The Dark Ram Herd.
One of the two gods that did not exist in the game.
Until now, it was assumed that this was a new god added to the game, but it wasn’t something that had been thought from the beginning.
Aslan experienced an unprecedented event in human history by entering into the world of the game.
Unless all these events were due to Aslan’s madness, there must have been a cause and a perpetrator.
Of these, Aslan first suspected the two gods who did not exist in the game.
The Formless One and the Dark Ram Herd.
Among them, the Dark Ram Herd was naturally more suspicious.
There was no significant activity. No signs of doing anything. Little information was released to the public.
Even the Black Witch, who appeared as the boss before the final chapter, served this god.
Naturally, Aslan was suspicious. He investigated their tracks and what they desired.
But no information came up. Even after visiting the sanctuary directly, there was nothing notable except that it seemed unexpectedly peaceful.
The very existence of this god was unclear. Over 12 years wandering Geladridion, he had never seen any priest of this god other than Lewena.
Thus, Aslan had no choice but to dismiss his suspicions about the Dark Ram Herd. The information available was too peaceful to be doubted.
But it wasn’t so.
Aslan saw the Dark Ram Herd.
When Aslan was cornered, with no way out and unable to progress in the quest, this god revealed itself at the moment when Aslan could no longer use his own carefully laid plans.
Had it not been for Aslan’s mastery of magical artifacts and luck, it would have remained unseen.
The issue wasn’t that this god had evaded Aslan’s suspicion until now.
It was that the clues left by the ancient god didn’t match.
In Geladridion, sheep existed.
They were common animals frequently seen on dining tables.
Their symbolism was similar to that of Earth: mild-tempered creatures often associated with purity, simple livestock.
“Why… sheep?”
Aslan was puzzled.
The ancient god, the deity of sorrow and death, had clearly stated that its symbol was a creature that did not exist in this world.
Aslan thought it referred to an animal that existed on Earth but not in Geladridion.
But it wasn’t so.
The Dark Ram Herd used sheep as its symbol.
So, when Aslan heard this clue, he excluded it from the list of suspects.
Therefore, only two gods remained.
The Immovable One, whose symbol is a whale, making it impossible to verify their existence.
And the self-generating Mother, whose true form as a centipede was uncertain.
Only these two, whose identities couldn’t be confirmed, remained.
While looking at Boren’s withered corpse, Aslan thought,
“Did the ancient god lie? Manipulated by the Dark Ram Herd?”
No, if that were the case, it could have deceived him in a far more lethal way. It could have led him to suspect another god entirely.
“Then, confusion?”
Given that this was a fragment of a long-dead ancient god, the possibility of confusion wasn’t zero.
Thinking this, a sudden realization struck Aslan. He refreshed a piece of information he knew but had forgotten.
The names of the gods were not their true names but mere nicknames.
The names of the gods were simply titles given arbitrarily by the people of Geladridion based on superficial appearances.
Thus,
“The Dark Ram Herd isn’t a ram.”
Sheep are not the essence.
The creature the Dark Ram Herd truly symbolizes must be something else.
“To avoid being discovered by me.”
So, it must have deceived everyone in Geladridion by using a different symbol to hide its true identity.
Reaching this conclusion, Aslan momentarily wondered,
“Why go through all this trouble?”
This entity was powerful enough to trap Aslan in the game for 12 years and force him to carry out the main quest now. What problem would arise if Aslan discovered its existence?
Why bother hiding its symbol and identity?
An entity that trapped Aslan in Geladridion for 12 years and made him perform the main quest now.
A being that even other gods avoided and ancient gods feared.
Why would such an entity hide its identity from Aslan?
At this point, Aslan lifted his head. Amidst the complex thoughts, the answer flashed.
“Is it because understanding its essence through its symbol and discovering its identity would disrupt its plan?”
Aslan wasn’t dropped into Geladridion without reason; there must have been some plan or goal.
And if Aslan discovered its identity, it would undoubtedly disrupt that plan or goal, which is why it desperately hid its true nature.
However, the goal and plan were still unknown. All Aslan knew was that it wasn’t sheep, but what exactly it symbolized remained a mystery.
Aslan let out a low murmur and closed his eyes.
He wondered if this was really the right answer.
Aslan doubted his own judgment, unsure of himself.
All this time, the meticulous one had finally revealed clues leading to its true identity.
Could this be intentional? Aslan doubted.
Following intentionally leaked clues, Aslan worried whether his own thoughts were being manipulated.
Doubt was meaningless, and anxiety held no value. Aslan sighed and stood up.
“You’ve succeeded!”
As Aslan stood up, he nodded at the woman’s voice, turned around, and flinched.
Lumel had been wearing heavy plate armor until now.
Because of this, Aslan hadn’t known Lumel’s body shape.
Apparently, the armor had been damaged during the process of protecting Aslan, and now she wore only padded armor.
Her revealed figure startled Aslan.
