Chapter 270

When the story ended, the giant thorn that had pierced the sky and earth disappeared. All that remained was a small thorn in my hand.

The figure of King Amin was no longer visible. He hadn’t vanished, nor had his spirit scattered and fragmented across the universe. Now, he was free from any obligations.

Having detached from the Law of the Universe, relinquishing powers he could no longer control, he became something neither an Ancient God nor a human and left this world. From the moment I inherited his lingering regrets, he no longer held any attachment to this world.

While bearing that heavy burden and enduring self-inflicted pain, and even during his brief unity with the Law of the Universe, he seemed to have changed greatly from the human memories I had of him. It wasn’t corruption—rather, his very existence had transcended.

[You did it! You really got that thing. But who was that guy earlier? He seemed like a spirit born from overwhelming natural energy. What did you talk about that made him hand it over to you and leave?]

From a human, who would be incomplete without both body and spirit, he became a being capable of existing solely through his mind. So, I should congratulate him. He endured the destiny he imposed on himself, became a greater being, and left this world. He succeeded in freeing himself from the binds that held him and achieved liberation.

[What did you talk about? Stop being so cryptic and just tell me already.]

Yet, why does my heart feel so heavy? It didn’t take long to figure out. In a way, he was like a senior to me.

Wasn’t it also my destiny to abandon my flesh, become a greater being, and ascend? Will there come a day when I, too, no longer hold any attachment to this world?

In fact, that day isn’t far off. Though I hadn’t been consciously aware of it, I, too, will eventually become like him. The exact form may differ, and the process might vary, but the essence of transcending humanity and leaving this world remains the same.

The human body is like a vessel containing the spirit. When the shape of the vessel changes, so does the spirit. This change happens as naturally as flowing water, and by the time you notice, it’s already too late. The change has already occurred, and there’s no way to reverse it.

– I will wait for the day you stand by our side.

Long ago, when the Angel of Light bestowed a revelation upon me, I remember the words left behind. At the time, I didn’t think much of it, but looking back, it wasn’t just that Angel.

Other Angels left similar words, and even the Bluebird did the same. If it’s my destiny to ascend to the heavens and stand alongside them, will I undergo the same change as Amin? Will I, too, shed my human heart and take on the heart of an Angel?

If my body is slowly transforming into that of an Apostle, will my heart eventually follow?

The answer was already decided, so I couldn’t bring myself to take a step forward.

‘Surely, that’s not the only answer.’

The dragon, Azahadaka, sensing something amiss, remained silent.

The deity, Oberta, pretending not to notice but glancing at me with an uneasy aura.

Yanid, staring at me with a serious expression, and Roka, running straight toward me.

Especially Roka.

Especially the child with whom I’ve shared the most bonds.

The simple and kind-hearted people of Pumpkin Vine Village.

Those I encountered while adventuring with the Hero Party.

The neighbors I met in the imperial town of Larpentia.

The tumultuous encounter with the Vampire.

And the bonds formed in the Capital and the distant Citadel.

If my future is to sever all these connections, ascend, and cast aside my humanity, then surely that’s not the only answer.

Accepting ascension. Refusing ascension and remaining on earth. It’s not like I have to choose only one of the two.

“I’m sorry. I was just reflecting on what I heard. He…”

Above all, now is not the time for me to dwell on personal feelings. Glancing at the hole where the thorn had been embedded, I spoke.

With the thorn removed from the Primal Body and now in my hand, there’s nothing left to bind it. Though the source of the cold has disappeared, the cold emitted so far remains effective, so it won’t immediately thaw and return to normal metabolism.

However, with the thorn removed, the thawing will gradually begin, and the Primal Body’s movements will slowly return to normal. Either way, from the moment we pulled out the thorn, we only had two choices: to see it through or to see a different kind of end.

“…That’s how it happened. He seemed to have no regrets left in this world and left for the sea of stars, leaving only those words for me. We don’t know where the core of the Primal Body is, but one person does. Polaris Fortress. The core is likely deep underground there.”

Stabbing the thorn into the core.

Easier said than done, and I don’t think it’ll be easy to execute.

But if we don’t do it, it’s truly the end. For us, and for everyone else.

Everyone here is special, but the decision we must make now is even more so. Simply by being here, we’ve been granted the authority to decide the fate of this era.

– Sounds like nonsense.

[But hey, has anything made sense so far?]

The lives of everyone in this world rest on our shoulders. Whether the hope passed down by someone from the past will truly become a star to illuminate everyone or merely vanish as empty words depends on this very moment.

“I’ll ask one thing. Will you come with me to Polaris Fortress?”

[Of course.]

– What other choice do we have?

“I’ll follow.”

“I’ll go.”

Despite the option to give up or back down, all four of us willingly stood up. Whether we succeed or fail, this will be the last. If we succeed, there’s no need to think about what comes next, and if we fail, there’s no need to think about it either.

– Can we trust that Amin guy? Is there any guarantee that stabbing the core with the thorn will stop it?

[We’ll only know if we try. I don’t know if it’ll stop if we succeed, but if we don’t try, it definitely won’t stop. If you have another plan, feel free to share it.]

If even this fails, there’s only one alternative left.

Miracle, the night the Milky Way blooms. The falling blade of divine retribution. The first time I used it, it couldn’t even defeat the Demon King, but the second time, it annihilated the King of Monsters.

I don’t know how powerful the third and final use will be, but this is my ultimate and last resort. After that, there’s truly no need to think further. By the time I use it, I won’t be able to maintain my current state.

[Then everyone, get on my back. Whether we succeed or fail, let’s get it over with quickly. Let me make this clear—if we fail, I’m running away immediately. Neither the Primal Body nor the Reapers will be able to follow me to the sea of stars. After a nap, this cycle will be over.]

“Thank you for helping us, Azahadaka.”

[Hmph. Just repaying the favor for the fruit. A dragon like me can’t owe a debt to surface dwellers and not repay it. Enough talk, get on.]

Under normal circumstances, we might have declined out of courtesy, but this time, the situation was urgent. With gratitude, we climbed onto the dragon’s back, and soon, the dragon took flight. Spreading its wings, it began retracing the path we had already taken. The sound of the wind whistled past our ears.

*****

…Is the master here?

The master has left.

Where did he go?

That doesn’t matter.

To this monster, composed only of eyes and a tail, there was no brain to think of such complex things. It doesn’t ponder why, for what purpose, or how the master is absent.

When the master isn’t here, it simply lives by the concept of guarding this place in his stead. Though called a monster, this one is special. Unlike other monsters with independent life, self-awareness, and clear will, Bimoa has none of that.

It’s more akin to a weapon than a monster.

This monster-weapon moves solely according to the commands input by its master.

Blink.

A large eyelid opens, revealing an eye large enough to swallow the entire castle. The tail, stretching deep underground, continues to draw energy.

Bimoa’s eye gazes at a point in the void. The pupil quietly contracts, focusing on that spot. It doesn’t distinguish whether it’s a guest, a passing traveler, or an enemy.

No, it can’t distinguish. This monster, as mentioned, has no brain. It simply shoots down everything that comes its way.

The sentinel of Polaris Fortress stretches and rises.