Chapter 323: Winged Heavenly Being Subjugation (11)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 323: Winged Heavenly Being Subjugation (11)
Veronica had left a final testament, declaring she would follow the stars to cast off all falsehoods before taking her own life.
Upon reaching the Icy Lake, she had finally found true purpose: contributing to the defeat of the Evil God. She had determined that her true value lay in helping me.
“I see…”
I bowed my head. I felt a profound sense of gratitude toward Veronica, tinged with a bitter sorrow.
However, I couldn't afford to let grief consume my time. As the mysteries surrounding Veronica were unraveled, another question took its place. I raised my head and pointed to my own face.
“Then let me ask this. Why did I transmigrate into this body?”
[‘Transmigration’ is a fitting term. It was simply that the man named Isaac happened to be the perfect vessel.]
Stella projected two images into my field of vision. One showed me in my past life, buried under a mountain of books in a cramped goshitel in Sillim-dong. The other showed a young Isaac, studying in a solitary room in much the same way I had.
[To transfer a soul, the spiritual form must correspond to the physical frame to a certain degree. It is a task that requires extremely strict and intricate conditions. Moreover, the target of the transfer needed to be alive around the time of Nephid’s resurrection.]
Stella pointed at me.
[The body that satisfied both conditions belonged to none other than Isaac. Isaac was a classmate of Ian Fairytale at the academy. Furthermore, your soul and Isaac’s body were such a perfect match that, with only minor adjustments, your soul could be adapted to fit him perfectly. The two of you possessed remarkably similar souls—almost like mirrors of each other.]
The scene shifted rapidly. Atop a towering cliff, I saw the back of a boy wearing the Märchen Academy uniform. It was Isaac. He offered a faint, weary smile, whispering, “Mom…” before casting himself into the abyss.
I walked to the edge of the cliff with Stella and looked down. Isaac had already vanished into the rough, crashing waves below.
[Fate didn’t even need to intervene. He was destined to take his own life regardless.]
“Then Isaac’s soul now…?”
[I won’t go into specifics, but it is as you saw. Altering a fate voluntarily chosen would be akin to an abuse of power.]
For a moment, I was speechless. As I lowered my head, Stella continued with an air of nonchalance.
[If there was one flaw, it was that he was the weakest student at Märchen Academy… but such details are ultimately irrelevant.]
Once again, the scenery shifted back to the center of the universe.
[More importantly… there is one fatal flaw in my plan.]
“A flaw?” I looked at Stella.
[The issue is that we cannot fully grasp the power of the Evil God Nephid.]
Scenes from the game I had played so religiously, ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, flickered in the air. They all depicted the final chapter: the decisive battle against the Evil God Nephid.
“So the patterns of the Evil God in the game were fake?”
I wasn't surprised. I had already anticipated this after hearing Dorothy’s story during the first loop. I was merely asking for confirmation.
[Yes. The game only reflects the limited information we managed to gather and the predictable attack patterns of an Evil God. Besides, a game is just a game—it is designed to be beatable. While the other enemies didn’t require exaggeration, Nephid was a different story. I assure you, the real Nephid is far stronger.]
The exact attack patterns remained a mystery, but the reality was that she was absurdly powerful. That was the crux of the problem.
“Why can’t you figure out Nephid’s patterns? Don’t you have the ability to see the future of this world?”
[Because I cannot see the future from the moment Nephid appears.]
“What?”
[Nephid has obscured all future events from the moment of her manifestation. If someone like me tries to interfere with that shroud, we would be consumed by the Authority of Godslaying. That is why I am powerless against it.]
I hadn't fully realized it while playing ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, but the Authority of Godslaying was terrifyingly broken. Essentially, Nephid was an absolute predator when it came to fighting other gods. I finally understood why the gods were so desperately using humans as pawns in their game.
However, I still had a lingering question.
“But I’ve already faced Nephid once. You must have figured out some of her attack patterns by now, right?”
The gods’ game against the Evil God Nephid was intended to have a second loop from the start. In other words, Stella should know exactly what happened during the first loop.
[It was difficult to fully comprehend.]
“Why?”
