Chapter 58
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: The Last Stepping Stone
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Why does that memory surface now, I wonder. When had this even happened?
Right, it was during the New Year’s festival.
The festival felt somewhat surreal. To think that in the midst of days that should have been a banquet of blood, a festival could be held.
Roveris had dispelled that question with clear words.
- There’s a mysterious power in the words ‘New Year.’ A hope that the old days will crumble and a new day will come. An occasion like this festival is a necessary time to compose ourselves.
- For the soldiers, you mean?
- For everyone. Including you.
Roveris had personally led Kaisen to the festival grounds, where the other Yongsa had already arrived.
- Kya! Isla did it again! A perfect score!
- Amazing. Our Isla is truly amazing.
- Kyah-kyah, go on, you can praise me more!
The two, shooting down dolls with a wooden gun, were in plain clothes, and Kaisen, too, was wearing the noble’s formal attire Roveris had given him.
The sensation of silk caressing his skin felt more than unfamiliar; it was awkward.
It wasn't the kind of clothing one could wear in an era like this. Nor was it what a Yongsa of this era should be wearing.
‘In an era like this, to wear such clothes, to laugh and chat…’
As he hesitated with that thought, Roveris gently pushed Kaisen’s back.
- I have a dream, Kaisen. A dream of a sea of blood, with corpses floating to the surface, forming a stepping-stone bridge.
Why was it?
The moment I heard the story of that dream.
Was it because a sea of blood spread red in my mind, and behind the path I had walked, I saw the final death throes of sad partings?
- I have walked that path. If I had been alone, I would not have been able to walk it. The same goes for you.
- What do you mean by that…?
- Cherish your comrades. And the time you can spend with them. Those children are alone, just like you. Because they are alone, they must laugh and talk with each other to no longer be alone.
Kaisen was startled by the meaning her words carried. Startled by the depth of sorrow layered like strata within them.
He was swept away by the depth of those words.
Eventually, as Kaisen was idly mingling with his comrades, Seira spoke to him.
- You should praise Isla a little, too. She keeps acting up like that because you won’t praise her.
- It’s fine. It’s not like she’s a child.
- Isla isn’t fourteen. She’s actually three. She'll be turning four on her birthday this year.
- Three years old?
- She’s a total baby, right? That’s why she wants to be praised by everyone. She says she’s going to brag about it to Lady Kaseina later.
The festival felt less like a celebration and more like a funeral.
Because wherever they went, people prostrated themselves, bowing and weeping, crying out, “Yongsa-nim, Yongsa-nim.”
Why did it feel like tears of mourning, shed in advance for their own impending deaths?
- Don’t you worry one bit! The great dragon Isla will finish everything! No need to cry!
Amidst those tears, Isla hooked her finger with each and every person’s, making a promise.
Then the people would weep again, crying, “Yongsa-nim, Yongsa-nim.”
Even though in this pitiful world, true Yongsa no longer existed, only fakes.
- You know, people are so happy they weep just from having someone to call Yongsa-nim. It seems there’s an emotional power in the word ‘Yongsa’ itself.
Because of that emotional power, calling that title brought with it the conviction that one day, the darkness would surely lift and the light would shine again.
What was that light?
Was it the wish to return to a lost homeland, the hope to reclaim a stolen daily life?
- And yet, we’re just fakes.
- Just because we’re fakes, does that mean our dreams have to be fake too?
At that moment, the unfulfilled dream of his master, released through his last words, suddenly came to mind.
It was a simple dream, but for a fake Yongsa, it was a profound luxury. Ah, did you also swing your sword to reach that dream…?
Seira didn’t speak of her own dream, but the expression on her face as she said those words was similar to his master’s as he lay dying.
- Whatever dream you or I hold, it’s a narrow gate. I know. It will be a treacherous path. Still, Kaisen.
Seira held out her fist, the corners of her mouth lifting into a smile.
- We’re not alone on that path, are we?
Then, Roveris’s words came to mind, and he was startled.
He was startled once more by the clarity of her words—that because they were alone, they ceased to be alone only when they spoke to each other.
He wondered if he could have had this conversation now if Roveris hadn't pushed his back.
And whether he could have given such an answer.
- You’re right. We’re not alone.
The stepping-stone bridge of blood and corpses,
The Subjugation of the Forgotten King Neigalas (3)
The Neigalas Subjugation…
The memory of that day came as a tearfully familiar sorrow, a turning point that changed the direction of his life.
When he leaped from the vehicle detached from Unit 1703, what unfolded, overwhelming his vision, was a battlefield.
This was the final battlefield of his youth.
The blistering heat of the burning desert.
A raging sandstorm.
Shrouded by the storm, ancient demons, wailing bizarrely, approached like a yellow tide.
Their numbers were like dust, seemingly endless no matter how many were swept away, yet there were no reinforcements.
Before them, the Iron Cross and the Iron Fortress—these two columns were humanity’s only hope. These two columns were everything.
If these two columns failed, all the deaths until now would be in vain, so they carried the weight of every death on their backs.
