Book 2: Chapter 396: The Birth of Evil (13) |
<The Birth of Evil (13)>
The largest hall in Cotton Candy Castle…
That hall was quite chaotic right now.
“Hurry up! Block the residents of the Seventh Evil from getting in here!”
“Yes, Dark Bear-nim!”
The Heinous Dark Bear was the busiest of all.
He was currently doing a great job as the fill in for the Seventh Evil's boss.
“Make sure torches are lit up all around so that those shadow bastards from the Sixth Evil can't get into the castle! Nobody will hinder the birth of our boss!”
His short stubby front paws were swinging around as he gave orders.
His solemnity made everybody in Cotton Candy Castle move extremely quickly.
These monsters were all associated with the Cotton Candy Castle and were not mutants like the Dark Bear, so they followed all of his commands without issues.
They were easily accepting Cale’s group going through the castle as they pleased as well.
‘If you all follow my orders, you will see a new evil! That evil will become the greatest of all evils!’
That’s what the Dark Bear had told them.
“Hoo hoo.”
Clopeh quietly chuckled behind the Dark Bear.
Clopeh seemed quite happy the past few days.
“Hoo hoo hoo-”
As his laughter became brighter…
“Hey! You! Who told you to act so stupid?! Are you planning on ruining our boss's birth ceremony?!”
The Dark Bear’s voice was getting louder.
The bear’s back got drenched in sweat.
“…….”
Cale watched all of this before getting up.
“Cale-nim. The time is near.”
Cale nodded his head at Clopeh's comment and picked up the egg.
The egg, which wasn’t moving as if it had given up, was as warm as usual.
“You must return on time, Cale-nim.”
“Yeah.”
He waved at Clopeh's request and started walking.
“…….”
…….
Both Cale and the egg were silent.
“We found some spies trying to get past the castle wall!”
“Capture and kill!”
“Dark Bear-nim, the crowd has surpassed 12,000! Shouldn't we make an announcement or something?”
“Shut up! “C, Clopeh Sekka-nim told us not to say anything or give anything away! He said that not saying anything is the coolest!”
"B, but still-”
“We don’t need to say anything. We just have to show them all! That's how legends are!”
“Excuse me? A l, legend?”
“Do you know anything about legends? Have you ever stayed up for 72 hours learning about legends?! You motherfuckers, just do as you're told!”
“Y, yes sir!”
Cale ignored the chaotic conversations and moved to a quiet place with Eden Miru.
Choi Han, Rosalyn, Eruhaben, etc…
His allies were not by his side.
They were all waiting inside the Cotton Candy Castle to do their respective parts for the birth ceremony.
< No Entry >
Cale looked at a sign the Dark Bear put up before turning a corner.
This part of the hallway had become off limits at some point.
The reason was simple.
Step.
He walked past the sign and turned the corner with light footsteps.
“Human!”
“I've been waiting, nya!”
"Welcome.”
The children averaging ten-years-old welcomed him.
No…
“Hey Eden Miru!”
“Our youngest will finally be born today, nya!”
“I don't think he’s the youngest, nya.”
They all warmly greeted Eden Miru.
And-
“Sheritt-nim.”
Cale approached Sheritt, who was not in New World but watching them from across the portal in Aipotu.
Dragon Lord Neo. The portal in the basement of his lair headed toward New World…
It was difficult for the Black Castle to approach because it was in the basement, but they did some major renovations around it.
Now, it was so close that once the door to the Black Castle opened, the portal could be seen right away.
“You're here.”
In front of the door…
Sheritt was stopped there as she greeted Cale.
“Human! Give me Eden Miru!”
Raon received the egg from Cale before putting him on a comfortable cushion right in front of the portal.
“…….”
Sheritt's eyes would not move from the egg.
“Hehe!”
“This is exciting, nya!”
"It’s about to start, nya.”
On, Hong, and Raon gathered around the cushion.
“…….”
…….
Sheritt and Eden Miru showed no reactions.
Cale looked around.
There were around 10 video communication devices in front of the portal.
They were showing the Cotton Candy Castle in real time.
