EPILOGUE: PAYMENT OF DEBTS

***The land of Cherhom, a few weeks later…***

With the land finally united, Cherhom entered a period of peace. Under the new Church of the Black God, religious taxes were lowered, and the officials as well as the priests were given strict rules on how to conduct themselves towards their flock. In Temun, the borders were opened without the rigid entrance procedures, causing an increase in contact between the formerly ‘isolated’ dwarves and the other races. It led to the proliferation of their technologies, particularly the television, magic-powered batteries, and the planes. Likewise, the humans, beastfolk, elves and demons exported their products and services as well, leading to a great boost in that town’s economy, as well as the western region’s ascendancy in influence.

Montserrant reverted back to its status as a miner city, as the queen of the Cole Miners’ Guild, Paula, refused to take over the Church of the Black God. She was, however, one of the faithful adherents and worshippers of the human, Kuro of Maverny. Her dwarves were also the fiercest supporters of the Black God, followed by the southern cities under the Rodirrim Guild. Hemelin never lost its prestige as the main dwarven city, and the temple grounds of the former Church of the Golden Hammer only changed owners. Kuro, in the name of convenience, simply took over the property, and established his faith there, much to the acclaim of the survivors, as well as the dwarves weary of the conflicts that began after the fall and disappearance of the Golden Hammer.

In time, Cherhom became synonymous with trade and commerce, as the dwarves’ financial acuity was sought after, especially in investments with their ‘holdings company’ system.

“…”

And as for the Lord Louis…

“It’s not like I can do something about your sin,” the Lady Helgath said to him, still in the body of his former guard. “You already possessed Miss Koh’s body, and had us kill her before. The only thing left for you to do is to make good use of the life you’ve stolen; the heavens will judge you after your death.”

“Thank you, Your Holiness,” the former human bowed before her, then asked, “…but are you sure you will let me go?”

“Why, you’re still thinking of betraying us?”

The Lord Louis’ eyes fell on Kuro, who stood nearby. Then, he said, “Look into my heart, Your Holiness; you’ll find that I am sincere this time.”

It was the Dwarf Saint’s turn to be silent, as she averted her face from him. Without even looking back, she admitted, “You know…I still love you, even after all the things you did. However, I loved the ‘fake’ Louis; it’s my fault. But, I have no gall to punish you.”

“And the Black God?”

“While they say I’m a god, technically I’m not one just yet,” he revealed to him. “So, I have no authority to pass judgment on you. Besides, we talked about this, milord. We share the same background and world, and really, even when I got loved ones here, it still hits different when you know someone from where you came from.”

The former human bowed once more, to show his reverence and submission to the Black God. After that, Louis declared, “As surely as I live, Your Holinesses, I shall tell everyone of your magnanimity shown to me today. May the people and the heavens bless your names until the end of the ages…”

That moment was the last time ‘Farah Koh’ appeared from the official history of the dwarves. The Black God and the Dwarf Saint had her ‘killed’; that was, because of her actions in Hemelin, she antagonized many of the criminal gangs by killing their members and leaders. As such, she was already ‘marked’ for death. We allowed her to escape from Cherhom, and spread a rumor that we executed her.

With Farah Koh’s ‘death,’ Cherhom’s Lost Era ended. What came after was the Era of the Black God, which entered its chronicles as the time when the god walked side by side with mortals…

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As for Hemelin itself, the loss of the noble families in the city after Seirna’s curse gave opportunity for other dwarves to ascend into nobility. Coinciding with the Black God’s wishes to reward those who helped him unite the land, he elevated a few allies to become nobles. One of them was the former petty criminal, Albrecht of Temun…

“Milord,” the newly-appointed noble never hid his annoyance when he received the letter proclaiming his new status. “I do appreciate your efforts to help me, but I didn’t ask for a position in the aristocracy.”

“Please indulge me, Albrecht,” Kuro replied, half-pleading. “Your help was crucial in conquering Hemelin, and you also nearly lost your life doing your duty. I think it’s just a fitting reward for someone who did his best.”

“But I’m lazy with this kind of stuff!” he countered. “Not to mention, don’t you think I might use my position to do illegal things?”

