Chapter 350: Chapter 344: The end is only the beginning of a new Era
In an unknown universe, on an unfamiliar planet, a sorrowful-looking woman wept while gazing at a broken crown on the ground.
The sky was dark, and intermittent lightning storms briefly illuminated the heavens, causing rain to fall, washing the cracked ground and cleansing the blood of the fallen.
*Shuaaaaaaa
Meanwhile, in space, two crowns traveled at incredible speed, traversing galaxies and realms, swiftly approaching the world.
Inside these two crowns were two figures—one seated on a throne, while the other wore a hood concealing their appearance.
"Your Majesty... We have arrived."
Speaking with a brief murmur tinged with sadness and profound pain, the hooded figure bowed their head slightly as the Empress also descended into the world.
"Hick... Hick..."
Once they entered the world, they heard the pained cries of a woman. Quickly locating the source, both figures descended, observing a lamenting woman crying over a broken crown.
"Mother..."
"Darling? I'm sorry... I did everything I could. I'm sorry... I couldn't... I couldn't protect him. I'm sorry."
As the two approached, the grieving woman opened her arms, embracing them both, while crying and mourning her loss.
The pain and tears, along with the broken crown on the ground, caused even the hooded figure to shed tears.
They were champions, beings who protected the world, but they were also family.
Meanwhile, the Empress gazed at the broken crown on the ground, clenched her fist, and tears streamed down her face.
Another of their own had fallen.
*Shua... Shuaaa....
Simultaneously, eight other crowns illuminated the sky and descended rapidly.
Emerging from the light were eight individuals who, upon seeing the broken crown, clenched their fists, and tears welled in their eyes.
"Monarch... You have fallen... First Saitama, now you...."
With trembling bodies, each of them couldn't help but control their emotions. They had received the signal of his death, and no matter where they were, they could sense his disappearance, bringing deep sadness and pain.
"They've come... That's good."
Suppressing her emotions, the Empress observed each of them. Some had blurry figures, while others kept their heads bowed.
She knew that some of them were in their physical bodies, while others sent their avatars. Nevertheless, she didn't judge them; they were champions, busy beings traversing worlds, protecting and preventing their destruction.
"Your Majesty..."
Noticing the Empress for the first time, each of them knelt, but their tears didn't cease.
"I'm sorry... I'm sorry..."
They also looked at the will of the world, crying and lamenting in the embrace of one of their own.
Among them was a person of approximately 20 or 22 years, their exact gender unclear due to both masculine and feminine features. Nonetheless, they were beautiful, with long silver-blue hair.
This person clenched their fists, and the crown on their head spun incessantly.
Pain, fear, loss, and hatred—these emotions coursed through their body, making it impossible for them to calm down completely, even in front of their leader.
"It's okay, everyone, stand up... It's not the time for meaningless ceremonies. We are here for the death of our family; we must bid farewell as they deserve."
"Yes, Your Majesty..."
With her words, each of them stood up, continuing to gaze at the broken crown.
However, this particular person did not rise. Instead, they tightened their fist even more. The Empress's words were like a blade cutting through them because he was a close friend of the Monarch—one of the three who began their journey towards Order together. They saved many worlds together and trained together several times, forming an invincible trio. Unfortunately, now only he remained; his two companions had returned to the Order.
Among all the existing champions, the Monarch and Saitama were the closest...
Although they took different paths in power...
The Monarch with his army, Saitama alone, and he with the help of his companions—the trio got along very well...
But now everything had ended; his two best friends were gone.
Those with whom he shared smiles had left....
"You too, Rimuru... We owe it to the Monarch."
"I understand."
Clenching his teeth, Rimuru forced himself to stand.
"We must search for the alternate 'Self,' even if they are not one of us. It is our duty to ensure they live the best life possible. It is the least we can do for the Monarch..."
Champions, beings who dedicated their lives to the world. When they die, they leave nothing behind. Honoring and rewarding them for their work is impossible.
However, in the alternate Multiverse, they still exist.
Their alternate selves still exist...
Although they are not champions, and most of them tend to be regular or irregular, they are the last remnants that remember those who fell.
