Chapter 60 – The Cycle of Life

Ren lay sprawled across the snow, eyes shut, unable to move a single muscle. The final flame in his hand had burned out. At last… he had achieved his goal.

The silence of the battlefield broke beneath the crunch of footsteps. A presence drew near—steady, inevitable.

“…I never thought you’d come for me yourself,” Ren whispered, exhausted, his lips barely moving.

“You’re the only soul I would come to claim in person. After all… you’ve been a fine reaper.” Shion’s voice carried a grave weight through the castle ruins, her silhouette framed by the scythe of Death.

When he forced his eyes open, he saw her. Shion stood there, scythe in hand.

“…I would’ve liked to say goodbye to my family. But I suppose that won’t be possible. I knew the price.”

“That’s right. We are grateful for your service… but the rules are absolute.”

Ren turned his gaze to the moon.

“I figured as much. Still… I don’t regret anything. Besides, the moon is beautiful tonight. I couldn’t ask for more.”

“Shall we go?” Shion lowered her scythe to take his soul.

But as the blade neared his chest, it was repelled by a burst of icy blue light. Even Shion faltered in surprise.

From Ren’s neck, the amulet Yuri had given him flared to life. It floated above him, radiating a frigid glow.

“…That fool Yuri,” Shion muttered, eyes narrowing.

The amulet dropped swiftly into Ren’s hand, igniting a new flame in his palm.

“…What is this supposed to mean?” Ren whispered, staring at his trembling hand.

At that moment, a powerful blizzard swept across the ruins. From within it, Yuri emerged—solemn, cloaked in a blue aura.

“Did you really think I’d let the savior of Yukihana go unrewarded?” His tone brimmed with cool self-assurance.

“You idiot! You can’t interfere in my domain!” Shion snapped, her pout more childlike than severe.

“Well… technically, he is my son. Not to mention the emperor of my people,” Yuri added calmly.

Then Lumina appeared, releasing a warm radiance that began to mend Ren’s broken body.

“Come on, Shion. Don’t be so strict. We know you want his soul, but… just wait a little longer,” Lumina said gently.

Ren lay on the ground, gasping, too bewildered to understand the gods’ argument over him.

“It’s a small gift… just five years,” Yuri explained, scratching his head.

“Yes, don’t be selfish with our savior,” Lumina added, almost whining.

“…Hmph! I’ll allow it this time. But this is the last time you meddle in my path!” Shion huffed, nearly indignant, before vanishing into the shadows.

Yuri knelt and lifted Ren with his right hand.

“…What’s happening? Are you… taking me to oblivion?” Ren asked, confused.

“Did you not hear a word we just said!?” Lumina shouted, scandalized.

“You should count yourself lucky Yuri is such a kind, big-hearted soul,” she added smugly.

The two of them stared at her in silence, as if she hadn’t said anything at all.

“Don’t say it like I did it for you, Lumina,” Yuri muttered.

The goddess pouted and turned away, indignant.
“Hmph! And after I went through the trouble of descending to the mortal world…”

“…Anyway,” Yuri continued. “I’ve sacrificed part of my divinity to grant you a few more years. But no more than that.”

Ren’s eyes widened—Yuri’s left arm was gone, dissolving into snow that drifted away on the wind.

“Yuri… you… you didn’t have to…”

The Yuki god met his gaze with quiet respect.

“It’s a fair price. I may need to create some new attendants, but it was a cost worth paying.”

Weak but resolute, Ren bowed his head.

“Thank you… I’m truly grateful.”

Yuri waved it off.

“Don’t worry about it. Just… don’t forget to leave Wisteria in Yukihana. One day, someone worthy will come to wield it.”

Ren nodded.

“I’ll make sure of it.”

The god placed his hand on Lumina’s shoulder.

“He’s all yours now.”

He smiled, lifting his palm toward Ren.

“Good luck, boy! We’ll meet again in Yukihana…”

A blizzard swept around him, and in the blink of an eye, Yuri was gone.

Ren remained with the goddess who had summoned him to this world, snow falling endlessly around them.

“…Who would’ve thought it would snow in Solmara?” Lumina murmured, catching a snowflake on her fingertip.

“Sorry… I shouldn’t have used Ice Age. But I wanted the battlefield on my side,” Ren said, lowering his gaze.

She turned to him with a gentle smile.

“Don’t apologize. You did what had to be done.”

“I only have one question…” Ren’s voice was faint, but steady. “Why was Lucifer so powerful? Even more than Lilith.”

Lumina’s eyes softened, tinged with sorrow.

“Lucifer was the son of Diabolos—one of the seven gods who rule this world.”

Barely able to stay upright, Ren felt the weight of those words sink into him.

“…That sounds bad.”

Lumina shook her head.

“Diabolos committed the ultimate sin… he directly interfered with the mortal realm. From that ‘interaction,’ Lucifer was born. For that crime, Diabolos vanished from our sight. We know nothing of him now.”

“And as for his son… we believed Lilith had destroyed him centuries ago.”

Ren let out a breath of relief.

“So there’s nothing to fear. He won’t come after us for this.” Lumina’s tone was calm, reassuring.

Then Ren remembered something.

“Goddess Lumina… may I ask you a favor?”

She looked at him curiously.

“That depends. What is it you want?”

“I’d like you to allow Sakura Luxaris to rebuild your faith.”

Lumina crossed her arms, raising a brow.

“…I see you have mixed feelings about that girl.”

Ren smiled sheepishly, as if caught red-handed.

“Well, I can’t deny she’s a beautiful young woman, after all—”

The goddess glared at him as though he’d committed an unforgivable crime.

“What I mean,” Ren hurried to add, “is that people trust her. The Church already calls her a ‘saint.’ I think she just needs a little nudge from our beloved goddess of the sun.”

“Hmph… fine. I’ll do it. But only because you saved this nation and asked me politely.”

I didn’t know gods could be tsunderes, Ren thought, a bead of sweat running down his cheek.

“Thank you.” He bowed deeply. “That’s all I ask.”

She stepped closer.

“I’ll speak to her in her dreams. But in return, I want you to place Versalles on the pedestal of my statue—once it’s rebuilt.”

“You’re not worried someone might claim its power?” Ren asked in disbelief.

“Bah. Just like Wisteria in Yukihana, only someone truly worthy will be able to wield it. I doubt anyone else could.” Her tone softened. “It’s more of a symbol for future generations.”

Ren nodded calmly.

“Very well. I’ll do as you ask.”

Lumina turned, raising a hand in farewell. In truth, she couldn’t bring herself to face him while saying goodbye.

“Thank you for everything, Ren Sinclair. Enjoy your gift.”

“And you, Lumina… thank you for letting me live the greatest adventure of my life. I’ll never forget it.”

The goddess vanished in a burst of radiant light.

Ren remained beneath the moon’s glow, as the heavy snowfall fell in silence over the capital of the Sun.