Having returned to the capital, Ruruta surprisingly called with a loud voice.
“Veekithar! Lascall! Come here! I will eat Armakisk’s Book!”
Veekithar came running out of the royal town. The other four warriors that were with him also nearly fell in astonishment.
Armakisk was the name of a warrior who had died 30 years ago. He was a man who couldn’t control his far too powerful Magic Right and went up in flames as he acquired it. Ruruta decided that he mustn’t eat that person’s Book and so sealed it.
Lascall appeared from inside the ground.
“If it is Armakisk-sama’s Book you wish for, I already have it prepared with me.”
“Excellent.”
Ruruta approached Lascall.
“I can’t let you do that! This and only this. This time I will not let it happen!”
Veekithar clung to Ruruta’s legs in an attempt to stop him. Likewise the four warriors stood in Ruruta’s path.
“You lot, use the Memorial Weapons or whatever, just stop him!”
Hihak prepared Shlamuffen faster than he could think. However, Ruruta’s fingers moved before that and he was blown away by an invisible force. The three other Memorial Weapons were also robbed from their wielders without being able to be used.
“Veekithar, you’re in my way.”
As Ruruta moved his finger Veekithar rolled behind.
“I’m sorry, I can’t let you do this, even if I sacrifice my life…”
The three other warriors were also blown away. Hihak, the only one to remain, started prostrating himself and begging to Ruruta.
“Ruruta… that’s enough, please stop it, you are strong enough. Please don’t endanger yourself any further!”
“…You’re Hihak, right?”
Ruruta said as if suddenly recalling his name.
“Stop! It’s enough! You’ve fought enough! You’ve become strong enough! Please stop it!”
“…Hihak. If I’m not mistaken, about a month has passed.”
Ruruta said with a somewhat painful expression.
“So you’re still weak, huh? You haven’t been able to understand me.”
Hihak’s body was blown away. Ruruta received the forbidden Book from Lascall.
“Veekithar, Namo, Yanna, Lakiri, Hihak and Lascall.”
The Book broke. Its shards were absorbed by Ruruta.
“Believe in my. That’s all I need.”
Ruruta ate the Book he mustn’t eat.
His body was instantly set ablaze. Hihak, who was close by, screamed from the heat and escaped. He writhed in pain to extinguish the flames that caught on to his hair and clothes.
That was what happened to Hihak who merely close to him; he was afraid to imagine what was happening to Ruruta himself.
The color of the flames extended past red and became white that was never seen before. The white light completely concealed Ruruta’s figure.
“Bring water!!!”
“Water Magic! Can no one here use water Magic?!”
One person hit Ruruta with his water Magic. However, it evaporated right before reaching him. Even when he concentrated all of his efforts it didn’t amount to anything.
“Someone, please, do something!!!”
People started helplessly running around the blazing Ruruta. Hihak closed in on Lascall and held her by the collar.
“Lascall-sama, no, Lascall! What’s going to happen with Ruruta?! Tell us!”
“It is unknown to me. Will he perish, or will he survive?”
Lascall said calmly.
“However, it would be quite disappointing for him to die here.”
“This is not the time to say such things!”
Hihak thrust Lascall away.
It’s no use. Ruruta’s going to die. There’s no way he won’t. This is the end. We’re all doomed.
But aside from fear he also felt some sort of relief. If Ruruta dies, no one would tell Hihak to become stronger anymore.
He fell to his knees and pounded the ground. His tears started overflowing and wouldn’t stop.
Ruruta and the world are done.
Veekithar grabbed Hihak by the collar and dragged him up.
“What are you doing, you idiot? Look at Ruruta! Believe in him!”
What’s there to see though? It’s all hopeless.
“It’s no use. Everything is over.”
“You idiot!”
Veekithar started hitting him. Hihak collapsed to the ground and didn’t try standing up.
A long time passed. The heat gradually weakened.
“What’s… that?”
Hihak raised his voice. An intense cold air started mixing in with the heat. The convection caused by it smothered both the hot and the cold air. Was this cold air a product of someone’s Magic?
“…No way.”
The heat settled down. Ruruta’s body was collapsed on the burnt ground. His entire body down to the bones was scorched so black he only looked like a stick figure.