“Your Excellency, according to Alidona’s reconnaissance, the number of Reptilians positioned inside the city is substantial. It will become a headache if we don’t thin them out one by one before they group up.”
In that desperate battle situation.
Only the voice of Mirngadia was a lantern that clearly illuminated the path.
[Hold back the Abyss legions until Setsunen’s preparations are complete. I will hold Neigalas. From now on, Roveris, all on-site decisions are delegated to you.]
“Understood. Mirngadia will be the anvil, and the Iron Cross, the hammer. We will sweep them up and crush them. Are you ready?”
[This is Seira. The Iron Fortress Brigade is ready.]
“Good, let’s begin immediately. Neigalas must have only considered a large-scale attack, as he hasn’t left many troops in <Aurelinople>.”
[Hmm, I think that’s still close to 50,000.]
“Thank you for the very hopeful news, Seira. The goal is to reduce that number as much as possible before Neigalas reaches this side. We must avoid being pincered. Facing one king is overwhelming enough.”
That day… everything felt surreal.
What was the reason?
Was it the surreal, intense heat that penetrated even Setsunen’s barrier, constricting the breath and inducing dizzying vertigo?
Was it the grains of sand that dug deep into the eyes and mouth, inflicting burns?
“This is Kaisen, I will follow.”
I don’t know.
Even now, I don’t know.
[First column spotted! Cut them off from the main force and drive them forward!]
Orders crossing chaotically…
Whenever they were given, I just cut, and cut again, just kept cutting…
Only the blood flowing down the fuller of my blade, soaking the ground, was the one realistic part of that day’s memory.
[Seira, we’re driving them!]
[Iron Fortress, raise spears! Turn them all into skewers! This is for Isla!]
Only later did I learn for certain.
That the subjugation operation had been planned as an extension of an all-out war.
Looking over the details, it was designed with the aim of mutual annihilation between the Central Front army and the Neigalas dynasty.
[Giant Reptilian spotted at 2 o’clock!]
[If only we had Isla and Yongchu, those small fry would be…]
[Ha! Looks like there’s a skull worth cracking! I’ll go!]
[I’m worried about sending him alone. Mern, go with him.]
[Yes, Commander.]
Mutual annihilation, mutual annihilation…
For days after the war ended, I just stared silently at those two words.
[Ria’s strategy worked perfectly. To think this is possible with a plan that hasn’t even been tested.]
[Our youngest recommended that child so highly. She has a good eye. They’d make a well-matched pair, don’t you think?]
[We are currently in an operation. That’s enough chatter.]
Did everyone, in their hearts, actually know?
The Black Rose Brigade, which had encircled the outskirts of <Aurelinople> with armored trains like a fortress, and the infantry and artillery too.
The Golems, who had filled the gaps between the trains like two-legged castle gates.
[Commander, the first wave has been completely suppressed. Over.]
They had been ordered to die from the start.
Because Mirngadia of the Blue Star had ordered everyone who would be with him there that day to die.
The sound of them running toward death was carried on the roar of the armored trains’ cannons that filled the surroundings.
[Return, Mern. Reorganize swiftly and prepare for engagement with the second wave.]
This is not to blame Mirngadia, nor is it even a criticism.
If not for him.
Who could have woven the blood, corpses, and bone fragments that filled the mountains and rivers that dawn into the word ‘annihilation’ upon the pages of history?
[This is insane, it’s like a mountain is walking…!]
[Mern, what is it?]
[It’s Neigalas! He’s approaching the main force from a short distance! This is crazy, just seeing him is making me bleed from all over.]
[The Forgotten Kings] are different from any other kings in the world. They are on a different level from any of the Old Nobles.
They are the Absolute.
Beings who have read the knowledge of the universe, know the lawlessness beyond creation, and have received the authority of a king from a profane existence.
They transcend mortal thought.
They distort mortal common sense.
Before that absolute perception, awakened from an eternal slumber, any power, ability, or intellect of the human world was meaningless.
[Ha! He’s brought all the lizard bastards with him!]
But Mirngadia.
Mirngadia and Setsunen, the siblings.
They sought to protect this world, which wept and wandered as refugees from the tyranny of that absolute being.
[Was His Excellency Mirngadia defeated?]
At the far end of the horizon.
The torrent of light, which had pitted the power of creation against the king’s abyss in a maelstrom of white and blue light, had ceased.
At that moment, with everything in chaos, it was hard to think about the well-being of Mirngadia, who had collapsed, vomiting blood, from so far away.
[It’s too far to confirm! But if Neigalas is coming this way, it looks like…]
[Hurry, Kaisen! Lead your squad and join the main force at once. Iron Cross, crush the enemy’s front line, then return to the main force!]
[The temperature is skyrocketing! Currently 260 degrees! Roro, we were ordered to block it, but can we actually block that thing with our power?]
It was at that very moment that the call of fate was heard.
「Kaisen, come here. Time is short.」
Had she regained consciousness?
Had she finally found a way?
Setsunen, opening her eyes with ragged breaths, called out urgently.
