Chapter 770: The Last (3)

I definitely…

[Live.]

Heard a voice.

“…”

[Don’t torture yourself anymore. You no longer have to carry that pain. Put your burden down completely and live the life you want. You deserve a happy one.]

“…”

I definitely heard it.

[You are the person who deserves a life happier than everyone else. Don’t hate yourself. Don’t blame yourself. No one will blame you. The achievements of saving thousands of people living on this land and those who will live on this continent in the future will be remembered in their hearts and souls for a long time. Until the day the continent disappears, all the creatures of the gods will bless you.]

I slowly raised my upper body. A faint light was gradually filling up the dark room. It constantly flickered, almost as if someone turned the lamp off and on.

The thought of having heard it wrong by any chance passed through my head, but it clearly wasn’t an illusion.

The voice felt like it was resonating in my soul, not in my mind. It reverberated all over my body, then began to enter me over and over again.

“Al… tanus?”

[It was a long battle. It must have been a particularly fierce struggle for you.]

“No, Benignore?”

[It was a tough day, was it not? You lost a lot and got mixed into an unwanted battlefield. At that moment, you had to grow through pain and trials. You have survived those hard and difficult times and have saved many. I praise you for your struggles, your spirit of sacrifice, your courage, and your brilliant glow. I would like to express my sincere respect for all that you have overcome.]

𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

“Altanus… Benignore… No, it doesn’t matter who… If you are watching, please, make me regress… please. Benignore.”

A faint light continued to illuminate the darkness.

“Please… please. Benignore. Please…”

[The continental threat has completely disappeared. Now there is no reason for you to suffer or to make new sacrifices. There’s no reason why you should start your hellish life all over again.]

“The place where I am now… this is hell. Just give me one more chance. Please… If that’s impossible, kill me… please… as painfully as possible. So that I can feel terrible pain…”

The faint light continued to illuminate the darkness.

[I cannot accept your request. I sympathize with the difficult time you’re having. However, you will surely be able to face the great sadness and stand up. You will be able to get on your feet and live a happy life.]

“Don’t be ridiculous…”

[You deserve it.]

“You know I don’t deserve it…”

The faint light continued to illuminate the darkness.

[No. You deserve it.]

“You know what I have done… You know I’ve done something that I shouldn’t have.”

[It’s not your fault. No one will blame you.]

“Don’t be ridiculous. Don’t be…”

[He, too… won’t blame you.]

“Shut up! You… you know nothing.”

[I swear he won’t blame you either. He wants you to be happy. He expects you to put everything away and live a new life free from the bondage and guilt of the past. I look forward to the life you will live, and the days you will experience in the future.]

“Don’t be ridiculous! Sh*t! Motherfuckers! Motherfuckers! Motherfuckers! Do you think you deserve to say that? You of all people! Trash bastards like you! How dare you talk about that person? Motherfuckers … Sniff…”

I hurried and stood up.

Once again, the faint light illuminated the darkness.

I slowly looked next to me.

[I am looking forward to the happy life you will live in the future. We are waiting for stories that you and your friends and family will create together.]

The light was flickering from one eye in the mirror.

[Your story is not over yet.]

It flickered once more.

[Raise your head and look around the continent you have protected. Experience the continent of the future and all of its changes. Take a trip, not an expedition, and take in new scenery with your friends, not your comrades. Enjoy your new routine and show us the stories.]

Every time I heard the voice, the light constantly flickered.

“S… Sniff… Sniff… Sniff…”

[Enjoy and experience many things. Complete your story.]

It kept flickering.

“Sniff… Sniff… Sniff… Ugh…”

[There is still a lot of things you haven’t done. There is still a lot left for you to experience. Everything is what you have achieved. These are things that only could exist because of you. You deserve a happier life more than anyone else.]

“Sniff… Sniff…”

[Go ahead. Forget about the old things and start over… ]

“I can’t. I can’t. Kiyoung.”

[…]

“I can’t never… do that. I can’t imagine a new continent, a trip, a new landscape, a new everyday life. Nothing… Sniff… Nothing comes to mind. I will never forget it. I don’t deserve all of those things.”

[Kick the door and go out for a new beginning.]

I hastily kicked out the door. I heard a noisy sound, but I recklessly moved on.

“I would have never been able to do it if I had been alone. I wouldn’t have been like this if I had been alone. You are the one who deserves happiness. You are the one who sacrificed more than me. You are the one who truly wants to protect this continent and protect this scenery.”

With this, the light continued to flash.

