Ch.353Epilogue.

# As Long as Death Exists

As Long as Oblivion Is Real

We are slaves with collars around our necks.

Blind corpses, all of us.

Yet eternal life, immortality—such things cannot exist.

…So what are we to do?

…I have pondered this question for countless ages.

****

“……”

Eliya pays her respects at the tombstone she erected on the cliff.

In the next decade, the world is expected to lose its mana and magical energy.

Without a doubt, the world will face an unprecedented, massive transformation.

Magic will be relegated to a status far different from before.

Now, new technologies and sciences will take the throne as the new mainstream.

Various technologies that were once secondary and supplementary—

Those based on physics and engineering will gradually emerge as the core of civilization.

People were already anxious, fearing that all our achievements would be in vain and that we might regress to medieval times.

…Nevertheless, perhaps because they had overcome the impending doom, most were singing hopeful songs about tomorrow.

The white salt trees that once covered the seas and skies,

The blood-red thorny trees and various vicious monstrosities—none of them remained in this world anymore.

Furthermore.

‘The monsters and demons… they’ve disappeared too, haven’t they?’

Even those with demon blood have begun to see their physical characteristics soften.

Vampires, in particular, can now withstand sunlight without issue and survive with little to no blood consumption.

Signs of change are diverse.

The fairy folk have declared that their current lives will be their last.

Since they did not submit to the law of reincarnation, they will simply cease to exist when they die.

Most of those called dragons have retreated to their nests, preparing to either fall into a long slumber or embrace eternal rest.

The world was truly changing rapidly.

“……”

And Eras—who should have suffered for hundreds or thousands of years more—

My only sister from long ago, has finally been freed from the curse of immortality and embraced death.

“Neither a demon’s curse nor blessing can invade the middle realm… no, this world anymore. Yes, that’s how it should be.”

The realms of the living and the dead have been clearly separated, making it impossible to cross between dimensions through a simple doorway.

“……”

But that’s not all.

However, Eliya has no way of knowing about those things.

If the day comes when she learns of them,

That would be when…

—!!!

“…I’ll visit again when I think of you.”

Eliya brushes off the dirt as she stands up.

She waves halfheartedly toward those calling her from the hill below and turns away from the grave.

For a long time, or perhaps just for a moment.

From now on, we too must somehow carry on with lives befitting this world.

****

“So you built a barrier to prevent outside interference.”

The boy nods at Golden’s observation.

“Yes. I thought that was the best option for now.”

“You wanted to grant a reprieve?”

“…Yes.”

Until the child grows into an adult.

If only they could flourish during that time.

Yes, as someone who grew up in that world, I wanted to show that much respect by limiting my involvement.

“And after that?”

“…I’m not sure yet.”

“You don’t know? After coming this far?”

“……”

I’ve just been running without pause.

For what purpose?

For myself.

And…

For those connected to me.

“Very well. Let this body tell you an interesting old tale.”

The table disappears, and the two naturally rise from their chairs.

The path they begin to walk starts in the middle of a dark sea of stars.

“The world originally had no you or me. The distinction between you and me—that was the beginning.”

“……”

What are you trying to say now?

“Even the process by which living beings take diverse forms and evolve into species is merely a process to confirm the distinction between you and me.”

Prompted by Golden’s explanation, the starlight that began as points in the sea of stars soon expanded into a massive diffusion of light, producing countless harmonies.

Time passed quickly, and eventually, stars became resting places and stepping stones for living beings.

Even that grew and expanded, becoming worlds in themselves.

From those worlds, numerous life forms emerged.

Time flowed rapidly.

Eventually, the first humans and rational beings appeared.

Plants and animals had long since emerged.

“This is your reward for bringing yourself here as yourself.”

That world you know over there.

And everything else that walked this world that wasn’t you.

But even that…

“Was originally one.”

“……”

Of course, there must have been someone first.

If we classify that as one, isn’t that simply expanding the category of the individual and pushing it into the category of species?

I am clearly different from humanity.

Moreover, the life and fate of the giant, the divine giant I borrowed in my previous life, is even more so.

“That’s not it. Don’t mishear my words.”

Golden explains.

“Only you and I here are unique. But everything that originated from this world, even everything that is not you, ultimately originated from you.”

“……”

What are you saying?

“I can put it this way: Elhermina and everything that is not her were ultimately identical and equal to her. The same applies to Alesia, and to Ases. The same goes for your children, and your children’s children.”

“What are you saying?”

“For instance, the world.”

The world.

“If we were to distinguish something different from you, it would only be the world.”

“……”

“For instance, a vessel that holds water. The vessel and water seem to be together, but they are never the same. Yet for the water contained within, counting or distinguishing types becomes meaningless.”

