Chapter 184

The spear pierced his body in an instant.

From his body, a pale mist, like black smoke, gushed out in great volumes.

– Keeeaaaah!

A wicked scream, the final wail of death.

The shadow presumed to be Ahriman was expelled by the darkness emanating from his body, letting out a vile scream.

But that wasn’t all.

“Hmph.”

The golden sickle-wielding boy stood ready.

The spear piercing Carriel’s body…

It exploded again, splitting into dozens of fragments heading towards the boy’s small frame nearby, suddenly radiating merciless hostility.

This immediately transitioned into a material attack.

“Hmm, not good.”

The boy, now completely exposed, muttered under his breath.

Already having foreseen with his keen eyes that this essence could indeed kill him…

Like the wind, the boy narrowly dodged.

Thanks to that, there was no damage.

“That’s enough. I didn’t approach to harm him. I came only to do what you just did.”

“…”

The boy Bereratragena tried to convey his lack of hostile intent through both gestures and words.

But when Ellie approached Carriel and briefly observed his condition, her half-open blue eyes continued to glare at him as if she still had business to attend to.

Carriel had lost consciousness.

Yeah. That was enough for now.

The rest…

“There’s still something left between us.”

“What is it?”

While sending off his flaming sword,

Somehow holding a scorched half-staff in his left hand and a long spear made of countless branches in his right,

Ellie charged forward without preamble.

Though the boy reacted reflexively to her charge, his bewilderment remained the same.

However, he who sees through essences instantly grasped where and what her existence originated from.

“…What?”

The boy’s gaze momentarily shifted to one side.

There, an unknown girl was being saved by another non-human silver-haired woman.

The figure of the woman who had just confronted him so brazenly and even exchanged blows before landing a hit caught his eye again.

‘This?’

Though incomprehensible, he immediately realized comprehension was unnecessary in this situation.

What mattered was the present threat.

The woman exuding hostility.

She was no ordinary being.

Even the girl who had appeared earlier, embodying extraordinary destruction, paled in comparison.

And what drove that away… was this woman right here.

Could she be one who commands light and wisdom?

‘Even so…’

Isn’t this going too far?

“Feigning ignorance will get you nowhere…”

Crack!

“Ugh!”

“Still got some spare time, I see?”

His shoulder was grazed.

The broken staff.

That scorched staff turned out to be a massive seal of destruction in staff form.

Yet the greater calamity was this – despite merely grazing him, it felt like all his vitality shattered like a cracked pottery, dispersing everywhere.

These… branches.

The wooden spear formed by intertwined branches.

However, it only appeared as a spear because they were bundled together; in reality, it was something entirely different, capable of fracturing or breaking apart to unleash shrapnel at any moment.

“But possessing this doesn’t mean you can force my defeat.”

“…”

Ellie observing the retreating boy without pursuing.

“Let me correct your misunderstanding. I have no intention of defeating you. There’s no reason for me to.”

“…”

“I already know that, whether as a created being or a transcendent, you’re someone I cannot defeat.”

However, someone had repelled and driven away that thing.

No need to look far.

Until moments ago, that girl dominated and controlled this place.

Fiery and dark destruction.

Did that girl do it out of a desire to win?

Or was she simply a lawless tyrant spewing violence indiscriminately?

“To defeat you, I’d need to change the premise itself. Generally impossible… but with my current state, it should suffice.”

Though only half-remaining, white flames erupted from the scorched staff held in Ellie’s left hand.

“I know you’ll burn down heaven and earth. What meaning does victory or defeat hold here?”

“…”

It sounded absurd, but now he understood.

What she held in her hands.

And that she was an unprecedented being fully capable of wielding it.

Bereratragna soon realized.

For instance, even that might have been destruction.

No, it deliberately claimed to be destruction.

She must have known long ago that it was the only path to victory against him.

‘But it won’t do.’

Knowing this fact, who would speak of destruction while facing him?

Not even Bereratragna, a military deity, could achieve such a domain.

Meaning that reaching this level equated to an insurmountable existence even for him.

Hence,

“Are you planning to die here?”

Without respect or hesitation, the boy calmly speculated on her condition.

“…”

But.

