Chapter 507

Chapter 507

"Because the path you're currently on, Lord, is the very path leading to the True Ending."

Aider's words made my eyes widen.

The path I'm walking? What does that mean?

I'm just... desperately struggling.

But Aider nodded with certainty.

"Even though it may be winding and sometimes take detours... the goal you are aiming for is undoubtedly the right one."

"..."

"So don't worry. Just keep doing what you're doing now."

I wanted to ask for a concrete method, but Aider was deliberately speaking in roundabout ways, as if I shouldn't know yet.

Just keep moving forward, steadfastly, as I have been doing.

"There will be many trials, pains, and sufferings ahead... but you, Lord, will handle them well, as you always have."

In front of my silence, Aider maintained his usual carefree smile.

"Please take good care of this world, and of Nameless."

***

And then Aider didn't disappear... again.

After creating an atmosphere as if he would be gone forever, he just settled back in his room at the Lord's mansion. What's he playing at?

Claiming his body was failing, he formally submitted his resignation as the Lord's assistant. But I just took the resignation without accepting it.

"Take a rest, and when you're better, help me again. You're the director after all. There will be times when I'll need your help."

Aider just smiled without saying much, but I hoped he would stay by my side.

There are not many who know that I'm a soul grafted onto this body.

There are not many who know all the mysteries and systems of this world.

This inscrutable director will surely be needed in my journey someday. Stay put here from now on, without going missing again.

The position of the Lord's assistant? Well, Serenade had been handling most of the administrative work in his absence anyway.

It's about time to officially ask Serenade to take over.

"..."

Watching Aider's retreating back to his room, I let out a faint sigh.

Lately, I've heard too many abstract tales, bringing a wave of fatigue.

'Divinization, the darkness of another realm, the True Ending...'

What are all those, you geeks! Can't you tell me something tangible that I can grasp?

All I want is to protect Crossroad and live together with the people around me.

- So don't worry. Just keep doing what you're doing now.

...Right.

In that sense, Aider's words were somewhat helpful. I took a deep breath.

Continue as I have been.

Killing monsters. Saving people.

Using all available means.

Eventually, I'll understand. The trivial backstories, the nature of the True Ending.

I'll just keep my eyes forward, walking straight ahead.

"Senior! Can you make one more toast for me?"

"May I also request one more, Lord?"

The two gluttons who had already devoured three toasts were pleading with me again. I sighed and headed towards the kitchen.

"You'll gain weight. Just one more each and then off to bed."

"Okay~" they responded cheerily as I watched the two knights-turned-pigs. I couldn't help but crack a smile.

Let's keep doing as I have been. Together with my people.

The third year of war, too. It continues.

Outside the window I glanced through, snow was falling heavily.

It was a full-blown winter.

***

A few days later.

Stage 24. The day of the defense battle.

On the snow-flurried ramparts, my soldiers clad in winter coats were arrayed in tight ranks.

The army, donned in black coats adorned with thick fur and leather, was a spectacle in itself.

I exhaled a white breath, glanced over the soldiers, and then shook off the snow that had accumulated on my shoulders.

Currently, Crossroad is in a perfect state of defense.

Despite the vast distance, her whispering voice resonated clearly in my ears.

I waved my hand frantically. My soldiers held their fire and went into standby.

Kieeeek?!

Surprised by the sudden appearance of the Nightmare Legion Commander, the Bird Monster King let out a confused cry. Confusion swirled in the red eyes of its five heads.

Kyaaaaat-!

The Bird Monster King cried out as if warning, but White Night stood unflinchingly in front of it.

The emotion in the Bird Monster King's red eyes shifted from confusion to anger in an instant.

The Bird Monster King flapped its wings fiercely, and the momentarily slowed Bird Monster Legion surged forward again.

Not towards our walls, but towards White Night, who blocked their path.

Sssssssssssssk!

The entire Bird Monster Legion flew at full speed towards one point. White Night chuckled, then said,

"I'll show you."

Her long sleeve slowly swept across the air-

"Why I'm called the Grand Sorceress."

-Then the snow stopped.

As if by magic, the snow pouring from the sky suddenly ceased. Bewildered, we all looked up at the sky.

The dark clouds that had filled the sky and poured snow were now gone.

In their place was an alien darkness.

Rustle, rustle...

The sound of bugs being eaten.

The same darkness that covered the Lake Kingdom was now gathering like a cloud right above White Night's head.

Crack-

And that cloud began to split.

What emerged through the split cloud was...

"...White?"

Lucas muttered dazedly.

"Why is only that part of the night sky white..."

What was revealed through the increasingly splitting darkness was something stark white.

At that moment, I realized what it was.

I immediately shouted to my soldiers.

"Don't look up at the sky!"

"Huh?"

"Bow your heads! You mustn't look at the sky!"

I had a hunch.

'That' was something ordinary humans should not see.

The soldiers, not understanding but obeying my command, bowed their heads. I gritted my teeth and watched the slowly opening white sky.

No- it wasn't the sky.

It was... an 'eye'.

Crack.

A massive eye opened in the dark sky.

The eye's sclera was so huge, it created the illusion of a white sky opening.

The red pupil in the darkness rotated and positioned itself at the center of the white.

"Behold."

White Night, gazing up at the eye from below, murmured in an enraptured voice.

"This is the source of magic I've reached at the end of my life's research."

Kyaaaaaaaaa!

The Bird Monster King did not retreat.

Desperately screaming, it continued its charge towards White Night, now right in front of it.

The monster instinctively knew the only way to stop this unknown eye was to defeat the sorceress before it.

However, before the Bird Monster King could reach White Night... the eye in the sky caught sight of the Bird Monster King faster.

The massive eye's red pupil focused precisely on the Bird Monster King, then,

The eye blinked.

Crack-!

The next moment, the massive body of the Bird Monster King was shattered to pieces.

One-Shot Kill.