Chapter 304

If you want to succeed, you should obviously go where people gather.

But if you seek peace, if all you desire is a tranquil life,


then going where people gather *too much* might not be the answer.

So, ever since this priest met the little wolf, one thought kept crossing his mind.


Perhaps the city isn’t the right place for this child.

-…I always wanted to take you there. I wanted to introduce you to my hometown.

Later, when he met Yanid and she joined the group, that thought grew even stronger. Just a turn of the head away, there was the most peaceful village in the world.

At least, the villagers there seemed like they’d accept even a girl with horns and wings as one of their own. He wanted to take these two girls to Pumpkin Vine Village someday.

-But now, that’s no longer possible.

He knows. That place may be peaceful and comfortable, but it’s far from a paradise on earth.


It’s neither luxurious nor glamorous. Yurinel left the village because life there didn’t suit her.

But if that’s the case, you can just leave. Pumpkin Vine Village doesn’t force anyone.


Whether someone comes or goes, they don’t question it. No one does.

-Hey, Roka. Why are you crying like that? Why are you shedding so many tears? Why are you so deeply sad? You don’t need to. Really, there’s no reason to torment yourself. It’s my fault.

A dazzling sunlight burst forth, and within that light, a human figure appeared. Arms made of pure light reached out and embraced the crying girl.

The light, as if taken directly from the sun, was as warm as a human’s body temperature. With each touch of that warm light, the girl’s cold skin regained its warmth. Her weakened body, starved and frail, regained strength, and her parched throat became moist again.

There was no doubt! The girl clung to him without resistance. She buried her face and cried and cried. Even when she wanted to speak, her voice choked, so she just held on tightly. As if she’d never let go, she hugged him so tightly it felt like bones might break.

Instead, her tail slowly moved, wrapping around his legs like a snake seizing its prey. Tight enough to crush his ankles.

Of course, deep down, she knew. This wouldn’t keep him. It was likely a meaningless act.

But even knowing that, if she didn’t do it, she couldn’t bear the regret.

“Really, have you really come back?”

[That form… it’s less like he’s returned alive and more like…]

Unlike the overjoyed Yanid, the dragon narrowed its eyes and stared at him for a moment. After a while, it sighed and shook its head.

The body formed from that light looked exactly the same as it did in life, but it couldn’t be the same. This radiant body was merely a temporary vessel. The true form of the ascended could never be contained on this earth.

If that form were forcibly revealed here, nothing good would come of it. But the experienced dragon, using magic, tried to peer beyond that form.

It wasn’t cold, but her body shivered. She felt chills. And when she stopped looking, she forgot what she had seen. It was as if the time she had seen it had been carved out, and no matter how hard she tried to recall, nothing came to mind.

The only thing she was certain of was that it was beyond comprehension. At least, her brain couldn’t understand it. And perhaps no one else could either.

[He’s returned as a different being… No, he’s returned.]

For the first time, the dragon bit her lip and spoke respectfully. She, who had always looked down on others, even Primal Demon King Grimudo, now acknowledged him and lowered herself. Unused to it, she stumbled over her words.

Truthfully, this dragon had no intention of crying or mourning when Kyle left. She thought it would be enough to send him off politely. Dragons are like that. Even when someone close dies, they accept it calmly. She was more surprised by his current appearance.

“Don’t go…”

But not everyone can accept eternal farewells so calmly.


This has nothing to do with the strength of one’s will.

“Do you have to go?”

The wolf’s eyes welled with tears. Now, she had power that could make even kings tremble. Power sometimes betrays its master, but strength built through training is always honest.

But even with that, she couldn’t hold onto him.

“Can’t you stay?”

She knew the answer but didn’t want to admit it. She wished time would stop at this very moment, but that was impossible.

-You have to go, Roka. But that doesn’t mean we’ll be apart forever.

Not because I’ll always live in your heart,


but because we’ll truly meet again.

It may be in the distant future,


and it’s still just a possibility,


but this child will surely reach where I am.

-So stop those scary thoughts. Roka, don’t be so anxious. We’re only parting for a little while.

The priest, who had glimpsed the future and discovered what this child was planning, smiled wryly and muttered. What a terrifying child I’ve picked up. But now, all those possibilities are gone. So it’s okay.

“I need you, Master. If you’re not here, I… I… I don’t know how to act. I don’t know what to do.”

She doesn’t know now, but this child will soon find the answer.

Angels only take interest in the world when it’s in chaos. So, to bring an ascended being back to earth, wouldn’t the world need to be in turmoil?

Roka knew this. So she willingly did it. Grasping the Resonance Sword, she became the Demon King herself, taking Grimudo’s place.

In place of the vanished Primal Demon King, the Twilight Demon King arrived, and wherever the Light of the Sunset flashed, all life perished. Demons, humans, and beastfolk alike were no exception.

She did it all in the hope that the ascended one would take notice of the world.


That he would look at her.


How fortunate it is that this ended as just a possibility.

In the end, it’s clear that her education was lacking. If, by any chance, he had left without taking full responsibility for her, the result could have been a catastrophe on earth.

-Then learn. Learn and come to me. Roka, if you don’t accept this farewell, you’ll only keep hurting. You’re a strong and brave child, aren’t you? It may be painful now, but you’ll surely overcome that sorrow.

He didn’t have enough time to teach her how to live, but perhaps others could help her.

-Roka, and Yanid. Visit my hometown once. Maybe there, you’ll find what you’ve lost. Do you remember our house in Larpentia? In the second drawer of my desk, the location is written there.

Pumpkin Vine Village.


It might not have been the right place for a girl who yearned for the world’s glamour,


but it’s the perfect place to care for two girls who became loners at a young age.

-Thank you for everything. You had no reason to, but you helped me greatly.

When Roka finally calmed down, he had the chance to turn his head elsewhere. The dragon, acting as if it were nothing, elegantly shook her head.

[I should be the one thanking you for restoring my body. I was just repaying a debt. There’s no need for such words.]

Her treatment and tone were completely different from before, polite and respectful. The priest, hearing the dragon speak formally for the first time, simply smiled. He might have gotten along better with her, but sadly, there was no time left.

-Whether the one above is satisfied with my actions and story, I can’t know, but it’s time to go now. Roka, Yanid. And Lord Azahadaka. May the Lord’s love, blessing, and mercy always be with you.

Now, the sunlight began to shatter. Light is one of the best mediums for containing sacredness, but even it has its limits. It can only hold on a little longer, never nearing eternity.

So now it’s time to leave,


but even for that brief moment, the girl couldn’t let go. Still reluctant, she finally closed her eyes and accepted it. At last, she released the tail wrapped around his legs.

…But her hand still held on tightly.

-Then goodbye, Roka.

But even that hand soon turned to light and disappeared. Dazedly reaching out to gather the scattering light, it was like trying to hold onto a mirage or smoke.

Nothing remained in her hand, but only warmth lingered. The girl, trembling, clenched her fist but stopped crying.

The Apostle had left. The girl, without realizing it, looked up at the sky.


This is the Arctic. What she sees is neither day nor night, but the midnight sun. Yet, beyond that symphony of light, it felt as if some immense being was waiting for a flawless soul.

“Whether I go to find you or call you, we’ll definitely meet again. So wait for me. I’ll see you again, no matter what.”

The girl, now full of life, shouted at the sky. Her voice echoed loudly. Finally, with a more human expression, the dragon and the half-dragon sighed in relief, easing their tension.

Now, the girl no longer sought to tread the harsh Arctic path or endure hardships.

A little later, a giant dragon flew into the Arctic sky, carrying two women and a coffin.