READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 179
“Huuaah!”
With a sword strike slicing through the air, a certain outsider’s head went pop! into the void.
It was the sword wielded by the Knight Commander.
With the Knight Commander joining in, the Deputy Director’s team, who had been struggling, surged forward with much greater speed alongside the dragon to the Giant of the Snow Mountain’s location.
And as a result, after severing the last remaining outsider’s head, something that was presumed to be the Giant of the Snow Mountain appeared before them.
When the Knight Commander and Deputy Director finally arrived at the front, they found themselves engulfed in feelings similar to what Tanton had felt.
“W-What is this?”
“You mean to tell me that the giant we thought was here is just a simple statue made of ice?”
The Knight Commander, unable to see properly due to the vicious snowstorm, found the situation even more perplexing.
So, the main body must be inside this.
As the Deputy Director surveyed the surroundings, he soon spotted a hole near the base and confirmed that Tanton and the group had entered inside.
“Commander, should we also provide support…?”
“No, wait.”
The Deputy Director worried that Tanton might be lacking in strength, but the Knight Commander shook her head in denial.
“Given its size, the place where the Giant of the Snow Mountain is likely very narrow. Adding a few more people would only serve to create more obstacles in that confined space.”
“…That’s a fair point, but…”
“And listen closely.”
The Knight Commander pointed to a high place with her finger.
The Deputy Director shifted his gaze to where she pointed and heard a dull sound faintly echoing.
From that sound, they realized that Tanton was still in a fierce battle.
With a look of surprise, the Deputy Director glanced at the Commander, who nodded in response.
“We will be of help to him by waiting here.”
The Knight Commander’s words felt frustrating to the Deputy Director. He sighed.
This was indeed the truth.
Four derelict outsiders, left behind by Tanton, approached.
Although their expressions were unreadable, the Knight Commander felt an inexplicable sense of anxiety coming from them.
“Commander! Tanton is…!”
Amidst the crowd, someone rushed toward the Knight Commander.
It was Muyun.
“…I can’t give you a definite answer.”
“…!”
Muyun looked up at the statue with an anxious expression. It seemed she had somewhat grasped that Tanton was fighting up there.
Yeah.
There was nothing we could do.
We could only hope Tanton does well.
“Leydan Tanton! Win!!!”
At that moment, a knight shouted with a voice full of rage.
It was the God of War.
“Wish for the victory of Muji Absoluta, knights!”
“Ahh, Muji Absoluta!”
“Muji Absoluta!”
Ever since the God of War’s voice echoed once, the other knights began to rally and cheer for Leydan Tanton.
What started as a whisper had now transformed into a chorus of every knight shouting in unison.
“If we lose, it’ll be Muyun’s problem, you rascal!!”
“Y-Yeah?! Why me?!”
Among the cheering from the White Mask, the knights burst into laughter and sent words of encouragement to Tanton.
Seeing this, both the Knight Commander and Deputy Director were momentarily surprised but couldn’t help but break into warm smiles.
Yeah.
There was no point in communicating anxious feelings to the shining knight at the climax of the final battle.
In fact, this kind of energetic support might actually be beneficial for him.
“Leydan Tanton, you must win!”
Finally, even the Knight Commander shouted, and the Deputy Director bit their lip and looked up.
It didn’t seem likely they would lose, but there was no guarantee they would definitely win either.
Meanwhile, someone was cutting through the crowd.
“…Empress.”
The Deputy Director whispered quietly upon recognizing the identity.
With a tense expression, the Empress strolled forward without giving eye contact to anyone and tried to enter the hole at the base of the statue.
The Deputy Director tried to stop her, but the Knight Commander instead stopped the Deputy Director.
“Let her through.”
“But…”
“She has been the one supporting us from behind so that we wouldn’t die until now.”
In that time, the Empress had already vanished into the statue.
The Deputy Director looked up helplessly.
All they could do was hope that Tanton would manage well.
Cold.
That was the impression I got when I first held her.
This sensation felt almost like the energy was being drained from me by Ephemiya, yet I thought it wasn’t a reason I couldn’t still move freely.
The reason I did such a thing.
Ephemiya had been raised without ever receiving love due to Gaia’s actions.
Which means she has probably never even experienced a warm hug from her mother.
As I looked at her scolding me, she seemed precarious.
Just seeing her like that made my body command me to do this.
Silence fell.
The Princess and Oko didn’t seem to have any issue with my actions either.
They probably thought that what I did was the best judgment possible.
“…Your Highness. I believe now I can offer my advice.”
At my words, Ephemiya didn’t respond at all.
However, she didn’t deny it either.
That must mean she was listening.
“Your Majesty, and when the Empress left the Princess unattended, no one can fathom the feelings you must have encountered. Every being is born deserving of love, and you’ve lived until now without receiving those basic rights.”
