Chapter 878. Epilogue (1)
“The God of Sacrifice and Revival said he’ll give the God of Sunset the future, so the continent will welcome a new future...” I[1] said.
“Wait, wait... you’re really going to say that? You know you shouldn’t talk like that during the interview, right?”
“Huh?”
“I’m telling you that you shouldn’t actually say that when you go into the interview, Belier. Father Lee Ki-Young said he doesn’t want to be called the God of Sacrifice and Revival. Goddess Benigoa is the one that’s managing the continent, and he’s simply assisting her... How will he feel if you call him that after he said that he doesn’t want to be called by that moniker of his?"
“...”
“This is a rare opportunity. Joining the Blue Guild is every adventurer’s dream, and a private meeting with Mr. Lee Ki-Young... You can’t even pay money for that.
"Don’t do anything that’ll offend him, and you must actually prepare for it. You'll be disqualified the moment you mention the God of Sacrifice and Revival and the God of Sunset.”
“But still...”
I knew that as well because it had been over a year since the God of Sacrifice and Revival descended on the continent.
When everyone got busy handling the aftermath, Father Lee Ki-Young made an official announcement. He said Goddess Benigoa had taken pity on the continent and sent him back. He also announced that he’d live as the Honorary Cardinal of the Order of Benigoa, but how could we forget about the incident and the miracle we witnessed on that fateful day?
Articles about it were everywhere at the time. He was obtaining more and more followers as time ticked by. Even though they weren’t holding regular worship services, it was only natural for everyone to worship him, as he was a saint—no, a god of the continent.
I was the same. When I witnessed that miracle on that fateful day, all I could do was look at the Goddess’ Mirror in the sky. I felt everything vividly as if it were happening right before my eyes.
Father Lee Ki-Young cried as he descended amidst a colossal column of light.
He bawled as he spread his wings and said, “Rise, God of Sunset. Then, I’ll give you the future. Heuk... heuuk...”
“...”
“Heuk... heuuk... I’ll give you the future.”
How could I forget his pitiful yet noble figure?
I was sure the scene where the Sunset Swordsman appeared in the world with the sunset and hugged Father Lee Ki-Young was carved in everyone's retinas. We saw everything, but we still had to wait for the official announcement regarding the aftermath.
[Father Lee Ki-Young is still unconscious. The Blue Guild and the Order of Benigoa have yet to issue any official announcements...]
[For the miracle the God of Sacrifice and Revival showed that day.]
[The Special Audit Team of the Democratic Country and the Heresy Inquisitor of the Vatican are discussing how to punish Great Demon Song Soo-Kyung. It is highly likely that he will be executed.]
[Father Basel’s tears. Goddess Benigoa has felt sorry for us... All followers should show respect and thank Mr. Lee Ki-Young and Goddess Benigoa...]
[There are daily masses, and there’s a crowd in front of the Blue Guild today as well. They say there’s no issue with his health, but... the concerned voices of the people are getting louder and louder...]
Basically, they were all competing to release a story.
Exactly three months after Father Lee Ki-Young's awakening, an event was held where he thanked everyone and shared his vision of freedom and equality for the continent.
This event was held for everyone who supported him, including Goddess Benigoa and the Sunset Swordsman. Of course, it was an even for him as well.
He talked about how he didn’t want to be called a god and gave a speech about his long journey to get to his current heights. His story made many people cry.
At the time, everyone welcomed a brand-new era.
My luck also turned for the better that day, even though I was just an ordinary mercenary.
‘Joining the Blue Guild...’
Becoming a member of the Blue Guild was everyone's dream.
I had to go through the recruitment test that lasted for over two months, and today, I only had to tackle the final interview. I still couldn't believe that I managed to get this far. It was so surreal that it felt like a dream.
If the God of Sacrifice and Revival—no, if Lee Ki-Young of the Blue Guild wanted to remain human, then respecting that was the right thing to do.
I nodded and heard my comrades comforting me while patting my shoulder.
“Good luck with your interview, Belier,” Hee-Chan said.
“Yeah, thanks, Hee-Chan,” I said.
“If you do get accepted, you better not forget about us.”
“No way... I’m thankful for all of you,” I said.
“I knew something was up the moment you started training hard after the Day of Revival, but... I didn’t think you’d actually change guilds.”
“Nothing has been confirmed yet, and if I do get accepted... I feel bad about you guys,” I told them.
“You don’t need to feel bad. We’re actually thankful. I'm already happy just thinking about the buy-out price.”
“...”
“I’m kidding. Anyway, you have to tell us if you do get accepted. If you land a good position or somehow find yourself in the middle of a great quest, you have to let us know about it.”
“Yeah, I’ll do that,” I answered.
I hugged my comrades and went to the warp point that Archmage Jung Ha-Yan had created.
