Chapter 156: Your Majesty, I Have Come to Take You Home (5k4)
The world became silent.
Only the silver-white sphere, emanating a scorching light, remained.
At the same time… a tiny detonation mechanism was triggered within the Holy Grenade.
Whether it was the current Sixth Epoch of the Night World, or the present world where Starry University resided… there were significant differences from Rast’s previous life on Blue Star.
This was a world filled with Extraordinary Power.
Ancient dragons, giants, elves… even the footprints of gods could be traced.
The sequence staircase, Night World, Night Blade, or abilities, as well as the magic technology invented in the present world… many things that did not exist on Blue Star in the past vividly highlighted the differences in the rules between the two world planes.
However—
Even so.
Just as in any world, there existed a race called “humans”—
Without sharp teeth, without claws, without wings capable of soaring through the skies, and lacking a strong physique and long lifespan… yet they still rose from obscurity through generations of passed-down knowledge to become the rulers of the new era.
There are always some fundamental rules, deeply rooted in the foundation of the world, that will not change.
For instance, the formula that turns the “mass” which exists in the world into the purest “energy.”
This is the principle behind the composition of stars, and it is by following such rules that the sun can burn eternally.
On Rast’s Blue Star in his previous life, the weapons created using the principle of star composition were named “nuclear weapons.”
And at this very moment.
Although the form differed due to the existence of magic technology.
The structure of the “Holy Grenade,” modified by Principal Agatha, adhered to the same laws.
In the ocean of magical power condensed into magic crystals, a magical factor silently collapsed under the effect of the spell.
Then, the collapse began an unrestricted chain reaction.
From one to two, from two to four.
From four to eight, from eight to sixteen…
Losing restraint, losing limitations.
The chain reaction of collapse swept up all the stray magical factors around it, and then re-aggregated them, releasing mass.
Then, under the effect of alchemical magic.
The collapsed mass was transformed without reservation into the purest light and heat.
…
Light surged, light roared.
Just as the description of the Holy Grenade stated— annihilate everything, destroy everything.
The pitch-black Abyss was instantly illuminated by the holy brilliance, the entire illusory sea reflecting rippling waves of light.
“This is… the ability of the holy attribute?”
“This destructive power released is somewhat similar to the sun’s radiation… Is this a new technique developed by Cecil based on his ‘Sun’ sequence?”
As Noah gazed at the flowing and surging brilliance before him, he couldn’t help but furrow his brow slightly.
This was a weapon that he, as a Gravekeeper, with his long life, still could not fully comprehend.
Clearly appearing at first glance as merely an inconspicuous sphere…
However, when the mass was annihilated in the chain reaction of the spell, and pure energy was released, it was enough to make a legend tremble.
Such an incredible energy conversion efficiency had never been seen by Noah throughout his long life spanning multiple epochs, nor had it appeared in history… as if it were a technology that surpassed the times, coming from the future.
At this moment, Noah’s only guess was that this weapon might be Cecil’s invention… for the process of energy release from the Holy Grenade felt somewhat similar to Cecil’s “Sun” sequence.
However—
“This strange weapon that I have never seen before, which is extremely similar to the sun’s radiation…”
“Is it you, is it the Guardian and Cecil’s ultimate trump card?”
After a brief moment of surprise, Noah quickly regained his calm.
He gazed at the towering waves of the muddy yellow sea below the tower, which was also the direction Rast was in.
The towering pinnacle of the tower, and the Abyss that swallowed the light; the zenith of the sky, and the end of the earth.
Seemingly close at hand, yet separated by an infinitely distant distance.
That fragmented humanoid figure resembled a withered yellow leaf, swirling in the air with the wind, accompanied by splattering bl**d and shattered flesh… yet it still had not touched the illusory sea of the Abyss.
“Indeed, the destructive power of this weapon is formidable… Furthermore, the holy attributes contained within, akin to the ‘Sun,’ are a tremendous nemesis to those undead souls, bl**d clans, and cultists who fear sunlight.”
