"But... from beginning to end. I have doubted whether I am worthy of being the Savior, doubted whether I can save everyone.
But I have never once thought, should I give up on some people? Even if only one?"
His gaze went past Castorice, towards that deeper, more distant direction of the Nether Realm, sharp and resolute.
"If I foresee that I might not be able to accomplish something, and therefore simply don't try, don't do it... then THAT is when I would truly be unworthy of the title 'Deliverer'.
I may pause my steps temporarily due to confusion, but I will never abandon a single companion."
He refocused his gaze on Castorice, a gaze so fervent it seemed capable of dispelling the underworld's chill:
"I have never been to the deepest core of the Nether Realm, nor do I know exactly where that space is located on Amphoreus.
But I know my Infinity Gate can connect to any location on Amphoreus. If I can personally reach that place, physically locate those coordinates.
Perhaps, I can truly open a permanent gate for you between life and death! So that you can occasionally feel the sunlight and warmth of the living world without forsaking your divine duties."
He made an exceedingly solemn request to Castorice: "So, take me to the Nether Realm with you, Castorice. Not as a farewell, but as... the beginning of another possibility."
"Phae... Lord Phaethon..." Castorice looked into Phaethon's utterly determined, unclouded eyes, feeling a violent throb and loss of composure in her heart.
Phaethon had spoken of a possibility she had never dared hope for, like a stone cast into still water, sending ripples through a heart that had already accepted its fate.
Cyrene watched this scene, the sadness in her eyes gradually replaced by tender warmth.
She walked softly to Castorice's side and said gently, "Respect and trust Phaethon's decision, Castorice. Just as Phaethon has always respected and trusted each of our choices and wills."
Castorice bowed her head deeply, both to nod emphatically in agreement with Phaethon's request, and to prevent her companions from seeing the shimmering tears she could no longer hold back in her eyes.
Her voice carried a barely perceptible tremor, yet was filled with a newfound strength:
"Mhmm... I understand. Lord Phaethon, rest assured. Even if... even if you ultimately cannot make the Infinity Gate function at the heart of the Nether Realm, I will definitely use every ounce of my power as a demigod to ensure our 'Deliverer'... is returned safely to the world of the living. I promise."
...
The endless sea of flowers in the depths of the Nether Realm.
Polyxia—the Titan who presides over death—was sitting in an exquisite wheelchair crafted from draconic bones, carefully arranging her skirt and hair, her face brimming with barely suppressed anticipation and excitement.
After all... she was about to see her beloved sister, whom she had missed and worried over for countless ages!
Even though big sister had "comforted" her a bit painfully with her scythe upon waking... that must have been to rouse her from her stupor! A deeply meaningful act!
It was absolutely nothing like that bad man who, upon meeting, had without a word stabbed her clean through with that hot, ferocious greatsword! Yes! That's right! It must be so!
*Gulp!* (｡＞∀＜｡) Just thinking about it makes me so happy!
Sensing the familiar-yet-unfamiliar aura approaching from afar, Polyxia's heartbeat quickened.
She raised her sweet, expectant face, looking towards the source of the aura—
Big sister's here... here?
Her smile instantly froze on her face.
Upon seeing that figure, who left such a "deep impression," closely following her sister, the Titan of Death, Polyxia, felt a chill run up a spine she didn't possess. The "wound" from being pierced by the "Judgment of Shamash" greatsword earlier seemed to throb anew.
She felt she might be a little bit... "dead" again right now...
...
Castorice and Phaethon stepped into this legendary realm. What met their eyes was not the expected desolation and silence, but a boundless, gorgeous sea of flowers swaying with violet-blue blossoms.
A fragmented moon hung low at the horizon of the flower sea, casting a cold, eternal light that bathed everything in dreamlike tranquility.
"The Nether Realm... truly is an endless sea of flowers, as the legends say." Castorice murmured softly, a hint of awe inevitably appearing in her cool eyes.
"It's... truly beautiful here." Phaethon took a deep breath. The air was filled with a crisp, pure fragrance that soothed his tense spirit. "Peaceful, serene... it almost makes one forget this is the final resting place of the dead."
Yet, this tranquility was shattered the very next second.
"B-bad guy! Get away from my sister!" a voice both timid and fierce rang out abruptly.
Polyxia, maneuvering her wheelchair, rushed in front of the two like a protective mother bird.
Though she tried her best to glare fiercely at Phaethon, the guilt and fear in her eyes betrayed her.
In the end, she leaned more towards Castorice, seeking shelter.
"You... you are...?" Castorice looked at the girl before her, whose features were eighty to ninety percent similar to her own, yet appeared more youthful and pale. Her violet eyes were filled with confusion and an inexplicable sense of closeness.
"Sister, I'm Polyxia, don't you remember me?" Hearing her sister didn't recognize her, Polyxia's voice immediately thickened with grievance, her eyes seeming to redden slightly.
"I'm sorry, I... have lost many past memories." Castorice felt an instinctive closeness and dependence emanating from the other, unconsciously drawing a bit nearer, her tone softening considerably.
"I see..." Polyxia lowered her head dejectedly, but quickly rallied, saying softly,
"It's okay, sister. You can call me Thanatos, or you can call me Pollux, but... I still like it best when you call me Polyxia." Her voice was full of attachment.
"Alright, Polyxia." Castorice readily complied, then voiced her question. "But... why do you call Lord Phaethon... a bad guy?" She could tell Phaethon also seemed to be formally meeting Polyxia for the first time.
Phaethon also stood to the side with his arms crossed, wearing an innocent, curious expression as he looked over. He wanted to know where this "blame" came from too.
Seeing her sister ask, Polyxia immediately shrank further behind Castorice, peeking out with half her head, pointing at Phaethon and accusing:
"He's a thief! A super, super big thief! My Nether Realm has gone almost a thousand years without any new souls entering! Finally, you sent a few in from outside, sister, I'd just welcomed them, hadn't even warmed them up yet!
Then *whoosh*—they were all yanked away! Even though I don't know exactly where they were pulled to, and he doesn't have the aura of souls on him now.
But I saw it clearly! Those souls flew straight towards him! It was him! He stole them!"