Chapter 425: Star, the Parallel Universe (10)

Chapter 425: Star, the Parallel Universe (10)

[The Divine Ground Twilight-Setting Battlefield has opened!]

The black void of space was replaced by a sky dyed the color of sunset, manifesting a barren plain where Bel-Marduk had been. Weapons were driven into the ground all across the landscape, their tombstone-like silhouettes giving it an ominous air. A red flag flew above those weapons, as red as the blood spilling out of the Heavenly Dragon Emperor as he lay there panting.

Sean, Crom Cruach said as he tightly hugged the Heavenly Dragon Emperor.

Less than one-third of the Heavenly Dragon Emperors body was left. His entire lower body had been torn away; his left chest, where his heart had been, was empty, as it had been blown up along with his left arm. The emperors eyes were blank as he stared at empty air, not Crom.

...Is that you, Crom? The Heavenly Dragon Emperor asked.

Yeah Chrome replied.

Im here too, Xerxes said.

You too, Xerx? Hahaha! Im glad that Ill get to say goodbye. The Heavenly Dragon Emperor chuckled.

Xerxes clenched his teeth; Baek Gyeo-Ul caressed his fathers back, helping him to stand.

Why did you jump into the fight all of a sudden? You didnt have to sacrifice yourself! Crom exclaimed, pouring out her resentment with her fists clenched.

How many times had such a tragedy happened after Chang-Sun himself died? Losing her friends right before her eyes always broke Croms heart.

However, the Heavenly Dragon Emperor gently smiled and said, I wanted to.

You! Crom exclaimed.

You two have taught me the purpose of life, so Im grateful to you. You two showed me what the feeling of fulfillment and happiness was. I used to be no better than a corpse, but you two brought me back to life. Even if I pass away right here, Im simply returning to where I was.

I always had the impression that you always acted as you pleased, Crom grumbled with teary eyes.

Haha! Like Divine Twilight? the Heavenly Dragon Emperor replied with a laugh.

Thats not what Im talking about! Chrome protested.

I know. You want to say that Im myself and Divine Twilight is Divine Twilight, but its also true that I resemble him, the Heavenly Dragon Emperor said, laughing even more loudly.

He did not look like a person whose death was imminent, and seemed to be at peace. Looking at the Heavenly Dragon Emperor, Crom realized that he had put down the burden he had been carrying in his heart and finally gotten an answer to his long-held internal conflict.

The Heavenly Dragon Emperor had always agonized about his self-identity. He was neither Sean, nor an emperor, nor a Celestial. On top of that, he had discovered the existence of another him named Divine Twilight, so he had undergone a severe internal conflict for a moment. In contrast to Divine Twilight, who was living his life to the fullest, the emperor had gotten nowhere no matter how hard he tried to be optimistic, so he could not define himself.

However, it seemed he had found an answer after contemplating and struggling with that conflict for a long time. The Heavenly Dragon Emperor was just himself. His life as Sean, his position as an emperor, the fact that he was a Celestial, his personality that resembled Divine Twilight a lot The emperor finally realized that all those elements made up the person named Sean li Arcadia.

The first choice the Heavenly Dragon Emperor made after accepting himself as Sean li Arcadia was rescuing his friends, so he seemed to have no regrets about his choice.

Heh! I repaid the favor in my own way. Thats all, so you dont need to hate yourself or be sad about my death. Besides The Heavenly Dragon Emperor paused and looked elsewhere.

His eyes and all his other senses were ruined, so he could not detect anything, but he had a strong impression that he was looking at someone he had been looking for. He was right, as that was where Chang-Sun was.

I might be dying right now, but its not the end for me. Im simply returning to where I was, so Ill stay beside the two of you forever with that friend of yours, the Heavenly Dragon Emperor continued.

Seriously. You and Twilight You guys are selfish. This Great Universe would be a mess if there were more of you, Crom said with a nod, biting her lower lip. The corners of her mouth trembled as she forced herself to smile.

Hahaha, you may be right. Yeah, so The Heavenly Dragon Emperor laughed mischievously and wholeheartedly as Sean li Arcadia for the first time before asking, ...can you let me go now? Its a little hard to stay like this.

Okay. Goodbye, my friend, Crom said, then quietly extended her hand and closed the Heavenly Dragon Emperors eyes.

Seans panting fell silent soon. When Crom took away her hand, Sean looked peaceful, as if he had fallen into a deep slumber.

Now you can finally sleep peacefully. You used to suffer from insomnia, as if you were being chased by something, Crom said with a bitter smile. I hope you can remain at peace there.

It was the last prayer Crom could make for her friend.

Paaah!

That means Chang-Sun trailed off.

Thats right. Someone made sure that you were extradited in utmost secrecy.

Divine Twilight was a calamity for <Horoscope>. Even if the Star Signs had taken away his Divine Essence and caused him to be weakened, sparing Divine Twilight was very risky, as he could always come back and bite them in the neck. Regardless, Chang-Sun had been spared, which meant one thing.

Someone has a plan for me, Chang-Sun thought. There were very few people who were capable of such a thing.

Why in the world did you spare my life, Bel-Marduk? Chang-Sun asked, his eyes gleaming.

Haha. Hahahaha.

Bel-Marduk burst into laughter, the sound reverberating throughout the divine ground.

I was wondering what you were trying to ask, but your question is pretty useless.

Then are you not the one who spared my life?

Im well aware of how skeptical and smart you are, but it doesnt mean all your speculations are true.

Youre feigning ignorance, Chang-Sun said, narrowing his eyes.

Theres nothing to feign ignorance about.

Bel-Marduk shrugged, and yet displayed a relaxed smile, just like when Chang-Sun had met him in the Nil Domain.

However, Chang-Sun continued to look at Bel-Marduk with a sharp gaze, saying, My [Execution Sword] is blocking off any external connection, meaning other Star Signs have no way of peeking in this place.

Bel-Marduks smile vanished, as if he were an emotionless doll. He took a look around, then slowly nodded.

I can detect a faint trace of the King of the Underworld, but Im definitely not sensing the trace of other Celestials and Star Signs.

The mischievousness in Bel-Marduks voice was gone.

So be honest with me. Are you the one who extradited me in secret? Chang-Sun asked again.

Haha. Hahaha.

After laughing for a long time

Flash!

Bel-Marduks eyes blazed.

And what if I did?

A corner of Bel-Marduks mouth curled up.

What are you going to do if I say I did it, Twilight?

There was only one answer Chang-Sun could give to Bel-Marduk. So that was what it was. I finally get who you are.

Who am I?

Bel-Marduk smiled more crookedly, and Chang-Suns gaze turned sharper as he said, Youre me.

Namu's Thoughts

Namu: Although I really dont want to kill the mood, why cant I stop thinking about the Spider-Man meme now?

Editor Felis: Into the Sun-Verse?