Chapter 156

I spread out a temporary camp on the shoulder of the statue.

And yet, there’s still plenty of spare room to spare.

Enough that you could do some parkour if you wanted.

Since neither I nor Zora have any issues with supplies through various means, location wasn’t an issue.

Before sunset, the giant head and oversized ears of the statue already cast a solid shadow over us.

But once night fell, the area was cloaked in pitch black darkness like being wrapped in a dark curtain.

Truthfully, it had already grown darker earlier when the sun partially set due to our position in the ravine.

So without lighting a fire, we wouldn’t even be able to make out shapes.

Though Zora would likely be an exception.

As for me, I can sense most things even with my eyes closed, so it didn’t matter much either way.

“So what you’re saying is that the thing that looks like a collapsed wall was actually an irrigation channel?”

Even if it were just a simple water system, it wouldn’t be strange to call it aqueduct.

But from the brief glimpse into the past I got using my abilities, water was indeed flowing steadily through what looked like walls.

Otherwise, the lush greenery and some jungle areas scattered around the city wouldn’t make any sense.

“An ability to see the past, huh. Impressive. With skills like that, you’d naturally be interested in ancient ruins.”

Since I had to explain up to a certain point, revealing part of the truth seemed to satisfy Zora.

She then added her own explanation based on her extensive knowledge accumulated over her long years.

“You may know this, but the aqueducts of ancient Vera weren’t built like walls. They used arch structures. Do you know the difference between those two?”

“…I think I’ve heard of it.”

It’s an architectural style that forms a semi-circle like the rising sun at the horizon.

The advantage is cutting down building resources by more than half compared to traditional methods while maintaining strength.

“It sounds like you get the gist. Vera used such technology to lay the foundation of their great empire. It’s well-known that Vera, the capital of the old empire, housed far more citizens than modern Berkhart, the current capital of Berke Empire.”

At its peak, records show it reached nearly three million inhabitants.

“The oval-shaped Colosseum is also built using similar arch structures. Have you seen one?”

“…No.”

An empire established and grown through war.

That circular arena is said to embody their bellicosity, unity, and political power.

Additionally, the concept of “bread and circuses” originated here – a tactic to divert citizens’ attention away from politics by providing food and entertainment.

Apparently, it stems from the idea that as long as people are fed and entertained, they’ll be satisfied. This is why even rest days aren’t considered important in imperial matters.

And Vera Empire, being a nation that valued labor and upheld myths, emphasized diligence and civic responsibility.

One of their main criticisms against Irene’s Doctrine and Lou Temple was their practice of rest days.

Calling them lazy slackers, they often questioned how one could achieve great endeavors by taking breaks every day.

A certain Vera emperor once said:

“When the hundred thousand citizens rest for a day, it’s a loss of ten thousand days of work. And these lazy ones use their gods as excuses to rest weekly. This is why they lag behind us. We glorify our god through work! While they cling to their gods’ ankles!”

“Anyway, constructing waterways or irrigation systems represents quite advanced architectural skills. That alone shows this civilization was quite developed.”

Zora tapped the ground lightly with her palm as she spoke.

This helped refocus my wandering thoughts.

“This. This is different from that.”

What she meant by “this” was probably referring to the statue we were borrowing.

Statues were often created in ancient times as offerings or sacrifices to gods.

Artisans who made statues, monuments, and sculptures were reportedly respected even back then.

There were many examples of skills being passed down through generations.

However, creating statues versus building irrigation systems or waterworks belong to different fields entirely.

With different purposes too.

What she wanted to say likely encompassed this meaning.

“Curiosity is fine up to this point. So where are we heading tomorrow? We could move right away if needed.”

“…”

Take rest while you can.

You never know when you’ll have such leisure again.

Rushing doesn’t solve problems automatically.

Doing things thoroughly is what matters.

“You’re right. Especially in moments like these, we need to let go of impatience. If we lose sight because of greed or anxiety…”

After eating a light meal, we decided to retire early.

Unless monsters started swarming around, keeping watch wasn’t necessary since Zora was a capable mage.

“Magic is not for warfare or showing off power. It’s a blessing meant to improve the daily lives of all people. Whether a knife cuts livestock or a person’s neck depends on the user and the method, right?”

That’s correct.

If everyone thought that way…

The world would truly, truly be peaceful.

====

When was the last time I slept soundly?

Back when I was at Rutania, I always feared and felt uneasy about the next day, spending sleepless nights.

Then I’d collapse into a brief slumber only to wake up groggily,

My body inevitably in terrible condition, making mistakes repeatedly, reacting slowly, and misunderstanding instructions.

No matter how quickly or sluggishly I acted, the criticism remained the same.

If only I could silence those mouths overwhelming me…

Instead, they kept criticizing, mocking, and attacking me.

