Ch.199Chapter 199 – Reunion with Epitrina

When I opened my eyes again, I had to doubt what I was seeing.

“Where… am I?”

I definitely fell asleep on the hydrofoil, but when I opened my eyes, an unfamiliar world was spread out before me.

Stars shone in the black sky, and green grasslands extended in all directions.

“I definitely… remember this.”

The situation matched perfectly with when I first came to this land.

As I got up and looked behind me, there was a massive temple.

Not a temple that had completely collapsed into ruins, but a massive temple that was clean as if a service could be held at any moment, decorated with beautiful golden ornaments.

“Are you awake?”

As I stood up and stared blankly at the temple, a familiar voice came from behind me.

When I turned around to look in the direction of the voice, Epitrina was standing there.

“Epitrina?”

“That’s right. You were probably quite shocked when you opened your eyes, not understanding what happened.”

Epitrina approached me while waving her hand slightly, and a table and chairs materialized between us.

“Sit down. This topic requires some time to discuss, so it’s better not to talk while standing.”

“…Alright.”

I reluctantly sat down at Epitrina’s suggestion.

Once seated, Epitrina gestured toward the empty space again, and teacups and a teapot materialized out of nowhere.

The teapot moved over the cups she had created and began pouring warm tea.

“You must have been surprised when you opened your eyes. It was strange to see the same sight you saw when you first came to this world, wasn’t it?”

“Yes. What… happened to me?”

Epitrina didn’t answer my question and took a sip of tea.

“May I speak frankly?”

“Of course. Please be honest with me.”

“You died. You were caught in an explosion so powerful that not even your body remained.”

The words that I had died came from Epitrina’s lips.

“……”

And I realized that it was true.

What covered my body was something like a white robe, and more importantly, the Shadow of Infinity that I had never removed from my body was gone.

“What happened?”

“A cultist from the Demon Cult of the Eastern Continent boarded your ship as a crew member and brought in items that wouldn’t be detected during inspection. They assembled them into an explosive. When it detonated, it caused a chain reaction with the fire stones on the ship, and you were blown up along with the vessel. The only fortunate thing is… at least you didn’t die painfully.”

“That’s some consolation, I suppose. I wouldn’t have wanted to die painfully.”

So I died in my sleep from an explosion without suffering.

As she said, that was indeed fortunate.

Dying was inevitable, but wasn’t it better not to remember the process of dying?

I had already experienced death once before, and now I experienced it again, but surprisingly, I didn’t feel particularly bothered.

Had I already adapted to death after dying once?

“The world below is in complete chaos right now.”

“How chaotic is it for you to say that?”

“Because of your death, the entire world is preparing for war against the Demon Cult. Thanks to that, Eldran is now in a very difficult situation.”

“……”

I hadn’t expected this.

It seemed my death had become the catalyst.

“Your lover Regina is currently preparing a resurrection ritual with Eterna, the Saint of the Solar Order, and your second wife candidate, the Heavenly Demon, is sweeping through the Demon Cult in the Eastern Continent in the name of the Heavenly Demon Religion.”

…Huh? What did she say?

“Wait a moment, what do you mean by ‘second wife candidate’?”

“Oh my? You didn’t know? I thought Regina and the Heavenly Demon had talked it out and explained it to you… I guess not?”

This is the first I’m hearing of this.

By the way, when did my sister cross over to the Eastern Continent?

“Hmm, well, that’s something that would only be possible if you return to the world below.”

“Is there a way for me to go back down?”

I asked Epitrina if there was a way to return to the world below.

“Why do you want to go back down there? There will be painful and difficult times in that world below, and even if the world stabilizes, there will be those who envy and are jealous of you, making things difficult for you.”

“But down there are the people I love and the friends I’ve made connections with. With them by my side, wouldn’t I be able to overcome any difficult trials?”

I honestly expressed my feelings to Epitrina.

My friends down there.

My beloved Regina.

Eterna and Aisen who had shown interest in me.

And others like Mina, Elena, Reina.

His Majesty the Emperor and the Chancellor, and many other connections.

With them, couldn’t we completely defeat the Demon Cult and bring peace to the world?

“Hehe. You really haven’t changed, then or now.”

“Pardon?”

“Aren’t you curious? Why I’m saying these things?”

It would be a lie to say I wasn’t curious.

I was wondering why Eterna was telling me all this.

“Do you know the story of the nameless hero who defeated the Demon God long ago?”

“I do.”

The hero who defeated the Demon God with the holy sword Zebario but whose name wasn’t recorded in history.

I was puzzled as to why she suddenly brought up the nameless hero.

“But why are you suddenly talking about him?”

“…Sigh. You really haven’t changed, for better or worse.”

“…?”

What does she mean?

“Pathos. No, Park Dong-sik. You were originally from this world.”

…Eh?

“I was from this world?”

“The nameless hero. His name was Festo Zebario.”

Festo… Zebario?

“Isn’t it similar to your current name, Pathos Severio?”

It is similar to my name.

“Then… could it be?”

“That’s right. The reason you had the name Park Dong-sik, the reason you use the name Pathos in this world, and the reason your family name is Severio—all of it is related to your past life.”

I had no idea.

I had absolutely no idea.

I was from this world?

“To be precise, your soul was that of the nameless hero, Festo Zebario. After defeating the Demon God, part of his soul was lost as the price for his victory.”

Everything coming from Epitrina’s mouth was new to me.

“So his soul was denied entry even to the afterlife, and I, as the goddess who rules this world, took responsibility and entrusted your soul to the ‘Absolute One,’ the Great One who created all worlds, to restore it. And you were reincarnated in the world called Earth and lived there.”

Hmm, so that’s why I was born on Earth.

“But because your soul was originally born here, it continuously tried to connect with this world, and due to an accident caused by a goddess who is my colleague, you died before your natural lifespan ended, and eventually returned to this world.”

At this point, a question occurred to me.

“When we first met, didn’t you say I was from Earth?”

“If I had presented the truth from the beginning to someone who had experienced death and crossed over to another world, you wouldn’t have been able to accept it. I’m sorry about that.”

Hmm. Is that so?

Thinking about it, that makes sense.

When I first realized I had come to this world, I was quite confused.

It seemed Epitrina had deliberately lied to me out of consideration.

“Well, it was unavoidable, so I understand. So, am I the nameless hero?”

“No, that’s not it. The current you has been influenced by your past life, but you are an independent person—Park Dong-sik, or Pathos Severio.”

“That’s fine then. You must have had your reasons, Epina.”

…? Wait, what did I just say?

“You… you remembered that name.”

Then Epitrina suddenly approached me and embraced me.

Enveloped by two formidable cushions even more impressive than Regina’s, I was overwhelmed by her tremendous strength.

“I thought you had completely forgotten me, but your soul still remembers my name.”

“Mmph! Mmph! Mmmmph!”

I hit Epitrina’s arms, asking her to let me go.

“Yes. It seems like we have much to talk about, but it’s time now.”

…? Wait, what’s with this sudden change?

“Eterna and Regina are calling for you. So, it’s time for you to return to the world below. This time, I hope you meet many people, experience much love, and then return.”

Saying that, Epitrina pushed me hard, and my consciousness rapidly faded away as if falling off a cliff.

She seemed to be saying something, but I couldn’t hear her words.

But I could see the shape of her lips.

See you next time.

My beloved hero…