The long slumber seemed to be never-ending.
But in the interval between drowsiness and drowsiness, Huai Shi was awakened by a sound from beside him. He opened his eyes and saw the broken ceiling.
It was in an abandoned temple.
Through the collapsed roof, he could see the shining stars. It didn't seem like he was in the distant space at all, as if he was still somewhere in the present world.
Beside him, the bonfire was burning vigorously, giving off a warm feeling.
Huai Shi tried to move his body, but then he felt a sharp pain in all parts of his body that went deep into his bone marrow. It was difficult to move, and he couldn't even feel half of his body …
Numb.
Because there was a husky bigger than a motorcycle, half of its butt was pressed against his chest. It was roasting by the fire, sleeping soundly, and snoring loudly.
Its snot bubbles were huge, and its saliva had accumulated in a large pool on the ground.
In its sleep, its tail was sweeping his face from time to time. Huai Shi couldn't help but sneeze twice, and he pushed the dog's tail and half of its butt to the side.
He could finally breathe easily.
If he woke up a little later, he might have to be amputated.
Huai Shi sucked in a breath of cold air, propped up his body in pain, leaned against the wall, and looked around.
The empty temple hadn't been tidied up yet, and the statue of the god was gone.
Only the sound of conversation came from the direction of the door.
It was Izzy and another person.
This noble of America didn't smoke a cigar anymore. Instead, she stood at the bottom of the steps with her head lowered, as if she was listening to a lecture and teaching.
"… Please tell Mamakirya for me."
The figure with his back to Huai Shi reached out and took the small box from his hand, "Thank you for her foresight and care, but unfortunately, I can't repay her."
"I will."
Izzy nodded solemnly. Sensing Huai Shi's gaze, she smiled and bowed to the god in front of her, "Then, I won't disturb you anymore."
"Ah? You're leaving just like that? Don't you want to stay a little longer? Wait a moment … "
Balder magically pulled out a huge jar from the air and placed it in Izzy's arms. "It's rare for you to come here. Take some honey wine back. I just brewed it a few days ago. Put it in your … refrigerator. It should be able to last for a long time.
But don't drink it after it's expired. Just throw it away. You'll get diarrhea. "
"Uh …"
Izzy hugged the wine jar, her face twitching. She nodded: "Please, allow me to leave."
"Okay." Balder nodded.
However, Izzy was still standing in place as if she was waiting for something. When she saw that Balder didn't react, she was stunned for a moment and hesitated.
"Oh right, I almost forgot about the procedure of your audience."
Balder raised his hand and patted his forehead. He finally remembered. He dipped his hand into the wine jar and sprinkled two drops on Izzy's forehead.
"Traveler from afar, I bless you. I wish you … I wish you …"
He thought for a long time and said seriously, "I hope your family has more good wine than you can finish."
The seemingly casual but actually very sincere blessing was done just like that.
Izzy's expression was indescribably complicated. She had never seen such a sincere blessing. And … she didn't need the blessing. It was too easy for a higher race with noble blood to get drunk. How could there be a time when they couldn't drink wine?
But after all, it was the god's wish and blessing. It was proof of an audience. As a messenger, she had no room to choose.
She only hoped that Mamakirya could get used to drinking this jar of honey wine.
Just like that, Izzy from America hugged the gift from Balder, took a few steps back, and turned to leave with a bitter smile.
And in front of the temple, the figure reflected in the radiance finally turned around and looked over.
Smiling.
Holy and solemn. Unfortunately, the range didn't include the golden Mohawk hair on the top of his head … It looked very dramatic.
Huai Shi couldn't help but want to pull him down.
"Can't you change your hairstyle?" Huai Shi slumped against the wall and complained helplessly.
"I was born like this. I can't help it. I'm used to it."
Balder shrugged and returned to his side. He sat down cross-legged, opened the lid of the water tank next to him, and poured himself a large glass of honey wine. He also stuffed Huai Shi a glass.
He raised his head and drank it all in one gulp. Like a fat otaku drinking happy water, he let out a long sigh of satisfaction. "It's great. I didn't expect to be able to drink honey wine again. Long live the current world! Long live the Astronomy Association! "
Huai Shi's expression suddenly twitched. Is this guy the god of light or some damn otaku?
"Hey, can you at least act like a god?"
"But I'm the one who doesn't look like a god the most."
Balder scratched his head awkwardly. "Not only do you not look like a god, you don't even look like a Viking. My father used to say a lot about this. If this goes on, it will be difficult for mortals to revere me.
