Ch.302302. Mount Geumdan, and…. -End-

In this world, there exist numerous special dimensions that overlap with the physical realm.

Such as the mirror world, which is a reversed reflection of our reality, or the fairy realm that exists as if attached to our world.

Or perhaps the spirit realm, which serves as the afterlife of this world and where divine beings reside, a place also known as the heavens.

Most of these dimensions are composed of spiritual energy, much like how our reality is called the “material world.” They are fluid and powerful due to their lack of physical substance, yet they cannot sustain themselves solely as independent dimensions.

These dimensions, with little to no proportion of matter that doesn’t easily change yet maintains a firm existence, essentially persist as parts of this material world.

To put it bluntly, the spirit realm, with its material proportion of zero, is an abstract domain without even concepts of time and space. Without a connection to the material world, it couldn’t maintain its existence, lacking even a center of gravity.

However, one dimension, known as the Immortal Realm or Spirit World, possesses unique characteristics that set it apart from other dimensions.

The Immortal Realm, strictly speaking, is a dimension that also bears the qualities of an otherworld existing within this material world.

Originally, the Immortal Realm was an enormous mountain range and large-scale otherworld called “Muryong Jangsan” in the Eastern Continent (Empire of Wu). When the Eastern Dragon who ruled the mountain range ascended to heaven, the mountains became a space spanning across the material world and multiple dimensions.

A world formed by dozens of towering rocky cliffs (peaks), hundreds of slightly lower but equally impressive summits, and special clouds.

Because of this, the Immortal Realm, unusually for a dimension, retains its qualities as an otherworld, making physical access theoretically possible, but…

In reality, reaching the Immortal Realm through conventional means is impossible.

Though it partially possesses physical substance, this world is ultimately a separate dimension.

Being physically cut off, it cannot be entered through ordinary methods.

…At least, that should have been the case without exception.

“Is this the place?”

[…Yes, it is.]

After our journey to the Immortal Realm was confirmed according to our “deal,” Sophia and I followed the guidance of the sub-adult qilin “Urin” through mysterious procedures, finally reaching the Immortal Realm.

With each step the qilin takes, fluffy white clouds spread across the ground, enveloping our surroundings as sacred mist and aura wrap around the three of us.

Though passing through this “dimensional barrier” was arduous and overwhelming, we somehow managed to cross it and set foot in the Immortal Realm.

And our first impression upon stepping into this “Immortal Realm” was that it was a place far more mysterious than we had imagined.

The form of this place was, perhaps surprisingly… similar to an archipelago.

The floor consisted of a sea of clouds stretching far into the sky until the horizon, and from various parts of this sea rose material peaks (islands).

Although each island was physical, the sea of white clouds between them was certainly not material, and beneath the “surface” of this white sea swam various lower-grade spirit beasts.

Most were giant carp with brilliant scales resembling brocade carp, but I could also see creatures similar to water snakes or eels… and even some resembling silver cutlassfish.

Their rank didn’t appear particularly high, but it wouldn’t be strange if creatures that had lived in such an environment possessed powers with great potential for variability.

Additionally, vegetation grew on each peak (island), and mist enhanced the mysterious atmosphere. Though I call them peaks, judging by their size above the thick clouds, each one must be at least the size of several World Cup stadiums.

[This way.]

“Understood, let’s follow.”

However, as this didn’t seem to be the time to be immersed in the scenery, Sophia and I followed the qilin… and somehow arrived at a peak where traces of civilization were clearly evident.

And at that peak…

[…Urin! D-don’t tell me you went outside?!]

[Uncle! W-well, about that…]

An adult (high-rank) qilin with distinctive deer antlers and dressed in Eastern-style general attire… judging by the title, apparently Urin’s uncle.

This qilin, who appeared to be a high-ranking guardian at the Eastern-style gate lavishly decorated with golden tiles, soon noticed my presence and carefully asked a question after clearing his throat.

[…Ahem! Excuse me, but may I ask why you are accompanying this child?]

“I rescued this Urin from poachers on the ground. And since things have come to this, I thought I might as well take a look around the Immortal Realm.”

[I see.]

When I mentioned poachers, the human-transformed qilin briefly glared at Urin with a fierce gaze, but this didn’t last long.

Holding a large polearm resembling a crescent blade, he seemed to be communicating with someone somewhere, then carefully looked at us and spoke…

[Um, first, I’ll deliver the official document that our superiors sent down.]

And what he proceeded to share was, unlike the rigid bureaucratic mindset of Yongyong… or Urin, surprisingly accommodating.

※ ※ ※

According to the official document delivered by the gatekeeper qilin, they began with a formal expression of gratitude for saving the life of their kinsman or citizen.

Given how rare qilins were, saving the third-generation only child of a prestigious family was truly significant. Despite the formal nature of the document, their eagerness to express gratitude toward us was palpable.

At the same time, they very politely explained why we couldn’t enter the inner Immortal Realm.

According to them, unlike this outer area, the inner Immortal Realm beyond the gate also functioned as a kind of mystical afterlife, making it impossible to enter with a physical body.

Even if one were to separate their soul and enter, there might not be immediate problems, but over time, the soul would naturally become bound to the Immortal Realm as an afterlife and perish.

No matter how much I wanted to explore the Immortal Realm, I had no desire to risk death to enter… and they felt the same way.

On one hand, they couldn’t accept the reality of their precious benefactor dying for such an absurd reason, and on the other hand, given their particularly closed nature, it was understandable they wanted to prevent our entry.

Therefore, what they proposed was a compromise. They would restrict entry to the inner realm, but we were free to explore this outer area and return without concern.

Thanks to this, we were now touring the Immortal Realm on a self-navigating boat similar to a ferry outside the gate.

Though it was a dark night, the starlight twinkled and moonlight illuminated the ground, providing enough light.

In this dreamlike atmosphere where stars in the black sky caught on the clouds below and sparkled…

“Come to think of it, it’s been a while since we’ve spent time alone together like this.”

“…You’re right. We’ve been busy during our travels.”

The two of us, holding hands, were lying on the fairly sizeable ferry and continuing our conversation in low voices.

“Gregory, do you know what I thought when I first met you?”

“Hmm? …I don’t know.”

“Haha, actually, I… envied you so much. You were full of talent, and the heavens were watching over you.”

“…Really?”

“Yes. …Of course, after traveling with you and seeing how frequently you get caught up in incidents, that thought disappeared.”

“…Haha. Well, that’s my life.”

The dawn air and atmosphere lowered one more layer of the barriers around our hearts, allowing us to share our innermost feelings. We filled the time with stories from the past.

“Gregory. Then… what would you like to do after this journey ends?”

“…After the journey ends?”

The moment I heard those words, my mind filled with contemplation.

My dawn-sentiment-filled mind was urging me to just go for it, while the faint remaining rationality was asking me to exercise some restraint, but…

“Right, about that…”

In the end, after controlling the situation, even that rationality gently moved, encouraging my decision and determination…

“When we return… shall we hold a proper ceremony?”

“Ceremony…? …Oh. Could it be…”

“Yes, that’s exactly what you’re thinking. Sophia. Will you marry me?”

After the question was asked, before an answer could be heard, under this dawn-sentiment-filled night sky, we looked at each other’s faces… and kissed.

“…Huh. Is this your answer?”

“Yes. …Please don’t tease me too much, it’s embarrassing.”

The story concludes as love finally connects completely.

The journey of Sophia and me was essentially concluded.

Under the night sky, with gentle starlight as witness, the eternal promise was sealed.

The story has reached its end.

Or perhaps, it was an ending that might also be another beginning.

-The End-