「You will now disengage from combat. Come to my side.」
“Your Excellency, with all due respect, Kaisen is the core of the Iron Cross’s strength.”
Roveris said.
Kaisen also spoke.
“Your Excellency, please tell me the reason. If I am to die, I want to die fighting alongside my comrades. I don’t want to leave them.”
「I cannot explain everything. You must see it for yourself. And your absence will not put them in a corner.」
Mern and Tval also chimed in.
[Are you saying there’s another ally here who can replace Kaisen?]
[Your Excellency, the only one who can take the place of His Excellency Mirngadia in stopping Neigalas is that bastard Kaisen.]
[Temperature rising further! Current outdoor temperature is 320 degrees! Neigalas is almost here!]
At that moment, as the temperature soared to 400 degrees with Neigalas’s approach, as if to illuminate the darkness lurking at the bottom of that voice…
A crimson flame of thrilling power erupted.
From the distant sky, a surreal flame struck the axis of the earth.
It was a flame of life, one that made one imagine the awe of those who lived in the past age of dragons, the Kars Draconia (Peace of Dragons).
The flame that had protected everyone’s smiles and illuminated the sun of the golden age swept away the ancient reptiles and even made the old king flinch.
[No… what is this? A tremendous heat signature from the north, directly ahead. Neigalas’s body is on fire!]
“Burning Neigalas?”
[Incredible power… still approaching this way! A flame of a higher grade than any magic I know. That’s a dragon’s flame!]
[Commander, I can see it with my own eyes now! A true dragon-class dragon with red scales and horns sprouting from its head, burning like flames.]
[Ha, what’s the need to describe its appearance? There’s only one being in this world who can use such flames.]
“Lady Akirea of Crimson Flame…”
I remember Roveris’s expression as she blankly uttered that name of hope.
The Three Great Dragons.
The three miracles that Yonghyeon Rein Ludwick left on this land. Listing them in reverse order, they are as follows.
The third son, Mirngadia of the Blue Star.
The second daughter, Setsunen of Thunderous Fragrance.
The eldest daughter, Akirea of Crimson Flame.
The influence of Mirngadia and Setsunen on human history was also great, but it was difficult to assert their majesty before the Crimson Flame.
Akirea of Crimson Flame.
Protector of the old Adrion continent, the true dragon who held all five Yeouijus, the hero of the epic poem who subjugated the Lord of Time alongside the Apostle of the Void.
But the final part of the description defined the limits that prevented Akirea from standing on the front lines of battle.
In that battle, she had suffered a deep wound from the Lord of Time and could not exert her full abilities, even to this day.
Setsunen spoke.
「Children of light. Buy me more time. When facing the Spider Lord Ashron, the Yonghyeon created a new dimension and sealed him within it. Mir has clung to that knowledge and has finally reached enlightenment.」
[What does that mean?]
「For Mir to capture Neigalas with that power, Neigalas must be completely neutralized, even for a moment. And only Kaisen can open that path.」
Setsunen added. This power is a legacy of creation that can only be used by those who have reached the truth.
In the long history since the Yonghyeon’s death, no one had wielded that power.
But amidst your blood and tears of service, Mir has finally been able to reach this truth and, at the same time, arrive here.
[So everyone who has died until now died for this very moment.]
Seira said in a low voice.
「Yes. For what did the vanguards of courage die? For this very moment. I implore you to buy as much time as possible.]
[Ha! Understood. I don’t really know what you’re talking about, but I get that you’re planning something huge. You’ll have to hurry, though.]
[That’s right. Realistically, I don’t know how long we can hold out.]
Amidst such reports being exchanged.
“So, it was meant to be this way…”
Muttering so, Roveris suddenly turned to look straight at Kaisen.
“Kaisen, do you remember the story I told you about the stepping-stone bridge?”
The burning desert disappeared from Kaisen’s vision, replaced by a sea of blood and stepping stones of corpses.
Holding the torch passed down to this world from [The Ones Who Came], carried through the Three Great Dragons and the vanguards of courage, Roveris stood before him.
Ahead of her, there were no more stepping stones, and the gate, still bathed in the early autumn sunlight, was far in the distance.
At that last stepping stone.
Roveris handed the torch to the young Yongsa who had followed her and smiled.
The smile at that moment, ah, was the purest smile of Roveris’s entire life.
“My time has come to an end. Kaisen, step on me, and go into the future. It’s your turn now.”
Was that a farewell?
Was that the last moment the gods had permitted?
Was sharing a sad smile against the shock the future those words would bring our farewell?
“Now, if you understand, go to Her Excellency.”
“Senior, what you just said—”
“—Hurry! If you’re not back by the time this is over, I’m leaving you behind.”
Akirea was confronting Neigalas alone.
A dance of flames roaring as it entangled with lava and the sandstorm…
The battle seemed like a clash of untouchable principles, but the superiority of power was clear. The gap in superiority was a temporal limit.
“I’ll be back, as fast as I can. So, Senior, please…”
Do not die.
That phrase, which was less a request and more a prayer, was something he couldn't bring himself to say.