Eruhaben had been considerate and placed all of these for Sheritt, who would not be able to see Eden Miru’s birth later.
Sheritt would at least get to see Eden Miru’s birth from here.
Sheritt and Cale made eye contact at that time.
“Sheritt-nim.”
“Hmm?”
“Can't I just let him be born here?”
After confirming that the progression rate had passed 100% a long time ago, Cale had wondered if it would be better for Eden Miru to be born by Sheritt's side.
‘I mean, the quest is important, but…’
Birth.
Thinking about that word, he wondered if it would be better by Sheritt-nim’s side.
If Raon Miru was by his side as well, Eden Miru would get the most out of his birth.
“No.”
But Sheritt was stern.
"We will proceed as planned.”
It was quite the cold and calculated response unlike her usual self.
…….
Eden Miru just quietly sat there on the cushion without any reaction.
Cale looked back and forth at the egg and Sheritt before starting to speak.
He spoke in a casual voice.
“Then could you please explain why?”
“Huh?”
Cale looked at the confused Sheritt before looking back at the egg.
‘This punk-’
This guy was still wary of Sheritt-nim. More specifically, he stiffened whenever he was in front of Sheritt-nim.
He never clacked even once in front of Sheritt-nim. He just quietly stayed there.
Maybe that was more comfortable for him, but-
‘I'm not sure.’
Cale was thinking that it had to do with a sense of guilt the Dragon half-blood still felt toward Sheritt.
That was why Sheritt had to say it.
She had to say why she did not want to be Eden Miru’s side when he was born.
"Why did you allow Clopeh Sekka to run so rampant?”
Sheritt was silent for a moment at Cale’s nonchalant question.
Raon, On, and Hong stayed quietly and all looked at Sheritt.
…….
The egg was still silent.
“…….”
“…….”
Cale and Sheritt quietly observed each other.
‘Please stop being embarrassed and just say it.’
Cale had that thought on his mind as he looked at Sheritt.
Sheritt, who had the appearance of a young girl, scowled. Her freckles twitched.
“Huuuuuu.”
She sighed.
It was at that moment.
Ding-
There was a small notification.
It meant that the birth ceremony would start soon.
[Recovery rate 99.98% (Remaining time: 0 hours 15 minutes)]
[Birth Ceremony Progression 197%]
[Reward rank undetermined]
There’s only 15 minutes left until the birth ceremony.
“We need to go, nya-”
On was right about Eden Miru and Cale having to leave.
Raon, Hong, and On as well.
“Yeah. We do need to go.”
Cale picked up the egg again.
He said goodbye to Sheritt.
"We'll be back soon, Sheritt-nim.”
He then turned around without any hesitation.
Raon and Hong looked at Cale as if they were wondering if he really was leaving, but Cale's calm face showed no emotion.
It was the same for Sheritt.
She just quietly stood there as well.
“I'll, be back too……!”
“Mm. We'll leave with them for now, nya!”
Raon and Hong ended up saying goodbye to Sheritt.
But Sheritt was not looking at the two of them.
Her gaze was focused on the egg that was slightly visible to Cale’s side.
“Eden Miru.”
Cale stopped walking.
Sheritt had called out to Eden Miru.
…….
The egg showed no reaction.
Sheritt showed no emotions on her face.
These were the times Cale felt like he could feel her years of experience despite her young appearance.
“You-”
At that moment, Cale saw the person who came to get him and Eden Miru/
It was Casillia.
“……!”
She stopped after seeing Cale raise his hand to stop her.
Everybody heard what Sheritt said to Eden Miru at that moment.
Her voice was stoic without any emotion.
“Eden Miru, you deserve to be born receiving the blessing of a large number of people.”
Cale looked away from the complicated look visible on Casillia's face and looked down at the egg.
Cale turned around for the egg that was showing no reaction.
Now Sheritt was looking right at the egg.
Her gaze was always on Eden Miru.
“…….”
She hesitated for a moment before continuing to speak.
"I created a castle for my children.”
“Mm.”
Cale realized that she hesitated because it involved her past.
The Dragon half-blood, Sheritt, and Raon…
The past was like a reverse scale that the three of them did not want to touch.