I could hear Selvia’s breath tremble.
It seemed that the guilt of having neglected Ephemiya had been triggered.
“I won’t say that I forgive you for the mistakes you’ve made, Princess. I have no right to represent those souls.”
I didn’t want to utter irresponsible words.
I understand you, so I can understand what you’ve done too.
I didn’t want to say something hypocritical like that.
“But… if all those bodies buried in the snow are just things you froze, if there’s still a chance to reverse this… please, return everything and face the consequences. That alone can allow you to be forgiven. After all, this development isn’t entirely your fault.”
Hah.
Why can’t I say something cooler at times like this?
Couldn’t I have said something more impressive, something to move her heart?
But this was the best thing I could say.
The best that I could muster as I tried to understand an opponent I should despise.
Now, I had no more words left.
If this didn’t persuade her, I had no other means.
“But if, surely, you come back paying that price… I will support you without fail. I promise this on the honor of a knight.”
After saying that, I tried to stand up, releasing the hold I had on Ephemiya.
Creak.
“Ugh…?!”
As I started to rise, I found my body sinking back down as I leaned against Ephemiya, who had held onto me tightly.
“…Your Highness.”
“…How impertinent.”
“And that’s why it’s advice.”
“I just met you. Why act like you understand me?”
“This isn’t acting. I understand your plight because I’ve lived a life similar to it.”
A life I once had in another world.
Nutricha had completely healed me in my dreams, and now I could forget the painful memories entirely.
In that world, I hadn’t received proper love either.
The Game.
That single thing was what barely held me up.
“I wished it to be warm.”
“Yes.”
“I wished to be understood.”
“Yes.”
“I wished to be held just like this.”
“…Yes.”
Each word, piece by piece.
With each repeated syllable, Ephemiya’s voice became more and more choked with emotion.
“I wanted to destroy it all. I was so jealous. Seeing people, gods, happy with each other while I was left out was unbearable.”
“I understand.”
“But I didn’t want to kill them. Maybe I… wanted to connect with those I found so annoying.”
“…I understand that as well.”
I just quietly listened to Ephemiya’s words.
As she let her emotions spill out, she grew unable to continue her speech.
Was there anyone who had shared warmth with her until now?
How painful must have been the long periods spent alone, shivering from the cold.
“…Ephemiya.”
“…”
Selvia stepped forward.
As I turned to look at her, she had a determined expression.
With that look, I felt I could leave her to speak comfortably.
“I have something I wish to say to you.”
“…”
“You are the flower that bears your name, and you know that flower language means ‘ephemeral love.'”
“…Isn’t that wrong?”
I couldn’t see what kind of expression Ephemiya was making.
It looked like she had no intention of letting me go.
But from the faint tension in her voice, I could predict her emotional state.
“Yes, Ephemiya’s flower language indeed has that meaning. But listen. Our mother did not give you that name with such meaning.”
Selvia took a deep breath and spoke to her.
“Unchanging love.”
“…”
“When our mother gave birth to you, she had already raised me, and she promised to give you her complete love.”
Ephemiya.
Was that name the English word for a flower known as a morning glory?
“…Our mother must still regret not being able to care for you properly.”
“Don’t lie… the person known as ‘mother’ would never do that…”
Thud.
I could hear a quiet step.
I felt Ephemiya’s grip on me loosen.
Slowly, I turned around.
“…Empress.”
“Ah….”
What I saw when I turned was Demeter, tearful.
Her gaze was solely aimed at Ephemiya.
Hah.
I had no place to interfere in this mother-daughter reunion.
I carefully withdrew from the scene.
“Ephemiya….”
Demeter approached Ephemiya with tears streaming down her face.
Ephemiya immediately stood up and took a step back.
“…What are those tears?”
“I’m sorry… my dear, I… I….”
“Stop it! Like before, just treat me cold. Why are you pretending to be warm now?!”
Ephemiya’s bewilderment was evident as she lashed out, but Demeter only slowly extended her hand towards Ephemiya as she approached.
Contrary to her words, Ephemiya didn’t move until Demeter reached out to her.
Demeter’s hand touched Ephemiya’s cheek.
Demeter stroked Ephemiya’s cheek slowly and couldn’t contain her flowing tears.
“My child… I’m sorry… I let myself get enchanted by something strange… and neglected your father, you, and Selvia… everyone.”
“Don’t do that… please….”
As Ephemiya’s voice began to tremble.
Demeter gently embraced Ephemiya with both arms.
The movement was so cautious, feeling like the guilt Demeter felt was palpable.
“If you too do that… what have I been doing until now….”
From that point onward, no other sounds filled the room.
Selvia, Oko, and I.
We stood still.
Only quietly watching them.
However.
The sound of their misunderstandings being dispelled.
The gentle sounds of sobs.
And at last, the sound of all disaster coming to an end.
Rang in our ears.