Celestial Realm – In Front of Chronos Palace
The vast sky was dotted with countless floating islands of various sizes, and at the center stood the palace of Chronoel. The grand structure, adorned in white, was supported by towering pillars, giving it a somewhat sparse appearance, yet its sheer size was impressive. Unlike the castle of Avangarde, there were no walls surrounding it, just a long staircase leading up to the entrance.
“That is the Chronos Palace where Lord Chronoel resides. However, only a select few can reach it,” Kurinka said.
“The wind is really fierce… If we try to enter carelessly, we might get sliced apart by the blades of wind,” I replied.
“Naturally, you’ve figured it out. Those without the proper qualifications should not approach. Whether one can reach there is the first trial to become a Holy Angel.”
“Are you okay, Kurinka?”
“Probably…”
When it came to storms, I thought of Renedo, one of the Twelve Demon Generals who had attacked the Royal Capital of Avangarde, but this was on a whole different level. Upon closer inspection, even the dragon monster I had defeated recently was being tossed around and shredded by the violent winds. It was almost kind of the wind to show us what would happen if we got too close. Even calamity-class monsters from our world would struggle to pass through here. The sound of the violent wind felt like a challenge directed at us.
“Any means will do. Some will force their way through, while others will use their wits,” Kurinka said.
“How did Kaura get through?” I asked.
“Of course…”
Kaura, the old lady, spread her wings and flew straight into the storm. It was as if nothing was happening at all; she soared gracefully through the chaos.
“She’s using her wisdom to break through,” Kurinka remarked.
“That’s amazing! How does she do it?”
“Can’t you figure it out even with your skills?”
“Of course not!”
“Even in her old age, Flow Angel Flowel is still going strong,” a voice chimed in.
There was another figure standing calmly amidst the storm. A plump angel with a round face reminiscent of Kurinka’s favorite dessert, Maron. I wondered how someone with such a physique could fly at all.
“Storm Angel Stormael, I’m afraid I must pass through here,” Kaura said.
“That’s fine, but you must not assist the human you brought. No exceptions, even for you,” Stormael replied.
“You’re as straightforward as ever.”
“Thousands of Holy Angel candidates have been swallowed by this storm. Allowing exceptions would only tarnish their souls.”
“That’s true.”
Despite his appearance, he was a rather serious angel. From my perspective, he seemed to be a Holy Angel, and if he was indeed the master of this storm, he must possess considerable power.
“I don’t know your purpose, but are you in your right mind? It’s customary for drifters from other realms to be devoured by the Guardian Beasts, but you must have intervened there. You know Lord Chronoel’s character; if you manage to break through, not even dust will remain.”
“That’s why I’m saying it’s unnecessary. Now, you lot, show this hefty body your strength.”
I couldn’t help but feel annoyed by the chubby angel’s condescension. Without a word, I mounted Kurinka’s back and charged into the storm.
Celestial Realm – Entrance to Chronos Palace
“Hah… Hah…”
We had made it to the entrance of Chronos Palace safely. Stormael was panting heavily, kneeling on the ground, his hands tangled in his hair as he shook his head repeatedly.
We hadn’t done anything special. Kurinka had cast Enhancement Magic before we charged in, and I had deflected the storm and its blades, keeping everything at bay. If they were invisible blades, then all I had to do was swing my sword continuously. It could have been called a Sonic Barrier.
“I forgot to mention, Darkflow was defeated by those two,” Stormael said.
“Wha—what are you talking about? I won’t acknowledge it! As the guardian of Chronos Palace, I cannot allow humans to enter!”
As Stormael spread his wings, the wind howled, and suddenly, a multitude of Celestials burst forth from the long staircase. These armed beings were likely the sentinels of Chronos Palace, spiraling through the air to surround us.
“Lord Flowel… Darkflow is surely your sworn enemy. Are you truly siding with these humans, even at the cost of desecrating the souls of your comrades?”
“Stormael, someone of your caliber should sense their unfathomable power. Please, calm down and sheath your spear.”
“You are the one who needs to calm down. If you take even one step closer to Chronos Palace, the 1,600 Guardian Celestials present here will unleash their spears.”
Though their faces were hidden behind helmets, I sensed that some of them were around my age. They looked more like they had been drained of something rather than being battle-hardened.