Stella changed the projection to show my battle against Nephid during the first loop. Even with the slightest wave of her fingers, the Evil God had left me utterly powerless. I had been nothing more than a toy at her mercy.
[You were defeated miserably. Surviving was the best you could manage. Knowing that would happen, we planned from the start to use the first attempt as a stepping stone.]
The first loop was merely a catalyst for the second.
“…Then what about the mid-bosses or the minions?”
[They were at a level similar to what we expected from the game. The only true anomaly was the Evil God.]
“…”
[Ultimately, time was reversed through the power of Lucifer, the demon who governs the Icy Lake. The souls of the dead, the fairies, Ozma, and even past fates were all returned—except for the Icy Lake itself, which Lucifer controls. During that time, I stayed here and had many conversations with Dorothy Heartnova.]
It was Dorothy’s story from the first loop. I had already pieced this together after listening to her. In any case, the Dorothy from the first loop had stayed at the Icy Lake and became exempt from the regression, making her a separate entity from the current Dorothy.
So even if I had died, time would have been reversed.
When I thought the Status Window was just a game mechanic, I assumed survival was a condition for regression. That misunderstanding was now cleared. During the first loop, Ozma had merely been counting down to when Lucifer’s regression ability would activate. It was likely a ploy to convince me to begin the second loop.
[Yes. But opportunities are not infinite. No… this is practically our last chance.]
“Why?”
[If we fail this time, the situation will revert to how it was during the first loop. Actually, no—if it were only that, it would be fine.]
Stella let out a quiet sigh.
[The biggest problem is that Nephid is highly likely to recognize Lucifer’s power now. If Nephid learns the timing of Lucifer’s activation, she can overcome it with the Authority of Godslaying. Essentially, the chances of defeating Nephid in a third attempt approach zero.]
In other words, if we failed to defeat Nephid this time, there would be no more chances.
“I see…”
I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and then voiced a sudden question.
“What would have happened if Ozma had taken my body during the first loop?”
[It wouldn’t have mattered. Time would have reversed, and you would have regained your body anyway. But if it were taken this time, the consequences would be disastrous.]
“That makes sense…”
Ozma probably didn’t display [Divinity] in the Status Window during the first loop. Because even if I couldn’t recall much of that timeline, she would have heard in advance from Stella that I would recognize the second loop. She must have been cautious to avoid any circumstances that might arouse even the slightest suspicion.
It was only after encountering someone like Daikan that I realized it was the second loop.
In the first loop, the Status Window must have simply fulfilled its role.
The more I thought about it, the more astonishing it was. I had somehow managed to distrust the Status Window. Without Dorothy’s warning in the first loop, I might have already lost my body to Ozma.
Of course, sending a message to me through Dorothy to stop Ozma was all part of Stella’s plan. As long as I kept my reasoning intact, it was only a matter of time before I stopped trusting the Status Window.
“So, in the end, it’s impossible to face Nephid using only game knowledge, right?”
Stella nodded. It all came down to me.
“…Stella. Did you know I would make it this far?”
[No. I cannot see the future here.]
“No, let me rephrase that. Did you trust me?”
[…To be honest, it was highly risky, and the chances of failure were immense. I couldn’t be certain it would work out. That is why I want to thank you repeatedly. Thank you for surpassing the impossible.]
Stella bowed her head to me, but I had no intention of accepting her gratitude.
“The Creator you mentioned.”
Stella raised her head and looked at me. I met her gaze once more.
“Is that your Higgs representative, ‘Dante’?”
Stella answered with a smile. So it was true. Just as I had expected. I voiced the question that had weighed on my mind the most. I was just an ordinary person. Why me?
Stella held a gentle smile at my question.
[There is no complex reason. Among those who played ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱ diligently, you stood out as someone who would not break. I can discern such things. While secondary factors like your nature were considered, the most important trait was your unwavering determination. That is why you caught my eye more than anyone else.]
“…I see.”
The reason was so simple it left me feeling deflated. My vision shifted again, and the scenery of the Icy Lake came back into view. It signaled that our conversation had concluded. Stella turned her back.
