Chapter 238

“Where do you intend to go?”

Water User, Lancesrus asked.

The Fairy Forest. Alternatively expressed, the Elven Flood.

It was the first gateway to reach Ardisus, the land of the elves, their capital, and their king.

And there stood the Knight in obsidian armor.

With his dark steel-clad warhorse in tow.

Krrrek!

The horse’s stamping sounded like a massive beast growling.

Though ferocious aura emanated from its red glowing eyes,

there was no sign of restlessness or erratic movement.

“I have something to return.”

Though I couldn’t find the method the World Tree desired,

I did acquire an alternative means.

Because I somehow managed to complete Hibaitein.

“Hmm, so it’s about the Imperial Princess.”

“…Has the rumor spread already?”

Lancesrus answered with half-open reptilian eyes.

“One of my stature can keep tabs on happenings across the continent while seated.”

“…”

“And are you really planning to go alone?”

“That would be correct.”

Even though I’m still technically under the tyrant’s yoke as a Demon King.

At least until that changes, moving alone is appropriate.

“What about what you’ve left behind?”

“…I’ve entrusted someone with it.”

Just then, for some reason, a heavy presence crossed over the forest, revealing itself as substantial mass and phenomenon.

Kooong!

The giant Aquarian rose after landing on the ground.

“Thanks to a quick-witted kid, I barely managed to catch up.”

“…”

“What are you doing? If you’re going to say your piece, then go. What’s this nonsense?”

Gaejef reproached with an exasperated tone.

“I’ve already conveyed what needed to be said.”

“That’s just your opinion.”

“…”

Might be true.

“Get down.”

As Gaejef hunched his upper body, the child leaped off onto the ground.

“Where do you think you’re running off to?”

Then came the immediate questioning.

Through the russet bangs, two crimson eyes burned with clear enmity.

“…”

Delica, is it?

Shouldn’t you be by Lucesia’s side…

Did you end up coming here anyway?

“The Lucesia I knew is dead. All because of you!”

Delica’s statement was firm.

“Carriel, you still haven’t given me an answer that satisfies.”

“What do you expect me to do?”

Though unseen, a chilling voice seeped through the cracks of the helmet into the air,

but it was faint and weak.

“If Lucesia failed, then I’ll take her place. Hand it over.”

“…”

What exactly do you intend to do?

I don’t know.

Actually, even while laying hands on Lucesia, I briefly considered whether I should also deal with Delica.

But I didn’t want to mock another person’s life to that extent.

Even if it might seem like a kind consideration to her.

No one should dictate another’s life.

“…”

This too might just be an extremely selfish thought process.

A mere two days haven’t even passed yet.

Everyone must be incredibly busy by now.

…Though it has nothing to do with me.

Glory and honor mean nothing.

Even if I participated in a historic great battle that would be recorded in history, even if I played a leading role in resolving the situation,

it’s all utterly meaningless.

“It’s difficult for someone like you.”

“So what if it’s difficult? I’ll decide that!”

“Abandon any thoughts of escaping through death.”

“Who said anything about dying easily!”

“Lucesia could bear it because she was a vessel of God. Originally, that shouldn’t have been possible for a Demon King. It was due to her qualities and…the blessing of the Sacred Tree of the Demon Realm.”

In reality, without the blessing of the Sacred Tree, Lucesia would’ve been ousted from the Demon King’s position at any moment.

…If she hadn’t died beforehand, that would’ve been miraculous.

Perhaps for her back then, that was the best and most willing conclusion.

“By the way, stop having private conversations among yourselves and enlighten us too, will you?”

There, Gaejef interjected while scratching around his broken left horn.

“And Carriel, if you’re planning to head to the Empire, wouldn’t it be better to come along since you’ll need to relay this information anyway?”

“…”

That would be troublesome.

If things go that way…

It would be very, very troublesome.

“You’re mistaken. What benefit would I gain by coming along with you?”

“You’re still harboring resentment, aren’t you?”

“…”

“I haven’t seen Ruelde personally, so I haven’t heard much, but according to Rorona, it seems like things between you got pretty twisted. But you see…”

“Rest assured.”

While shaking his head, he replied.

“I’ll go when the time comes. Not right now, but soon.”

“You never specify exactly when.”

“…Or maybe I will.”

To get to the Empire from here practically requires traversing the entire continent.

It’s not just a matter of southern to western concept; it’s from the far eastern edge to the west, directly opposite directions.

And taking a ship won’t necessarily shorten the distance either.

Making such a choice midway might make things slightly more convenient, but in my current state, moving like this is probably at least six times faster.

“Delica. If staying there becomes impossible, follow me.”

“…”

So you knew.

