Ch.179Chapter 179

“Huaaahp!”

A head of an Outer God flew into the air, severed by a sword strike.

It was the Knight Commander’s blade.

With the Knight Commander joining the battle, the Deputy Commander’s team, which had been struggling, moved much faster toward the location of the Snow Mountain Giant with the help of the lesser dragon.

And as a result, after cutting off the head of the last remaining Outer God, they found something in front of them that was presumed to be the Snow Mountain Giant.

When the Knight Commander and Deputy Commander arrived at the front, they fell into feelings similar to what Tanthyn had experienced.

“W-what is this?”

“To think that what we thought was a giant was merely a statue made of ice.”

The Knight Commander, unable to see the surroundings properly due to the fierce blizzard, was even more perplexed.

Does that mean the main body is inside this?

Looking around, the Deputy Commander soon spotted a hole near the foot of the statue and confirmed that Tanthyn’s group had entered through it.

“Commander, then should we also provide support…?”

“No, wait.”

The Deputy Commander was worried that Tanthyn’s strength might not be enough, but the Knight Commander shook his head in disagreement.

“Judging by the size, the place where the Snow Mountain Giant is located is likely very narrow. If we add a few more people, we’ll only get in the way in such a confined space.”

“…That is true, but…”

“And listen carefully.”

The Knight Commander pointed his finger toward a high place.

The Deputy Commander shifted his gaze to where the Knight Commander was pointing and could hear faint, dull sounds.

From those sounds, he could tell that Tanthyn was still engaged in fierce combat.

The Deputy Commander looked at the Commander with a surprised expression, and the Commander nodded in response.

“Waiting here will be more helpful to him.”

The Deputy Commander sighed, finding the Knight Commander’s words frustrating.

But the Knight Commander’s words were true.

The four greater Outer Gods that Tanthyn had left behind approached.

Though it was impossible to read their expressions, the Knight Commander somehow sensed they seemed anxious.

“Commander! What about Tanthyn?!”

Someone called out to the Knight Commander, running through the crowd.

It was Muyeon.

“…I can’t give you a definite answer.”

“…!”

Muyeon looked up at the statue with an anxious expression.

She seemed to be somewhat aware that Tanthyn was fighting up there.

Yes.

There was nothing we could do.

All we could do was hope that Tanthyn would succeed.

“Raedan Tanthyn! Win!!!”

At that moment, one knight shouted with a voice full of determination.

It was Mushin.

“Pray for the victory of Muji Absoluta, knights!”

“Ah, Muji Absoluta!”

“Muji Absoluta!”

After Mushin’s voice echoed once, the other knights began to cheer for Raedan Tanthyn in unison.

The initial voice had spread like a butterfly effect, and now all knights were shouting together.

“If you lose, we’ll confiscate Muyeon, you fool!!”

“W-what?! Why me?!”

At Baekgamyeon’s cheer, the knights burst into laughter and continued to shout words of hope to Tanthyn.

Seeing this, the Knight Commander and Deputy Commander were surprised at first but couldn’t help but smile warmly.

Yes.

How could they transmit anxious emotions to the shining knight facing the final battle?

Rather, such powerful encouragement might actually help him.

“Raedan Tanthyn, you must win!”

Finally, even the Knight Commander shouted, and the Deputy Commander bit his lip as he looked up.

It didn’t seem like he would lose, but they couldn’t be certain of victory either.

Meanwhile, someone was making their way through the crowd.

“…The Empress.”

The Deputy Commander quietly murmured as he recognized who it was.

The Empress, with a deeply furrowed face but walking with leisurely steps, was trying to enter the hole at the foot of the statue without giving a glance to anyone.

The Deputy Commander tried to stop her, but the Knight Commander restrained him.

“Let her go.”

“But…”

“She’s the one who has been supporting us from behind, keeping us alive all this time.”

By the time they were discussing this, the Empress had already disappeared into the statue.

The Deputy Commander looked up unnecessarily.

All he could do was hope that Tanthyn would succeed.

#

Cold.

That was my impression when I first embraced her.

The sensation was so similar to having energy drained by Iphomia that I almost mistook it, but I could still move my body freely, so I knew it wasn’t that.

The reason I acted this way.

Iphomia is a being who grew up without receiving love due to Gaia’s actions.

That meant she had never even received a warm embrace from her own mother.

When I saw her lashing out at me, she looked so precarious.

Seeing her like that, my body commanded me to act this way.

Silence fell.

Neither the Princess nor Oko objected to my actions.

They probably thought what I did was the best decision.

“…Your Highness. I believe I can now offer my humble advice.”

Iphomia gave no response to my words.

But she didn’t deny them either.

That meant she was listening.

“Your Highness, when Your Majesty and the Empress neglected you, the emotions you must have experienced are beyond anyone’s comprehension. Every being deserves to be loved from birth, yet you were denied this fundamental right and have lived until now without it.”

