While the kids were making a list… I figured it’d probably take a decent amount of time, so I’ll just chill until then.
Originally, my plan was to meet all the kids while taking things nice and slow, but interrupting the ones who’re busy working wouldn’t be good.
Thus, accordingly…
“Are your travel preparations ready?”
I appeared in front of a boy with cow horns.
The mask shaped like a cow’s skull had been shattered and lost, so now this big guy was showing his face—Asterios.
Even though it had only been seven days, he looked significantly brighter, as if he’d managed to clear out all the pent-up frustration.
“Yeah. Got everything ready.”
Saying that, Asterios pointed at a large pouch and some smaller ones nearby. Since this wasn’t an era where proper backpacks existed, it seemed they just stuffed everything into big pouches.
“This is bedding filled with sheep’s wool inside leather, these are dried rations, and this is a pot given to me by Mother for cooking stuff… plus a few other things. There’s quite a bit, but it’s manageable.”
Hmm. Definitely a lot. If it weren’t for Asterios’ size, carrying all this would’ve been tough.
But…
“It wasn’t necessary to prepare THIS much, but… whatever, it doesn’t matter.”
With a flick of my finger, all of Asterios’ luggage vanished.
“Huh?! My luggage?”
“I’ve stored it in my space, don’t worry. It’s more convenient than lugging it around.”
“Oh, alright. Got it.”
Surprisingly, Asterios accepted it without much fuss. Given what I’ve shown him up to now, I guess it wasn’t THAT surprising.
“Did you say goodbye to your parents?”
“Yeah. Before Tia came. All done.”
“Good. Then let’s get going.”
If there’s nothing else to prepare, all that’s left is to set off quickly.
So then….
“Ah! Wait. My axe. Gotta bring it.”
“Axe?”
“Yeah. My weapon.”
Saying that, Asterios went into a nearby room for a moment and returned holding an enormous axe.
A huge double-bladed axe made of bronze. It looked heavier than most adults.
Where did Asterios even get something like this? From inside the labyrinth?
“Where’d you get that thing?”
“This axe? Hmm. It belonged to someone who entered the labyrinth. I helped save them after their arm got cut off and they couldn’t fight anymore.”
Hmm… Carrying something like this into a labyrinth? Sounds like they weren’t thinking straight.
Swinging such a massive axe in a confined space like that must’ve been dangerous, hitting walls or ceilings and all.
Regardless of my thoughts, Asterios strapped the axe to his back using the leather bindings.
Hmm. Everything’s fine except… His outfit’s kinda problematic.
Is it just the unique style of this island, or does this guy’s revealing half-naked look make him seem embarrassing to walk with? This big guy in just shorts is kinda awkward.
So…
I snapped my fingers.
“Hmm?!”
“Just stay still.”
I dressed him in a loose white t-shirt, added armor made of iron over his shoulders and chest, and leather elsewhere. Then I equipped shin guards and wrist-to-elbow protection.
Shoes? Nah, his usual leather strap sandals should suffice. He seems capable enough to go barefoot if needed.
Finally, I wrapped a leather cloak around him to finish the look.
Hmm. Much better than the naked shorts combo. Though he’s still wearing shorts underneath.
“This is….”
“My gift to you. Come on, let’s go.”
Alright. Time for our journey around the world!
– – – – – – – – – – – – – –
And so, Asterios and I embarked on our travels.
Having grown up trapped in a narrow labyrinth, Asterios seemed endlessly curious about everything, bombarding me with questions as we moved forward. I answered as best I could while continuing along our path.
We met countless people during our journey, encountered many monsters, but… hmm. Most of the monsters were split in two like firewood by Asterios, so it’s really no big deal. Not worth mentioning.
Through grasslands, visiting cities, crossing gorges, climbing mountains.
Seeing more and more diverse sights.
At one point, we mediated disputes between elves and dwarves, and a dwarf group grateful for our help re-forged Asterios’ axe. But yeah, not particularly important stuff.
Anyway, continuing onward…
“We’ve been waiting for you.”
As we crossed a massive mountain range heading east, a group of gods suddenly appeared before us.
“Who are you?”
Asterios, alarmed by the sudden appearance of the group of gods, raised his axe defensively, but I casually gestured for him to step behind me.
“They seem to have come looking for me. Stay quiet for now.”
“Ah, okay…”
Up until now, most problems were solved with his axe, so Asterios was always eager to jump in first. But challenging gods like this would be troublesome.
“So. Were you waiting for me?”
“Yes. You, born from the golden egg.”
Golden egg? What’s that about?
Okay, so I was born from an egg, but still…
“You’ve moved and maintained the world, and you are its heart that will bring an end.”
“You must’ve mistaken me for someone else.”
The god speaking didn’t seem familiar, but the others I recognized as gods I named based on Indian mythology.
“Even if you deny it, it makes no difference. That isn’t the important part.”
“Hmm?”
The leading god knelt on one knee in front of me.
“We know you intend to change the world once again.”
Huh? Did word get out?
“The age of unruly gods is ending, and you’re here to usher in a new era for humanity.”
“Hmm… Are you here to stop me?”
“No. No. Even if we tried, we couldn’t stop such changes. They shouldn’t be stopped.”
The leading god continued calmly.
“Everything in existence constantly changes and cycles endlessly. Knowing this, even if I personally reach my end, I won’t despair or give up.”
He looked up at me and said:
“Therefore, I, Indra, representative of the Lokapalas and inheritor of the emotions of the sky, humbly plead with you, the most noble being in this world.”
Indra, with a solemn expression, continued:
“Please, do not abandon this world.”
Following Indra, the other gods behind him cried out in unison:
“Do not abandon this world!”
What’s going on here? Why are they doing this? I don’t get it.
There’s no way I’d abandon this world… hmm. Alright, maybe I was a little mad because of Baal, but still!
“I’m not planning to abandon it anyway. I’m just another being living in this world.”
“We wish for your promise. A vow never to abandon it.”
It seems Indra and the others aren’t satisfied with just my words, as they began prostrating themselves, pleading earnestly.
Hmm. I don’t fully understand why they’re doing this, but since I wasn’t planning to abandon it anyway…
Might as well promise, right?
“Fine. Fine. I’ll promise. Now get up already!”
“You’ve promised.”
“Yes! Got it! I promised!”
After causing quite the commotion, Indra and the other gods finally stood up.
“Then, while we await the inevitable conclusion of the age of gods… we shall bestow a blessing upon the companion traveling with such a noble being.”
“Huh? Me?”
Wait, suddenly Asterios?
“To you, destined for a glorious path. Receive the blessing of Indra. May it aid you in serving the will of this noble one for a long time.”
With that, a dazzling bolt of lightning shot from Indra and struck Asterios directly.
“Uwah?!”
Though struck by the lightning, Asterios merely looked surprised, seemingly unaffected.
“This is….”
“You will become one of those who protect the world after the age of gods has ended. I hope my power will assist you, even if just a little.”
The connection between them, sustained briefly by the lightning, then severed.
“Then, we shall take our leave. Please honor your promise, noble one.”
With that, Indra and the other gods disappeared into thin air.
Hmm… Still unclear why they came to me or why they blessed Asterios.
But, I suppose there’s no real need to dwell on it.
Most gods will vanish eventually, and those gods just now seemed to sense their own fate.
Since they’re bound to disappear anyway, worrying about them would be a waste.
Thus…
“That was a bit surprising, but let’s keep moving.”
“Ah, okay.”
Still visibly startled, electricity crackling through his body, Asterios started walking forward.