Chapter 4

The fate of the city of Alshe was hanging by a thread. Within days of the barrier being lifted, the city was surrounded by monsters, and the siege continued day and night without respite. It was thought that the city could not withstand a prolonged siege, but after the return of the Star Guardian Knights, who had received the "blessing" from the Star Princess, and the former Blackhead Squad mages who called themselves the Hero Squad, the monsters were temporarily driven back. However, there were limits to this.

More than a month had passed, but the situation remained unchanged. The number of monsters surrounding the city showed no signs of decreasing. The knights, mages, city guards, and volunteers were all injured and exhausted. Just when the will to resist seemed to be lost, something strange happened. An indistinct female voice echoed, and the movements of the monsters came to a halt.

"Seize the moment!"

"Roar!"

Above the north gate, Gangi and Paulun dropped a part of the outer wall, crushing the troublesome iron-eating centipede. The entrance was blocked, but the north gate was not used anyway.

"What's going on?"

"I don't know."

They braced themselves for a temporary silence. An unexpected situation had arisen. The monsters seemed to be checking their surroundings, and then they began to move in a cluster towards the north.

"Don't let your guard down!"

No one responded to Gangi's voice. The city guards, who had just managed to drive away the tea-toxic stag beetle, collapsed in exhaustion.

"Gangi!"

Maasa, who was carried in a palanquin by four large men, rushed to the scene upon receiving the report.

"Assistant, this place is dangerous."

"Oh, Mr. Maasa."

Maasa, the deputy commander who had saved countless critical situations with her inexperienced but accurate commands, was revered as a savior by those on the scene. She was given the palanquin and bearers, and her actual position was already above Nolanchou.

"What's the current situation?"

"Unknown."

After receiving Gangi's concise report, Maasa observed the monsters closely. Even she, with her clear mind, could not grasp the situation. In a last-ditch effort, Paulun asked:

"Have the children reached their destination?"

"There is no record of such a phenomenon in the historical records. It is said that after the Star Princess completed her trials, the ferocity of the monsters diminished, but the battles with the monsters continued for several years after the evil god fell asleep."

"But it doesn't seem to be a bad omen. Please call Batts. There are several places on the wall that need to be repaired. And ask Tenc to conduct a reconnaissance from the air—"

Ultimately, Maasa's instructions became unnecessary. Suddenly, a glowing rectangular window appeared in the sky, and the figure of a shining woman was reflected in it.

"O humans, foolish humans. Praise the two brave children. Praise the strong princesses who sacrificed themselves to save you!"

The existence that could cause such a miracle could only be a god. Maasa, thinking this, naturally knelt and bowed her head. It was probably because Princess Tueni had completed her trials. The outcome troubled her heart.

"My name is Mailroad, the goddess of beauty and purity."

"What's this? A mirror?"

From the bottom of the window, Luo's face appeared.

"No, Luo, don't."

Then Tueni appeared. She seemed to have come to stop Luo, but she was curious about what was in front of her and leaned in.

"Really, our faces are reflected."

The goddess behind them said with a wry smile.

"Please step back a little. I have something important to say."

"Okay, I understand."

"I, I apologize."

As the shock passed, Maasa shed tears. According to the knights' reports, Luo and Tueni had gone to the "Box Garden" at the bottom of a cliff beyond the "Altar of the End." It was clearly more dangerous than the "Wasteland," and even if they reached it, a sad farewell was waiting. Maasa deeply regretted the arrogance of adults who would sacrifice children to survive. But now, seeing the two of them looking well, she felt truly relieved.

"You two, I'm so glad you're safe..."

Gangi's arm was nudged by Paulun. Gangi's beard twitched, and he embraced Maasa as if they had come to an understanding.

"O humans, rest assured. The danger from the monsters has passed. You have been saved. Surprisingly, without the 'Covenant' with me."

The goddess's voice, which had become cold, did not sound particularly joyful.

"Only in this incident, why did you fall into such a crisis? You know nothing about the reason. It's troublesome, but I will show you the rings of memory etched in the earth."

The goddess's figure disappeared. Words appeared in the glowing window. It was the number zero. Minus one, minus two, minus three... The numbers changed. At first, they changed slowly, then gradually faster. The numbers stopped at minus four thousand three hundred and fifty-three, and a different scene appeared.

◇

It was night. The place was a cliff somewhere. A man was desperately appealing to the sky, full of stars.

"I am the first king to unify the land to the south. Great gods who dwell in the sky, please hear my plea!"

He was a dignified king, wearing a ceremonial crown and mantle. The king explained to the void. Recently, vicious monsters different from beasts had appeared, and the people of the country were in danger. The number of monsters was increasing, and if this continued, the country and its people would be destroyed within a hundred years. According to the curse masters, the cause of all this was at the bottom of a deep hole far to the north. Therefore, he had brought brave warriors and come here with a desperate resolve. But now he realized that he could not proceed any further with human power alone.

