◆ Celestial Realm ◆
The sky was a pale pink, devoid of clouds. Grass, about ankle-high, stretched endlessly, forming a smooth expanse that continued to the horizon. The air was remarkably fresh. If I hadn’t been told this was the Celestial Realm, I might have thought it was perfect for a picnic.
Yet, the oddity lay in the endless grassland. It was such a tranquil scene that I felt an overwhelming urge to lie down and sleep. But I wouldn’t let my guard down here. Despite its serene appearance, it was clear this place was anything but ordinary. The flat grassland seemed artificially created, with not a single flower in sight, and the grass grew uniformly at the same height.
“Is this really the Celestial Realm? I wonder which way we should go…”
“It’s unsettling, isn’t it? The only dungeons I’ve been to with Kurinka were the cave from Pablo’s request and maybe the shallow floors of the Abyss Cave.”
“We also went to the Grand Hate Prison!”
“Oh, I wonder if that even counts as a dungeon…”
“And the Ghost Ship and Mist Village too! You even forgot their names, didn’t you?”
I felt a strange competitiveness rising within me. The part about forgetting names struck a nerve, but it seemed too risky to touch on that. Still, it was nostalgic. The Ghost Ship was indeed where Kurinka first showcased her Power of Regeneration. It was a place where she took a significant step forward.
“Mist Village was during the A-Rank Promotion Exam, right? I remember being shown some bizarre hallucinations; it was quite a challenge.”
“Lua-chan was crying, remember? I hugged you to comfort you.”
“I wasn’t crying!”
“Did you forget that too? I held you like this.”
Kurinka wrapped her arms around me from behind, pressing her body against mine. I was reminded just how big she was when her soft chest pressed against me. I used to think that breasts were just a hindrance in battle, but they were also one of the reasons Kurinka attracted attention from men. Even while walking through town, I could feel several gazes lingering there. When I glared at them in irritation, they would scurry away.
“I remember! I remember now!”
“See?”
Kurinka had grown in every way, but I wondered if I had changed at all. Looking at myself, I couldn’t tell. After placing my hands on my body a few times, I found myself convincing myself that I wasn’t small.
“Well, we should get moving…”
【The Celestial Armored Beast has appeared! HP 84,600】
From the horizon, something on four legs charged toward us at breakneck speed. Its body was clad in armor, and its legs were covered in fluffy white fur. Its face resembled that of a monkey. This oddly balanced monster was leaping toward us, trying to stomp us with its front legs.
【Lua’s attack! Dealt 5,654,335 damage to the Celestial Armored Beast! The Celestial Armored Beast has been defeated! HP 0/84,600】
“That surprised me.”
It probably took less than three seconds to confirm its appearance. It was wide open, so before its front legs could reach us, I sliced through its belly. I hadn’t expected something like that to come from what seemed like an empty space. Its speed was astonishing, covering that distance in mere seconds; it was a monster stronger than most I had encountered on the surface.
“W-What was that…?”
“Only a monster from the Celestial Realm… Even that one had the strength of a Demon General from the Demon Lord Army’s Twelve Demon Generals, just as Meria said. This place is anything but ordinary.”
“But you really are amazing, Lua-chan. You’re not scared of anything anymore.”
“That’s not true. I’m still worried about whether we can reach Madias from here…”
“Let’s just try to get through this grassland for now.”
“Which way should we head?”
“I hope there’s a place with people, like in our world.”
I hadn’t considered that the Celestial Realm might also have people. Thinking it would be easier to see from above, I asked Kurinka to transform for me.
“Wow… How far does this go?”
The view from above confirmed it: the grassland stretched endlessly. Looking at it made me question whether this was truly the Celestial Realm. I didn’t doubt Meria, but we knew nothing about this place. Perhaps we wouldn’t be able to progress unless we approached it in a way we hadn’t considered. The Abyss Cave had been like that, and this was a different world altogether.
But I couldn’t let fear hold me back here. Kurinka was with me. As a senior in dungeon exploration, I had to take the lead.
“Lua-chan, you don’t have to be so tense.”
“Huh…? I’m not—”
“Your grip on my back is pretty tight. I don’t intend to be a burden, and besides, we promised, remember? We’d fight back to back together.”
“…I just thought I had to do something again. I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine. In fact, if I do well here, it’ll be a chance to reassure you, Lua-chan. Bring it on, Celestial Realm!”
Thanks to the speed enhancement magic, we moved quickly. Cutting through the air, we crossed the continent at a speed that soared above the grassland. Somewhere in my heart, I was shocked to realize I still saw myself as someone who needed to protect Kurinka. Despite how fast and strong I had become, I still felt that way.
