BXBX NOVEL Season: 1 239: Epilogue (2)
Book 1 Chapter 239: Epilogue (2)
“From now on, you will be the center of the Circle.”
“What are you talking about? Why me?”
Lukas glanced at Anastasia, who was still unconscious.
“I’m asking for Anastasia. Technically… She isn’t Schweiser. The situation might seem fine now, but as time passes, more things will come to change.”
It was only now Lukas was able to understand Anastasia’s true nature.
He could still call her Schweiser. But as time went on, she was gradually becoming her own individual.
After all, she wasn’t actually Schweiser Strow but a War Golem who had inherited his memories and personality.
While she hadn’t truly formed an individual identity yet, it was impossible to say that it would never happen.
The more she saw and experienced for herself, the more Anastasia would change.
This would cause her to think deeply about her true identity.
“When that time comes, your naivety will help her.”
“…is that supposed to be a compliment?”
“Right.”
Although he still spoke bluntly, Ivan’s attitude had changed because he saw the way Lukas looked at Anastasia and heard the seriousness in his voice.
He also agreed because he’d long noticed that her behaviour was becoming increasingly close to a girl of similar age to her appearance.
“What do you mean by center of the Circle?”
“The entire continent is suffering because of the damage caused by the Demigods. There were huge scars everywhere. The founding goal of the Circle has already been fulfilled. There are no longer any Demigods to threaten humanity. Now, all that has to be done is to repair the damage dealt. Leading the world to a peaceful era. That should be the Circle’s new goal.”
“…that’s not my cup of tea.”
“With your fist the way it is, you will be unable to train for a while anyway. And I’m sure. If it’s you, the Circle Masters will follow without a single word.”
“You’re overestimating me.”
Ivan grumbled.
“I don’t like where this is going. It feels like I’ll be forced to do that job for the rest of my life.”
“That would be fine.”
“You bastard… you should pick someone else.”
Lukas chuckled.
“The Circle needs someone who is unbiased. In front of you, whether they are royalty or slaves, they are all the same human beings.”
“…you are the same. In fact, I think you’re better than me.”
“I have to leave.”
“Where?”
“To a far place. It will be very hard to come back.”
Ivan narrowed his eyes at those words.
“No.”
“What do you mean?”
“It doesn’t matter if you have to leave, but promise to come back.”
“…it’s not that easy to say.”
He couldn’t explain in detail. There had to be a reason why God hid the information about ‘other universes’.
Lukas understood that.
Even if an unqualified person found out about it, they would only be confused.
“Frey. No, it should be Lukas now.”
Ivan’s tone became serious.
“You said earlier that I am amazing. But aren’t you the same? To me, you are a much better man.”
He hadn’t spent a very long time with Lukas. Nevertheless, Lukas had a very large impact on Ivan’s inner self.
He’d long been accustomed to being alone. Apart from his teacher, Nora, he found it annoying to fight together with anyone.
But Lukas was different. His existence allowed Ivan to reflect on himself and think about his shortcomings.
He was able to develop because of him. Even when he fought together with other people, he was still able to move freely. He felt like an additional force was added to his outstretched fist.
He still didn’t mind being alone, but he also didn’t mind leaving his back to a reliable person.
Lukas had taught him the importance of teammates.
“I’ll wait for you, so come back. When you were locked in the Abyss and everyone thought you were dead, you still broke their expectations and came back.”
“It would have been impossible on my own. I only came back because my friend helped me.”
“Then I will help you too.”
“Ivan, this time, it’s completely different.”
Despite Lukas’ serious tone, Ivan still shook his head.
“I don’t know the difference. To me, it’s no different from 4,000 years ago. Even then, you made the impossible possible. Who’s to say that you won’t do the same again?”
“…!”
At first glance, it sounded like it was forced. However, Lukas couldn’t help but widen his eyes at Ivan’s simple words.
He felt like he’d been hit in the head with a hammer.
Lukas stared at Ivan for a while, completely speechless.
“What?”
“…no. You’re right. Haha. Right… I can make the impossible possible.”
Right.
Why hadn’t he thought of that?
Lukas felt like the dark clouds, which had settled on his head, had suddenly been lifted. It was only then when he realised he was taking ‘God’s words’ like they were absolute.
After knowing how omnipotent God was, he’d subconsciously believed that his words were always right.
But he didn’t have to do that at all.
Ivan was right.
It had been the same 4,000 years ago. What was important was Lukas’ own will.
“Ivan.”
“What?”
“Live to a ripe old age.”
“Hmph… Of course I will.”
Ivan replied with a snort.
Lukas smiled at him.
His heart felt much lighter.
He felt he could say goodbye with a smile.
* * *
Iris suddenly realised that she could think.
‘Ah? How? I should’ve been dead already.’
“I hope my memory was accurate.”
Then she heard a voice she really wanted to hear.
Iris turned around.
“He said that your body was reconstructed based on my memory.”
“…Lukas.”
“Can you scold me for saving your life later? It’s been a long and tiring day.”
