Chapter 231 – Dawn (1)

“A gift…”

[Are you curious?]

Thmp.

My hand touched the wing covered in black feathers.

“I am… curious.”

I was curious, but I felt like I already knew.

I’d heard Laila’s wish through Sirin’s memories. Of course, there was no certainty that I was right.

It could be that I was simply projecting what I wanted to believe onto what I’d seen in Sirin’s memories.

[If that’s the case… I’ll whisper it to you briefly when my turn comes. For now, it’s best to focus solely on what’s in front of you.]

Laila’s gaze shifted past me, toward the frozen figure of ‘Rubia’ standing stiffly some distance away.

[With [Law]… with Sirin gone, there’s no one left who can gauge how far the Nameless One’s apotheosis has progressed. If it’s nearly complete… then she could break free from that ice at any moment.]

“The end of the apotheosis… then, ”

[You might wonder why she hasn’t broken out already. Unfortunately, I don’t know either. Her thoughts are beyond me. If I were to guess… she’s probably staying frozen simply because she finds it entertaining.]

I nodded and focused my mind.

Recalling the sensation of my soul linking with Tylant’s, I reached into the darkness and sought out Valoran’s soul.

A calm and peaceful soul, drifting like a feather in the void. I reached out toward it.

And then, something began to fill the emptiness within me.

Shhh. 

The specter in Valoran’s shape faded completely, without a trace.

Moments later, Laila, who had her hand on my back and her eyes closed, slowly nodded.

[…It went well.]

It felt like it ended too easily, and I instinctively expanded my [ki sense] to scan the still-frozen form of ‘Rubia.’

[It’s alright. Don’t worry, just do your part. I’ll keep watch here. Even if something happens, I’ll protect you until the soul retrieval is finished. I swear it upon my True Name.]

With that firm vow from Laila, a heavy silence settled over the sky.

I swallowed dryly and reached toward the next soul, the specter in Brunhilde’s form beside me.

Embers still clung to the membranous wings. Embers that hadn’t been extinguished even by the world-freezing storm.

I laid my hand atop them.

Just as I did before, I located Brunhilde’s soul.

Shhh. 

As a strange energy filled my body, I clenched my fist.

No scorch marks. No burns. Just a lingering warmth remained in my hand that had touched the embers.

[That went well again. Next is… Kartia. As for Sirin’s soul, it’s best to absorb that last, she’s the final piece to complete the key.]

The spirit wind guided my body, 

Toward Kartia, who was a little farther off.

Kartia’s specter was hollow.

I could feel no awareness from her expression through my fingertips. Her body was cold to the touch.

Yet, even in death, she still clutched her blade with unyielding strength.

Crack.

I bit my lip and focused.

Her soul, unlike Brunhilde’s or Valoran’s, was easy to find.

It burned brightly. Fiercely.

I reached toward it.

I took it. The soul was so overwhelming, even I could barely contain it. A vast light surged into me.

My body, still fatigued from the battle with Sirin, surged with life.

My clouded mind cleared, and my boiling anger began to cool.

And then, the wind blew.

It swept past, tousling my hair, and scattered Kartia’s specter into dust.

I drew my hand back.

It was still cold.

* * *

“Haa… snf, haa… Is it my turn now?”

Carpeng, who had been tearing through the specters, walked toward me, her raging blood aura finally receding.

Though her claws were still sharp, her smile as she approached me was cheerful and warm.

“Feels like I didn’t get to show off enough of my cool side… oh well.”

Hehe,  Carpeng laughed and wrapped her hand around mine.

“Remember us. Remember that I, that we, existed. And if you can… yeah. I think it’d be nice if you wrote us into a fairy tale or a cool novel or something. Hehe. But Noah, you can’t see, can you? Then instead, just spread our story. Let them know, behind the world you all live in… we were here. Something like that. Make it sound awesome!”

I didn’t answer.

I couldn’t answer.

Because… I knew I wouldn’t be able to fulfill her request.

But Carpeng still smiled brightly, her tail wagging.

“…I’m going to start now.”

I shut off my [ki sense]. I forced out my voice past the lump in my throat and focused. I could feel Carpeng’s soul, simple, honest, and strong.

