Chapter 50: The Catastrophe

Continuation...

Selena: Before I rest, where can I change my clothes, and where can I store my sword, shield, and armor?

Zilpher: Inside the pavilion. Just leave your equipment there—I'll have the soldiers pick them up and store them safely.

Selena: Alright, thank you.

After changing, Selena stepped out of her pavilion.

Selena sat beside Zilpher: Zip?

Zilpher looked at Selena: What is it?

Selena: Did you put me to sleep because you didn't want me to get hurt fighting alongside you against the giants?

Zilpher nodded: But because of my decision, you ended up in even greater danger.

Selena held Zilpher's hand: You didn't know I would be kidnapped again, and honestly, it helped me awaken my true power. Besides, I know there are things you don't tell me and keep from me to protect me. smiles I also know that you killed Eliza before, which is why I want to say… pauses Thank you.

Zilpher: Sel…

Selena: I gained immortality from Icarus's stone, so you don't have to protect me anymore. Let me fight beside you, okay?

Zilpher: But… aren't you leaving? We already defeated the giants while you were asleep. You told me before that once the giants were defeated, you would leave. sad

Selena: What if I changed my mind and decided that I want to stay by your side forever? smiles

Zilpher: Then I'd let you stay by my side for as long as you want. smiles back

Selena: In that case, I want to stay with you and fight alongside you forever.

Zilpher kissed Selena on the lips.

Selena (Besides, I also need to find out where my master hid the missing pages of the Tomb of the Secret Graves so I can fully defeat the catastrophe that's coming.)

A memory resurfaced in Selena's mind…

Nefertirani: When the time comes that I need you, you will remember everything I did and taught you. Then, you will destroy the world, so that we, the monsters, will be the only ones left to inhabit it. And afterward, you will be the key to granting us eternal life and true freedom.

Selena (What did Nefertirani mean by that? And why didn't God tell me the true reason He brought me back to life when I swore to obey His command and conditions?)

Calla kneels: I accept the loss of my memories and agree to be reborn into the world to completely eradicate the monsters and face the coming catastrophe in the world You created for all living beings, my beloved God.

Selena (Even my mother said the same thing...)

Callista: All of this was planned by God to prepare you for the approaching war and catastrophe.

Selena (It seems that the questions in my mind will only be answered once I find and read the missing pages of the book.) lost in thought

Zilpher: ?? Sel, are you okay?

Selena: Oh, yes. I was just thinking about what they told me, including Goddess Callista.

Zilpher: What did they tell you?

Selena: They said that a catastrophe is coming to this world, which is why I was brought back to life and sent here. But they never clarified what kind of catastrophe I will have to face.

Zilpher: corrects her We will face it—together. And we will figure out exactly what kind of catastrophe we need to prevent. For now, we have to make all the necessary preparations to confront it without fear, together. smiles

Selena leans her head on Zilpher's left shoulder: sighs I'm just glad you're here with me. Otherwise, I would have lost my mind with everything happening in my life right now.

Zilpher: Don't worry about it. I know we can overcome any problem as long as we face it together.

Selena smiles.

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The Next Day…

Selena and Zilpher set off for the Kingdom of Exolorus, while Gusano's group remained behind to restore the destroyed structures in Kanux and assist the injured with their medical needs.

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Upon their arrival…

Chandi: We're back!

Ereña: Welcome home, brothers! smiles Oh!

Ereña noticed the woman with white hair and multicolored eyes.

Ereña: Who's the white-haired woman with you?

Argyros: That's Selena.

Sylvia: Huh?!

Ereña: Did you dye your hair?

Selena: Long story! Hehe. scratches her head

Zilpher and Selena explained everything that had happened during their journey, including their battles against various monsters.

Ereña: Ah, so that's what happened.

Sylvia holds Selena's hands: I'm so happy that you're staying here with us as the Queen of our country. smiles

Selena smiles back: Thank you.

Ereña: But who will be the Duchess of Philippeldephia if you stay here?

Selena: I'll write to them about my decision to stay, and in that letter, I'll include the name of the person I've chosen to succeed me as Duchess of Philippeldephia.

Sylvia: Oh? Have you already chosen someone?

Selena: Yes, Aella—one of my sisters. (I chose Aella because, as far as I know, she's the only one of us left without a life partner.) Besides, Aerielle and I don't exactly have the best sibling relationship. whispers and swallows hard

A sudden thought struck Zilpher…

Zilpher: Sel?

Selena: What?

Zilpher: Can we talk somewhere private?

Selena: Sure. turns to Sylvia and Ereña Let's continue our conversation later.

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The two nodded, and Selena and Zilpher went to the garden.

Selena: Tell me what's on your mind.

Zilpher: I feel like what Eliza told us before is connected to the catastrophe you mentioned.

Selena: Why? What did she say to you?

Zilpher: She said…

Eliza: And because of her, we will finally reveal our true power to the world.

Zilpher: At first, I thought her last words were still about controlling you, but if you think about it carefully, you'll realize there's a deeper meaning behind her words—something she was hinting at. I became even more certain when you told me about your questions regarding the coming catastrophe.

Selena: Could it be that what she was referring to was the impending catastrophe that will destroy the entire world?