To be clear, the wish I can make now is merely a half measure.
Compared to the time when the four essences gathered and erased the very religion known as Evergreen from the world, the total wishes I can fulfill now are limited.
However.
Personal immortality.
Though it is a powerful ability, it is ultimately limited to the individual.
The winter blizzard, the summer sun, the soul of the dragon, the energy, and even the vitality—all of it.
If I were to use them to fulfill the “cost” that does not meet the “wish.” I believe it would be possible.
The wish tells me so. If it were impossible, it would not have responded at all.
‘Now, it is over.’
The wish asks me.
What do you desire?
I respond immediately.
I want to erase the immortality that is too much for that old b*stard to have.
The wish replies.
Your wish has been granted.
Then the old man’s frail body began to crumble. The endless health and vitality sustained by his immortality vanished in an instant. His skin became so ragged that it resembled rotten branches.
The old man speaks.
“…Even in death, I shall not understand your choice.”
So be it.
—I was about to say that when I suddenly closed my mouth.
Instead, with an expressionless face, I watched him meet his end.
When the leader of Evergreen meets his demise, the obstacles to Epherna’s reign will disappear.
Even knowing this fact.
The corners of my mouth that had risen fell in an instant.
I reminded myself.
Even if I am not there, Epherna will find happiness as she lives on.
Surely, she will find another meaning in life. I wanted to believe that.
Watching the old man scatter like dust, I too began to crumble, body and soul.
Though it was a predestined event, it was not frightening.
I thought to myself, ‘Now I really am dying.’
Thud. I lay down.
Where will I go when I die?
I have killed many people, so will it be hell?
Or perhaps I will go to heaven for saving many?
As I pondered such tedious thoughts, I closed my eyes comfortably.
And then.
A white landscape that I had seen once before unfolded before me.
*****
How should I express this?
First of all, it is white.
Like when the owners of the four essences gathered to make a wish.
White.
[Child.]
And then I heard it.
A warm voice that I had never heard before.
[Poor child.]
Another voice.
[Pitiful and unfortunate child.]
Yet another voice.
[Foolish, pitiful child.]
Another voice again.
Four voices brushed against my ears.
I felt I could identify the source of these voices.
“Are you the Divine Kings of the Mythical Era?”
I possess the essences of the Divine Kings, except for two.
It was inferred because my Summer and Winter, integrated with my soul, reacted strongly.
[Sharp perception. Yes. We are the old gods who vanished long ago.]
A variety of colored orbs floated in the air.
They soon merged, taking on the shape of a person.
[First, I will speak on behalf of us all.]
A woman with distinct facial features revealed herself.
She spoke to me.
[Hello? It’s the first time we’re seeing each other like this, isn’t it?]
Behind the woman were nine bushy tails.
It was the same appearance I had once seen from Epherna.
“Is this the Divine Beast of Summer…?”
[That’s right. To be precise, it is the last thought left from your wish. Since you made a wish in an unauthorized manner, this is a warning of sorts…]
I had no retort for the fact that I targeted that unauthorized method, as the divine beast spoke.
“Forgive me for speaking out on our first meeting, but I have something I really want to say.”
[Go ahead.]
“You raised that child very poorly.”
Ern expressed the words he most wanted to say upon meeting them.
While that old bastard might not be the root of all evil, countless sacrifices had been made because of him. Considering the damages that never appeared on paper, the number was incalculable.
Even if it had become a thing of the past.
[I’m sorry. I have nothing to say about that. But will you understand?]
“What do you mean?”
[That child is the first.]
[We simply wanted to leave behind one child who would remember us.]
[We never anticipated that the human race would prosper to this extent.]
[Therefore, it is true that we were unprepared when creating that child.]
Because he was the first human.
He was different from the ordinary people who had evolved and changed over ten thousand years. He maintained the purity that naturally diminishes as one grows.
Due to emotions and memories that do not fade with time, he could not abandon his childhood.
[That child… was just too pure. If there is a fault, it lies with us.]
A selfish desire to have a being who remembers them.
Ironically, all tragedies began from this point.
However.
“I believe there is no need to determine who was at fault or who started it.”
Who made the first mistake?
If one were to delve into that, it would be a bottomless pit.
“Regardless of who was good or evil, I simply wanted to complain that your child is truly detestable. Of course, I have no intention of forgiving you.”
So, let’s not prolong this discussion any further, Ern firmly closed his mouth.
[…I understand. If you hold such thoughts, then no matter what we say, it will sound hypocritical.]
[So instead, ask your questions. I will answer any question you have.]
“What will happen to my corpse when I die?”
[It will disappear from this world. Since you have wagered everything, your body and even your soul will be taken as the price of your wish.]
“You speak as if the wish is a sentient being.”
[That statement is both true and false. The four of us were originally one. Just like the Gods of Time and Space once were.]
To express it simply, a supreme deity.
A representative of life who can intervene in providence and twist it if desired.
Despite having split into four, their power was so immense that they erased their own existence for the sake of the world’s balance.
[The Dragon King, that unfortunate being, tore his own soul into ten thousand pieces yet could not lose his ego. It was the end of a different choice than ours. But thinking back now, that choice brought about a miracle. Opposite to the tragedy we caused.]
They never imagined that erasing their own existence and ego for the sake of balance would turn out to be a blunder. As they regretted this, suddenly,
[You’re speaking too much.]
[Indeed. Frankly, what can we say to this child?]
[We will tell you what we can do.]
Before my eyes appeared the four figures.
A man with eyes that sank like winter’s white snow.
A woman with a refreshing tone like spring cherry blossoms.
A man who seemed as free as the autumn wind.
Ern, taking them all in at once, felt a deep sense of reverence.
[This child is worthy.]
The autumn man spoke words that were difficult to comprehend.
[A child who corrected our mistake. He is more than qualified for a reward.]
[But just because he is qualified doesn’t mean the wish will consider his circumstances.]
[That’s true. We can possibly revert the price that has already been paid with our remaining existence, but the price that fits this child’s body and soul would still fall short even if we sacrificed everything we have left.]
As they engaged in various discussions about Ern, they seemed to be contemplating something deeply.
The winter man opened his mouth.
[The only thing we can offer this child with our remaining existence is a trial.]
[Certainly… It will be difficult, but that is the only answer we have.]
[I agree. It is the best we can do.]
What are they talking about?
Considering the context, it seems they are offering a chance.
A chance for me to live. In that moment, hope flashed through my mind.
The summer divine beast turned her head toward me.
With a gentle smile, she responded in a warm yet sorrowful voice.
[I haven’t made a decision yet. But it won’t be easy. An impossible task may be assigned to you.]
My heart sank.
A chance to live. A chance to return to her was right before me.
“What trial must I endure?”
What does it matter what kind of trial?
Even if it is deemed impossible.
If I can live. If I can return,
it doesn’t matter.
As I pondered this…
[You will know once you leave this place.]
The entirely white space began to feel frightening.
It was as if time had run out, and my consciousness started to fade.
[Though it was a short time, it was nice to meet you, child. Once again, thank you for correcting our mistake.]
The World Tree of Spring, the Divine Beast of Summer, the Spirit King of Autumn, and the Demon King of Winter.
They began to transform back into their original forms as shining orbs and gradually disappeared.
That sight was the last glimpse of reality shown by the Divine Kings of the Mythical Era.
*****
And so.
Having returned to reality without the consumption of body and soul, Ern intended to go straight back to the imperial palace.
However, what on earth had happened?
Three long years had passed in reality.