"O gods! If my voice reaches you. If you have pity on us humans. Please, please, have mercy. If a sacrifice is needed, I will offer my life, anything!"

As if in response to the king's voice, a beam of light descended from the sky, and a shining goddess appeared.

"My name is Mailroad, the goddess of beauty and purity."

To the kneeling king, the goddess said. At the bottom of the "Great Hole" ahead lies a god who has become an evil deity. The miasma it emits overflows from the "Great Hole" and turns beasts into monsters. When the king asked what to do, the goddess said:

"All I can do is teach you a sleeping spell. It will keep him asleep for about a few hundred years."

The king confirmed. Should he go to the evil deity and use the spell?

"The land there is thick with miasma. You will die just by approaching it."

The goddess seemed to think for a moment.

"Then, I will give you my blood, which I have enchanted with the spell. The evil deity is obsessed with me. If someone with my blood exposes themselves, even if they are a corpse, it will pounce on them."

The king nodded and asked how to reach the bottom of the "Great Hole."

"I will send one of my holy beasts as a guide."

A wind and flame swirled beside the goddess, and a small beast appeared. It had blue fur, white horns, and large bird-like wings. It looked like a sleeping kitten. The king asked what to do when the evil deity awoke again in a few hundred years.

"You're asking a strange question. You will be dead long before a hundred years pass."

The king replied. He was the king of humans. He had a responsibility to protect not only the people of his country but also their descendants.

"Then, I will have my blood reside in the royal family. Even if your country is destroyed, when a new country rises and a new king is born, my blood will move to that royal family and continue to reside there."

The king thanked the goddess and bowed deeply.

"Do not rush. Only a pure-hearted maiden can use my spell."

The king was shaken for the first time.

"In other words, it will be your daughter who is born from now on."

If the king sacrificed his daughter, the evil deity would be put to sleep, and the country would gain a few hundred years of peace. After a moment of hesitation, the king agreed.

"The 'Covenant' is now sealed!"

The goddess spread her hands, and a blinding light was released.

"When the holy beast grows, it will come to fetch your daughter. Until then, raise her healthily and cherish her."

The numbers reappeared and changed. This time, they increased by twenty to minus four thousand three hundred and thirty-three. The scene was in a room surrounded by bookshelves, a study of sorts. A young woman in a white coat and an older king sat across a table.

"I'm sorry, Solcie."

"There's nothing to apologize for, Father. I've been allowed to do what I loved since I was born. More importantly, it's about the future. My research team is finally starting to bear fruit."

"I want to make your research team independent."

"Independent?"

"Yes. The life of a country is only a few hundred years. But even if the country is destroyed, the religion will remain. Therefore, I intend to make the Mail religion the state religion and have the newly established Mail religious order manage the 'Covenant,' including the research on the spell."

"I see."

The young woman in the white coat nodded and took a deep breath.

"Then, I will entrust everything to you, Father."

"I'm sorry. I'm really sorry."

The king, with his hands on his face, broke down in tears. The woman's lips trembled, but she did not shed a tear.

"We cannot keep the holy beast, the messenger, waiting. Let's say our goodbyes here."

The king could not show his weakened state to his ministers. Crying, he nodded repeatedly.

The scene changed to the outdoors. On the stone pavement, a huge beast was lying down. It had blue fur, milky white horns, and large raptor-like wings. It was probably ten times the size of a human, resembling a majestic lion. Soldiers cautiously surrounded the beast. They parted to make way for the young woman in the white coat. The blue-furred beast raised its head.

"Have you come, 'Goddess's Blood'?"

The young woman in the white coat widened her eyes.

"This time, I will carry you to the bottom of the 'Great Hole.'"

"Next time?"

"You will have to reach the edge of the 'Great Hole' on your own. Those who cannot complete this level of trial do not deserve salvation. That is the will of the goddess."

"I see. But what wonderful fur. May I take a sample?"

"No, no."

"Since you are a holy beast, you must have wonderful abilities. Could you show me a little of them?"

"Get on my back quickly. We're flying!"

The numbers reappeared and started moving.

◇

The numbers increased significantly to minus three thousand five hundred and twenty. A young and beautiful princess with a majestic presence was dressed in a luxurious dress. She had a strange pattern on her forehead.

"There's nothing to worry about, Father, Mother."

In front of the grand gate, the princess declared with a firm attitude, seeing the grief-stricken elderly king and queen.

"It's different from eight hundred years ago. All preparations have been made by the three high priests of the Mail religious order. I cannot let the history of humans end with my generation. This is not a tragedy but a light of hope!"

The gate opened, and she walked to the carriage, accompanied by the waiting clergy. Hundreds of knights guarded the magnificent carriage.

"This journey is a 'Trial of the Journey' that cannot fail. I expect your best efforts!"

