“This is the destined hero, the true protagonist of the Sixth Epoch.”
Standing before the vanished wall, Shade, within the Maze-Lock, spoke while clutching his chest and gasping for air. The distance from the summit of Mount Sicar to the city below was actually quite vast; it was only because he was currently inside the Maze-Lock that he could see it so clearly.
He had seen the moment Iluna threw that giant spear of sunlight with absolute clarity. Unless he were to undergo apotheosis once again, Shade had no way of defeating that undead behemoth.
His current lament was not insincere. With Sister Devlin's cooperation, Iluna had achieved victory with a single strike. Setting aside the deity of tonight, she was the hero most deserving of being recorded under the starry sea at this moment.
If Shade and Iluna were to fight, he did not have absolute confidence in his victory.
“You are an observer outside of fate; perhaps you occasionally influence the stage, but Iluna Beath is the destined hero upon it,” the Sister said softly. Her true body had returned; Shade envied such an ability.
He nodded, and two red butterflies flew from his shoulders, landing on the ground and transforming back into Helen and Grace, who were staggering and nearly collapsing.
Shade and Sister Devlin supported them, and then Shade spoke
“One last thing for tonight. Although the Witch Emperor prophesied that the [Night Watchman] is the key to sealing the Gap, I am reluctant to leave that sword floating above Midhillburg. Since the power of the Maze-Lock is not yet exhausted, I shall seal the Gap as well... Sister, I need to borrow your flame.”
“It would be my honor.”
The surrounding scenery of the palace receded, and the primeval forest and the night returned. Shade supported Helen, and Sister Devlin supported Grace; they sat beneath a giant tree that had appeared behind them at some unknown moment, before a bonfire ignited by the Sister's First Flame.
Having used three Maze-Locks in succession, even Shade in his current state found it somewhat taxing. He did his best to lower himself to the ground, unaware that at this moment, on the summit of Mount Sicar in the real world, a verdant light illuminated the starry sky, echoing the radiance above Midhillburg.
The power of the “Scar of the Holy Tree” and the “Tree’s Kiss” merged harmoniously, as if they had always been of the same origin.
Emerald radiance flew from Shade's body, and beneath the dim giant tree, specks of light danced in swirling patterns.
“Is this the blessing of the Tree Father—the Verdant Blessing? This blessing strengthened the seal of the Tree’s Kiss; does it actually count as a power related to nature and trees?”
【Why wouldn't it?】
The four of them sat around the bonfire. As the Maze-Lock dissipated, the imagery of the primeval forest gradually vanished, revealing the landscape of Mount Sicar's summit.
And that giant tree behind them had actually grown upon the peak of Mount Sicar. Its roots spread throughout the entire mountain, stabilizing the precarious peak while simultaneously plugging the rift at the summit, completely blocking the passage to the Gap.
Flame—the fire from the bonfire surged across the ground in all directions. The canopy of the giant tree extended outward until it completely covered the crest of Mount Sicar.
The effect of the Maze-Lock ended. The bonfire before them continued to flicker, and the great tree beside them remained.
“Hmm? Why is this tree still here? That's not right. Since when did the Tree’s Kiss have a tree-planting effect?”
Shade was somewhat puzzled, later guessing that it likely had to do with the Tree Father's blessing. But this wasn't a bad thing; the lake at the summit had long been destroyed, so growing a tree here could be considered helpful for the reforestation of Mount Sicar.
“It’s finally over. The matters of Midhillburg are finally over. The Tree’s Kiss and the Scar of the Holy Tree have sealed the Gap, and ninety-nine percent of the souls within the Gap have departed. It is all over.”
Shade looked up at the starlight filtering through the gaps in the canopy. Grace supported her sister, Helen gazed at Shade, Sister Devlin looked down at the flames, and little Mia, finding the whole affair boring, was squinting her eyes in a sweet sleep.
The battle was over; the Church would certainly send people soon to inspect the tree on the summit. But for now, everyone sat there, firelight and shadows dancing upon them. It was time to rest a little.
From the early autumn of the Common Calendar year 1853 to this late autumn night, the Outsider had finally drawn a relatively satisfactory period at the end of this chapter of his story.
From Wednesday night to nearly dawn on Thursday, in the span of a single night, Shade had stormed the Gap, defended the cathedral, entered Death, returned to the past, fought Barton, chased red butterflies, defeated an evil god, guided souls, and finally used three Maze-Locks in succession—or rather, used one massive three-in-one giant Maze-Lock.
This night had been far too exhausting for him.
The fighting subsided, the spiritual light under the night sky receded, and the fires in the mountain forests gradually died out. The morning glow had not yet appeared in the distant sky, but this night—one worthy of being recorded in history books and becoming a myth in the future—had ended.
Utterly exhausted, Shade didn't even descend the mountain. Instead, he entrusted the heavily injured Helen and Grace to the Sister, asking her to take them to Grandma Cassandra, and then returned directly to Tobesk from the mountainside.
He truly needed to rest for a while. Although there were still many things to handle in Midhillburg, he had Sister Devlin inform his friends that he likely wouldn't show his face for several days.