This woman appeared even more indifferent and emotionless than that pitch-black youth over there.

No.

While the youth seemed to suppress and skillfully control such emotions,

This woman truly felt like she had absolutely nothing.

Even with his penetrating gaze, her existence was extremely empty, and everything about her was strangely hollow.

“A promise is a promise. Though I can’t kill you… this is also your karma. You who trampled on all, bear your responsibility willingly.”

Ellie swiftly leaned her body and hurled the spear again as before.

“Huh?!”

He could respond, yet it felt strangely difficult to do so.

“From the start, this was a gift meant for you.”

So receive it well.

“Mistletoe.”

The hurled spear pierces through the boy like a streak of light.

“Where?!”

He deflects it.

The impact causes the spear to bend, cut, and explode,

Splitting into dozens, hundreds of fragments.

All of them transform into wedges, arrows, daggers, and throwing objects raining down on the boy’s entire body.

Despite hastily riding the wind to evade,

Some of the branches pierced into his chest, thigh, and elbow following the wind.

Though merely tiny thorn-sized pieces.

While removing them might be bothersome and irritating, it was clearly not a fatal wound or serious injury.

“Guh!”

Yet the one struck felt as if his soul was splitting apart.

“…”

By the time he noticed, the distance had grown too great.

The sight of the boy kneeling and panting far away seemed somewhat pitiful and foolish.

Whoever he was, kneeling and bowing his head would amount to nothing more than that.

Things may have been different tomorrow or until just moments ago,

But to me, none of it mattered.

“…”

Calmly regulating her breathing, Ellie turned her gaze back toward Carriel.

Meanwhile, Zora had already supported the woman and approached Carriel’s side, though confused about the situation unfolding before her as she saw the spear piercing his body.

“So, you were the starting point.”

Staring blankly at the air, Zora naturally followed Ellie’s gaze.

Nothing was visible.

Not a thing.

But…

“…Do you really think your judgment is correct?”

The former Demon King, the Golden Girl instantly recognized.

That woman was looking at her.

Had reached a perceivable range.

But that… was a fleeting miracle.

“Right and wrong, good and bad. I don’t wish for concepts trapped within those to ruin things.”

As if responding to the Demon King’s question, Ellie firmly declared.

Her hair, which had turned pure white and now surrounded her body like flames, showed no trace of its previous vivid crimson.

“Wha… What are you? Can you see it too? The spirit Carriel sees?”

“…”

So she resorted to excuses.

Rarely, Ellie faintly smiled at Zora’s question.

Just for a moment.

“I’ve thought quite a lot. But recent events have drastically changed.”

This era’s Demon King.

An existence with whom neither dialogue nor persuasion was possible.

Somehow surviving,

Everyone exposed to its curse struggled on the brink of death.

That’s when Hiba came, Hibaitein offered a solution.

On the condition that…

She would bear all the curses carried by her companions.

Like Irene carrying a cross with a battered body,

It seemed unbearable even for a single moment.

Yet she had to endure.

Not for me.

For everyone.

And for him waiting ahead.

Ellie spoke to Zora.

“Go back.”

“Eh, right. But what about this woman?”

“Just leave her be. Someone will take care of it eventually.”

She wouldn’t die meaninglessly here.

Originally, she couldn’t die.

Even when Ellie found her after enduring hardships alongside Zora inside the temple,

She was definitely alive then.

Though merely a shell.

Like all the giants within the temple,

They could be considered moving corpses, devoid of reason and soul.

Irrelevant.

When the time ripens, a time will come when recovery is unnecessary or possible,

Ultimately, a matter of choice for them.

Thus, neither misfortune nor ill fate.

“Looking at this body, is that all you have to say? Don’t you have accumulated questions and emotions?”

“…”

Ellie, maintaining an expressionless face, looked at the grinning Demon King, Golden Girl.

“Nothing.”

“Nothing?”

Who are you imitating?

Yet Ellie’s eyes appeared genuinely sincere.

====

“Idiot. How long do you plan to stay like this?”

At the sound, his eyes opened.

Still as rude as ever, huh, Demon King.

Naturally, his expression soured.

“Hey. The sun’s almost setting, you gonna keep doing this? Following slugs? Or taking eternal naps in graves?”

