Chapter 57: Beyond the Broken Throne

By the time Nerez and Cerys returned to the stone chamber, the throne was gone. For some reason, Erebion had destroyed it.

“As I said before, you don’t have to spend your entire life in this chamber. I don’t know what your previous existence was like, but now that you’re part human, I imagine it’s somewhat different.”

Nerez was speaking to the titan turned child, who had been waiting for them at the entrance to the Chasm of the Deeps.

“I don’t feel any desire to go anywhere in particular,” he replied, tilting his head. “But you are right, Nerez. It would not hurt to watch over all your domains.”

“That’s not what I meant… but well, you can save those excursions for when you get bored.”

“Bored?”

“Of course. If you’ve managed to live here for thousands of years, I imagine that’s a foreign concept to you.”

“No…” Erebion answered, lowering his head in thought. “I think I understand.”

“I see… well, if you get bored, feel free to take the occasional walk. In any case, I imagine you can sense enemies from a distance.”

Erebion nodded.

“And I also plan to build gigantic gates here that no one can open!” Nerez exclaimed, hands on his hips as he looked toward the entrance to the chasm. “And another at the entrance to the underworld! And the first one in the surface cavern that led to the underworld! Three barriers to protect my peace and tranquility!”

“There are many caverns that connect to the underworld,” Erebion pointed out.

“Looks like you can remember some things better now… Now that you mention it, you’re right. Before reaching the underworld, there was an enormous network of caverns… It doesn’t matter! Two gigantic gates will still do! It’s a plan I’ve been thinking about for a while!”

“I see… the visiare are excellent barrier masters after all,” Cerys observed, clasping her hands together. “Now that I’ve seen the completed barrier around the settlement, even I would have a hard time breaking it. No wonder they took so long.”

“…”

“What?”

“Are you really Cerys? Not only did you think of that on your own, but you’re also praising mortals…”

“Who do you take me for?! Even I can appreciate good work!”

“Ah… you said ‘even I’. So you do have some self-awareness.”

Chomp.

“Well, I really deserved that one… And yes! Ever since I saw the visiare entry in the Godscript, I knew they would be ideal for this job!”

“Right. A perfect task for mortals: dying while building the wonders of the underworld! Though there are a few useful mortals we should exclude from that labor.”

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“The construction will comply with all necessary regulations. I don’t plan on anyone dying… You’re still you, but, well… Seeing that there are mortals you’d save, I suppose that’s some kind of improvement. I bet your cousin is among them.”

“I don’t have mortal cousins! I have some spirit relatives, but that’s not the same… And yes, I must admit Ily has quite a lot of promise. Not just her, either. Sae and Osvel stand out among mortals too, though Drazira and Thaelor most of all.”

“Yes, it’s true Thaelor took down a large part of the orc army on his own. And Drazira still hasn’t even come close to the limit of her abilities…”

Nerez looked at a holographic screen beside him.

[Proficiency UP!]

[Soulwarden]

[Proficiency E -> D]

This notice is from a little while back, specifically from the battle against Erebion. To think the skill went up in proficiency just because Cerys didn’t die… Titans really shouldn’t be underestimated.

“What is it?” she asked, feeling watched.

“Nothing important. I was just thinking there might be another ‘reaper’ in the near future.”

“What?!” Cerys cried. “There are promising ones, but not to that extent! I’m more than enough!”