Farewell to the Heavens
The cleanup of the devastated surroundings was finally complete, but there were still a few loose ends to tie up.
Issues like managing the layer once overseen by Le Ganus, or the conflict between Lehatna, who wanted to abolish the Dragon King position entirely, and Leysia, who had her sights set on claiming it—matters concerning their future paths needed resolution.
As my wounds from the battle with Le Ganus began to heal, the monsters who had risen from their spots started bustling about one by one.
Regardless of their frantic activity, I savored a leisurely, utterly idle existence.
I was, after all, just a temporary visitor who had to leave eventually.
The future was their burden, not mine.
All I had to do was watch quietly.
Giryu shot me a grim look as I lounged with the pink slime and other monsters, but I pretended not to notice.
After all, I had no intention of helping.
The matter of the layer under Le Ganus's control resolved faster than expected.
Most of the heavy hitters from his faction, like Freya, were already here.
Even those who had fled his madness had slunk back upon hearing the news, showing their faces.
Unlike Freya and the others, these early deserters seemed to have sharp instincts for survival.
If they hadn't come on their own, Giryu and Melusio would have dragged me along to fetch them personally.
A bit disappointing, really.
With their full cooperation, worries about problems arising in the former Le Ganus territory were essentially settled.
They wouldn't dare stir trouble unless they lost their minds.
The issue between Lehatna and Leysia resolved surprisingly easily, too.
Leysia agreed with Lehatna's stance that the Sky Zone had no need for a Dragon King.
I'd assumed Leysia would take the throne once she recovered, so this was unexpected.
She'd never shown much interest in it anyway, aside from dealing with Le Ganus—much like Lehatna. Maybe it was only natural.
Of course, some monsters opposed the sisters' decision to abolish the position.
But they were powerless to act.
Giryu and Melusio fully backed the sisters, and with Le Ganus gone, no one could challenge the Sky Zone's top powers now that they were recovering.
Still, unwilling to give up entirely, they quietly approached me during my idle time, asking me to become Dragon King in the sisters' stead.
Checking their faces, they were all recent additions from Le Ganus's faction.
The wingless land-dweller they used to despise, on the throne?
I couldn't help but chuckle.
Naturally, I had no intention of granting their wish.
For a fleeting moment, I pictured Giryu bowing and calling me "Dragon King," which was tempting—but I shook it off.
Why would I take on such a hassle?
I was busy enough chasing the labyrinth's end.
Besides, I had a place I had to return to.
I coldly refused their plea and quietly handed them over to Giryu and Melusio.
There are some real reactionary scum here. Come grab them.
The two, already on high alert for troublemakers, swiftly hauled them away.
From what I heard, neither planned to kill them.
With labor short for cleanup, they didn't want to waste manpower.
They'd just quietly re-educate them into proper, wholesome thinkers.
Of course, as tough monsters rather than fragile humans, this "education" wouldn't be gentle talk.
They'd engrave it into their bodies the hard way...
For those who thought they'd die, it was probably a relief.
A chance to fix their rotten ideologies once and for all.
As various issues resolved one by one, I sensed it was time for me to leave—while the others toiled, I'd been lounging.
It was a bit overdue, honestly.
I'd planned to go sooner but stuck around a little longer out of concern, and now a fair amount of time had passed.
Only minor trivialities remained, and from what I'd observed, they'd handle them fine without issue.
Parting would be lonely, but I couldn't stay forever.
I resolved to slip away quietly.
[I see. Already time? Understood...]
Giryu responded with his usual stoicism to my announcement that I was leaving.
He seemed more troubled by future problems than my departure, and I quietly clicked my tongue at that.
This guy worried too much about needless things.
Monsters thrived fine if left alone.
If issues arose later, they could handle it then.
[Too complacent. That's no mindset for managing the vast Sky Zone.]
[The sisters don't seem interested in ruling... Don't tell me you are?]
Giryu gave a wry smile at my question.
[Even without ruling, minimal measures are needed for the peaceful sky the young ladies desire.]
I finally understood why Giryu and Melusio had worked so tirelessly.
These fools, devoted only to the sisters, labored endlessly for their vision of peace.
It made a vague sort of sense, yet still seemed pointless—but I said nothing more.
I was leaving anyway.
I just pitied him for the headaches ahead from all this futility.
[Well, I'll be off.]
[Not seeing the young lady before you go?]
This sister-obsessed fool thought only of her to the end.
I let out a hollow laugh but shook my head.
[I'll see her one last time before leaving.]
[I see... Safe travels.]
I nodded deeply at his quiet farewell.
No need for "see you later"—it was inevitable anyway.
With that, I finished my goodbye to Giryu and toured Lehatna's lair entirely.
I needed to bid farewell to those I'd grown close to during my leisurely stay.
Pelte and Deabel, Melusio, Freya, and everyone else got a brief parting word.
