Chapter 90
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 90
Chapter Title: Kindling for the Flame
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Tarhye Rondel, the maelstrom of creation that bathes all sullied and rotten fragments of spacetime in light.
“N-n-n-n-nooooooooooooooooooo—!”
Anridal's voice, seeming to echo from multiple dimensions as it rattled my very skull, tore through the dimension with a shriek.
No matter how it tried to twist spacetime to evade the attack, before that light, everything was powerless.
Nothing remained.
Not a single piece of its flesh, which had struggled with ultra-high-speed regeneration, was left. Even the grotesque mask that covered its face burned away into nothing.
Only its pristine core flew through the air.
[Tersia: Meian!]
The moment she confirmed the core was exposed.
Countless moon blossoms bloomed around the core. This, too, was a miracle manifested by Meian with her Moonlight Sword.
At some point while being ensnared by the vines of moonlight, the core let out a silent scream and attempted to reconstruct its body once more.
Instantly, a golden spearhead flashed through the air and pierced its center. It was Tervel's lightning spear.
[Tervel: Tersia!]
The time for watching the fantastic symphony performed by the Lords of Light was over.
Why?
No, perhaps it was only natural.
Tersia had collapsed, unconscious, and Tervel was rushing to her, scooping her body into his arms.
[Alkaios: Your Holiness, Karenden!]
And the final nightmare of this story began then.
Was it Anridal's final command?
Was it Anridal's final, desperate act?
The entire space began to rapidly collapse. We were trapped within the collapsing space, on the verge of disappearing along with it.
[Meian: Karenden!]
To stop the dimension's collapse, Karenden's black mist seeped into the cracks, sealing the gaps, but it was not enough.
[Karenden: Ah, this is…]
As if to show how much he had overexerted himself, blood poured like a waterfall from Karenden's eyes, nose, and mouth on the screen, before his eyes rolled back and he collapsed.
[Ryukael: Master?!]
[Tervel: Karenden!]
[Fire Dragon Vel’Dakidun: Dad!]
Amidst the hour of ruin, where Anridal's death-rattle cackles echoed, a message arrived through my private channel.
[Kaduel: Enuel, prepare Sharrilion's Essence Absorption.]
Spacetime trembled violently.
The ancient pillars and stone structures that had adorned the Spacetime Garden as spoils of war crumbled and shattered one by one, raining down.
It was an intense vibration that made it impossible to even stand properly—no, it was the earthquake of a collapsing world.
[Kaduel: If you amplify my power sevenfold, you should be able to pierce a hole in the dimension.]
This proposal was impossible for two reasons.
One. To return to the original dimension, we had to pierce two holes, just as we did when we came here. Sharrilion could only exert its power once.
Two. The dimensional field was fluctuating madly, making it impossible to create a rift and escape from here now.
[Kaduel: We are the world's kindling. With the pride of kindling, advance to the end of your mission, Enuel.]
Unless someone remained behind to keep that rift open.
[Kaduel: Just because we are kindling does not mean we cannot light up the world. Without kindling, the light cannot burn, nor can it reach the lowest places of the world, can it?]
What was Enuel's reaction at that moment?
What thoughts did Enuel hold?
I could only stare blankly at Kaduel in the video. Yet, no warning about a drop in synchronization rate appeared.
[Kaduel: Just because you cannot produce your own light does not mean you cannot illuminate the world. Be the conduit that carries the light.]
It seemed Enuel received Kaduel's gaze directly. He received the flame of that conviction.
No, this can't be...
As if passing a sacred torch, the flash of the True Holy Sword Hisgibid struck. The blade of Sharrilion, having swallowed the force of the spacetime collapse, shimmered chaotically.
[Kaduel: Captain, I will make a path.]
I see. This was your end, Kaduel...
Before entering that scrap heap, this was the end of the life you chose.
This, the end of your mission. A final curtain so very much like that of us FakeWarriors.
[Alkaios: ...Kaduel, you've worked hard until now.]
The outer wall of spacetime cracked wide open, then shattered into countless fragments that fell menacingly.
[Ryukael: Alright, Kaduel! Kaduel! You guys, come on!]
While Ryukael swung Yoniulan to provide cover, Tervel carried Tersia out, and Meian followed behind them.
[Kaduel: There's no time, Enuel! Hurry out and pierce a hole at the edge of the dimension!]
How many times did he hesitate?
In that fleeting moment of a thousand hesitations, there was no warning of synchronization failure.
He tried to save him, to return together, to find another way, but all ended in failure...
[Kaduel: Enuel!]
Why? Why must your deaths be accepted as if they were destiny?
