Chapter 55
Chapter 55
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: Flame #9
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“Huh, you don’t think ‘Final Flame’ was a person's name, do you?”
Karak whispered, glancing to the side. Seira, walking beside him, responded in a small voice.
“Perhaps it's a nature spirit, like Lady Green Wind?”
It was a plausible theory. Just as Green Wind was a nature spirit with power over the wind, a nature spirit with power over fire could certainly create the flames needed to forge a weapon.
“Either way, I'm intrigued.”
Felicia said with a grin. A person was fine, and so was a nature spirit. The encounter with unknown knowledge always excited her.
“Amazing.”
Caitlin also murmured, and Delia nodded in agreement. As everyone added their two cents, Amita, who was leading the way, suddenly stopped. She tapped the floor with her long tail and shouted.
“I only called for the Ninth Prince, so why are all these pests tagging along!”
Amita's outburst was understandable. It was quite the procession.
Felicia and Caitlin flanked Ingong, and next to Felicia was Silvan. Behind the princes and princesses were their aides—Karak, Seira, and Delia—and behind them was Daphne, the child of a concubine.
Amita was throwing a fit, but with the appearance of a baby raccoon, she seemed more cute than scary. Moreover, there was someone in the group who knew exactly how to soothe her.
“Lady Amita, let me hold you.”
Daphne scurried forward and held out her arms to Amita. Amita looked back at Daphne, then nodded.
“I shall not refuse.”
She let out a few coughs, as if embarrassed herself. Instead of giggling, Daphne offered a gentle smile and lifted Amita into her arms.
With Amita now quiet, the group exited Silvan’s airship and headed for a small, nearby temple. It was slightly larger than the one on the Anger Plains, but it was built entirely of wood, with not a single stone in sight. It wasn’t constructed from cut timber, either; the trees themselves had intertwined to form the shape of a house.
Passing through an entrance where tree trunks hung down like a beaded curtain, they saw a wide space with a small girl standing in the middle. She was a girl with short white hair, wearing a white one-piece dress.
“She is the guardian spirit of the Spider Forest.”
Amita said casually, and everyone turned to the girl in surprise. They had heard from Locke that it was a giant spider, so they never imagined it would have the form of a young girl.
‘That is not her main body. It's a terminal of sorts. Furthermore, she seems to be a young guardian, just as she appears. The giant spider might have been the previous guardian. I was wondering why it didn't show itself during all that chaos, but now I understand. She seems young and weak, without the power to fight.’
Ingong, who had been listening idly to Green Wind's words, flinched. A young guardian spirit? Had there been some kind of succession? And both the predecessor and successor were spider-like? Could a guardian spirit actually give birth?
He was bursting with questions, but the situation wasn't right for them.
The young guardian spirit lifted the hem of her dress slightly and curtsied to the group.
“I am Kaprang, the guardian spirit of the Spider Forest. Thank you for protecting me.”
Where in this secluded place had she learned such manners? Had Amita taught her?
Imagining a raccoon teaching a little girl etiquette, Ingong smiled faintly before calling out to Green Wind as if he’d just remembered something.
“Green Wind.”
It wasn't a simple call, so Green Wind materialized right beside Ingong. While the group had grown somewhat accustomed to Green Wind’s sudden appearances, the young guardian spirit—Kaprang—looked startled to see her for the first time.
Ingong spoke to Green Wind, who tilted her head as if to ask what was wrong.
“You two should talk. It’s a rare opportunity, isn’t it?”
Two guardian spirits conversing.
As Ingong said, it was a rare chance. Kaprang’s eyes sparkled, and Green Wind too looked excited by the very tempting offer, but only for a moment. Her brows furrowed in a worried expression.
“But I must follow my master…”
“It doesn’t matter. In any case, only the Ninth Prince can face the Final Flame.”
Amita said in a stern voice. From her expression, however, it seemed she wanted to make Kaprang happy.
Ingong gently stroked Green Wind’s hair, delivering the final blow.
“I’ll be back.”
“Alright, Master. Have a good trip. It would be nice if you brought back a present.”
Green Wind said with a bright smile. Ingong let out a hearty laugh at her request for a gift and asked back.
“Who taught you to say that?”
“Karak taught me.”
All eyes turned to Karak, but instead of feigning innocence, he met Ingong’s gaze with a shameless look on his face.
As everyone chuckled, Amita shouted.
“Are you planning to stay here all day?! Let’s go!”
Green Wind remained with Kaprang. Felicia and Caitlin, intrigued by the two spirits’ conversation, also stayed behind. Naturally, Silvan, Delia, and Seira were left out as well, so in the end, only Karak and Daphne, who was holding Amita, followed Ingong deep into the temple.
Stopping before a grand, black door that clearly looked to be the last one, Amita leaped from Daphne's arms and spoke.
“This is as far as you go. From here, only the Ninth Prince and I will enter.”
