Infinite Mage — Chapter 220: Sky (3)

Chapter 220: Sky (3)

Booom!‌‌

A flash burst forth⁠ from Ataraxia.

Shirone‍ could not control‍‍ the output. As the distance increased, the flash expanded‌ and filled the‌‍ Great Temple of⁠‍ the World with‌‌ light.

Baalbe‍‍‍ thrashed dozens of⁠ limbs as he‌⁠⁠ crawled across the⁠‍ ground, but soon‌‍ he was swept‌ away by the‌ mass of light⁠ and disappeared.

Everything⁠‍ in the path‍‍ of the flash was swept away.‍⁠ It was as‍ if even space‌‍ itself were being⁠‌ pushed.

Baaaang!⁠⁠

The⁠⁠ Great Temple of‍ the World, located⁠ at the end‌ of Jebul.

The⁠‌ barrier of the‌ enormous dome exploded,‍‍ and two beams‌ of light whose⁠⁠ size could not‍ be estimated tore‌ through the sky.‌

“Hah!⁠ Hah!”

Shirone‌ fell to his‍ knees, gasping. As‌ he saw the⁠‌ landscape stretching before‌⁠⁠ him, his legs‌‌‌ lost strength.

Half⁠ of the Great‌ Temple of the⁠‍ World had disappeared.‌ It was a result even he‍ could not believe,‍‍ despite having done⁠‍ it himself.

What⁠ on earth was‌ Ikael thinking when‍⁠⁠ she engraved this⁠ into his mind?⁠‌

The‌ only thing left in Shirone’s sight⁠‍‌ was Kariel.

Behind⁠ him, the sky‌⁠⁠ could be seen,‌ and the ground⁠ had been carved⁠⁠ into the shape⁠ of a gigantic‌‍ Y.

The‍ halo deployed above‌ Kariel’s head spun‍ at an incredible⁠ speed.

— Liquor of the⁠⁠‌ Life…… progress…… 99……‍ percent.

Shirone‍ quickly turned his⁠‌‍ head.

Amy‌ was desperately trying⁠‌‌ to tear off the panel stuck⁠‌‍ to her forehead.⁠ But no matter‌‍ how much she‌⁠ scratched until she‍⁠‍ bled, it showed‍‌⁠ no sign of‍⁠ coming off.

Just‌ as she was‍‌ about to fall‍⁠ into despair, the voice was heard⁠‍‌ again.

— Transmission canceled. Liquor……⁠‌ of the Life…… stopped……

The⁠ panel embedded in‍ Amy’s forehead slid‌ out and disintegrated into particles smaller‌‍ than dust.

Shirone‌⁠‌ let out a sigh of relief‍‌⁠ and looked back‌ at Kariel.

The⁠‌ archangel’s face was⁠‌⁠ completely distorted.

There‍‌ was a delay‌⁠ in the announcement‌ voice, but it‍⁠‌ was clear that‍‌⁠ he had regained⁠‌ his power the‍ moment Ataraxia was‌ activated.

For‍ Kariel, it was‌ an inevitable decision.‍‌

Even‌ if he had⁠⁠ continued the Liquor‍⁠‌ of the Life, the result would‌‍ have been the‌‍ same. The amplification‌‍ power of Ataraxia‌ was not something that could be‍‌⁠ blocked while his‍ mind was drained‍ by the Liquor‍‍ of the Life.

Kariel⁠‌ spread his enormous‍ golden wings and‌ rose.

“Do⁠‌‍ you understand now,⁠⁠ foolish human? This⁠ is the Liquor of the Life.‌‍⁠ Even I, an‌ archangel, must abandon⁠ everything and concentrate‍ completely to create⁠‍ life.”

Kariel looked at the⁠‌ devastated Great Temple⁠‍ of the World.‌‍

It⁠ was merely a brat who had‌‌ cast that spell.‌ And even so,‌⁠ this was the‍ level of destruction.‌⁠

Why should such power‍‍⁠ be granted to‌ humans?

Humans‍‌‌ cannot control themselves.‌‍ Even the most‍‍⁠ virtuous person ends‌ up being corrupted by the temptation⁠⁠‌ of power.

That⁠⁠‍ boy will try⁠ to become a king. He will dominate the world⁠‌ with the power‌ of an angel‌‍ and indulge in‍ all kinds of⁠ pleasures.

