Chapter 157 At the End of the Story Reunion at the Fairy Tale’s Endpoint (6k)
Under the pitch-black sky, above the ocean that transformed from the Abyss.
Rast bathed in the roaring winds, and in his hand, a tangible chess piece silently appeared, then was tightly gripped in his palm.
It was the “Rook” piece from chess, resonating with the “King” piece held by Akshia.
This pair of pieces was also a gift from Mr. Silver, together with Professor Barbarossa’s “Holy Grenade”, before Rast entered the Echoes of the Era.
In the rules of chess, there is a special maneuver.
It allows the player to move both the King’s piece and one Rook at the same time, shifting the King two steps towards the Rook, then crossing the Rook over the King, stopping next to the King…
In simpler terms, it’s a swap of positions for the “King” and “Rook” pieces on the chessboard.
This is a limited maneuver that both players can only use once in each game.
It is used only when the “King” is trapped in a dire predicament surrounded by an army… at the cost of sacrificing a “Rook” to move the King to safety, a desperate act to preserve the King, and is the final trump card for every chess player.
And at this very moment, it played out in reality.
As the stage called Abyss and everything on it… whether the actors or the performance, proceeded precisely according to Rast’s anticipated unfolding, down to the last detail at the preset node.
Rast finally revealed his trump card, the trump card as a chess player.
In the howling wind, the corner of his mouth moved slightly:
“Rook—”
“Castling.”
…
It was clearly a very slight utterance, as if it would be swallowed by the chaotic winds at any moment.
However, at the instant this phrase was spoken.
Whether it was Rast falling from the top of the tower into the Abyss, or Akshia who had just awakened from slumber inside the Ice Coffin.
The two chess pieces they clenched in their hands burst forth with incomparably radiant, blazing brilliance, even overshadowing the light storm caused by the Holy Grenade.
Both of their figures simultaneously vanished into the void, then reappeared in an instant.
Only when their figures reemerged had Rast and Akshia’s positions been completely swapped.
Akshia now found herself in the low air, about to fall into the Abyss, while Rast’s broken form appeared in the already precarious Ice Coffin, alongside that trace of the mad God of d*ath’s lingering spirit.
Just as the original meaning of “Castling” in chess—
By the sacrifice of a soldier and a chariot… allowing the surrounded King to escape danger.
…
High above, the winds howled, and Akshia’s ice-blue hair fluttered in the wind, in utter disarray.
She was now in the position Rast had occupied moments ago, with the surging illusory sea just below her.
At the normal rate of descent, she should have long since plunged into that yellow-ish ocean.
However, at this moment, countless illusory waves crashed in midair, transforming into a solidified dusk.
They gently carried Akshia, preventing her from continuing her fall.
This was the Abyss’s manifestation of friendship towards Akshia.
As a descendant of the former God of d*ath, Akshia’s body already flowed with the bl**d of the God of d*ath, originating from the same source as the Abyss before her. The dusky sea sensed her presence and naturally resonated with her.
And amidst the chaotic winds beside Akshia were remnants of the shattered bl**d flowers that had splattered from the boy’s wound.
But the boy’s figure had already ceased to exist.
Only remained were the old, tattered book that had been laid open in the gales.
Even while falling from a great height, Akshia could recognize this chaotic old book at a glance.
It was a relic, a fairy tale book titled “Chronicles of Silver Wings” that her mother had left for her, a treasure that Akshia had always cherished.
Although upon reflection, her mother must have been a backup plan orchestrated by that former God of d*ath for her revival, this fairy tale book that had accompanied her for hundreds of years in that dusky palace, Akshia would never mistake.
On that cliff stained by the sunset, Akshia had given this most cherished fairy tale book to Rast as a return gift.
Never did she expect that today, Rast would return that book again through the “Castling” maneuver.
The fierce winds blew.
The pages of the book rustled in the wind, flipping continuously… until it reached the blank final page.
And at that moment.
On the previously blank page, the splattered crimson bl**d was etched into clear, distinct words.
This was a part that did not exist in Akshia’s memory… the story written with bl**d of what happened after the conclusion of “Chronicles of Silver Wings”—
When the male and female protagonists established a small wooden house deep in the forest and spent a period of happy, tranquil married life, unexpected changes arose.