The knights responded with a flawless salute. The carriage slowly moved down the main street, and many people crowded the sidewalks, shouting the princess's name and cheering.

"Vengas!"

"Great Star Princess!"

"Save us!"

"Save us, please!"

Inside the carriage, the princess showed a perfect smile and waved gracefully to the crowd, but she whispered coldly to herself.

"Probably, I am happy."

The numbers reappeared and started moving.

◇

Minus two thousand eight hundred and seventeen. A dim light illuminated the bedroom. On the bed, a woman with a pattern on her forehead and wavy hair was sleeping, with two young children on either side of her.

"Seto-nee-sama."

One of the children, hugging the woman, asked.

"Are you getting married?"

"Married?"

"Because. Tomorrow, you're saying goodbye. Uh."

The child, unable to hold back, started crying. The other child, also on the verge of tears, pointed out.

"Stupid. Seto-nee-sama is going on a journey, Mother said. To the 'Altar of the End.' It's a dangerous journey. F—uh."

"Both of you."

The woman gently stroked the crying children's heads.

"Always, always be good to each other. If you do, you won't be lonely, and I'll be happy."

"Will you... come back?"

Faced with the cold reality or the temporary reassurance of the young children, the woman did not hesitate.

"Yes, when you two grow up."

"Really?"

"Will you come back?"

"Yes. When that time comes, I'll make lots of sweets for you."

"Really?"

"Absolutely! So, eat your vegetables, even the ones you don't like, and grow up. It's a promise, okay?"

"Uh."

"Okay."

The numbers reappeared and increased.

◇

Minus two thousand two hundred and fifteen. A king sat alone on the throne in the grand hall. But there was no one to attend to him or guard him. A sternly dressed woman with a pattern on her forehead and several clergy members approached.

"Father."

"Oh, Aroma."

The king forced a smile.

"Have you brought news of victory? Why is no one here? This must be a surprise, right? Everyone is trying to surprise me, right?"

The sternly dressed woman reported in a serious tone.

"Our army has been defeated."

The king, who had half-expected it, slumped in his throne.

"What about the Blessed Knights?"

"They are all dead."

"What about the elite mage units?"

"They are all dead."

"What about the volunteers?"

The sternly dressed woman said firmly.

"Our army that went to the 'Wasteland' has been completely annihilated, except for one member of the air force. We will now move to the next plan."

"Next plan?"

The king asked curiously.

"What is the next plan?"

"We are returning to the original path, Father."

The sternly dressed woman explained. It was true that if the monsters and beasts in the "Wasteland" could be exterminated, even if the evil god awoke, the "Red Wave" would not affect them. But that was human arrogance. The result was already determined.

"The ones waiting here are the conservatives of the Mail religious order. They belong to the Star Guardians."

"Conservatives..."

"I have been hiding those who were exiled by you. Punishment will come later."

"No, it's fine."

Both knew that such a situation could not happen.

"Are you going, Aroma?"

"Yes, I am going, Father. We can still make it by the day the Star Seer predicted."

The farewell between father and daughter was a simple bow from the daughter. But the king, left alone, stumbled down from the throne and collapsed on the carpet, sobbing.

"Aroma, Aroma. This fate is wrong. It's wrong. No parent should sacrifice their child to survive. The kings of the past must have... So, at least in my generation..."

The numbers reappeared and started moving.

◇

Minus one thousand five hundred and eighty-four.

"Idon'twanttodie!"

A young girl with a pattern on her forehead was thrashing on the bed. Around her, solemn-looking maids were standing. Strangely, they were wearing long coats. The oldest maid, in a matter-of-fact tone, tried to calm her.

"Lady, please calm down."

The girl, sobbing, cried out.

"I'm only thirteen. I want to read more interesting books and fall in love. I heard that it's safe until around twenty. This is too much!"

"That's a matter of the other party."

The old maid, who seemed strangely resigned, was scolded by the girl.

"What do you know!"

"I know."

The old maid took off her coat, revealing not a maid's uniform but a brave suit of chainmail.

"I will accompany you on the 'Trial of the Journey.'"

"What? What are you saying?"

"Until the end."

"You, you just had a baby and came back to work."

"I have already said goodbye to my husband and child."

"You, you had a lover in your hometown, right?"

"I sent a letter. Forget about me."

The old maid's words were a further blow to the confused girl. The other maids, prompted by the old maid, also took off their coats. They were all wearing chainmail.

"Wait, you. You just had a baby, right?"

"I have already said goodbye to my husband and child."

"You, you had a lover in your hometown, right?"

"I sent a letter. Forget about me."

The old maid's words were a further blow to the confused girl. The other maids, prompted by the old maid, also took off their coats. They were all wearing chainmail.

"Milady, I have something to say."

"Your Majesty."

The brave maid squad parted to make way for a small king in a metal chest plate and a luxurious mantle, and a tall knight in full armor.

"Father,