Daphne, who had wanted to see the Final Flame for herself, looked very disappointed but didn't plead with Ingong or Amita.
Karak stepped back with Daphne and gave Ingong a grin.
“Be safe in there.”
“I will.”
The space beyond the door was filled with a soft glow. Inside a room about two meters in radius, small, blue lights reminiscent of fireflies were scattered everywhere.
In the center of the room, a green flame burned atop a small altar. It was a small flame, no bigger than Amita, but it could not be taken lightly. Aside from its mystical color, the flame exuded an extraordinary aura.
Amita hopped onto the altar and pointed to the green flame.
“This is the Final Flame. Put your hand inside.”
“What?”
Put his hand in the fire?
“It's fine. It’s not an ordinary flame. Do I have to explain every little thing?”
“I understand.”
Ingong replied to the pouting Amita, who was taking out her pipe to light it, and approached the Final Flame. After taking a deep breath, he plunged his hand into the fire.
It was just as Amita had said. It wasn’t hot, but warm. He felt no sensation of his skin being harmed.
Ingong slowly turned his hand within the flame, and at that moment, the flame flared. The suddenly enlarged fire surged over Ingong’s body, engulfing him in an instant.
Ingong, who had reflexively closed his eyes, let out a gasp of awe instead of a scream. He found himself standing in a completely different place.
The world was on fire.
Filled entirely with green flames, the place could have been called a fiery hell.
But instead of a negative expression like hell, Ingong thought of something else. It was an awkward phrase, but if he had to name it, it would be a heaven of fire.
Beautiful and mysterious green flames bloomed like flowers. The pleasant warmth seemed to melt his heart.
Ingong took another deep breath to steady himself. The large flames that had risen before him split apart one by one, revealing the being that resided beyond them.
A woman made of fire stood there.
She looked like a girl, and also like a maiden. Her appearance seemed to constantly shift with the flickering flames.
The Final Flame.
The first flame, born in the Age of Mythology.
She sat on a throne of fire, looking down at Ingong. As the woman with burning hair smiled, a throne materialized behind Ingong. The two now sat on their thrones, which had somehow drawn closer, and faced each other.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Knight of Conquest.”
The Final Flame spoke. Ingong, who had been thinking of a suitable reply, looked at the Final Flame in surprise. She smiled again.
“You are the Knight of Conquest, one who wields the power of Conquest. It would be impossible not to recognize you. Did you not use so much of that power before my avatar?”
“By avatar, you mean…”
“That’s right. Amita is my avatar. A cute and lovely child.”
Ingong let out a small laugh. At least in appearance, she was indeed cute and lovely.
Seeing Ingong’s small smile, the Final Flame gracefully crossed her legs. Resting her head on her hand, which was propped on the armrest of the throne, she said.
“Your eyes are filled with confusion and bewilderment. Can it be that you do not know what the Knight of Conquest is?”
Ingong nodded. This was the first time he had met someone who knew what the Knight of Conquest was and could hold a proper conversation about it. This was not the time to show embarrassment for his ignorance.
“No, I do not. I would like you to tell me.”
Now that it was put into words, his desire to know grew stronger. The Final Flame smiled once more.
“How interesting.”
The Final Flame was a proud queen. She uncrossed her legs and sat up straight. Gazing at a point in the distance, she recited as if reading a poem.
“Conquest, War, Death, Famine—the Four Knights of the Apocalypse.”
Flames rose around her throne. The green flames soon took on their own shapes: a crown symbolizing Conquest, a sword symbolizing War, a scythe symbolizing Death, and an empty bowl symbolizing Famine.
“They are the harbingers of the end, who yearn for the world's destruction and bring about the apocalypse.”
The flames flared, erasing the forms of the four symbols, as if they were immolating themselves into oblivion.
Those who crave destruction.
Those who bring about the end times.
In a way, it might have been obvious. War, death, and famine—they were all words with negative connotations.
The Final Flame leaned back into her throne. She watched Ingong as if observing him and spoke.
“But you are a little—no, very different. It is puzzling how you could be the Knight of Conquest.”
The Final Flame paused for a moment. Shifting her gaze from Ingong back to the empty air, she continued.
“A Knight of the Apocalypse is one who craves destruction. It is not that they become so because they are a Knight. From the very beginning, such a person is chosen to be a Knight of the Apocalypse.”
The only Knight of the Apocalypse Ingong had personally faced was Gerard, the Knight of Famine.
He had been insane.
He was a man who reveled in destruction and slaughter, one who would kill even his own flesh and blood without hesitation.
“You do not wish for destruction. You do not enjoy slaughter and ruin. Moreover, you are not being influenced very much.”
“Influenced?”
As he asked reflexively, the Final Flame twirled her finger. A flame that bloomed in the air became two masses of fire connected by a thin line of flame.
