Translator: Marctempest
Editor/Proofreader: TempWane
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Chapter 86: Mahabharata (3)
Quellière continued to move forward with her companions.
But Mahabharata could not see it.
His vision was blocked at the same moment she gestured.
Crunch-!
A blood raven fell, and the connection through the snow was severed.
It returned to the depths of the landfill.
【Noticed, did she.】
The calamity muttered softly.
He wasn’t particularly disappointed.
After all, he hadn’t expected her to remain unaware.
It was merely for brief observation and… a bit of time-wasting.
His purpose had been achieved.
【It is ready.】
Rumble─!
The obelisk trembled.
The divine energy swirling at the periphery writhed ominously. Through this source of power, a miracle would manifest.
Shaaah!
As the calamity extended its tendrils, the vibration turned into a violent convulsion.
Rumble-rumble-rumble──!
【What you must understand is my will…】
The connection to the world of thoughts.
That immense sorcery had finally been completed.
In no time, the miracle manifested.
Flaaash─!
An intense beam of divine energy exploded, and shockwaves roared outward.
It unleashed a destructive force throughout the landfill.
The will of the floating calamity shifted to another place…
…
How much time had passed?
Everything was white. No, it was beyond white—it was transparent.
He had arrived in a world of no color.
A highly unusual place.
Soon, the calamity recalled what had transpired and understood.
【I see. This place is…】
Quellière’s world of thoughts, perhaps.
Indeed, this space was very fitting for her.
【Goddess, let us see what you are hiding.】
He utilized his amorphous form to wander here and there. Having suffered losses from this sorcery, he was determined to gain something in return.
As Mahabharata searched with resolve, suddenly,
He found something and stopped.
【…？】
A phenomenon shaped by divine power.
He had reached a realm that no ordinary means could ever breach.
It was not Quellière’s realm but rather…
…the true image of a human heart from Earth.
【Where am I?】
Before he knew it, the world had transformed into an alien form. Structures and furniture he had never seen before.
In front of a rectangular object sat a man.
“──.”
The man seemed to say something, but no voice came through.
His gaze was fixed on the “box” in front of him. Inside the box was an image that kept changing.
A curious sight.
Not knowing what it was, Mahabharata focused his attention on it.
Then, he was startled.
【…!】
He was there inside the box.
The “box”… no, the “screen” displayed the battle between the Black Calamity and the player.
Though the man’s expression remained indifferent, as if he had seen it countless times, the calamity couldn’t even bring himself to look at him.
Standing before the calamity on the screen was a woman.
Her silvery-blue hair billowing, she was all too familiar.
The goddess Quellière.
【How is this possible? Such a scene doesn’t exist in my memory…!】
Extreme confusion.
Even so, there was no time to contemplate.
Within what looked like a temple, two beings clashed.
The calamity tensed.
Or rather, he had no choice but to.
“──.”
The man still appeared bored, and the outcome explained why.
A dull and anticlimactic progression.
Mahabharata’s crushing defeat.
【…】
Clad in mystical equipment, Quellière was utterly overwhelming.
As he froze in place, the image in the world of thoughts showed no mercy.
Scenes and memories continued to play.
The figures of Quellière appeared in succession, along with unknown individuals sporadically showing up.
Amidst them, the calamity died over and over again.
It was utterly incomprehensible.
【…Unless it’s the goddess.】
How could these strange people he’d never seen before be capable of killing him?
A continuous string of shocks.
He was overwhelmed with astonishment but continued his thoughts.
【In the world of thoughts, no falsehood can exist. It relies solely on the subject’s experiences and senses… If that’s the case.】
All these stories and characters.
It meant they all existed, or perhaps they “once existed” or “would exist in the future.”
That was his reasoning.
If this hypothesis were correct.
【Does this mean I am fated to die…?】
Intense bewilderment was soon overwhelmed by raging fury.
Even in that storm of wrath, his rationality did not waver.
The calamity furrowed its nonexistent brow, deep in agony.
At that moment, he glanced at Quellière.
The Quellière on the screen. His gaze, which had been fixed on her, now turned to the silent man.
【…】
Now that he thought about it, who was this man?
Who was he to appear so prominently in Quellière’s mindscape, observing “countless worlds”?
…The calamity couldn’t even consider the possibility that she and the man were the same person.
Thus, his frantic thoughts spun into another hypothesis.
A much more plausible delusion.
【…Ah!】
A realization struck him, and his body trembled.
Yes, that’s what it was.
This had to be the answer.
In short, he had been deceived.
【The gods… They hadn’t abandoned this world.】
They weren’t planning to leave him to his own devices.
These scenes were proof.
