of the sky in the spiritual world to the ground below, and the emperor and I slowly slid down along these roots.
After a long time, we finally reached the end of the roots.
Swoosh…
The scenery of the spiritual world hadn't changed a bit since my last visit.
A white beach with transparent, colorless seawater rolling in.
"I was confined here for quite a long time."
The emperor seemed to feel differently returning to the site of his lifelong battlefield.
"It's surprising that this place, which I always considered a battlefield, can be so peaceful."
"…"
I looked towards the sea.
There, four giants stood like statues, looking down at us.
The guardian gods of the other races, the alien gods.
Currently, they lend their power to our World Guardian Front, representing the gods of the other races.
Although they used to fight the emperor to the death, now they just looked at us with inorganic eyes.
"So, why did we come here?"
The emperor looked around and asked.
"What business do you have in this empty space between life and death?"
"This way."
I led the way down to the end of Everblack's thorn branch.
And there, she was still there.
At the end of the black thorn branches intertwined like a net.
She was hanging there, bound all over her body.
Blood continuously flowed from her body pierced by the thorns, and the blood dripping down caused flames to rise on her body.
Bleeding from wounds. Burning alive.
Serving as the living fuel to keep the thorn tree alive…
She, the goddess, still had a peaceful face.
"It's been a while."
I showed my respect.
"Goddess."
"Haha. It hasn't been that long for me, but yes. It's been a while, Ash."
The goddess turned her head and smiled softly at the emperor who had followed me.
"And Traha too."
I looked back at the emperor. I expected him to pay his respects to the goddess.
"…"
But the emperor showed no reaction and coldly surveyed the space where the roots and trunk of Everblack had descended.
I asked, slightly puzzled.
"Father? Won't you greet the goddess?"
"…What nonsense are you talking about?"
The emperor frowned and stared straight at me.
"There's nothing here."
"…?!"
I quickly turned back.
The burning woman was definitely there. With an even sadder smile.
"Can you not see the goddess, Father?"
"Goddess? What nonsense is this, Ash."
"Do you mean to say you can't see the woman burning, bound in the air over there?"
"I see neither flames nor a woman."
The emperor shook his head slightly.
"Only an empty void of cold nothingness."
* * *
After the emperor left the space, I stood alone before the goddess and cautiously asked.
"Why can't Father see you?"
"Haha. Ash. It's the opposite."
The burning woman smiled bitterly.
"No one in the world can observe me. Because I'm a 'nonexistent being.' That's the condition of my confinement. So no one can find or touch me. You're special."
"Then, why can I…?"
"I told you before. Dustia is my descendant. And you, who inherited Dustia's blood, are also my descendant."
I recalled my mother, Dustia, and the curse of the one-man succession lineage passed down to me from her.
"The curse of regression… So, that means."
"Yes. It started from me. The curse I received as the price for fulfilling my wish long ago… has been passed down through generations."
The goddess showed an apologetic expression.
"Because of that curse, all my descendants faced difficult fates. I'm truly sorry for that."
"…"
"But in the end, you were born from all those intertwined threads of destiny, and you came to see me, who has been forgotten by everyone… It might be selfish, but I'm a little happy."
I had one question, so I asked cautiously.
"It seemed like you communicated with Aider… How did you talk to him?"
"Because that child made the same choice as I did. So we were able to connect."
Aider made the same choice as the goddess?
I wanted to ask more, but the goddess seemed unwilling to talk about Aider.
"You should ask Aider about Aider. I don't think I can speak about his resolve."
"…"
"But if you have any other questions, I'll answer them. You have earned that right now."
The goddess smiled benevolently.
"What troubles have brought you here today, my distant descendant?"
Taking a small breath, I looked straight at the goddess.
"Could you tell me your story, goddess?"
The reason she was confined here in this form, which I hadn't heard last time.
— As the price for giving fire to humanity. And as the price for sustaining that fire. I accepted the punishment of burning my body forever.
The reason this world is in its current state.
The goddess has been deeply involved in it.
I was certain that the goddess was the last piece of the puzzle I needed.
The goddess tilted her head slightly.
"I don't mind, but it will be a long and boring story, won't it? Aren't you very busy?"
"It's something I need to know, and more importantly…"
I smiled slyly and sat comfortably in front of the goddess.
"What could be more enjoyable than a grandchild listening to their grandmother's stories?"
The goddess's eyes sparkled with amusement through the flames.