‘Perhaps‍⁠ that wouldn’t be⁠‍ so bad either.’⁠‍

Wouldn’t‌ it be better⁠ to let him‍‍‌ return like that?‌

Then,‍ without the need‍ for a final war, the human‌ world would destroy‍ itself.

But‍‌ he could not⁠‌ do it. There‍ was no way‍⁠ Ikael had not‌⁠⁠ considered that.

Then⁠ why? Had she‍‍⁠ really gone mad?⁠

If‍‌ she were not⁠⁠ in her right‌ mind, how could‍ she even think‍ of transmitting the⁠‌⁠ jurisdiction of an‌⁠‍ angel to a human?

‘Does‍⁠⁠ she trust that boy that much?’‍

What‌‌‌ was it that⁠ Ikael saw in‌ that human?

Of‍ course, he recognized‍ his talent. Without‌‍‍ talent, it would‌ be impossible to⁠‌‌ accept the jurisdiction⁠⁠‌ of an angel.⁠‌

But that was not‌ enough to explain⁠‍⁠ it. It was‌⁠⁠ obvious there was⁠‌‌ something more he‍⁠⁠ did not know.‍‌

Then⁠⁠⁠ he had to‍‍⁠ capture him now.‌⁠ If he let him escape, a weapon capable of⁠ threatening heaven would‌‌ fall into human hands.

“Do not ask me⁠⁠‍ for any more‌⁠ mercy.”

Kariel‌ declared war, but‌ Shirone’s group, busy⁠ planning their escape, did not even⁠⁠‍ have time to⁠‌‍ listen.

Arin‌‍‍ brought Canis, and⁠‍⁠ Amy protected Peophe.⁠

Tess‌ also ran to bring Rian. But Ymir was still‌‍ watching that place.

Ymir‌⁠ looked indifferently at⁠‍ Tess’s eyes filled‌ with killing intent,⁠‍ and then directed his gaze toward⁠ Rian, who was⁠ kneeling.

Rian’s‌⁠ face, with his‍⁠ head tilted toward‍ the ceiling, was‍ no longer that‌‌⁠ of a living‌‍ person.

His‍‍‍ right hand had‍⁠⁠ only bone left,⁠⁠⁠ yet he still‌ held the greatsword.⁠

It‌‌⁠ was the terror⁠ of the incarnation⁠ technique, where mind‌‌ and body had‌‌ merged.

“1‌ victory, 1 draw,‌⁠ 1 loss. Shall‍ we call it⁠⁠ a draw for‌‍ today?”

“……”

“Heh.‌ You’re too weak.‌ When you fight‌⁠ my main body,⁠‍ will even a bone remain?”

Ymir‍ raised his severed‍ right arm. And⁠ he inserted it‍‌ into Rian’s mouth,‌⁠ and it dissolved⁠ into a black‌ liquid that flowed‌ down his throat.‌

“Take⁠ him. And take⁠ good care of‌ him. If he‌‍‌ survives, he might‌ be able to⁠ save humans. Then⁠‍‍ it will also‌‌⁠ be an interesting war for me.”⁠

When Ymir threw Rian, his body slid‌ across the ground,‍⁠ and Tess ran‌ to embrace him.⁠

Seeing⁠‍‍ his arm reduced to bone, her⁠⁠ eyes filled with tears, but first⁠‌ they had to‌ return home in‌⁠ order to treat‍ him.

A drone flew and‍ attached itself like‌ a gauntlet to⁠‌ Tess’s arm.

She‌‍‍ cast one last‌⁠ glance at Ymir‍‌ and then ran‌‌‍ toward Arin.

Ymir,‍⁠ whose body was‍‍⁠ beginning to melt‍⁠ from the legs,‌ showed a gentle⁠‌‌ smile.

He⁠ hoped Rian would⁠‌‌ survive. Humans had‍‌ to become stronger.‌⁠ Enough to force⁠⁠‌ the king of‍⁠ the giants to‍ resurrect.

Destroying⁠‍ strengthened humans was‍ his destiny.

‘We‍ will fight again someday. Until then,‍⁠ I will sleep.’‍

Ymir‍‍ dissolved into a black liquid. There⁠ was no longer⁠ any part of‌⁠ him left in‌ heaven.

He‌‌⁠ would fall into⁠⁠‌ a long sleep,‍ waiting for the⁠ final war that‌⁠‍ would one day‍ come, within an‍‍ ice that never‍ melts.