But, in my opinion, it doesn't matter if they revere me or not. It's best if everyone can drink and eat meat together. "
"That makes sense." Huai Shi nodded.
Drinking and eating meat were the most important things.
"Right?" Balder laughed happily. "Cheers!"
Crack.
A crisp sound rang out.
It didn't come from where the glasses were clinking, but from Balder's increasingly illusory body.
Huai Shi paused.
He sensed that something was wrong …
Balder gradually became embarrassed and looked away in embarrassment. "Oh, is it coming so soon? It's much faster than I expected … "
Crack.
Another crisp sound rang out.
He lowered his head and saw the crack in his chest.
Inside his body, the incomplete sun wheel slowly rotated, exuding a brilliant light that grew brighter and brighter. It seemed to be … growing?
Compared to what Huai Shi had seen before, 'half' had already recovered to 'two-thirds', and the recovery speed seemed to be accelerating!
It should have been a good thing, but Huai Shi saw traces of uneasiness and resistance on Balder's face.
Suddenly, he felt a subtle sense of weightlessness.
It was as if … he was on a speeding train.
"What's going on?" Huai Shi frowned.
"It seems that Ah Dong alone can't lock that part of 'me'."
Balder shook his head helplessly.
Beside Huai Shi, the sleeping dog slowly turned over. Wisps of light constantly seeped out of its fur and floated toward Balder.
It was the power of the King of Light.
It should have returned to his power long ago.
"Well, as you can see … it seems that we're about to fall into the Present Realm."
Balder smiled awkwardly. "Sorry, I couldn't control myself."
He couldn't resist this attraction from the Present Realm!
As Balder gradually recovered, the gravitational force of the Pillar of Light gradually increased, pulling at his existence and drawing him back.
This was a restraint from the heavens, whether it was Balder or Pubrilius.
Even though Pubrilius was dead, his god-creating mystic apparatus had succeeded.
The dead gods had been resurrected.
If it wasn't controlled early, under the pull of the gravitational force, Helios would once again resume its operation from a stagnant state and begin to accelerate endlessly. With its own mass and the seat of the gods, it would trigger a huge impact on the Present Realm and the Three Great Seals.
Because of this, Balder would let Fenrir, who was supported by Huai Shi's divine soul, devour the blazing sun instead of letting it return to his body after killing it.
Unfortunately, Fenrir's miraculous engraving couldn't be delayed for too long.
"I didn't expect that one day, I would die from falling … It's a good match for the gods' high and mighty appearance."
Balder sighed self-deprecatingly. "I originally planned to muddle through and go home to take a look. Unfortunately, home is too far away. "
He said, "It's too late."
"Wait, Balder!"
Huai Shi subconsciously reached out and grabbed Balder's shoulder, afraid that he would disappear just like that. "Wait a minute, there might be a solution …"
"No, I just suddenly figured it out."
Balder smiled calmly and told his friend in front of him, "My home is no longer in that place. Huai Shi, my home is gone."
There was no longer a home for him in this world.
Since hundreds of years ago …
Huai Shi fell into silence and was speechless.
He couldn't find any words to comfort him.
"Haha, don't be so depressed. “
Balder patted him on the shoulder. "Anyway, it doesn't matter if you don't go home … In fact, before this, I once watched a short film in the screening room of Helios."
He recalled the afterimages in his memory and said absentmindedly, "It's about a lonely old man living at sea in a very high house with many floors. His life was peaceful and peaceful.
But the sea level rises every year, so he has to build houses at a higher level … After a long time, all the houses will be piled up like building blocks.
When the sea level rises, the former residence will be submerged, along with the furniture, memories, and photos of the past.
When he suddenly looks back one day, there is a huge city underwater that has been submerged and forgotten … He will understand that everything in the past will disappear into the sea. "
"So, I think it's a good thing to be able to live on the ship this time."
Balder shrugged in relief. "At least I don't have to think about the old house in the sea anymore, right?"
"…" Huai Shi didn't speak.
But in the silence, the sense of weightlessness intensified again.
Helios began to speed up.
"It seems that I have to go, Huai Shi."
Balder reached out and took out a squeaking little white mouse from his pocket and put it in Huai Shi's arms. "One last favor, take care of it for me.
Fish Ball likes you very much. You two will definitely get along. "
Huai Shi opened his mouth to speak, but the feeling of dizziness grew stronger. The power from the divine wine soaked into his soul and healed his damage, but caused his consciousness to become dizzy again.
The wine glass fell from his hand.
