Pick me Up – Chapter 266 – Title at the End
She emerged from the flames.
The hot air seeped down my throat, as if I were in a gas chamber.
It could have been worse. If she had wanted to, we would already be roasted along with the Lucette.
<It's been a while.>
Siris stepped out and extended her left hand.
The flames enveloping her body dissipated, revealing a red sword.
The Flaming Sword, Lævateinn. The finest masterpiece of the Niflheim series that I had created.
<It's the first time we've met since Niflheim.>
The fiery glow of her hair disappeared.
Her eyes returned to their usual green. A woman with blonde hair and green eyes, dressed in silver armor.
She was the Siris I had always imagined.
“This isn't the best time for a reunion. I was quite busy.”
“Soon, the name Makramda will no longer be heard on Server 2.”
Siris descended onto the deck of the Lucette.
At the same time, the wave of flames sweeping the field vanished. The burning air cooled suddenly.
“Master, just focus on your mission. Clear all the floors and return to Earth. Any nuisance that arises before that, we will handle it.”
Siris spoke without expression.
Her sculpted features showed no movement, like a statue.
“That’s the first thing you say.”
“We’re not here for an emotional hug, are we?”
I tried to joke, but her face didn’t smile.
“As the Submaster of Niflheim and the leader of the first group that has been with you for a long time, I will say this.”
Siris looked at me with clear eyes.
“Close your eyes and ears, and return to Earth. Forget what happened here and continue with your life. In the end, time will solve everything.”
“……”
“Master, how many times have you been deceived? Don’t listen to the CEO’s sweet words or the director’s nonsense. It's ridiculous for someone who was dragged here almost forcibly to believe in them. Ignore everything about Mobius and Server 1. They are nonsense that even dogs wouldn’t listen to.”
I remained silent.
As Siris said, our relationship did not justify an emotional reunion.
A long time ago, we used to argue constantly. Our opinions diverged so much that it drove me crazy. Every time I tried to do something, she opposed it. If she hadn’t been one of the few four-star people, I would have replaced her already.
But that was on the lower floors, and when we moved to the upper floors... I thought she had changed.
Maybe it was just an illusion. I swallowed my bitterness and spoke.
“Siris.”
“Yes.”
“Did you come all the way here just to tell me that? To tell me those things?”
I spoke.
“Where have you been all this time? I heard you were investigating something. Since I arrived here. It seems you know a lot of things that I don’t.”
“Because I do.”
Siris continued.
“I’m giving you advice.”
“……”
“Don’t be mistaken. You are no longer the same Loki as before. Here, you are just an ordinary hero. You have no right to order me.”
“That’s true.”
“You’re… weaker. The Loki before wasn’t so careless. He was meticulous, cold, with good judgment and efficient. He was perfect. That’s why we respected him. But now…”
Siris looked back.
There floated the burnt remains of the airships.
“Despite being deceived several times, do you still believe in them?”
“I’ve never trusted them.”
“If that’s true.”
Siris extended her hand.
“Hand over the Inverted Heaven Book. Master, you can become a rank seven without it. It only serves as a pass to Server 1. But you still have it, right?”
“Siris, you’re getting too worked up.”
“I’m completely calm.”
“What happened…?”
“Enough!”
Siris shouted, gritting her teeth.
Then she murmured.
“In this world… there is no hope.”
Siris's eyes filled with despair.
An expression of someone who has lost all hope and desire.
But that expression quickly disappeared, replaced by an emotionless mask.
At that moment, I understood where Siris had been.
In Server 1.
“Master, hand over the Inverted Heaven Book.”
“……”
“I won’t repeat it.”
Fwoosh.
Lævateinn’s crimson blade ignited.
“What impudence.”
Siris coldly looked to the side.
There, Belkist was leaning on the railing.
Siris hadn’t chosen an isolated place, so our entire conversation had been heard.
“I don’t know what your relationship is with my Major, but you should stop.”
“Yes!”
Jenna ran out from behind a column.
Jenna puffed out her cheeks and glared at Siris with fury.
“My brother hates it. That object was something he protected with his life. Saying you’ll take it for a silly reason is… insensitive.”
Siris's eyes turned red.
Before they both turned to ashes, I threw the Inverted Heaven Book.
“Take it. Don’t touch the innocent.”
“Understood.”
Siris took the Inverted Heaven Book with her left hand and opened it.
“Purification for a worthless object.”
Fwoosh.
The flames began to consume the book's corners.
Even the most valuable treasures have a durability limit. The red flames quickly spread across the book, destroying the Book of Destiny without a trace.
‘That was…’
El Cid’s legacy to me.
It contained the hopes and wishes of desolate Dorado.
I didn’t know how El Cid would react if he saw this.
“Why did you hand it over so easily?”
