"Aki... please believe us. I have no reason to deceive you."
Kokomi's voice was steady and sincere, but the maiden who had spent her entire life among the Vishaps still wavered. Just then, a voice called out from the distance.
"I have the records right here! Please, look for yourself!"
It was Gorou, racing toward them with a stack of ancient documents. Since the TBN live broadcast was still active, the strategic command on Watatsumi Island had seen the confrontation and immediately dispatched him with the proof.
As Aki scanned the weathered scrolls, the truth surfaced like a rising tide. Her world-view, built on the lies of her "kin," crumbled instantly.
"How could this be... I was nothing but a tool to them..."
Watching the devastated maiden, Kokomi stepped forward to comfort her. "It isn't your fault. You were innocent in this. Fortunately, Enkanomiya was not lost. Let this be the end of it."
"No... the fault lies with us," Aki whispered. "The Vishaps grew restless because of the human explorers. I didn't realize that they despise all life on the surface. To them, we were just a means to break the seals."
[The Sovereign's Restraint]
While the truth settled, the teams from the three towers converged at the Dainichi Mikoshi. Lisa looked down at the swirling darkness beneath the central platform and frowned.
"What about this rift? If the Abyss broke through once, they'll surely try again."
"Don't worry," Su Han replied, his voice raspy. "Once I recover my strength, I will set a permanent seal. But for now..."
He was completely drained. The Xuanyuan Sword had acted as a spiritual vacuum, nearly emptying his reserves. The holy blade now hovered silently in the air, its radiance soft but absolute.
"That sword is incredible," Paimon whispered, floating near the hilt. "It feels so... warm."
Eula tried to reach out and grasp the hilt, but her hand was gently repelled by an invisible force. "What is this? Am I not worthy to hold it?"
"Don't be ridiculous, Eula," Beidou laughed, though she looked at the blade with envy. "It's a Sovereign's Regalia, not a claymore from the blacksmith. Unless Su Han wills it, that sword won't move an inch for anyone else."
As the broadcast continued to show the serene, now-purified landscapes of Enkanomiya, the viewers across three nations felt a profound sense of security. Su Han wasn't an Archon, yet he had cleaved a rift in reality and summoned a holy weapon from across the sea. To the merchants and commoners, he was the ultimate insurance policy.
[The Sovereign's Justice]
A few hours later, Su Han's stamina returned. Using the Xuanyuan Sword as the core, he established a massive suppression array over the void-rift, ensuring the Abyss could not return.
As for the Vishap Clan, Su Han showed no mercy to those who had collaborated with the Abyss. The leaders were executed, while the younger vishaps were neutralized and sent to Albedo's laboratory. With Hu Tao's "Merman" project expanding, their genetic traits were deemed valuable for research.
By the time they emerged from Enkanomiya, it was late at night.
"The Shogunate will cover the damages to Watatsumi," Su Han told Kokomi, wanting to lift the burden from her shoulders. "Don't worry about the cost. The Abyss is a threat to everyone; the people shouldn't have to pay for it."
"Thank you, My Lord," Kokomi bowed. "I only regret that I wasn't more vigilant."
"Don't blame yourself," Yae Miko added. "Against an army of that scale, your only job was to survive and send word. Moving forward, I suggest we settle a group of Seirai Youkai here. Their instincts are sharper than humans. If they have a home to protect, they'll be the best sentries you could ask for."
[The Night in the Maple Woods]
Returning to the Jade Chamber via Brûlée's mirrors, the heroes finally rested. Su Han lay back in the grass of the Moonlight Maple grove, letting the spiritual energy of the tree soothe his mental fatigue.
A soft scent of flowers drifted over him as Lumine approached. She had just finished bathing and wore a simple white sundress.
"Can't sleep?" Su Han asked, opening one eye.
"I came to thank you," Lumine whispered, sitting beside him. "If you hadn't stopped the disaster, I would have carried the guilt forever."
"Even without your brother, the Abyss would have invaded eventually," Su Han said gently. "They've been trying to swallow this world for five hundred years. Don't take their sins upon yourself."
"I know... but still. When I was trapped, I wasn't afraid of the void. I was only afraid that if I were taken, you would be worried. I thought you might dive into the Abyss just to find me." She turned to him, her eyes bright with admiration. "But then I heard you call for the sword... it was the most incredible thing I've ever seen."
With Paimon finally asleep, the "little lightbulb" was gone. Lumine found a sudden surge of courage. As Su Han pulled her into his arms with a playful smirk—asking for a "reward" for being so handsome—she didn't pull away.
Lumine leaned in and pressed her lips to his. In that single, brave kiss, the lingering anxiety of the day melted into a profound sense of belonging. The traveler had finally found her destination, and she had given her first kiss to the man who made the world feel safe.
100+ chapters are available now and daily updates! @patreon.com/Zefyrus