The female protagonist was, in fact, the reincarnation of the ancient Evil God that had once brought a cataclysm to the continent a hundred years ago… as long as she existed in the world, she would bring plague and disaster, causing millions of beings to perish.
And now, that Evil God’s will was reviving within the girl, taking her body as a vessel… gradually devouring her consciousness and humanity bit by bit.
After a painful struggle, the boy, who was the male protagonist, chose to seek help from the Church, wanting to use the Church’s power to k*ll the resurrecting Evil God.
However—
The cost of doing so was that the story’s female protagonist, that girl from a remote border town who dreamed of becoming an adventurer… would also be wiped out alongside the resurrected ancient Evil God, under the light of Divine Descent.
For the sake of justice in his heart, for the stability of the world, that boy who dreamed of becoming a knight had to utilize all the ruthless skills learned throughout their travels in the world to personally k*ll the girl he loved most.
This was the most logical conclusion; sacrificing a trivial individual for the safety of millions and the greater cause of world peace was the most correct choice, one that no one could criticize.
However, beyond the normal ending, there existed another option, another route.
Using life and d*ath as a wager, let himself and that ancient deity take their place at the gambling table.
Replacing the girl with himself, allowing the resurrecting Evil God’s remnants to change vessels and reside in his own body.
…
Rustle.
Rustle.
The fairy tale book was quietly flipped to the last page of the bl**d-colored text by the howling winds.
Immediately thereafter, the fairy tale book suddenly flashed with dazzling brilliance.
The light was a vivid crimson, as if the bl**d solidified into text on the pages had ignited, radiating a glaring glow.
[Unfinished Fairy Tale Book]
[Category: Emblem Armor]
[Description: This fairy tale book titled “Chronicles of Silver Wings” is a treasure of the girl named Helen, and also embodies all the musings and yearnings of the bird in the cage princess…
And the budding, vague love towards that boy who opened the window for her, allowing her to see the dreamy scenery outside the cage…
Even later, the stage play of the bird in the cage and the boy came to an end, the girl learned all the truths, and their encounter was not destiny but rather a meticulously arranged script.
And she herself was not Helen, but Akshia, an actress who took amnesia medication to perform the role of the female protagonist in the stage play.
But “the fairy tale is fake, yet love is real.”
A story originating from falsehoods can still bear genuine fruits.
Even till this day, the girl still firmly believes in and hopes for such somewhat childish thoughts…]
[For some unknown reason, there are several blank pages after the conclusion of this fairy tale book]
[As if there are untold stories waiting for the future to write]
[Ability Effect 1: When bl**d drips onto the cover page of the fairy tale book, the illusory story will transform into a real landscape.]
[Ability Effect 2: Unknown (Unlocked upon completing the Emblem Armor)]
Through the certification of the Night World, this old fairy tale book has been sublimated into an Emblem Armor.
At this moment, the flames burning on the pages of the fairy tale book, like bl**d, represent the skill of this Emblem Armor—
“Transforming the illusory story into real scenery.”
This skill is akin to a reality following words, and is a great power that can only be used once…
As long as it fits the most basic narrative logic and has the potential for such development, the fairy tale will come true.
Thus—
As the unfinished fairy tale is rewritten.
The reality currently occurring in the Abyss was also being interfered with and corrected…
The torrent of fate generated a slight ripple… and began to flow towards the divergence indicated in the fairy tale book.
Transforming the illusory into tangible reality.
…
At the top of the Tower, inside the Ice Coffin.
Witnessing the torrent of holy light dissolving the Ice Coffin, about to erase everything within.
The remnants of the God of d*ath… suddenly sensed that the once perfect vessel flowing with the bl**d of man and god had abruptly vanished from the Ice Coffin.
In its place was an unfamiliar male human.
For the ancient God of d*ath, this was akin to seeing a lifesaver.
This newly appeared human body, although it did not flow with the d*ath god’s bl**d as the meticulously prepared vessel had, and could perfectly harmonize with his remnants, allowing for the direct inheritance of the former God of d*ath’s entire authority and power as soon as they merged.