However, Sheritt's voice was calm despite the hesitation.
"I prepared it so that those children could grow without lacking anything.”
She had prepared a castle for her children.
She decorated.
She even created her current existence to be there for them.
Nonetheless-
“But there was one thing that I was disappointed about.”
Sheritt raised her head and looked at the ceiling.
Something that she was disappointed about despite preparing all these things for them.
"The fact that they would be born in that silent castle, just thinking about that made me sad.”
Her current self was not a truly living existence.
There was no living being to welcome her children.
The children had to be born in a lonely place.
"That was why I always imagined it.”
Maybe it was because of her disappointment, but she had this thought, no, this desire.
“I thought about how wonderful it would be for my children to be born in a place full of fanfare, joy, and blessings from countless others.”
The egg still did not move.
Sheritt couldn't look at Eden Miru right now.
She just said what she needed to say.
“I was a great and mighty Dragon Lord. I was confident that my children, carrying my blood, would also be great and mighty. And this was true.”
Casillia listened to Lord Sheritt's story and thought to herself.
‘As expected, Dragons put a lot of meaning in their own greatness.’
Humans and Dragons. Because she was half human and half Dragon, despite Casillia putting a lot of meaning into Eden Miru’s birth, she felt that the Dragon portion of her blood was more of a curse than being great.
As Casillia's face was about to turn grim from this thought…
“But I did not wish for them to receive the blessing of so many people because of their greatness. Is a Dragon really that great? There are plenty of individuals here who have done greater deeds than I have ever done.”
……!
Casillia’s pupils started shaking.
Cale then saw Sheritt looking back down at them.
She looked at Eden Miru and continued to speak.
“It’s just that I-”
She hesitated before continuing.
“Because I am a mom.”
Clack.
The egg moved.
Eden Miru had reacted.
“As a mother, I just couldn’t help but want my children to be loved by all.”
Cale could feel the egg shaking.
It was not from fear.
Intense emotions that could not be held back were being felt outside the egg as well.
The egg started to heat up.
“I wanted at least their birth to be full of joy and cheering rather than silence and stillness.”
A small smile appeared on Sheritt's emotionless face.
She then addressed Eden Miru.
“I finally get to fulfill that wish today.”
Wanting her children to be loved by all.
Wanting at least their birth to be full of joy and cheering rather than silence and stillness.
She was fulfilling that dream today.
Everybody here understood the meaning behind her words.
Clack.
The egg continued to shake and move without stopping.
It was as if the creature inside the egg was flailing to get out.
Cale started to walk.
Casillia blankly watched all of it.
Cale stood in front of the portal and moved the egg in front of Sheritt.
Sheritt extended her hand.
But her hand stopped in front of the portal.
She slowly crouched down and almost whispered to the egg.
“I’ll be praying for your safe entry into this world.”
Sheritt slowly took a breath before letting it out.
Then in a shaking voice…
Cale could feel that she was being completely sincere.
Sheritt whispered to Eden Miru.
She'll be praying for his safe entry into this world, so…
Once it was all over…
“Come see your mom.”
Sheritt waved her hand.
Raon flew over to her.
Raon petted Eden Miru’s egg.
Sheritt watched this with a warm gaze before speaking to the two children.
“I’ll always be waiting.”
Come see your mom whenever.
I will always be waiting as I have done until now.
“I got it, mom! We’ll be back real soon!”
Raon raised the leg up with his two chubby front paws.
“Hey Eden Miru! You'll do it too, right?”
Clack!
The egg cheerfully moved.
As the corners of Cale’s lips subconsciously twitched up…
– Sob. How emotional! With all my power-
The twitching of Cale’s lips instantly disappeared because of the Dominating Aura’s scary noise.
But he was still satisfied.
‘This timid bastard should be born properly now, right?’
Eden Miru.
He felt like he could finally relax about the birth of this punk who actually took a lot of work to handle.
A smile of satisfaction slowly appeared on Cale’s face.
“Huh?”
It was at that moment.
[Recovery rate 99.98% (Remaining time: 0 hours 12 minutes)]
[Birth Ceremony Progression 197%]
[Reward rank undetermined]
The quest window suddenly became weird.