He forced his eyes open, trying to see the outline in front of him clearly. "Wait a minute, I …"
"You have to say goodbye, Huai Shi." Balder looked back at him and waved his hand. "Just take it that I'm going on a long journey. You don't have to send me off. That's not where you should go."
His footsteps paused for a moment, but he didn't look back. He just said goodbye softly.
"You have to return to the world, Huai Shi," he said. "Go back to your loved ones. Don't let them die. Let them all live. "
Then, darkness struck.
.
.
In this way, Balder carefully cut off the connection with Huai Shi, maintained the integrity of his soul, and walked out of the door.
Finally, he looked at the swaying stars.
When he opened the small box in his pocket and picked up the mistletoe, his expression fell into struggle and hesitation.
Several times, he gritted his teeth and made a move, but he didn't have the courage to make up his mind.
It was embarrassing …
He was afraid of pain.
Until a strange voice came from beside him.
"If you can't do it, do you need my help?"
The one who spoke was Tongi, who was leaning against the pillar of the temple.
Balder felt as if he had been pardoned and let out a long breath. "Thank you so much."
"It's okay. I'm an understanding and kind-hearted big sister." Tongi took the mistletoe and blinked at him. "Besides, I'll have to trouble you to take care of my family's contractor."
"There's no need to declare sovereignty at this time, right?"
Balder shook his head and sighed. "I didn't expect you to be the one to send me off … Is this the so-called fate?"
Tongi lowered her head and played with the mistletoe in her hand, but she wasn't in a hurry to make a move. Instead, she suddenly asked, "Hey, Balder, do you know what the essence of fate is?"
"Hmm?"
Balder was puzzled. After thinking for a moment, he asked, "The future? Or everything that's destined to happen? "
"Who knows?" Tongi said casually. "Ordinary people revere fate because it's unknowable, while gods revere fate because it's uncontrollable … No matter how well you plan, there will always be problems in unexpected places. Your father suffered a great loss because of this."
"It sounds like it really makes me, his son, a little embarrassed."
"Everyone has suffered the same loss. There's nothing to be embarrassed about."
Tongi paused for a moment and said solemnly, "However, as far as I know, sometimes … at some important times, fate itself will also be interfered with."
"Interfered with?" Balder shook his head. "Is fate still fate after being interfered with?"
"Maybe it's destined to be interfered with, right? Anyway, it's an ambiguous thing. No matter how you explain it, it makes sense. But if you look at its essence, you'll feel that it's actually a bitch with no principles at all. "
Tongi said, "Because it will stand on the winning side. To be precise, it will stand on the 'heavier' side — it's like a strange scale, a black box that's constantly changing …
Ah, in modern terms, it should be in a superposition state, right? It sounded too sci-fi, and it had nothing to do with us gods at all. However, when the two fates collided, one of them was destined to be crushed. When the superposition state begins to collapse, the more powerful observer will emerge victorious.
So, there will be a very small probability of things happening in the details, leading to an endless stream of variables. One side seems to have a slim chance of survival, but there's a chance of success. But in reality, it's already destined to be defeated. "
"That's just a hypothesis, right?"
Balder shook his head. "There's no definite proof. It's still a wild guess."
"Sometimes, it's more romantic when there's a little ambiguity and ambiguity. I don't think you understand this principle, right?"
Tongi did not insist that her statement was correct. Instead, it was as if she was talking about an interesting rumor. She was full of enthusiasm. "Even if there are flaws and groundless accusations, at least it can explain everything that happened, right?
The influence of the Mystic Instrument of Creation and the possible consequences are too great for the present, causing fate to deviate spontaneously and want to correct everything back on the right track.
That's why all of this happened. "
That's why there were so many coincidences.
Because of the attraction of a superior like the Sun God, Huai Shi, who inherited the path of Heaven's Inquisition, came to Helios.
Because the rebirth of a god outside the present realm was a huge disaster for the present realm. Therefore, the god who would not hurt others for himself and who was also the easiest to kill would descend.
"In other words, your arrival is also the choice of fate … This is probably heaven's will, right?" Tongi said indifferently. "Maybe it's purely a coincidence."
She said, "It depends on which one you like."
"Are you comforting me?"
Balder froze for a moment and smiled gratefully. "It sounds like the present world has chosen me … That's not a bad way to put it."
"Don't you feel resentful?" Tongi asked. "You're destined to die."
"No." Balder shook his head.
"Don't you feel regret?"
"… A little."
Balder sighed with emotion. "If there's any wish … I really want to see the present world. But the world that Huai Shi talked about is so beautiful. It would be a pity if it disappeared because of me.
"You chose the world between yourself and the world?" Tongi nodded. "That's really your style, Balder."