However—
Correspondingly, this also meant that this body had not undergone alterations from the “God of d*ath” sequence… Naturally, it would not be targeted by the holy light possessing divine attributes.
Choosing this human body as the new vessel… this was the best method for the former God of d*ath to preserve himself in this moment.
No longer considering why the previous perfect vessel suddenly disappeared, or why Rast appeared in the Ice Coffin.
Like a drowning person grasping at a lifeline, the remnant of the God of d*ath directly invaded Rast’s body.
In the next moment, the holy light swallowed the entire Ice Coffin.
…
When the radiant torrent finally receded, that grand Ice Coffin had completely vanished from sight.
Only left was that boy with black hair and black eyes.
A faint white glow lingered around him but never invaded his body.
“Silence Disqualified · Withering Pebble”
After using the “Library of Fools” to replicate Professor Barbarossa’s Night Blade, the explosion of the Holy Grenade had indeed left his body unscathed.
Rast’s thoughts moved slightly as three emerald-green diamond-shaped crystals silently materialized in his right hand, then were crushed by him.
At the same time, vials of potions appeared in his left hand, which he poured into his mouth without reservation.
The “Instant Healing Crystal” that Hiltina had used on him in Deep Blue Harbor had kept Rast’s body, already riddled with wounds from the veterinary stimulant, hanging on by its last breath.
And various alchemical potions made using Night Blade by pharmacists or extraordinary individuals from Starry University for emergency treatment.
Before entering the Night World this time, Rast had already planned for this fierce battle, thus he had prepared various healing potions in advance… or rather, akin to the red pot health potions in a game.
At this moment, Rast recklessly consumed them all, and in an instant, an incredibly rich life force enveloped his entire body.
The healing crystals shattered instantly, turning into countless emerald-green glittering shards that fell on Rast’s body, which had been ravaged by the bloom of the “Flesh Flower.”
In a daze, he saw ripples like water waves, feeling as if he were bathing in warm spring water, with a tingling sensation from all his wounds.
In this reckless frenzy of drug use, Rast’s life force stagnated… like the flame of life that had once flickered in the wind no longer swayed, and his wounds began to heal slowly.
He was forcibly pulled back from the deadly state that remained with a sliver of bl**d skin after the “Desperate Plea.”
However, at this moment.
Compared to his gradually recovering, healed body.
The remnant of the ancient God of d*ath, which had forsaken Akshia and chosen Rast as the new vessel, directly invaded deep into his soul, was the most lethal.
Deep in his soul, in the illusory ocean transformed by the spiritual world, the erosion from the ancient God of d*ath had already begun.
It sought to swallow Rast’s consciousness and soul, making itself the new master of this vessel.
This was the game between the ancient deity and mortals; the loser would lose everything.
Yet, after initially healing his riddled body and restoring basic mobility, Rast did not mind the torrent of d*ath’s remnants from the God within the spiritual world.
He merely walked to the edge of the tower, at the cliff’s end.
Then, he lowered his gaze.
Looking down at the cliff, at that dusky yellow ocean.
Or rather, the direction where Akshia was.
…
The sky and the sea.
The tower and the abyss.
Their gazes crossed an infinitely distant distance, separated by the roaring winds and tides.
This gaze had crossed three years.
Three years ago, the girl was the ruler of Paradise, the queen of the underworld… while the boy was merely a servant by her side.
And three years later, everything had changed.
Yet only the black-haired boy’s eyes remained unchanged, clear and bright, as if they were pristine stars.
Just as they were when they first met.
Upon seeing the sequel written on that unfinished fairy tale book, upon seeing Rast’s familiar gaze, Akshia understood everything and knew all.
“Why…?”
Her pale lips trembled slightly.
“Why… go to such lengths for me?”
With her memories previously suppressed by the rules of the Night World now revived, Akshia had already grasped everything.
This was merely a performance of illusion.
All between them… whether it was their initial encounter, the meeting in the palace under the sunset.
Or the subsequent events, all stemmed from a whimsical joke from the lofty Night World.
They were merely actors playing the male and female leads in a stage play, the curtains rose and fell… all dictated by a script that had already been written.
