Chapter 970 – The Third Way

000

＂Gasp!＂

After barely breaking free from the shock that had stretched her body like a rubber band, Cleon felt her vision blur and her mind return to its original state.

And when he looked ahead, he saw something familiar to him, a space where no matter where he looked, there was nothing but white stretching out as far as it could go.

＂…＂

Carefully and quietly.

It was a space where neither the top nor the bottom were known, but for some reason, when Cleon got up from where he could sit or lie, he was able to see that his body had returned to its original state.

＂Hair… Eyes, nose, mouth… Shoulders, knees, body… ＂

And, as he picked them up one by one with his hands, checking to see if there was anything missing in his mental body, he could finally sigh in peace because there was nothing missing from the feel of his fingertips.

Apparently, the operation was successful.

“Ah… You’re awake?”

And, the voice he hears.

It was a familiar voice, but the atmosphere was completely different, making Cleon raise his head in surprise.

Then, there was a girl with gray hair and a somewhat demure look, with her back to her, leaning her waist slightly to the side and looking into Cleon’s face.

The appearance and facial expression were identical to those of Nyala, who had been holding Cleon up until now but had let go.

The voice was also the same as the one Cleon remembered hearing a while ago, but what he felt in her voice was that of kindness and thoughtfulness.

＂Nyala…? “Is it?”

“Hehe. How about it?”

In response to Cleon’s question, she smiles.

And, you will be sure of that.

She is not Nyala.

A face like Nyala’s – no, more accurately, Nyala had a face like hers.

In any case, Cleon was able to recognize that she was not Nyala, but the ‘progenitor of the fairies’, the owner of the mental world and the original owner of the face.

Then, Cleon would look at her and adjust her posture and sit down again.

“You are the progenitor of fairies.”

“That’s right. Through the past life factor you gave me, I regained my identity and memories. But I’m not very familiar with that name. This is the title given to me by people in later generations… Originally, I used the name ‘Ether’, so please call me that.”

＂Ether… Is it.＂

At Cleon’s reflection, she nods her head.

“And welcome. Cleon, a clan of future dark horses. “I was looking forward to meeting you one more time.”

＂…’ One more time’?”

When Cleon asked her, Ether nodded her head, still maintaining her smile.

Then Cleon must have asked her, shutting her mouth for a moment and shaking her head with an expression of disbelief.

“I heard you once met me in a past life. Is that the story?”

“I’m glad you understand quickly. That was before I found the secret to fairy painting. What. It was a very brief relationship, and at that time you were a single grandfather, and I didn’t even know your name.”

She brought up a story about a time in Cleon’s past life, but of course Cleon, who had no such memories, put her hand on his forehead as if he had no idea.

Obviously, strong past life memories can come back when stimulated by something, but that didn’t happen this time.

That would mean that he had a relatively smooth life, or that he was a different type of person from the other past lives Cleon had seen so far.

“However, this kind of meeting was a little unexpected. Even though it was one of the future plans I had in mind that you were brought into the spirit world by Nyala, the predator who made a contract with me. Why did you remain in this world until the end of your previous life? By any chance, did they hold Nyala back so that she could not leave?”

“… No. I stayed here of my own free will. That is, to talk to you at the moment you reincarnate.”

Cleon shook his head at Etel’s question and answered honestly.

Then Ether would blink her eyes and look into Cleon’s eyes.

＂Talk to me?＂

“Okay. I heard that if you wake up now, the fairy scent will disappear. If that happens, the human world and the fairy scent will mix, causing great chaos in this world. … To somehow prevent that. I needed to talk to you.”

At Cleon’s answer, she nods her head as if she finally understands.

“Indeed. Did you hear that story from Nyala?”

“Ah… That’s what Nyala said. … Is it possible that she lied to me again or something like that?”

When Cleon, who has no choice but to doubt Nyala, asks that, she shakes her head.

“What if… I guess she thought I would choose that method because it was safer for me?”

At Etel’s somewhat ambiguous words, Cleon changes his expression and looks at her as if asking what she is talking about.

“Ah. Let me explain it a little more easily… Destroying Fairy Village is something that is necessary for me to completely regain the power of the progenitor. As you know, this Fairy Village is a world created based on my magic power, so when I recover all my magic power, it will merge with the human world again.”

As she says that and spreads her hands, an illusion of her appears before her eyes.

There, there was a map that seemed to resemble the human world, and on top of it was an area covered with a barrier in the shape of a hemisphere.

