Chapter 168: Elroy. (4)

"Starting with sensitive topics, huh? You couldn't even give me a moment to relax."

Arjen lowered his head. Was I too forward? Unconsciously, I straightened my body that had leaned forward, sat back in the chair, and sighed. He watched me with a calm gaze while I regulated my breathing. I couldn't read the intent behind his eyes.

"Are there things I need to know?"

"...There's nothing you shouldn't know. You have the right to know everything."

Arjen let out a long sigh. He seemed to be pondering where to start the conversation.

"Shall I start from the origins of all these events? I witnessed too much in that darkness, especially what we call the 'Disasters.'"

Arjen began with the biggest question. However, there was no hint of hatred in his words referring to them. Disappointment and... a bit of sympathy? Pity? It didn't make sense.

"What did you feel facing them, Elroy? Did you really think they could destroy the world?"

I looked at Arjen with a blank expression. Could the Disasters really destroy the world?

The Kraken made the land into sea.

The Giant could destroy villages in one step and cause earthquakes as it walked.

The Mist consumed perception and consciousness, staging puppet shows using life force and holding souls as hostages.

The Comet was greater than mountains, threatening to fall into the Capital, splitting twilight as it approached.

"If those Disasters couldn't destroy the world, what can?"

"There is more than just them, Elroy. They alone could never do it. Structurally or with their power, it's an impossible task. You'll understand if you think a little."

I couldn't accept Arjen's words. He didn't show impatience. He understood that I couldn't comprehend his words.

"...I'm sorry. I'm not belittling your efforts. If you weren't here, if you didn't gather the rest of your party, tens of thousands... no, countless people would have died. But, it's about whether all of that would have been enough to destroy our world, trample all life, and put all humans into eternal sleep."

Arjen was right. Even if I didn't exist in this world, it would have been insufficient for one Disaster to lead the world to destruction. Even if it wasn't me, someone would have lifted the Holy Sword to stop the Giant's advance, dispersed the Mist, and minimized the damage from the Comet. Even if they didn't have the Holy Sword, as long as Disasters didn't strike all at once...

Complete destruction is impossible.

"If their true purpose of existence was the destruction of this planet and the extinction of humanity, they would have appeared not sequentially but all at once."

As I spoke, Arjen nodded. As he unexpectedly agreed quickly, there was a slightly surprised look on his face. I tried to maintain composure and looked at him.

"So what? Then what are Disasters, and why do they exist?"

"Preparation. They are just precursors for something to come in the future."

Arjen glanced at the cigarettes that the Bishop had left on the table. I opened the lid, took out a cigarette, lit it, and handed it to Arjen. He took a deep drag, exhaling slowly with a noticeably widened expression.

"What do you think is the condition for the existence of gods?"

"...That came from nowhere. What does it have to do with what you said before?"

"It's related; that's why I'm asking."

The smoke from the cigarette emanated from Arjen's mouth. Even with a cigarette in his mouth, I heard his words clearly. After a brief pause, he continued."

"The condition for the existence of gods is..."

"To prove their existence."

I knew it. And it was ironic. Those who cling to the search for existence are ultimately the mortals of this world. The absoluteness of the absolutes can only be relatively proven. My mouth couldn't move. I used all my strength just to say a single word.

"Faith."

"Yes. Faith is the way for the absolutes to prove their existence and confirm their absoluteness. And that applies to the evil gods as well."

The tobacco dropped with a thud. Arjen, as if annoyed, threw the cigarette butt on the floor and crushed it with his foot.

"So, is your idea that Disasters were essentially offerings for the advent of the evil gods?"

"If Disasters plunge the world into despair, the despair of broken people turns towards worship, or they wait for death without being able to rise again... then the existence of evil gods is proven, and they, in turn, will fulfill what they have failed in the Age of Myths."

Bringing chaos to the world. Destroying order and establishing a random world.

"...Disasters were left behind for that purpose. However, there is one thing they overlooked."

Smoke rose from the cigarette butt. Arjen glanced at the smoke and then turned his head toward me.

"There was one thing they couldn't foresee."

Then, he pointed at me.