Shade missed his bed dearly.
In truth, his home was not peaceful either. When he brought Barton and Ms. Handel back from Death, because he had illegally utilized the [Traveler's Travel Gate], not only were the relics about to spiral out of control, but the Gap on the third floor had also encountered major problems.
At the time, hurried to return to Midhillburg, Shade could only let Miss Galina handle it on his behalf. That had happened three hours ago, and as Shade, carrying Mia, tiredly climbed the stairs once more, the situation on the third floor appeared to have been resolved.
Inside the quiet home, warm yellow gas lamps were lit. There was no clamor of battle, no roar of behemoths. As he stepped up the familiar stairs, the emotion in Shade's heart was difficult to express
“There's no place like home.”
On the second floor, Luvia was sitting on the sofa, talking with Miss Galina. Tifa and the maids were in the kitchen preparing late-night snacks and tea.
The gas light in the living room was warm and cozy. Having returned to his own house and seeing those familiar ladies, the exhausted Shade stood at the entrance of the second floor, almost reluctant to disturb the current atmosphere.
“What is that expression on your face?”
The red-haired witch turned her head, holding a teacup
“Tsk tsk, look at you. Covered in dirt, a face full of exhaustion, clothes all torn—though your skin looks quite clean. Is the matter in Midhillburg finished?”
“Yes, it's all finished.”
Shade nodded. Luvia stood up to support him, noting his poor mental state. The purple-eyed girl said softly
“We asked Barton a few things, and then, as you instructed, we let that lady leave along with the souls. They will likely stay at the Three Cats Inn tonight and then leave Tobesk by steam train.”
Shade didn't believe for a second that Miss Galina wouldn't send someone to tail them, but that was no longer his concern.
“Also, the third floor... there was a small problem. You never have to worry about it; the boundary of the third floor lost control, but your [Traveler's Travel Gate] is also scrapped.”
Shade shook his head
“Both are good news. I want to go to sleep now.”
“Go on then.”
Miss Galina set down her teacup
“I've already had Tifa prepare your bed. Go sleep, Knight. I only hope that when you wake, I can hear the story of tonight from your lips.”
She also stood up, glanced at Luvia, and then gave Shade a light kiss on the corner of his lips
“I hope it is a splendid story.”
The witch looked at the purple-eyed girl, and Luvia gazed back at her
“Yes, Shade, I hope it is a good story.”
She also lightly kissed the corner of Shade's lips. Due to his drowsiness, Shade's consciousness was already blurred, and he had no desire to think about what they had just said.
Luvia suddenly frowned, leaned in to sniff Shade, and then asked with a smile
“Something is off, Shade. Why do you smell of so many perfumes? At least, at least four kinds. What on earth did you go do...”
Her voice trailed off; Shade had already tilted to the side due to extreme exhaustion and was then carefully supported by Tifa.
Little Mia jumped onto the back of the sofa, meowing. Aside from the cat, the ladies fell silent.
“Tifa, help Shade to the bedroom to rest; he really is exhausted.”
After a moment, the witch inquired softly. Tifa nodded
“Yes, Miss. Should I change him into pajamas?”
The witch glanced at Luvia, and the purple-eyed girl also lowered her voice
“You change him.”
“Understood.”
Tifa supported Shade as she walked toward the bedroom, and the small orange cat immediately followed.
The witch and the female diviner sat back down on the sofa. It was four in the morning, and neither seemed inclined to rest
“Luvia Annate, guess what actually happened in Midhillburg tonight?”
The female diviner looked at the night sky outside the window
“Around midnight, all the lights abruptly vanished for a second. Then, using my stargazing equipment, I saw the Road of Death above Midhillburg... this is likely a night that will be remembered by people for thousands of years. What a pity we could only sit here instead of witnessing it all firsthand.”
“The experiences of the Chosen are inherently part of an epic. Now that a deceased Chosen has appeared, anything is possible. First Tobesk, then Coldwater Harbor, now Midhillburg; I wonder where will be next.”
The witch chuckled, lifting her teacup and gently swirling it toward Luvia
“You have great skill and talent. Are you interested in accepting the power of a witch?”
Luvia shook her head
“Sorry, I have no such thought for now. However, the entire material world could probably observe the terrifying phenomenon above Midhillburg around midnight. After all, most astrologers were observing the star-whale there tonight. Their telescopes probably shattered just like mine; I wonder if the Academy can reimburse these devices.”
“Yes, a descent of a god...”
The witch set down her teacup, her eyes narrowing slightly
“But why? Why would a deity appear in Midhillburg? The commotion caused by the Chosen is truly getting larger and larger.”
She looked suspiciously toward the side bedroom where Shade resided. Luvia smiled and continued watching the night sky. The warm yellow gas lamps illuminated the two ladies, their silhouettes reflected in the window glass. The elegant and intellectual women each pondered the meaning of tonight
“This was a chapter destined to become an epic. As for the reason the deity appeared... who knows?”
“Meow~”
That was Mia calling, because Tifa was taking off Shade's clothes.
(End of Chapter)