Everyone watched him while clenching their teeth. He started gradually regaining his human form. At last his hair returned and Ruruta raised his naked body.
“Veekithar, get me clothes.”
Great cheers erupted. Veekithar rushed over to him holding a waistcloth.
“I have gotten somewhat tired. Veekithar. Let me rest.”
Veekithar took Ruruta into the royal tower. He turned around listlessly then spoke while smiling.
“Listen and rejoice - Ruruta finally acquired it. I now have the power to defeat the Beasts of the Final Chapter.”
“Ruruta, you shouldn’t talk yet…”
“Tell this to everyone: I am going to win.”
Another cheer rose. People started running around to spread the word. However, Hihak alone stood there in complete astonishment.
Look at Ruruta and understand him. If you do that, you will become as strong as him.
Hihak survived thanks to these words. And he was troubled trying to understand Ruruta.
Yet the only thing he was able to understand was the overwhelming gap between them. Even so, Hihak kept thinking. He wanted to be of use to him.
However, Ruruta told them today - he was finally able to obtain the power to defeat the Beasts of the Final Chapter. If so, then Hihak was no longer needed.
I’ll just run away. No, not run away, simply leave. Ruruta has no need for me. I don’t have to worry or try to become stronger anymore.
He went back home and gathered his luggage in order to leave.
He took surprisingly little stuff. He would just die on the road somewhere by himself.
“Where’re you going?”
The moment he left the house, Carloy called out to him.
“O-oh. I’m leaving for a while. I’ll be right back so you don’t need to worry.”
“…Is it the next campaign?”
“What’re you talking about? I’ll be back soon.”
He was going to leave Carloy behind. Orphans weren’t anything rare nowadays.
“You’re the worst.”
“What’re you saying, Carloy?”
“I saw it. Today, when Ruruta was burning you were the only one to give up, daddy. You said it was all over.”
“…”
“Why don’t you believe in Ruruta? He told you to believe.”
“…”
“Why are you lying to me? I knew from the very beginning you ran away and came back.”
“…”
“Why are you running away? Why?! Just tell me why!”
“Because I’m weak. That’s it.”
Saying this, he left.
He left the capital and headed somewhere. He had no place to go to.
Hihak knew - it wasn’t that everyone in the world fought for Ruruta. There were, however few, people that have run away from the battles. He could simply become one of them. He will just wait for Ruruta to save the world in the meanwhile. That’s all.
He got tired of walking and sat down.
“I don’t regret it…”
Hihak muttered. He tried shaking off Carloy from his mind.
Stop thinking. If he wasn’t there I would have run away ages ago. He’s at fault for making me have such painful thoughts.
I haven’t run away so far for his sake. Because I didn’t want to make him feel pity for me. I wanted to be a strong father at least for him.
Oh well, that’s over. He already realized I was weak all along.
“Shit, shit!”
He knew that he was weak. Even so, Hihak rose up and started running. He was headed back to the capital.
“Carloy! Carloy!”
He kept running while calling. He asked passersby whether they have seen Carloy. However, no one would answer him. It was as if they couldn’t even bear looking at such a coward. Although he was a coward, only the children would cutely call him names.
The sun was sinking. He checked once again at his house, but Carloy hasn’t come back. He was afraid he would never see him again at this rate.
He searched around again and got tired of walking. The moment he sat down, he heard a voice calling from afar.
“Hihak, Carloy’s here.”
He started running towards the voice. He hadn’t noticed who it belonged to just yet.
Carloy was inside a forest outside the capital. He was sleeping, exhausted of crying. Hihak saw another person sitting next to him while leaning on a tree trunk.
This can’t be real, is it a dream? thought Hihak. But it was no dream.
“Ru…”
He couldn’t get out his voice. His mouth stayed agape and wouldn’t move. Hihak saw a man lending his knees to Carloy and patting his head. He was Ruruta Coozancoona.
“Why are you so surprised?”
Ruruta smiled as he saw Hihak’s face. This was the first time he had seen him smile. No, it was the first time he even knew he could smile.
“…Even I need a break sometimes. Especially since it’s so cold today.”
That wasn’t what surprised Hihak; it was the fact that the savior of the world Ruruta lent his knees to Carloy.