Iris almost burst into tears as she heard Lukas’ laugh.
“How did you save me? Can I ask that?”
“I negotiated with God, and it went well. I’m a pretty good talker.”
“God? Haha…”
When Iris burst out laughing, Lukas pouted slightly and spoke grumpily.
“I’m not joking.”
“I know. I just… couldn’t help laughing. Did it make you feel bad?”
“No.”
There was no need for them to talk much. Both already knew what the other was thinking.
While they were in the Celestial World, in Iris’ illusion, they had already heard each other’s inner thoughts.
Thanks to that, they knew exactly what the other person was thinking.
Iris opened her mouth cautiously.
“…is it all over?”
“Right.”
“It was long.”
“…it was long. For both of us.”
Lukas’ expression was serious.
“I’m leaving. It will be a long journey, but I will definitely return… Iris, can you wait for me?”
Iris didn’t respond to Lukas’ words immediately.
Lukas looked her in the eyes and continued.
“I promise. I’ll be back sooner than last time.”
“Sooner than 4,000 years? That’s comforting.”
Iris spoke in a playful voice.
“You’re a really bad guy. Lukas, you are the only man on the entire Continent who dares to make a woman wait so long.”
Iris fell silent for a moment before adding.
“…and I’m probably the only woman who would willingly wait for such a long time… twice.”
She looked up at Lukas with a firm expression.
“Go and hurry back, Lukas. I will be paying for my crimes. With this life that you saved, I will make this world a better place than it is now. I swear. Even if you hate humans, even if you lose all faith in humanity, I will make a world so beautiful that you’ll have no choice but to love them again. So…”
Iris smiled brightly.
It was the most beautiful smile that Lukas had ever seen.
“Go ahead without any fear.”
“Thank you.”
Lukas nodded.
That was it. They didn’t have anything else to say to each other.
They knew that the shorter the farewell was, the better… and that they would meet again in the future.
The moment he turned around, Lukas could no longer feel Iris’ presence. His body had appeared in space, and God was standing in front of him.
[Are you finished with your farewells?]
“Yeah.”
[You promised them that you’d return. Do you understand how difficult that is?]
“Of course I do. However… you never said that it was impossible. You said that it was ‘near’ impossible. Those were your words.”
Right.
It was just that he thought it would be impossible for Lukas.
But there was a chance, no matter how small. So Lukas still had hope.
God chuckled and spoke.
[Well, I suppose that’s your answer. Good. I’ll give you a piece of information as a gift.]
“What is it?”
[-There is a class above Absolute.]
Lukas’ expression changed at those words.
[You’ll be starting at the very bottom, but depending on your achievements, you might be able to increase your level. The ‘Lords’ at the very top are even more powerful than I am.] (Note: ‘Lord’ or ‘Ruler’ guys? Instead of using Konglish like with Lord and Dragon Lord, the author nominalised the word mean ‘to rule’ or ‘to lord over’)
He couldn’t help but feel strange at those words. Beings created by God were even more powerful than God?
It felt like a contradiction.
God chuckled as though he could sense Lukas’ thoughts.
[It’s not that strange if you think about it. Isn’t it natural for a blacksmith’s sword to be sharper than his fingernails?]
“…”
[However, out of the countless Absolutes in existence, there are only four Lords. They are cosmic beings who were destined to become Absolutes from birth. Even right after they were born, they had the power to treat the Demigods like bugs.]
God looked at Lukas.
[Lukas Trowman. Can you become a Lord? Will you be able to overcome all kinds of hardships that you’ve never experienced before and travel the near infinite worlds without losing your mind?]
“They’re not hardships.”
Right. It wasn’t a hardship.
Lukas looked at God and spoke in a serious voice.
“For me, it’s a journey.”
[Hoh. What for?]
“To not forget my humanity.”
And even when he came back, he would still be on the journey of loving humans.
Lukas had shown his intentions to God.
[Hahaha!]
God burst into laughter.
He stared at Lukas with genuinely delighted eyes.
[I see! Lukas Trowman! So you intend to become the ‘God’ of all the humans that exist in the universe!]
That was Lukas’ answer.
Lukas had revealed to God’s face that even if he became an Absolute, he would not stop favouring the humans. This was the only way he could continue to love humans without forgetting his humanity after becoming an Absolute.
[It will be interesting to have at least one being like you! Hahaha! I’ll give my blessing to this new Absolute who loves humans!]
Paht!
God’s blessing came in the form of a bright light that seemed to shine in every direction. Then each particle of this light became the entrance to another world.
Hundreds and thousands of worlds spread out like lanterns.
There, he could see countless humans suffering. Some were slaves, livestock, or even worse.
And all of them were waiting for Lukas’ help.
He finally understood his role. He was the saviour of all the humans in each of these three thousand worlds.
When they were in despair, when they were frustrated by walls that they couldn’t seem to overcome, when they wanted to give up everything. Lukas would appear beside them to give them the hope they needed.
“Let’s get going.”
A smile blossomed on Lukas’ lips.
The Great Mage took his first step on the long journey he promised to return from.