"Am I actually that noble?"
"Yes, after all, you're the kind of person who doesn't want to make others sad."
Balder shook his head. "This is not a compliment for a Norse god."
"It's enough that it means something to you."
Tongi paused for a moment with a solemn expression. She expressed her gratitude to the god in front of her. "Thank you for everything you've done for Huai Shi, Balder."
She said, "Thank you."
Balder scratched his face a little embarrassedly. "Then will you mourn for me, former Lord Taiyi?"
"No, I won't."
Tongi's expression became disdainful. "No one will sympathize with a guy who talks about the dark history of a kind-hearted person. Besides, isn't there an agreement waiting for you?"
She reminded him, "That, the agreement that belongs to you alone."
Balder froze in place.
"You still remember her, don't you? The person who was waiting for you.
For so many years, she has always kept her promise. With her last obsession, she is alone in hell, sleeping in a place without light, waiting for your arrival, day after day, year after year. "
"Now, it's time to keep your promise, Balder.
This time, will you still keep your promise? "
"… Of course."
Balder nodded and answered frankly, "How can I let her be alone?"
"Very good, Balder."
Tongi said approvingly, "You are indeed the kindest god —"
At that moment, the mistletoe pierced his chest.
He did not feel pain or fear.
The god was silently collapsing.
When this moment came, Balder raised his head and stared at the person in front of him, waiting.
Waiting for her to say that sentence.
That incantation that would truly end everything.
And so, just like many years ago, just like the end of every story about Balder.
Tongi raised her head as if declaring to fate.
Once again, he uttered the same sentence.
"Let Hila get what she wants!"
At that moment, the invisible bridge was connected again.
In front of Balder, a black door appeared silently and opened.
In the deepest part of the darkness, a distant figure appeared and gradually became clear.
Across this door that existed and was void, she stared blankly at the figure who had fulfilled his promise. As if she could not believe it, she did not dare to reach out to touch his face.
"Sorry to have kept you waiting."
Balder smiled, reached out, and held her hand tightly. "I'm here to fulfill my promise, Hila."
Then, he spread his arms and hugged the lonely illusion.
This time, I won't let you be alone again …
Just like that, without any hesitation, light and death held hands and followed her into the distant darkness. But before leaving, he took one last look at everything behind him.
He smiled and said goodbye.
He expressed his gratitude for this short meeting.
Farewell, my friend.
"Please, mourn for me …"
.
.
"Eh? Are they really leaving just like that? "
Tongi stood where she was and stared at the place where they had disappeared. She could not help but sigh and shake her head. "They really left a huge mess for me to clean up … And you, Zeus, shouldn't you get lost too? The show is over. "
"I'm different from Odin's son. As long as I can still struggle at death's door for a while, I'll shamelessly continue to dawdle."
Zeus's incomplete illusion appeared and looked around. "Besides, isn't this not over yet? The most important ending hasn't even begun yet. "
At the place where the god had disappeared, an even more brilliant flame rose and spread, causing the halo of the sun around Helios to become even more dazzling.
That was the Fountain of Light that was about to erupt!
Although Balder's divine soul had passed away, this was not the present realm. This power could not pass through the axis of the world and successfully return.
If this continued, it would be more troublesome if it was absorbed by Helios or used by someone else, wouldn't it?
Zeus wanted to see how she would deal with the final ending.
"It's very simple, Zeus."
Tongi calmly stared at the mistletoe in her hand and said, "We just need to perform the ritual just now again and consume the remaining power."
Zeus frowned in confusion.
It was hard to understand.
Indeed, this was a solution. But the problem was: Balder was already dead. How could they kill him again?
"… Hmm? Isn't there a ready-made one? "
Tongi turned around and looked at the temple.
There was indeed a ready-made replacement there.
An existence that had once borne Balder's divine descent and could almost be regarded as the mortal incarnation of the King of Light … As a candidate to replace Balder, there was indeed no one better.
But the problem was …
"You can even think of this?"
Zeus fell into a daze and was dumbfounded. "Are you still human?"
Didn't you say that contractors were very important and should be cherished?!
Even someone as shameless as him had never thought that … there would be such a wicked operation in the world!
It would shock Olympus for an entire year!
"Don't worry. Ordinary people can't do it, but it definitely won't be a problem for him. Before he became Balder's divine descent, he was my contractor."
Tongi turned around and smiled. "I have to have confidence in the person I choose … Besides, I don't want to see my contractor sad."
Even if she couldn't redeem everything, she should at least leave him with something to remember.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