Looking at the terrain inside, it was not difficult to guess that it was a castle floating on a lake, or that it was Fairy Village where Cleon and her were now.

“… Is that so? This world called Fairy Village is a kind of small area that you created using enormous magical power.”

＂It was the beginning to open a barrier as a prison to confine myself. Anyway, if I want to get out of here, I have to lift this barrier. That is what leads to the collapse of the world called Fairy Hyang.”

As Etel said that, she smiled slightly.

The woman in front of her has such a kind face.

The magical power she possesses is probably greater than that of any being that Cleon has ever seen.

No, would it be better to say that it happened that way?

Since it can be seen as the destination she has reached as a result of modifying her body several times, she has already sublimated into a being closer to a ‘concept’ than an ‘individual’.

That kind of thing is sometimes called ‘God’ somewhere.

In other words, it may be more appropriate to call her Fairy Incense itself and the Fairy Goddess as a title to understand her existence.

“… What are you going to do?”

Then – Cleon had to confirm her will.

In order for her to fully exercise her god-like powers, she had to retrieve all of her own magic that held her fairy scent.

And – as far as she was concerned – it was her right to assert it.

For thousands of years now, she has sacrificed her own body to provide a safe place for her followers.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that all those sacrifices were made for this day.

And- more importantly.

In order for her to get out of this fairy scent, to be truly free, she must demolish this world.

Even if she chooses ‘demolition of the fairy scent’ in response to Cleon’s question, can she be blamed?

At least it wasn’t Cleon.

She is not a demon lord to be defeated, but she is like a savior to her comrades, leading countless others to protect them.

Even if her desire for freedom results in countless sacrifices and brings chaos to the world.

It was impossible to deny her choice.

Therefore, as if handing over her choice to her, Cleon had no choice but to ask a question.

What should I do?

Even if the answer that comes back is not the answer Cleon himself wanted.

＂Hmm…＂

And, in response to Cleon’s question, Etel put her index finger to her lower lip, closed her eyes, and appeared to be a little worried.

I closed my mouth and thought for ten seconds.

She soon smiled and answered Cleon’s question.

＂What should I do?＂

＂…＂

Even if she asked herself that, Cleon thought.

What is most important now is her own will.

“… Why are you asking me?”

“That’s right. Because you were so worried. I was wondering if you were preparing an answer as to what would be best.”

In response to Etel’s response, Cleon silenced her and turned his head to avoid her gaze.

“Sorry. Was that a very mean question?”

Seeing that Cleon was avoiding her answer, Etel asked a question, but Cleon, who had kept her mouth shut, soon sighed and shook her head.

“… No. It’s as you said. It’s really embarrassing and sorry to say this directly to you, but… I also don’t want Fairy Village to collapse.”

At Cleon’s answer, Etel blinked her eyes again.

“… But that. It goes beyond my wish that no one be sacrificed. If you do not reincarnate, you will once again live with Nyala in the basement of this Fairy Village.”

＂… Indeed.＂

In response to Cleon’s answer, Etel nods her head as if she knows well what kind of person he is.

“You are a person with a kind heart. “

“… He’s a coward who is indecisive and doesn’t want to take responsibility for his choices. I am.”

At Etel’s words, Cleon lowered her head.

Just a few seconds to keep our mouths shut.

A little later, Ether approached Cleon, who was sitting, bent her knees and she sat down and took his hand.

“Let’s make a compromise!”

＂… What?＂

Cleon suddenly looks at her as if asking what she’s saying.

“Originally, I only had two options. Will you abandon the Fairy Incense and be reincarnated with all your magical power? Or will I be reincarnated in a way that maintains my current state?”

As she says that, she makes a V shape with her index and middle fingers.

From there, he spreads his ring finger, and this time spreads his three fingers and continues the story.

“But when you met Allah, you created a ‘connection’ with her. By coming here, I was able to contact myself from my previous life. Cleon, thanks to you, a third option has emerged.”

“… Third, what is a choice?”

When Cleon asked that question, she smiled and took off the rag-like clothes she was wearing.

＂!?＂

Cleon was surprised by her sudden action, but at least she was wearing underwear properly, unlike Nyala.

However, what was surprising was that there was an ‘imprint’ like Nyala’s engraved on her stomach.

＂…!? Why is this happening to you too…?”

“Nyala was using my mental body as a model, right? And even after the past life began, I was still there to catch you… And then I lost you, right?”

Cleon nodded as she continued her explanation one by one.