“I can vaguely foresee the future. Does my being here seem coincidental to you?”

There are no coincidences in this world.

Speaking strictly for myself, I can assert that there will never be trivial coincidences in my lifetime again.

“If you wish to achieve more than what you desire, you must follow me.”

“…”

Delica appeared to be deeply contemplating with her eyes tightly shut for quite some time.

“Anyway, that was the plan. Good that we’re not arguing.”

“…”

The warhorse took a step back to lower its stance.

Seizing the opportunity naturally, Gaejef effortlessly lifted Delica with just his thumb and forefinger and placed her behind the saddle.

“Thank you.”

“Alright.”

Gaejef looked somewhat troubled.

Though different from humans, the feelings conveyed were distinct.

“No matter how you ended up this way… Still, since I know what you’ve done, I assure you, I won’t harm you in any way.”

“…”

With that, as if concluding all remaining business without being instructed, the warhorse proceeded on its own.

“Lancesrus. Can you explain? I never had the chance to ask properly due to lack of time…”

“I’ll explain along the way.”

Lancesrus didn’t refuse.

“There will be plenty of time before you head to the Empire.”

“This is bothersome.”

Gaejef glanced back, raising his line of sight slightly.

On a branch nearby, Rorona lay stretched out, watching Carriel’s retreating figure with an uncomfortable expression.

Indeed, a jumble of various emotions reflected in that look of regret.

====

“I knew all along.”

This place, once Carriel’s residence, remained tidy as if it was still being maintained even after he left.

Looking down at Loutesia lying motionlessly on the bed as if dead, Alesia, seated in a chair, lightly responded to Minette’s perplexed question.

“He’s always trying to do everything alone, isn’t he?”

“But we should still follow him…”

“I missed him once… Now, I’m letting him go.”

Alesia murmured bitterly.

“If you’re getting restless, why don’t you chase after him? You have the ability, don’t you?”

“That’s true…”

Alesia was entrusted with looking after Loutesia.

Minette, on the other hand, received a separate request to protect Loutesia.

She should’ve realized that when she heard those words…

Sighing heavily, Minette casually climbed onto a nearby desk as if giving up.

“I actually have no reason to chase after him.”

“You might.”

Alesia gave an adequate response.

“Don’t worry. Either way, wherever we go, it’s all the same.”

“Huh? What do you mean ‘same’?”

Though question marks floated above Minette’s eyes at this seemingly random comment,

“Just a premonition, that’s all.”

Alesia merely shrugged her shoulders.

Carriel had explicitly told her this:

He wouldn’t bid farewell.

Because, according to him, they weren’t parting.

“Hmm.”

Could he have lied to me?

…If that’s truly the case…

Then I won’t let it slide.

====

“Truly, the descent of myth, isn’t it!”

A frail white-skinned boy with pale skin gestured wildly toward a crow while furiously scribbling on a piece of paper.

[Big brother is an idiot. Why does he look so ridiculous?]

“Ah, Zora! This older brother, during his seclusion, gained insight and found this to be correct.”

[You’re talking nonsense again. Total idiot.]

The exaggerated expressions remain as unfamiliar as ever.

[Anyway, since you asked me to deliver it, I did. No problems, right?]

“Of course. How did our esteemed Guild Master react?”

[She greeted warmly, saying her gift arrived safely.]

“Tsk tsk. When did such arrangements occur? Truly a remarkable individual.”

[Well, she was the bosom friend of our master, wasn’t she?]

“That statement contains error, younger sister.”

Zora Asubnara.

Her older brother, a member of the Edenlevan Legion and holding significant weight within the Blood Sharing Family Peace Association,

is undoubtedly counted among the top three influential figures within the association.

That would be Fielbar Asubnara.

Once introduced Louilin to Carriel,

and subsequently influenced matters subtly and significantly.

“Aleisia-san seems to have suffered another setback this time. Alas, alas. In myths, beauties are always overlooked. Even if they appear prominent, they end up as mere decorations in tragedies and comedies. If only this had been a romantic drama…”

[Hypothetical chatter is enough. Shall we cut the connection?]

“Indeed. Well done, my dear sister.”

[Ugh!]

As Zora severed the connection, the crow reverted to an ordinary crow.

Still, thanks to its training, it skillfully squeezed its head through the window crack and gracefully launched itself into the outside world.

“There’s so much more to document now.”

He skillfully embellished the content on the paper to suit his taste.

“Our master and Guild Master both seem to be living interesting lives.”

At one point, someone recited these lines:

I am deeply fearful that my ravens may not return.

But Muninn worries me even more.

Also,

Two ravens flew from the master’s shoulder:

Hugin to the hanged man,

Muninn to the slain.