That's why, when a champion falls, the other champions will roam the alternate Multiverse, seeking the fallen champion's alternate 'Self.' They will alter their destiny, allowing them to live a life of luxury and without worries.
All the fortune of their fallen 'Self' will go to their alternate 'Self' as an apology and honor for the one who fell for the sake of all.
That was their Code...
And also the least they could do for one of their own...
"As a champion, we couldn't reward you. At least, we will ensure that your alternate 'Self' lives a happy life."
That's what they believed. After all, they couldn't bring back to life the one who sacrificed their body, soul, and origin for the world.
As long as their alternate 'Self' lives happily, it's a kind of solace for the guilt and pain they feel for the fallen one.
That's why it's the least and, at the same time, the most they can do...
"I'll do it... I know his planet; I'll make sure to talk to the mother of that world."
The one who responded was Rimuru. As his best friend, he knew well where the alternate Monarch's planet was since the Monarch had taken him there several times—a kind of solace for the life he could have had if he weren't a champion.
"I leave it to you, then."
Sighing, the Empress shook her head; it's not as if she couldn't understand this pain.
After all, she suffered the same for her Master when he fell. She desperately sought her master in the alternate Multiverse. However, unlike Rimuru, she did something she still wonders if it was right. After all, it was taboo and went against her master's teachings.
Stopping herself from dwelling on those thoughts, the Empress walked towards the broken crown. She moved her hand, and a fragment of light flew from the broken crown into the outstretched hand of the Empress.
Looking at the fragment in the Empress's hand, all the champions stood straight, lifting their heads. This was their last farewell.
The world's will also stopped crying and stared intently at the fragment, where an image formed in the sky, showing the Monarch's final moments...
"I understand... In the end, he fell with honor."
After witnessing his sacrifice, all the champions lowered their heads. The incredible army and the battle that unfolded in this world were astonishing, but above all, it was the courage that this army demonstrated in protecting their lord that touched the deepest part of the champions' hearts.
After all, champions are solitary beings, always acting for the good of the world. Sacrifices for them are rare.
Yet, they also understood the reason for the Monarch's fall. The Overlords were collaborating, creating armies to kill them. If not for the Monarch and perhaps another champion, the outcome might have been different.
Or perhaps the world would have been destroyed.
The Monarch's crown protected many, leaving him vulnerable to an external attack. This is why they avoided using armies, preferring the natural death of life on the planet. This way, the crown had fewer opportunities to be corrupted in the chaos.
However, they could only cry over spilled milk. They wouldn't judge the Monarch's fighting style; each of them had their own ways.
And even though the army was the reason for the Monarch's fall, the same army had slaughtered dozens of Overlords in the past.
Yet, in the end, no one spoke, and they continued watching the Monarch's final battle.
Although they had clenched fists and tears, the end of the battle arrived, marking the sacrifice of both this army and their lord...
Sighing with sadness, the Empress furrowed her brow with strength. She knew that the time to say goodbye had come, and everyone else knew it too. The crowns on their heads began to spin, a tribute to the final farewell.
"I, Empress and Leader of the Champions, Sung Jin-Woo, Shadow Monarch, relieve you of your duties.... You can rest in peace, knowing that wherever you are, the light of order accompanies you..."
With these words, the fragment of order flew towards the Empress's crown and disappeared into the light. Simultaneously, the broken crown on the ground scattered into thousands of light particles.
As if the Empress's words were a relief from the burden she had carried for so long...
"Farewell... Monarch."
Looking toward the sky, the rain stopped, and the skies lit up. Trillions of lights adorned the sky, the souls of the fallen returning to the world, starting another cycle of reincarnation. With the last of their power, the crown returned to the world, healing it and bringing back the souls of the dead.
In the end, the Monarch didn't have the courage to bear the souls of trillions. As their lord, he made sure to return them to the world, completing his will. This was his last gift to the army that had accompanied him for so long. At the same time, a small sprout emerged from the ground where the broken crown had been. This sprout was the first life in the world.
The end is only the beginning of a new era, and this new life was created from the remnants of a Champion's crown.
In the future, this plant would be the one to sustain and protect the world, the last will of the one who fell...
A Guardian Beast had been born...
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TN: Alright I shall rest in peace... I'll be back again when the cycle of reincarnation completes..
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