It’s Not Night - Chapter 174.1

Andra woke up to a rush of intense heat. At the same time, she let out a breath she had been holding. She coughed up the water she had swallowed, her throat and nose stung sharply.

As she regained her senses, Andra realized she was in an unfamiliar place.

“This is…?”

She pushed her wet hair back and stood up on her unsteady feet. The place resembled the Aslan Dungeon. The floor was of glistening transparent marble and immense white columns supporting the ceiling.

However there was one clear difference from before. Instead of a river beneath a steep cliff, there was a flow of lava. Andra stepped back from the edge as the heat felt like it could melt her face.

Andra looked around again. She noticed golden thrones at the end of the path, similar to before. But this time there were no statues seated on them. Moreover, there were only eight thrones, not nine, and only one was occupied.

On the far left golden throne.

Andra gasped involuntarily when she saw the woman sitting there. The woman had eyes closed, appeared peaceful as if asleep, leaning back in her chair. However, her fingers tapped rhythmically on the armrest.

“So, you’ve finally made it here.”

At some point, the tapping stopped, and soon a voice resonated warmly.

“Yes, that must have been your choice.”

“…Nera.”

Her eyelids lifted, revealing eyes that shone with a brilliant golden light. Nera looked down at Andra from her golden throne. The woman stood drenched and weary, but her voice was firm and strong.

“Is this the end for Hezel?”

“Child, you already know, don’t you?”

“…Then, is there no way to stop it?”
Hearing Andra’s question, Nera got up. With every movement, the gold adornments on her body jingled. It sounded more like an instrument than mere noise. This seemed to indicate that she was not ordinary.

“You are naive and ignorant.”

“Please, tell me how to resolve this situation.”

“Is there nothing else? Surely, you have many questions to ask me.”

“Yes, I have many, but….this is more urgent right now.”

Nera had moved from her chair and was slowly approaching Andra. From a distance, she didn’t realize Nera’s true size, but as she drew nearer, it became clear she was more than twice Andra’s size. She was almost giant-like. As if to emphasize that humans and gods were different.

“Then, let me ask you. Why do you want to save Hezel? It wouldn’t matter if it were left to perish. After all, if this place disappears, you and that child will be free to leave.”

“But… it’s right to save it. There are still people living in Hezel. And if Hezel disappears, the outer world will likely be next. So, please, tell me.”

Nera looked down at Andra, who seemed small, in silence for a moment. How could such a small creature say such things? Then Nera spoke again.

“Everything has a price.”

“What would you need as a price? I will…”

Before Andra could finish, Nera let out a hollow laugh, and her golden eyes cooled. You think you can pay the price? However, her voice softened significantly.

“You have already paid that price, child.”

“What do you mean…?”

“It has always been you who bears the cost and suffers in these tasks.”

Confused, Andra met Nera’s gaze, and Nera gave a wry smile.

“It seems there is one thing that never changes, no matter how much time passes.”

Suddenly, Nera shrank to a size similar to Andra’s and took a few quick steps towards her. She looked admiringly at Andra, who, despite her fear, tried to maintain eye contact until the end. Nera’s expression then softened to one of sadness, and she reached out to cradle Andra’s cheek.

“Dear child.”

As Andra looked at Nera, she saw an overwhelming sadness in her. Why such an expression? Like the moment she had met the broken Anat, Nera seemed engulfed in sorrow. Perhaps that was why Andra no longer found her frightening. Nor could she bring herself to harbor any hatred towards her.

Despite being the cause of all her troubles and the one who had driven her into danger, why did she feel this way? Andra couldn’t understand it herself.

“The child who resembles my sister.”

When Andra looked puzzled, Nera simply smiled.