“If it targeted the chaotic camp’s evil god minions, pollutants, or undead beings, then even if the opponent is a legend, they are likely to suffer severe injuries.”
“But—”
“You chose the wrong target.”
The Abundant Domain suddenly expanded.
One after another, emerald green branches and leaves quietly rose in the Abundant Domain, sheltering Noah’s figure within.
The “Holy Grenade” was a weapon modeled after the composition of the sun, possessing a special effect against targets with attributes of “undead,” “pollution,” “corruption,” and “disorder.”
However, Noah was neither one of those undead beings, nor a minion of the evil gods, nor a corrupted being of life.
He was a genuine human, a legend of the “Abundance” sequence.
And at this moment, the incarnation of him in the Abyss was constructed using an “Origin Leaf” of the “Primordial Ancient Tree” as the core for the clone.
If he were to face a true star, a real sun… then Noah would be engulfed without even stirring the faintest ripple by the star’s corona.
Nevertheless, after all, this was merely a weapon mimicking the composition of the sun. Nothing more.
Just as in nature, plants thrive through photosynthesis, depending on sunlight for sustenance.
The sunlight released by the “Holy Grenade” could not cause additional harm to Noah’s incarnation, which was already centered on the Origin Leaf of the Primordial Ancient Tree; rather, it would instead serve as a supplement to Noah.
The emerald green branches and leaves developed from the Abundant Domain, bathed in the surging brilliance, not only remained intact but also absorbed the power of sunlight…
Growing stronger, even further branching out into more branches and leaves, resembling a lush small forest.
Feeling the impact from the brilliance of the Holy Grenade being absorbed by his released Abundant Barrier, that impact began to gradually diminish, growing thin and powerless.
A hint of chilling amusement appeared on Noah’s aged face.
He gently extended his hand, and a green vine suddenly shot forth into the void, aimed straight at Rast, who was falling into the Abyss.
It intended to grasp the shattered boy before him, thoroughly exploring his body.
Though he was unsure why his “Flesh Flower” had not directly taken the other’s life when it had fully bloomed earlier.
However, this game—
Ultimately, he had won.
And the Guardian would become the dust of history, never to be remembered again.
Yet, just as Noah’s gaze crossed the vast Abyss and landed on the humanoid figure falling from the cliff, his eyes suddenly widened slightly in surprise.
On the boy’s pale, broken face, there was no hint of the tension and fear of a failed plot.
In fact, quite the opposite.
His face bore a hint of mocking curvature.
…
What is he raving about?
What is he mocking?
Clearly, the very means you take the most pride in, the ultimate trump card that Cecil left for you, has already been completely unraveled by me.
As this thought began to surface.
In the next moment, Noah realized something abnormal suddenly rising around him.
It did not come from the outside.
Rather, it originated from within Noah’s own Abundant Domain…
The branches, leaves, and roots that had been thriving under the scorching brilliance of the Holy Grenade, which were meant to grow vigorously, were now accompanied by the diminishing energy waves of the Holy Grenade, yet their growth speed showed no signs of slowing down.
In fact, they intensified their efforts.
It wasn’t enough to absorb all the sunlight they could soak up… they began to draw from his own body—exploiting the power stored within Noah’s Abundant incarnation to supply their abnormal growth.
Such a change completely exceeded Noah’s control.
This was a distortion originating from his own body, disregarding Noah’s will and forcefully exerting control.
His flesh and domain, including the vines, roots, leaves, and plants extending from his abundance…
Everything fell into an abnormal state— uncontrollably splitting and growing, causing all the power stored within this Abundant incarnation to continuously dissipate.
In Rast’s previous life, this was a flesh distortion known as “cancer.”
Once it appears, it is extremely difficult to stop, causing all the cells in the body to fall into an uncontrollable, unlimited division vortex… it is an incurable disease.
Similarly, this was Rast’s trump card to counter Noah.
The energy explosion brewed by the Holy Grenade, imitating a star, due to its solar attributes, certainly could not inflict significant harm on Noah.