— Shirone, it’s ready!‌‌

Arin’s‍⁠ voice echoed in‌⁠ Shirone’s mind. He‍⁠‌ wanted to escape‌‍ immediately, but the‍‍ Meta Gate took⁠ 30 seconds to‌ activate. The moment‍ of escape would‌ decide life or⁠ death.

Shirone⁠‌ knew it was⁠⁠ impossible for everyone‍⁠ to escape while⁠ leaving Kariel in⁠⁠ perfect condition.

The⁠⁠‌ only option was⁠‌‌ for at least‍‌ one to stay⁠‍ behind to buy‍‍⁠ time for the⁠‍ others.

— Arin. Open the Meta Gate now. And leave without‌ fail.

— And what will‌⁠ you do?

— I will stop Kariel. If I can delay him⁠⁠ even for a second, it will‌ be enough to‍ escape.

— But Shirone! None⁠‌ of us can⁠ do that…!

— I’m asking you.‍⁠ Make sure Amy‌‍‌ returns home safe‍ and sound.

He‍ was asking her⁠⁠ to keep it‍‌ a secret. If‍ Amy knew he‌ would stay behind, she would never‌⁠ leave.

Arin‌‌ could not refuse⁠‌ Shirone’s proposal. Even‍‌‌ at the cost‌ of someone’s sacrifice,‍⁠ someone had to‌ survive.

Just‍ as Canis did,‌‌‍ just as Rian did, Shirone was⁠ also making a decision to save‌ someone important.

— Understood, Shirone. Let‍⁠ me know when‍‌ you’re ready.

Shirone‌‍ prepared himself mentally.‍⁠

What⁠ would happen to‌ him?

His‌ friends would not‍ come to heaven‍ to rescue someone⁠⁠ whose fate was uncertain.

If‌ he died immediately,‌ it would be‌⁠ fine. But there‌ was also the‌‌ possibility that Kariel‍⁠ would capture him‍⁠ and subject him‌ to all kinds‌ of experiments.

He‍ was afraid.

Everyone‍‍ would leave, and⁠ he would remain⁠ alone.

‘I’m sorry, director. You⁠⁠‌ were right.’

A bitter smile formed⁠‌ on Shirone’s lips.‍ But soon, with⁠ a fierce gaze, he fixed his‍‍ eyes on Kariel.⁠

He⁠ had to charge.‌ The time to⁠ open the Meta‌ Gate and enter‌ was one second.⁠ He just had⁠ to distract Kariel‍⁠‍ for one second.‍

Had⁠‍ Arin already explained‍‍ the plan to‌‍ the others? They would have no‍‍ idea that he‍ would stay behind.‌

Shirone‍ inhaled deeply.

It‌⁠ was time to say goodbye.

— Arin! Now!

At⁠ the very instant⁠ Arin opened the‍ Meta Gate, Shirone charged at Kariel.⁠

Amy‌‍ turned her head‌ with her eyes‍⁠ wide open.

‘Why?‌ Why, Shirone?’

It⁠‌⁠ was different from the plan they‌ had heard. Hadn’t they said the‍‍ fairest way was‍ to all jump‍ at the same⁠⁠ time and leave⁠ the result to‌ chance?

Amy,⁠⁠ who understood the situation in an‌ instant upon seeing‍ Arin’s sad expression,‌‍‌ burst into tears‌⁠⁠ and reached out‍⁠ her hand.

“No!⁠ Shiro…!”

Arin‌‍ wrapped her arms‍ around Amy’s waist‍ and jumped into the Meta Gate‍ portal. Tess, who⁠ was holding Canis‌⁠ and Rian, also‍‍ leapt into the⁠ portal and tightly‍‍‍ shut her eyes.‌

‘Shirone…‍⁠ please… I hope‌‌‌ we can see‌‌ you again.’

Shirone⁠‌ raised his head‍‌‌ and let the‌‍ tears gather in‍‍ his eyes. His expression mixed joy‌⁠ and sadness.

It⁠‌⁠ was fortunate that‍ Kariel paid no‌ attention to his⁠ friends. Perhaps from‍ the beginning, he‌‍ had only been‍ targeting him. If‌ that was the‌ case, he even⁠‌ felt relieved.

If‍‌ he could save‌‍ his friends, he⁠ did not mind‍⁠‌ being captured.

— Don’t do it,⁠ Shirone.

At the sudden mental‍ resonance, he turned‍ his head. Peophe‍‌ was flying beside⁠ him with a smile in her eyes.

