Chapter 157

From the narrow sky down to the ravine below.

Somewhere out there, dry light from a floating sun crashes down and seeps into the ground, giving an arid vitality to traces of a super-ancient civilization that look like ruins.

Since the air’s low on humidity and bone-dry, fine sand dust mixes in, so breathing for too long makes your nose and throat feel all clogged up automatically.

Because of poor air circulation, the old stench emanating from the dust and sand is fully felt—though it carries some other meaning.

Leaving the campsite/statue shoulder combo, I flew straight toward the place revealed in my dream.

While Carriel herself could move around the surroundings effortlessly regardless of elevation, flying up and gliding like a bird was an entirely different realm.

In that regard, Zora, who can freely change her form as needed, was extremely helpful.

Though plenty of buildings and structures seem intact at first glance, upon closer inspection, none are actually undamaged.

The common factor? Aside from artificial destruction, there’s no natural damage or collapse visible right away.

“This isn’t about dwarves… I really feel like a bug.”

“…”

“That gaze is kinda weird. Are you upset because we compared ourselves to bugs our size?”

Apparently, there *are* regions with human-sized insects… surprisingly treated separately from monsters and daemons. Isn’t it humid and hot over there?

“There are even finger-sized little people too, y’know.”

“…Really?”

“Yeah. They’re basically the inspiration for those tiny fae clans in myths and fairy tales.”

Elves are sometimes called faeries or even ‘yo-seo’ (mountain spirits). For example, just like humans split into countless ethnic groups and peoples, the same applies here.

“Giants and colossi are kinda similar when you think about it. Like, take the ice giants from one region’s myth—they were born from the Poisonous River, so they’re inherently toxic and evil, often depicted as wicked beings.”

“…Then what about these fire giants here?”

“They’re probably similar but also different.”

Is it more important who the people are, or the world they live in?

“Live in the Middle Realm, you’re a Middle Realm human; live in the Demon Realm, you’re a demon. That’s the difference, right? So giants here are ‘here giants,’ and giants elsewhere are ‘over there giants’?”

Even after such a long conversation, we still haven’t reached the entrance… though I clearly remember landing near the population and walking.

Didn’t I already say? Space is compressed here. Don’t get caught up in what your eyes tell you.

The Demon King briefly scolds me for making him repeat himself.

“I’ve been feeling this since we arrived, but something’s off with the space here.”

“Is that so?”

Looks like Zora picked up on it too.

“If my guess is right… this is a space designed so members of any size, whether giant or small, can coexist.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“It’s highly advanced magic. To explain: if a giant dozens of times taller than me is standing next to me but wants to, they could be perceived as your height or mine.”

“…Just perception-wise?”

“That’s the amazing part.”

By perceiving it, it solidifies.

“And whether or not to accept that is up to the giant clan.”

This doesn’t apply to every domain though.

“If that were true, there’d be no reason for cities to have separate large and small buildings.”

If they can adjust their body size and volume, why bother creating massive living spaces? That wouldn’t make sense.

“This space is special.”

And this was probably a place where many races coexisted under the supervision of the giant clan.

“They could’ve used their massive bodies to oppress and intimidate others if they wanted to show off—but even here, they’re free from that.”

What she calls this space… in other words, where we’ve come… isn’t ordinary.

“Why don’t you check it out yourself? You can, right?”

At this point, Zora suggests I use my ability with a glance.

Finally reaching the gate… but seriously, can mere human strength open this thing? It looks like a freaking wall made of stone slabs.

Could this really be the kind of structure dwarves push open?

I tried pushing once, but it didn’t budge at all.

“If it opens with physical force, we two alone won’t stand a chance.”

Zora indirectly says this is pointless.

“Might as well try anyway.”

For some reason, I feel nostalgic.

Somehow, only now does it hit me that we’ve reached somewhere impossible.

Lost aimlessly in an unobstructed world until now…

But only when the world becomes obstructed like this do we finally see ourselves.

The place where I stand… and myself standing above it.

“…”

Calm my heart and examine old memories… or traces?

Given how far back this goes, and that I can’t selectively observe what I want…

This will be quite a painstaking task.

Examining ancient human memories usually involves mutual interaction, so it wasn’t too hard…

But since I must figure this out unilaterally, it’ll be tougher.

So yesterday, while carelessly peeking at something on the statue…

That woman greeting me like she’d been waiting—it was truly unusual.

“Ah, you’ve arrived.”

As if she had been waiting.

She touched the massive door and read its memory.

The world shifted again, and she greeted me with a fresh smile as if she’d truly been waiting.

Her sand-colored eyes shine like gold but carry a unique transparency unlike actual gold.

Her face partially revealed through her clothing, wrapped in pristine white fabric secured with a golden belt.

