The battlefield soon dissipated once the conclusion arrived.
The heads of the Triumvirate didn't exist any longer, and the many who had fallen in this battle had been restored using my Magic.
Even with all of that, it took a few days for the denizens of this world to return to stability—at least, the Fairy Kingdom's people
I made sure to assist in the reconstruction of the world where my help was needed, but I soon found out that I didn't really have much to do.
Not only were my Mecha Knights extremely useful in their tasks, but with the coordination of the Triumvirate's usual networks, it was much easier to transpot information and resources to the corners of the known world.
It seemed the Ursula already planned the aftermath of the conflict because she coordinated most of the the efforts leading to the 'Stability Project'.
I had nothing to do but spend more time with Karlia and also converse with friends.
Fairy King Oberon and I had a lenghty discussion about Mechas, and their useful application in the world. I was really happy to listen to his current stance concerning Mechas, and even the fresh ideas he brought up.
It seemed he had become enlightened.
'Having the Ursula by his side must have changed a lot of his previously held notions…'
Speaking of the Ursula, my most advanced Automaton, I spent a lot of time engaging in discourse with her. This was to learn how far she had progressed in learning, and if she had undergone any evolution I wasn't aware of.
Unlike Gawain, who was bound to me by loyalty, no matter what, Ursula's improved intelligence could allow her to turn against me at any time.
I didn't particularly mind if she had her own distinct will and desires, but… I wasn't going to tolerate insurrection in any way.
Fortunately, I had nothing to worry about.
It seemed being around Oberon and the Fairies had strengthened her perception of empathy, and her current goal was to study living beings more.
Not only in the Fairy Kingdom, or in this world, but beyond.
The Ursula had developed an insatiable curiousity, just like her creator—as well as the person she was designed after—to explore the unknown.
I could only imagine where that would lead.
Of all the conversations I had, however, none were as emotionally tasking and investing as my talk with the first friends I made in the Nether Realm.
Larry, Aria, and Drake.
To be honest, there were a lot of things I wanted to tell these three, so it was inevitable that we would have a long conversation.
I could only have hoped things went well.
*******
"Could you… bring back my family?"
I already expected him to raise this topic, but Larry's excited tone made my heart squeeze tighter for some reason.
"You resurrected everyone on the battlefield, right? You even made the Triumvirate back down completely, and they're currently paying for their crimes by making sure the world is much better than ever."
Using the power of the Arcanas, I had made what would seem impossinle possible. As someone who had studied the Arcanas for years, what I had done had even surprised Larry.
"Then… you can bring my family back too, right?"
His eyes had this bright spark that made it clear he was anticipating the results of gathering all the Arcanas. He had been waiting for this moment for so long, after all.
"Bring my family back too. My dead sisters." Aria added, excitement lacing her words as well.
Drake also seemed to have something to say, but he held off from speaking. Perhaps he had a few people he wanted to bring back as well.
Everyone had this excitement around them, hopeful gazes, filled with expectations that all converged on my abilities with the Arcanas.
Unfortunately… their hopes were misplaced.
"I wish I could do all those things. But… I can't."
My words were met with instant shock.
It was hard enough to tell them the bitter truth despite their optimism, but seeing how quickly their expressions changed also made my heart break.
However, I had to be honest with them.
"W-why can't you do it? The Arcanas are able to do all of that, right? I know they have the power to do it!" Larry began to raise his voice, his tone quivering as he stared at him.
He must have known that I wasn't lying to him, but he also knew he wasn't wrong.
And truly, he wasn't.
"If the circumstances were normal, that would have been possible. I could revive anyone in this world. I also thought I would be able to do so when I gathered the Arcanas, but… things are a lot more complicated than we all initially thought."
"What is that supposed to mean?" This time, it was Aria who raised her voice as her brows creased to form a look of anxiety.
I felt a tinge of guilt since I was the one who killed her sisters. I promised her she could bring them back, and I truly intended to make good of that promise if the Arcanas worked in my hands.
But… things were different now.
And the reason for that was due to one thing.
The absence of the Nether.
'After Neron locked the Nether out of all of time, he ceased to exist in reality. As a result, his position was left vacant.'
Usually, that wouldn't make the Nether Realm collapse or anything. However, that also meant the role that both the Nether and Aether shared—recieving and recycling dead souls—had been left vacant.
In essence, all the dead souls that existed in this world, having nowhere to go due to the death of the Nether… had ceased to exist.
They could never return.
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[A/N]
Thanks for reading!