[Don’t collapse anymore. Please don’t hurt yourself.]

“I really don’t think your story is over yet. I want to see what kind of life you will live in the future and what story you will write. New scenery, new life, talking with Deokgu as usual, going on a trip with the guild members… Ha… haha… Imagine those things. It may be a little farther in the future, but if you and Hayan end up together later… Just thinking about what will happen to you two, how your children will be, and just thinking about that… I… I… I become happy. These are the stories that you will write in the future. These are the things you deserve. This is the life you should enjoy, not me.”

[…]

“No, I would like to enjoy it together with you if possible. I… I know I don’t deserve it, but… I… I want to enjoy all of these things together if I dare to be just a little greedy.”

I kept moving. Little by little, the view changed. The night sky embroidered with stars caught my eyes. Buildings continued to pass by my side.

More people passed by as well. After moving a little faster, as soon as I spread my wings, a bright sunset light poured out.

As my body rose to the sky in an instant, a vast continent came into view. The scenery of the world seen below the northern part of the war was dazzlingly beautiful.

Little lights were visible. Countless numbers of very small fires were illuminating the continent.

Wasn’t it as if there were even stars on the continent? It was an insanely beautiful night sky.

“Are you watching this?”

[…]

It was the same as the scenery I saw yesterday. The scenery under the completely collapsed northern wall showed no signs of a fight.

Small lights surrounded Mirror Lake, the Crack Museum, Laios, the Republic, and other beautiful landscapes.

“These are the things that you have protected.”

I hurried across the sky. A cool breeze caressed my face.

[These are the things you protected.]

“They’re praying for you.”

[These are for you. All of these are for you.]

At this point, his body had already left Lindel.

The light kept flickering.

As I quietly landed from the sky, countless gazes looked towards me.

“The sunset…”

“It’s the Sunset Swordsman.”

As I stepped inside, I saw familiar faces.

“Guild Master?”

“Why are you…”

“Blue Guild Master.”

There were many people. As I walked quietly, the path slowly began to open.

“Oppa? These bastards are… now… these bastards are…”

I could see Ye-ri too, whom I haven’t seen in a long time.

“Guild Master. Why did you…”

I could also see Kim Miyoung, who seemed to be nervous. As I nodded slightly and patted her shoulder, I saw her stepping aside.

Paladins in the way were visible. Their nervous-looking faces seemed to be telling me that something had happened before I came here…

“Blue Guild Master, what are you doing here? If you had told me in advance…”

“…”

“We’re currently taking the Honorary Cardinal. Even if you are the Hero of the Sunset, the Church cannot accept this kind of rudeness.”

“…”

“Think about the Honorary Cardinal…”

“I heard a voice.”

“I’m sorry? That’s…”

“I heard a voice. So I’ll take him.”

“…”

“I will take him.”

“…”

“…”

I could also see Pope Basel looking quietly at me.

“Then, do it, Sunset Swordsman.”

“Pope Basel, but the Honorary Cardinal… the Church…”

“I… I… Didn’t I say he can take him? You stupid thing!!”

“Yes? That’s… I mean…”

“Our Honorary Cardinal… will be happier on that side.”

“Thank you very much, Pope Basel.”

“Don’t bother, Sunset Swordsman. Please take care of the Honorary Cardinal.”

As I looked down quietly, I could see the figure of a lying person.

Wearing white clothes and smiling quietly, his face looked so at ease. He really seemed satisfied with all of this.

I slowly held the body and then moved.

“Guild Master…”

“Forgive me for being late, Hyejin.”

“No. Thank you for coming. Sniff… yes…”

“The others…”

“Hayan and Sora went first. They’re probably waiting somewhere near.”

“Please contact them now.”

“Yes.”

“Please convene all the guild members. Deokgu too. No, call everyone who had any contact with Kiyoung.”

“Okay.”

“…”

“Guild Master.”

“Yes.”

“Excuse me, but… the thing you just said…”

“Yes. I heard a voice. It was definitely Kiyoung.”

“…”

“Kiyoung spoke to me.”

“…”

“I don’t know how, but… perhaps… maybe there’s a chance that we can revive him.”

“That’s…”

“Kiyoung will also be waiting… definitely.”

* * *

“I really hate to say this in this kind of situation and this atmosphere, but… It’s a little touching… It does melt gently, doesn’t it, Dialugia?”

“You crazy trash bastard.”

“…”

“Disgusting bastard.”

“A little bit harsh to the hero who saved the continent…”

“Son of a bitch. Trash, you deserve to be cursed.”