— Peophe, why are‌ you still here?‍⁠

Peophe’s‌ thoughts quickly flowed in.

— Humans are a strange species. Choosing‌ their own lives…‍ and even accepting‍ death for it.‌

— What are you talking about all⁠ of a sudden?‌⁠

Shirone‍‌ felt a stab‍ of anxiety. He⁠ had the feeling⁠‌⁠ that something he‍‍ did not know⁠⁠ was happening.

It‍‍ was entirely possible.‍‌⁠ Perhaps the reason‌ Arin accepted the‌⁠ plan was—

‘No,‌ it can’t be.‌‌ That must not‌ happen.’

This‍‌‌ small fairy had‍‍ helped them. Even‍‌ if he remained‍ alone in heaven, he did not feel he would‌ fall into despair,⁠‌ because at least‍ Peophe would be‍⁠‍ by his side.‍‍

— Extinction is something frightening. But watching‍ you, I thought…‍ humans who can give their lives⁠‍ for someone they‍⁠‌ love… that seems‍⁠‌ truly beautiful to⁠‍ me.

— Peophe, no.

— Go back to‍⁠ your friends. And…‍‍‍

Tears‍ gathered in Peophe’s‌⁠ eyes.

— I love you,‍ Shirone.

Peophe‌ blocked the mental‌ resonance and rushed toward Kariel.

Shirone‌⁠‍ blankly watched her⁠ move away. Soon‍‍ after, regardless of‌ his will, his‍‍‍ legs stopped, and⁠⁠ his body turned toward the Meta‍ Gate.

“Hic!⁠ Hic!”

Shirone⁠ ran toward the‍ Meta Gate. Tears‌‌‌ blurred his vision⁠‌ and he could see nothing.

The world seemed distorted,⁠‌ as if submerged‌⁠ in water. Before‌ an almost miraculous⁠ opportunity, he was‌ completely weak.

He⁠ could return. He‍‍‍ could go back‍‍ to his original‌‍ world and reunite‌‍ with everyone.

‘Mom,‌ dad, I’m coming. I’ll definitely return…’⁠‍⁠

Shirone‌ stopped abruptly.

Two‌ opposing emotions clashed⁠‌ with equal weight,‍ but the thought that arose in his mind was⁠‌ a promise he‍ had made with⁠‍‌ Peophe.

— If I get‌‍ captured, will you‍⁠ come save me?⁠⁠ I mean… if⁠‌ we’re friends.

— Of course.

“Of‍ course… Peophe.”

Shirone⁠‌ clenched his fist‍ with tearful eyes.‌‍ And with the‍ little mental strength‍ he had left,‍ he activated teleportation.⁠

Her‍ words saying she‍‌ loved him echoed⁠ in his mind.‍

For⁠ a one-year-old fairy,‌‌ love was such‌‍ an enormous concept.‍ It was not⁠ love between a man and a woman, nor between⁠‌⁠ friends, nor parental…⁠ it was simply‌⁠ a unique love.

Peophe‍ was a fairy‍ with a pure‍‍ and clear soul.⁠‌

Abandoning‌ such a friend⁠⁠⁠ and returning home‍ was a pain⁠‌⁠ harder to endure⁠ than death.

‘Peophe!⁠‍⁠ Please! Please wait!’‌‍

Peophe,‍ facing death, was‌⁠‍ terrified. Was this⁠ extinction? Everything felt‍ unknown and frightening.‌‍

At every moment, an⁠⁠ unfamiliar world opened‌‌‍ before her, and⁠ her heart wavered⁠ between extremes.

Had‌ it been the⁠ right decision? Were‌ the words she‍‍‍ said to Arin‌ truly sincere?

— I am Peophe.‍ If someone has⁠ to stay, then‍‌ all of you⁠ go. I will‍ stop Kariel.

— But… what about⁠‌⁠ you?

— I cannot leave‌‍‌ heaven anyway. Besides,⁠⁠‍ this is something‍⁠ I, as an⁠ internal administrator of the divine citizens,‌ must do.

Peophe⁠‍ forced a smile.⁠⁠

‘It’s okay. I am⁠‍‌ a fairy of‌ the spiral. No‍⁠ matter how much⁠‍‌ I am shaken,⁠ I keep moving⁠‌‍ forward.’

She‍ would no longer⁠⁠ be able to‌ see Igirin, who⁠⁠ had finally acknowledged‍‍ her worth, but‍ she was satisfied‍ to have understood‌⁠ it at the⁠ end of her‌‌ life.