And why can you all accept your deaths as if they are destiny?
Unable to ask anything, I turned and ran.
Into the rift in spacetime that was about to close, even as the flashes of Hisgibid struck endlessly.
Kaduel smiled faintly.
These were Kaduel's last words.
[Kaduel: Thank you. I leave the rest to you.]
As the rift was about to close, Ryukael finally realized the truth of the situation and turned back to Kaduel.
[Ryukael: Kaduel! Kaduel!]
And as she tried to exit the rift just before it closed, Alkaios forcibly held her back.
The rift in spacetime closed.
And the process of shattering the edge of the dimensional corridor with the power of Hisgibid, which had absorbed it, was the end of the Anridal subjugation, right up to the Spacetime Garden's annihilation.
Like the FakeWarriors of later generations.
Kaduel, too, died with a smile.
The True Holy Sword Hisgibid, forged from the Psalms of Creation, did not perish. Later, it was said that Karenden recovered Hisgibid as it drifted through the void dimension.
Age of Myths,
Tarhye RondelㆍEldiaㆍRebirth (11)
A sorrowful silence now hung over the Eldia encampment, where only three remained. The only sound was Ryukael neurotically sharpening Yoniulan's blade.
[Alkaios: Ryukael, Enuel. Come to the command and control center. His Holiness Karenden has convened a strategy meeting.]
The sound of Yoniulan's blade being sharpened ceased. Ryukael answered in a rebellious tone.
[Ryukael: Did he say we couldn't have a little time to mourn?]
[Alkaios: Cease that irreverent attitude. He is our creator.]
[Ryukael: Yes, I understand.]
Ryukael ended the communication, stood up, and sheathed Yoniulan on her back, muttering sardonically.
“I know who my parent is without being told. But is someone who doesn't shed a single tear whether their child dies or not really a parent? What, is he going to make another son this time?”
“Ryukael.”
“A slip of the tongue. Forget it.”
Amidst all the absurdities of this world, it seemed Karenden had become the target of Ryukael's resentment.
She hadn't seen it.
How Karenden had tried to offer Ryukael comfort when Shurviel died.
In an awkward silence, we left the encampment and arrived at the command and control center. The high command had all gathered.
That is, all of The Ones Who Came, Alkaios, the Three Divine Dragons, Karenden's disciple Emitsa (later, the founder of the Page family), and the Ain's chief technician, Gunter, and Khilim.
“Let's begin. I'll skip what everyone already knows and get straight to the point. Take off your helmets. They interfere with the briefing.”
The order was directed at Ryukael. She hid her antipathy with a short sigh and removed her helmet.
“Yes.”
Karenden snapped his fingers, and a holographic device projected a large, detailed map of the continent into the air.
“As you know, this mountain range was Anridal's domain. Anridal was a king who received the same power as Shu'Yulqula and Kelek-Shak. In terms of rank, he was below them. But did you notice anything while facing him directly?”
Alkaios answered respectfully.
“The Tier 2 vassals were quite powerful, and there were even many Tier 2.5 vassals.”
“Yes, that's it. I also clashed head-on with the Three-Wheeled Nariaduk, but it was a surprisingly difficult fight.”
Tervel nodded.
“Mine ended easily. That is... it was easy thanks to Enuel and Kaduel's help.”
“Enough about the dead. Let's get to the point.”
As Ryukael's eyebrows twitched in irritation, Enuel's synchronized motion gripped her shoulder firmly.
Even without the synchronization, I would have done the same.
Stop. Your resentment has the wrong target. I thought this misplaced resentment might be the reason Ryukael fell to the Abyss.
“It seems Yotos has noticed the change. He must have granted new authority to Anridal.”
“Yotos? Are you sure?”
As the eyes of Meian, the Moon of Creation, widened, Maxencia, the Pale Moon, spoke cautiously.
“I felt it too. The moment this world briefly connected with the outer universe. It was very short, but... truly terrifying.”
“And Anridal's Abyss concentration was 556,427, nearly double the levels of Shu'Yulqula and Kelek-Shak.”
A brief silence fell at the words of the Light Dragon Haraderiman.
The silence was deep and sharp. It was not a silence of doubt, but one born from a sense of foreboding.
Jyeannir lifted her head.
“So that's why you all struggled so much even when you attacked as a group...”
“We no longer have the capacity to fight on two fronts. If we do, we will be defeated for certain.”
“Karenden is right. Less than thirty percent of my fleet remains.”
“Indeed. Rasepin is down to just 30 squadrons. Less than ten percent of the clones are left. The liberated armies also have their limits.”