At first glance, her skin seems slightly tanned from the heat but overall retains a bright tone, harmonizing beautifully with her delicate features.

And between the gaps, her hair peeks out—deep brown, not quite red, framing her beautiful face. Her gold bracelets jingle softly on her wrists, and her gold anklets stick snugly to her ankles.

“Can you see me?”

“Of course.”

She responds immediately.

Still… it’s hard to believe.

“You should be someone from a distant past.”

“Take a guess. How is this possible?”

“…”

This isn’t about whether someone can or cannot be seen.

But…

Concepts of time, space, front, back, left, right, up, down, and center…

Understanding them roughly, I realize her presence here isn’t entirely impossible.

In this world, anything that can happen, happens.

Saying it’s impossible just means the person hasn’t seen or dreamed of it.

“Can you see the future?”

“Exactly right. Yes, I can see the future.”

And…

You, being able to traverse past, present, and future, are well-known to me.

“…”

Sounds omnipotent when you hear it.

Truthfully, though, I’m just a weak human desperately trying not to be swayed by all this.

“You understand every language in the world, right?”

“…”

Actually…

Even if communication opportunities arise somehow…

Being able to converse so smoothly without any inconvenience feels miraculous.

“Let’s start with introductions. I am…”

“I know. Kanel? Or is it Kale? Maybe Karl?”

“…”

It’s not wrong if it’s not in imperial style.

“If it’s easier for you, call me that.”

“So, Karrel?”

“…”

“Joking. I’m Reba? Heeba? Call me however you prefer.”

“Heeba then.”

“Alright.”

How did we end up doing intros?

Anyway, you can see the future…

Should I categorize you with Grandeous?

Despite that, your attitude is very flexible and lively.

“You want to open the door?”

“…Yes.”

“Be careful. After the fall, it looks truly desolate, like everything has vanished… but most of us are immortal. We were merely exiled and sealed.”

Though she said that, it’s still a future yet to come for her.

Looking around with her, I catch sight of details I missed earlier.

Golden stone walls bathed in lush greenery and light.

Sturdy architectural marvels lined up continuously, blending seamlessly with diverse individuals.

Greenery woven naturally with crystal-clear fountains and waterways.

Turning my gaze, the enormous blue-lit door stands wide open inexplicably.

On the grand path leading to the door, various species—not just humans—move peacefully.

Their skin tones vary wildly, shapes and appearances differ greatly, and facial features are far from ordinary.

Some look completely different from humans… but since Heeba appears relatively normal by our standards, I hadn’t noticed before.

This place looks almost like paradise.

But looking beyond prejudice and preconceived notions…

This isn’t myth, but history.

Likewise, this is also the land and city where the living reside.

Another facet of an era.

“Let me teach you the incantation to open the door.”

With a faintly sorrowful smile,

She leans close to my ear and whispers softly.

For a moment,

The world falls silent, and the image of it crumbling fades into the distance like a small sand dune scattered by the wind.

“…”

“What did you see?”

“She warned us to be careful.”

“About what?”

“The giants are immortal beings… merely sealed away.”

“Who?”

“…”

Who indeed should I name?

Gazing at the massive door, I give Zora a glance as if preparing.

“Opening it now?”

“…Yeah.”

No matter what, since we’ve come this far…

If we can break through this blocked door…

Isn’t there no reason to hesitate?

“Those who have arrived here, recite your own verse.”

“Gainingg?”

To me, it was a clear language and phrase,

But Zora, hearing my words, seemed to perceive an entirely different sound, meaning, and echo.

Yet, her reaction shows she understands what it is.

Maybe her knowledge is broader than expected.

Boom!

Reacting to those words, the colossal iron door—

Actually, likely formed from a special bronze alloy—shudders and gradually widens its gap.

“Had the door swung toward us, we would’ve been crushed, right?”

“…”

Was that a joke?

The door slides inward toward the entrance.

Through the widening gap, all we see is darkness and doubt for now.

As the heavy door scrapes against the ground with a world-shaking noise,

The thick air inside rushes out all at once,

And the outside air flows in mysteriously.

A small whirlwind violently collides and intertwines.

Unconsciously brushing my hair aside with my hand as it flies,

But the interior remains silent and dark.

Silence and quiet unease unknowingly press down on our necks.

A snap of the fingers produces a red orb on Zora’s palm,

Which we use to dimly illuminate the entrance.

Inside, there’s only desolation.

Still, it’s just the entrance reflecting in our eyes for now.

“Let’s go.”

“I thought something might jump out since you said prepare, but nothing happened…”

They say words have power.

A crimson pillar root bursts out through the entrance.

Its attack on us lasts only an instant.

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