Free Web NovelAccepting the trial of the Vanguard of the Dark Night had been inevitable. The Great Admiral was in his hands.
He was an unpredictable evil god. If angered, there would be nothing strange about him handing the Great Admiral over to the Luthien Theocracy. And if that happened — this iteration would # Nоvеlight # end right there.
But it was also a gamble. The constant anxiety inherent to a Regressor: if the save point was bugged or set incorrectly, there was a risk of permanent game over.
In the end, there was only one conclusion.
“No matter how many times I have to die, I have to clear this trial.”
Above all, there was something else he could obtain from the Vanguard of the Dark Night.
[No... are you even human? A being that holds the authority of ◈, capable of crossing the boundaries of time.]
[Therefore, accept my trial. I will grant you everything you desire.]
A deity close to the Higher rank. From a human perspective — nearly omnipotent. And yet, there was something even such beings could not easily do.
Lie.
Especially in situations intertwined with trials, hardship, and bargains — lies were almost impossible.
“◈...”
He had never heard the name of that god before, but from the context, it was obvious. This was the very deity connected to time he had been searching for.
“For the first time, I’ll get reliable information.”
If “everything you desire” had been promised, then information about ◈ had to be included. He needed to obtain it before meeting Ellen Beyra, imprisoned in Pendrox.
“Alright. Let’s do this.”
The Vanguard of the Dark Night — a god of betrayal. Naturally, the trial would be related to that. But the bonds between Gunther and his companions were anything but ordinary. They would overcome anything.
With that thought, Gunther looked straight ahead.
—......?
And immediately realized the form of the trial differed from what he had expected.
—What the...
The presence of his companions, who had been standing beside him just moments ago with determined expressions, was gone. No Fourth Platoon. No Fifth Platoon. It was too dark to make out anything clearly, but Mi-dohlya’s fluffy tail and Zahara’s bandages were faintly visible even in the extreme darkness.
...Both were sleeping peacefully on the ground.
[These two aren’t particularly bound to you, so I thought I’d let them rest comfortably.]
Gunther’s gaze shifted slowly. To the center of the darkness filling the cave. The silhouette stepped forward. Watching it, Gunther spoke:
—You said I was to undergo a trial.
The Vanguard of the Dark Night replied calmly:
—Everything has its order.
The voice that had echoed through the cave now sounded as if it came right beside his ear.
—First, it is your companions’ turn to undergo the trial.
—...Hm.
Gunther narrowed his eyes.
—I expected a trial we would overcome together.
Outwardly, he showed dissatisfaction. In truth, he wasn’t particularly uneasy.
His companions undergoing a trial. Betrayal, temptation, choice. The Vanguard had surely prepared something along those lines.
“Betrayal... what nonsense.”
Of course, he hadn’t spent an exceptionally long time with them. But they had already been through too much together. Seen too much.
From the blood-soaked Labyrinth to the raging waters of the Black Paths. Countless moments where they fought back-to-back. Bonds where one could throw themselves into battle without hesitation for the other’s life.
Those were the ties they had forged.
“And besides... as long as I can see their Affinity levels with my own eyes, there’s nothing to worry about.”
Gunther slowly shook his head.
—...You’re wasting your time. They would never betray me.
In the darkness, the Vanguard of the Dark Night tilted his head slightly. Then, as if casually, he spoke:
—Then why do you keep secrets from them?
—......
The mist parted as if in a smile.
—Why do you hide that you are a being capable of turning back time... a transcendent existence that interferes with the past through the Tablets?
—That’s because...
—In Audrey House, you said... something about the butterfly effect.
The Vanguard chuckled again.
—A very amusing metaphor. The flutter of a butterfly’s wings creates a storm.
Gunther listened in silence as the voice continued. The mist seemed to thicken.
—There must have been a way. A way to free your companions from the shadows that suffocated them their entire lives... to erase the tragedies they endured in the past.
—......
—But you didn’t do it.
He could feel the Vanguard’s gaze.
—Because you feared that interfering with the past would distort the present. If their tragedies disappeared, so would their reasons for fighting at your side. And the “butterfly effect” might reduce everything you’ve built to dust.
Rustle—
Footsteps echoed.
—So you left their tragedies untouched.
At that moment, Gunther could no longer remain silent.
—...What ridiculous sophistry.
His voice was cold.
—The conditions for time travel through the Tablets aren’t even fully understood. If it were such a convenient power, one that could fix the past—
—Aren’t you the one engaging in sophistry, Gunther?
A faint laugh.
—Not knowing means there are still untapped possibilities. To not even attempt to explore that chance, and simply claim it doesn’t exist... that’s nothing more than an excuse.
Something tightened in Gunther’s chest. He needed to respond. frёeωebɳovel.com
—What if your companions find out? Do you think they’ll look at you the same way? A being capable of returning time... have you ever imagined how that would appear to ordinary people?
But just as he opened his mouth, the words caught in his throat.
At that moment, the Vanguard’s tone softened.
—I’m not trying to blame you. You must have your own grand design, your own plans. You see much further ahead. And even if that’s not the case, it doesn’t matter. Self-centeredness is a human instinct.
—I...
—You are special among your companions. Even among those who chose to oppose the Luthien Theocracy.
A brief silence followed.
—Just like I once was among those who defended my homeland.
At that moment, Gunther’s mind cleared.
“...So that’s it.”
He recalled the story of the Vanguard of the Dark Night.
