Chapter 16. Facing the Goddess (4)
Hypresia asked again, doubting whether her ears were wrong.
“You mean… Did you mean to give up being the ‘Axis of the World’?”
“Yes.”
Hypresia made an expression of disbelief at his actions in a calm tone.
In the first place, most creatures live without knowing that they are the ‘axis of the world’, but even if they realized that, would there be anyone who would give up like this?
“… There’s a level of stupidity. To what extent would you have noticed? How terrifying that power is.”
The ‘axis of the world’ does not simply have a symbolic meaning.
I guess it’s some kind of deterrent. Those who have that authority have absolute power in this world.
For example, an enemy’s arrow misses the heart, or obtaining a rare and rare herb.
Learning about academics is remarkably fast, or getting an unexpected opportunity and serving as a teacher.
The ‘axis of the world’ is endowed with the experiences of those who are commonly referred to as the protagonists of the story.
although the duties are different.
Even so, Ludwig smiled and replied firmly.
It was what he had already expected.
It was just a sense of déjà vu at the time, but now that I think about it, there are a few things I can point out.
“I know. Although only twice, I felt a strange sensation.”
One time, when I was in Mule, I followed the Sword Saint and confronted a monster called Polumus.
The other time, when Sofia visited the mansion the other day, while sparring with Emilia, she felt that sensation.
It felt as if someone from the outside had tugged at me and lent me strength, not my own body.
At first, I thought it was just a power that even I was not aware of, but after learning about my own existence, I guessed to some extent.
That it wasn’t just a physical awakening.
“To give an example the way you like it, it is a force against evil in a story. It is also the strength to protect your body, your family, and your woman.”
“Are you going to give up anyway? Could it be that you are arrogant that even if you don’t have that strength, you can get through with only your own talent?”
be strength
Ludwig pondered over the word.
Perhaps the reason why he has reached this level now is thanks to that ‘axis of the world’.
Come to think of it, I should have sensed something strange from the start.
The girl who will grow into the next Swordsman and herself, who was no different from ordinary people, suddenly had a similar growth rate.
Predictably, the moment he loses this ability, at least he won’t be able to stand side by side holding a sword alongside Emilia.
The ability she had was just as powerful, and his ability, which gave her a talent comparable to her, was strange in the first place.
‘It’s not wrong if you think so.’
Hypresia’s words also had validity.
Giving up the power to protect the lover you swore to protect was a difficult choice for a sane person to make.
But why?
Ludwig felt a strange sense of incongruity in her words.
If she wants to be the ‘axis of the world’, why does she have to come out this way?
Even if he released his incarnation and disappeared like this, it was clear that he would be confused and confused.
And for some reason, there was no anger in what she said.
No, to be precise, it seemed as if he was pouring more effort into digging out his inner thoughts.
Would you still choose Are you sure about your choice? As if testing yourself.
Ludwig gained a piece of confidence from that action.
The inferences and expectations that had plagued my head until a moment ago began to merge one by one, revealing themselves little by little.
“Goddess, let me ask you one more question.”
“What is it?”
“What is the end of your story? If you compare this world to a story, what is at the end?”
At one of his questions, Hypresia, who had been pouring out nonstop stories until now, was speechless.
Then, she looks at Ludwig with an ambiguous expression, neither angry nor puzzled, as if asking why you guys are curious about that.
There was no reply, but to Ludwig, the silence seemed more solid evidence to support his reasoning than any words.
“That cannot be answered. Talking about fate is strictly forbidden, even among observers.”
“Can I interpret that to mean that only you know the end of this story?”
“… … .”
It was the feeling of déjà vu that Ludwig felt from the time he faced Hypresia before.
Why did she appear in front of him?
Why did the moment she appeared fit so well?
Is it really just a coincidence that the ‘axis of the world’ and the eyes that can see it meet?
If there is a story this world contains, how many chapters have they arrived at?
“You did. Even if you reach the end of the story, there will always be a story that follows.”
“Yes.”
“Then I wondered where that fork would be. Usually, at the end of everything, some choice awaits.”
Now that I think about it, she kept giving me clues.
That a longer story exists even after the end of the story.
Even if the ‘Axis of the World’ disappears, this world will not face destruction.