“Actually, after you lost your mind there, she stopped holding on in that mental world and followed you to catch you. As a result… She got mixed up with me. With the mental body she used while inside me. Thanks to you, the imprint you engraved on her soul remains on me.”

Cleon blinked at her words.

There were many surprising things, but among them, the most surprising one was-

“… Nyala jumped in to catch me?”

＂Yes.＂

She told him several times that her previous life was dangerous, but she said she would not take responsibility and came after her to catch Cleon.

For Cleon, who repeatedly tried to push her away, remembering that she was her predator, this was something that could only be said to be unexpected.

“Why were you able to get away safely even after being caught up in that past life? The strength of your colleagues who kept calling you out from outside was definitely great. Without the help of Nyala who chased after you, it wouldn’t have been possible.”

And as a result, she became mixed with ether.

And she takes hold of her Cleon’s hand, and places her hand upon the imprint of her dominion, which is engraved upon her own soul.

“Cleon. Please take control of this imprint and separate Nyala from me once again. If we use Nyala’s power of modification, it will definitely be possible.”

＂You and Nyala…＂

“Yes. But, it’s not dividing me in two.”

＂… What?＂

Cleon tilted her head as if she had no idea what she was talking about.

What if the original two beings are not divided into two…?

“I am creating a third being that possesses all the magical power that Nyala and I possessed. A wedge that will never leave the fairy scent and maintain this world.”

Cleon’s eyes opened wide at her words.

If you say you can create a wedge like she said-

While maintaining the current situation, Fairy Village and the human world may be able to create bodies for Etel and Nyala that can escape their current exile.

“Originally, it might be difficult even with your imprint. Fortunately, I am on the verge of my previous life. Because existence is ambiguous.”

After saying that, she overlapped her hands with Cleon’s.

“Can you do me a favor? Cleon.”

“… I don’t know if I can do it. Because it’s something I’ve never done before.”

Cleon looked a little confused, and she answered, but then shook his head.

“But, are you okay with that? I’m giving up all the magic I’ve built up so far.”

Even after spending thousands of years, is it possible to completely give up on it?

Cleon questions her choice, but she answers by shaking her head.

“Because there is a lot of time. I don’t think it would be a bad idea to start over again.”

Etel spoke with a somewhat carefree expression, but she did not feel any regret or anything.

“… Okay, just like you said. “I’ll give it a try.”

Cleon was also influenced by that mystery, so he stopped asking her whether she had any honest desires as a human being.

She closes her eyes and focuses on her imprint to realize her will.

Then, she could really feel Nyala’s presence inside her.

She carefully separates that part from the etheric part, carving out everything except the core, the soul, and gathering it all in one place.

Magic attribute, magic attribute. And countless magic attribute.

While Cleon closed her eyes, Etel’s body began to slowly change shape as it was wrapped in light.

As the elements that made up her existence disappeared, her previous life, which had been paused for a while, began again.

‘We succeeded in separating Ether and Nyala. What’s left… Is an absurdly large amount of magical power, more than enough to construct and maintain this Fairy Incense.’

If I could manipulate this magical power as I wanted, I would be like a god.

At least, within this fairy village.

If so – it should not easily fall into anyone’s hands.

Because there is a risk that someone may misuse it.

You don’t have to be a being with an ego.

You may harbor evil intentions yourself – in the end, if you are a being with an ego, you will be passing on to a new being the sacrifice that you would not have been willing to make to the ether.

However, the structure of the object that could be produced also had to be simple.

If it’s something Cleon doesn’t fully understand, he can’t create it.

I start to worry.

What shape should I make it in?

＂… No-＂

Cleon thinks there again.

You can’t be a tool, and you can’t have an ego?

It’s the opposite.

Someday, when a crisis arises again in Fairy Village, this power may be needed.

If so, there may be a need for someone to be a ‘tool’ to be able to manipulate this power in some form.

And, ego.

A fair self was needed to test whether the person who wanted this power had good will, cooperate with him, and reap the power at any time.

‘A tool with an ego, waiting to be used for the right thing.’

After building up the image up to that point, naturally, only ‘one’ came to Cleon’s mind.

A straight sword that shines brightly forever.

What appeared before Cleon’s eyes was a fairy-scented sword created by combining all that magic power into one.

The moment Cleon grabbed the handle of the sword, he slammed it into the ground with all his might.

‘I am not the owner of this sword.’

It is with a wish that it will never be pulled out until the day when a hero appears who can pull out this sword and save Fairy Hyang.

And the next moment.

The world turned white, and the force that pulled Cleon’s soul once again caused him to lose his mind.