…
The brilliant light from the Guiding Ray transported Izroth and company to a place filled with an abundance of vegetation and freshwater streams. The trees were spread out, but the area resembled an open grassland more than a forest.
It was a peaceful atmosphere; however, this site was not that of the Celestial Battlegrounds.
“This is as far as the Guiding Ray can take us without being detected by those pillars. Brothers, here is where we part ways.” Astratis stated.
“Stay safe, brothers,” Thalos commented.
“…” Skos remained silent; however, he gave a small nod to acknowledge Astratis’ and Thalos’ words.
“That goes for all of you as well. We may be entering the Celestial Battlegrounds from different locations, but we must still fight as one. And—we must return safely to those who await us back at the Hidden Celestial Abode.” Astratis addressed his fellow celestials.
After Astratis spoke, without a moment’s hesitation, the group split into three parts.
Thalos departed with thirty people to the east. Skos with twenty to the south. And, twenty-six individuals departed in a group to the north, who was accompanied by none of the three brothers.
This left Astratis with twenty celestials. Of course, Izroth and Sychia were also joining Astratis’ group.
“We head west!” Astratis declared as he led the way forward.
Izroth, Sychia, and the celestials followed after Astratis as they made their way west.
‘To carry out this kind of plan—these siblings must be fairly confident in their own abilities.’
The general plan was simple and straightforward. With the Teraidi out of the way, each brother would lead a group to assault the heart of a pillar.
The Son of Waves Thalos’ target was the Pillar of the East, Heaven’s Son, Yia.
While the Son of Twilight Skos would work to suppress the Pillar of the South, Heaven’s Constellation, Schimatia.
As for the Son of Thunder—Astratis was tasked with taking down the Pillar of the West, Heaven’s Strength, Ourami.
Naturally, this left a gap in power in the group headed to confront the north pillar. At least, this was how it seemed on the surface.
In truth, the north was being left to another one of the siblings, who had already infiltrated that area in search of a weakness to deal with the cunning pillar that ruled there. The Daughter of Order, Nomii, Astratis’ second eldest sister.
Once the group arrived, Nomii would take command and lead the assault on the Pillar of the North, Heaven’s Mind, Myania.
This type of full-scale attack from all directions simultaneously was something the arrogant pillars would never see coming. After all, having lorded over this world for so long, in their mind, there was no one who dared attack them all at once in their own territory.
The pillars not only possessed strength but also had an army formed from the numerous ancient races under their rule.
This is why it was every group’s task to suppress the ancient races while their head took care of the pillar.
Though Izroth was curious as to why Ilioreas was not included in the battle plan. After all, it would remove a lot of stress off one group if Ilioreas assisted them. Then, once they finished, that group could head over to help their closest ally and so on.
‘Can it be that it’s fine as long as he does not directly make a move?’
If Izroth’s assumption about Ilioreas was correct and he was a Plane Ascender, then it should be impossible for him to interfere in something that would affect the state of the entire Secret Realm. Otherwise, he would face a divine punishment and possibly be erased from this world for breaking the rules set by the ones above the firmament.
But, if Ilioreas could not interfere, then what was the purpose of obtaining his aid? Unless it was merely a symbolic gesture—this part left Izroth somewhat puzzled.
“Why?” Sychia’s voice abruptly sounded next to Izroth.
“Hm?” Izroth glanced over in Sychia’s direction.
“Why are you going so far out of your way to help people you have not known for even half a day? Even with me…” Sychia sighed as her words seemed to trail off.
After she was poisoned, Sychia remained calm and resolute on the outside. But, internally, began to despair. The thought of failing to do everything in her power to save her master and her master’s impending death—it all weighed heavily on her heart.
However, lurking deep in her heart, what Sychia feared most was not her death. Nor was it joining this conflict in the Secret Realm.
The Thousand Blossom Maiden’s deepest fear was her master passing on from the world before she had a chance to see her again. Sychia could not help but think back to the final words her master said to her before she left in a fit of anger after her master turned down her request to go to the Secret Realm. And, the look on her master’s face at that time.
That look of concern, not for herself, but for Sychia—even with death just over the horizon—how could Sychia bear to see such an expression?
“Do you plan on making your master worry until the very end..? How can you say that..? Are you telling me to just sit back and wait for you to die..? I refuse…!” Sychia internalized as she tightly clenched her fists.
Sychia loosened her fists and calmed her mind.
“I do not understand your thought process. In such a situation, would it not benefit you more from taking advantage of the chaos once the conflict breaks out?” Sychia spoke with a steadied voice.
She then clarified, “I know I should be the last one to comment after gaining some benefits from your assistance but do not misunderstand me. I just do not want to see someone who has helped me being taken advantage of for their kindness.”
“Kindness? Such a word is wasted on someone like me.” Izroth responded in a carefree manner.
Kindness? Although Izroth was considerate of those under his protection, to call him kind would be overreaching.
While a part of the reason he helped Astratis was due to his upright character, it was also because he needed to gain as much information of the Secret Realm as possible from one of its inhabitants. In addition, the quest given to him by the system played a significant role as well.
As for helping Sychia cure her poison—even that was just because of the quests with a side bonus of interfering in whatever Zouren had planned. After all, Izroth had not overlooked the fact that Zouren sent an assassin to claim his life. It’s just that it would not be too late to settle matters after he acquired some benefits.
‘Kindness is it? I… have already walked past that line of no return.’
“No, it is not wasted. Even if you have something to gain from your actions, it does not negate the acts of kindness you perform. In my eyes, the person who saved me and gave me hope when none existed—that person will always be kind. If anyone tries to say otherwise… Then, they are truly naive. Even if that person is the one who gave me hope.” Sychia commented.
‘This girl… How amusing. She reminds me of the young girl who took me in when I was injured and temporarily lost my cultivation. That girl also said something similar after I fought off those mortal bandits.’
Izroth was reminded of the time he briefly lived as a mortal after temporarily losing his cultivation. After fighting nonstop for what seemed like an eternity, he could finally rest. It was during that time Izroth gained irreplaceable insight that allowed his cultivation to soar to new heights once he recovered.
“Then, in order to avoid being naive, it seems I have no choice but to take your words to heart,” Izroth said as a carefree smile found its way to his face.
…
Several minutes later…
As the group continued their journey, Izroth witnessed many things along the way.
When crossing the grassland, they came across multiple settlements run down with mortals. However, the atmosphere was not good.
Despite the abundance of vegetation and freshwater, the mortals all seemed starved and there was a lack of light in their eyes—as if their souls had been drained.
Izroth inwardly furrowed his brows as he witnessed this sight along the way.
“Why are all the settlements like this when there is so much food and water around? Is it all poisonous so they can not eat and drink?” Sychia inquired.
Astratis had a fierce look in his eyes as he observed the state of the mortals. One could tell that he was bothered by their current state; however, he understood the importance of the mission ahead. Therefore, he could not risk everything and stop just to save a few mortals when the entire fate of their world was at stake.
“It is not that they can’t, it’s that they don’t dare. This is the result of living under the pillars. It is nothing but a neverending cycle of despair..” Astratis stated.