And even the fact that Emilia’s curse is related to that ‘axis of the world’.
“You asked me. Will I live with the power to protect the person I love, or will I keep my promise to make the person I love happy?”
“… … .”
In response to his confident answer, Hypresia didn’t say anything.
He didn’t know if it meant negative or positive, but Ludwig just continued talking.
“Isn’t it possible that now is the end of the story you were talking about?”
That no one knows what will happen at the end of the story.
It must have been a warning of some sort.
The last advice of this goddess, who seems blunt on the outside, but is always full of kindness.
Even so, Ludwig was determined to kick it lightly.
I’ll try to follow up on what follows.
It will end with a happy ending.
“… Ha, you don’t know if he’s reckless or brave.”
The late Hypresia’s voice was mixed with various emotions.
As observers, it was always exciting to see the creatures trying to carve out their own destiny, but sometimes I wanted to block the path ahead in despair that might wait at the end.
However, it was something he shouldn’t have done as an observer, so he tried to appease his mind in this way.
Anytime, anywhere, human beings do not listen to other people’s words with their ears.
How could you be so reckless knowing what would exist at the end?
“Is the promise with the one you love that heavy?”
“I never felt heavy. It is just precious.”
“A pun that doesn’t make sense… Well, I will commend you for your keen eyesight.”
After that, Hypresia met Ludwig’s eyes and did not take her eyes off to gauge his commitment.
“I don’t know what lies ahead. For you who have lost your authority as the ‘axis of the world’, this world will not be an easy place to live with only bonds.”
The world after the story ends only exists as a cold reality.
It is such a cold reality that no childishness can work and you have to overcome any absurdity.
Perhaps knowing that, this foolish man still gave an answer with a smile on his face.
“I know. That the world is not easy, and that the world is not so kind.”
“Are you still going to take that step?”
“Yes.”
What Ludwig did was not just because of his chivalrous spirit, his sacrificial spirit for his lover, or his absurd idea that he would overcome only with love.
I just weighed it. two futures.
Maybe a little flatter, but with a future where you can’t hope for the true happiness of your loved ones.
It may be a little more difficult, but a future that can protect the true happiness of the one you love.
Of the two futures, he only leaned toward the future that could predict his happiness.
There was neither the courage to overcome a difficult future nor the firm will to navigate the thorny path.
Humans always follow their own happiness.
Ludwig was also just an ordinary man who didn’t deviate much from the mold.
“That sounds funny. However, the sea is understandable. Yes, humans always struggle to pursue their own happiness.”
Hypresia laughed at herself being persuaded by a lump of blood that had not lived even a hundredth of her life.
However, at the same time, it was also refreshing.
If it had been nonsense, saying that it didn’t matter if he sacrificed his body for his partner, or that he could endure such a price, he would have yelled at me right away.
Well, even the creator wouldn’t have a way to stop humans from chasing after their own happiness.
Hypresia took a step away from him and pointed her finger at his chest.
At the same time, a group of lights wanted to gather around Ludwig, and a small golden cube appeared in the vicinity she pointed at.
‘Is this what Hypresia said about the axis of the world?’
Even though it was the first object he encountered, Ludwig could vaguely recognize what it was.
The moment it came out, it felt like a piece of my soul was falling away.
It must mean that this occupied a large place within him.
Ludwig, who was staring blankly at it, heard a stern Hypresia’s voice ringing in his ears.
It was heavier and more solemn than any voice I had ever heard, and it felt ephemeral, as if announcing the end of a story.
“Human being, choose the future you will walk by holding it in your own hands.”
Ludwig, who approached as if possessed by Hypresia’s words, grabbed it with his right hand.
‘that’s interesting.’
It feels so solid, but for some reason I thought that it would break if I applied a little force.
Does it depend on one’s will to destroy it because it is part of oneself?
It’s a really strange feeling.
The moment this is destroyed, the future story will fall further into the labyrinth.
Still, for some reason, there was no tension at all.
As if drawing a picture of an anticipated future on drawing paper, only anticipation floated in my heart.
Ludwig, who finally met eyes with Hypresia, thanked her for smiling as if he knew or did not know, and clasped his hand.
Thus, the end of all stories and a new beginning have come.