“Yes, big brother. We could have done something together.”
“Don’t try to fight. Don’t even think about it.”
The difference wasn’t just in level or rank.
“Is she that strong?”
Belkist caressed his sword.
Jenna also glared at Siris defiantly.
“Brother, if we target her weak points…”
“She has no weak points.”
I said categorically.
No one knew better than I.
“If she tells you to crawl, crawl. If she tells you to lie down, lie down. If you don’t want to die.”
Siris watched the book's remains.
She didn’t seem to have any special power. Just an ordinary woman. But having witnessed her abilities, I knew how extraordinary she was. Although the other members of Group 1 were strong, Siris was on another level.
‘Perfect.’
If a rank seven surpassed a hero,
Siris had reached the peak of one.
She possessed thirteen S-class abilities.
Each ability maximized synergy with the others, covering any weakness.
And to top it off, she had Lævateinn and an engraving called ‘Ifrit’. To complete Ifrit, I had to combine seven different S-class engravings.
‘She has no weaknesses.’
She has no weak points.
She can deploy 100% of her power on land, air, space, or anywhere else, whether in one-on-one combat, against multiple enemies, at short or long range, in physical or magical attacks, and both offensively and defensively.
She was the definition of perfection.
“Then, I’ve given you what you wanted. Are your matters finished? I’d like you to leave. I have to clean this up.”
“Master.”
“What?”
“Will you really return to Earth? Don’t you have another intention?”
“You just burned the Inverted Heaven Book. What’s left for me?”
I raised both hands.
Nothing. The object I had protected so hard, I had finally lost it.
I was back with empty hands.
“Do you swear you’ll return to Earth without changing your mind?”
“……”
“If you become Loki again, I will accept any punishment. But not now. Don’t be fooled by their act.”
“Act?”
I thought of El Cid, vomiting blood with a sword in his heart.
I didn’t want to believe that was also an act. I shrugged and murmured.
“Some tell me to stay, others to go. Who should I listen to?”
“You don’t swear…”
“You can’t predict the future.”
I hadn’t come here of my own will.
And now I also had to leave forcibly?
“Without explanation, you just ask me to leave. What would you do in my place? Even someone willing to leave would rebel.”
“Sometimes it’s better not to know.”
“It’s not you who decides that.”
“You will know soon.”
Siris's body enveloped in flames.
Ifrit form. Clearly ready to fight.
Siris floated in the air and wielded Lævateinn.
<Execution begins.>
Fwoosh!
A long flame surged from Lævateinn’s blade.
The flames surrounded the field, shining brightly.
<Nihaku Guestfel.>
Crack!
The flames mixed with lightning and exploded.
From that explosion, a small girl came running out.
<Muden Nidelk.>
Vuuush!
The space trembled and a boy with a spear appeared.
<Lidygion.>
A young man with three swords on his back walked out.
<Yurnet Sid.>
The flames and fog joined, and a woman in a white robe was summoned.
<And I, Siris Agentheim.>
Siris lowered Lævateinn.
The Summoning Order. An exclusive privilege of Siris, the Submaster of Niflheim and leader of the heroes. She could summon the members of the first group when she deemed necessary.
‘But this is…’
I looked around.
The five surrounded the Lucette.
<Our duty is to help our master return safely, even if it goes against his will.>
“What is this?”
<We swore loyalty to Loki, not to Han Israt.>
Siris responded coldly.
“All is for the master’s sake. Please forgive us.”
Yurnet closed her eyes tightly.
Muden scratched his head, whistling, and Lidygion simply looked at the ground.
Only Nihaku spoke.
“Isn’t this a bit extreme for the master? Actually, Siris is the one who most…”
<Nihaku.>
“…I’ll shut up.”
I sighed.
“Then, what is this?”
<It’s a simple seal. To prevent deviation. So that you aren’t deceived.>
“Are you trying to control me?”
<I will accept the punishment the day you return as master.>
Was it really necessary to go this far?
Yes, I had doubted. If I had truly wanted to return to Earth, I would have rejected Alpha Zero’s proposal immediately. There was also the matter of Priacis. And over time, I had adapted to life in Taonier. But if Siris had seriously persuaded me, maybe I would have decided to leave.
What had she seen there?
What made her want to get rid of me so quickly?
I looked at the members of the first group.
All, except Siris, avoided my gaze.
Yurnet, in particular, bit her lips with an almost crying expression.
<From now on, all your external activities, except the mission, will be prohibited. Niflheim will handle external defense and will not interfere with your mission. With your skills, you can climb the tower without problems.>
“……”
<From now on, all your rights as the master of Niflheim will be revoked.>
Siris pointed Lævateinn at me.
<You are no longer the master of Niflheim.>
[Chapter Title: Dethroned]
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