“The four beings that choose the Knights of the Apocalypse. Conquest, War, Death, Famine—beings that can only be described as such. The Knights of the Apocalypse are strongly influenced by them. You could say they act as agents of their power and will. Under their influence, they seek to bring about the end times. But not you. You are barely influenced by Conquest. And Conquest does not seem to be trying to conquer you. Rather…”
Her words trailing off, the Final Flame smiled slyly. She narrowed her eyes and spoke in a whisper.
“I wonder if it wishes to be conquered by you.”
The woman with white hair, a golden crown, and one red and one blue eye.
She had never tried to control Ingong. She only revealed her form and voice when Ingong was in peril.
“This is all just my speculation. In truth, this is the first time I have encountered a Knight of the Apocalypse this closely. What I know is only this much.”
The Final Flame giggled, then crossed her legs again. With a proud face reminiscent of Felicia, she spoke coolly.
“You do not wish for destruction. Nor do you desire to bring about the end times. You, what is it that you want to do? Now that the Knight of Death pursues the apocalypse, what is it that you desire in this world?”
It was a fundamental question.
What he wanted to do.
Was it to return to his original world?
Of course, he thought about returning. But if there was something he wanted to accomplish in this world, it was something else.
Something he had always been thinking about.
He wanted to stop the Lycanthrope subjugation.
He wanted to stop the Day of Massacre.
He wanted to change the future where the Demon King's children were all annihilated at the hands of Zephyr.
He wanted to protect everyone, including Caitlin and Felicia.
And all of this could be summed up in a single phrase.
He wanted to change the ending.
The ending of Knight Saga's Demon World arc, a tragedy that could be called nothing short of cataclysmic.
What was needed for that.
What had to be done for that.
He didn't think about the reason he was brought to this world.
For now, he didn't consider what the desire of Conquest was.
What Ingong himself wanted to do.
What he wanted to achieve, even if it meant defeating the strongest Demon Prince, Zephyr, and all the Knights of the Apocalypse who pursued destruction.
Even if what he wanted to do aligned with the reason for his summoning or the desire of Conquest, its meaning would not fade.
Because changing the ending was Ingong's own wish.
“You are not like a Knight of the Apocalypse. But you are truly a fitting one for the Knight of Conquest.”
The Final Flame, speaking softly, raised her right hand. Slowly clenching it into a fist, she continued.
“The Knight of Conquest is the king of domination who conquers and subjugates all of creation. One born with the destiny of a king.”
To conquer, to subjugate, to dominate.
Skills, magical armaments, guardian spirits, the heart of an Elder Dragon.
And it wouldn't stop there.
“The simplest, most perfect path to achieving your desire would be to become the Demon King.”
The Fourth Queen, Elaine Moonlight, had asked.
Her son, and Ingong's staunchest ally, Chris, had asked.
And now, the Final Flame also asked.
“Will you become the Demon King?”
“I will become the Demon King.”
Ingong answered.
The Final Flame rose from her throne and approached Ingong.
“Knight of Conquest who pursues life, not the apocalypse—no, King of Conquest.”
She pressed her lips to Ingong’s forehead, blessing him with the sacred flames of the Age of Mythology.
“I pray that your wish comes true.”
[Divinity Lv1 has been acquired.]
[Incarnation of Flame Lv1 skill has been acquired.]
[A 'Steadfast Alliance' has been formed with the Final Flame.]
[You have leveled up.]
Ingong smiled at the letters of light that suddenly appeared. He rose to his feet as well and, like an actor from a movie he had once seen, paid his respects by pressing his lips to the back of the Final Flame’s hand.
Was Ingong's response unexpected?
The Final Flame giggled, then this time, she pressed her lips not to Ingong’s forehead, but to his lips.
Ingong’s eyes widened at the sudden kiss, and the Final Flame smiled with her eyes.
The world was on fire.
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Ingong opened his eyes. Instead of the burning throne and the beautiful Final Flame, he saw a room filled with blue light and a small, flickering green flame.
The short, yet long, conversation he had with the Final Flame.
The gains were certain. He had learned a little about the mysterious Four Knights, and he was able to clarify his own purpose.
And one more thing.
Amita, who had been staring blankly at the Final Flame, suddenly began to thump the floor with her tail. She hopped up and down, shouting at Ingong.
“Why! Why did the Final Flame suddenly command me to make a full set for you!”
Instead of answering, Ingong reflexively touched his lips. It felt as if a pleasant warmth still lingered there.
“Ninth Prince! Answer me!”
Again, Ingong looked at the Final Flame instead of Amita. He felt as if the green flame was smiling.
“The full set, I’ll be in your care.”
Ingong said, and Amita shook her head. Once again, she thumped the floor with her tail.
Chapter 14 - Flame ends, continuing in Chapter 15 - Omen.
< End of Chapter 14 - Flame #9 >
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