Chapter 497: The Ball (1)

From afar, in another dimension, Purple Winter Moon, in the form of a nine-year-old child, observed the massive incident Azure Spring Moon had caused in human society.

She couldn’t help but question.

’How did he use that power?’

The powers of the Twelve Divine Moons sometimes manifested as immense disasters when specific conditions were met. However, those conditions were almost always triggered by the mages.

Purple Winter Moon could confidently say that the Twelve Divine Moons had never directly willed such disasters themselves.

But look at the enormous whirlpool in the Eastern Sea.

Wasn’t it entirely created by Azure Spring Moon’s power?

That could only mean one thing.

’...That guy must have granted him the authority. Ugh, it has to be.’

She glanced sideways at Fawn Prevernal Moon. He was currently using his unique power, [Gaze Upon the World], to observe another location, not this one.

Fawn Prevernal Moon was truly an anomaly.

Among the Twelve Divine Moons, who could only use their powers under specific conditions, he was almost the only one who could wield his abilities freely without any restrictions.

Pale Yellow Autumn Moon was another exception, but... That foolish, weak woman was so pathetic that calling her a member of the Twelve Divine Moons felt embarrassing. She was an outlier.

’Hmph, teasing that rotten wench was my source of amusement. It’s boring now that she’s gone.’

Although Purple Winter Moon had the most powerful offensive capability, but if asked whether she had the greatest ability among the Twelve Divine Moons, the answer would be no.

As a being brimming with self-esteem, this realization wounded her pride. She often channeled her frustrations by mocking and belittling Pale Yellow Autumn Moon, the weakest among the Twelve Divine Moons, to boost her own confidence.

But recently, she had heard something shocking from Fawn Prevernal Moon.

When Crimson Autumn Moon asked why they hadn’t retrieved Pale Yellow Autumn Moon after she fled from the group, Fawn Prevernal Moon answered.

’... That woman escaped my power. Even I didn’t foresee it.’

That’s right.

Pale Yellow Autumn Moon had managed to flee from Fawn Prevernal Moon’s power... something believed to be inescapable.

Although Purple Winter Moon didn’t know the exact details of what Fawn Prevernal Moon had done to her, the mere fact was enough to astonish her.

When Fawn Prevernal Moon confirmed Pale Yellow Autumn Moon’s escape, he had given up on her almost immediately.

In other words, it meant she could not be brought back.

Crack!

That fact irritated Purple Winter Moon.

’That dim-witted woman...’

Purple Winter Moon couldn’t even fathom the idea. Not only had Pale Yellow Autumn Moon dared to defy Fawn Prevernal Moon, but she also managed to escape his power and flee. She was probably now basking in the newfound freedom granted to her while under Baek Yu-Seol’s protection.

"Ahem."

Purple Winter Moon deliberately cleared her throat.

Since it was just her and Fawn Prevernal Moon present, it was an open signal for him to pay attention and start a conversation. But, unsurprisingly, Fawn Prevernal Moon ignored her completely.

"Hey."

In the end, she spoke first. Fawn Prevernal Moon turned to her, as he would never outright disregard another of the Twelve Divine Moons.

"You know, Baek Yu-Seol keeps interfering with your plans. I get that he’s important or something... but instead of letting him get in your way all the time, wouldn’t it be simpler to just go and kill him?"

"... Probably."

Fawn Prevernal Moon seemed to agree. Purple Winter Moon’s heart skipped a beat when he positively acknowledged her suggestion, which she had blurted out without much thought.

’W-What? Am I secretly a genius? Did I just come up with something no one else, not even Fawn Prevernal Moon, had considered?’

...Of course, that wasn’t the case at all.

"That’s not a bad suggestion. For someone like you, as one of the Twelve Divine Moons, it’s a reasonable idea."

"Y-Yeah, right? Totally!"

"But... Purple Winter Moon."

He locked his gray eyes directly onto Purple Winter Moon’s violet ones. The intensity of his gaze was disconcerting.

"There’s something you don’t know."

"Don’t know? What is it?"

"It’s time I told you. As you may have guessed - or perhaps you didn’t - I cannot kill Baek Yu-Seol."

"What?"

She hadn’t guessed that at all.

"What do you mean you can’t kill him?"

