Chapter 57
‘Absolute Domain’
One of Lyria’s most powerful skills in the original story, and the very skill that earned her the title of the ‘Saintess of Flames.’
Absolute Domain creates a sanctuary of warm flames, defining the space within as one of absolute peace.
This skill is closely tied to the fundamental rules of existence.
‘To think I’d see this here.’
I looked around in awe. The hemispherical dome enveloping us seemed to deny entry to any external interference.
It reminded me of the veil that had covered us before entering the Black-White War.
Fire, which is inherently a source of destruction, is also essential to humanity’s survival and prosperity.
When contained within a hearth, fire becomes a comforting refuge, bringing warmth and tranquility.
This comforting refuge disallows concepts of destruction and conflict.
Just like now.
I stared blankly at Lyria.
Her enormous wings could fill and surpass the space we occupied.
Soft feathers imbued with dazzling radiance shimmered.
Beneath them, her golden tail feathers flickered like flames, giving her the divine appearance of a celestial envoy descended from the heavens.
And her transparent, sky-blue eyes gazed back at me.
Looking into those clear, profound eyes, I let out a pure expression of admiration at the surreal beauty before me.
She was breathtaking.
‘No, perhaps…’
She might just be the most beautiful living being to ever exist.
[This is for you, Sister.]
Lyria spoke to me.
Her voice echoed deep within my mind, just like Yeriel’s, indicating she was using telepathic transmission.
As Lyria unfurled her wings, the flames forming the domain flared even brighter.
[And it’s for me, too.]
The soothing flames etched a grand image into the air.
[Sister, when all of this is over someday…]
The flames painted scenes from our childhood—ivy-covered walls, a tree swing we used to ride, and a sturdy yet unadorned roof.
[Let’s return there.]
The image was of the mansion where Lyria, Wendy, and our caretaker had spent their childhood days together.
[To a place where there’s no conflict, no death—only peace.]
Around the mansion, butterflies the color of flames fluttered gently upward.
The butterflies spread to every corner of the crumbling Fire Base.
I watched the sight in a daze and murmured softly.
“The flames of Hestia are the gentlest and most embracing in the universe…”
This domain was born from Hestia’s Hearth.
The flames emanating from it embraced and soothed all the destruction that had occurred here.
The Fire Base, which had been on the brink of ruin, began to restore itself as if nothing had ever happened.
‘Beep, beep…’
Ting, ting.
The massive Phoenix was enveloped in the comforting embrace of Hestia’s flames.
It seemed to resist briefly, then, as if surrendering, entrusted itself to the flames.
Slowly, the grand Phoenix shrank down to the size of a tiny sparrow.
Ting, ting.
The Phoenix, now fully transformed, chirped softly before scattering into embers with a poof.
A power capable of undoing all destruction as if it never existed.
[Sister, I can’t… anymore…]
As Lyria’s voice trailed off, her body began to shrink.
From the size of a house, to that of a bear, then to a small dog.
Bit by bit, she grew smaller until she became about the size of a tiny Phoenix, collapsing onto the ground.
“Lyria!”
Cradling the now-small Lyria in my arms, I read the message that appeared before my eyes.
[The Black Faction has conquered the Fire Base!]
I read the line repeatedly in disbelief before letting out a hollow laugh.
Just moments ago, we were on the verge of death.
No, we were about to be reduced to unrecognizable ashes.
Yet Lyria’s awakening had allowed us to conquer the Fire Base.
And with incredible ease.
I looked down at the tiny baby Phoenix resting in my arms.
Lyria—she was the reason she could become the savior of this ruined world.
***
With Lyria’s awakening, conquering the Fire Base had been effortless.
Everything was good. But…
“Myaang!”
Why was this creature following us?
Carrying Lyria carefully in my arms, I made my way toward the exit.
“Hmm?”
I stopped abruptly when a tuft of red fur suddenly appeared in front of me.
Eden, who had been busy gathering supplies from the base, froze as well.
“Why is this thing here…?”