“Does that mean I am heading to the slain, ultimately greeting my master’s corpse? Then does it imply that I shall consume its dead flesh and become it or its successor? Heh heh. Whoever wrote that sure was highly philosophical!”

Whistling as he continued writing, Fielbar’s youthful appearance radiated with vitality.

Even the dim wooden shadows and slight dampness of the small room brought him joy now.

====

“So, he’s gone, hasn’t he.”

Despite the countless tasks still remaining,

even without proper sleep, managing the situation,

The Elven Queen still managed to snatch a small moment of leisure amidst it all.

“Are you not feeling any regret?”

“How about you?”

To which Remira quietly bowed her head with a wry smile.

“Both assistant and nuisance simultaneously.”

The damn bastards from the Demon Realm would’ve invaded the World Tree without hesitation anyway.

Since we know that existence originated from his decision and actions,

or is it just me who knows this?

The queen sat cross-legged, self-deprecatingly.

“I tried to provide every possible condition for him. But apparently, it made no difference, quite disappointing.”

“Your Majesty…”

“To march towards death. Or perhaps the Wilde Jagd.”

The Wild Hunt of Madness.

“When will we cease to be prey?”

The queen lamented.

“Life simply won’t leave us alone.”

An endless war, an endless hunt.

Live or die.

Be eaten or eat.

Be caught or escape.

Our lives are this simple.

…

And.

The one sitting on the throne made of black skulls, in a desolate and pale world,

amidst a world of absurdity where lava and frost storms rained down on both sides,

quietly breathed in.

“…”

Alone in the center of a desolate and pale world, he suddenly asked,

“You useless brat. When do you intend to make your move?”

The silence broke its hiding and shone brightly in response to the military deity’s crushing tone.

“Not yet, at least.”

Between all ominous signs, darkness, paleness, and desolation,

it spoke.

“However, judging by your state, you might need to act sooner rather than later.”

“Damn brat.”

“Pull yourself together. Watching a weakened dog bark is pitiful.”

“…Arrogant brat.”

The light chuckled lightly and disappeared.

“Laugh now. I will surely erase you completely.”

Erase the false world.

Righteousness and evil, let the wild dogs devour them.

====

“…”

Thus ended a long and eventful day.

Carriel gazed at the campfire lit in the open space and occasionally checked on the sleeping Delica.

The crackling fire.

Amidst it, he softly repeated to himself.

“A small revenge.”

Damn World Tree.

“Hey, you didn’t even say anything, did you?”

Even if he whispered softly, she’d understand without issue.

She’d likely understand even without words.

Still, unless it was urgent, he preferred to voice things out loud.

“…”

Though it’s not uncommon for her to vanish silently for days without speaking or stay quiet,

this silence and void now feel different.

At least after something major happens like this, she usually talks more.

Meaning, this quietness now doesn’t make sense.

“Hmph…”

You know it, and I know it.

I was in no position to readily accept or welcome you, a Demon King.

After all, I’ve heard tales of your countless atrocities and calamities since childhood.

Even if you were to apologize somehow, it would be meaningless.

Because I’m not the one you should apologize to.

Accepting such apologies is deceit.

What qualifications do I have to accept apologies and arbitrarily offer forgiveness?

I have none.

Likewise,

she was definitely not the type to utter such things.

Similarly,

perhaps I had no reason to hate or resent her either.

Therefore, I neither hated nor resented her,

nor did I bother cultivating opposing feelings.

You know it, and I know it.

We were fine as long as we faced each other on parallel lines.

She’s not my mother.

Not my partner.

Maybe closest to a mentor,

but she herself rejected that role.

The arrogant Demon King monologues endlessly,

force-feeding knowledge and bestowing gifts unilaterally.

Such is the dignity of a Demon King.

Whatever hidden rationale might lie behind that,

it’s none of my business.

We tacitly accepted such interactions from each other.

“…”

Thus,

the only regret I have is this:

Even now, I don’t know what to call you.

Neither teacher nor master,

certainly not a friend,

and the term “Demon King” feels too harsh, leaving me resorting to vague terms like “over there,” “here,” or “hey.”

Yeah.

If I must pinpoint a bit of melancholy and hardship,

…It would be this.

I’ve never once called you by your name or title.

Because there was no farewell speech.

How can anyone guarantee that absence of farewell equates to eternal goodbye?

“It’s improper.”

It’s quiet.

Only now does this vast darkness seem to finally embrace me.

The familiar night sky feels strange, almost alien.

An unprecedented deep silence envelops me.

A profound stillness.

Each passing day, I live.

Each passing day, I die.

We live daily and die daily.

Perhaps death isn’t unfamiliar anymore.

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