"You cheeky little…"
Then the goddess slowly began to speak.
A story from a distant past,
About a thief who stole the magical fire and brought it to the world of humans…
* * *
After hearing all the stories, I left the roots of Everblack.
The emperor was standing on the beach, chatting with the alien gods. Seeing them having a peaceful conversation after once fighting to the death felt strange.
"Are you done, Ash?"
"Yes."
"Good, then let's head back. It seems quite a bit of time has passed."
The emperor, having said his goodbyes to the alien gods, led the way, ascending through the void along the thorny trunk.
The suffocating turbulence of magical energy whipped around us like a lash, shaking our path, but Everblack guided us, and we safely ascended towards reality, following the lighthouse's directions.
As we were returning to reality,
"…Ash."
"Yes."
"Was there really a goddess there?"
"Yes."
The emperor, hesitating for a moment, cautiously asked.
"Is it related to Dustia?"
"…"
I nodded slightly.
"Yes."
"I see, I understand…"
The emperor, after a moment of hesitation, let out a long breath.
"Ash, I wasn't a good husband."
"…"
"But I want to be a good father."
I chuckled softly.
"You already are a good father."
"…"
The emperor glanced at me with his intense eyes, hiding his true feelings.
In the next moment, his face aged instantly, an eyepatch covered his eye, and his strong arm and leg disappeared, transforming into an empty sleeve and a prosthetic leg.
Swoosh…!
We had exited the spiritual world and returned to reality.
As soon as we returned to the side of Everblack, the waiting troops immediately prostrated themselves to greet the emperor.
"Long live His Imperial Majesty! We pay our respects to the supreme ruler of the empire!"
"Congratulations on your safe return, Your Majesty!"
The emperor nodded slightly, accepting the salute.
"How long have we been in there?"
"A week, Your Majesty!"
Supporting the emperor as we walked, I was startled. A whole week had passed?
Lucas, waiting with the other knights, nodded heavily at me.
"…The next monster horde invasion is about to begin, my lord."
"What about the preparations I ordered?"
"Everything has been diligently prepared."
Lucas smiled slightly and winked.
"Was your mission successful?"
"Yes."
I glanced back at the now even more sprawling Everblack and murmured quietly.
"I've secured the last piece of the puzzle."
And, I had also confirmed.
The path I would take.
The path that would make me the most hated tyrant in the eyes of all humanity, but the one and only path to the true ending.
Chapter 764
Dungeon beneath the Lake Kingdom.
Base Camp.
As the next monster invasion, the "Flood," was imminent, the place was bustling.
Regardless of previous conquests, intense evil energy emanating from the center of the Lake Kingdom — the King's Castle — enveloped the entire kingdom. Though the base camp was intact, the entire kingdom was shrouded in a sinister atmosphere.
Squeak…
Squeak, squeak, squeak…
Outside the base camp, the sound of insects gnawing in the darkness echoed, and I felt numerous red eyes staring at me from within.
But ignoring them, I proceeded to my intended destination.
It was a magic workshop where a massive witch silently stirred the contents of a cauldron.
"Grandma Coco."
"…"
When I called, Coco turned to me with weary eyes.
I smiled slightly.
"How have you been?"
"Young Prince… No, I can't call you that anymore."
Coco removed her hand from the cauldron and turned to me.
"What business does the last hope of this world have with an old witch in the outskirts?"
"I need you, Grandma Coco."
I got straight to the point.
"Come to Crossroad, Coco. We need you for the final journey."
"…"
Coco, who hadn't answered for a while, sighed deeply and shook her head.
"To save the world, you must ultimately kill Nameless. That child must die."
"…"
"So I can no longer help you. Even if it's for the world, I cannot kill that child, Nameless."
I listened quietly. Coco cast her gaze deep into the dungeon.
"The Princess… No, Nameless is already beyond redemption. She transformed into a monster right in front of the King's Castle. There's no way to save her anymore."
"…"
"She chose to embrace all the darkness of this kingdom. She chose to bear all the suffering of its people by herself. It was a predetermined fate from the start."
Coco shook her head sadly.
"The only thing I can do… is to be by her side when she destroys the world…"
"…I heard you were the nanny who raised Nameless, Grandma Coco."
Coco smiled bitterly at my words.
"I thought of her as my granddaughter."
"I think of Nameless as my friend."
I looked Coco straight in the eyes.
Coco lowered her head, hiding her eyes under her hat brim.
