Black Sun (Complete)

Rubia, who was watching the gradually collapsing end of the horizon, did the first thing.

“Noah!”

She jumped up from her spot and hugged me.

“Uh, uh…”

Meanwhile, I was trying to figure out what was going on.

But… no matter how I looked at it, I couldn’t understand.

Did I lose my power?

That couldn’t be. Just looking at my left hand, I was holding a greatsword made of pure [Aura].

Was there not enough [Aura] to maintain the Divine Realm?

That wasn’t it either. There was still more than enough, enough to kill the Nameless One thousands of times. And it was still being restored in real-time.

Then, why?

Was it because I relaxed?

Because I thought it was all over?

No, that’s not important.

Rather than finding the reason, I needed to figure out where Rubia and I would go after this Divine Realm collapsed.

No, first of all…

I wriggled in Rubia’s arms and hugged her waist.

“It’s, it’s okay.”

And I patted her back, which was trembling slightly.

“…Even if it’s okay, I won’t let go.”

“Eh…”

“Eh… what? I’m never letting go. I don’t want to be separated from Noah again.”

It was like a child throwing a tantrum.

A small smile appeared on my face at Rubia’s appearance, which I had never seen before.

So, I buried my face in her chest and patted her back until the trembling stopped. Of course, I wasn’t just calming Rubia down.

I was using everything I had to think about and find where this Divine Realm was connected to.

The first place I expected was the End of the World. I was at the End of the World before I came here, so there was a possibility that I would return there.

I didn’t know the way back to the Empire from the End of the World… but there would be a way back somehow.

If I didn’t know the way… well, starting a new home with Rubia wouldn’t be bad… it would be good, actually.

But I had to go back to my friends who were left in Cartia, so that would be a bit difficult.

The next place I expected was the Dimensional Rift.

The place where Valoran and Luissar were trapped.

I didn’t know where it was, how to get there, or how to get out.

But… when I spread my [Ki sense] and imagined the other side of the collapsed Divine Realm, I felt a space that felt similar to the Dimensional Rift where Valoran was summoned back then.

If this Divine Realm collapsed and Rubia and I fell into the Dimensional Rift.

If we fell…

Huh.

…Wouldn’t it be okay?

No matter what Demon Beast was inside, no matter what existence was there, I could just beat them all up.

If I couldn’t get out, I could just smash the space itself and send Rubia out, no, come out with Rubia.

I remembered how the Dimensional Rift opened when Valoran was summoned, so it wouldn’t be impossible.

It was definitely possible.

What couldn’t I do to save Rubia?

Then, there’s nothing to worry about… right?

Should I just chat with Rubia?

In the moment a baseless realization flashed in my head.

“Uh…? Noah… from far away…”

Rubia, who was tilting her head with a dubious expression as she looked at the edge of the collapsed Divine Realm, carefully opened her mouth.

“I can feel Noah’s… power.”

Well… of course, this is my Divine Realm, so it’s normal to feel my power.

With that thought, I looked up at Rubia.

Then, Rubia immediately shook her head and added.

“No. Not the current Noah, but… the power Noah had before, before coming here.”

The power I had before coming here…

I knew what it was.

But there was no place where it could have remained…

Ah.

“Ca, Cartia…?”

“Cartia.”

In that moment, Noah and Rubia’s eyes met.

Rubia’s trembling stopped. Light returned to her blue eyes. A voice full of anticipation flowed from her lips.

“You remember the greatsword you stuck in Cartia, right?”

“Y-yes…”

“It seems like… the power is coming from there, don’t you think?”

Yes. Certainly… before coming to the End of the World, I had stuck a greatsword in Cartia. And along with that, I had poured my [Aura] into the greatsword as Cartia had told me to.

If Rubia felt the power… there was nothing else it could be.

…Is that really it?

Even so, how did Rubia feel my power that I couldn’t feel?

