'So it was the Great Sageʼs arrangement that caused my regression.ʼ
Until then, he had believed that the Elder Dragon and the Dragon of Time, Chronos, were responsible for sending him back.
But the one who had prepared that arrangement was none other than the Great Sage himself.
Zeke looked at the Great Sage and asked,
"Did you know I would claim the Elder Dragonʼs legacy and prepare that arrangement accordingly?"
The Great Sage shook his head with a smile.
"Not exactly. Even I cannot foresee every event in the endless chain of uncertainties that is the future. Just as Chronos cannot."
Zeke, not fully grasping the response, asked another question.
"The Elder Dragon placed the 'Irreversible Promised Powerʼ in the statue but didnʼt truly believe it would activate. If even you couldnʼt be certain, then why..." The Great Sage nodded.
"Both I, the Elder Dragon, and Chronos placed our hopes on a very slim possibility. And
Zeke, you seized that possibility with your own strength."
"It sounds like everything was just coincidence."
"No. There are no coincidences in this universe. Even the smallest event is the result of countless gears turning."
Zeke turned to the Great Sage.
"The Elder Dragon said I desired regression myself and gained the chance to defy fate through that will. But... I canʼt help wondering if that was truly what I wanted."
The Great Sage replied,
"Do you regret turning back time, Sir Zeke?"
Zeke hesitated, unable to answer immediately.
His previous life had been incomparably miserable and desperate compared to this one.
In the pool of blood, he had struggled desperately and regretted his past life. As death approached, Zeke reached for the Elder Dragonʼs legacy, revealing a strong will to live.
That was why the 'Irreversible Promised Powerʼ activated, allowing him to live this life anew.
The Great Sage studied Zeke and said,
"I can see the seed of anxiety sprouting in your heart, Sir Zeke." Zeke raised his head, his expression slightly bitter.
"A seed of anxiety? That doesnʼt apply to an immortal like me."
It wasnʼt just blind faith in his immortality. Zekeʼs passive skill 'Indomitable Willʼ also shielded him from mental and emotional blows.
The Great Sage shook his head.
"The anxiety born from uncertainty about oneʼs own existence is hard to block even with an immortalʼs power. What I mean is that your fear of losing everything newly gained in this life is growing."
Zeke bit his lip.
He wanted to deny it, but the words wouldnʼt come.
In his previous life, Zeke had nothing.
The people he loved had died in the war, leaving him without purpose.
But because he survived, he struggled more, thinking that becoming stronger might change something.
But that was a mistaken thought.
'Even if I had become a black knight in my previous life, I wouldnʼt have found a reason
to live.ʼ
Emptiness and void.
Those were the emotions that filled Zeke in his past life.
But now it was different.
In this life, things he possessed and needed to protect kept appearing.
Outwardly, he claimed his goal was to become stronger than anyone so no one could bind him, achieving true freedom.
But as time passed, Zekeʼs thoughts had shifted.
He had a home to return to now, and the people filling it were increasing.
To protect them, Zeke pushed himself to grow stronger.
But as the things he wanted to protect multiplied, so did his anxiety.
He feared it all might vanish like a dream, leaving only emptiness behind.
That was why Zeke kept asking questions.
Why he had been regressed, whether this new life was truly real and not an illusion, whether he even deserved to live it—all to shake off the anxiety.
The Great Sage regarded Zeke and said,
"The life you stand in now is a history you have fully forged yourself, Sir Zeke. No one can shatter it."
With the Great Sageʼs firm words, Zeke felt the anxiety that had long shadowed his heart finally dissipate.
The fear that everything after the regression—born of a power he couldnʼt comprehend— might vanish like a bubble was at last quelled.
Zeke looked at the Great Sage.
"So my presence here now is also the inevitable result of the universeʼs gears turning, not mere chance?"
"The one who turned those gears was none other than your will, Sir Zeke. The Elder
Dragon and Chronos believed that will could alter the doomed future and save the Phenomenal World."