And after my younger sibling was born and I left Rutania…

Mostly, I spent sleepless nights again.

The difference now is that I’m afraid someone might come chasing anytime, so I force myself to sleep for stamina management.

In those moments, I dream of my mother and father.

In those dreams, for some reason, I couldn’t put up even the slightest resistance against them holding me back.

As if accepting an unchangeable fate.

Even though I’ve been training my swordsmanship for long periods under the Demon King, becoming emotionally numb…

During those times, I inexplicably felt powerless.

If only they hadn’t called me.

If only they had walked away and disappeared into the distance…

But inevitably, they called and held onto me.

Every time, I remained completely motionless until they grabbed my shoulders, arms, and hands.

I couldn’t resist at all.

Waking up from such dreams, I always felt a chill creeping over me.

My entire body would be drenched in sweat.

Right after leaving Rutania, the only time I could sleep peacefully was when I fell asleep in her embrace.

“…”

What happened after that?

It was mixed.

Nightmares and non-nightmare dreams.

Back then, the Demon King didn’t allow me to train in my dreams, calling it excessive.

On the journey towards Soremn Village…

Even during the days when I was half-dead and barely revived before reaching the Water User’s ravine…

The nightmares occasionally pounded against my heart.

“…”

And now.

I can somewhat shake them off.

In exchange.

Something completely different has started seeping into my eyes, ears, and consciousness.

It’s both a future and perhaps another side of a completely different world.

For instance.

Back then when I left Rutania and ended up confined by Ellie, losing all purpose and meaning in life…

Surprisingly, it wasn’t bad.

I didn’t dislike it as much as I thought I would.

As long as I killed my emotions.

As long as I genuinely welcomed her favor.

That was truly an attractive everyday life, each passing day.

…Though it was vulgar and excessively indulgent, surprisingly, as the one experiencing it, I didn’t find it unpleasant.

Giving up thinking.

Giving up fighting against life.

Is incredibly appealing.

Being loved and cherished infinitely and unconditionally…

Turns out it’s an amazing privilege.

The only concern was…

The contract with the Demon King.

The curses and misfortunes resulting from it. Despair and pain.

But that’s after death, isn’t it? Is it worth worrying about?

“…”

If only Alesia and I had gone together to find Elbat in Soremn Village…

But because there was someone I could rely on unknowingly.

Because of the unsheathed sword and the subsequent incidents. Because of the helplessness in just watching…

As my body deteriorated to near-death, she desperately cared for me and guided me.

Somehow, I managed to taste true happiness with her, albeit briefly.

Ultimately, the sorrow and loss that followed…

…pushed me into extreme unhappiness.

I was thrown back into the pit I had barely escaped from.

Worse, I plummeted into the abyss.

Everything was failure.

Pain.

Despair.

Days filled with the struggle of loss.

Pain.

Pain.

Pain.

I kept killing many people, torturing those unrelated too.

I relentlessly pursued.

Chasing after the only hope I shared with Alesia.

The only lost hope.

The only beacon in my life.

I chased endlessly.

Without pause. Continuously. Forever.

I was chased endlessly.

Yet no matter how much time passed…

I couldn’t reach it.

No. I did reach it. I had…

…but ultimately, all I achieved was adding the worst to the worst.

Pain.

In the end, it was nothing but pain.

“…”

-Ah, that won’t do.

Lying down in Soremn Village.

I couldn’t get back up.

Looking down at my dying self.

The golden figure of the young girl, the Demon King…

As if watching the scene from somewhere far away, she declared firmly in my direction.

-This is for later. When this body is gone.

As soon as she finished speaking, the world turned pitch black.

And now, ambiguous bubbles rose before my eyes,

Projecting scenes from a different time.

But I don’t immerse myself in them. I don’t get drawn in.

Pointing my neatly extended finger as if indicating something,

Or trying to touch it,

I focused my gaze on it.

It was taken away.

I was held back.

“Come here, Carriel.”

In the space that’s both bright and dark,

She whispered.

“I’m always ready.”

If you want to seize your ideal…

“If you wish to capture your desired ideal…”

“Come here and prove your faith to me.”

A vision I saw before.

But it’s different now.

Her finger pointed somewhere far away.

There stood a structure I had seen before.

I’ve seen that.

Not too long ago.

Among the numerous buildings at the Fire Giant Ruins.

It was there.

I just remembered.

“I promised.”

She says.

“I had promised.”

She says.

“I will promise.”

She will say someday.

“Hurry and come greet me.”

For I am your destined future.

“Together, we shall break this flawed world and recreate it anew.”

Let’s lead it with our hands.

The opening of the finale.

The ending of the beginning.

The conclusion of eternity.

The origin of forever.

Let’s do it together.

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