"It was you, Elroy. They couldn't sufficiently imprint their existence on the world. People didn't fear when the Disaster neared; they felt hope when they saw you."

"Me... giving hope..."

"Disasters were supposed to operate over several generations. It takes a long time to leave an unforgettable impact on people and accumulate fear. The birth of the Serpent happened at the end of the Age of Myth, and the Locusts appeared a long time after."

The Kraken and the Giant appeared one year apart from each other.

"However, the existence of the Hero, which began to be etched in people's hearts, expelled the fear of Disasters. Only you exist in the people's hearts."

"...Meaning I can't die."

Arjen nodded heavily.

"If you die, the hope you've built up will collapse into twice as much despair for the people in an instant."

My whole body stiffened. I couldn't tell what expression I had. As long as I live, the world will be fine, and if I die, it may all collapse.

"The evil gods realized that. The weight of all the fears that Disasters could have given was something they could obtain the moment they removed you."

I let out a bitter laugh at Arjen's words. His words weren't funny.

"So, if I die, this world will follow."

"...Yes."

He nodded. A heavy silence descended. Sympathy. I could now understand the sympathy Arjen was looking at me with. I should hate being in such a situation more than anything else.

It's strange how I don't.

"Your life is ultimately not yours. It has never been yours, and it never will be."

"..."

Choice. I raised my head, staring at the ceiling. Then I burst into laughter. I've never felt regret in such a life.

"I wanted to save people."

I want to save those who can't live.

It was my selfishness, wish, and reason to keep fighting even after achieving the goal of surviving. There is no regret afterward. So, I have no reason to be pitied.

"My life is mine, Arjen. Just as you chose your path to get here, so did I."

"Even if it's a life entangled with others."

"In the end, we'll live entangled with someone. Whether we embrace them or push them away. Aren't you the same?"

Instead of giving a direct answer, he responded to my question by gently closing his eyes. Then, there was no visible sympathy toward me in his eyes that opened. The conversation continued through our eyes. Arjen had somewhat guessed my thoughts from my smile.

"If you say so, it must be that way."

The conversation concluded. Arjen asked for another cigarette, and I, just like before, lit it for him. He slowly enjoyed the taste this time.

"But who is the God of Light?"

"I couldn't figure that out either. It could be a vague concept or a specific entity. Perhaps, even the evil gods who waged war against it didn't exactly know what it is."

Arjen shrugged his shoulders as he spoke.

"Well, what's important now is not that..."

Arjen's eyes narrowed, focusing on me.

"How will you use the information I've given you?"

"Well..."

And then, I realized that I had missed something.

"To prevent the Seventh Disaster...."

Arjen raised his eyebrows, looking at me, and I recalled the words the Holy Sword had given me.

"Live on. Enjoy everything I've done as a Hero until now."

As if implying that the seventh Disaster wouldn't come.

"So... what is it?"

As if waiting for that question, Arjen opened his mouth.

"We've already faced the Seventh Disaster, Elroy."

"We saw it...?"

No, there was only one thing that both he and I witnessed. The place where the fake Arjen trapped us.

The shadow that emanated from him.

"Then why did it target me?"

"You are a passage, one for the evil gods to escape and reach this world. It's the route through which they descend."

"I'm the passage?"

Arjen nodded.

"If you were to die there, that space would have become a gateway. The news of your death spreading across the continent would create fear, and the gate would open wide, allowing them to pass through."

"Then, the murky shadow we saw inside...?"

"A trace... that didn't even develop."

I bit my lip tightly with growing anxiety and fear.

"The endlessly deep and wide darkness we looked at wasn't nothingness; it was the evil gods. They were just waiting in front of the gateway. Somehow, it closed, and the world returned to normal."

And finally, I understood what the Holy Sword wanted to do there.

She tried to block the gateway alone to prevent the evil gods from crossing over.

Translator's Corner

Hope you enjoyed the chapter. It's been a while. Who knew translating every day would fry one's brain? Anyway, I'll try to get a somewhat consistent schedule going. Maybe 2-3 times a week. Apart from that, I also need another series to translate. The translation is 10 chapters behind the source, posted 3 times during the time I stopped. Preferably something that hasn't been done already.

Anyways, thanks again for reading.

-Ruminas