“A lot of time has passed. It appears that you didn’t realize yet why I am strong. Really, you are a troubling man.”
His tone was completely different than Veekithar’s. Hihak couldn’t feel any coldness. On the contrary, it was a voice that made him happy he was being scolded.
“You still don’t get it? It’s quite simple.
I’m strong because I have all of you.”
“…”
“Everyone lends me their power. Everyone gave me their Magic Rights. Everyone was able to obtain the Memorial Weapons by expending all of their power. However, with that alone I will not become a savior.”
“…”
Ruruta clenched his fist. It was much more small and delicate than Hihak imagined it would be.
“There are those who want to protect. And there are those who try to protect me. That’s why I’m strong.”
Ruruta patted Carloy’s hair.
“People are weak, Hihak. And the Beasts of the Final Chapter are strong. Extraordinarily so. However, as long as one wants to protect someone, I believe that they’ll never lose to them.
Wanting to protect someone… Having someone protect you… If you are able to think this way, you will definitely become strong.”
Ruruta gently stroked Carloy’s head.
“You have this child, don’t you? I know it - if you have this child you will become strong.”
I see, thought Hihak. When I tried escaping the one who put a stop to it was the existence of Carloy.
“I haven’t thought of anything when you deserted. You are not a great warrior. Since I have left governing the populace to Veekithar I haven’t thought of intervening.
However, this child came to my place.”
“…Carloy did?”
“He tried to protect you. ‘Daddy’s actually strong, so please let him fight again’, he said to me.
‘Daddy probably pities himself. I don’t want to let him die like that’.”
“…No way.”
“I want to protect everyone. Everyone also wants to protect me. You want to protect this child. This child tried protecting you. It’s all the same. Therefore, you are as strong as me. That’s what I thought.”
Ruruta gently shook Carloy. He was surprised at being held by Ruruta. He alternated his eyes between Ruruta’s face and Hihak’s face.
“This is my wish. Carloy, Hihak cannot be relied on. So you have to protect him.”
After a long, long time of being unable to say anything, Carloy finally spoke.
“…Even if…”
He said while crying.
“Even if you didn’t tell me this…”
Apparently reaching his limits, Carloy was hugged by Hihak.
“Stupid, stupid, you stupid daddy!”
Hihak embraced him. Ruruta smiled while looking at them.
Hihak started thinking. I can’t run away anymore. I have no need to run away. I have obtained true strength.
“Thank you so much. We will be going back home, so see you tomorrow.”
“Yeah. See you tomorrow.”
Ruruta gazed at the western sky. Hihak and Carloy also looked there.
“What a beautiful sunset. It never changes, but that’s why it’s beautiful. Don’t you think so?”
He had never looked at the setting sun much until now. Now that he was told so, it really was beautiful. Ruruta kept speaking.
“Nowadays admiring the sunset or flowers is difficult. Since the world approaches its end, we have neither the time nor mental leeway.
But if I save the world a new era will come. Everyone would be able to see the setting sun in peace. Right, Hihak, Carloy?”
“I believe so.”
“Everyone would live in peace. Everyone would be able to connect their hearts. We’ll definitely be able to do it. The Future Overseer will be gone, and humans will create their own paradise. That’s what I believe. So I’d like for you to believe in it as well.”
“Yes.”
Ruruta sighed.
“I feel like it’s the first time in a long while I’ve talked so much. It was fun.”
“Yes, Ruruta, thank you so much.”
Carloy said. Hihak had something that he had to ask.
“Please tell me one final thing, Ruruta. Why have you saved this child and me?”
As he was asked this, Ruruta widened his eyes in surprise. He then smiled troublingly.
“Are both Veekithar and you unable to understand such simple matters?”
“Huh?”
“I was able to save you and your son. That is very simple. Is actually doing it so strange?”
Meaning he had no particular reason for it. Was that all?
“Can you not understand it without thinking there’re some special circumstances or something behind the scenes? Such troublesome people you are.
Well, if I had to state one reason…”
For some reason, Ruruta embarrassedly scratched his nose.
“I just can’t let a crying child be.”
Leaving these words behind, Ruruta left for the royal tower. While seeing him off, Hihak started talking to Carloy.
“We’re so fortunate.”