"And yet, you intend to kill her? To save the world?"
"No."
I grinned broadly.
"I will save her."
"…That's impossible. Nameless has become the embodiment of all nightmares. Once she gathers all her strength, she will set out to annihilate the world."
Coco shook her head again.
"Either the world or that child must disappear."
"There is a way."
But I spoke with conviction.
"To save both this world and Nameless. Just one way."
"…"
Coco looked at me with disbelief, but I smiled confidently.
"For that method, Grandma Coco. I need your help."
"…First, tell me. What do you want me to help with?"
I got to the point.
"I want to transfer the dimensional travel magic circuit from the demon species' ship to our ship. I need your help with this."
It was a task only Coco, the master of ancient teleportation magic, could handle, as it was beyond modern magic capabilities.
Coco tilted her head as if she couldn't fully understand.
"I can help with that, but… how does that save the world and Nameless?"
"That ship is needed for the final squad to set out."
To save everyone within my reach.
And to end this endlessly repetitive defense game forever…
"To the final stage."
The last stage of this game that I must prepare.
* * *
I explained the detailed plan to Coco.
After much deliberation, Coco agreed to help. It seemed she found significance in the mere attempt to save Nameless, however slim the possibility.
Thus, I succeeded in recruiting Coco.
Not only Coco but also the adventurers remaining at the base camp. Even the Sword Demon and Spear Demon from the slum village.
I persuaded all who could fight to join my forces.
As the final battle approached, I gathered every possible strength. These people, who spent their days slashing monsters in the dungeon, would be a formidable force.
As the brief respite was ending and Stage 46, marking the start of the final 5 consecutive battles, was approaching quickly.
Screeech-!
A new airship, unlike any seen before, flew over Crossroad.
It was a pirate ship flying the Jolly Roger, with a skull painted on it.
As soldiers aimed their weapons warily at the suddenly appearing unknown airship, I muttered reluctantly.
"Ghost pirate ship?"
Recalling the ghost pirate monster legion we faced before, King Poseidon, who had approached me, shook his head.
"No. They are not monsters. They are reinforcements I called."
"Oh. So they are the ones you mentioned before…"
"Yes."
A faint relief appeared on King Poseidon's old, weary face.
"Pirate King Rompeller."
With a thud, a giant anchor dropped from the pirate ship, and the massive vessel slowly landed.
Those aboard wore a unified uniform — marine attire — looking like a well-disciplined army at a glance.
Leading them were twin siblings in admiral uniforms.
The twins, who looked quite young, both had transparent blue hair. Both also had a long scar running across the bridge of their noses.
"Captain of the Rompeller Pirate Crew, Rompeller."
"Captain of the Rompeller Pirate Crew, Rompeller."
They spoke almost simultaneously. Were the twins co-captains…?
The twin pirates standing before me and King Poseidon bowed together and then bowed again to me.
"We've come to join the World Guardian Front at the call of the Merfolk King."
"We owe Uncle Poseidon several life debts. We'll help too."
I smiled brightly and extended my hand for a handshake.
"Welcome, Rompeller. We appreciate your coming."
"So, you're the famous 'Born Hater'?"
The female Rompeller whistled while looking at me, and the male Rompeller smiled dangerously.
"The legend written on this monster front has spread even to the outer seas. I'll be watching your skills with interest."
I laughed quietly. It's not about watching, but you'll also have to fight together now.
"Hooo…"
At that moment, Kuilan, who had been watching from a distance with his arms crossed, let out an uncomfortable breath.
The two pirates glanced at him, and the next moment, Kuilan and the two Rompellers started a staring contest.
'Oh, right.'
Kuilan, this guy, is also more famous as the Bandit King.
Suddenly, a confrontation between the Bandit King and the Pirate King was formed.
Kuilan's subordinates hurriedly stood behind Kuilan, showing off their muscles, while Rompeller's subordinates smirked and began meticulously cleaning their ship.
'This… the ultimate showdown…!'
Which is stronger, bandits or pirates? This is a pretty hot topic, isn't it? Although it seems the confrontation has shifted from fighting to a muscle and ship-showing contest.
I swallowed dryly and watched the conflict between the two.
And just when the tension between the two groups reached its peak…
"Hmmm~?"
A clear female nasal voice cut through the tension like a bolt of lightning.
"So many familiar faces gathered here?"
Walking toward us was… Serenade in an elegant suit, followed by the people from the Silver Winter Merchant Guild.