Eden, puzzled by the small, purring creature, tilted his head in confusion.
It is standard for all life forms to vanish from within a conquered base.
‘Purr…’
The small creature with soft, fluffy fur circled us, brushing its head against my leg and letting out a meow.
With its pointy ears and its feline demeanor…
It definitely resembled a cat.
“…Mew?”
I was sure Lyria had given it that name.
As I recalled the memory and leaned toward where Mew was, the little creature quivered its tail slightly in response.
“So, you do know your name.”
With its bright eyes wide open, Mew placed its tiny front paws on my knees and began to meow pitifully.
“Meow, meooow.”
“Hmm? What’s wrong with you…?”
As I tried to stand up quickly, I stumbled.
“Careful, Savior.”
Fortunately, Eden, who was beside me, grabbed hold of me to keep me from falling.
“Thanks.”
I smiled gratefully before turning back to look at Mew.
“Meow…”
Its glistening eyes and restless movements made it clear it wanted something from me…
“Hmm?”
But upon closer inspection, Mew wasn’t looking at me. Its gaze was fixed on Lyria, who was asleep in my hands.
Until now, I had assumed it was following me because it wanted something, but that wasn’t the case.
Could it still remember playing with her for a brief moment?
‘Is this its way of repaying a favor?’
With that thought, I crouched down and gently opened my palm to show Lyria.
“Are you looking for her?”
The small bird resting in my hand emerged.
As soon as Mew saw Lyria, its pupils dilated with surprise.
“Meooow!”
With a sorrowful cry, Mew dashed into my arms.
“Slurp, slurp!”
And began vigorously licking my hand.
More specifically…
“Mew!”
It was licking Lyria’s feathers.
The fervor with which it licked left me no time to intervene.
Within seconds, Lyria was soaked and looked utterly disheveled. I stared in shock, my mouth agape.
“Savior, we must catch that creature immediately…”
Eden, who seemed about to grab Mew, froze in his tracks.
“What is…?”
Before our eyes, a faint light emanated from Lyria’s limp body.
The soft yellow glow enveloped her entirely and gradually seeped in.
“Purr…”
As the mystical light faded, Mew, seemingly satisfied, licked its paws with a pleased expression.
And then, a miracle happened.
“Sister…?”
Lyria, back in her original form, rubbed her eyes and looked up at me.
“Lyria!”
“Sister…!”
I embraced her tightly as she called out to me, stroking her head with a sigh of relief.
‘A Divine Beast…’
Divine Beasts are unique creatures with innate spiritual powers, unlike regular monsters.
Occasionally blending in with monster groups, they mysteriously vanish without a trace.
They are known for their abilities to cure incurable diseases or save dying lives, each with their unique powers.
Because of their sensitive and elusive nature, Divine Beasts were mentioned only once in the entirety of Three Lives Chronicle.
‘To think there was a Divine Beast in the Fire Base.’
Should I call it luck?
Thanks to it, Lyria’s recovery period had been drastically shortened.
Normally, those who awaken spend days, sometimes months, in a minimized state to recuperate.
Like Yeriel, who spent days as a sapling.
While Yeriel’s exceptional regenerative ability was rare, most awakened beings require at least a few weeks…
Or even two to three months for recovery.
In unlucky cases, recovery could take years.
‘I remember in the original story when Wendy nearly fought another team over a recovery-state flower.’
At a glance, they look similar to ordinary life forms.
The same goes for telepathy.
Usually, it works only between individuals with a close bond…
“Hmm?”
As I mulled over the original story, a shiver ran down my spine.
‘Wait, does that mean… Yeriel thinks of me that way?’
While it made sense for Lyria, I hadn’t expected Yeriel to hold me in such regard.
Considering Xenon, Lyria, and the twins were all around, why me?
…This is touching. Maybe I should buy him a new decorative pot when we get out.
As I reminisced, a small voice came from my arms.
“Sister, but…”
Lyria, trembling, tugged at my collar and whispered so softly it was like an ant crawling.
“I think… I don’t have any clothes.”
—
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