Mythology: Ragnarok

Chapter 383 The Last Guest

“Leaving this country?! What do you mean? You…you’re leaving already?” Xuan Yuan Mu Ze sat up and asked Agreed in disbelief.

Agreed shook his head noncommittally and said, "Ah, it's not what you think. It's just... I don't want to keep going anymore. I originally established the Kingdom of Ten Thousand Races only because of a promise I made to my friends. Now that the Kingdom of Ten Thousand Races is thriving, I feel it's time for me to leave them and become a hands-off manager. After all, I'm finding it increasingly difficult to live with them."

"What does it mean that we can't live together?"

"Well, to my shame, after the Void War I absorbed Azathoth, and now my main body is larger than a galaxy. Therefore, my main body is no longer suitable to live in the cosmic environment. After all, every galaxy has more or less the settlement of the kingdoms of myriad races. If my main body stays in the multiverse, it is easy to cause unnecessary harm to the universe and my people. So my main body is currently placed in the void."

Although it sounds like nonsense, it is really true. I am also very surprised by this change. I used to think that the world was too big, so big that there was no place for me to live. Now I feel that the world is too small, so small that there is no place for me to live.

I had originally planned to leave the Kingdom of Ten Thousand Races after my expedition to the World Tree in a few years, but after hearing your words, I think I should stay a little longer, to help build the Kingdom of Ten Thousand Races into the greatest kingdom in the universe, and to prolong the Golden Forest Era for a few more years.”

Hearing this, Xuan Yuan Mu Ze sighed with relief, "I really envy your friend. You've dedicated your whole life to a promise. Can you explain what this 'Golden Forest Era' you mentioned is?"

At this point, Agreed scratched the back of his head somewhat awkwardly and even shyly, and then explained, "These are all made up by my men. I can explain, but please don't laugh at me."

According to my men, the so-called Golden Forest Age is because they likened the entire multiverse to an infinitely vast forest, and then… then… they said I appeared like the sun, illuminating the entire 'forest' as if it were gold, hence the name 'Golden Forest Age' for my reign.” At this point, Agreed scratched his cheek somewhat embarrassedly; after all, these words were rather narcissistic, and it felt rather shameless to say them himself.

Xuan Yuan Mu Ze couldn't help but laugh at the emperor's embarrassed expression. After all, the visual impact of such a contrast was truly hilarious. So, Xuan Yuan Mu Ze said while laughing, "What's wrong? You're getting shy? There's no need to be ashamed. I think this assessment is very fair."

Argrede's ears turned red instantly upon hearing this, and he quickly changed the subject, saying, "Let's change the subject. This is just too embarrassing. I feel like a narcissist when I say it myself."

"Then... what do you call the era outside the Golden Forest?"

"The era before the Kingdom of All Races unified the multiverse is called the Age of the Old Gods, and the era after the Kingdom of All Races was destroyed is called the Dark Forest Era."

"The Dark Forest Era? You've even named the era after the destruction of the Kingdom of Myriad Races?"

"After all, we're not completely ignorant about the future. But that's normal; no country lasts forever. We still have some self-awareness."

"Then... what does the Dark Forest Era mean?"

Agreed pondered for a moment before replying, "According to them, the Dark Forest Era means that after the Golden Forest Era ended, the 'sun' set and the forest fell into darkness. The 'animals' in the forest, having lost the sun's protection and guidance, began to endlessly kill each other. Eventually, each species became both the hunter and the prey in the darkness. They fought each other until only one victor remained, or until the sun rose again. Only then would this cruel Dark Forest Era truly end."

"Could you explain this in more detail? Your analogy sounds a bit ambiguous."

Agreed shrugged, somewhat awkwardly, and said, "Well, to put it another way, my scientists believe that after I leave the Kingdom of All Races, without my presence, the inherent flaws of life will gradually amplify, the Kingdom of All Races will inevitably split up, and the various races will no longer live in harmony. Then, without divine restraint, the races will fall into endless civil war. They will hide their existence in the universe and do their best to eliminate all civilizations except their own. Ultimately, this civil war will lead to the destruction of the multiverse."

To be honest, I'm still skeptical of this claim. It seems they're overestimating my importance. However, this conjecture aligns with my theory of inherent evil in all living things, so I remain skeptical of the Dark Forest theory as well.

Xuanyuan Muze murmured, "The Dark Forest Era? Perhaps it would really be like this if you left." As he spoke, he glanced at Agreed, thinking that if it were you, you might really have this weight in the multiverse.

Agreed waved his hand dismissively and said, "The world never revolves around one person, but I should indeed have some backup plans in case this happens. After all, the Dark Forest is not just a rumor, so it's best to prepare in advance."

At this moment, Xuan Yuan Mu Ze was probably tired. He lay down on the bed and continued, "That doesn't matter anymore. I don't care about these things anymore. Anyway, you always make the right choice and never misses. Let's change the subject. Can you tell me about the great battle you fought in the void? I want to hear more details about that battle from you."

Argreed readily agreed and recounted his great battle with Azathoth to Xuanyuan Muze in great detail. Xuanyuan Muze listened with a smile as Argreed vividly described the battle. Argreed told him many things that day. After finishing the story of the battle in the void, Argreed began to talk about his past, from his childhood to the present. The two spent a wonderful time chatting and laughing. Argreed became more and more engrossed in his storytelling, so much so that he didn't even realize when the guest in his bed had left this world.

After Agred finished telling his story, he suddenly turned around and realized that Xuan Yuan Muze on the bed was no longer breathing. Agred looked at the already cold body and sighed. Then Agred gently kissed his forehead as a farewell.

Finally, Agreed could only stand up and mutter to himself, "Goodbye, last visitor from the future."