Carloy unhesitatingly nodded. Ruruta was bigger than life. Both his strength and his kindness. Just living in the same era as him was fortunate.
“Sorry for making you worry, Carloy. Your dad will never stray again. Because I’m going to become stronger.”
Ten days afterward, a new campaign was arranged. Hihak also joined it.
They returned home seven days after their departure. This expedition of a hundred people came back with only 75. And Hihak was walking at their front.
Hihak found the figure of Carloy among the families waiting for the soldiers at the gate.
He then struck his fist upwards to the sky.
The seventh Memorial Weapon that Hihak brought back was in the form of two bizarre cups. The commander took them to Veekithar’s place. They were going to grant them a name and give them to Ruruta.
Regarding the Weapon’s ability, it apparently had already been researched so Veekithar knew it. However, Hihak heard nothing about it. There were some things he was worried about, but felt they were insignificant.
Hihak became strong and he was able to become of use to Ruruta. That was enough for him.
Ruruta never showed himself to Hihak and Carloy again. But that was no problem either. He was already deeply engraved in his heart.
For half a month afterwards, Hihak worked busily. According to the prophecies, the final battle was soon at hand. Hihak and the rest dug out special anti-Beast shelters for public use and also dealt with the Beasts when they came to attack these trenches.
The elderly and children abandoned their homes and went to the trenches with all their possessions. The few remaining warriors prepared to protect them.
Just when preparations were complete, that day has arrived.
It was obvious to everyone that today was the day. Dark clouds suddenly drifted in the clear sky. Thunder incessantly roared despite there being no rain. The people still outside ran away as if pushing each other along. Hihak lead them, occasionally carrying some of them to the trenches so they could take shelter.
When almost all work was done, just before the doors of the trenches were going to be closed, Hihak asked a warrior next to him.
“Where’s Ruruta?!”
“He’s still in the royal tower!”
“…I’m leaving this place to you!”
Saying so, Hihak started running. Strangely, ever since a few days ago, there was no sign of Veekithar, his aide, as well as the elite warriors who served Ruruta.
He reached the tower. There were a few other people who shared the same worries.
“What is going on with Ruruta?”
“Where’s Veekithar-sama? Where could he have gone during this…?”
Everyone was confused. They were all elite warriors. They were not allowed to enter the royal tower with no permission. They just whispered in front of the gate.
“There’s no need for you to be here!”
That moment, a sonorant voice reverberated. A figure leapt off the topmost floor of the tower.
“Go to a safe place! At once!”
In contrast to these words nobody moved. It was because they all wanted to burn into their eyes the appearance of Ruruta heading for the final battle.
His transparent hair danced with the storm and the pattern of the Rhythmic Barrier Uyulála was engraved on his left shoulder. At his feet the Colorful Sand Battleship Graógramán shining in the colors of the rainbow, and in his hand he held the ominous misty Dark Club Gmork. The Ever-Laughing and Ever-Crying Magic Blades were hanged from his waist.
It felt indescribable. They went speechless looking at this mighty and godly power.
“I will go! You will live in a new age!”
And Ruruta moved to another place.
“Don’t fret. Stay calm and carefully evacuate to a safe place. There is still time. Please think carefully about how to evacuate people one by one safely.”
Ruruta was worried about the other people’s safety before battle. Hihak almost teared up from admiration.
They all shouted a slogan before heading to battle. Everyone shouted together.
Ruruta does not fear anything. Ruruta will never falter. Ruruta will never lose heart and will never lose.
Hihak started thinking while shouting. I will believe it. I will continue to believe these words.
Seeing off Ruruta fly away to the battlefield, Hihak and the rest went toward the anti-Beast trenches.
However, there were two things they were still worried about.
Where did Veekithar and the rest went to and what will they do with the seventh Memorial Weapon that had been brought back by Hihak’s group. Ruruta hasn’t taken it.
But they had no time to worry about that; the battle of Ruruta against the Beasts of the Final Chapter already begun. They could hear huge explosive roars from the horizon.
“…Ruruta, we believe… we believe in you.”
Saying so, Hihak took position in front of the entrance to the trench. His battle was to protect this spot.
However, contrary to expectations, Hihak’s fight ended abruptly. Two wolf-shaped Beasts of the Final Chapter bit and tore the door to the anti-Beast trench and rushed inside. Hihak desperately fought back with his spear.
