Chapter 520: The Endless Spinning Gears

The endless horizon, the eternal struggle. The gears kept turning for that purpose. This was what Filaret La Volgograd, the dragon’s heart, could see.

That was the vision of the Great Demon Vrilligant.

Filaret intuitively understood its true nature after having partially identified with it.

What burned in Vrilligant’s heart wasn’t a burning hatred, nor a fiery rage. Just the concept of conquest.

Ah, the obsidian-looking dragon knew only conquest and destruction. This dragon would surely devour any civilization that appeared before it. Words like domination and conquest were everything.

Restless destruction was Vrilligant’s true nature. This dragon wanted to devour what lay at the end of the sky, what lay beyond the horizon, with its own deadly fangs.

This dragon would surely repeat this forever, as if inflicting destruction was its reason for existence.

Yes, that was Vrilligant’s true nature. There was no justice there, nor even evil. There was only eternal conflict and withering destruction.

It was like a cog in the wheel of a new world.

Filaret’s thoughts wandered vaguely at the center of that will.

Unconsciously, she realized she was drifting in the wheel of eternity. It felt like she was soaking in a comfortable bathtub.

Now, her finite self was on the verge of becoming part of infinity. Her eyelids were heavy. Even breathing was a hassle. There was a gentle warmth deep in her chest that wanted her to fall asleep.

If she could fall asleep in this gentle darkness, then she would become eternal.

It was a completely outlandish idea, but it felt strangely real. Was it a dream or reality? Filaret didn’t know.

…But it wouldn’t be so bad to just fall asleep like this. That way she wouldn’t have to think about anything else.

This thought had surfaced in Filaret’s mind over and over again. It was so sweet, so beautiful, so wonderful.

But. Oh, but.

A voice echoed inside her skull. It just wouldn’t leave her mind.

…I’m tired of walking the well-paved path, living my days in resignation and inertia. What do you think, my accomplice?

And then, there were numerous voices and words that followed that echoing voice. Voices that were so familiar. Voices that Filaret couldn’t forget, even if she tried. Her heavy eyelids blinked slightly again, and she mustered the strength to open them.

It was a constant cycle. She wanted to just quietly throw everything away, but somewhere there was a part of her that wouldn’t allow her to.

What should she do? This question continued over and over again, and eventually it became a reality.

In the warm darkness, a piercing aurora illuminated Filaret and her surroundings. Filaret involuntarily narrowed her eyes. She didn’t want to touch that light. She wanted to get as far away as possible.

Now, this light was trying to stop her right when she was finally becoming one with eternity. A look of disgust crossed Filaret’s face, and a heat ran down her spine.

A voice echoed across the silent horizon.

「…Oh my, oh my, oh my. Humans live for decades. You said you didn’t want to live a life that compromised yourself, but you’ve become quite selfish and arrogant, Filaret. But I think that’s fine. I like that about you. In fact, I even think it’s a virtue. You have a strangely modest side to you, so you should definitely stay that way. But after all the big talk you usually have, now you’ve shown disgraceful behavior. 」

Filaret could feel her brow furrow. This was a familiar voice, too. But she didn’t want to hear it now.

「In that respect, you’re just like him. Or maybe it’s just that humans are like that? So, I think humans shouldn’t live too long. Just talking out loud and not doing anything at all are the worst kinds of things. Filaret, what do you think? 」

Shut up. Filaret didn’t understand what that voice was talking about. Don’t say anything more. Filaret’s thoughts were confused. Words were flying around in her head. Filaret couldn’t even understand what she was thinking or feeling. All she could think was a jumble of emotions.

「Filaret…wake up. Lugis is waiting for you. 」

Filaret sensed a hand being extended to her.

Her instincts were warning her that she must reject it. She must not take this hand. That would mean separating herself from eternity.

It would be best to fall asleep like this. Eternity kept whispering in her ears.

Contrary to this instinct, Filaret felt something in her hand. It was soft and warm. It was as if someone was embracing her.

Before she knew it, Filaret had grabbed that hand. Not a single thought remained.

Her body rose to the surface. Her eyes involuntarily relaxed. Filaret felt herself drifting away from her eternal existence. Connecting with the Great Demon. It was the ultimate choice for a sorcerer.

But Filaret abandoned all of that. She knew there was no other way. That was the most wonderful thing.

…Her eyelids opened. The black hair flashed across her field of vision. She instinctively pushed her hair up.

「Good morning, Filaret. I was a bit rough waking you up, wasn’t I? Please don’t take it personally. I’m a demon after all, so I’m not designed to save people. Or perhaps you’d prefer if you remained his heart forever? But sorry to say this, but I’d wake you up again. 」

Agathos was there with a confident smile on her face as she spoke. Filaret’s gaze was still wavering, searching her surroundings.

There was only light. A dazzling glow that burned her eyes. And yet it wasn’t uncomfortable. It was as if the harshness she had felt earlier was a lie.

Filaret spoke with a smooth move of her lips. There was something exultant about her words.

「…Of course not. Something like eternity has no value to me. Thank you, Agathos. It seems Lugis isn’t here. 」

Filaret visibly pouted, acting sulky, and Agathos couldn’t help but smile wryly.

Filaret immediately looked embarrassed and averted her gaze. Even though it was her own doing, she couldn’t help but think that what she had just said was a bit strange.

There were things to worry about, like her own health.

「He’s out there. He’s foolishly fighting with Vrilligant. He’ll probably die if Vrilligant fights seriously. You want to save him, don’t you, Filaret? Are you willing to listen to what I have to say? 」

「Don’t make me wait. Right now, I’m in the mood to take anyone’s hand. Demon or not. 」

Filaret looked back at Agathos. She smiled and looked directly at her.

Her physique seemed much more exhausted than Filaret had seen before, but her demeanor was still as confident as ever.

Agathos straightened her back and said the following.

「Then, let’s take it all away, everything. 」

Take it. Filaret couldn’t help but ask, and Agathos flashed a devilish smile and said, Take it all.

「This time, I’m going to take everything back from that Dragon, whose only skill is stealing. Isn’t this a masterpiece, Filaret? I’m serious. I’m not like humans. I do everything I say. I’m the epitome of supreme selfishness and arrogance. I always get what I want. 」

Agathos spoke with a look of delight, yet also a look of resentment. She cleared her throat, and her cheeks turned into a lustrous red. Even to Filaret, a woman, Agathos was quite charming.

Filaret responded and spoke again.

「Yes. I feel the same way, Agathos. I always get what I want. As long as I can be by Lugis’ side at the end, that will be enough. 」

So, what should we do? Filaret spoke with strong emotions.

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