[*Unexpected fluctuation!]
‘Hmm?’
[Recovery rate 99.985% (Remaining time: 0 hours 9 minutes)]
‘Huh?’
A bunch of time suddenly went down.
Three minutes had gone down in one second.
“What the…?”
[Recovery rate 99.99% (Remaining time: 0 hours 6 minutes)]
‘Huh?’
[*The subject’s desire to be born has reached the zenith and caused a variable in the quest!]
‘What?’
[Recovery rate 99.993% (Remaining time: 0 hours 5 minutes)]
Cale looked at the status window and subconsciously shouted.
“…H, holy shit!”
5 minutes!
The time was going down so fast.
4 minutes, 30 seconds.
4 minutes.
It was going down so fast.
“Human?”
As Raon looked at him with confusion…
Clack!
Cale swiped the egg from Raon’s front paws.
He then started to run.
“Human!”
“Cale!”
"What is the issue, sir?”
“Meeeeeow?”
“Meeow?”
Cale shouted at the confused group.
“4 minutes, no! He’ll be born in 3 minutes!”
“Gasp!”
“Gaaaasp!”
He heard gasping all around him but Cale had no time to pay it any attention.
He shouted toward the egg.
“Hey! Why are you suddenly acting like this?!”
C, claaaack……!
The egg seemed flustered as well.
But that was not the issue for Cale right now.
Swooooooosh-
He ran extremely quickly using the Sound of the Wind.
[Recovery rate 99.996% (Remaining time: 0 hours 2 minutes 47 seconds)]
For the first time, Cale…
"Clopeh!”
Desperately shouted Clopeh's name.
They needed to move up the rest of the plan.
“Cale-nim?”
Cale shouted at the confused Cale.
“Help!”
Cale flinched at that moment.
Clopeh's pupils shook for a moment before his face filled with delight.
He then started tearing up.
‘C, crazy bastard……!’
Cale became flustered.
However, there was nothing he could do right now.
He was in a rush.
“2 minutes!”
He grabbed Clopeh's shoulder and explained.
“He’ll be born in 2 minutes!”
The birth was happening 11 minutes earlier than planned.
They needed to change everything.
Cale looked toward the quest window.
[Recovery rate 99.9965% (Remaining time: 0 hours 2 minutes 01 seconds)]
“Huh?”
He finally noticed something.
[Birth Ceremony Progression 197%]
The progression had been there, but…
[Birth Ceremony Progression 251%]
It had significantly gone up.
It was as if Eden Miru's desire to be born was reflected in it.
“Ow, hot!”
Cale then had to remove his hand from the egg.
The egg was extremely hot.
And it was slowly starting to float up.
And Cale's extremely crazy bastard…
“Cale-nim. You have nothing to worry about.”
Clopeh’s face returned to its usual gentle look as he addressed Cale.
"A variable is normal for a legend.
Hoo hoo.”
He laughed and extended his hand.
"Everybody to your positions!”
He looked just like the Guardian Knight Clopeh Sekka, who had charged toward the continent with a large army in the past.
Ruuuumble-
Cotton Candy Castle. Everybody who had come to see the birth of the new boss raised their heads.
There were over 120,000 individuals present.
They could see a dark red cloud cover the sky and the land with darkness.
It was completely different from the dark red cloud they saw before.
The sky turned black and the red light spread throughout the plains.
“…Finally!”
“… Ah, aah-”
As everybody instinctively felt that something was about to be born…
– Cale. Let’s go.
Cale looked out from the top floor of the Cotton Candy Castle and closed his eyes.
The Dominating Aura started to move.
Swoooooooosh-
A breeze blew by.
“……!”
“…….”
The vast plain became quiet.
It was so quiet the wind could be heard.
It could not be helped.
An unexplainable feeling of pressure was suddenly felt from the castle.
It was as if they were coming face to face with the overlord of this world.
“!”
“……!”
A small egg came down from the dark red cloud in the sky at that moment.
—
Translator's Comments
Dun dun dun, dun du dun, dun du dunnnnnnnnn
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