However… just as the greatest deterrent of a nuclear weapon in Rast’s previous life was not the explosion when it landed, but the subsequent radiation and the indiscriminate pollution to all living beings within its range.
Noah’s magnificent and imposing Abundant incarnation was now completely out of control; each distortion and division was draining the last remnants of power in this incarnation, and this division would also taint the originally normal Abundant Domain, polluting it, turning it into a new source of distortion.
Even with his legendary standing, this was a very troublesome situation… the power of legends is indeed mighty, but it can only wipe out external formidable enemies.
At this moment, however, Noah’s enemy had become himself… unable to distinguish or identify. To eradicate this source of distortion, he must first slay himself.
Even more terrifying was—
Noah distinctly felt that the core of his Abundant incarnation was also having issues.
The core object of this Abundant incarnation, the relic of the First Epoch’s Primordial Ancient Tree, which should have already been erased of all residual thoughts by the Gravekeeper organization, the “Origin Leaf”… was clearly also producing abnormal fluctuations.
Affected by the distortions and divisions of the entire Abundant incarnation, that Origin Leaf seemed to have awakened a new will.
Attempting to seize control of this Abundant incarnation from Noah himself, as the core object.
In that radiant chaos, the emerald-green Abundant Domain suddenly contracted.
At this moment, Noah was already hard-pressed to protect himself; he had to invest all his strength and spirit into repressing the flesh distortion of his Abundant incarnation and competing for control over the incarnation with the awakening second will.
He could no longer pay attention to the falling Rast or anything else.
…
At the summit of the spire, on the other side of the high platform.
The flowing brilliance stirred countless whirlpools, engulfing the entire magnificent amber ice coffin.
Unrelated to Noah’s Abundance and plant attributes.
Whether it was the Abyss or this amber ice coffin solidified from dusk, they belonged to the Divine Power of d*ath, a manifestation of the concept of d*ath.
And that divine radiant sunlight was precisely a nemesis of such a dead entity, its complete countering target.
In that scorching brilliance, whether it was the solidified dusk or the eternally frozen ice coffin, they melted away like ice and snow in spring.
The ice coffin that had been frozen for millennia slowly shattered, melting away.
Brilliant and bright sunlight streamed through the gradually thinning walls of the ice coffin, illuminating the face of the girl inside.
Her ice-blue long hair spilled over in the coffin, resembling a snow maiden who had slept for millennia.
Roar—
An ancient god’s furious roar emanated from the ice coffin.
That was the roar of the old god of d*ath.
He sensed that the ice coffin, which had been safeguarding him, was gradually shattering and that outside it, the flowing, turbulent brilliance was approaching.
That kind of light was, without a doubt, the nemesis of him as an old remnant spirit, as a deceased being.
If it were in the glorious days of the Age of Gods… then let alone a mere Holy Grenade that simulated the power of the sun, even the True God of the Sun sequence’s descent would only be a mutual restraint; the god of d*ath would not necessarily be defeated.
But at this very moment, he was merely a sliver of remnant spirit that had just barely revived.
Having been extinguished for several epochs, his power had long since dwindled to almost nothing, and he could not yet break the seal, even surviving by absorbing the Abyss and retrieving what little remaining power he had.
Once the ice coffin shattered, this remnant spirit of the old god of d*ath would be engulfed by the holy brilliance outside, thoroughly extinguished, with no chance of survival whatsoever.
The will of d*ath escaped the girl’s body, giving up the opportunity to occupy this perfect vessel prepared for him.
Compared to the immediate d*ath crisis, what perfect vessel, what grand ambition of becoming a god in human form… Everything seemed no longer important.
Though once he was the ruler of the Underworld, lord over all as the old god of d*ath… at this moment, he was just a sliver of a remnant spirit, fearful of d*ath like the most ordinary being, desperately wishing to cling to life.
The remnant spirit of d*ath repeatedly tried to collide with the remaining barriers and seals on the ice coffin, wishing to escape this ice coffin, which was about to be submerged by the holy light, no different from a grave… but what strength could a sliver of unregained divine body possess? All efforts were in vain.