“No worries, someone will remind you of your limits.”

“Hm?”

At that point, the door to the conference room opened, and his sister, Carla, showed up along with her son.

“You’re not a bad person, Albrecht,” Kuro pointed out. “Ashren told me about them, so I thought—since you said you want to retire comfortably—that I’ll do something for them, too. That is, aside from your dwarves; they’ll also receive their rewards.”

“Milord…” For the first time in a long while, tears formed up in his eyes, much to the surprise of Carla and his nephew. “This is…too much! But thank you!”

“There’s only one problem, though…”

“Yes, what is it, milord?”

Carla was the one who answered for the Black God. She opened the other side of the door, revealing Ashren. Unlike his usual ‘mercenary’ clothes, this time, he wore a proper dress fit for a common business dwarf—or human. “Brother,” Carla showed him the ring on her finger, “you didn’t tell me there are good guys in your gang. We got married while you are recovering!”

Albrecht smiled, and they thought he was all fine with the sudden decision. However, he whipped his pistol and aimed it at the surprised Ashren. “You damned rat! You took my sister from me!”

“I’m sorry Bro-in-Law!” the human started to run. “You can’t stop falling in love!”

Kuro and Carla watched them as they made fools out of themselves. And the Black God could only sigh in relief that Albrecht accepted his ‘reward’ easily…there was a hidden clause that he forgot to read assigning him as the new leader of Hemelin, after all.

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**Kuro**

And so, our quest to find the god-power of the Dwarf Saint finally came to an end. Tomorrow, I would be journeying back with Lily to Chersea, then take a look of things before ascending as a god. Honestly, now that I was really close to becoming one, the nervousness and anxiety within me tripled. But, I was already here, and I got friends and supporters ready to help me succeed. It will all be fine…

“Yes, it’s all good, now, Kuro! Good job!”

“Thanks for helping me back there, too, Gaius. Really, I don’t know what I would do when the Lady Helgath asked me to save Louis.”

“Heh…” The former god got two cans of beers and handed one to me. Then, he passed the barbecue he was cooking, before taking one stick himself. “Don’t you know? Six years ago, this is all but a distant possibility.”

“What do you mean?”

“You remember when we’re still enemies?” Gaius took a sip from his beer before continuing. “I did say that you are just an ‘accident.’”

“Yeah, I did remember that, but why bring it up now?”

“The Lord Louis Fabelle is the true ‘god’ of this land, at least, in the original timeline.”

“Yeah, you did say that as well.”

“Your waifu number 1, Maddie, would be long dead by now, by the way,” he pointed out. “If it not for you intervening when she tried to kill herself.”

“Yep…so what are you implying?”

“Butterfly effect, Kuro.”

“I know that theory.” I was kind of getting irritated by him speaking in riddles, so I told him, “Can you tell me straight, what are you trying to say?”

“You’re a great accident, friend.”

“Oh…?”

“Look, you know why Seirna fought you before?” the former god took another barbecue stick, then continued on his narrative. “It’s because I asked her to ‘keep things the way they are’ until I come back from my ‘retirement.’ To be specific, she’s targeting Lady Maddie back then, when you saved the Human Saint. The timeline was supposed to ‘remove’ her because she’s not really a part of Chersea’s original history. And Arame only caused her to exist so she can enter Chersea when the opportunity comes.”

I said nothing. Remembering that part of our lives was enough to make my stomach turn. I mean, it was such a close call; if Maddie died back then, we wouldn’t be talking here right now. The Seductress had long devoured this world.

“Yes. Imagine if I did become a god again; we’re all finished.” He laughed as he drank his beer can empty. “Everything that has happened until now, it is because of your decision six years ago, in Cherflammen.”

“Well, I must say, you’re also a part of it,” I returned the praise to him. “If you didn’t offer your ‘exalted body,’ then I’m still back there, languishing in the shifting sands forever. So yeah, I’ll punch whoever says you’re insignificant, Gaius.”

The former god had a poignant expression on his face, as he looked away, seemingly pondering on my words. Forever thankful to him, I gave him a tap on the shoulder, and proposed a toast to his memories and legacy. In my book, I guess, Gaius Julius Caesar already paid his debts…