They all seemed regretful, but my departure had been set long ago, so no big fuss.
Only the low-rank ones like the pink slime were utterly heartbroken, stinging my heart.
Don't be so sad.
I can't promise soon, but I'll return someday.
Until then, listen to the others and get along with everyone.
Their pitiful gazes reminded me of Suli someday, tearing at me again—but there was nothing more I could do.
Leaving the grieving pink slime and low-ranks behind, I turned away.
Ah, Pelte, get ready by the time I return next.
What for?
To leave with me, obviously.
You're coming along no matter what.
No refusals.
Leaving the stunned Pelte behind, I wrapped up the goodbyes.
Only Lehatna remained.
I could guess her reaction somewhat, yet it was unpredictable too—worrisome.
Why could my Magic Eye's foresight only glimpse seconds ahead?
Regretfully, I clicked my tongue.
Part of me wanted to leave without a word, but that felt wrong.
Yeah, Lehatna had grown so mature lately; she might take it in stride.
She'd known I'd leave eventually.
With a touch of worry, I headed to meet her.
Lehatna was with Leysia.
Was it because her supposedly dead sister had returned safely?
Lehatna hadn't left Leysia's side once while she recovered, caring for her devotedly.
Even now, with Leysia much better, it continued—and Leysia didn't mind.
She even seemed quietly pleased.
The inseparable sisters tilted their heads curiously at my visit.
Like true siblings, their gestures matched perfectly.
[Nix! What brings you here?!]
[Finally decided to talk with us sisters?]
I gave a wry smile at Leysia's quiet question.
Having dumped all the chores on Giryu and Melusio, the sisters were as idle as I'd been, and we'd chatted a few times.
Back then, it was fine—but meetings started feeling draining.
After that, I'd avoided them stealthily, and their sparkling eyes toward me now were intensely burdensome.
Overlooking Lehatna, even the quiet Leysia was incredibly chatty.
With Lehatna, they'd chatter endlessly on every topic, reaffirming they were blood sisters.
Just listening left my mind reeling.
And eventually, the topics turned awkward.
[So, coming to us means you've decided. Which of us will bear your child?]
Lehatna quietly flushed at Leysia's question, while I clamped my mouth shut.
It was a topic she'd started bringing up every meeting.
The root was the Dragon Heart from the Dragon King I'd consumed.
According to Leysia, it should have passed within the clan, and me having it caused issues.
Too many to list, but the fix? Marry one of them to make me clan.
Same bloodline via marriage...
I refused, citing my wife and daughters, so she pivoted.
Then, to pass the Dragon King's power to heirs, make a child with one of them.
It sounded absurd to me, but they were dead serious—deeply unsettling.
That was why I'd avoided the sisters.
No matter how firmly I refused, they wouldn't listen—what else could I do but dodge?
[Decided yet? If you can't choose, you could have us both.]
I shook my head wryly at her casual remark.
[Not here for that today.]
[You're bringing it up first, Nix? What is it?!]
Lehatna jumped in eagerly, overriding the mildly annoyed Leysia.
She seemed as uncomfortable with the topic as I was.
[I'm leaving.]
Lehatna's smiling face froze at my blunt words.
[...Leaving?]
[Yeah. Planned it from the start.]
[...Right. You did.]
She murmured softly, powerlessly—unlike my worries, she didn't cling.
She'd truly matured.
A swell of pride brought a faint smile to my face.
Lehatna mirrored it sadly.
[Safe travels, Nix. Thanks for everything.]
[Not sure when, but I'll return.]
[Yeah! I'll be waiting!]
Her spirited reply drew another smile—then Leysia, watching quietly, spoke.
[So, when do you plan to leave, Nix?]
[Right after you two.]
[What? This soon?! Did you say proper goodbyes to Giryu and the others? At least stay for a farewell feast...!]
[You're my last.]
[...I see.]
I lightly stroked Lehatna's head as she saddened again.
[Like I said, I'll return. See you.]
[...Yeah. See you.]
Thus ended my farewell with the sisters.
Leysia pushed for kids to the last, but thankfully Lehatna held her back—no forcible pouncing.
If Snow were here, she'd have yelled about tattling immediately.
Even if it meant getting scolded too, the fool.
With other partners, this would have caused a huge uproar.
Feeling their absence keenly once more, I left Lehatna's lair.
Before crossing layers, I glanced at the battle site with Le Ganus.
Memories of that day flooded back vividly.
The backs of those charging at him.
Thinking of it still soured my mood, but it wasn't the old sorrow or emptiness.
As Snow said, no more childish whining.
That's what they'd want.
Yeah, true farewell now.
Thanks for everything.
With final words done, I crossed the layer at last.
My Sky Zone stay, full of events, reached its end.
Next: the 100th floor.
Toward the labyrinth's depths—unstoppable from here.]