Chapter 289 None Of It Ccontradicted
He decided to destroy humanity.
To do that, he decided to unleash the [Evil God].
So, he entrusted Noah with the task of making a copy of the [Seal Key] to take the [God's Remains] out of the coffin.
However, at the same time, Chronosphere was also developing a super-large magical tool called [Temple], which might allow him to reconnect to the [God Realm] using the [God's Remains].
If the only goal was to purely destroy humanity, there would be no need to create such a thing.
No, even if he did create it, it would just be a camouflage to deceive the members of the secret organization Chronosphere and Noah.
If he had only said he was making a copy of the [Seal Key], no one would have cooperated.
Thus, research to maintain the seal and research to break the seal continued for several years.
One day, during the stampede a while back, the right arm of the released [Evil God] was used, and [Evil God Cells] were implanted into Chronosphere.
The implanted cells matched Jilva's body, granting Chronosphere a supernatural ability called 'Invisible Hands' for Future Observation.
As a result, Chronosphere "saw."
The future.
(God, why are you showing me this now?)
And then──Chronosphere was at a loss.
The observed future created a new selection option.
The possibility of reaching 'that future' is extremely small. Yet, as if there was some interference beyond human understanding, the scene appeared in Chronosphere's mind when he activated his Supernatural Ability for the first time.
A future he thought was impossible.
Chronosphere was confused.
He truly wished to destroy humanity.
He believed that ugly, worthless humans should go extinct as soon as possible.
However, there was also a part of him that thought they should not be destroyed.
It had been thousands of years.
For thousands of years, Chronosphere and his 'children' had protected humanity from the Calamity that trapped them in a labyrinth. He couldn't help but hesitate to destroy all that endless effort with his own hands.
Moreover, if he destroyed humanity, his beloved 'children' would also die.
He felt a strong hesitation about dragging his 'children' into his hatred.
Chronosphere was torn between whether he should destroy humanity or hold back.
That's why, not just for camouflage, he continued developing the [Temple] and had Chloe record the underground coordinates where the [Temple] would be built.
He had Chloe record the coordinates because the tragedy that struck her pushed him forward.
That's why he entrusted the possibility of stopping him, that final choice, to Chloe.
If only.
If Chloe stopped him, then he would swallow his hatred and try to give up.
He thought about trying to extend his life using the [Temple], or maybe keeping the seal as it is for the development of humanity, but he decided to leave all the Selection choices to Chloe.
Chloe, who became a victim of human malice, deserves that chance.
So, he gave Chloe the coordinates of the [Temple] and, along with his words as Jilva opposing the Chronosphere plan, he provided her with the Selection option to forcibly interrupt the plan.
However, after the last stampede, the Chronosphere, having seen the future through the 'Invisible Hands', obtained a third Selection option.
Even the act of having Chloe record the coordinates of the [Temple] was already included in that future.
It was as if a true transcendent being, not a fake like himself or the [Evil God], had adjusted things with the Invisible Hands.
Chloe, Logan, Ickle, Lucia, Fiona, Aaron.
All the necessary pieces were already in place.
If he let her escape once, there probably won't be a second chance. And if she tries to escape, he likely won't be able to stop her. She is still wary of the [World Severance]. Before he can use the function through the [Seal Temple], she will probably escape by teleportation.
So, to some extent, he needs to align with her desires. He must ensure she doesn't choose the option to flee.
──For example, he might have to offer something she desperately wants, something she would reach for with all her might.
An existence that even the humans of the Age of Gods, who boasted far more advanced civilization and technology than now, could not completely destroy.
To truly create the ultimate sword that can destroy it, both an opportunity for the enemy and a trial for the hero were needed.
However, this was also a Selection that faced a crisis greater than the Age of Gods.
The chances of failure were higher, and if they failed, all of humanity, including the "children," would die, leaving only poor copies of humans to enjoy a hollow prosperity.
Even so.
The future shown to him seemed like it would grant both his wishes and the wishes of the "children."
So, it all depended on his Selection.
Chronosphere made his Selection.
If he was going to fail, then humanity would simply go extinct as they wished. That was why Chronosphere could make his Selection.
Thinking about wanting to destroy the world,
Thinking about wanting to save the world,
Thinking about wanting to die and find peace,
None of it contradicted anything for Chronosphere.
──He accomplished it.
His Supernatural Ability, 'Invisible Hands,' announced it.
At this very moment, in another place, the evil god fulfilled her true purpose, and the hero was given his final trial.
Thus, the last condition was set.
From here on, whether the future Chronosphere desired would come true was something he no longer knew.
And what he thought, what he selected, and what he accomplished──Chronosphere had no intention of telling anyone.
* * *
"──Nuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!"
"""Huh!?"""
"Chronosphere-sama!?"
"Chloe! Stop!"
Chronosphere, pierced through the heart by the [Black Seal Sword] and bound, reflected on his "life" for just a brief moment──then let out a roar and gathered all his strength.
Lucia and the others took a defensive stance, wary of this.
Only Chloe tried to approach the Chronosphere to stop it, but Ail held her shoulder, stopping her movement.
Meanwhile, Logan, who was still restraining the Chronosphere, infused more aura into the "Black Moon" and asked,
"Are you still planning to fight in this situation!?"