“Guardian Celestials?”
“They are the eggs of Guardian Celestials, composed of Holy Angels. They are undergoing rigorous training at Chronos Palace to become Holy Angels while also serving as guardians. Many lose themselves in the process… but that’s neither here nor there.”
“Right, that doesn’t matter.”
“I heard from Lua-chan that…”
“This is your final warning. Turn back immediately; you do not have the qualifications to meet Lord Chronoel.”
Having passed the first trial to become a Holy Angel, I was confused about what it meant to lack qualifications. I wanted to ask, but it seemed they were about to attack, so I held my tongue. What should we do? If they wouldn’t even listen to Kaura, then fighting might be our only option. The truth was, I didn’t want to fight the Celestials anymore. Our true enemy was Madias, not them.
“I forgot to mention, Darkflow was defeated by those two.”
“Wha—what are you talking about? I won’t acknowledge it! As the guardian of Chronos Palace, I cannot allow humans to enter!”
——— Stormael. Allow the humans to enter.
Kaura’s words seemed to infuriate Stormael again. Just as I had predicted, he spread his wings and prepared to act, but a heavy voice resonated from above, pressing down on him. The moment he heard that voice, Stormael froze and began to tremble.
“Lord Chronoel! I cannot fathom the true meaning of your words!”
——— Allow them to enter.
With that second command, Stormael seemed to resign, bowing his head in frustration and grinding his teeth. Yet, his trembling did not cease; it was clear that Lord Chronoel instilled a deep fear in him. The sense of discomfort I felt was anything but ordinary, as if something had been nullified. If it weren’t for me, I might not have even noticed.
“Lord Chronoel has invited you. Stormael, if you understand the current state of the Celestial Realm, you must have an idea of what she wants from them…”
“Who are these humans? Are they truly humans?”
“Her names are Lua and Kurinka.”
Even when Stormael was evasive about our introduction, he didn’t seem angry. I was grateful that he had prevented any rash actions from his companions. I wondered if it would have escalated if he hadn’t. Why was I even thinking about that? Oh well.
“It’s a long staircase, but we will ascend properly instead of flying. Lord Chronoel is a difficult person; there have been those who were cast down from the Celestial Realm for a single misstep in etiquette.”
“Yeah, I felt a strange discomfort earlier, and Lord Chronoel… must be incredibly powerful. I think something was done to us…”
“Oh? To notice without prior knowledge is impressive. Well, when it comes to ‘time,’ there are indeed associations one can make.”
As we climbed the stairs, Kaura spoke about the Holy Angels and Guardian Celestials. She mentioned that there were over a thousand Holy Angel candidates training at Chronos Palace. If we angered either Stormael or Chronoel, we might end up fighting those candidates as well. I found myself imagining such scenarios more often than I liked.
“Chronos Palace… is also famous as a labyrinth where one could take hundreds of years to escape if they lose their way. Originally, that is.”
If they were inviting us in, I hoped they wouldn’t do anything like that. I didn’t have time to navigate through something like the Abyss Cave. If they pulled any strange tricks, I would have to think of a countermeasure.
Chronos Palace – Deepest Chamber, The Final Room
There were no branching paths, and as Kaura had said, there were no dangers at all. Living in such a labyrinth was normal for Guardian Celestials, and it was one of their trials. I believed that our ease in reaching this brightly lit, expansive space was thanks to the person standing there.
“It’s been a while, Lord Chronoel. I am humbled by your generous hospitality.”
“There’s no need for such formalities at this point. Flowel… no, it’s Kaura now.”
Kaura seemed taken aback by Lord Chronoel’s unexpected response. The man had brown hair parted down the middle, revealing a forehead with faint wrinkles. He had a slender build, lacking in muscle, and appeared somewhat unhealthy.
However, that was merely a first impression; those eyes were an intense, deep black. Staring into them felt as if I might be pulled into an infinite void. Any sane person would likely forget everything they were keeping secret just from being gazed at by those eyes. It was an overwhelming presence, or rather, an unfathomable gravitational pull that I could feel.
“The human race… No, you are Lua and Kurinka, correct? There is no need for you to speak; I have invited you here after grasping everything,” he stated.
