The Principle of a Philosopher by Eternal Fool “Asley”

Chapter 470.3, The Grand Finale Scene 3 (Split Part 3/8)

Amid the crimson glow of the autumn sunset the light that humanity could bask in on this new month thanks to their victory stood an Elf.

Hey.

Lylia twitched at the sound of Asleys voice.

Turning around, she found him standing there.

Quite the stealthy approach.

Really? I just walked over normally.

You say that as if I was lost in thought.

Well, you did seem a bit spaced out, yeah.

Heh, very funny.

Indeed, Asley had not stealthily approached her, nor had he dashed in with super speed.

Lylia had simply let her guard down that was why Asley was cracking jokes at her.

The partys already started.

Yeah. I know Ill show up later.

Later huh?

I cant quite bring myself to celebrate.

Why not? I mean we did win and all.

When Asley asked, Lylia shook her head.

This isnt about that. Its about what comes next.

Ah Right, good point.

I have lived my whole life by the sword, Asley And I was ready to die as one.

Cmon, dont say anything disturbing.

But that is no longer an option. Thats why Im so worried about whats to come.

She had only known the life of a warrior.

Such was the result of the turbulent times she had lived through.

Even though she had spent the peaceful days as a guest of Polco Adams during the era of the Holy Emperor, for her, that was not the right a time of peace, which had already come again. Given that, it was only natural for her to be uncertain about the future.

Live however you want. Asley debated saying those words. They were too merciless, too irresponsible. With uncertainties about the future looming over him as well, Asley knew he could not say anything about it.

That was why, at this moment, between these two, only a third person could say it.

Well then, Lylia, just live however you want!

What?

Huh? Hey! It wasnt me! I didnt say that, okay!?

Asley vigorously shook his head, denying the words.

But the words continued.

Oh, what about being the new captain for Regalias Warrior Brigade? Monsters havent vanished from this world, so theres plenty for you to do, right?

It seemed like those words were directed only at them.

Both recognized a specific something   a specific someone, in that casual tone, in that voice.

Asley and Lylia exchanged glances and laughed.

Hahaha Its like hes actually here

Dry laughter hung in the air, yet in the end, neither of them could dismiss what they were hearing as a hallucination.

However, when they could not help but catch sight of him with their own eyes, they had no choice but to believe.

H-hey, are you seeing this?

So what do we do, Asley? I dont think I want to get close to whatever that is!

A silhouette of light appeared before them.

It took on a human form. And then, it transformed into the familiar figure of a man known to them both.

The apparition clearly transcended their understanding.

Hellllllo, you two! Long time no see!

Giorno!?

The former Hero of the Holy Warriors, Giorno, stood before them.

However, he was not the Giorno Asley knew, nor the one Lylia knew.

Youre so young.

There was only a slight surprise in Lylias eyes.

Her expression quickly turned stern.

Just because someone appeared as Giorno did not mean they truly were him.

Asley seemed to agree, as they both leaped back, putting distance between themselves and Giorno.

Barely a moment later, Giorno suddenly appeared behind them.

Now, no need to be so cautious.

Giornos face suddenly popped up between Lylia and Asley, causing both of them to flinch.

Whoa whoa whoa, gimme some personal space here! Youre practically breathing into my ear, man!

Yes, this creepy habit is very Giorno But

Asley brushed his right ear, while Lylia cast a skeptical gaze at the individual who took Giornos form.

Unable to come up with a response to Giornos smirk, Lylia remained silent.

However, Asley, having recovered from the chill, realized,

I see. Is that whats going on? Giorno, could it be Could you have been with us all along?

Whats that supposed to even mean?

Lylias gaze shifted to Asley.

There was something thats been bothering me or rather, something I was told.

By Giorno?

No, not him not really.

Youre making this sound even more confusing than it already is.

Five thousand years ago, after being sent to your era, I spoke with someone in a dream.

In an instant, Lylia realized.

That means!

Lylia looked at Giorno, who remained silent, seemingly waiting for Asley to elaborate on his speculation.

At that time, he said, those Artifacts of yours are weakening Gods power in this era.

Thats about your Forbidden Shortcuts, the XP-Boosters! No, it cant be!

Lylia understood the meaning behind Asleys words.

Oh, but it totally can. That individual He claimed to be the Divine Messenger. But later, I realized he was God Himself. The words He spoke have weighed on my mind ever since.

In this era In other words, the God who appeared in Asleys dream is the one of THIS era, not from THAT era!

And later on, that God appeared in my dream one more time.

It was during a night in Radeata, right after parting ways with the past version of Irene.

God had taken Asley to the dream world once again.

By the way, would it be safe to assume that this voice and face is actually yours?

No, my power is already waning by now. My usual self is physically young, but the lower my power, the older my body. Consider my voice and tone as mimicry.

The information Asley had confirmed in his dream He had been questioning it all along.

Why would God disguise himself as the Divine Messenger? What is the purpose of hiding his true identity?

So, there were two Gods in that era?

Lylias question struck at the heart of the matter.

However, even then, Asley shook his head.

There were actually three.

What!?

You almost got it right during the past war, there WERE two: the God of that era and the God who interfered from the future into that era. But the God I met during the time I spent with Sagan was a god born after the war which means, it was you Giorno.

Asley looked at Giorno, who responded with a sly grin.

Well done, Asley!

As Giorno clapped cheerfully, Asley looked at him incredulously.

So, whend you figure it out, eh?

Well, considering your personality, it couldnt have been anyone else. God acting with that kind of vibe is just too out of left field.

As Asley shrugged, Lylia looked on in disbelief.

Thanks to Asleys arcane energy, I finally got my body back, so I came to say hello on a little stroll!

Seeing Giornos innocent laughter, Asley and Lylia exchanged glances.

Though they wore dry smiles like Bright would usually have, Giorno paid no mind to their reactions.

So you see the thing is, God picked up my soul after I died in that era, inheriting my whole being. Soooooo the God who interfered from the future AND the God Asley met in the twenty-eighth year of the War Demon Calendar were both ME!

Yeah, makes sense. You didnt have any power in this era. You were already dominated by the Devilkin right from the beginning. So, the God that appeared in my dreams throughout this era is

Yup, thats right! And so Ill be off to Asleys dreams right after this!

Gah, this is getting too complicated

Lylia clasped her head.

Asley, furrowing his brow, gazed into the empty space.

Now, heres a question! Which one is the God of the past, which one is me now, and which one is me in the future~~?

The moment he was asked, Asley gave up trying to figure it out.

Sorry, thats a bit too much for me, too

Nice! Now THAT is the face I wanted to see!

Giorno pointed at Asley, then ascended into the sky as if climbing stairs.

Watching Giorno disappear, the two attempted to follow.

Giorno!?

Its okay, its okay! Im just going to spend some time propagating the Legend of the Enlightened! Ahahahahahaha!

As Giorno vanished, leaving behind a laughter-filled sky, Asley pointed up.

Heh, I know where hell be hell have to see it before he can spread it, after all.

Looking at Lylia, Asley remarked.

Instantly, Lylia burst into laughter.

Heheheh, whats with that? Is my problem just too insignificant? Hahaha! That Giorno! Even in death, he still makes fun of me! Seriously Ugh hahaha

Um Lylia? I cant really tell are you happy or angry right now?

Creating new craters in the temple ruins by kicking the ground and shattering boulders, Lylia was indeed angry.

But she was also happy. Seeing Lylia laugh heartily while tears streamed down her face, Asley could only smile wryly.

Then, he looked up at the sky where Giorno had disappeared and whispered just two words:

Thanks, man.

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