I probably had too much confidence in my own strength. Spending time alone in the Abyss Cave had been a point of pride for me, but it had also been an experience that left Kurinka behind. If I had spent that time with her, I might have erased even the slightest bit of anxiety I had within me.
“It can’t be helped. I’ve certainly grown stronger, but I can’t compare to you, Lua-chan. I knew there were people who whispered about why someone like me was paired with the Flash Strike Girl…”
“Who said that?!”
“T-That was quite a while ago. Besides, being envied just means you’re amazing, Lua-chan.”
“Even after being said that, you still stayed with me?”
“Now, I don’t let anyone complain!”
She seemed to deflect the topic, perhaps out of embarrassment. I hadn’t thought much about that side of her, and I had assumed we understood each other. We both thought we knew, but we really didn’t. I had been caught up in the excitement of our marriage, but she had still been hurting in ways I didn’t know.
【The Celestial Destruction Dragon has appeared! HP 159,000】
“I didn’t think much of it when I was younger… but being together has made me wonder if it’s okay for girls to be this close.”
【Lua unleashed the Sonic Spear! Dealt 8,004,912 damage to the Celestial Destruction Dragon! The Celestial Destruction Dragon has been defeated! HP 0/159,000】
“Wha…?”
A strange dragon was trying to attack us from afar with its breath, so I thrust the Sonic Spear into its wide-open mouth. As I lowered my sword arm, I was also taken aback by Kurinka’s words.
“After the Demon Lord Army’s attack… when you first hugged me at Avangarde Castle… I think that was when I started to strongly feel that I wanted to be with you forever…”
“I feel the same way… It makes my heart race. I felt a bit guilty too…”
“Honestly, there were people who said things because we’re both girls. Because of that, there were times I thought about keeping my distance…”
【The Celestial Spirit Bird has appeared! HP 484,000】
I was shocked again. I couldn’t believe Kurinka had ever thought about distancing herself from me. But looking back, it might have been during the Hunter’s Nest incident. When Kurinka regained her memories, she believed she had killed Seigel’s father and pulled away from me. That moment had been heart-wrenching, and I never wanted to experience anything like it again.
I had known for a long time that Kurinka had faced judgment for her feelings. Long before me, she had felt discomfort about liking girls.
“I hated it, but when I regained my memories in Dragon’s Valley… I said it, didn’t I? If you look away just because you hate it, you’ll miss out on important things.”
【Lua unleashed the Sonic Ripper! Dealt 5,143,032 damage to the Celestial Spirit Bird! The Celestial Spirit Bird has been defeated! HP 0/484,000】
I had been momentarily captivated by the beautiful blue bird when it spread its wings and began to gather lightning. I took the initiative, raising my lowered arm to deliver a decisive blow. Kurinka was so cute; I just wished it wouldn’t interfere.
“Because you hugged me back then, I’m here now. I hated it when these wings sprouted, but… because of them, I can soar anywhere.”
“Ahaha, I’m riding along too.”
“It’s not just that… These wings were given to me by you, Lua-chan. Thank you.”
As we accelerated to escape this dull grassland, I found myself reflecting on what Kurinka had given me.
“Kurinka saved me when I couldn’t even read or write. If she hadn’t helped me back then, I could have easily ended up like the Neo Demon Lord Army…”
Kurinka seemed too flustered to say anything, so instead, she increased her speed. Her wings were a result of the villagers of Ikana being turned into experimental subjects by Belmund. The remnants of dragon cells manifested in Kurinka. It had been a series of misfortunes, but now she spread her wings wide. No matter how much suffering she had endured, being able to turn that into strength was undeniable. From now on, whatever happened, she would transform it into power.
“Hey… doesn’t the grassland seem strange?”
Just as I made that determination, something happened immediately. The once flat grassland began to ripple, resembling a sea. I could somehow predict that it would intensify. The waves grew higher and higher, threatening to reach the altitude where Kurinka Dragon was flying.
“K-Kurinka! Fly higher!”
“We might not make it in time!”
The ground, now swallowed by the grass, had completely turned to water. The earth, once free to move, had turned into towering waves, completely raging.
“I underestimated it! The enemy isn’t just the monsters!”
“Lua-chan! Slash the ground with Sonic Ripper! My breath won’t work!”
Kurinka dashed forward at full speed, cutting through the oncoming waves of earth. Even though we were moving, I had no idea where to go. If it was a natural phenomenon rather than a monster attack, no matter how much we threatened it, it would be futile. This was no grassland; it was merely a sea of earth that had been quiet until now.