She has almost lost her Divine Power now, so she should be no different from an ordinary person…

I’m not doubting Rubia.

I believe in Rubia. I have blind faith in her.

Even so, the reason I’m thinking this is not because I doubt her… but because it feels like something unknown told Rubia.

And, the person who would play such a dark… no, a prank―

“Wouldn’t it be…?”

“…Ah. Th-that… Haa, I’ll check it out.”

Focus.

It doesn’t matter where we go, but if we can go straight to Cartia, Rubia will be a little more comfortable.

And… I don’t think I’ll be able to go back with her.

I released Rubia’s arms, which had been holding me tightly. Rubia let out a brief sigh of regret, but quickly composed herself and carefully grabbed my left arm.

Feeling the warmth, I focused my mind.

I blocked my vision and spread my [Ki sense].

Not just spreading it, but going a little deeper.

What I’m looking for. The greatsword.

The greatsword that was stuck in Cartia, cracked because it couldn’t handle my [Aura].

I can’t find it.

Can’t I find it with [Ki sense]?

If so, with the feeling of sensing the friends who were connected to my soul.

Slowly, I moved along a thin thread.

A thread that was so faint that it seemed like it would disappear at any moment.

But my consciousness moved along the thread that definitely existed.

And.

“…I, I found it.”

I opened my eyes and looked at Rubia.

“I, it’s really there. The way to Cartia… if you go straight that way… you can go to Cartia. But how did Rubia―”

I was about to ask how she knew.

“Rubia…?”

I couldn’t ask.

Because her expression was stiff.

Because her hand, which was lightly holding my hand, was full of strength.

“Let’s go.”

Her hand, which she was holding so tightly that even cold sweat was seeping out.

Rubia, who uttered a firm voice, led that hand. It wasn’t strong. As if she was worried about my injured body, she led me carefully and gently.

If I gave it a little strength, I could resist the force, but I moved my steps following Rubia.

I wanted to feel that warmth, even a little more.

“Noah.”

Unstoppable steps. Rubia, who didn’t look back at me, only looked ahead and called my name.

“We’re going back together.”

“…Umm.”

…Rubia is too quick-witted.

No, ‘I’ am too, and Hermilla is too, and Serr is too. Everyone is quick-witted.

Among them, Rubia is especially quick-witted.

To the extent that I should say that she knows my heart inside and out… How on earth does Rubia read my thoughts?

Does it show on my face?

“Answer… me, Noah.”

Even while I was thinking that, Rubia’s steps didn’t stop.

Still holding my hand, she was walking towards the passage connected to Cartia.

Steps that were now almost running.

“Please, answer me…”

Rubia’s voice that was heard above it was trembling violently.

A moment later, I stopped walking.

In front of the passage connected to Cartia, I stopped Rubia.

“Rubia.”

“…No. No… don’t say it.”

Rubia, who muttered as if pleading, slowly turned around.

“Noah… together, together… let’s go. Okay?”

She was crying.

She was crying with an expression that looked like she would collapse at any moment, an expression that even made me feel like my heart would collapse.

What should I say to such Rubia?

While I was wondering what I should say to make her feel even a little relieved.

Hwaaack―!

The darkness that had been cast over the sun began to recede.

The Black Sun sets. It hides its appearance.

Behind it, a brilliant sun.

A sun that illuminates the world rose.

The speed at which the Divine Realm collapsed increased.

The Divine Realm, which had only been dark red, was combined with brilliant light.

“…Rubia.”

In the light scattered by the sun, Rubia’s hair sparkled. The tears she shed sparkled.

The eyes that were pleading as they looked at me were distorted.

“I still… have things to do.”

The last one.

Maybe two. Maybe three.

“So… I can’t go with you right now.”

“You said it was all over. You said… it was all over, you told me not to worry… why, why…”

…I didn’t know that the situation would flow so quickly.

That’s why I said it was all over…

“I, I’m sorry…”

I hugged Rubia’s neck.

