It’s time to end the short break.
A momentary wave of hesitation and regret surged, but I had to shake it off decisively.
“Farewell.”
What more words were needed? I didn’t want to drag out time.
I sent a concise goodbye devoid of any embellishments to my comrades.
“Are you… leaving?”
“Yeah.”
A girl with beautiful pink hair bit her plump lip as she asked. I smiled awkwardly at Beatrice’s expression.
“So, you’re going to hunt down the Earth Mother now. That’s the only way to prevent the end of the world.”
“It’s time for me to finish what you all couldn’t.”
I would eliminate the existence of the Creator Deity, a symbol of virtue, and restore the scales of balance tipped to one side. That was the only way to save the world from the ominous gray.
The Disaster of Innocence was the nemesis of the Creator Deity.
To usurp the throne of the Creator Deity, I absolutely needed the power of the disasters.
So the Saintess Party resorted to the drastic measure of resurrecting the Death’s Disaster they had sealed away. Even though the usurpation ended in failure, it certainly had significance.
“Edan, we’ll help too.”
“Don’t treat me like some old fool already.”
Madbay and Felix stepped forward, declaring their willingness to join in. I shook my head.
“I appreciate the sentiment, but I must decline. This is… something I have to end myself.”
That’s enough.
The role of the Saintess Party was over.
I didn’t want to drag the comrades who had accepted their sacrifice back into this.
Even while secluding myself in the Marquisate of Hohenberg and focusing on rehabilitation, the Saintess Party still suffered the aftereffects left by the disasters. Maximilian, who sacrificed his vitality and lifespan to seal the Death’s entourage, was still in a state of discomfort.
“I wanted to say… I’m sorry to you all.”
“Huh?”
“I didn’t realize your struggles over the world’s end. The moment I heard you had vanished without a word, I was foolishly suspicious. Maybe you went off for a romantic escape…”
“A-A romantic escape?! That’s disgusting! What did you think we were!”
Scratching the back of my head, I apologized.
Then Beatrice shouted, her face flushed bright red. Meanwhile, Maximilian and the Saint’s lovers showed awkward expressions, as if they had considered such a romantic escape among themselves.
“I thought you’d be enjoying a sticky romance with your lovers at a quiet resort where the horizon stretches endlessly. I’m sure not just me, but everyone thought the same.”
“Shut up! Be quiet!”
“The news that Saintess Beatrice, who defeated the Demon King, eloped with her lovers was sensationally reported across the continent for days.”
“Aaaagh!”
A Saintess who eloped with four lovers.
I finally realized the existence of the fake news that had spread so widely that no one on the continent was unaware.
Beatrice clutched her head and screamed in shame.
“I can’t get married now!”
Whispers from behind.
Those meaningful glances from the family’s servants every time they faced me.
A fallen woman.
Reduced to a girl who eloped in love.
I just wanted to save the world after the grand finale… Beatrice muttered in a powerless voice.
“I misunderstood you all. I’m sorry.”
“It’s… it’s okay! Though it’s really not okay at all…!”
As I apologized sincerely, Beatrice replied in a voice soaked with resignation.
And the Saint’s lovers shrugged their shoulders, genuinely satisfied.
“Thanks for fighting for me all this time.”
Saintess. Hero. Sword Saint. Mercenary King. Sage.
Looking at the comrades who were more precious than anything, I expressed my gratitude.
Then various reactions flew back, whether smiles or awkwardness.
“I’ll find a way to extend your lifespan, so for this time, just wait quietly, brother.”
“Got it.”
Brother.
The first time I called him that brought a slight smile to Maximilian’s face.
“Well then, I’ll be off.”
With one last parting farewell, I turned away from my comrades.
*
The land where the age of the Creator Deity began.
No one knew the origin of the Sacred.
No one should have set foot here.
Only after the unyielding peace was established would the mysteries of the sacred finally be revealed.
Only the Disaster of Innocence, which had fought the Earth Mother until the age of myths concluded, would know this existence. The land where the age of the Creator Deity began was a shameful place defeated by the Earth Mother.
The city of creation.
Vibrant.