“I understand. In that case, I won’t speak unnecessarily. But please, let me ask just one thing. I want you to do something about the Celestial Realm’s invasion of the human world.”
“That cannot be.”
Just as I thought we might be able to communicate, those words shattered my hopes. I had been warned not to provoke him, but with everyone’s lives at stake, there was no time to worry about his mood. He was an opponent beyond my imagination, yet I had no choice but to confront him.
“If we were to fight here, I would die.”
“Is… that so?”
“Otherwise, there would be no point in inviting you. Therefore, there is no need to consider the odds, Lua.”
He narrowed his eyes and began to speak unexpectedly. I had never known someone so willing to give up. In fact, it was hard to believe that someone of his caliber would surrender to us.
“Then, in that case, please stop your invasion of our world.”
“That decision was made by Madias. I want you to stop him.”
“…With all due respect, is Chronoel also just following Madias’s orders?”
Chronoel nodded silently. In other words, he too wanted us to defeat Madias. The entire Celestial Realm, including Kaura’s village, was in such a state not because of him, but because Madias was running rampant.
“Chronoel, can you guide me to Madias?”
“Follow me.”
The moment Chronoel began to walk, the surroundings changed. We had been in that grand hall, yet now we stood at the end of a corridor, facing a metallic door. This was not the place we had just been. The sense of discomfort I felt earlier was due to this. It was as if the entire space, everything, had been swapped out.
“Madias is beyond this door.”
“Chronoel, if you possess such incredible power, can’t you defeat Madias? Perhaps you manipulated the time it took to move… right?”
“…I cannot.”
His voice was strained. Was it because I had guessed Chronoel’s power? No, it felt like there was something deeper—an unresolved determination within him.
“Look with your own eyes and judge for yourselves. The decision is yours to make.”
Those few words somehow carried an immense weight.
◆ Chronos Palace, Innermost Chamber, Madias’s Room ◆
This room was much smaller than the grand hall. It was a cozy space, with animal figurines lined up on a dresser and the walls painted a soft pink. Patterns of rabbits or something similar were scattered across the walls. A vanity and a fluffy bed were present, and sitting on that bed was…
“…The one who defies reason.”
“Could it be you… Madias?”
A shock coursed through my body. It wasn’t that I had let my guard down or was bewildered by Madias’s appearance. My feet lifted off the floor, and I was flung away by an unseen force. The impact was so powerful that it felt like my insides might shatter, and nausea surged within me. Pain coursed through my entire body. I had been struck with a fierce opening blow.
【A shockwave was unleashed from Madias’s hand! Lua received 2434 damage! HP 41766/44200】
“Ugh…!”
“Lua-chan!”
I was hurled into the hallway, crashing through multiple walls, and finally came to a stop after embedding my sword into the floor. Madias, who had slowly walked to the entrance of the room, smiled as he saw me rise.
“I will protect the world…”
【Madias the Arbitrator God has appeared! HP 21】
With his pale skin and delicate frame, he wore a simple long-sleeved garment made of thin white fabric, with a skirt of the same material that reached down to his knees. His modest gray hair was tied back.
“Madias!”
I roared from the depths of my being at the girl before me, who was slightly shorter than I and had blue eyes. She was not just any girl; she was an unimaginable opponent, and I needed to rally myself. Without hesitation, I shouted,
“Lua-chan! With all our strength!”
No, we were about to face our final battle.
◆ Shin Report ◆
I thought I had written a report, but… huh?
Was I under the impression that I had?
It was good that the storm didn’t waste lives unnecessarily.
What would I do if I had to face something with my hands tied?
No, no, this is just a baseless delusion.
There’s no one here to help.
Now, let’s write the report seriously.
Chronoel avoided the fight! Or so I thought, but he wants Lua and the others to do something.
Perhaps Madias is a thorn in Chronoel’s side as well.
So, he sends these humans, who are not even monsters, to confront him.
Using poison to counter poison.
As expected of the top of the Celestial Realm—so ruthless.
If they were to unleash a world of poison, it would not even allow the survival of any plants.
That is the poison known as Lua.
Huh? What?! The report is… being written?
When did that happen? What on earth is going on?
Shin would never write something so terrible.
Calm down, calm down, think of a way to return to the past.
I’m about to face Madias.
Huh? A child? Is that really Madias?
Wait a moment…