[80] Stepping VII (END)

The strongest beings in the world sensed something unusual in the Mana that filled the atmosphere. The air, typically calm, now seemed to tremble as if something terrifying had occurred in some corner of the world. This uncontrollable surge of mana made them vigilant, aware that a significant change was underway.

---

Central Continent, Asura Kingdom Territory.

Amidst dense forests and majestic mountains, two figures stood out in the wild plains. The first was a short woman with black hair cascading down her back, wearing a mask that concealed most of her face. Beside her was a tall man with an intimidating aura, his fierce countenance making anyone who looked at him feel oppressed by an overwhelming pressure. His gaze was sharp, his eyes narrowing towards the distant horizon as if sensing something extraordinary.

"What's wrong?" the woman asked, her voice filled with curiosity, though her face was hidden behind the mask.

The man responded with a deep, raspy voice, "I sense something familiar."

"What do you mean by 'familiar'?" she asked again, confusion creeping into her voice.

"Something similar to what happened recently," he replied firmly, without shifting his gaze.

The woman fell silent for a moment, pondering his words. When understanding finally dawned on her, she began to show great enthusiasm. However, the man beside her remained cautious, his expression unchanged, his mind still churning.

The man, known as Orsted, gazed sharply towards the Milis Continent, his feelings a mix of caution and deep curiosity.

---

Central Continent, Floating Castle.

In the heights of the sky stood a magnificent castle floating among the clouds. Inside, an elderly man with silver hair that shimmered like the full moon sat upon his throne. His eyes, glowing with golden pupils, radiated an undeniable aura of nobility. His entire being exuded majesty and power, making anyone bow in his presence. Yet this time, his body trembled, sensing a strange vibration from mana that should not react this way.

"What is happening? Is this disaster coming one after another?" he muttered in a heavy voice, filled with worry. "Almanfi!" he called urgently.

In an instant, a tall man with a neat appearance, wearing a fox mask, appeared and bowed respectfully before him. "I am here, my Lord."

"Find out what is happening. I sense something similar to the mana disaster that occurred some time ago. It's coming from the direction of the Milis Continent."

"As you command, my Lord," Almanfi replied without hesitation before vanishing in an instant, teleporting to his destination.

Meanwhile, Perugius Dola, the man who ruled over the castle, rose from his throne, his sharp eyes observing the horizon, trying to comprehend what was truly happening in this world.

---

Demon Continent, Barren Plains.

Amidst the vast expanse of barren land, a small girl stood with a straight posture, though her body appeared without curves. Her skin was pale, her wavy hair a shade of purple, and a pair of horns resembling those of a goat adorned her head. Her bright eyes gazed far towards the Milis Continent, trying to grasp the phenomenon that had just occurred.

"What happened?! Who did this?! Why can't my eyes see that person?! What is this disgusting energy?!" she shouted in fear, her voice trembling as she witnessed something she had never seen before with her demon eyes.

However, after a moment, her pale face grew even paler, shaking angrily. "Hmph! Whatever happened, it's none of my business! I don't want to get involved! I've been involved enough!" she screamed, trying to convince herself. But suddenly, her stomach growled loudly, forcing her to bend over, holding back the unbearable hunger.

Kishirika Kishirisu, the tiny Empress of the Demon Continent, although curious, decided not to involve herself further. But curiosity and fear still gnawed at her mind.

---

Back to the present.

In the holy city, all the residents stared in fear and disbelief at the giant figure floating above them. Their eyes were wide open, and their hearts felt as though they were being crushed, filled with a sense of helplessness. In front of them, that extraordinary figure appeared like a supreme judge ready to deliver a verdict to the guilty.

Uriel, the angel of judgment, slowly raised his scales, and instantly a blinding light radiated, as if a new sun had just risen in the middle of the night. The light was dazzling, emanating an undeniable sense of justice. Uriel's extraordinary ability was called the Weighing of Sin, a magic targeted only at those who bore great sins due to the sacrilegious ritual they had performed earlier.

The 122 people targeted by Ash immediately felt that overwhelming power. After weighing their sins, Uriel lowered his scales and raised a hammer into the air, ready to deliver the verdict.

All who witnessed the event, from the brave holy knights to the weak and helpless commoners, were stunned in deep fear. Their eyes widened, and their bodies trembled as if facing the end of the world. They witnessed a divine miracle unimaginable, an extraordinary power that made them feel small and insignificant, as if they were nothing more than mere mortals, mere dust before heavenly judgment. The holy light emanating from the sky illuminated the dark night, and in an instant, the sky became a stage of judgment where sin and justice clashed mercilessly.