Golden clouds surrounded the sanctuary of unyielding peace.
The majority of mysteries had been revealed by countless adventurers full of enthusiasm and curiosity. However, the land where the age of the Creator Deity began still existed as a mystery not recorded on any map.
“No wonder no one could find it.”
A steep mountain peak that seemed to touch the edge of the sky.
A city built atop it.
It arrogantly overlooked all traces of humanity’s accumulated history.
Gael.
An incredibly fitting place for the arrogant Creator Deity.
Passing through the golden clouds that obstructed entry like a fortress, I reached the city of creation. In contrast to the harsh, biting cold outside, the city of creation overflowed with warm air, resembling a completely isolated space.
‘Thank goodness. I was worried I might get altitude sickness.’
I glanced at Elizaveta as I thought.
Currently, the Divine Status of Death was replacing Elizaveta.
Black eyes. Blood-red pupils.
The features revealed by the apostle possessed by the Disaster God spoke of this fact.
“War, raise your head to see the sky. I see a heaven filled with weaklings.”
“…….”
As I gazed at the transparent sky adjacent to the city of creation, a vast city unveiled itself.
The Heavenly Realm.
The domain of angels who followed the Creator Deity.
The mortal realm and the Heavenly Realm were divided in such a way that they could not be crossed through normal means. Hence, the cardinals of the Holy Kingdom had conducted large-scale ceremonies to summon the Seraph Belashiel.
But—
In the city of creation, no laws applied.
At any moment, angels from the Heavenly Realm could cross the border and come to the city of creation. Seeing the vaguely visible silhouette of the Heavenly Realm, Ludmilla and Zebeline immediately displayed their wariness.
“Returning to this cursed city brings back memories. It was a lot of fun back then…Every day, a fierce battle for the throne of the Creator Deity raged on.”
Hahaha—.
The Divine Status of Death broke into a savage smile on Elizaveta’s face.
Ludmilla, watching him, responded with concern.
“Follow me. That woman will probably be waiting for you in the central temple.”
Awkward and unfamiliar.
Including the title of ‘I’ and the stiff, antique manner of speaking ingrained in me.
As Ludmilla and Zebeline cast glances, Edanant shrugged his shoulders and followed the Death’s Disaster, who volunteered to be the guide. Just as she expected, the closer we got to the center, the more the holiness of the Creator Deity began to feel intolerable.
‘Traces of battles are all over the city.’
Giant claw marks.
Pits as if bombarded with shells.
Ruins and haphazardly scattered debris caused by flames.
In stark contrast to the beautiful scenery that adorned the outskirts, signs of battles between Divine statuses completely filled the center. It was almost impossible to enter due to the ruins and piles of stones blocking the way.
“Gael.”
The moment the high spires of the temple came into view,
Edanant, stepping into the heart of the city, uttered the name of the Creator Deity.
At that moment—.
The ground trembled, and the holy currents swirled violently.
“Welcome, outsiders from beyond.”
Mystical hair shining with various glimmers.
Eyes adorned with sacred patterns.
Without a doubt.
It was the true form of the Creator Deity.
Allure divine to a degree far beyond providence, coupled with unique characteristics, proved this truth. The Creator Deity, who had been using the Candidate Saintesses of the Holy Kingdom as vessels until now, had finally manifested in her true form.
Wham—.
With a brilliant flash, white feathers fluttered.
“So, you’ve come to usurp the throne of the Creator Deity as declared back then.”
The usurper.
Eternal adversaries threatening humanity.
Her thick lips quivered as complex feelings were revealed.
“War. Tyranny. Famine. Death.”
The very opponents that had been sought to be eliminated by any means had come to challenge this land once again.
Was this also a cause and effect of fate?
Returning to square one.
Once again, I found myself ready to fight over the position of the Creator Deity with the Disaster of Innocence.
Feeling the entanglement of destiny while looking at the one responsible for unifying the scattered disasters, I realized I could not escape the shackles, even having reached the pinnacle encompassing all Divine statuses.
“Prove it. That you are the usurper who will end the age of the Creator Deity.”
A light representing absolute faith flashed.
In response, the disasters began to absorb the light.
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