Lu Luwei and Leng Qingying both lowered their heads.

This time, they had truly been the ones in need of protection.

BOOM!

A dull roar tore through the sky.

Obades appeared before them.

It looked at the group, surveyed the devastation, and its voice was deep and slow. "I’m late."

"Sorry."

The group turned and departed.

Before she left, Kumironi cast one last glance at the enormous, bottomless crater.

She vaguely recalled their purpose for coming here: to eradicate the Rose of Shedding Skin, and while they were at it... to save Ruijia from its plight.

Now, it seemed the plight was indeed over.

It was just that Ruijia itself now seemed to exist in name only.

...

The atmosphere on the journey back was heavy. Lu Cang recounted everything that had happened, from beginning to end.

However, he did conceal his ability to see a person’s date of death.

But the various dangers he described left everyone’s hearts pounding in their chests.

A Divine Spirit who could alter the very sky with its descent, one who wielded Divine Authority.

A battle involving Divine Authority was on a completely different plane from the struggles of mortals.

"If you hadn’t grasped Root Magic at the very end..."

Lu Cang nodded slightly. "Mm, I probably would have been a goner."

Kumironi’s jaw tightened, and she said seriously, "Little Lu Cang, if something like this ever happens again, you should run."

"When you encounter an enemy beyond your capabilities, your first priority should be to protect yourself."

"That’s your principle, isn’t it?"

Lu Cang: "It is."

"But beyond that, I have another principle: my humanity."

"Sister Kumironi, you’ve helped me so much over the years. If I had chosen to run away then, I wouldn’t have been able to live with myself."

"I can’t claim to be as kind as you, Sister Kumironi, but I at least hope my actions are worthy of being called human."

「One day later.」

The group finally returned to Kernoya.

Extending his Perception, Lu Cang could hear the entire city still buzzing with talk about the blood mist, the Day of Skin Stripping, and the crimson sky.

’It seems Aertemi’s influence wasn’t just confined to the Ruijia region.’

’Even people in Lorren saw it.’

Hearing these discussions only further corroborated what Lu Cang had experienced.

Lu Cang had resolved a crisis born from a Divine Descent.

"I’m sorry."

WHOOSH!

Izparut appeared before them.

His expression was complicated. "I saw the guiding light, but I didn’t come."

Lu Cang said, "Iz."

Iz’s voice was strained. "I had to... watch An Zheng."

"This is his final stretch of time... There are some things only I can do."

Lu Cang just nodded lightly. "I see."

His emotions were... complicated.

’I was hoping Iz would come and help me.’

’Back then, I’d pinned all my hopes on him.’

’But in the end, he didn’t show. I can’t help but feel a little disappointed.’

’Even knowing that Iz was likely doing something extremely important, I can’t help but feel this way.’

He wanted to say something, but the words wouldn’t come.

Iz said seriously, "I’m sorry. I failed in my duty."

Iz apologized again. It was clear he was deeply conflicted.

Lu Cang suppressed his emotions and looked up. "Can I ask... what’s going on with An Zheng?"

Iz paused for a moment before answering, "He’s going to try to break through to become a Level 9 Mage."

"He’s going to attempt it using an extremely... Special method."

"I’ve already rejected his theory."

"His theory is too radical, but this is also his last chance."

"As long as I’m here, I won’t give him the chance to make the attempt."

"That’s why I couldn’t leave."

Lu Cang said, "If it’s his last chance, he’ll eventually be pushed to the brink, won’t he?"

Iz stated with perfect composure, "When that happens, I will be the one to kill him."

’Iz... but he’s our colleague, a fellow Mage...’

Lu Cang couldn’t help but wonder: if Iz were in the same situation one day, would he give up his own hope of ascending to Level 9?

Lu Cang thought for a moment, then shook his head.

A Mage who had reached the High Tiers would have a will to pursue the Root Source that was more resolute and intense than anyone’s.

’They would never give up.’

The answer, then, was already clear.

"If that day comes, Kernoya will be in great danger, won’t it?"

Iz replied, "That’s why I had Obades stay here with me."

"If that day truly comes, I will deal with him, and Obades will ensure that everyone remains unharmed."

...

Not long after Lu Cang and his group returned, news of the destruction of Ruijia Royal City spread like wildfire throughout Kernoya, across Lorren, and to every town and village on the Ruelun Continent.

Lu Cang’s heroic deed was recorded in the annals of the Life Church.

His feat was made known to all.

And from that day forward, History gained a new entry.

January 16, Year 5026: The Crimson fell from the sky, and Lu Cang slew a god.