“But there's only one True King left now, right? This should be enough.”
At Meian's words, Karenden snapped his fingers again.
The map disappeared, replaced by the image of a profane figure roaring menacingly in a blizzard.
The mere sight of it sent a cold sweat down my back and a vortex of fear swirling in my mind.
At a glance, it looked like a spider.
But no spider was that colossal, nor was its body so dark blue.
Yeriserica, who had grown into a woman with noble, light blue hair and eyelashes, spoke.
“The Spider Lord, Ashron. It bears the epithet of the Spider Emperor that Swallows the World. Not a king, but an emperor.”
So that's Ashron...
During the Ashron Incident, Dragon Lord Rein Ludwig supposedly took advantage of its incomplete state to subjugate it...
But now was different.
Unlike then, when its power was incomplete having just awoken from its seal, it was now several times stronger.
“Emperor? This is the first True King to use such a title.”
“It seems to be because Ashron is Yotos's number one vassal.”
“Yeriserica believes Yotos has definitely caught on to our plan. I agree. Given the situation, defeating Ashron will be a tremendous race against time. However...”
“However?”
Meian prompted him.
After a moment of hesitation, Karenden continued.
“I don't know if I should believe this. Someone gave me this information.”
The next moment, all the lords and key figures present wore expressions of bewilderment.
I, too, doubted my eyes.
The map reappeared, but this time, light points of various colors floated on it.
It was a map of Ashron's spider empire.
It showed in detail all force dispositions, military strategic points, and even where the vassals were deployed.
“What is this? Karenden, wasn't it impossible to scan the North Pole with satellites? Because the blizzard is too severe.”
“Yes. It was.”
“Then how?”
“I wonder that myself. I have never seen such a mighty power of creation. But at the same time, it wielded a power of the Abyss of equal measure, which is unsettling.”
An unpleasant sweat trickled down my spine. The spot where my soul's heart had been pierced tingled.
‘Could it be…?’
It can't be, no, but still.
Back then, a being of unknown origin, possessing both creation and the Abyss, had placed the divine sword Yurvelmung into my soul.
‘Is it a different being?’
That's impossible.
There couldn't possibly be two such beings.
‘But how did it contact Karenden two thousand years ago...?’
After staring at the information Karenden had displayed for a long time, Tersia, the leader of The Ones Who Came, spoke up.
“If we don't trust this data and you devise a plan, can we defeat Yotos in time?”
“There's a 99.6% chance it's impossible. That 0.4% is only possible if hundreds of miracles and thousands of flukes occur repeatedly.”
“Then, I'll bet on your 0.4% and give it a try.”
In that single moment, why was it? I would only understand for sure later.
The reason I could only stare blankly at Tersia's face.
The reason Tersia always wore such a sorrowful look in her eyes.
The reason sadness tinged the eyes of all of The Ones Who Came as they looked at her.
At that time, I just felt something vaguely. Something I couldn't explain...
“...Then go well, Tersia.”
Starting with Maxencia's farewell, Tersia's face changed.
There was no physical change.
Something in her eyes... changed.
As if stamped with the mark of a different time. As if she had aged decades in another timeline.
There was no way to explain it.
Tersia, whose eyes had widened for a moment as she looked sadly at her comrades, seemed like someone who had just woken from a nightmare.
And at that moment, Tersia seemed like a different person.
Karenden asked.
“How was it?”
“Sorry, they all failed. Everyone really tried their best...”
“How many attempts?”
“Three. We could only get as far as Ashron's location. By then, Yotos descends.”
Tersia said so, her voice on the verge of tears.
What were they talking about?
What kind of sorrow did she carry with her?
I couldn't understand at all, but Maxencia, as if she knew everything, went to Tersia's side and held her hand tightly.
“It was a mistake in my operational design. I have no excuse.”
“It's not your fault. By the way, the information given by that unknown being was perfectly accurate. We have to trust it.”
Shurigan blinked.
“Tersia, are you serious?”
“Let's think of everyone who died to end this war. It might be better to be betrayed and end it all than for it to end in vain.”
Tervel took a deep breath.
He was bewildered, but he seemed unable to express his bewilderment.
“Didn't you say its Abyss power was that strong? Yotos was originally a creation god, so that vile bastard might be using a trick. To destroy us!”
“Then the only other option is to wait for the next opportunity and withdraw.”
“If that's the only way, then we have no choice.”
At Meian's remark, Ryukael's lips parted blankly, and she spoke in a voice that trembled, almost breaking.
“Then... what happens? What about Shurviel, who died defeating Kelek-Shak? What about Kaduel, who died to save us?”