“…”

Is he still sleepy?

More like… what’s wrong with this Demon King? What happened?

“Get out. Now.”

“…”

What’s his game?

Waking up here was a small house.

Opening the wooden door revealed the sunset just as the Demon King said.

And sitting on a tree stump not far from the door was…

“…”

Ellie.

She asked.

“How’s your body?”

“…”

Strange.

I feel something’s off, but…

I’m not quite sure.

“Take a little walk. Yeah, a stroll. Let’s stroll.”

To the right were sparse trees, opposite a bizarrely radiant golden wheat field.

Walking along the small path between them, Ellie spoke.

“We grew up pushed by dawn and blessings. Duties and responsibilities always acted independently of our will.”

“…”

What’s she trying to say?

The sun was setting.

Still, the world remained infinitely bright and dazzling,

Making it hard to open one’s eyes and look ahead.

Arriving after walking and walking was a small hill.

Ascending the hill path,

Below stretched a massive city.

Far, far away, a distant giant city.

“Look, Carriel. Our hometown. Our destiny. Everything about our world, and also a cruel labyrinth and prison that arbitrarily sentenced our fates. Yet we lived and grew there… and someday we’d be buried there, believing so.”

“…”

Should I speak?

I’m not sure what to say either.

That’s why probably,

Only Ellie kept talking.

Though she didn’t seem to care.

“I’ve always been learning to accept right and wrong. Among them, there was nothing I actually wanted. They represented someone else’s justice and interests, merely minimizing potential damages. Yeah, when fire breaks out, you put it out to prevent it from spreading.”

However,

“I was just afraid. If I didn’t fulfill my duty, someone might get hurt. It could be fatal. Through my actions, someone could be saved, but the opposite could happen too. Others couldn’t do it, but I could. Yeah, that became another curse.”

“…”

Isn’t that kind of like a curse? Why say this now?

While I harbored these doubts, she continued speaking.

It was like a monologue, or perhaps a confession disguised as muttering.

“I made a promise with my past self. But gradually, everything faded. My past self disappeared, replaced only by my present self. Memories may guide me, but memories inevitably overlap.”

“…”

“Thinking I understood your situation was partly a mistaken judgment. I focused on your past rather than your present. That was my biggest mistake. But realizing it shaped the present you, now I understand. Still, it wasn’t right, either way.”

“Ellie, what are you trying to say? Do you think I still resent you or something? Is that it?”

“We were puppets of fate, slaves to destiny. Even if all this created the best outcome, it wasn’t the best for us. It was the best for our world, not for us. I realized this too late. I apologize for that.”

“Stop speaking in riddles. Explain properly.”

“It’s not your fault. But since we were weak and swayed by fate, if the weight of our destiny outweighed the mass of our lives, wouldn’t the relationship and balance reverse? That’s the conclusion I reached, which led me to stand before you now.”

“…Will you understand if I explain in poetic terms?”

“The gist is: it’s not your fault.”

“…”

“You’ll have many hardships ahead. But you’ll surely move forward.”

She extended her hand.

White flames flickered above her palm.

“…”

This feels ominous.

It’s like a premonition.

“This will illuminate your path ahead. Don’t worry. It won’t harm you in any way. This is her, someone you know well. Heeba. You wouldn’t pretend not to recognize her now, would you?”

“Where am I? More importantly, what’s going on? Are you messing with me?”

I know where I am.

But that’s not important.

Why am I here?

And why is she here?

If this isn’t a dream or false reality,

Or even if it is,

Why does Ellie in front of me feel so real, not fake or illusory?

I can’t overlook that.

“…”

Ellie let out a wry chuckle.

“I hoped you’d accept this casually.”

Shaking her head,

“Yeah. This isn’t anything to regret anyway.”

Then, as if shaking off lingering attachments,

“Even if tens of thousands of women across this world and beyond yearn and adore him,

Collecting every bit of that affection wouldn’t measure up to the love contained in this single body.”

“…”

“A message my past self left for my future self.”

Carriel.

“The prophecy seen by Her Highness, our mother, is an unavoidable fate. It will surely come to pass. And long before that, you were designated as the one who would burn the world without her. That’s an inevitable future and past, though it hasn’t happened now. Things in this world can change unexpectedly. But currently, that future has changed. And it’s not the end.”

