At the foot of the snowy mountain stood the protagonist squad led by the giant, Groselle.
Because Ebner had previously sent the three official Intis squad members into the book, the team had now expanded to eight people.
They were: the "Guardian," the giant Groselle; the "Ocean Songster," the elf Siatas; the "Priest of Light," the ascetic Snowman; the "Dream Stealer," the Solomon Empire noble Mobet; and the "Disciplinary Paladin," the Loen soldier Frunziar.
And the three Ebner had sent in: the "Notary" Defoe and the "Solar High Priest" Dawn of the Church of the Eternal Blazing Sun's official team Light of Purification, and Darci the "Appraiser" of the Machinery Hivemind.
At this moment, they were gathered at the mountain's base, staring at the snow peak whose upper half had completely collapsed, each sinking into silence.
After a long while, the impatient elf Siatas finally broke the quiet and asked first: "What exactly happened? Why did Ulyssan's lair suddenly collapse?
"And it's this level of destructive collapse!"
The person she questioned was naturally the noble youth Mobet beside her—first because she got along best with him, and second because he was the most reliable among them when it came to deciphering mysteries.
The rest of the squad also turned their gazes toward the gentleman with flaxen hair, deep-brown eyes, a high nose bridge, and thin lips that made him appear innately arrogant.
Mobet Soroastre observed for a long time before saying uncertainly, "It seems to have been caused by a battle between high-sequence beings… And the reason we can't see anything specific is very likely because one of them used some method to block our vision…
"Mm. I'd guess it's for our protection."
At this moment, Darci of the Machinery Hivemind exclaimed in disbelief, "High-sequence Beyonders fighting? What kind of beings could cause damage like this!"
The giant Groselle scratched his head as if pondering the question, but before he could answer, Siatas instead spoke up for him: "A Saint… or what you call a terrestrial angel, could easily shatter a mountain like this with one attack.
"And an ordinary demigod, with enough time, could do it too… But you've all seen it—the collapse happened in an instant!"
"An angel…" The Fifth Epoch members, including the Loen soldier Frunziar, became somewhat dazed.
After all, in the Fifth Epoch—and in this world—belief in gods was universal. The only difference was which god one followed. So even if Frunziar and Darci had never seen a real angel, they had heard tales from priests and elders. They knew angels were attendants of the gods, beings worthy of being addressed as "He," and that every gesture could produce miracles far beyond the reach of mortals.
To the four non-Fifth Epoch Beyonders, angels belonged to another level entirely, normally dwelling in divine kingdoms rather than descending into reality. They were myths that did not need to be considered in practical life. Even though they themselves were powerful mid-sequence Beyonders who had met Saints, they never imagined they could have anything to do with angels.
Because they were not on the same level at all.
Yet today, Siatas casually discussed an angel's destructive power. Naturally, that left them stunned.
In contrast, the giant Groselle, the ascetic Snowman, and the noble Mobet easily accepted her conclusion—they had all personally witnessed angels, or even gods, in action.
"So this time, the one who entered this world is an angel… And He already finished off the 'King of the North'?" Mobet followed her reasoning and voiced his guess.
"Most likely… Earlier, we split up to hunt for food, yet we all inexplicably ended up at this mountain's base… That means the 'final battle' has already begun, and we were meant to meet the 'King of the North.'"
Snowman, who could go many years without uttering a word, rasped those lines.
"Then what should we do now? Should we go pay respects to that His Highness?" Defoe, captain of Light of Purification, asked Groselle. He had finally recovered from his shock…
When it came to fighting, Groselle always charged forward. But decisions were another matter—he instinctively looked at Mobet.
Truly a giant who only knows how to shout slogans and grin dumbly… Mobet sighed, then swept his gaze across the group and said:
"My friends, our goal has always been to kill Ulyssan and leave this book world.
"But now that Ulyssan is most likely dead, aside from paying respects to that His Highness, do we have any other path?
"I don't think anyone intends to spend the rest of their life trapped here, right?"
As he spoke, he looked at each companion in turn and continued:
"Darci, Dawn, Defoe—you three came in most recently. Your loved ones outside are still alive. You desperately want to return to them, don't you?
"Frunziar, you dream of your mother every night… Though she has likely passed away, I know that your home in Backlund has always been your spiritual pillar. You want to return, don't you? Even if just to lay flowers at her grave?
"Snowman, though you rarely speak, after so many years together, I know your devotion to your Lord… And now, the outside world no longer holds your Lord's 'radiance.' Do you not wish to restore His glory with your own hands?
"Groselle, every giant dreams of the 'Giant Court.' Even you are no exception, right?
"And lastly, Siatas—"
Mobet's emotions were sincere and his words extraordinarily persuasive. His "Scammer" Stage was clearly being performed to perfection…
But before he could finish, Siatas slapped him straight into the snow, giving him a mouthful of ice.
"It's all your fault! Why did you have to get so emotional? I almost cried!" she yelled in annoyance. Then she blinked, crouched down, and pulled Mobet back to his feet.
Honestly, she'd let her emotions get the better of her and slapped too hard.
Once standing again, Mobet wore a bitter smile but didn't dare provoke the fiery-tempered elf any further. He could only shift the topic: "My decision is that no matter what awaits us, we should go up and see… What about all of you?"
Groselle planted his door-wide greatsword into the snow and said firmly, "Giants never retreat! No matter what lies ahead, I will walk it with my companions."
Frunziar pulled himself out of the emotions Mobet had stirred and said solemnly, "Count me in."
Snowman said nothing but stood beside Groselle.
As for Siatas, she held Mobet's hand from the moment she helped him up and never let go.
And the three official team members had endured nearly twenty years inside Roselle's dream relic—they were naturally resolute people and would not back down now.
Thus, the eight-person squad all agreed unanimously to ascend the snowy mountain and greet the possible angel.
However, they had barely gone far before stopping again.
Because in their vision appeared a delicate puppet. It hovered in the air, lifted a hand, and "dug" two enormous "monsters" out from the snow, instantly freezing them like Sunia Island fishermen freezing seafood in ice.
"Obnis?" Siatas recognized the type immediately. Elves had once kept such sea monsters in captivity. She found it bizarre they appeared on a mountain.
Meanwhile, a deep male voice echoed in the squad's ears:
"Defoe, Dawn, Darci—long time no see!"
Hearing the voice, the giant Groselle instantly shielded his companions. He planted his human-door–wide greatsword into the ground, and with his trademark vertical single eye, searched for the source. He soon locked onto a man wearing formal attire and a top hat, and rumbled:
"Mister, who are you?"
Even without evidence, Groselle instinctively sensed this man was far stronger than the "King of the North."
The newcomer was indeed Ebner. Hearing the question, he smiled, removed the "Professor" disguise from his face, restored his true appearance, and under the excited gazes of Defoe and the others, placed a hand to his chest, bowed, and said:
"I am Ebner Bryan."
(End of Chapter)