I buried my face in her hair and took a deep breath.

A faint smell of sweat. Added to that, a lovely fragrance.

And, the smell of warm sunlight.

The light became stronger.

The speed at which the Divine Realm collapsed increased.

Behind Rubia’s back, a door that could go to Cartia was created. And for a moment. The door that was opening stopped.

…I guess it’s telling me to say goodbye?

Yes… I have to say goodbye.

A farewell.

Of course, it’s not a permanent farewell…

But still, shouldn’t I say that I’ll be back?

I took a breath and slightly separated Rubia’s body.

There was a slight resistance in the process, but I heard Rubia’s sobs, but I closed my mouth tightly and dropped Rubia’s body.

“But… it’s okay.”

It’s okay. Everything is okay.

I’m not dying. I’m not sacrificing myself.

I’m just going to do what I have to do.

I’m not not going back either.

I will definitely return to Rubia’s arms.

I don’t know how long it will take, but I’ll somehow finish it quickly.

Like that, everything.

After I’ve really finished everything.

I’m going to be in Rubia’s arms.

Living in the same house as her.

Eating the same food.

Seeing the same things.

Feeling the same emotions.

Sleeping in the same bed.

Waking up in the same bed.

Every day, I will face a new tomorrow.

More relaxed than anyone else.

More happy than anyone else.

So.

So.

“Take care―”

Before I could finish speaking.

Everything was enveloped in light.

“―I’m doing well. I’ll be there soon… Eh?”

I turned my head around and looked around.

A sky with moderate clouds, and a vast land that reflects that sky.

It was a landscape that would make you admire it.

I swallowed my surprised breath.

“Th, this is a disaster.”

Rubia is not here.

Before my greeting was over, Rubia disappeared.

Didn’t she hear me say I’d be there soon?

Did she only hear me say to take care?

What should I do? Oh, what should I do…?

No, th-that… Uh… I, I should get out of here first.

I think it would be better to get out, leave a greeting to Rubia again, and then… come.

Kugung―!

I immediately drew my greatsword.

Should I break it?

Should I break it?

Can I go to Cartia by breaking it?

I don’t know.

There’s no time to worry.

Before Rubia misunderstands something strange, I have to do something quickly―

“Noah.”

At the same time.

“I really… wanted to see you.”

A voice was heard.

“No, no. Rather than saying that… I should say hello. Hehe.”

I slowly turned my head to where the familiar voice was coming from.

“Nice to meet you. I am―”

There, with the brightest smile on her face.

“Lilith.”

Rubia.

No, there was Lilith.

“I’m a very bad existence who brought Noah to this world without permission…”

And.

“I’m also an existence that I had to meet in order to fulfill Noah’s last wish.”

The light faded.

That way, what Rubia saw was.

The setting Black Sun.

Noah’s greatsword stuck in the ground.

And.

“…Rubia?”

Hermilla.

The challengers who were running after her.

The liberation army who were shouting cheers of victory.

“Rubiaaaaaaaa!”

Charlotte, who hugged Rubia.

“Are you okay? Huh? Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?!”

Charlotte, who hugged Rubia, carefully began to examine her body.

Hermilla, who slowly approached from behind, stomped her feet loudly and burst out [Aura].

Following him, the shouts of the liberation army stopped.

Silence that fell in an instant.

In that silence, Rubia’s head slowly turned. Her cloudy eyes looked around.

And, she raised her head and looked at Hermilla.

Empty eyes. Eyes that were in despair.

Hermilla, who met Rubia’s eyes, slowly opened her mouth.

“…Where are… Noah and Serr…?”

“Huh? What. Come to think of it, where are that rude one and the little kid… Eh…”

Charlotte, who was hugging Rubia, felt something strange and carefully separated from her.

At the same time.

The Black Sun completely set.

Noah’s greatsword, which was lonely stuck in the ground.

Persuk.

Shattered into pieces.