“This is never-ending. I might as well blow this whole place away…”
“Even for you, Lua-chan, it would take too long to wipe out everything in a place whose extent we don’t even know… Besides, I’m suddenly feeling really thirsty…”
I quickly realized the cause. No matter how much I cleared the waves, tiny invisible particles were scattering everywhere. The proof was in the rough texture I felt when I rubbed my arm. My skin was dry, and when I touched the grains of earth, my fingers became even more parched.
“This soil is absorbing moisture… If we keep getting drenched like this, it’ll be bad.”
“…Then I’ll do something about it.”
I enveloped both myself and Kurinka in a light of regeneration. I was restoring the moisture that had been taken by the sand. While I could destroy things, I couldn’t create or heal what didn’t exist. I would break the waves of earth, and Kurinka would regenerate what had been taken by the threat of the soil. I hadn’t anticipated the tiny particles, so this time I focused more carefully on the destruction. I spun my body to create wind, completely keeping the sand at bay. It was a bit challenging to do this on Kurinka’s back, but since it was Kurinka, it was no problem. I could only do this because I was on her back.
“Thanks to Kurinka, it looks like we can move safely.”
“If it weren’t for Lua-chan, I would have died here.”
Being able to appreciate each other like this was because we had come to such a chaotic place that couldn’t be measured by any Danger Level. Having crawled up from rock bottom and met each other, there was nothing we feared. Even if something was peeking out from afar, raising a cloud of dust, it didn’t matter. A colossal serpent, large enough to swallow a castle, moved its golden eyes and flicked its tongue.
Murk Dragon has appeared! HP 1,670,000
“Could it be that this is its territory? Incredible, it’s even bigger than the Dragon God.”
“I hope it doesn’t have any hostile intentions…”
Ignoring Kurinka’s concerns, the serpent was completely focused on us. Just after it opened its mouth wide, it closed the distance in an instant. It was probably faster than Jörmungandr. If that one could move while swallowing towns, this one could move while devouring continents. That was the difference.
“You’re slow!”
Lua unleashed Sonic Spear! Dealt 7,146,048 damage to Murk Dragon! Murk Dragon has been defeated! HP 0/1,670,000
I pierced its head and fled higher to avoid being caught in the impact of its falling body. Given its size, it was impossible to erase its entire face. The remaining fragments of its forehead and lower fangs fell one after another, returning to the sea of earth.
“I did it! Just as expected from Lua-chan! I love you!”
“I love you too, Kurinka!”
“I love you!”
“I love you!”
Perhaps due to the environment, we were in a strangely high-spirited mood. The sea of earth finally began to settle, and the scenery changed. Despite Kurinka’s altitude dropping rapidly, we kept exchanging our affections.
“I… love… you… It’s heavy…”
“It’s heavy…”
Eventually, we fell to the ground. The grassland ended, and we found ourselves on a rocky terrain with little grass. Ominous brown and purple rocks greeted us. In such a place, we were unable to stand, still intertwined with each other.
“My body feels heavy… This is like the gravity magic that Glaive from the Comet Wolf Brigade used…”
“Hey, Lua-chan, I’d rather stay like this a bit longer, but we should probably move on soon…”
“But it’s so heavy… This is nothing compared to Glaive’s magic…”
“Really? Are you trying your hardest to stand?”
“I’m giving it my all. What about you, Kurinka? Are you putting in your best effort?”
“I am!”
“Really?”
After the sea of grass, we found ourselves in a place with overwhelming gravity. I had no idea how vast the Celestial Realm was, and I wondered if we would truly reach Madias. I had that anxiety, but deep down, I was starting to think that I wouldn’t mind staying like this for a while. It was soft.
Avangarde Royal Capital – Outside
Steel Angel Tekkiell has appeared! HP 32,500
“Listen well, you lot! I am one of the wise angels who serve the Guardian Celestial! I am Steel Angel Tekkiell!”
Ugly Angel Busiel has appeared! HP 23,100
“Y-you all thought I was ugly, didn’t you? Hah! It’s useless to try and cover it up… Hah! Pffft!”
Celestial Soldiers have appeared! Average HP 3,200
“That’s a human! Clearly a fleeting life!”
“There’s a girl too. Let’s take her back to the Celestial Realm and make her mine.”
“That’s a good idea.”
“When we return, it’ll be a feast; let’s drink, sing, dance, and revel!”
Thanks to the assistance of the Heartless Corps dispatched from the Kingdom of Metallica, we managed to withstand the first wave. We fortified the castle walls, determined not to allow any intrusion into the Royal Capital, while the Heartless Corps and long-range adventurers and archers dealt with the forces descending from above. Moreover, thanks to Meria and Elmera, we had yet to suffer any losses.