[If you have no more questions, our conversation ends here. Naturally, if you succeed in defeating the Evil God, I promise to reward you generously for your efforts. Well then…]
“Wait. I still have something to say.”
Using [Ice Generation], I created an ice chair and sat down. I wanted to strike this god who had used me, but I barely managed to suppress the urge.
“Let me ask you something. If Ian uses Domain Expansion on Nephid, what would happen? If you’re not sure, a prediction is fine. Be specific.”
[…Why do you ask such a thing?]
“I have a favor to ask.”
For a while, I explained my thoughts and conveyed my request to Stella. After hearing my plan, Stella stared blankly for a moment before bursting into laughter.
[Kuhuhu… Hahaha! Kekeuk, Hahaha!!]
Stella laughed as if she genuinely found it amusing.
[Ah, what an amusing thought…! Only a weak, fragile human—one who lives by clinging to a group—could come up with such an idea! Even the power you seized with every ounce of your strength is nothing more than a mere tool to you!]
Stella shouted, spreading her arms wide in excitement.
[Human, I salute you!]
With a smiling face, Stella approached me and placed her hand on my head. After allowing a small amount of mana to flow into me, she withdrew her hand.
[I will fulfill that request, even at the cost of my life. I am truly glad I chose you.]
“I don’t think I need to say it, but I don’t like you.”
[I understand your anger toward me. If it means succeeding in defeating the Evil God and protecting everyone, I will gladly accept that anger.]
Stella closed her eyes and leaned her forehead against mine.
[Mr. Han Seong Ho, may the blessing of the stars be with you.]
As soon as I blinked, Stella disappeared. I stood up from the ice chair. Now that the conversation was over, it was time to return. I raised my head and looked at the massive demon bound atop the distant altar.
I spoke to him.
“Lucifer. Let me ask you something. I already knew you’d turn back time when the destruction began. You seem like a traitor to the demons, so why did you stop following the Evil God, even after things reached that point?”
I was curious. Why did Lucifer, a demon, rebel against the Evil God? Lucifer’s many eyes stared at me, and his will was conveyed directly into my mind.
To become virtuous.
“Virtuous… What does that even mean?”
Even in ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, the reason the treacherous heavenly being Vuel sought to overthrow the gods was to become virtuous. However, the virtue Lucifer spoke of was likely different from the kind Vuel pursued.
Virtue is purity. Something sublime. Thus, it is to prevent destruction.
“You’re a demon. You must have the instinct to slaughter. What made you adopt such a mindset?”
The act of following instinct is inherently meaningless. This body before thee is the evidence of mass slaughter. This one fought against the Evil God, not because of instinct, but to pay for the sins this body has committed and receive eternal punishment. Fret not; one day, this body will be born as a virtuous being. In the midst of this body’s torment, this one shall constantly meditate and uncover the sublime truth.
Lucifer’s resolute will resonated within me. He had abandoned his instincts and chosen the path of the sublime. Thus, he was atoning for his sins and opposing the will of the Evil God Nephid.
“I see. I understand now.”
Bearing Lucifer’s will, I spread three pairs of cold wings and soared.
*
In front of the elevator leading to the Icy Lake.
Hades, the Nether King, who had been waiting for news of Isaac, suddenly felt a chilling mana and assumed a battle stance. Something was rising from beneath the ground.
Boom!!!
Breaking through the immensely thick crust, a man with silver-blue hair soared into the air, unfolding three pairs of icy wings. Hades narrowed his eyes. The man before him was grasping a fragment of omnipotence.
Isaac.
He floated in the air, surrounded by a cluster of stars, staring coldly and cynically at the Nether King.
[This one hath been waiting for thee, Ice King.]
From the golden halo trailing behind the Nether King, dozens of massive arms extended. The absolute divine authority: [Heaven’s Hand]. This was the King’s ultimate power.
The Nether King’s sharp eyes gleamed with intent, targeting Isaac.
“…I appreciate the welcome.”
In response, several transcendent light-blue halos appeared behind Isaac. A half-moon of ice, cradling starlight, formed above his head.
Isaac’s eyes were dyed with a mystical, brilliant blue light.