Serenade wore a smiling face, but under her slightly narrowed silver eyes, a terrifying chill exuded. The people following her were visibly furious.
And as soon as they identified them, both the bandits and pirates screamed and fled as fast as they could.
"Kyaaahhh!"
"Uwaaah! It's Silver Winter!"
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"
"I'm sorry for being born, I'm sorry for being born, I'm sorry for being born…!"
"I'll never steal again! Please show mercy!"
Ah.
Now that I think about it, merchants and bandits & pirates are intricately(?) entwined, aren't they…
While the small fry bandits and pirates fled hand in hand, Kuilan and the Rompellers remained, still engaged in their staring contest.
However, Kuilan was trembling, glancing nervously at Serenade, while the Rompellers, their faces pale, quivered their lips.
'Silver Winter… might be a scarier guild than I thought… '
Seeing the Bandit King and Pirate King tremble, I broke out in a cold sweat. Are they really that terrifying?
Tap!
Serenade stood between the Bandit King and Pirate King, smiling sweetly.
"…Kuilan, we already reached an agreement regarding your debt before, didn't we?"
"Yes, yes! That's right, sister-in-law!"
"Fufu, alright. Continue to behave yourself… You may go."
"Thank you! Thank you! I will live repentantly!"
Kuilan, who repeatedly bowed, sighed in relief and retreated.
What kind of agreement did they reach? And since when did he start calling her sister-in-law…?
Serenade seemed to like the title, nodding a few times, then glared at the Rompellers.
"And… the notorious Rompellers. Finally, we meet."
Serenade, adjusting her glasses, pulled out a ledger from her bosom and began reading aloud.
"The damage you've caused to our guild… Twenty-six merchant ships, and the jewels, pepper, spices, silk, porcelain they carried…"
The endless list made the two pirates break out in cold sweat.
"And on top of that, one hundred seventy-two damage claims filed against the Rompeller Pirate Crew entrusted to us by the Continental Merchants Association…"
Snap!
Closing the ledger, Serenade smiled coldly.
"We need to settle these issues first, don't we?"
"Uh, well, you see…"
"Life was a bit tough, so we acted on impulse…"
The two pirates shrank like mice before a cat.
I always thought that when merchants meet bandits or pirates, the merchants usually yield… But it seems this flips when it involves high-ranking individuals…
"I would love to settle this right here and now."
Serenade sighed and removed her glasses.
"Considering the fact that the Rompeller Pirate Crew, though they stole goods, did not harm people. And that you voluntarily came to the frontlines to help defend the world for a noble cause."
The almost tearful faces of the two pirates brightened with hope.
"If you fight diligently and give your all in the upcoming monster defense battles. If you help in protecting the world…"
Serenade looked at their hair.
The same transparent blue color as hers. The color of the merfolk.
"…Thus elevating the honor of the merfolk and positively impacting the future of our kin."
Serenade waved the ledger in her hand.
"I will take responsibility for these ledgers, and I will personally handle the compensation claims."
"Is… is that true, Master of Silver Winter…?!"
"Indeed, the world's best merchant guild! You have a big heart!"
The two pirates hugged each other and jumped with joy.
I approached Serenade and put my hand on her shoulder. Serenade sighed shortly and glanced up at me.
As if to say, 'Did I do well?'
I nodded gently.
"Thank you."
I felt like I was always saying this, but still.
I was grateful to her for resolving past grudges for the harmony of the entire front.
'Thus, the enemies of yesterday became allies today.'
I looked around.
Kings and lords from all over the world, chiefs and rulers, adventurers, warriors, magicians, pirates, bandits, merchants, humans, and mixed-races, immortals from five hundred years ago, and people of the present…
Shoulder to shoulder, looking at the same star for a greater cause.
Everyone I could gather was here.
After making eye contact with each one of them, I spoke.
"Let's go."
Boom-! Boom-! Boom-!
The sound of drums echoed from afar. It was the signal that the monsters were approaching the city.
As the start of the final 5 consecutive battles approached, I grinned.
"To the end of this war!"
Chapter 765
The opponent in the forty-sixth defense battle is the Rat Legion.
The legion worships the "Great Mother Rat," the mother of all rats, as its lord and god. It is the embodiment and collective force of all rat-type monsters.
Swoosh…!
The Rat Legion, rising from the black lake with foam, was an orderly sight.