Gazing at the Three Sacred Relics that floated in the air, he continued.
"Do you know when these Three Sacred Relics were last gathered?" Zeke shook his head.
The Great Sage smiled faintly.
"It was when the 'Irreversible Promised Powerʼ was arranged within the
Kabbalah System."
As his words ended, a golden aura poured from the Three Sacred Relics.
Woooong—
The Great Sage extended his hand toward Zeke.
Surprisingly, the Jeweled Sword Roland and Tyrʼs Warhammer automatically summoned from Zekeʼs inventory and floated in the air.
Seeing this, Zeke was reminded once more that the Great Sage was also a Master Administrator.
The Great Sage regarded the floating Roland and said,
"An orichalcum sword imbued with the will of a noble holy knight and a hammer infused with the power of a valiant war god. Perfect frames for new divine artifacts."
He extended his hand toward the air again, and the radiance from the Three Sacred Relics shone even more brilliantly.
Then, the golden aura flowed into Roland and the hammer.
Woooong—
Zeke watched in astonishment as the power of the three sacred relics infused into Roland and the hammer.
'The power of the Three Sacred Relics was merging into one?ʼ
Woooong—
As Zeke stared in surprise, the golden aura from the relics gradually diminished, and Roland and Tyrʼs Warhammer took on a lustrous glow.
As the auspicious light seeped in, the sword and hammer began to vibrate. Tzzzzzt—
At the same time, Roland and the hammer started to merge.
Zeke was stunned at the sight.
'The Three Sacred Relicsʼ power was merging with Roland and Tyrʼs Warhammer?ʼ The sword that emerged from the enveloped light revealed itself.
Woooong—
Roland, once an arming sword, grew larger overall, its pommel extending into a crossguard and transforming into a cruciform blade.
Ancient characters that glowed in gold were engraved in relief on the blade.
Though the ostentatious flair was gone, the intricate workmanship was far more refined, exuding a majestic aura.
The Great Sage nodded in satisfaction at the cross-sword that rippled with golden aura.
"The power of the Three Sacred Relics has settled well."
With another gesture, the cross-sword glided smoothly and halted before Zeke.
"Take hold of it, Sir Zeke."
Zeke reached out slowly toward the transformed Roland.
The moment he grasped the sword, a message appeared before his eyes.
[The Jeweled Sword Roland and Tyrʼs Warhammer have merged.]
[The merged armament has been enhanced by the power of the sacred relics.]
[It has evolved into a Legendary Item, granting a true name to the sword.]
[The sword is named 'Holy Sword Ascalon,ʼ bearer of the Primordial Light.]
'Legendary Item? It evolved into a holy sword?ʼ
Zeke checked the information for the newly transformed sword Ascalon.
―Holy Sword Ascalon Info―
Description: A sacred sword evolved from the fusion of a jeweled sword and an antidemon armament, infused with the power of the Three Sacred Relics bearing the Primordial Light.
Unique Authority: Will of Light, Great Purification, Spiritualization, Awakening Bestowal.
Special Notes: Inflicts 5x damage to beings with demonic energy. / When Will of Light activates, damage increases to 10x.
Zeke couldnʼt help but be astonished at the authorities granted to Ascalon.
Not only the powers of the Three Sacred Relics, but a new authority called 'Will of Lightʼ had emerged.
'Activating the Will of Light deals tenfold damage to demonic beings...ʼ
For Zeke, facing the final battle with the Demon Kingʼs Army, this was an indispensable power.
At the same time, another message appeared.
[You have acquired the title 'Master of the Holy Sword.ʼ]
[Due to the title 'Master of the Holy Sword,ʼ the special skill Sacred Radiance Technique and Demon-Hunting Art merge into a new skill.]
[Special Skill Holy Spirit Qi (SS-Grade) is registered.]
