Chapter 390
Chapter 390
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 390
Chapter Title: 2-12 The Right to Gaze at the Stars (4)
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#12
It felt like electricity was coursing through my veins.
This stone was definitely Seniel.
Or more precisely, its presence dwelled within.
"Why is it in a place like this..."
Even though it had grown ridiculously weak, an immense power emanated from it.
The inscrutable being that had given me the Return Orb for Adeshan and saved me from a fate of death alongside Abel—a existence I still didn't fully understand.
Unlike back then, it didn't speak to me.
Navardoje raised an eyebrow.
"Seniel?"
"Yes. You've never heard of it?"
"Hmm... Now that I think about it, there were kids who worshipped something like that. I thought it was just some folk religion, but is it connected to this rock?"
She seemed to know little about Seniel.
Well, even I only learned about it after slaying Abel, so that made sense.
I gave a simple explanation of what I knew.
Seniel was the soul of our world.
Or the star itself.
The one who had slain the Giant Star King's vanguard from ages past.
Navardoje's eyes widened.
"...The soul of the world?"
"That's how it introduced itself, at least. We didn't talk much even then... I never imagined it would be here."
I instinctively knew.
This was leagues above the fake that Saranthe had cherished.
What stood before me now was Seniel's true body.
"Navardoje. You said this stone was important—what exactly does it do?"
"Hmm, how should I put it? If I had to compare, it's like a heart."
"A heart?"
"Yes. A heart brimming with immense vitality. All I did was infuse it with power, allowing that vitality to spread farther. Want to see?"
Navardoje placed her hand on the stone.
Her mana began seeping into its surface.
About a minute passed like that.
The stone vibrated faintly, and a translucent wave spread outward.
"This is...!"
The change was immediate.
The ores touched by the wave began to glow.
Red ores glowed redder, blue ores bluer.
The mystery of why the surroundings were so colorful was solved.
"Perfect timing. Check your pocket."
"Pardon?"
Suddenly, Navardoje pointed to my coat pocket.
I reached in and rummaged, pulling out a handful of pure white soil.
It must have gotten in during my camping trip with Lertansie.
"What is this?"
I wondered why she wanted me to see it.
Another wave burst forth, and the soil's color began to change.
The white grains transformed into glossy brown in less than ten seconds.
The color of fertile earth ready for planting potatoes.
Navardoje removed her hand from the stone.
"Now you get it. This is the secret behind the ecosystem persisting even underground."
"Incredible."
"Just my guess, but I believe even the deep seas and lands untouched by them owe their survival to this stone. The irregular bursts of life energy are prolonging the star's life..."
Navardoje's expression soured as she spoke.
Her body was healed now; she could infuse as much power as needed.
I could guess the reason.
"Not much time left, huh?"
"Yes. This stone is dying. And it's speeding up."
"That root or whatever facility is draining its power."
Obvious without seeing it.
If the world's soul, Seniel, was weakening, the cause was clear.
The winged baldies were stealing the star's very life force.
"That's what I think. That's why our main operations target the roots. Though we've only succeeded a handful of times..."
"Can't be helped. They live off that barrier."
Of course it was tough to destroy.
Every root's surface was coated in a thin layer of the star's blessing.
Without firepower on the level of the Mother of Fire, dealing meaningful damage would be hard.
Navardoje smiled faintly.
"That's why I'm even gladder you're here. Orse told me you destroyed a root with a single sword strike? It'd take years given the world's size, but with your help, reclaiming this star might not be a dream."
"Hmm. I don't think it'll take that long."
"What do you mean?"
"I forgot to explain earlier. So, if you drink my blood or apply it..."
No need to waste years.
If I were the only one in the original world who could stand against the baldies, victory would have been impossible.
I was about to continue explaining.
Navardoje suddenly raised her hand.
"Wait."
The conversation halted.
She stared gravely at the ceiling.
"What's wrong all of a sudden?"
"Something's happening up top."
Suddenly, two horns sprouted from both sides of Navardoje's head.
Curved toward the sky, they were more beautiful and thick than any dragon's.