That night, under a light so bright it extinguished the stars, judgment descended cruelly upon the guilty, while the innocent were shielded from the overwhelming power, as if they were under the protection of invisible wings.

Light of Judgment

As the hammer struck the air with unmatched power, a thunderous sound shook the earth and sky, as if the universe itself felt the impact of the impending judgment. In an instant, 122 dazzling pillars of light formed in various places, creating a panorama both awe-inspiring and terrifying. These lights shot down from the sky like heavenly spears carrying justice, spreading in all directions with perfect precision.

In the midst of the tense silence, desperate whispers could be heard from those who realized their fate. "Forgive us…!" Their voices broke under the unbearable pressure. But judgment knew no mercy.

The pillars of light pierced the earth with lightning speed, striking directly at the 122 individuals marked by their sins. In the blink of an eye, they were obliterated, swept away by a colossal force that left no room for remorse. No blood was spilled, no screams were heard; only silence enveloped the places where they once stood.

A knight who witnessed the event bit his lip until it bled, whispering in fear, "This is the power of a god… This is punishment from the heavens…" Yet, despite the fear gripping every fibre of his being, he dared not move, for he knew that on this night, only justice spoke.

The lights slowly faded, leaving scorched marks on the ground as silent witnesses to the judgment that had just taken place. No one dared to speak, no one dared to move, as if they were all frozen by the scene they had just witnessed. Uriel lowered his hammer with a graceful yet powerful motion, as if closing a chapter in a tragic and horrifying story.

That night, the holy city, usually filled with the songs of prayer, turned into a place of silence, where divine justice had revealed its true power. And in the heart of every witness, an indelible sense of reverence and fear was implanted, for they knew that such judgment could come at any time, bringing justice to those who had sinned.

---

Moments after the profound lament echoed throughout the city, Archangel Uriel, the celestial being whose presence was so majestic it made humans feel insignificant, slowly covered himself with six pairs of beautiful and captivating wings. The wings moved gracefully, enveloping his body, which shone like the sun, until his light slowly faded. In an instant, Uriel disappeared from the world's view, as if he had never been there, leaving behind only a trace of wonder and fear in the hearts of those who had witnessed it.

Meanwhile, Ash, who had been radiating an enigmatic aura and immeasurable power from the outset, also disappeared into the silence of the night, as if swallowed by the shadows cast by Uriel's wings. No one knew where he had gone, and no one dared to ask. His figure, which had floated and then vanished along with the Archangel, left a profound sense of mystery and unspoken awe in the minds of all who had witnessed it.

That night, known as the Night of Judgment, became a night remembered throughout the history of the Milis Kingdom. The kingdom's high-ranking officials, having experienced the overwhelming power of divine judgment firsthand, declared the date as the Day of Heavenly Judgment—a day that would be remembered and commemorated for as long as the Milis Kingdom stood upon the earth.

On the far side of the capital, in a vast expanse of seemingly endless grassland, Ash stood calmly, cradling a young girl in his arms. The little girl, who had just awoken from the darkness that had long bound her, felt comforted by the warmth of Ash's embrace.

"Are you awake now?" Ash asked gently yet with underlying strength. Although the girl's eyes were blind, she felt a different sensation—a remarkable warmth enveloping her, as if all the suffering she had endured was momentarily forgotten. Moments before, amidst the recent miracle, she had briefly regained her sight and what she had seen was beyond words—a divine vision that most could only dream of.

Her dry, cracked lips trembled as she tried to speak, though her voice was faint, nearly inaudible. Yet Ash, with his extraordinary sensitivity and attentiveness, was able to understand the meaning of the girl's lip movements.

"Are you... a god?" the girl asked, her voice weak but hopeful. There was fear and wonder behind her question, as if she were facing a being far beyond human comprehension.

Ash looked at her gently, though his enigmatic eyes could not be seen by her. In a calming tone that brought relief, he replied, "No, I am not the divine entity you call a god. What you need to know is that I am a revered wanderer, The Honorable Wanderer."

The girl appeared confused, not fully grasping the meaning of Ash's mysterious words. Seeing the bewilderment on her face, Ash simplified his response.

"I am a Messiah, a bearer of messages and a saviour."

Upon hearing those words, the little girl's eyes filled with tears once more, but this time not from pain or fear, but from the sudden enveloping hope and sense of security. In Ash's embrace, she felt protected, as if all her past suffering would soon be over, and a brighter future lay ahead.

"Thank you..." she whispered, her voice barely audible, but Ash heard it clearly. He merely smiled softly, a reassuring smile that eased the heart, then gazed up at the starry night sky as if hinting that their journey had only just begun, and many more wonders awaited them.