And after the show ended, the actors naturally should conclude and return to their original lives.
After casting aside all that arose from lies, the relationship between Rast and Akshia was merely that of classmates who had shared a brief encounter introduced by Mr. Silver at Starry University… nothing more.
Such a relationship—was not worth the sacrifices that Rast had made for himself at this very moment.
“Why…?”
As if sensing Akshia’s confusion, Rast’s jet-black eyes, too, revealed a rare hint of bewilderment.
He was also pondering the answer to this question.
If he were that boy in Deep Blue Harbor, mechanical and lost in the cycle of time, living merely for his own “survival”, he certainly would not have done such a thing.
To put himself in danger for someone with whom he had no actual interests involved.
If he were to follow his long-held style of behavior based on “profit judgment”, then everything he was doing at this moment was undoubtedly extremely foolish, a choice with negative returns.
“Because… it’s gratitude towards you.”
Rast looked at the girl being cradled by the illusory waves and softly spoke.
“Even if everything that transpired between us originated from lies and coincidences, if not for being the male protagonist, to have personally experienced a fairy tale woven by you…”
“Then perhaps I would never truly understand all that Xiao Ai had once told me.”
“And I wouldn’t be able to regain what I lost and was forgotten during those three hundred years in Deep Blue Harbor.”
He gently placed his hand over his left heart, the spot where the Flesh Flower bloomed; even after countless healing crystals and alchemical remedies, a large, ghastly scar still remained.
And Rast touched that horrid scar with his fingertips, feeling the faint yet exceedingly clear heartbeat that came through his skin and flesh.
“In the past, because of longing for that woman’s smile in my memories… and to give a gradually crumbling self an anchor, I had viewed the Guardian’s ideal as a lifeline, grasping it at any cost as the meaning of my existence.”
“But that was merely due to longing, a meaningless imitation done just to clutch at a lifeline. Just as children love to imitate adults’ clothing and behavior… yet never understand the meaning behind those actions.”
“The me before was just like those children copying adults—merely a ‘Guardian’ imitator, applying the Guardian’s creed as my own doctrine, believing it to be the meaning of existence… yet never truly understanding the true essence of ‘Guardian.'”
“And now—”
“It seems, I’m beginning to understand a little.”
He smiled slightly: “The concept of ‘living’ is not waiting to slowly d*e in a small cage, but to keep running.”
“And the meaning of the Guardian is not to recklessly go to one’s d*ath for an impossible goal.”
“Indeed, initially born from a child’s inexplicable yearning for an adult… but ultimately, it stems from the wish deep within everyone’s heart—”
“To end the pathetic fate that has lasted for six eras, to overturn this hellish world.”
“Entrusting hope and flame seeds to the future, believing in the strength of successors, and striving for it, even sacrificing one’s life, is the thought of generations before…”
“If it weren’t for you… perhaps I would never understand it all, continuing to live like a wandering soul.”
“So if I must find a reason for all the things I’ve done…”
“Then let it be my repayment for you helping me understand everything.”
Rast’s voice slowed slightly.
“Furthermore, just as you said—’Fairy tales are fake, but love is real.'”
“I sincerely hope… and yearn for such thoughts.”
Because, without this notion…
From the various clues he had gathered, Canaan and Xiao Ai would no longer exist.
Just like bubbles and illusions that disappear in the sunlight.
Nothing could be left behind other than “love.”
Such a thought flashed through Rast’s mind, unspoken.
A mysterious silver glimmer crossed his gaze as he looked down at Akshia in the illusory ocean.
And in the sight of the Keen Eye, the figure of the ice-blue-haired girl was already shrouded in thin night, gradually fading, being stripped from this world.
As a Night Traveler, Akshia had lingered in the Night World for too long.
And at this moment, she finally broke free, regaining her freedom… the power of the rules from the Night World was to withdraw this overdue Night Traveler from the Night World and return to the real world.
“So—”
“Classmate Akshia.”
Rast smiled slightly.
“Let us meet again at the end of the story, at the fairy tale’s endpoint…”
“Once more.”
The moment his words fell.
The ethereal night enveloped the girl’s delicate figure gently, until she vanished from sight.
(End of Chapter)