"The light..."
The horns pulsed slowly.
The ominous red glow was the same as I'd seen on Itargand's entrance ceremony day.
If my memory was right, it meant the enemy was invading.
"This isn't good. Let's go."
"Damn it, hold on. Spatial magic again?"
"No. We'll fly. One more spell would strain me a bit."
Fwaaaah...!
Navardoje's body was enveloped in light.
The back of her dress tore, revealing a massive pair of wings.
The red membranes bore countless scars.
My chin nearly brushed her forehead as her height surged.
"Whoa."
An exclamation escaped me unwittingly.
Her chest, once below, was now at eye level.
Fully transformed, she towered over even Adeshan; I had to look up to meet her gaze.
Navardoje muttered.
"Hmm... This form still feels unfamiliar. I didn't mean to grow this big."
"No, it's great."
My view was perfectly filled, no gaps.
If I photographed this and titled it [Depth], it'd win any photo exhibit.
Come to think of it, this was my first time seeing Navardoje in this form.
Beastkin mode, maybe.
Different charm from her true or human forms.
As I spaced out.
"No helping it. Let's go."
"Ack."
Suddenly, Navardoje scooped me up.
Her increased size let me fit snugly.
Her restored condition brought back her hot-spring warmth.
Before I could protest, she spread her wings and soared.
Kwaaaaa!
Wind howled past my ears.
I saw nothing but knew we flew incredibly fast.
Struggling did nothing; she held firm.
"Eup! Eeeup!"
"Sorry. Bear with it a little; it's stuffy, I know."
Navardoje apologized sheepishly.
I stopped flailing politely.
Her sweet scent was sensual.
Sorry amid the crisis, but I felt immense happiness now.
Not exaggeration to say this crossed the break-even for my parallel world adventure.
"N-Navardoje!"
But joy was short-lived.
An urgent cry echoed nearby.
Navardoje set me down, vision clearing.
Hundreds of resistance fighters gathered at the headquarters' heart, under the artificial sun.
"Is it true? That many?!"
"That's what they say. Damn it, did they figure us out?"
"W-We’re gonna die... Everyone’s gonna die..."
All faces grave.
Unlike earlier, when they laughed despite hardship.
Orse, back in human form, growled as if ready to breathe fire.
Navardoje addressed an elf who seemed like an officer.
"What happened?"
"Th-They’ve come in droves. Nothing like before. Like they knew this place..."
"Enough. I'll check myself."
Snap!
Navardoje snapped her fingers.
The rocky ceiling turned transparent like glass, revealing the outside.
Faces twisted in horror.
"Gods above."
Dozens of giants circled the sky.
All held spears of light.
Above the clouds loomed a massive magic circle unlike any I'd seen.
The grotesque, writhing pattern opened and closed, spewing winged baldies.
"That many...!"
"Wh-Why so sudden? Did they track us?"
Unease spread.
This had never happened before.
Orse and I glanced at Lertansie simultaneously.
[You bitch.]
"I-It wasn't me! Why would I do that when I wanna live too!?"
Lertansie shook her head desperately.
Still bound, crawling on all fours.
As people debated countermeasures.
A giant flying low hurled its spear.
Rumble...!
Flash blinded vision; vibrations shook us.
"H-HEK!"
"Confirmed. We're busted."
Someone sighed.
The spear struck perpendicular to headquarters.
Explosion faded, vision returned.
Scattered giants converged.
They hurled spears in succession at the same spot.
The transparent ceiling reverted.
"...Is this it?"
Navardoje clenched her fist.
We'd expected it someday, but not so abruptly.
Tension thickened.
Each spear strike shook the cavern.
Kwarung!
Bam!
The ground-cracking roars grew louder.
"For now, retreat—"
No chance against their numbers.
As silent Navardoje moved to order evacuation.
"Perfect timing."
"...Huh?"
"Great opportunity. As the saying goes, pull the iron horns while hot—time to show 'em properly."
I clapped approvingly.
Resistance fighters' eyes turned to me.
"Hey, perfect timing? What're you on about?"
