Chapter 339
Chapter 339
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 339
Chapter Title: Black Sky (3)
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Time flew by.
After sending Riak to the Khan Kingdom, Oh-jin's party returned to the Dragonian Kingdom and quickly began preparing for war.
The Niflheim Kingdom.
When Oh-jin announced his plan to invade the demonic race's main stronghold, some Dragonians opposed it, calling it absurd. However, once Ha-eun stepped forward, they took up their arms as if they had never objected.
Since they had no way to contact Riak, they worried if he would arrive in time while they prepared for war. Fortunately, the beastkin warriors were able to join the main force without being late.
A month passed, and it was now the day before the ritual to unseal the Heavenly Demon in Niflheim.
Oh-jin was making his final preparations before the decisive battle.
“Haa… hoo.”
He took a deep breath, then another, repeating the process.
He could feel the Stigma's magic flowing from his heart and spreading throughout his body.
A tidal wave of magic so vast it felt endless.
The magic absorbed through Black Heaven had now grown to a colossal amount, comparable to the ‘Fountain of the Milky Way’ he had seen in the Sanctuary.
‘Of course, while the quantity is immense, the amount of magic I can actually control is limited.’
Although his Lyra Stigma reaching 9-star had significantly expanded his magic circuits.
It was still nowhere near enough to wield all the boundless magic dormant within him.
It was like trying to empty the ocean with a hose, no matter how thick.
‘Still, with Black Heaven's tenth bloom, the quality of my magic has improved significantly.’
Before, it was just a brutish amount of power, but the tenth bloom had greatly enhanced its quality.
He could now produce greater power with the same amount of magic, which was the best possible news before such a crucial battle.
“…Haa.”
But no matter how much stronger he'd become, whenever he thought about tomorrow's battle, a heavy stone seemed to settle in his chest, suffocating him.
‘If I fail this time, the Heavenly Demon's seal will be broken.’
He still didn't know the Heavenly Demon's objective.
But one thing was certain: if the seal was broken, the current Oh-jin would be utterly powerless to handle it.
‘I have to stop it.’
No matter what it takes.
Oh-jin bit his lip, his expression anxious.
[So this is where you were.]
A beautiful voice, like rolling jade beads.
Turning his head toward the sound, he saw Vega fluttering through the air.
“Yeah. How are you feeling, Vega?”
[Hmm. The restrictions haven't vanished completely, but manifesting in a physical body seems to be fine.]
As a price for bestowing her blessing upon Oh-jin during the battle with Deimos, Vega had been confined to the Sanctuary, unable to manifest for some time.
She had only been able to manifest again, even in a physical form, a week ago.
And even then, she had forced her manifestation while the restrictions were not fully lifted.
“If it's too much, you can sit this one out…”
[How could I possibly do that?]
Vega shook her head, her expression resolute.
While it was true the restrictions of the law hadn't completely disappeared, she couldn't afford to sit back and use that as an excuse in a critical situation where the Heavenly Demon's seal could be broken.
“Thank you.”
Oh-jin nodded with a faint smile.
He'd said it was fine for her to sit out, but in truth, Oh-jin would be in a difficult position if Vega wasn't there.
Even without her blessing, Vega's mere presence was a great help.
“What about my sister and Bella?”
[They both went to sleep early.]
“They did?”
Awakeners were still fundamentally human, so sleep was important.
Sufficient sleep brought not only the body but also the mind to its peak condition.
[By the way, I heard about the plan from Bella… Haven't you taken on a role that is far too dangerous?]
Vega looked at Oh-jin, her expression filled with worry.
It went without saying, but Oh-jin's group, with their overwhelmingly inferior forces compared to the demonic race, couldn't opt for a frontal assault.
Yet, they were too pressed for time to devise a tactically complex strategy.
They had only managed to conduct a single joint training exercise in preparation for the war.
‘The difference in races is a big problem too.’
The Dragonians and the Beastkin had never interacted before, so the relationship between the two races was so awkward it was suffocating just to watch.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend, they say.
But frankly, could they comfortably fight with their backs entrusted to complete strangers they had known for less than two weeks?
They needed an extremely simple tactic that would allow them to enter the Niflheim Kingdom with minimal casualties.
And so, the plan they devised was…
[How can you say you'll infiltrate the kingdom alone!]
Vega landed on top of Oh-jin's head in frustration and started pulling his hair.
“Ow, oww. That hurts, it hurts.”
[You deserve to be scolded more!]
Vega chided Oh-jin with the stern expression of a mother scolding her unruly child.
Though she said he deserved more, the force with which she pulled his hair was gradually weakening.
[Haa. Why must you always trouble me so?]
“Sorry.”
Oh-jin raised a hand to his head and placed Vega in his palm.
He could see a pouting Vega snort and turn her head away sharply.
“But this was the only way.”