I heard Selvia’s breath trembling.

She seemed to be feeling guilty about how Iphomia had turned out because of her neglect.

“I won’t say I forgive the wrongs you’ve committed. I have no right to speak on behalf of those spirits.”

I didn’t want to say irresponsible things.

I understand you, so I can understand what you did.

I didn’t want to say such hypocritical words.

“But… if all the corpses buried in the snow are just frozen by Your Highness. If it’s something that can still be reversed… I ask that you undo everything and pay for your sins. With that alone, you can be forgiven. After all, how things turned out isn’t entirely your fault.”

Sigh.

Why can’t I say something more impressive at times like this?

Couldn’t I have said something more elegant, something that would move her heart?

But this was the best I could do right now.

This was the best I could say as I tried to understand someone I should hate.

I had nothing more to say.

If this didn’t persuade her, I had no other options.

“But if you do return after paying your dues… I promise to support you. I swear this on my honor as a knight.”

After saying that, I released Iphomia and tried to get up.

Grip.

“Ugh…?!”

My body, which I had slightly raised, returned to its original position, leaning against Iphomia as if captured.

Iphomia had embraced me tightly instead.

“…Your Highness.”

“…How presumptuous.”

“That’s why it’s advice.”

“I just met you. Why are you pretending to understand?”

“I’m not pretending. I’ve lived a similar life, so I understand your situation.”

A life from another world, now in the past.

Painful memories that Nutrice had completely healed in my dreams, memories I could now forget entirely.

In that world, I too lived without receiving proper love.

Games.

That one thing barely supported me.

“…I wanted warmth.”

“Yes.”

“…I wanted to be understood.”

“Yes.”

“…I wanted someone to hold me tight like this.”

“…Yes.”

With each word.

With each successive word, Iphomia’s voice became increasingly tearful.

“…I wanted to destroy everything. I was so jealous. I couldn’t stand seeing humans and gods who seemed happy without me.”

“I understand.”

“…But I didn’t want to kill them. Perhaps I… just wanted to become friends with those who irritated me so much.”

“…I understand that too.”

I simply listened quietly to Iphomia’s words.

After reciting her grievances, Iphomia could no longer continue and began to sob.

Until now, had there ever been someone who shared their body heat with her directly?

How painful must it have been to spend long periods alone, shivering in the cold?

“…Iphomia.”

“…”

Selvia approached.

When I glanced at her, she had a determined expression.

With that expression, I could let her speak with confidence.

“I have something I want to tell you.”

“…”

“You know that you’re named after a flower, and that its meaning is ‘fleeting love.'”

“…Isn’t it?”

I couldn’t tell what expression Iphomia was making.

She seemed unwilling to let me go.

But from the slight wariness remaining in her voice, I could predict her emotional state.

“Yes, that is one meaning of the iphomia flower. But our mother didn’t name you with that meaning in mind.”

Selvia took a deep breath and spoke to her.

“Unwavering love.”

“…”

“When mother gave birth to you, she had already raised me, so she promised to give you her complete love.”

Iphomia.

Was it the English word for morning glory in Korean?

“…Mother still regretted not taking proper care of you.”

“Don’t lie… Anyone else maybe, but that woman would never…”

Thud.

A quiet footstep was heard.

I could feel Iphomia’s grip on me loosening.

Slowly separating myself, I turned around.

“…Your Majesty the Empress.”

“Ah…”

Behind me stood Demeter, tears streaming down her face.

It was impossible not to notice that her gaze was fixed solely on Iphomia.

Phew.

I couldn’t intrude on this mother-daughter reunion.

I carefully moved aside.

“Iphomia…”

Demeter approached Iphomia with tears in her eyes.

Iphomia quickly stood up and took one step back.

“…What are those tears for?”

“I’m sorry… my child, I… I to you…”

“Stop it! Just treat me coldly like before. Why are you pretending to be warm now?!”

Although Iphomia shouted with bewilderment, Demeter simply continued to approach her, slowly extending her hand.

Despite her words, Iphomia didn’t move until Demeter reached her.

Demeter’s hand touches Iphomia’s cheek.

Demeter gently caressed Iphomia’s cheek, unable to hold back her flowing tears.

“My child… I’m sorry… I was entranced by something strange… Your father, you, Selvia… I neglected everyone.”

“Please don’t… Please…”

When Iphomia’s voice began to tremble,

Demeter carefully embraced her with both arms.

Her movements were so cautious that Demeter’s sense of guilt was palpable.

“If even you act like this… what have I been doing all this time…”

With those words, no other sound was heard in the room.

Neither Selvia, nor Oko, nor I.

Quietly.

We just watched them.

Only.

The sound of their misunderstandings breaking.

The soft sound of sobbing.

And finally, the sound of all calamity ending.

These sounds lingered in our ears.