It would take me over four days to arrive at the final interview's location if I were to go there via a griffon, but Archmage Jung Ha-Yan's magic circle would teleport me to the location in just a few seconds.
It was kind of expensive, as I had to activate a special artifact to use it, but I noticed that this transportation method was becoming more and more popular. It hadn't even been long since this transportation method was introduced, but I could no longer imagine living life without a warp point.
As expected, there were many people at the warp point.
From huge boxes for transporting goods, small guilds looking for jobs, immigrants who had come here to start a new life in Lindel, priests on their pilgrimage, members of the other races, to tourists... this was a common scene to me, but it looked so unfamiliar today.
‘These kids...’
I saw a party made up of three guys and one girl.
They were wearing cute armor and swords and were pretending to be adventurers. The sight of children carrying huge pieces of luggage near a ten-year-old child was a bit strange. The fact that their hair was of varying colors only added to the bizarre sight.
It seemed that the others thought the same as me because they started looking at the kids.
“Our mother is waiting. Mother is really strict when it comes to time, Cheru. What are we going to do about this?” Sera asked.
“...”
“Ugh... What should I do? I got scolded because I was late last time as well...”
“I’m sure Father will talk to her about it,” Cheru said.
“Ugh...”
The blue-haired child was comforting the crying blond-haired child.
For some reason, the sad blond-haired child caught my attention.
The blue-haired child looked back and said, “Come here, Sera. We’re leaving soon."
“O-Okay...” Sera stuttered.
“Sera, is Father still...”
“Yeah... i-it’s because I’m lacking... If I make mistakes today, too, then...” Sera trailed off.
“What did your mother say?” Cheru asked.
"Mom is busy, so... a-auntie has been taking care of me,” Sera replied.
“Do you want me to talk to them?” Cheru offered.
“D-Don’t... Don’t do it, Cheru. If you do... they’ll hate you too,” Sera rejected.
“It’s okay, Sera. Father doesn’t hate you...” Cheru said.
‘Are they heading to Lindel as well?’
The silver-haired kid was the only quiet one among them. He gathered their luggage while the others were talking.
The monster’s by-products that fell out of their bags bothered me for some reason, and I could tell that they were from high-ranking monsters.
Honestly, I could just mind my own business, but I couldn’t look away from them because it was such a unique sight.
‘An errand?’
I was sure it wouldn't take long because of the warp points, but I couldn’t understand going on an errand to bring a monster’s by-product all the way here and...
‘They must all have the same father.’
They were either children of a well-known family or sons of an adventurer. Polygamy was pretty popular on the continent, and I felt like I was correct based on their neat appearances.
The silver-haired boy was carrying multiple heavy-looking bags like it was nothing, so I deduced that they had been training since they were extremely young.
The blue-haired boy, who looked like the leader, was taking care of the remaining children and acted as their leader. Seeing that they had a VIP ticket, I was probably right, and I walked with them as I took out the ticket I had gotten from the Blue Guild.
I don’t know why, but I noticed them looking at me.
They must’ve been surprised because I didn’t look like someone who would have a VIP ticket.
“H-Hello...” I greeted.
“Hello, noona.”
The blue-haired child bowed, the blond-haired child looked away, and the silver-haired child nodded. Meanwhile, the brown-haired girl just sighed as if she wasn’t interested in the discussion.
“A-Are you running an errand?” I asked.
“Yes.”
That was the end of the conversation...
“Cheru, have you forgotten what Father said about not talking to strangers?" the silver-haired child pointed out.
The blue-haired child shut his mouth as if his mouth had been glued together, and he looked pretty cute. The child named Sera was keeping his mouth shut so tightly that he looked like he was putting pressure on his lower jaw. I felt bad for talking to them.
‘Cute.’
They were cute, but I couldn’t help but feel bothered.
It was all because the silver-haired boy seemed wary toward me. Perhaps he had noticed me observing them earlier.
I smiled lightly because I felt bad.
Hea nodded at me and looked away.
I took a step forward and heard a voice.
“Let’s move.”
“...”
“...”
I saw multiple flashes of light, and the scenery before me peeled away.
“Welcome to Lindel.”
“Welcome, everyone! Welcome to Lindel!”
The Free City of Lindel.
“Wow...”
As always, the scenery caused my jaw to drop. It was a giant city centered around the dragon lair of Miss Dialugia and Miss Dialuria. This city was dubbed as the paradise of adventurers. The city was extremely diverse, filled with people from all walks of life and races.
The city was a symbol of freedom, and it brought the Sacred Democratic Country to its current heights.
More importantly, Father Lee Ki-Young loved and cherished this city the most.
“Lindel... It’s Lindel...” I mumbled.
1. Belier’s POV ☜