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There was a time I had such thoughts.
The Ark, the Kronos Union, and even the Church of Morte. No matter how hard I tried to force them together, could I truly mend the chasm carved over so many years of deep conflict?
Of course, doubts were just doubts, and I had never once delayed what needed to be done.
That's why I believed it was possible.
That it was possible to unite the Ark and the Kronos Union, bringing them together under one name—humanity.
But now, I'm not so sure.
Was that ever even possible?
Perhaps the Ark and the Kronos Union were walking vastly different paths from the very beginning.
"Long ago, the Ark committed a grave sin against this world. Because of that, the cycle of life, which should have flowed naturally, began to slowly grind to a halt. And that's how we ended up where we are today. We can no longer postpone this."
Lania continued her speech.
I didn't know how she had come to learn about it, but she already had a good deal of information about Project Noah.
It was surprising, but if Lania had resorted to such extreme actions, then it only made sense that there was a reason of that magnitude behind it.
"What exactly do you mean by that?"
At that moment, someone raised their hand.
It was a representative from the Kronos Union—his face oddly familiar, though I couldn't recall his name.
"Ah, allow me to explain that part."
The one who stepped forward was none other than Archbishop Amos Aster.
The moment he did, Lania's expression chilled—but she didn't let it show openly.
It was a sign that a deep rift of conflict still existed between the Kronos Union and the Church of Morte.
Which made one wonder all the more—
Why had they chosen to cooperate, even putting aside such profound hostility?
"The reason is simple. Because of the Ark's sin, ether that should have naturally circulated through this world has instead been forcibly drawn to a single location. To Mount Noah, to be specific."
"…Are you saying the massive ether wave at Mount Noah was artificially created?"
"It wasn't created. It simply began gathering there forcibly—though it had existed naturally before."
Through Amos Aster's words, both known and unknown truths gradually unfolded.
Whether those words were truth or lies couldn't be judged here and now—but there was certainly some basis to them.
"What do you mean, it existed before?"
"Mount Noah continuously draws in the world's ether. And eventually, that ether disappears from there. This is the reason the world's cycle is stopping. The Ark, and Mount Noah, are devouring all ether in this world."
The conference room stirred.
Clearly, despite having been briefed in advance, the fact that such a reaction followed meant Amos Aster's words carried shocking weight.
"…What happens if the cycle fully stops?"
"That will mark the true end of this world."
"The true end…?"
Tension swept through the room.
After a moment of silence, a Union representative spoke.
"What happens when this true end you speak of comes, Archbishop?"
"When the ether that should circulate disappears, no new life will be born in this world. Not just humans, but beasts and monsters as well."
"Not just humans? What do you mean by that?"
"Humans and beasts. Beasts and humans. Though the form of their souls may differ, in essence, they are the same. We call that essence ether."
The room stirred once more.
"That's…"
"That can't be true."
"But if you think about it, the Ark's actions so far…"
"Let's at least hear the rest."
It was the only choice.
Even I would have dismissed all of this, had I not known the truths of Project Noah and Project Eve.
At that moment, one of the Kronos Union's representatives—Julius—raised his hand.
The Julius I had known before was one of the Union's most radical members, yet now he had changed entirely—like a different man.
"I understand what you're saying, Archbishop, but this is a hard story to believe. Are you saying that the souls of humans and beasts are the same? Is that a doctrine of the Church of Morte?"
"It's not doctrine, brother. It's the truth we now face."
"Do you have proof?"
"Proof… Yes. I can certainly provide that."
Amos Aster replied.
"Brother, do you know what they call the massive ether wave that's gathered at Mount Noah?"
"…It has a name?"
"Yes, it does. In fact, it has been called that name for a very long time. In our church, we call it the Great Will."
I had already begun to suspect this through my investigation of Project Eve—but hearing it confirmed by a high-ranking member of the Church of Morte struck differently.
It was as though suspicion had solidified into truth.
A successful cross-verification of information.
"What… Are you saying that the object of the Church of Morte's worship is the massive ether at Mount Noah?"
"To explain that, I believe I must first define what we mean by ether."
Amos Aster added, flashing a gentle smile that made him seem almost likable.
"There's much debate around how to define ether, but I believe it could also be described as the soul. Though it may differ from what we typically imagine as a soul, ether contains the essential information of life."
