Beyond the Gates of Heaven

No, perhaps he was a master so powerful that even the thought of going to heaven did not frighten him. But was such a thing even possible?

"What happened to that person? Did he return safely?"

"Of course. Two hundred years ago, the Messenger of God departed for heaven with his companions. There, they heard the will of the great Ra and returned."

"How did they come back? Did they exit through the entrance?"

"Impossible. As you may have guessed, the gates of heaven operate through an Immortal Function. The existence of the gate itself makes the Immortal Function possible. However, in heaven, there is no medium to activate the Immortal Function. So to return, one must use another method."

"What kind of method?"

"I have no knowledge of that. But records state that upon their return, they claimed it was not a profitable venture."

Silence filled the air.

For warriors strong enough to traverse even the unknown realm of the divine to say it was not worth it—that meant it was beyond their strength to return on their own.

Now Shirone understood what Kanis meant. Being unable to return was, in some ways, a fate worse than death.

This was not about sailing to a distant land. It was about traversing space-time to reach a distant star somewhere in the cosmos.

"I am telling you the truth. I know it is dangerous. But the fate of our tribe is at stake. If you help Kergou, we will do everything in our power to repay you. If you desire gold, we shall give it to you. If you desire the women of Kergou..."

"No, I don't want anything. I don't think I can accept any rewards."

At the banquet, they had agreed to at least hear them out, but the situation had now changed.

Frankly, even if they offered untold wealth, Shirone would not change his mind. However... an insatiable curiosity that rivaled the fear of death began to creep in.

Without needing to consult his friends, Shirone gave the best answer he could think of.

"I'll think about it."

Alone at the altar, Kadum gazed up at the stars.

The servile demeanor he had shown before Shirone's party was now gone. As the ruler of Mount Toa, he stood with his chin raised in pride, but soon, he sensed someone approaching and turned his gaze.

An old man coughed as he walked up the steps of the altar. It was Elder Hashid.

"Are you truly going to send them?"

Hashid's use of formal speech made Kadum's expression twist in displeasure.

"Father, it does not suit you to speak that way to your son."

"Son? You know very well that my son no longer exists in this world, Father."

A bizarre situation—both men calling each other 'father.' But the truly strange thing was that the white-haired Hashid was addressing the robust Kadum as his father.

Kadum's facade fell away, revealing his true nature. His piercing gaze carried the wisdom of over two centuries of life.

"Hmph, are you still holding on to that misunderstanding? Kadum's death was an accident. I did not kill him."

"Of course, you would say that. But if my son hadn't died, a man named Kang wouldn't have stolen Kadum's name to become chieftain again."

Kadum turned fully toward Hashid.

"What are you trying to say?"

"Father, they will not succeed. Even if that boy is the Messenger of God, he will not return with what our tribe desires."

"That does not matter. The wealth remains here either way. If they return with what we need, I will reward them generously. If they fail, we will simply dispose of them. Everything is for Kergou."

"Is it really? Two hundred years ago, you gained three hundred years of life through the Messenger of God. That has nothing to do with Kergou, does it?"

Hashid glared at Kadum with contempt.

The son had aged, his steps unsteady, while the father basked in eternal youth with firm muscles and a smooth physique.

After gaining three hundred years of life, the chieftain had gone mad. He had sought out Unrockers across the land and spent vast fortunes to extend his lifespan. As the tribe's wealth dwindled, he even sold sacred relics to outsiders.

Yet, in a way, it was understandable.

Eternal life. Eternal youth. What in the world could be worth more than that?

"Isn't it enough now? Since that day, countless Unrockers have left, but not a single one has returned. An obsession with immortality will make you lose your humanity. Miro realized that early on and issued a warning."

"Silence! No one else can lead this tribe as strongly as I can! Have you forgotten how pathetic Kergou was under your leadership? You are a failed leader. Kergou needs me. I am Kergou itself!"

As Kadum howled toward the heavens, Hashid could say nothing.

His father was strong. A two-hundred-year-old serpent with immense power. Perhaps, as he boasted, he would elevate the tribe.

But perhaps... he would also be the last chieftain Kergou would ever know before vanishing from the world.

Shirone and his companions headed to their lodging.

The caves stretching northwest from the plaza were complex, but for Shirone, who had navigated Istas like his own home, they were merely a nuisance filled with numerous crossroads.

Their quarters were a spacious room, unexpectedly furnished with beds. Even a storage cabinet stood beside them.

This was a room for outsiders. How many had stayed here before? Had they all departed for heaven? Or had they disappeared from the world altogether?

The chieftain's words had been too shocking. Even after arriving, no one spoke.

After unpacking and organizing their belongings, they turned their eyes to Kanis. The Messenger of God, heaven, Kergou's circumstances—it was time for him to speak.

"I kept my promise. Now explain."

"It's exactly as you heard."

Amy sat beside Shirone, glaring at Kanis.

"Heaven? Are you seriously saying such a place exists? How long have you known?"

"Honestly, I wasn't certain. But I think Shirone is the better person to answer that. Hashid asked you, didn't he? What did you see in Miro's space-time?"

Amy turned to Shirone.

"Yeah, tell us. What did you see?"

"Not what, but where."

Kanis had guessed correctly. Shirone nodded and continued.

"I saw a place."

There was an ocean, a forest. At the center of a city enclosed by circular walls, a spire stood tall.

He had been drawn into the light atop the spire, and when he regained consciousness, he was back at the altar.

"That's everything I saw. If that place is heaven, then Kadum's words are not entirely baseless. That's why I want to hear Kanis's explanation before making a judgment. How much do you really know?"

The room fell silent, tension thickening.

Kanis finally exhaled and spoke.

"My master, Arcane… I think he once went to heaven."