I reached for it.

And at the same time, 

“I hope you’re smiling at the end.”

Shhh. 

Carpeng’s hand, which had been holding mine, fell limp.

I expanded my [ki sense] again.

Only her footsteps remained in front of me.

“Don’t drag it out. Let’s hurry up and finish this.”

Tap.

Frey lightly tapped my back as she stepped forward.

I grabbed her outstretched hand. A hand covered in thick calluses.

A hand that told the story of everything she had endured.

“I… don’t have much to say.”

Heh.

Frey, who resembled Kartia, let out a forced laugh.

“It’s not because I didn’t spend much time with you… I just… if I ever meet her again, I don’t want to embarrass myself.”

Clench.

Frey gripped my hand tightly in reverse. Understanding what that meant, I immediately focused to find her soul.

“Still… since you’re my friend’s disciple… if I really had to say one thing, ”

Frey’s soul resembled Kartia’s.

Radiant, brilliant. Braver and prouder than anyone.

I reached toward it.

“Don’t act foolish. Do what you truly want to do.”

Shhh.

Her hand fell away without strength, and the texture of her callused palm still lingered on mine.

[Now, it’s Tylant’s turn. But… before that, Noah. I have something to ask you.]

Laila’s gaze, which had been fixed on Sirin as she knelt, now turned toward me.

[Once you’ve absorbed our souls, completed the key, and opened the gate to Paradise, what choice will you make?]

Her voice flowed into my mind.

Without hesitation, I answered.

‘I’ll complete the world.’

[With your own hands?]

‘Yes.’

[Do you understand what that choice means? Even beyond this world, no matter how far into the Higher Realms you go, there’s always a price for achieving something. Do you understand… what I’m saying?]

I do.

In the trial, I saw ‘myself’ opening the Gate to Paradise.

Back then, I didn’t fully understand what that vision meant. But after seeing Sirin’s memories and feeling her emotions, I learned enough.

What it means to open the Gate of Paradise and complete the world.

[To complete the world, a worthy price must be paid. That price… will be you, the one who opens the Gate. And so, you will disappear. Along with that… just like us, like all the worlds that perished under the [End], you’ll vanish from the memories of the people.]

‘But the Nameless One trying to consume this world… she’ll disappear too, won’t she?’

[If that’s what you want, then simply enter Paradise. Even if you offer our souls to open the True Paradise, the Nameless One will be erased. Isn’t that enough? You won’t have to disappear. You won’t be erased from people’s memories. You’ll survive… and live peacefully in a world without war. Even so… is this the choice you’ll make?]

The people who survive…

Yes, Laila’s gift was the one I’d imagined.

It’s a bit unsettling… but the essence of this world’s people lies in their souls, and their bodies are merely vessels. So, it’s possible to revive those who once died.

‘Yes.’

Even knowing that… my resolve doesn’t change.

[Why…?]

To such an obvious question, I smiled faintly.

‘Because that world… wouldn’t have Rubia in it.’

And, 

‘I want to save everyone.’

Regardless of good or evil.

Regardless of the soul’s rank or worth.

Regardless of whether they help the world or not.

I want to save every single person living in this world.

It may seem naïve.

It may seem foolish.

But that’s the path I’ve chosen.

I’ve decided to save this world.

That wish, 

It’s the desire born from everything I’ve gained in this new world.

It’s the utopia I’ve always dreamed of.

Of course… Rubia might hate a world that doesn’t have me in it.

Honestly, I hope she does.

But still, 

After she grieves enough.

After she rages enough.

After she despairs enough, 

I hope she’ll rise again, and learn to love that world.

I hope she’ll smile in that peaceful world.

It might be hard, but I believe she can do it.

Because she has Serr. Because she has Hermilla.

Because she has so many others.

So many people who still carry warmth.

Because I, 

I, who love Rubia, 

Am leaving behind this gift for her.

And so, I will, 

Complete this world.

No matter what it takes.

[…You’re insane.]

Leaving behind Laila’s resigned sigh, I stepped forward.

Toward Tylant.

To pierce her heart and retrieve her soul.

With my remaining life, 

To summon the dawn.