Well, it’s not impossible if one tries, but at that point, it becomes meaningless.

“……”

“And you have arrived here. Thus, you have qualified.”

Therefore.

“From this moment, you have become not an individual but the world itself.”

“…That sounds like empty talk. Now as before.”

“Since you’ve reached this level, you should understand this much.”

“……”

“Selfishness and altruism. They originally possess the same essence.”

The only difference is whether you see broadly or narrowly.

“Each has its strengths and weaknesses for the entire species. This aligns with the usefulness of the desires and instincts given to you.”

“…Couldn’t you explain it more simply, more universally?”

“You, who are furthest from universality, speak of this? How pathetic.”

Golden clicks his tongue.

“It’s like this.”

There was never a you or me to begin with.

“Everything except this world was you. More precisely, you and something that is not you.”

But no one can realize this, nor should they.

If that happened, the structure of this world would become truly strange.

“…I don’t understand.”

“Everyone has been pursuing one goal, doing what they can.”

And here you have arrived.

“Because of you, all members of your species and your world can now be relieved of one worry.”

Everything you’ve accomplished was possible because you acquired such qualifications.

“……”

The boy had to think hard to understand these words.

They sounded simple, but when he tried to comprehend them, they became endlessly complex.

“To put it more directly, when Eras tormented you, it was essentially the same as you tormenting yourself.”

“……”

The boy understood.

Here, Eras and Kariel are clearly individuals and unique beings.

But from a much higher dimensional perspective,

It means that another me, a me that is not me, tormented me…

“What a troublesome structure.”

“Didn’t your world survive because of one hero, through me? Just expand that more dimensionally, more broadly.”

“……”

Nothing in this world is useless.

If there were such a thing, it would be the fault of the creator who made such a structure, not ours.

Though I don’t intend to defend those who gave up moving forward.

That too is their own choice.

“…So that’s why the body—the physical form that allows me to recognize myself as myself and exist as an individual—was important.”

“Yes. The minimum… qualification.”

“……”

That’s why only those who are alive, who exist, are noble.

Because only they can try.

With will, exercising their own intentions.

Only then can they pursue anything.

“…Let’s say that’s true.”

So all my devotion, effort, sacrifice, and labor for Elhermina, Alesia, Ases, and everyone else—

In reality, it was labor for myself. Is that what you mean?

You who are not me.

Me who is not you.

I am Kariel, but

Now that I’ve shed that concept and arrived here.

I am Kariel, Elhermina, Alesia, Ases, Mines.

And Eileen, Kael, Iriel.

All of them, that’s what it means.

“That might be a bit sad, though.”

“Why? Because it seems like you’re not there?”

“…A little, yes.”

Perhaps when I open my eyes here, I might wake up as Elhermina.

Or I might become Alesia.

Or Eileen, or Kael.

Ah, maybe even Lutesia or Venus.

For instance, the world?

“Then there’s something I want to try even more.”

“…I can guess, but tell me.”

“Originally, I…”

…wanted to be free.

I hoped that freedom would not constrain us or create unfamiliar anxiety.

“If that could happen…”

Then we…

Wouldn’t we reach true salvation?

Salvation might mean eternal rest, peace.

Perhaps such a world truly exists.

No, no. I was wrong.

“May I create such a world?”

“…Do as you wish.”

Golden snorted and shook his head.

“Even that is but a moment compared to eternity. After that time passes, your thoughts will change somewhat.”

“……”

“Yes. You have earned that right.”

Eternal eternity.

I do not know the scenery you see.

But…

“Still, I think he can now put down some of his burden.”

Let’s leave it that way for a while, even if not forever.

“……”

The boy looks into the distance.

And there…

A man resembling darkness walks with heavy steps toward the horizon that emits pure white light.

In the middle of a plain that resembles both gold

And platinum.

He unties the dark banner he carried on his back.

Then he removes the scabbard he once wore.

Step by step, he walks toward his destination.

There in that distant plain, a scene both familiar and unfamiliar.

Yet something he has longed for and yearned for.

It suddenly unfolds before his eyes.

There.

Both his mother and father gesture toward him with smiling faces.

His father with a cheerful laugh and

His mother with a modest yet somewhat stern, thoughtful, and warm smile.

Meanwhile, a red-haired girl notices him while tying her hair, startles, and blushes.

And beside her, a blonde girl with striking beauty pokes the woman’s sides, making her jump in surprise.

Children playing.

Among them, another woman caring for the children.

When she lifts a child, the child pulls at her red hair.

Her crimson eyes tremble in a subtle way.

And.