Enlarged Ratmen stood heavily armed at the forefront, followed by agile Ratmen in bone armor forming ranks.
And behind these elite troops was…
Rumble!
A thunderous sound accompanied the appearance of an unbelievably massive cart.
On this cart was a huge mound of flesh, almost the size of a small mountain.
Near the top of this colossal flesh, there was a small head breathing heavily, wearing a crown made of bones.
This being was the Great Mother Rat.
The mother of all rats and the commander of the monster legion.
Even at this moment, the Great Mother Rat's enormous body functioned as a biological factory.
Newborn rats clung to the thousands of nipples on the Great Mother Rat's body, instantly growing huge due to the mysterious magical efficacy contained in the milk.
These rapidly grown rats fell off the cart and were flung backward…
Squeak!
Squeak, squeak, squeak…!
Forming a circle, they started devouring each other in a gruesome cannibalistic selection process right behind the cart.
After surviving this horrific colosseum of blood and flesh, the strongest of the generation joined the seemingly endless army of the Rat Legion.
Thus, the legion was composed of elite Ratmen at the front, the Great Mother Rat in the center, and an endless horde of ordinary giant rats at the rear.
This was the Rat Legion, our opponent in the defense battle.
"They're numerous."
Riding La Mancha in the sky and observing these monsters, I spoke in an indifferent voice.
Though they are extremely numerous, they pale in comparison to the monster composition of the previous defense battle where all the zombified monster legions swarmed us. We have also already prepared countermeasures against the Rat Legion.
However.
"…?"
As I carefully observed the monster legion, I noticed something strange.
Only then did I recognize a familiar figure at the front of the Great Mother Rat's enormous cart.
"…"
The one silently looking up at my airship was none other than the masked clown.
Realizing his identity, I muttered his name reluctantly.
"Crown…"
Crown appeared the same as usual, except for one thing. His previously pure white mask was now covered in shadows, turning a flickering dark gray.
"…"
"…"
We briefly stared at each other from afar.
Crown slowly turned his gaze away, and I did the same, stepping back into the airship.
I gave a concise command to my subordinates watching me.
"Prepare for bombardment!"
I don't know why that guy is there, but my job is clear.
Kill monsters, save people.
To achieve this goal, I will do anything.
"We're starting the rat hunt now…!"
"Yes!"
"Prepare for bombardment-!"
Soon, I received a report that preparations were complete, and I extended my hand forward.
"Commence bombardment immediately! Turn them into cinders!"
At my command, La Mancha's bottom hatch opened, and the stored explosives fell onto the heads of the monsters.
And simultaneously,
"Hoo…"
Crown put a flute to his mouth,
Beeeep…!
He blew a long, sharp sound.
"Squeak…?!"
"Squeeeak!"
Immediately, the Rat Legion changed their formation.
They swiftly changed course to avoid the direct hit of the bombardment, while the rear rats covered the front rats, serving as meat shields.
Fweee…
Boom! Boom, boom, boom!
Under the rain of explosives from La Mancha, the Rat Legion continued advancing despite the damage.
The endless horde of ordinary rats sacrificed themselves as shields, while the Great Mother Rat and the elite Ratmen began a steady northward march.
All under the meticulous command of Crown's flute…
"…"
Coldly watching the battlefield, I turned to the side and spoke.
"Prepare Plan B."
Every remaining stage is a life-and-death battle.
To survive, to win…
"We will pour everything we have."
* * *
Three days later.
Having finally breached all our bombardments, defenses, and obstacles, the Rat Legion reached the southern plains of Crossroad.
Of course, it wasn't without damage.
Most of the ordinary giant rats had perished. They had been lavishly sacrificed as meat shields to protect the Great Mother Rat and the elite Ratmen, which was expected.
And the Great Mother Rat as well.
"Squeak… squeeeak…"
She was dying.
She had been our main target for the past three days. Especially with Damien's precision sniping, no matter how many meat shields were used, hits could not be avoided.
Despite enduring dozens of Damien's sniping attacks, the Great Mother Rat was still hanging on due to her innate extraordinary toughness and overwhelming vitality.
But that, too, had its limits.
The Great Mother Rat could no longer birth new rats, nor could she feed the ones already born. The newborns only screamed for the milk that no longer flowed.
And— the elite Ratmen at the front.
Thousands of well-trained giant Ratmen had successfully preserved most of their strength and reached the southern plains.
We'll inevitably have to engage in a major battle with them.