[Active Skill Blade of Radiant Light is absorbed into Holy Spirit Qi.]
Influenced by the Holy Sword Ascalon, the Sacred Radiance Technique evolved into the new skill Holy Spirit Qi.
The Great Sage looked satisfied at the holy sword named Ascalon.
"Holy Sword Ascalon. Sir Zeke, this swordʼs power will aid you greatly in the journeys ahead."
Zeke lifted his gaze from the sword and asked the Great Sage,
"Great Sage, I have one question."
"Speak."
"The sword before me now, bearing the true name Holy Sword Ascalon—is it a sword that originally existed, or one newly created at this moment?"
It reminded him of the sword whose true name 'Caladbolgʼ had been revealed, sparking his curiosity.
The Great Sage pondered briefly before slowly replying.
"To be precise, the sword called Holy Sword Ascalon does not exist at this point in time." Zekeʼs expression turned to surprise, then puzzlement.
"If it doesnʼt exist now... then you mean it existed in the past?"
"Many civilizations on this continent have had their traces erased by the constellations, their histories wiped entirely. Though no one remembers them, those traces persist in the form of karma data on the Sefirot Dimensional Server."
Zeke looked at the Holy Sword Ascalon and asked the Great Sage,
"Then this sword was an item created in a previous civilization, not this one?" The Great Sage nodded.
"Itʼs more accurate to say a long-forgotten trace from an ancient past, transcending causality through karma, has manifested here."
An item from a civilization before the current one—far older than the Age of the Constellations—had revived in Zekeʼs hand, revealing itself once more.
Zeke raised the Holy Sword Ascalon toward the sky.
He then activated the power of the Three Sacred Relics.
Woooong!
A golden aura spread from the sword, forming a dome-shaped barrier around them.
It seemed the range capable of inflicting tenfold damage on demonic beings extended that far.
'As the Great Sage said, this sword will be a great help in the battles ahead.ʼ Zeke gazed at his newly acquired holy sword with satisfaction.
At that moment, the Great Sage looked at Zeke and said, "Sir Zeke, you possess the Holy Spear Longominant, correct?" Zeke nodded.
"Yes. How did you know?"
"As a Master Administrator, I can somewhat track events in the Phenomenal World using the Akashic Code. I call this authority 'Heavenly Eye.ʼ"
With those words, he extended his hand again, and Longominant and Bahamut appeared from Zekeʼs inventory, floating in the air.
Currently, Bahamut was cracked from the attack by Harvey West, the High Priest of Narak.
The Great Sage nodded upon seeing it.
"The High Priest of Narak is also one who deviates from this worldʼs laws. Thatʼs why even an indestructible item can be damaged."
"If he deviates from the worldʼs laws... does that mean the High Priest is an Irregular as well?"
The Great Sage shook his head.
"Itʼs similar, but not quite fitting to call him an Irregular. He hasnʼt escaped the laws through the power of the God of Chaos."
"Then itʼs possible to deviate from the worldʼs laws through a power other than the God of Chaosʼs?"
"Yes. That is..."
Tzzzzzt—
Suddenly, the Great Sageʼs form flickered, his heroic spirit wavered before returning to normal.
He furrowed his brow and said,
"It seems I lack the karma to bear even the causality of telling you that."
The Great Sage raised his head and looked at the Holy Spear Longominant and Bahamut.
He extended both hands, slowly bringing his palms together.
"To counter the High Priest of Narak, who defies the laws, youʼll need power to match him."
Woooong—
Longominant and Bahamut, similar in form, drew closer and began merging. Tzzzzzt—
Longominant emitted black haze, seeping into the cracks of the broken Bahamut.
Zekeʼs eyes widened at the sight.
'Longominant and Bahamut were merging?ʼ
Soon, Longominantʼs form had completely dissolved into haze, and black particles swirled around Bahamut.
Crunch—
With Longominant fully integrated, Bahamut began transforming into a new form.