On one side, a blue-haired girl giving instructions to servants carrying food to a large wooden table.

A silver-haired child suddenly appears, jumps up, snatches meat from a servant’s plate, and stuffs it into his mouth.

Watching this, a girl combing her light blue long hair gives a small glare with her snow-white eyes, her expression somewhere between a smile and bitterness.

Somewhere, a middle-aged man with an old-fashioned woman brings two strong sons, handing a honey pot from his territory to a black-haired maid.

The black-haired maid smiles brightly when she sees a man approaching.

Then, when children who appear to be her siblings play busily around her, she carefully warns them not to make a commotion.

And more…

Over there, long-eared women bow to fairies younger than themselves despite their age.

In the distance, a handsome red-haired man with a crown and a beautiful black-haired woman.

The couple smiles as they soothe a grumbling red-haired child.

On a large tree a bit further away, a lizard-like being rests while a dwarf floats in the air, annoying her.

A large man and a deer beastkin share drinks with their arms around each other’s shoulders, while two beautiful people lean on each other watching them.

And.

On a snow-white field, boys and girls, men and women in white clothes repeat movements both familiar and unfamiliar in training.

Suddenly, a blue-haired fairy woman with an old-fashioned impression and dignity approaches with calm steps and greets him.

“Kariel. Thank you for inviting us.”

The dark man silently smiled slightly.

“Once, we almost formed a marriage alliance beyond our connection.”

“Is that still valid?”

At this, a woman hugs Kariel’s neck, complaining about being left out.

“Sorry, friend. She’s being insistent.”

A prince from a prominent country apologizes for his sister’s behavior.

“It happens.”

The dark man calmly agreed.

And more…

Various people welcomed him with smiles.

He carefully delivered words he had long wanted to express to each person.

And so, time passed.

“Dad!”

The man opened his arms to three children running toward him.

Also.

“You’ve been away for so long.”

“…Sorry.”

A red-haired woman with blue eyes welcomes him.

“I thought I’d get tired of waiting!”

Another woman beside her grumbles similarly.

Nevertheless.

“Now that you’re here, what’s there to complain about?”

A blonde woman with eyes like verdant forests burrows into the man’s side.

“Hey! How dare you!”

Someone with red eyes tries desperately to pull the woman away.

“Hehe.”

The dark man looks at the blue eyes watching this with gentle affection, and for the first time, returns a calm smile of gratitude.

“Sorry I’m late.”

I really missed all of you…

****

“……”

When Aseratt opened her eyes, she still displayed her wrinkle-free appearance.

But she knew.

The time she had left was not very long.

The lake fairy.

After the Demon King’s remains disappeared, she immediately left this polluted land.

Nevertheless, the barrier remained effective, so Aseratt decided to make this place her final resting spot.

“……”

Truly, she had a pleasant dream after a long time.

Yet strangely, it felt like a prophetic dream.

“…Hehe.”

She calmly rose and continued her daily routine.

After meticulously writing down what she wanted to leave for her child,

She resented the sun for setting so quickly and lay back down on her bed.

‘Ah…’

Yes. Today was that day.

She closed her eyes.

As comfortably as falling asleep.

She calmly entered eternal rest.

……

…

Coincidentally,

Around the same time, beyond the freezing mountain peak,

Two women also fell into eternal rest as if falling asleep.

When the three of them opened their eyes.

“Ah.”

He was walking toward them from far away.

Everyone around was busy preparing for a party.

Nevertheless, the three, while handling their own tasks,

Were the first to brighten their eyes and calmly prepare to welcome him approaching from the distance.

……

“Yes. That would be quite nice.”

“…Yes. I believe he has earned the right to enjoy that much reward.”

The boy nodded at Golden’s musing.

I am me, yet not me, and also me.

But now, nothing matters to me.

As myself, just being here is enough happiness.

“Very well. So we’ll leave Kariel as himself there… Now, I want to hear about you when you were not human but a god, when you were a giant and divine giant. And… about you who had reached a much more fundamental point.”

“How could I refuse? But before that, one thing.”

Master.

“You haven’t yet realized that I was originally your old master?”

“…What?”

Golden made a dumbfounded sound.

“Let’s start with that story.”

The reason you came to this world.

What provided that was…

“None other than me.”

Isn’t that right?

“Eternal eternity.”

You of golden pure gold.

“Since those times, I have done my best to keep my promise.”

To become your eternal companion as myself, as you begged.

“How about it? Are you somewhat satisfied now?”

“…You truly have a remarkable talent for surprising me.”

Golden’s woman bloomed with a smile like a fully opened flower.

It was her purest expression of affection, permitted only for him.