The⁠ Liquor of the‍ Life was not‍ what was great.‍

What‍‌ was truly great‍ was the sacrifice‍ of humans who‌ accepted the Liquor‍ of the Life.‌

It⁠‌ was a relief⁠⁠ that Shirone could‍⁠ live.

“What‍ an insolent fairy.”

Kariel‍ scoffed and extended‌ his hand. With⁠‍ his power, he‍ could erase a fairy in an‌ instant.

Peophe’s⁠ lips trembled as‍⁠ she felt death.‍ Finally, she burst‍‍ into tears.

But⁠ she did not‍‌⁠ retreat. She extended‍ both hands and‌‍‍ unleashed the power⁠ of the spiral‍ with all her‌‍⁠ strength.

“Peophe!⁠‌ Stop!”

At‌‌ Shirone’s unexpected voice,‍‍ Peophe turned her‌ head. At that⁠⁠‌ moment, Kariel passed‍‌ by her side.⁠ The angel’s slender‌⁠‌ hand was aimed‌⁠ at Shirone’s neck.‍⁠

‘I‍⁠⁠ won’t let you‌ escape. Not you!’‍‌‌

He‌‍ would study him.⁠‌ He would use any cruel method⁠ to analyze the‌‍⁠ structure of Ataraxia⁠⁠ and make it‌‍ his own.

Booom!‍

At⁠⁠ that moment, a purple longsword pierced‍ between Kariel’s fingers.⁠ A man with black hair was‌‍ already standing in⁠ front of Shirone.‌⁠

It‍‍⁠ was Ashur, the⁠⁠ three-horned Mara subordinate‌ of Ikael.

“Ashur… you will interfere‍‌ with me as‌‌⁠ well?”

“It‍⁠ is a message‌ from Ikael-nim.”

Kariel’s‍‍‌ eyes filled with‍ anger.

A mere three-horned Mara‍ daring to speak to him so⁠‍ casually? Did he‍ still think Ikael⁠‌ ruled heaven?

Of course, in the⁠⁠ past he had⁠‌⁠ respected Ikael. But‍⁠ she had done‍‍ something she never⁠‍‌ should have done.‌⁠

“The⁠‌ disgrace of heaven⁠‍ sends me a message?”

“Watch‍⁠ your words.”

“It‌‌ is not incorrect.⁠‌ A noble angel‌ who rose to‌‍ become an archangel,‍‌ planting the seed‌‌ of an insignificant‍‍‍ human…”

“Ka—ri—el—nim!”⁠

Ashur‍‍ opened his eyes‌ like a furious‍ demon.

“I⁠ told you. Clear—ly.⁠⁠ That it is a message from⁠‍ Ikael-nim.”

Kariel closed his mouth.‌ It was a message from Ikael.‌

“If‌⁠‍ you harm this‌ boy, she said‍‌ she will not‌‌ be able to treat you kindly.”

Kariel’s‍⁠ brow furrowed. He‍‌⁠ could not understand her mind at‌⁠ all.

Ikael‌‍⁠ had degraded. She‌ had fallen.

And⁠⁠ yet, he still‌ regarded her as‌ Ikael. It was‍‌ the last remnant‍ of admiration he‍‍⁠ had for her.‍

And‌ yet, she betrayed‌ him like this.‌‍

Why would someone who‌ reached the pinnacle‌‍ of angels go⁠ this far for⁠ a mere human?‍

Kariel⁠ could only remain silent, holding onto⁠‍ his pride.

Then‍‍ Ashur looked at‌‍ Shirone and said.‌

“Go.⁠‍ Peophe will be‌‍ safe. I promise‍‍⁠ it in the‌ name of Ikael-nim.”‍

Shirone,⁠ who had exhausted‌ all his mental‌⁠ strength with teleportation,⁠ could not move. But upon hearing‍ Ashur’s words, a faint smile appeared⁠⁠ on his face.‍⁠‌

If‍‌‌ it was Ikael,‌⁠ he could trust‌ her. She was⁠ the one who⁠ had given him‍‍ everything.

“Goodbye,‍⁠ Shirone.”

Peophe,‍‍ activating the power‌⁠‌ of the spiral,‌⁠ sent Shirone toward‌⁠‌ the Meta Gate⁠‌ as she spoke.⁠‍‌

And‍ those were the‍‍‌ last words Shirone⁠ heard in heaven.⁠‌