Chapter 239 Goddess Nocturnal
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”You… from the moment you arrived in this world, I have been watching you through the moon and through the flowers that bloom under its crown… Viness’s forsaken child.”
Ayumu stepped into a space where Evening Primroses spread endlessly, their pale blossoms glowing under a silvered sky. Though no one seemed present, a woman’s voice rang out. Startled, he glanced left and right.
There—where just moments before had been a giant unopened bud of the Queen of the Night—now bloomed a flower large enough for a person to sit upon. Upon it rested a woman of unearthly beauty, silver hair like snowdrift, too flawless to be human. Nocturnal had manifested as if from a ghost story.
Ayumu froze, chilled by the apparition. But the goddess, unfazed, continued to speak alone.
”I know why you came. You seek a way back to your world, do you not? Then I must tell you… there is no such way.”
”What… what did you just say—?!”
Ayumu’s eyes widened in disbelief.
”All my struggles until now—what were they for?! I can’t go home?!”
Nocturnal’s voice was calm, her words sharp.
”You were pulled here by the vast mana energy of this world, twisted into a stream that bent both space and time. Without knowing the exact temporal and spatial coordinates of your origin, return is impossible. And even if, by chance, you could return… it may not be to the same world, nor the same timeline.”
Her explanation, though delivered like a scholar of science fiction, made chilling sense. The so-called dimensional magic, declared a forbidden art by Viness, had been incomplete from the start. It never even considered recording coordinates.
”That damned goddess tricked us! From the beginning, she used that unstable spell to summon expendable otherworlders—meat shields to be hurled against the so-called Demon King’s Army!” Ayumu clenched his fists, fury flashing in his eyes.
Yet Nocturnal smiled faintly.
”You are peculiar. To arrive in this world unable to use magic… and yet still crave it so desperately. You should know: magic here is both a blessing and a curse.”
Ayumu blinked. “Wait, what? Isn’t magic convenient? How could it be better not to use it?”
”You haven’t realized. The Magic Seeder you rely on—that was arranged by me.”
Ayumu’s mind flashed back to that moment (T/N: see Ch. 41) when the rare, expensive Magic Seeder had appeared in his path, against all odds. Could that truly have been her will?
Nocturnal rose gracefully from the Queen of the Night.
”Come with me, Viness’s forsaken child.”
Ayumu hesitated, then followed.
They passed through a cavern-like tunnel until they arrived at a field of strange, geometric ruins—structures clearly of artificial design.
”What… is this place?”
Nocturnal’s voice echoed softly.
”Long ago, the children of man sought to build paradise here. But misfortune multiplies when least expected… and so it was.”
She spoke of people who, in striving to survive, fell into conflict, until even the wisdom passed down from their ancestors was forgotten.
”This was once my charge to manage. Now, I alone remember the scent of that mission… though in this age, it is a useless relic.”
As she paused, the wall at the tunnel’s end shifted, parting as if alive, opening a hidden path. Beyond lay a void-like chamber. Shards floated in the air, converging into the shape of strange terminals. A central control room, Ayumu thought, one meant only for the goddess.
She manipulated the floating images with gestures like swiping a tablet. From the air she pulled out an object like a stone slab and handed it to him. It looked heavy, yet felt as light as plastic. Its flat surface resembled a display screen.
The stone lit up. Lines of text appeared. Inside were voice records and written data. Ayumu chose to play the audio first.
Record: Viktor Tseforzsky. Echo Log. Alpha-90 Golf 610 Kilo 6.
Progress continues smoothly. By sensation, it has been over half a year since arrival on Planet Terra-3. Even now, I cannot believe I have traveled 3 sextillion light-years.
The Pioneer Labor Units—beings created by splicing human and pet animal genes to resist unknown pathogens—expand their activity range day by day.
One concern: a new virus has been discovered. My superiors gave the usual bureaucratic reply: “Observe for now.”
So today, my only task is to explore further applications of the free energy particles we have discovered here, named Elyserium after the mythic paradise Elysion.
Excitement colored his next entry.
”Today the exploration team found something astounding: crystallized Elyserium Particles—Elysium Ore! Research will intensify now.
Also, security orders me to refrain from leaving the base. They discovered some giant organism in hibernation or coma. I expect to be called for investigation soon.”
The next log was frantic.
”Disaster! The Pioneer Labor Units have revolted! Worse, the alien virus is mutating flora and fauna we brought from our homeworld. Even colonists in cold sleep pods are changing—!
What was that roar—?! That monstrous howl?!
’Emergency! Evacuate immediately!’
No… why now, of all times?! That one-eyed, tentacled thing—!!!
No! It’s too late! Run! Everyone, run!!!”
Gunfire and screams echoed through the recording.
His final entry was broken, despairing.
”This may be my last record. The worst outcome has come. Biocomputers are mutating, running rampant. All other staff—scientists, security—dead. I am the last. (sobbing) Ah… Yurina, my dearest daughter, gone missing so suddenly… If only I could see you, even once more…”
The audio ended there.
Ayumu sat in silence.
If there was no way home, then he had no choice. He would uncover the truth behind magic in this world—the unknown force that bound all.
With that thought, he began reading the remaining stored documents, determination hardening in his heart.
Notes:
• Viness – Goddess in the Holy Kingdom of Alyurein.
• Magic Seed – A magical item obtained from bandits that allows Ayumu to wield magic.
• Viktor Tseforzsky – Recorder of the “Echo Log” who reports colonization on Planet Terra-3, creation of Pioneer Labor Units, discovery of Elyserium/Elysium Ore, and the base’s collapse from virus-driven mutations and PLU revolt; he dies after a final message to his missing daughter.
• Elysium – Crystallized free-energy particles found by the exploration team; its discovery accelerates research just before security lockdown and the catastrophic events in Viktor’s records.
• Yuri – Appears earlier as one of Ayumu’s circle (clerical/retinue role). Unlike fighters, he handles softer duties in support and household management.
• Yurina – The daughter of Viktor, Recorder of the “Echo Log” who reports colonization on Planet Terra-3.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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