Published at 26th of December 2025 7:43 am

Chapter 521: It Was Earlier Than Expected, but If I Can't Go Back, I Have No Choice but to Move Forward.

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Well, now

Having reunited with and said goodbye to Luka, I turned back toward the others. Standing in stunned silence were Zurich and Nyamcket, whose expressions made one thing painfully clear: any hope that Luka might have smoothed things over this time had just been crushed in mere seconds.

E-Ed-kun!? What was that just now?

Ah, well, um you see

If making up the divine revelation story earlier had been tough, this was exponentially harder. My mind raced to come up with a plausible excuse, practically overheating with the effort. But before I could respond, Zurich spoke up.

Oh, no need to force yourself, Ed-kun. Its fine if youd rather not explain. Judging by your hesitation, it must be a rather difficult thing to talk about.

Eh!? Well, I mean it is, but are you sure thats okay?

Of course, I wouldve been in huge trouble if he had said, Then explain it to me. But even so, I felt compelled to confirm his stance. Zurich, however, simply gave me a wry smile and nodded.

Yes, its perfectly fine. Admittedly, your interaction with that mysterious woman earlier was highly intriguing, and there are countless questions Id like to ask. But for you to prioritize that conversation over any consideration for us shows just how important it was to you. As much as it pains me to say this as a researcher, pursuing the matter further would be rather indelicate of me, dont you think?

Zurich thank you.

Besides, even from the fragments of your conversation I overheard, Ive gleaned quite a lot! Chuchuchu! To think that a being as transcendental as one referred to as God could truly exist And that a divine Apostle was encapsulated in a vessel? Does this mean that the Eraltriya civilization had indeed mastered the technology to harness divine power, with no exaggeration? Ah, this will be fascinating to research!

Nyaa, as expected from Sensei. Hes forgiving, but he doesnt miss a thing, Nyaa! Nyamcket added with a playful sway of her tail.

But of course, Nyamcket-kun! My observational skills are leagues beyond those of ordinary mortals!

Haha

Ah, so he wont press the issue, but hell remember everything he heard. A clever tactic indeed. I couldnt help but give a wry smile at Zurichs shrewd approach.

As I processed everything, Tia quietly took my hand in hers.

So, is it really over between you and Luka now? she whispered.

No way. Ill decide when it ends. For now, lets just call it a pause.

Hmm I see. Yeah, youre right.

Even if we never meet again, its not truly over unless we let it be. With that thought, I composed myself and turned to Zurich.

So, Zurich-san, whats the plan now? Should we start figuring out how to get out of here

What are you talking about, Ed-kun!? Now that weve come this far, the obvious next step is to thoroughly investigate this chamber!

I thought youd say that. Ill help out too.

Oh, me too! chimed in Tia.

Of course, Ill help as well, Nyaa! Nyamcket added.

Thank you both. Of course, Nyamcket-kun, Im paying you for your work, so its only natural, Zurich remarked.

Nyaa! I want gratitude too, Nyaa! And maybe a bonus reward, Nyaa!

Youre insatiable, arent you? Fine, one Cal Can for you, Zurich replied with a sigh, a faint grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Yay, Nyaa!

With the atmosphere light and pleasant, the four of us spent the following week thoroughly exploring the chamber. Eventually, Zurichs remaining food supplies dwindled, and we decided to leave through a teleportation circle that had appeared deep within the chamber.

Sure, I couldve used my [Strangers Box] ability to provide enough resources to extend our stay a bit longer. But Zurich pointed out that a ruin of this magnitude required a proper research team and years of dedicated study. Staying a few extra days wouldnt make much of a difference.

Ah, it feels good to be outside again. The air feels fresher somehow, I said, stretching and taking a deep breath as we exited.

Right? Its not like the air inside the ruins was stale, but theres just something different about being outside, Tia agreed.

The teleportation circle had taken us back to a room adjacent to the one wed first entered when arriving in the ruins. While Tia and I stretched and took in our surroundings, Zurich was already inspecting the ground beneath his feet.

Hm. So this connects back here If my calculations are correct, then investigating this ruin further should allow us to return to the other side.

Oh? So thats possible? Then

Yes. Im heading back to town to request the formation of an official research team. Chuchuchu, things are going to get busy! Thank you, Ed-kun, Lunaritia-kun. Youve both been incredibly helpful.

No, no, its mutual. We couldnt have done it without you, and

Ping!

Condition fulfilled. Return in 10 minutes.

What!?

Before I could finish saying, Well continue traveling with you, the familiar voice echoed in my head. Caught completely off guard, I froze in place.

What!? Why now? The timing makes sense, but why at this exact moment!?

Is something wrong, Ed-kun? Zurich asked, tilting his head in concern.

No, nothing at all! Thank you so much for everything, Zurich-san. Nyamcket, take care of yourself too.

Nyaa, you two take care too, Nyaa!

As I scrambled to wrap things up, Tia shot me a puzzled look. I squeezed her hand and immediately heard her voice in my mind.

[Ed, whats going on? If we leave now[

[We dont have a choice, Tia. I just got the notificationour times up. Were leaving in a few minutes]

[What!? But we havent even spent a month here yet, let alone the six months we planned! Sure, we hit it off with Zurich and Nyamcket, but I wouldnt say weve earned their deep trust or anything]

I couldnt help but agree with her. While we had bonded with Zurich and Nyamcket during our time in the trap-filled ruins, earning trust deep enough to fulfill the exile conditions seemed questionable at best.

But it didnt matter. Time was almost up.

[I dont understand it either, but theres no time to think it through. We just have to move!]

[Youre right. Lets go.]

So long, you two! Take care!

It was short, but I had a great time traveling with you, Tia added.

As Tia and I turned to leave, Zurich called out to me and tossed something my way.

Ed-kun! Take this!

Whoa! Wait, isnt this!?

The object that landed in my hands was none other than the [Divine Throne], the stone vessel we had found in the ruins deepest chamber. I had assumed Zurich had taken it for research.

This is the most valuable artifact in the Dashiketarma Ruins! Why are you giving it to me?

Yeah, why, Nyaa? Sensei, whats going on, Nyaa? Nyamcket asked, just as surprised.

I dont know! Something deep inside me just keeps insisting that if we want history to move forward I must entrust this to you, Ed-kun! Please take good care of it! Zurich exclaimed, his eyes glowing faintly gold.

A chill ran down my spine as I realized what had happened. Zurich, the scholar known for unraveling history and carrying ancient knowledge to the future, had felt something through his power. But what was it? Damn it, my questions are piling up, and my time is running out.

Understood. Ill take good care of it!

Good. Learn from the past and strive for a brighter future, you young ones!

Goodbye, Nyaa!

Hastily securing the artifact in my bag, I waved goodbye to Zurich and Nyamcket before grabbing Tias hand and running. Once we reached a scluded spot, the world around us shifted as we were forcibly banished from this realm.

When my senses realigned, we arrived at

Huh?

A world of utter darkness, devoid of even a single glimmer of light.

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