I don’t have to beat them as long as they don’t enter inside. He fought for several minutes thinking only this.
“…!”
The two Beasts suddenly looked back. They then ran outside. It was as if they felt they hadn’t the leisure to play around in such a place.
“Have they gone to fight Ruruta?”
He couldn’t think of anything else. Mixed with the howls of the Beasts unknown sounds of battle came echoing.
Hihak repaired the door and treated his wounded body. No further attacks came so far. A long time of waiting began.
Hihak stopped the children who wanted to go outside and tried cheering the frightful women. Carloy, who was in the same trench as him, calmed down a crying baby and gave some wheat to children smaller than him.
They couldn’t even imagine what sort of terrific battle it became outside.
How long has the battle continued? It was probably more than a day or two. Three days and nights, or perhaps longer than that? It became quiet a few times, but the sounds of battle soon came echoing again.
Once there was an earthquake that nearly destroyed the anti-Beast trench. Next came a large sound that seemed like it could tear eardrums. Without knowing if it was the power of Beasts of Ruruta, Hihak shuddered in fear.
And time kept passing.
Hihak who had fallen asleep holding his spear was shaken awake by Carloy.
“Daddy, something out there…”
“You can’t go outside…”
“No, it’s…”
At some point the door to the trench was opened. Sunlight came pouring inside from it. The voices of people were echoing under the sun.
“We won!”
“It’s our victory!”
“Ruruta… Ruruta’s won!”
“Ruruta! Ruruta! Ruruta!”
People hugged each other and raised cheers. The moment he saw this, Hihak forgot his tiredness and rushed ahead. He joined the circle of people along with Carloy and they all smiled under the rays of the sun they hadn’t seen for three days.
However, no matter where people looked, they couldn’t find Ruruta anywhere. People started fixing their broken homes and treating their wounds while waiting for his return.
A day has passed, but Ruruta did not return.
Two days have passed, but Ruruta did not return.
Veekithar, his aide and the rest were nowhere to be seen and Lascall Othello’s whereabouts were unknown as well. Having lost their leaders, the people gradually became anxious.
They also started feeling sad for being unable to see their savior who had saved the world.
“Daddy, there’s no way that Ruruta…”
“No, you can’t say that. Believe in him.”
Three days, and then four days have passed.
The people forgot their happiness at the world being saved. Although it was saved, it all felt dull without him.
A simultaneous kill… that result was far too painful.
Then came the morning of the fifth day.
“Ruruta’s back!!!”
A man shouted out his throat at the gate of the capital. Everyone abandoned their work and rushed to the main street. The shouting man ran weaving his way between the assembling people. Ruruta’s back, Ruruta’s back.
Hihak picked up Carloy and went to the gate. Among the remaining warriors he was the one with the quickest feet. He overtook the people in front of him and ran toward Ruruta.
He could see him. Ruruta’s appearance was clearly reflected in Hihak’s eyes. For some reason he didn’t have the Memorial Weapons. He only had the Rhythmic Barrier Uyulála on his shoulder. He had no visible wounds. Lascall Othello followed him from behind.
“Ruruta, Ruruta!”
He ran while shouting. Ruruta, who hung his head down, suddenly raised his eyes.
“Oh, it’s Hihak?”
Ruruta saw Hihak’s face.
That was Hihak’s last living memory.
The next moment, Ruruta lightly waved his hand. Hihak was unable to see that movement. His head blew into smithereens as if a meteorite hit it. The faces of the people running behind him were dyed by a red mist.
He died instantly.
However, dying at that very moment was perhaps fortunate.
Because Hihak didn’t have to see what happened later.
Beasts of the Final Chapter were emitted from Ruruta’s body. He unleashed them at the gathered people. He didn’t tell any of them why he was able to use the power that was meant to destroy the world.
He told nobody why he unleashed them on humans.
Announcing neither his reasons nor his goals, he simply killed, killed, and killed. His expression was as rigid as a mask and he erased all emotions from it.
Carloy clung to Hihak’s headless corpse, shouted and wailed. There was not even one person to help him among the unfolding massacre.
At the end of this day, the Age of Paradise has ended. Thus started the Age of Humanity - no, of Ruruta.