Beings capable of easily defeating the calamity… Only gods could do so.
Quellière, the man in the room, everyone on the screen.
They were all gods of the Pantheon!
【Even gods couldn’t defeat me this easily… Then they must be prime deities. These countless worlds could be the past, the future, or possibilities of other dimensions.】
Once the idea took hold,
His mind began to race furiously.
【But if they were capable of this, why did they leave me unchecked? …Or rather, why did they pretend to leave? Perhaps they were constrained by some limitation…】
Though consumed by shock, the calamity was a transcendent being.
He quickly regained a sliver of composure.
In that strange calm, he reflected.
【…If that is my destiny. If the future determined by the gods holds only defeat for me—】
There was no more room to hesitate over means and methods.
Yes, he must go further than ever before.
He had to carve his own flesh and break his bones if necessary.
He couldn’t afford to fall helplessly here.
Even self-sacrifice would not be off the table.
【Gods! Your will shall never come to pass…!】
He had to wager everything on this war.
As soon as the world of thoughts shattered, the calamity acted immediately.
Cra-crack—!
He praised himself for peering into Quellière’s mindscape today.
If he hadn’t, he would have been defeated without knowing anything.
…Though it was all a misunderstanding.
*
Even after the blood raven was destroyed, the attacks of the monsters continued.
It was an enlightening experience to realize just how many diverse and grotesque monsters existed.
Thwack! Crack—!
Of course, nothing could stop our advance.
Aside from the passage of time, that is.
“It’s getting late,” Nell remarked, glancing up at the sky.
The night in the labyrinth came quickly, and darkness descended in an instant.
I looked at the dim surroundings and nodded.
“True. Let’s call it a night here.”
“You’re not planning to keep going?”
“The darkness is home ground for monsters and calamities. There’s no need to make things easier for them.”
No one objected.
We set up camp and prepared for the night.
Honestly, considering our team, camping seemed almost unnecessary.
Everyone except Paile could go several days without rest.
“…Well, it’s just a manner of speaking.”
No matter how capable they were, resting in the labyrinth was essential.
Each person behaved according to their disposition.
Chandrafail sat cross-legged, while Dewade stood upright, maintaining a four-way vigilance.
Though their postures differed, everyone, including those two, was prepared to leap into action at a moment’s notice.
I sat off to the side, lost in thought.
“We’re getting close to the depths now.”
We had been running non-stop up to this point.
The same was likely true for Artan’s side.
As I reviewed the bloodstained battles of the labyrinth, I fiddled with the ring on my finger.
The luminous Ring of Lost Origins.
“The Talisman of Dawn is already used up…”
This was the last remaining offering.
Destroying the calamity, the fate of this world and the player’s task.
Though I came here full of confidence, I couldn’t help but feel uneasy.
“Will this really be enough?”
The calamity had grown stronger than ever before.
What would I do once this was spent?
What if it still didn’t die?
Anxiety and worry made my head heat up.
“…Maybe I should get some air.”
I needed to cool down.
I dusted off my dirt-stained ceremonial robe and stood up.
Now that I thought about it, I’d been wearing this outfit for quite a while.
A costume based on a ceremonial robe, called the “Herald of the Blessed Deity.”
“Quellière.”
As I trudged away, Nell approached me.
With a curious expression, she asked,
“Where are you going?”
I casually pointed toward my destination.
A tall, ancient tree towered in that direction.
It was part of the anomaly known as the “Coexistence of Four Seasons,” with spring embodied in this area.
Such regions were scattered throughout the landfill.
“Ah.”
Understanding lit up Nell’s eyes.
She quickly trotted after me.
“I’ll come too! Let’s go together.”
“Sure, why not.”
There was no reason to refuse.
We walked along what barely passed as a path across the rough terrain.
The surroundings were barren, and the air was stifling, but the landfill at night was surprisingly tranquil.
It seemed better than during the day.
Did monsters sleep at night?
“…Of course not.”
Some did, but most became even more ferocious.
As I indulged in these idle thoughts for a moment, the crunch of foliage underfoot and a fresh breeze greeted us.
Spring arrived prematurely.
Though I didn’t feel particularly refreshed, Nell smiled brightly, enjoying herself.
“Wow! It feels so cool.”
“Doesn’t it?”
“Look! Butterflies, and there’s grass, too. It’s been a while since I’ve seen a proper landscape—it feels great.”
Not far from the campsite.
Even without starlight, it was oddly bright.
“Quellière, how about you?”
“I don’t mind it either.”
Sharing in her sentiments, I glanced at the scenery.
It reminded me of the springs I often saw long ago, in my modern human life.