What could that possibly mean?

Could there really be someone in the world that Fawn Prevernal Moon couldn’t kill?

"Why? You’re the Twelve Divine Moon who controls all the space in the world. That guy’s ability is just teleporting a few dozen meters at most..."

"Do you really believe that’s all there is to it?"

"... What?"

Purple Winter Moon had never questioned it before. Baek Yu-Seol’s ability seemed limited to a few meters of teleportation. Nothing more.

"T-That can’t be all, right? I mean, I know that much too. But... isn’t it strange? If he hasn’t shown more, doesn’t that mean he doesn’t know how to use it? Maybe he doesn’t understand his own potential."

Her reasoning was sound and almost correct, but Fawn Prevernal Moon shook his head.

"No. That’s not the case. Baek Yu-Seol... knows his own abilities. If he didn’t, his actions wouldn’t make any sense."

"His actions? Oh, you mean how he keeps getting in our way? Yeah, it doesn’t make sense for a mere human boy to be able to interfere with the path of the Twelve Divine Moons. I guess there’s a reason for it, huh..."

"Exactly. There are about three reasons why I can’t kill Baek Yu-Seol. One of them is... the ’affinity’ of our abilities."

"Affinity..."

Could there even be such a thing as an affinity related to spatial abilities? Purple Winter Moon had never heard of such a concept. But then again, Fawn Prevernal Moon had no reason to lie.

Now that she noticed it, there seemed to be a trace of fatigue in Fawn Prevernal Moon’s expression.

"Hmm... affinity, huh. I don’t really get it."

"Baek Yu-Seol’s ability isn’t just about moving a few meters. It’s broader and more expansive..."

"Ah, is it because of Silver Autumn Moon blessing?"

If there was an ability with an affinity that could counter spatial power, it would probably be related to time. Thinking this, Purple Winter Moon suggested it.

Fawn Prevernal Moon paused and looked at her.

"Uh, uhh? If that offended you, I’m sorry!"

"...That’s not it. But your thinking isn’t entirely wrong."

Not entirely wrong?

So, it wasn’t the correct answer.

’Then does that mean there’s something more to that Baek Yu-Seol?’

It was a problem too complex for her to solve on her own, but unfortunately, Fawn Prevernal Moon stopped speaking.

When he went silent, that was the end of the conversation. It was his way of saying he didn’t want to discuss it further.

Purple Winter Moon could only grumble quietly to herself.

’Ugh~! What’s the deal, seriously?!’

While she gnawed on her fingernails in frustration, Fawn Prevernal Moon once again turned his gaze to the void, using his unique power to observe the events unfolding in the Eastern Sea. Something beyond Purple Winter Moon’s capabilities.

’Tch, fine, I’ll go see for myself!’

Purple Winter Moon leapt to her feet, kicking open the gate and bolting out.

Determined to witness firsthand what Azure Spring Moon was scheming in the Eastern Sea, she plunged straight into the scene.

What greeted her eyes when she arrived at the Eastern Sea was...

"... What?"

For some reason, the massive whirlpool had grown even larger, churning violently as if it were alive.

It was as though it had been waiting for this very moment.

The Rising Dragon, carrying Eisel, had barely arrived when the colossal whirlpool began to spiral violently, inflating in size.

It felt as though the whirlpool had a will of its own, eager to announce its presence to the world:

’Ladies and gentlemen, people of the world! Eisel Morph has arrived before us! Watch her decision carefully!’

It was almost as if the whirlpool were shouting this aloud.

The sky above had grown dark with storm clouds that spiraled alongside the whirlpool, forming a dome-like structure.

It looked as though a massive black bowl had been placed atop the whirlpool.

Whoooosh!

Soon, thick raindrops began to pour down.

It came down like a torrential shower, but everyone knew this was no ordinary rain. The waves roared violently.

The whirlpool no longer waited patiently for humans.

There was no thunder or lightning, but the airships hastily retreated, and only a few large ships with significant weight could barely maintain their distance from the whirlpool.

Eisel stood on the deck, staring directly at the enormous whirlpool. It felt as if half the world was swallowed by it.

’...I have to die, don’t I?’

Inside that whirlpool were tens of thousands of righteous sailors, still alive and desperately hoping to be rescued.