[But what will you do after you infiltrate the kingdom alone? Even if you're lucky enough not to get caught, the others…]
“I have a plan for that.”
He grinned, his expression confident.
[Sigh. I will trust you.]
Vega shook her head as if he were hopeless and let out a deep sigh.
[Then you should also get to sleep early today. You have much to do tomorrow, do you not?]
“Just a little longer.”
He had planned to take a break from training and rest well today.
But thinking about tomorrow made it impossible to sleep.
‘Maybe if I move my body a bit, I'll be able to sleep.’
Just as he thought that and was about to continue his training.
[…My child.]
Vega carefully flew up and placed a hand on Oh-jin's cheek.
The sensation of his rough, dry skin against her fingertips.
In just one month, his cheeks had become as coarse as a dry desert. Stroking them, Vega wore a sad expression.
To have his skin become so rough despite possessing the superhuman body of a high-ranking Awakener, just what kind of harsh training had he been putting himself through?
Knowing why he was pushing himself so relentlessly, she couldn't even bring herself to scold him.
[Do not worry too much.]
She gently caressed his cheek and lightly kissed the bridge of his nose.
[You are the Star of Reverse Heaven, are you not?]
“…Vega.”
Oh-jin's gaze wavered.
From Vega's perspective, she was only trying to encourage him.
‘The problem is, I'm not the Star of Reverse Heaven.’
A bitter smile spread across his lips.
He looked at the goddess who still firmly believed he was a ‘Regressor’.
‘…How much longer.’
How much longer could he deceive her?
No, how much longer would he have to live while deceiving her?
“Vega… what if, just what if.”
A sudden impulse surged within him.
“What if I…”
His lips went dry.
His heart pounded as if it would burst, and he swallowed hard.
If he told her the truth here, how would her expression change?
The mere thought sent a dizzying fear down his spine.
“No, it's nothing.”
[Hmm? What's wrong all of a sudden?]
Vega tilted her head and lightly slapped the bridge of his nose.
[If you stop mid-sentence, you will make me curious. Go on, tell me.]
“I said it's nothing.”
[Nonsense. How can you say it's nothing when your face is so grim?]
Vega put her hands on her hips with a stern look.
[What secrets could there possibly be between you and me? Do not worry, just speak freely.]
“……”
Her words—that there were no secrets between them—made his chest ache as if it had been carved out with a sharp blade.
He couldn't tell her.
There was no way he could.
He had already repeated too many lies to tell the truth now.
A lie was like a truck with broken brakes falling off a cliff.
Once it started, it couldn't be stopped or even slowed down.
‘Not until it hits the bottom and shatters into pieces.’
The only way was to keep adding more lies.
‘…It's fine.’
He had lived his whole life repeating lies.
He didn't know any other way to live.
So.
It would be fine.
It wouldn't matter.
Adding just one more handful of lies to the mountain of them he'd already built.
“What if I said… I wanted to spank your butt, Vega?”
He asked, covering his face with a mischievous expression.
[Wh-what?!]
Her face turning bright red, Vega shot up into the air.
[H-here and now? N-no, more importantly, why all of a sudden… m-my butt…]
Vega stammered, her lips trembling as she glanced around.
After a moment of hesitation, Vega squeezed her eyes shut and spoke as if she had made a firm resolve.
[I understand. I-if that is what you desire…]
“It's a joke.”
[A-a joke?]
“You seemed so worried, so I was just teasing to lighten the mood.”
[Eek!]
Vega flailed her arms and legs, slapping Oh-jin's nose repeatedly.
[Y-you insolent boy! How dare you say such things before a Constellation!]
“Hahaha. Sorry.”
Feeling guilty, Oh-jin quietly took the beating until her anger subsided.
[Hah, hah.]
After furiously slapping Oh-jin's nose and pulling his hair, Vega panted heavily and turned her head away with a huff.
[I am returning to the Sanctuary.]
“Are you sulking?”
[Ngh…! I-it's because you made that strange joke!]
“I said I'm sorry.”
Oh-jin carefully placed Vega on his palm.
“Everything will be fine, Vega.”
Right.
Just like it always has been.
I'll get through this.
[…Please, do not get hurt, my child.]
Vega smiled faintly and gently stroked the nose she had just been slapping.
[Well then, I shall return to the Sanctuary. You should get some rest too.]
With a halo of silver light, Vega's body dissipated into the air.
“……”
Oh-jin stared blankly at the spot where she had vanished before slowly turning away.
He climbed onto a pointed rock and gazed at the distant Niflheim Kingdom.
Though it was called a kingdom, its shape was barely visible.
The Niflheim Kingdom was shrouded in black storm clouds, like a hazy fog blanketing the sky mountains.
“Did you say we'd meet again soon?”
I'm sorry, but.
“You and I will not be meeting again.”
Oh-jin glared at the black storm clouds hanging over the kingdom and clenched his fists.