At first glance, it seemed we had the upper hand, but that was only up to this point. The forces we had repelled so far were likely what we would call a scouting unit in our world. Above and on the ground, there were countless Celestial Soldiers. And outside the castle walls were some peculiar winged beings. It was clear they were in a class of their own. The only relief was that they weren’t the “Guardian Celestials” with the rank of Holy Angels that Meria had mentioned. If they were on the level of Zeyel, they would be far beyond what we could handle.
“I truly appreciate Elmera and Meria. And Lua, even Nemea has come to help us…”
“No, no, Ritta. I should be the one thanking you.”
“What do you mean?”
“I received something truly precious from Lua and Kurinka. I am genuinely grateful to have awakened in this era.”
“I see… then we feel the same way.”
I wanted to have a long conversation, but there was no time for that. There were many things here that Lua had given me, and I had to protect them now. If Lua could defeat Madias, this battle would end. We couldn’t afford to falter now. We couldn’t rely solely on that person. We had to grow through this battle.
“Don’t worry, Ritta-chan. With this luxurious ship called Elmera, you won’t need to bother launching a small boat.”
“Yes, that’s very reassuring…”
“Huh? Something feels off?”
“What? Did I say something strange?”
“More like, for example, ‘Isn’t Elmera’s luxurious ship too big and might sink instead?'”
“I would never say something so rude!”
“Really? Well, that’s true.”
This Elmera was honestly a bit off, but she was definitely not a bad person. Unlike Meria, she lacked tension, but strangely enough, she was reliable. But we really didn’t have time for a long conversation.
“Listen up! As per the plan, the first, third, and fifth units will provide rear support! The second and fourth will hold the front! Don’t bother with the enemies from above! Focus on the enemies attacking from the ground! We must not allow any intrusion into the Royal Capital!”
Captain Kirkton, who had fully regained his spirits, was truly dependable. Yes, this was our world, and we were leaving behind our proof of existence. We wouldn’t let those people trample over it.
“They’re moving!”
The Celestial Realm and the Human Realm. Now, a battle that would likely determine the fate of the world was beginning in both places. Protect us!
Shin Report
The strength of the monsters is formidable, but the environment is also dangerous. Is this really the Celestial Realm? I think even those damn angels would be in danger in this kind of magic storm. How do they live in a place like this? My real body is starting to give out. I want to go back and eat Lua mama’s cooking.
Celestial Realm Memo
True Angels, Holy Angels, Wise Angels, and Child Angels are ranked in that order of power and prestige.
Holy Angel: Known as the Guardian Celestial, they are the foremost combat force of the Celestial Realm.
Monster Compendium
Celestial Armored Beast – HP 84,600
A being that can be considered the executioner of the Celestial Realm, it attacks as soon as it detects anything that has wandered in from another world. Its vision and sense of smell are extraordinarily developed, and its speed is such that it can circle the human realm in less than an hour. It is no exaggeration to say that this beast has established the Celestial Realm as an inviolable territory. Even within the Celestial Realm, its ecology and everything about it remain a mystery, but the prevailing theory is that it was created by Madias.
Celestial Destruction Dragon – HP 159,000
This dragon revels in pure acts of destruction, not for the sake of feeding. However, it shows no interest in those it deems smaller or weaker than itself. The true terror of this dragon lies in its tendency to challenge only those stronger than itself, consistently achieving notable victories. There is a historical account of a Guardian Celestial who ascended to the rank of Holy Angel being attacked and killed by this dragon, and since then, it has become a test of strength for those claiming the title of Holy Angel. In other words, if one cannot defeat this dragon, they lack the qualifications to be called a Holy Angel, a “Guardian Celestial.”
Celestial Spirit Bird – HP 484,000
It is said that the souls of deceased Celestials gather and take the form of this bird. Its translucent azure wings possess a beauty that captivates all who gaze upon them, but at times, those with weak minds may find their very souls drawn in. While generally considered harmless, the reason behind such occurrences remains a mystery. It is said that if it absorbs too many corrupted souls of Celestials, it may bring harm to the people.
Murk Dragon – HP 1,670,000
In a certain region of the Celestial Realm, this monster is revered as a deity of the earth. Legends say that after this creature swims gracefully through the land, vegetation flourishes, bringing abundance. However, it is also despised as an embodiment of evil. There have been instances where Guardian Celestials were dispatched to exterminate it, but they were nearly annihilated. Though they managed to inflict some wounds, they were left demoralized as they witnessed the dragon diving into the earth like a playful child. Since then, the concept of hunting the Murk Dragon has vanished, and it is treated as a natural disaster. Thus, the only thing people can do in the presence of this monster is to hold their breath and wait for it to pass.