The imposing size, the prominent curves even under the padded armor, indicated softness rather than muscle tone.
Aslan quickly pretended not to notice and thought,
“The breastplate looked disproportionately large compared to her face and build… Now I understand.”
Unaware of Aslan’s thoughts, Lumel approached and stopped upon seeing Boren’s corpse.
She had probably intended to ask for a high-five but quietly lowered her hand and glanced at Aslan.
She recalled how Aslan had sat for quite a while after the attack ceased.
He must have lamented that the end with his master had to be this way.
Even she needed considerable time after bidding farewell to her family.
Such a strong man must need that time as well.
“Would you like some time alone?”
So, Lumel gently asked, and Aslan shook his head.
“No, it’s fine.”
Lumel had thought of excusing herself to allow Aslan a private farewell with his master, but seeing his refusal, she perceived it as stoicism.
‘This person is strong.’
Lumel accepted Aslan’s calm rejection as resilience and closed her eyes.
Unlike Lumel, who had embraced death disgracefully after achieving her purpose in revenge,
Aslan was moving forward without hesitation after fulfilling the vengeance and wishes of his master.
Clearly, he must have been suffering immensely, yet Aslan hadn’t knelt.
That unyielding, advancing figure moved Lumel deeply.
Though confused by her closing her eyes and placing her hand on her chest, Aslan noticed.
Following the curve of her chest where her hand rested, Aslan struggled to raise his gaze and asked,
“Lumel-dono?”
“Ack.”
Lumel opened her eyes late and looked at Aslan.
The indifference in his emerald-green eyes. Lumel wanted to say it was nothing but closed her mouth.
Aslan was a strong man.
What thoughts went through his mind while killing his master and mastering his magic?
What feelings did he experience while analyzing and surpassing the techniques and spells his master once taught?
What was it like to surpass his master and adorn his last moments?
Lumel remembered a novel where top-tier wizards exchanged farewells through their intricately woven magic.
Perhaps Aslan’s calm demeanor now was because he bid farewell to his master within the magic.
Still, Aslan remained a strong man.
Lumel observed Aslan for a moment, and Aslan was perplexed by her silent gaze.
“…Can I also become as strong as you, Aslan-dono?”
Lumel thought it was a question posed appropriately to the mood, but to Aslan, it was unexpected.
Despite his confusion, Aslan answered faithfully.
“Lumel-dono is already more than strong enough. You’ll soon surpass even me.”
It was true regarding swordsmanship.
Although Aslan intended it that way, Lumel interpreted it differently.
It sounded like encouragement that he too could rise again, move forward.
Lumel placed her hand on her chest, feeling a lump rising, and exhaled softly.
Aslan showed affection toward Lumel, and his kindness matched that affection.
Aslan was filled with goodwill and trusted Lumel.
Though not a single word of love was spoken, Lumel, who had read many novels blending romance and adventure, understood.
This was courtship.
And this passionate yet gentle courtship was something Lumel had never experienced.
From her days as a noble to her time as a mercenary, and even now, no one had ever loved her like this.
Realizing this, Lumel could feel her heart pounding violently.
Her chest grew warm, and the heat rose to her neck, flushing her face. Her eyes softened, and she felt tears welling up.
So, Lumel slightly bowed her head and shook it.
She placed her hand on her racing heart and took a deep breath. Despite her labored breathing, Aslan could only watch awkwardly.
After calming herself down, Lumel, speaking haltingly, finally looked at Aslan.
His radiant emerald-green eyes filled with melancholy, his tall stature, his sharp nose and eyes.
Despite his sharp features, his overflowing kindness. Lumel scrutinized his face and approached.
Suddenly closing the distance, Lumel reached out and took Aslan’s hand.
A firm hand, undoubtedly calloused from a lifetime of wielding weapons.
Yet despite this, it was still warm. Touching the tender hand, Lumel smiled faintly with a relaxed expression.
All these actions bewildered Aslan.
Caressing his fingers, gently brushing them. Aslan looked down at Lumel as her affectionate gestures continued, and Lumel suddenly looked up, meeting his eyes and asked,
“Did you say you would change the world?”
Even though Aslan didn’t fully grasp the situation, he interpreted it as a positive sign, nodding slightly with a smile.
Contrary to Aslan’s smile, thinking he’d easily gained the support of a renowned swordsman, Lumel’s smile was different.
Aslan had just finished his business with his master, and Lumel, too, would only be able to move forward after completely finishing her family matters. She still had to meet Noble Aira.
This was a smile of gratitude for the courage to conclude things.
With a gentle smile, Lumel said,
“Once I finish what I must do, may I join your journey?”
Thus, the situation unfolded differently from Aslan’s expectations.
Thinking she would join immediately, Aslan widened his eyes and asked,
“…Yes?”
Taking his question as consent, Lumel shook Aslan’s hand warmly.
Aslan could only blink.