It seemed like the Chronosphere had given up, but that was a mistake.
With a mocking expression, the Chronosphere replied,
"I'm not planning to do anything...!! The game is over now...!! Once I break free from this restraint, I'll kill every last one of you...!!"
"Wait, no way...!?"
Chloe shouted, confirming Logan's fears.
"Why, Chronosphere-sama!? You don't have to die!!"
If Chronosphere really didn't intend to kill them, then resisting in this completely bound state could only mean one thing.
That is──he's planning to die here.
Chloe, Logan, and Lucia all understood this.
So.
"Please wait, Mr. Logan! I'm begging you! Chronosphere-sama has been trying so hard all alone! He has suffered for us until now!! There must have been a reason for this! A reason he had to do this!! So, so...!!"
Chloe cried as she pleaded.
She begged for Chronosphere's life.
To others, it might have seemed strange. Why was she protecting Chronosphere so much? But for Chloe, it was completely natural.
Chloe loved──Chronosphere.
Not in a romantic way.
But as a lifesaver, as family, like a father figure.
He saved her. He continued to protect her at his home. He checked on her after the kidnapping incident, always reaching out.
Now, she was okay, but the truth was, Chloe was scared when she was kidnapped.
She was anxious about what would happen to her, terrified and unable to think straight. So when Chronosphere saved her, she felt a deep sense of relief.
At the same time.
Hearing Chronosphere's cries, she thought, "This person is truly kind."
Because she heard Chronosphere's cries back then, she didn't carry any emotional scars. She realized she was being protected by such a kind person, and even if she were kidnapped again, she felt, without any real reason, that she would be okay.
Later, when she was made to record the coordinates of the underground Space where the [Temple] was built, she even felt a warm smile thinking he was a "clumsy person."
To Chloe, Chronosphere was a kind and clumsy person. Someone who was too kind, to the point of hurting himself.
So──she was sure that in the end, he wouldn't put humanity in danger just to take a gamble with the [Temple].
──And that's exactly what happened.
[Temple] ultimately collapsed without ever being used, destroyed by the aftermath of the battle between Aaron and Logan. Chloe fulfilled her role as expected, even if it was unspoken.
But.
Chronosphere, who had been suffering alone without being able to consult anyone, could not accept dying as just an "enemy" without revealing their true feelings to anyone.
If they had done everything they needed to do, they wished they could have shared their circumstances after it was all over.
If that happened, they believed everyone would surely forgive them.
At least, they thought the members of the 4 families would.
However.
"NUOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"
To crush Chloe's pleas for mercy, Chronosphere let out a roar and struggled to break free from the restraints. In an attempt to forcibly tear away the "roots" of their aura, bones shattered, muscles ripped, and skin was torn apart.
But, for Chronosphere now, such damage was nothing more than a scratch. They would heal quickly.
If that was the case, just watching silently would eventually lead to the restraints being released.
Logan had to make a decision before that happened.
And──there was no hesitation.
"──!? Wait! Mr. Logan!! Please!! Please!! I'll do anything!! I'll apologize together, I'll make amends!! So, please don't kill Chronosphere!!"
"──I'm sorry, Lady Chloe."
Logan released his grip from the "Black Moon" that was stabbed into Chronosphere.
Even if the supply of aura is cut off, the restraints won't be released immediately.
During that time, Logan quickly took out a new sword from the storage ring, infused it with aura, and got ready──then, he swung it down.
Clang!
The sword saint's final skill──[Dragon-Slaying Slash: Ruin]
The platinum blade was swung down diagonally towards Chronosphere.
* * *
The platinum blade passed through his body.
He immediately felt his own flesh being consumed by the platinum light from the diagonal cut that sliced through his torso from the shoulder.
Due to the "roots" of the black aura, the activation of Space magic was still sealed, and this time there was no way to avoid the [Dragon-Slayer Blade].
In the few seconds before the certain arrival of "death"──Chronosphere turned his gaze towards Chloe and Ail.
Chloe was reaching out towards him, crying and screaming.
Ail, trying to hold her back, furrowed his brow as if enduring pain.
Lucia was also by their side. If he shifted his gaze slightly, he could see Noah too.
There were so many things he wanted to say to them. They were all his beloved "children." But there was no time left for that. Ickle, who housed Lucia, would surely be okay. If the world continued like this, he was sure they would live happily under those 2.
He wanted to apologize to Noah, but again, there was no time for that. It was a bit disappointing.
Looking at Ail, he felt more sorry for Jilva. Jilva would probably laugh and say that neither of them were that age anymore──but it was he who had stolen some of their time to live as parent and child.
And he had only endless gratitude to Chloe.
For believing in someone like him.
There were so many words he wanted to say to the "children" who weren't here.
That said, there really wasn't any time.
So, Chronosphere just smiled.
With a calm face, as if a weight had been lifted, he looked at Chloe and the others.
(Ah... finally, it's ending...)
In the next moment, a platinum light seemed to invade his eyes, and he lost his vision.
Then, as it invaded his brain, in the brief moment before consciousness faded, he heard the familiar voice of an old man.
──Master Chronosphere, thank you for your long service.
(Jil, va──)
Any further thoughts couldn't turn into words.
Chronosphere became countless particles of light.
And vanished.
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