Tervel fell silent. Meian, too, pressed her lips into a thin line.
Tersia gave Ryukael a smile that was truly, truly sadder than Ryukael's own.
A smile that only one who carries all the sorrows of the world could make.
“I haven't decided to withdraw, Ryukael. I will never let their sacrifices be in vain.”
“...!”
“Don't worry, Ryukael. I will never give up on this fight. After all the work you all did to open this path.”
Ryukael lowered her head to hide her reddened eyes and managed to reply.
“...Thank you.”
Then Karenden snapped his fingers again, projecting the map into the air.
“Then it's decided. The information from the unidentified being states that to enter Harvadonia, we must open a gate.”
“A gate?”
“The gates are located on two sides. One is in the Swamp of Eternity on the left side of the continent. The other is at the tail end of the mountain range that descends from the center of Harvadonia. And both locations are garrisoned by vassals.”
“Just vassals? Big deal.”
Meian shrugged.
“It was even kind enough to provide the Abyss levels of those vassals. Haraderiman.”
The Light Dragon Haraderiman explained.
“Ashron's first-ranked vassal, Beshansidug, is at 340,000, surpassing Kelek-Shak and Shu'Yulqula, and the other is the fourth-ranked vassal, Requin. At 260,000, its level is comparable to the two aforementioned True Kings.”
Tervel furrowed his brow.
“That's insane. Is this possible because it's an emperor?”
Karenden shook his head.
“Even so, these numbers are too excessive. It can be seen that Yotos has shared an enormous amount of authority with Ashron. And Ashron, in turn, has shared its power with its vassals.”
My fingers trembled at the implication.
That each vassal could be stronger than or comparable to a True King.
And that it was a harbinger of doom, that the great lord of the Abyss was descending upon this land.
“Do you understand? If we succeed in sealing Ashron before Yotos arrives, our chances of winning this war will increase dramatically. He will be that much weaker.”
Tersia nodded.
“Yes, Ashron and Yotos will know that too.”
“The beings known as True Kings are not humble enough to be cautious just because they know that. Still, they are employing delaying tactics. That's why I said we have no time unless we follow the words of that unidentified being.”
Tervel, who had been stroking his chin thoughtfully, finally nodded in agreement.
“Alright, so what's the plan, Karenden? Shurigan can no longer fight, and it goes without saying for Maxencia and Jyeannir. Those of us gathered here are all we have.”
“We have no choice but to push ourselves.”
“Tell me.”
“I will take only Ryukael and Enuel to face Beshansidug.”
“Karenden? What are you talking about? You said Beshansidug is the much stronger enemy! That its Abyss concentration is higher than the other True Kings!”
“You all need to conserve your strength. Of course, Asura will go as well. Enuel is my greatest masterpiece, so with this, we can win. Alkaios.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Go with Tersia. Your strength will be needed.”
Alkaios gave Karenden an AuthenticWarrior's salute.
“I pray for your fortune in war.”
“This decision is the turning point of the battle. The time has come to end the fight that has continued for an eternity.”
“And after we break through the field? I heard that place is a complete polar region. Ships won't be able to enter. Besides, we don't have many intact ships left.”
To Tervel's extremely practical question, Karenden offered an extremely surreal answer.
“We'll use the ships as a forward operating base.”
“?”
“There's no time for a detailed explanation. We must move to operational action immediately. To get to Harvadonia, we must first cross the wasteland that lies between. Movement also takes time.”
“My head is spinning.”
Tersia placed a hand on Meian's head as she scratched her forehead.
“Let's get a good long rest, after everything is over.”
The Ones Who Came followed Tersia out of the command and control center one by one. After everyone had left, as Alkaios was about to follow, Ryukael spoke.
“Don't die, Captain.”
“You too. But if your post is one where you must die, then you must die. Ryukael, we are kindling, not the fire. Do you understand? The kindling exists to protect the fire.”
Ryukael bit her lip and reluctantly replied.
“Captain, then... were we ultimately born just to die?”
Alkaios looked into Ryukael's eyes for a long time.
Did he know, subconsciously, that this was where he would part with his old comrade?
Alkaios placed a hand firmly on Ryukael's shoulder and nodded.
And someday, will she come to know?
That the words you spoke to Ryukael became the bedrock of conviction for creating Eldia Omek (06).
A path of living and dying just like the courageous vanguards before them.
A bedrock that would firmly support the entire process of walking that path and seeing it to its end.
“No. You were born to protect this world's fire. To live more nobly and die more grandly than anyone else. Ryukael, do not forget that.”