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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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“Step down from your throne, Kurika.”
No one present was unaware of the weight behind those words.
The Emperor of the Demon Realm Forest had no successor.
[T/N: if u guys are confused why im switching between king and emperor its because hes king of the ancient beasts and emperor of the demon realm forest]
He would only relinquish his throne upon his death, when his brilliant light faded, his mountain-like strength crumbled, and he finally found peace in the earth’s embrace.
Kurika snorted and slowly extended his claws.
A subtle smile, almost imperceptible, played on his lips.
“I do not fear death. I carry a heavy burden, but if my weakness forces me to relinquish it all, then I will embrace that rest as my destiny.”
Those who sit upon the highest thrones fear their fall, but Kurika was different.
He longed for the day he could finally close his eyes.
‘I believe you will be the one to end this long life, Sherpa.’
At the time, I had laughed off his words, pushing aside the sincerity in his voice.
The tormented king, burdened by duty and instinct, standing on the precarious edge of both.
And the tyrant, reveling in battle against the strong, fueled by a violent disdain for the weak.
As the two were about to clash, I drew my sword and stepped forward.
“Enough of this nonsense.”
As I spoke, I discreetly checked the swords at my waist, making sure they were secure.
One at my hip, one on my back, and one in my hand.
Three swords felt inadequate against two such monstrous beings, but I would make do.
“Hmm? Daniel. I remember your name, human who reached me with a mortal body.”
Sharcal’s voice was laced with a hint of amusement as he looked at me.
The reason for his excitement was so obvious that I almost laughed.
And then, Kurika…
“One who has returned after experiencing the apocalypse. I finally meet you face to face.”
“What…?”
His words struck me like a blow to the head.
My head throbbed, as if I had been hit by a rock, and Kurika continued, his voice calm and steady.
“Foolish one, having witnessed the end, why do you still choose to protect it? Do you throw everything away for mere sentiment?”
“……Who told you?”
There was no way Kurika knew this on his own.
I asked the question, dreading the answer, and he replied without hesitation.
“The Priestess who serves the Goddess of Time came to me and told me everything. She said I failed to stop the apocalypse once, and you, despite having experienced it, are repeating the same mistakes.”
As I suspected, the Priestess of Time was alive.
She was the only one who knew about my return.
“Did she tell you that if she kills Rin, the Earliest Apocalypse will awaken?”
“I know. She revealed everything to me, including the fact that killing that little girl would awaken the Earliest Apocalypse.”
He was willing to kill Rin, knowing full well the consequences?
“But as the guardian of the gods’ treasure vault, I possess a dagger that can eradicate the apocalypse.”
“……What?”
Wait a minute.
What did he mean?
I knew Kurika was the guardian of the gods’ treasure vault.
The cave he guarded contained artifacts of unimaginable power, capable of performing miracles.
He protected them, ensuring they wouldn’t fall into the wrong hands.
Arianna’s Flower, the Predator that devours all mana, was just one example.
But a weapon to eradicate the apocalypse?
“With that dagger, I can destroy the apocalypse. The Priestess of Time, knowing of its existence, came to me and demanded it. That’s why I’m cooperating with her.”
“The Priestess of Time…”
It wasn’t difficult to guess how she had learned about the dagger.
‘She must have read my memories.’
She had seen my memories of entering Kurika’s treasure vault and learned about the weapon that could stop the apocalypse.
She had approached Kurika and secured his cooperation.
“If I stab the woman who has awakened as the Earliest Apocalypse with that dagger, everything will be resolved. The apocalypse will be eradicated.”
I remembered Kurika charging into an army, alone, with a single sword in hand, trying to reach the Earliest Apocalypse.
He must have been carrying the blue dagger back then, but he failed.
Even Kurika couldn’t fight his way through an entire army.
“I’ve already heard about my failure from the Priestess. That’s why I have to stop the apocalypse before it happens. I cannot rely on the gods’ miracle to restart the world again.”
Normally, I would have cooperated with Kurika.
His words, that he could seal the apocalypse within Rin, were music to my ears.
If he had known about me and my past life, I would have blindly followed him.
But he had made a mistake.
“You said she has to awaken as the Earliest Apocalypse?”
Sensing the shift in my tone, Kurika frowned and nodded.
“That’s right.”
“But that means you’re going to kill her!”
He had just explained that Rin had to die for the Earliest Apocalypse to awaken.
I pressed him for an answer, but Kurika replied without a hint of hesitation.
“It’s a necessary sacrifice to save the continent.”
“……Alright, I understand.”
I gripped my sword tighter.
I stepped forward.
“I’ll take that dagger, Kurika. As a last resort. I’ll wait at least 10 years, If I ever use it.”
Kurika stepped forward as well.
“Little boy who protects the apocalypse, your sacrifice for the greater good is admirable, but know that it is a necessary choice.”
Sharcal, who had been listening to our conversation, stepped forward, slamming his staff on the ground.
“You seem to have a rather complicated history, but does it really matter? You are my feast, and I will savor your defeat!”
Three beasts of the Demon Realm Forest charged towards each other.
Boom! Crash!
The deafening sounds of destruction echoed through the forest.
The very earth trembled, as if the fearsome Demon Realm Forest itself was cowering in fear.
“Idiots.”
The Grand Witch sighed, already anticipating what was happening.
She regretted following me now.
“Let’s retreat. Even if we put distance between us, it’s not safe if those two are fighting.”
“But Daniel…”
Hayun hesitated, and the Grand Witch clicked her tongue.
“You’ve spent time with him, don’t you know how strong he is? He won’t be killed so easily, even against those two. Worrying about him will only hinder him.”
“……”
Hayun looked towards the source of the commotion, her gaze fixed on the place where the earth was splitting apart.
She nodded slowly, about to follow the Grand Witch, but…
“Hello.”
It was a cheerful, innocent greeting, as if filled with genuine kindness.
The refreshing voice made Hayun relax unconsciously, but the experienced Grand Witch tightened her grip on her staff, summoning her mana and growled.
“Draw your sword.”
Emerging from the trees was a woman in a black priestess’s robe.
The empty space where her right arm should have been was the most striking feature.
Ignoring the Grand Witch, who was radiating hostility, the Priestess turned to Hayun.
“You’re Hayun Len, right?”
“How do you…”
“Heaven Len was my sponsor.”
Hayun’s hand tightened around her sword, her fury palpable.
The Priestess of Time seemed surprised by her sudden outburst.
“Oh my?”
“You’re the one who brainwashed my uncle with that strange religion.”
“What a hurtful thing to say. He simply followed the will of the gods. For the good of us all.”
The Priestess’s wide, unnatural smile sent shivers down Hayun’s spine.
Her laughter, chilling and unforgettable, echoed through the forest.
“Hehehe, your parents’ death… it was all the will of the gods.”
If Daniel had witnessed this, he would have noticed something was off.
The Priestess of Time, the woman who had always been cautious in her words and actions, was now openly provocative, her words dripping with malice.
Her past actions, however cruel, had always been justified by the will of the gods, and she had always offered prayers for her victims.
But now, she seemed to relish their suffering.
Hayun couldn’t hold back any longer.
She drew her sword.
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[Damn bro this bitch wont die i swear]
The three way battle is so fucking hype!
But the priestess is so annoying lmao