Compared to them, what was Eisel?

Was she righteous? Had she lived a life that benefited others?

No.

She was the daughter of a man branded a traitor and had selfishly pursued her own path to clear her father’s name.

Not once had she done anything truly beneficial for the world.

If so, wouldn’t it be better for her to die and let them all live? Wouldn’t that be of greater help to the world?

"Get a grip!"

As those thoughts consumed her, Hong Bi-Yeon’s shout startled her. She turned her head abruptly.

"... Baek Yu-Seol wouldn’t want you to die."

At that, Eisel gave a bitter smile.

"Even if Baek Yu-Seol doesn’t want me to, the rest of the world would."

Eisel had lived her life seeking to clear her father’s name, yearning for the world’s approval. But if she somehow managed to survive here, would such a day ever come?

No. Absolutely not.

If she chose her life here, the world would forever remember her as the woman who sank tens of thousands of lives into the sea.

At least she would no longer be called the ’daughter of the traitor Morph,’ which might be a small relief.

But, on the other hand...

If she chose to sacrifice herself here, even if she couldn’t fully restore her father’s tarnished name, she might at least leave a positive impression of the Morph name in people’s memories.

"I’ll go."

"Eisel!"

This time, it was Flame who shouted, but Eisel’s resolve did not waver.

"I’m sorry. This isn’t the time for goodbyes."

"Wait, no, listen to me!"

Flame tried to say something, but Eisel had already spread her icy-blue wings and soared into the sky.

At that moment, the storm clouds parted, and sunlight streamed down to illuminate her. It was a breathtaking sight, almost otherworldly.

This too was part of Azure Spring Moon’s plan... to announce Eisel’s decision to the world and make her sacrifice appear noble and extraordinary, leaving no room for her to turn back.

As a result, everyone gathered from nations across the world, waiting in the vicinity, witnessed Eisel’s ascent.

In the darkened world, a single girl soared upward, trailing a radiant blue light.

"We... we have to stop her... we must..."

Flame hurriedly unfolded her wings of light and prepared to follow, but in that instant, the storm whipped around the Rising Dragon, lashing violently, as if to hinder her.

"...The Twelve Divine Moons certainly don’t shy away from theatrics," Admiral Halicevale remarked, waving his hand.

At his gesture, the storm winds dissipated as easily as drawing back a curtain.

Though the winds no longer raged, Flame could only stare helplessly into the distance where Eisel had already disappeared.

"...This is cruel."

Halicevale watched Eisel’s retreating figure with a bitter expression, as if gazing at the end of the world.

Above, the storm clouds shrouded the sky completely, and below, the massive walls of the ocean rose like barriers to the edge of the earth.

The image of a lone girl flying toward that towering whirlpool... It could only be described as a work of art.

But no one could appreciate its beauty. Not now.

Eisel was being offered as a sacrifice to the Twelve Divine Moons.

Bzzzzzzz...!!!

"Ugh! What is this... magic?!"

The moment she reached the whirlpool, the entire ocean suddenly began to glow with a brilliant blue light.

Admiral Halicevale, perceptive as ever, realized that this too was part of Azure Spring Moon’s orchestrated spectacle. However, most others did not.

"The whirlpool..."

"It’s glowing blue...!"

They were simply blinded by the overwhelming grandeur created by the Twelve Divine Moons.

’Come, O sacrifice. Your offering is pure and beautiful...’

A voice echoed from the whirlpool as countless massive streams of water began snaking their way toward Eisel. The sheer otherworldly sight left everyone watching in awe, their breaths caught in their throats.

Once hailed as a prodigious girl destined to become one of the greatest grand mages...

Eisel Morph.

The daughter of a traitor, she had worked tirelessly to earn her place at Stella Academy and prove her worth. What should have awaited her was a bright, brilliant future.

But now, at this very moment, that brilliant life was about to end.

As everyone looked up at the whirlpool, capturing the scene in their eyes, that fleeting moment was shattered.

Flash!

A piercing beam of light broke through the clouds and descended upon Eisel.

Bright, blue, and sharp... it looked as though it intended to split the world in half.

And then—

"What... What is that?"

The events that unfolded next—

No one could understand.