"Exactly that. Watch closely, everyone."
I drew my sword.
Lightly slashed my left arm, then raised it.
More efficient bloodletting existed, but drama was needed now.
Splatter!
The cut opened, red blood pouring.
"Shit, that stings."
"Wh-What the hell are you doing!?"
People gasped.
Attention focused as planned.
Navardoje's eyes widened.
"Child. Your secret... don't tell me...!"
"Probably what you think. Hey, Orse. Lend me your spear."
I extended a hand to Orse.
He was midway sprouting horns and wings.
[What?]
"The one from your rib. I'll make it one-shot those baldies. Hand it over."
[How dare you spout such nonsense...]
"Orse. Cooperate."
Orse froze at Navardoje's voice.
Eyes darting, he gritted his teeth.
Shiiik!
He yanked the spear from his mouth, swung his arm.
[...I'm not obeying you.]
"Good boy."
Navardoje smiled.
I chuckled, picking up the spear at my feet.
Truly vicious weapon.
The double-helix blade screamed intent to pierce all.
I pressed the bloodied forearm to the tip.
"Alright."
[Hey. What're you doing?]
Orse yelped.
Blood trickled down the shaft, soaking it.
Undiluted pure blood—should suffice.
Holding the dripping spear high, I shouted.
"You've all suffered greatly!!"
"Is he mad?"
"I know how tough your fights have been! Those boiled eggs hide behind shameless barriers! The world's fall was from getting pummeled one-sidedly. But that's over now!!"
"Totally lost it."
Cold reception.
Confirmed again: no talent for speeches.
Better demonstrate before bricks or rotten tomatoes flew.
"Let's see. This'll do."
A rusty bucket rolled nearby.
I plunged my still-bleeding arm in.
Surveying surroundings, I continued.
"Listen up! Weapons coated in my blood can tear through the baldies' barriers! Diluted in water works decently too!"
"What nonsense is this? Get lost!"
"Quit grumbling. I'll show you. Orse, catch!"
I tossed the bloodied spear to Orse.
He caught it stylishly, frowning.
I nodded at the giant-infested sky.
"Throw it. At the ugliest one."
[...For real?]
"Why would I lie?"
Just do it instead of complaining.
As Orse glared up reluctantly.
Kwaaang!
A massive explosion rocked the distant ceiling.
"Damn!"
No ordinary blast.
Navardoje thrust her hand urgently.
A hemispherical barrier exploded outward, enveloping the cavern.
Falling rocks bounced off harmlessly.
"My god..."
No time for relief.
Dust cleared, revealing the ceiling's view.
No different from the magic glimpse.
White cloud layer, circling giants.
External winds tousled hair.
[Fools. Did you think petty tricks could fool His eyes?]
[Derakisa enacts judgment.]
Deep, thick voices resounded.
Spear-wielding giants descended slowly.
Their orderly descent stole hope from all resistance.
Arm in bucket, I yelled.
"Orse! Throw it!"
[...!]
"Throw it, you bastard! Did you lose a ball with your horn?! Don't chicken out—throw!"
My voice echoed.
Orse gripped the shaft, breathing ragged.
As I opened my mouth for more.
His arm vanished from view.
The spear arced black, piercing three giants at once.
[Th...is?]
Giants' eyes bulged.
Star's blessing shattered like glass.
The spear surged on, skewering two more, embedding in the magic circle's center.
Kwarrrrumble—!!!
Roar like ten thousand lightning bolts.
Clouds parted around the path.
Sky revealed, all held breath.
The night sky unseen for over a decade was deep black, neither white nor red.
"...Ah."
Tears traced Navardoje's cheek.
Countless stars adorned the cosmic dark.
A scene after a dozen years.
Light pollution gone, the starfield sharper than memories.
Wind-shaken heavens seemed like star-children waving.
"People really should live looking at the sky."
I smiled upward.
Pierced giants began plummeting.
Sword tip to the night sky, I spoke.
"Let's go. Reclaim it."
Everyone has the right to gaze at the stars.
At least, that's what I believe.