For Quellière, though, it was a rare sight.
Most of her time had been spent in the snowfield, leaving no opportunity to enjoy the seasons.
Perhaps that’s why it felt a bit unfamiliar.
Should I start enjoying more of the world from now on?
Not yet—after everything is resolved.
“If this is a magical anomaly, all four seasons must be here, right? Personally, I prefer autumn over spring…”
The serene atmosphere continued.
The chirping of insects mixed with Nell’s chatter.
I closed my eyes, savoring the breeze and the sounds.
Then, suddenly.
When I opened my eyes, a shadow passed by.
“…Huh?”
I blinked.
For a brief moment, a massive shadow had covered the area.
Something had cast it.
But when I looked up at the sky, my blinking turned to confusion, and I froze.
“…”
Slowly, I turned my head to survey the surroundings.
Only darkness remained.
Before I knew it, the world had been swallowed by shadow.
Not just Nell—everything, including the spring scenery that had surrounded us moments ago, was gone without a trace.
A mysterious anomaly.
And the culprit was probably…
─────!
At that moment, a bizarre sound rang out.
A terrible noise, as if vocal cords were being torn apart.
Shortly after, a mist-like mass began to approach.
As the saying goes, speak of the tiger, and it appears.
“…Mahabharata.”
It was him.
*
The night in the wasteland.
Unlike Quellière’s group, composed entirely of monsters, the allied forces were thoroughly human and busily at work.
“Hurry up! Stop slacking off!”
“Yes, sir! My apologies!”
They pulled out rations and began cooking their evening rice.
Preparing sleeping quarters, setting up night watches, and handling various camp duties kept them bustling.
Even during all this, monster attacks continued.
“Don’t let a single one through!”
This was the order of Hiloze, the sub-commander.
The royal guards and soldiers responded in unison.
“Yes, sir!”
To sustain such a large army, rest was essential.
In a way, the night hours were even more critical than the day.
As they continued to defend themselves tirelessly.
─Flash!
A strange burst of light suddenly swept through the area.
A wave of energy rippled out, rolling across the field like a tide.
“What’s going on?”
Hiloze remained vigilant, but the anomaly lasted only a moment.
It quickly reverted as if it had all been a dream, leaving no signs of disturbance.
“…What was that?”
Had he seen wrong?
As he tilted his head in confusion, monsters charged at them.
“You damn beasts!”
With no choice, he dismissed the incident and resumed the battle.
Not long after, Hiloze and the royal guards erased the strange flash from their minds, dismissing it as one of the landfill’s many peculiarities.
…Meanwhile, Artan was dozing in his hastily assembled quarters.
His expression was peaceful.
Rumble─!
But when the wave passed through, his face twisted uneasily.
He began to dream.
A strange dream.
“…”
A world fittingly described as colorless or transparent.
Artan wandered aimlessly.
He walked and walked until he eventually realized something.
“…No. This isn’t a dream.”
It was an infinitely surreal world, but there was no doubt.
His realistic senses and instincts were sounding the alarm.
Of course, that didn’t mean it was reality either.
He furrowed his brows.
“What is this place?”
Unbeknownst to him, this was the result of the calamity scattering divine power while attempting to access the world of thoughts.
Because the obelisk had not been properly controlled, the residual divine power had spread like an echo.
A highly accidental phenomenon.
Unwitting victim, Artan, decided to act.
He needed to grasp the situation.
“Did someone, or some causality, draw me in? Or is this just a trap?”
Even amidst his confusion, his thoughts didn’t stop.
He was greatly perplexed, but curiosity also stirred within him.
What could possibly be waiting for him?
With a tense resolve, his body felt oddly lighter than usual as he explored the surroundings.
The world was not fixed.
The colorless world soon took on a stark white hue.
Shhhhh…
Snow began to fall.
It was a scene he had seen before.
“…”
Snowstorms accompanied by ice crystals raged around him.
He could feel the cold, which shouldn’t have been possible, and his feet sank deep into the ground.
The snow shouldn’t have accumulated yet.
When he looked down, he saw a pure white snowfield.
“When did this appear…?”
As he shook his head in disbelief, suddenly.
A sense of déjà vu washed over him.
This snowfield—he had definitely seen it somewhere before.
It wasn’t a mistaken impression.
When he raised his gaze, he saw it.
An eternal winter.
The vast snowfield and, for the first time, the Snow Castle.
His retinas were filled with astonishment.
“…!”
Artan’s eyes widened.
Though he had promised himself not to be startled by anything, he couldn’t hide his shock.
In front of the white castle stood a woman.
Quellière.
Clad in exotic white garments, she was someone far too familiar.