"Squeak, squeak…!"
"Squeak… kill… squeeeak…!"
The Ratmen, excited by the sight of human walls, had their eyes turn red.
They were momentarily regrouping, but once the command was given, they would immediately charge madly towards Crossroad.
And before that, I…
"This is Ash 'Born Hater' Everblack, commander of the World Guardian Front."
I initiated a conversation.
Walking alone to the center of the plains, I planted the staff I was holding into the ground. The staff emitted my magic, forming a magical flag.
"I request a 'commander's conference' with the commander of the monsters!"
"…"
As soon as I made my request, an uneasy silence enveloped the entire monster army.
I waited calmly, and soon, a response came.
"Accepted."
Crown emerged, parting the Ratmen horde.
Slowly advancing to the center of the plains, Crown stood before me.
"Crown."
"Ash."
We silently gazed at each other for a while.
I observed the ominous black shadow covering Crown's mask, and Crown glanced at my eyes and chest.
"Changed the color of your mask?"
I joked first.
"Yeah, sometimes you need a change. You can get tired of drinking only white tea all your life, right?"
"…"
"You need to try black tea, blue tea, and red tea. How about a bright green mask next?"
Crown chuckled at my joke and tapped his dark gray mask with his fingertips.
"This is the work of the Demon King, Ash. By his will… I must now move as his puppet until the end."
"…"
"The Demon King has entered the nightmare to find someone he's been searching for, as he always does… And I am left to lead the remaining battles."
Upon hearing about the Demon King's actions, I closed my eyes briefly and then opened them.
Indeed…
We are all similar.
"…It hasn't been long since the Black Dragon Battle."
Crown looked me over and smiled faintly.
"In that short time, your soul's light seems to have grown stronger."
"Is it that obvious?"
"Why don't you look in a mirror? Just your gaze already exudes divine power."
No need to look in a mirror.
The power of the two dragons I've embraced and succeeded, and the numerous crowns I've worn, are gradually assimilating with me.
Deification.
My soul has already entered the transcendent stage. I am moving further from the human framework.
But I am suppressing this divine power as much as possible.
To retain my humanity. To remember my human purpose.
And…
Because it's not yet time to use this power.
"Indeed, with your current self…"
Crown murmured bitterly.
"You might be able to kill my sister."
"…"
"You might be able to grant her peaceful rest at the end."
Crown nodded slightly.
"All I want is for her to escape this long nightmare and sleep in peaceful dreams. Can you promise to help, Ash?"
"No."
I denied his words.
"Crown. What you truly wish for isn't such a mere escape through death."
"…?"
"You want your sister to regain her name, her life, her smile."
I smiled gently.
"That's what you truly wish for."
"But, that's…!"
"I will save her."
Reaching out to the trembling Crown, I continued.
"Nameless."
"…"
"You."
"…!"
"And everyone in the Lake Kingdom suffering under that hell. And…"
Crown's eyes widened behind his mask as he heard the last name I whispered.
I smiled brightly.
"Everyone within my reach. I will save them all."
"You…"
Mumbling incredulously, Crown's mouth opened in disbelief.
"You're really insane…?"
"You didn't know?"
I smiled confidently.
"I'm the craziest bastard around here."
"…"
Shaking his head slowly, Crown drew his flute.
"Your arrogance is unbelievable, but… You've proven yourself by achieving everything so far. I can't dismiss it as mere nonsense."
"Starting to understand me now?"
"But, to achieve that arrogance, you must first overcome the invasion I'm leading."
Removing the jaw part of his mask, Crown slowly brought the flute to his lips.
Beeeep-
As Crown played his flute, the Ratmen behind him all glowed with red eyes.
"Sorry, but no holding back, Ash."
With red eyes glowing behind his mask, Crown spoke in a harsh, broken voice.
"To reach that miracle of saving everyone within your reach, you must tear apart this foolish clown's final act with ease…!"
I smiled broadly and swung the staff horizontally.
The magical flag waved like a wave along the trajectory of the staff.
It was the signal to fire.
"I'll show you, Crown."
Facing the Pied Piper and the Rat Legion behind him, a vision from a long time ago overlapped in my mind.
I shouted powerfully.
"That I'm no longer the rookie commander from Stage 2, with a clumsy defense line…!"
Crown and I locked eyes.
The Pied Piper and the Banner Holder of Humanity.
In the next moment, countless monsters charged behind us, and cannons and arrows rained down like a storm.