In the end, the remnant spirit of d*ath could only be trapped in the ice coffin, watching helplessly as the holy light dissolved all of it.
Crack—
A transparent crack suddenly appeared on the amber ice coffin.
In the next moment.
The scorching light surged in through that crack, streaming directly into the ice coffin.
…
In Akshia’s nightmare.
Clearly, her figure was huddled in the blizzard, yet she stubbornly spread her arms, safeguarding the meager flame in her embrace, unwilling to let her precious memories and self be taken away.
At that moment.
A bright sunlight illuminated the girl’s eyes.
She raised her head in confusion.
Only to see that the seemingly endless blizzard had quietly ceased without her notice.
Even the boundless darkness, which had swallowed light, had vanished.
The dark canopy suddenly broke with several openings, and pure, clear light shone through those breaks in the dark canopy, casting onto her ice-blue hair, reflecting a glass-like brilliance.
The master of the blizzard and darkness.
That figure from her previous life in a fairy tale… wishing to revive through her body, wanting to take away her self, and even wanting to seize all her precious memories with Rast.
Had he left her body?
Akshia felt a hint of confusion rising in her heart.
On the dark canopy, the cracks began to expand further, allowing more sunlight to pour in…
Eventually, the entire sky shattered into dark fragments, leaving only infinite light falling from the sky, illuminating the snowfield above this eternal night.
The ancient departed soul that wished to occupy her body left, and Akshia also awakened from her slumber.
The moment she opened her eyes and returned to reality—
She saw the ice coffin she was in, along with the scorching holy brilliance outside the coffin.
Fragments of memories remaining in her mind surged like a tide, letting Akshia understand her current predicament.
Am I to… d*e?
She looked at the melting and shattering ice coffin before her, and at the glaringly bright light, which made her feel extremely uncomfortable, as if it were her natural enemy, murmuring in her heart.
However—
To retain her will, and also to keep that part of her memories with Rast… unwilling to share with anyone, belonging solely to herself.
To d*e as Akshia, as Helen, and not as the resurrected god of d*ath.
As long as that was the case… she would be satisfied enough.
She opened her deep purple beautiful eyes, gazing at the torrent of light bursting through the ice coffin.
Awaiting the purifying ray of the holy sunlight, as the descendant of the god of d*ath… at the moment d*ath descends.
But—
It was just at that moment.
Akshia saw within the ice coffin, a piece resembling a chess piece tightly clutched in her hand.
It was the first, very first, piece that Rast had silently placed into the palm of the girl sleeping in the ice coffin when he first ascended the high stage to check the coffin.
This event occurred when Rast first climbed the tower… and later, many anomalies and changes happened, so naturally, no one paid attention to this trivial detail.
[Substitute Chess Piece (King)]
[Type: Extraordinary Item, Single-use Consumption]
[Rarity: Purple]
[Item Description: A pair of ‘King and Rook’ chess pieces, when both parties hold this pair of chess pieces, they can use ‘King and Rook Swap.’]
[“King and Rook Swap”: Exchanging the positions of the holder of the ‘Substitute Chess Piece (King)’ with the holder of the ‘Substitute Chess Piece (Rook)’.]
Is this an extraordinary item from the Night World?
Akshia stared at the chess piece in her hand, feeling the distant memories awakening in her mind.
In the next moment.
The boy’s voice suddenly echoed throughout the ice coffin via that chess piece.
Akshia would never forget the owner of that voice until d*ath.
“Life is the end of all things.”
The boy’s voice rang in her ears, yet it felt as if it was coming from an entire world away.
“Life is a pilgrimage of accumulated suffering.”
“But—”
“I think, the fairy tale belonging to the caged bird queen…”
“Is definitely not a story of d*ath and severance.”
“So, classmate Akshia…”
His words paused briefly.
“No—”
“Queen Helen.”
“I have come to take you home.”
(End of Chapter)