A war hero betrayed by his own comrades and subordinates. A condemned man waiting for death, only to be dragged back to the battlefield during a national crisis. Forced to fight with his family held hostage, promised restored honor and safety — only to be betrayed again.
And in the end, he turned his blade against humanity.
“...Ah.”
It clicked. A chill ran down Gunther’s spine.
“...So that’s what this is.”
The “trial” of the Vanguard of the Dark Night. Its outline finally began to take shape.
Shhh—
The darkness parted. From the deep black veil, a figure emerged. Something with a human form, yet not quite human. Along its outline flickered a dark blue flame.
Cold. Deep. Ancient. As if betrayal and hatred accumulated over centuries had solidified into that fire.
The Vanguard spoke quietly:
—I abandoned a hundred to save a thousand. I listened to the screams of a thousand to save ten thousand. But no one knew of the deaths I prevented. They respected my victories, yet feared them. And so came the night of betrayal... the Dark Night.
The darkness deepened.
—The same happened to the Great Admiral. In this sea of greed, where gold and incense flow, she tried to establish justice. But ordinary people could not understand such intentions. And the conclusion they always reach is the same — betrayal.
From within the thick darkness, deep blue eyes surfaced. For some reason, they seemed... sorrowful.
—And what about you, Gunther? What do you think will happen if your companions learn your true nature? What do you think they see right now?
At that moment, system messages appeared before Gunther’s eyes.
[Affinity with “Tarsha” is rapidly decreasing]
[Affinity with “Yuria” is rapidly decreasing]
[Affinity with “Rietta” is rapidly decreasing]
[Affinity with “Blanc” is rapidly decreasing]
[Affinity with “Parco” is decreasing...]
Something he had never imagined.
—You, a Regressor living in a time others cannot grasp — they won’t understand you.
—You may cherish your companions. After all, these are bonds forged through blood and death across dozens of lives.
—But what about them? They haven’t walked even half of that path with you.
—A leader who, despite being a Regressor, did not save their pasts. That alone is enough to plant resentment in their hearts.
—They might even fear you. Who wouldn’t fear a monster who can rewind time and manipulate lives at will?
The dark blue flames flickered.
—The fate of one who sees a vast future incomprehensible to ordinary people is always the same.
The Vanguard finished:
—Misunderstanding... and betrayal.
...From somewhere in the middle, Gunther stopped trying to argue. In the darkness, those words sounded like undeniable truths.
And then he understood.
This was not a trial meant to make his companions betray him. From beginning to end, the target had been Gunther himself.
A story of being betrayed. A story that ends in betrayal.
Just as the Vanguard had tried to impose upon the Great Admiral... he was trying to impose it on Gunther.
—Why?
Gunther’s voice, silent until now, cut through.
The Vanguard answered immediately:
—What do you mean, why? Your companions cannot accept what you are—
—No.
Gunther interrupted quietly.
—That’s not what I meant.
He wasn’t asking about betrayal.
His question was far more fundamental.
Gunther slowly lifted his gaze.
—Why did you abandon a hundred to save a thousand? Why did you listen to the screams of a thousand to save ten thousand?
—......
Silence.
Why did the Great Admiral try to reform hopeless pirates into a privateer fleet? Why did she try to change Nereus? Why did Child of Miracles, El, keep reaching out to heal until the very end despite resentment and scorn? Why did Blood Oath, Kalos, continue making cold decisions with information even as his heart crumbled? Why did Executioner of the Apocalypse, Dietrich, never lower his sword even after every familiar face had fallen?
Why did Levain still fight the Theocracy after losing everything? Just revenge?
Then what about Parco? Blanc? The others?
The answer was simple.
Too simple.
Something he had already been taught once by the three gods at the Starlight Watchpoint.
Gunther spoke calmly:
—Some people may be special, sure.
His voice remained steady.
—But we’re not looking in different directions. We all saw the same thing... and stood on the same starting line.
Gunther didn’t believe he fully understood the Vanguard’s feelings. But one thing he was certain of—
When someone speaks of being unable to trust...
More often than not, it means they desperately want to.
—Do you regret it?
The darkness trembled, as if in anger. But Gunther did not step back.
—Your story. fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm
—That Dark Night that began brilliantly, turned into tragedy, and ended up burning even those uninvolved... do you regret it?
Gunther met the gaze of the dark blue flame. The darkness and fire began to disperse slowly, like a curtain rising.
The pressure intensified.
Yet Gunther continued calmly:
—So this time, you want to see a different ending.
A reason to fight. An absurd world. The ambiguity of his own existence.
None of it could shake him anymore.
—I’ll show you the ending you wanted. So—
Gunther raised his hand and pointed directly at the figure emerging from the darkness.
—Stop talking and hand over the Great Admiral.
The Vanguard of the Dark Night laughed.
Then let out a long... long sigh.
—You’re right, Gunther.
.
.
.
Tiling!
[Authority of Illusion deactivated]
[The illusion created by the Vanguard of the Dark Night collapses]
[Companions’ locations confirmed]
[Amazing! Your group was not sent into separate trials — they observed your entire conversation with the Vanguard of the Dark Night together]
[Bond System updated]
[Affinity with companions greatly increased]
[Divine Status Anomaly]
[Vanguard of the Dark Night denies his own history]
[Divine status collapse in progress...]
[A deity on the verge of disappearance is attempting to leave something behind]