"You're saying that the soul… is real?"
"If we can call ether the soul, then yes. The soul exists. It exists in the form of what we have long understood as ether."
Life and death. Body and soul.
Ether had long been studied by the Ark, the Kronos Union, and others.
And though some speculated that ether might be akin to the soul, it had never been officially acknowledged.
Acknowledging ether as the soul meant also acknowledging that the souls of humans and beasts shared the same essence.
Of course, within the White Line, the research on ether had probably already been completed.
"People say our church engages in idol worship, but let me be clear—we follow the will of life itself. And right now, what the Great Will desires is judgment upon the arrogant Ark."
"Archbishop Amos Aster is correct."
In the still-shocked atmosphere of the chamber, Lania interjected.
"We can no longer stand by and allow the Ark's recklessness to continue. If we ignore its sins any longer, we will soon pay the price for that negligence—in the form of the apocalypse."
Each word, each syllable.
"From the Ark's tyranny… and from the prison that suppresses the cycle of life…"
Lania's voice rang clear through the chamber.
"We declare liberation."
Was it truly a coincidence?
That the word liberation came from Lania's mouth now?
'…It can't be.'
The duty of the Marcus bloodline.
Liberation—of something.
Somehow, I felt like I had just discovered the answer.
"..."
When I heard Lania's declaration, I instinctively knew.
This was not a flow I could reverse with half-hearted interference.
'So this is how it ends, huh.'
I had tried to forcibly mend what could not be mended.
But now, the Ark and the Kronos Union were locked in a collision—each upholding its own most sacred value.
"..."
The words of Archbishop Amos Aster and Lania Marcus.
And the silence that followed among the key members of the Kronos Union and the Church of Morte.
"…Is it true? That if we do nothing, all life in this world will vanish?"
"Regrettably, yes."
Lania nodded calmly in response to someone's question.
"Why is the Ark doing this? What could possibly be their goal? Can't we resolve this with dialogue?"
"I'm afraid that's unlikely. The massive ether at Mount Noah is like a lifeline to the Ark."
"Why?"
"My guess is, the Ark is using the massive ether wave—what we call the Great Will—for its own gain. And that gain is tied directly to its survival. Letting go of it won't be easy."
"Then… the Ark is knowingly leading us to mutual destruction?"
"Yes. But their position is not incomprehensible. It's just not right."
In the midst of the confusion, Diallo spoke.
"…We'll need to deliberate. Let's take a moment."
Immediately, sharp exchanges of opinion erupted between the Union's delegates and the Church's clergy.
Opposition to Lania's declaration of liberation was significant.
"We understand your reasoning, but going to war with the Ark is too dangerous."
"The Ark's strength is unprecedented. And right now, the Kronos Union is in a peaceful alliance with the Ark—why break that?"
"He's right. We can still resolve this peacefully."
While debate swirled around the room, a quiet voice echoed in my ear.
[Brother…]
Only one person here would call me that.
I turned my gaze to Lania. She was now standing at the chamber's exit, casting a brief glance back before leaving.
"..."
I soon followed after her.
She tapped lightly on a wall along the corridor outside the meeting room, and a hidden door appeared—revealing a secret chamber.
I followed her naturally inside.
"You came, brother."
Inside the chamber, Lania was just as I remembered her—unlike the woman who had stood at the front of the meeting.
Family.
Lania was still my family.
"…Why did it have to be this way?"
And yet, the first words from my mouth were of doubt.
Why had Lania done it?
She could have sought another path—or even asked for my opinion.
"Because… it's our duty."
She answered simply.
It was no coincidence that Lania had spoken of liberation.
Liberation.
The duty of the Marcus bloodline was to free the Great Will sealed within Mount Noah.
"..."
I wanted to ask.
Why the Marcus family had been burdened with this duty.
Why we had to take responsibility for the halting of life's cycle.
But the words wouldn't come.
"Brother, it's time for us to fulfill our duty."
Lania extended her hand to me.
I didn't know what her hand held—but the fact that she had reached out to me first was unmistakable.
"Please… help us."
So, this is how it ends…
「"Within the gears of an unyielding fate, you will make a choice."」
The words of the Great Will echoed in my ears.
「"Whatever choice you make in that moment, I will respect it, Carl Marcus. No matter what result it brings."」
Endlessly, again and again.
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