“…”

She repeated.

“We still know nothing. But we’ve learned one thing: how to make fate not our master. That requires becoming so great that even fate can’t hold us back.”

Then, what should we do?

“I’ve been searching for that answer and recently found it.”

The vision of my mother, Her Highness, foresaw.

The way to overturn and reverse that.

Turns out, it was surprisingly simple.

But even that seemingly simple realization might be a misconception,

So knowing it, I still couldn’t easily practice it.

“As the preceding water is pushed by the succeeding water, ultimately filling the sea.”

But.

“If the sea cannot be removed, perhaps eliminating the river will suffice.”

This might be just a temporary measure after all…

Yeah. For now, this is all.

“Don’t mumble to yourself… Just tell me what you want to say first…”

“Carriel. You won’t become the Demon King.”

Because…

“I’ll die shortly after becoming the Demon King.”

“…”

What is this woman saying…

You crazy woman. The Demon King already exists. Not you, but someone else…

“She’s not the Demon King.”

“…”

“A product of another tragedy, pretending to be the Demon King.”

“Do you know her true identity? Who she is?”

“She’s the daughter born between another world’s you and Alesia.”

“…”

In an instant.

Bubbles, droplets.

And within the countless worlds contained therein.

One point suddenly surfaced.

It was…

When I permitted Alesia’s company and headed to Soremn Village.

Misidentifying the Sacred Grand Sword in Elbat…

Unable to draw it, falling into despair.

Yeah.

Time passed and passed.

We traveled together, supporting each other.

Eventually, we ended up…

Through that, losing everything,

Everything turned into tragedy.

“!”

Something clicked.

The contemporary Demon King showcasing Grandeous’ sword technique.

The utterly reckless and aggressive swordsmanship she displayed…

‘Could it be…’

Is this the swordsmanship developed by another world’s me, who lost Alesia and my daughter, consumed by vengeance and murderous intent?

But I have no talent or skill for creating sword techniques.

Then does this mean it’s the result of countless battles and life-risking fights… a product of desperation?

“…Ellie, how do you know this?”

“Both the World Tree and the Sacred Tree of the Demon Realm originate from the Sacred Grand Tree ultimately.”

Sacred Grand Tree?

“This.”

The broken, charred staff split in half.

Recognizing what this charred staff truly is wasn’t difficult at all.

“Precautions have been taken. The Sacred Tree of the Demon Realm won’t be able to spy on you easily. Therefore, I’ll send your daughter more actively, but all this will be resolved once you possess this power. You already have the conditions to nullify it, don’t you?”

“…”

Above her outstretched palm, the white flames continued to tremble faintly.

“Merely uncovering the culprit behind the world’s resentment towards you led to this discovery. The certainty gained from the Sacred Grand Tree fragment was solely related to that.”

“…”

It doesn’t add up.

Though I knew she was competent, she couldn’t possibly be this transcendent.

Then this means…

“What exactly did she tell you?”

“Her?”

“…The Golden Beast.”

Ellie couldn’t have reached this point alone.

Though I know better than anyone that she’s brilliant and superior, having faced her since childhood.

But not to this extent.

This exceeded the boundaries of mere intelligence and wisdom.

“…”

Which is why probably,

Ellie smiles brightly, unlike before.

No, she beams.

“Now I can finally be honest, but unfortunately, time is short. Time passes so quickly that noticing it is already too late. Hmm.”

She smiles innocently,

Then turns around.

Meanwhile, the sun has sunk below the horizon, twilight fading.

Light diminishes, darkness arrives.

The brilliant Time of the Sun has passed.

The quiet, dim night has arrived.

“The view from here is really beautiful, isn’t it? Carriel. I really like it here.”

So…

“Would you allow me to stay here? Though I’m asking for permission… yeah. Let’s call this my first selfish stubbornness in my life.”

She extends her hand toward me again.

Above her palm, the white flame has grown much smaller now.

“C’mon, hurry.”

Her strikingly blue eyes, her crimson hair tinged red even as darkness envelops,

Whispering in the wind, emitting the final scarlet glow before finally succumbing to silence.

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