The roads remained intact, constructed with the surrounding lava puddles in mind.
The trees in the surrounding area glowed faintly, while some flowers came to life—just like the volcanoes.
Harsh, hot winds swept through the region, but the group remained calm.
The most threatening thing to the carriage was the monsters.
Nocten sat atop the carriage, a smile on his face and ice spears in hand, ready to strike at any moment.
Ruel stood in the carriage, his mind focused on understanding his Talent to obtain more from it.
According to Nocten, the best time to gain insight into a Talent is right after exerting it.
And with how synced Ruel had been to Cold Touch to have wielded it like that, he had exerted it quite a bit.
Meanwhile, Muriel shrank into a miniature version of herself and perched on Ruel's head, sorting through the truth she'd been given.
Within two hours, they returned home safely while Nick immediately left to collect the ticket for the Auction.
As soon as they got home, Nocten slept while Ruel continued with his meditation.
By the time the moon had faded and sunlight crept in through the windows, the atmosphere had settled into a quiet calm.
While Nocten had awoken, Ruel was just falling asleep after hours of fixation.
Nocten spent his next few hours having chats with Muriel, working on getting used to his new body, or trying to understand his Talent.
Understanding his Talent wasn't difficult—it was merely a fragment of the abilities he once possessed.
The only problem is that the abilities he once held were numerous and he didn't know which fell under his new Talent.
Shortly after noon, Ruel woke up as well—his body nearing a perfect recovery.
He took a shower, wore a shirt and pants, then met with Nocten who was in the main room.
"I was wondering how much you wanted to sleep," Nocten mocked.
Ruel shrugged as he sat beside the false mortal.
"That was the most exhausting thing I've ever done—aside from upgrading my Talent. Honestly, I'm surprised I didn't sleep longer."
He looked at his palm, opened and closed it, while trying to feel other pains in his body.
"I think my healing abilities are also improved when it's daytime."
Nocten patted Ruel's shoulder.
"You're enjoying the fruits of my labor. You should be proud—like a father."
Ruel grimaced. "Enough with the father nonsense."
Nocten leaned back, mischief dancing in his eyes. "Don't I make you proud… dad?" he teased, then burst into laughter.
"For someone who lost his powers, you are conceited," Muriel, who was a ball of light, said.
Suddenly, silence enveloped the room as both Ruel and Nocten stared in surprise.
"I-I am sorry. I just wanted to speak more and confidently like you said I should," Muriel was visibly flustered.
"Damn…" Ruel silently muttered and patted Nocten as though he was consoling him.
"Nocten, tell me about your prime. What abilities did you once wield?"
Nocten fell for Ruel's bait, and the mood lightened up as the kid began to smile.
"What? Are you now interested in my greatness?"
Ruel replied, "I'm wondering. I believed Muriel had her solforge ability bestowed from your Talent same as I got my Gravity control and enhancements under sun from it too.
"Is that wrong?"
"Nope. I see your confusion. Those were all concepts related to me despite them seeming different to you." Nocten said, "Space, stars and gravity were all once within my control."
Ruel stood frozen, awe settling over him.
"So many concepts... Heh, they're all big words to me. But I guess it makes sense why it's called an Almighty Talent."
Nocten crossed his legs and rested his head as he spoke arrogantly.
"I know I say you should treat me like a mortal, but you should know that I once existed beyond your comprehension."
"I have a question," Muriel said and seeing Nocten and Ruel stare at her, she hurriedly said, "How did it feel to be a God?"
"...How did it feel?" Nocten repeated, wearing a reminiscing look.
Eventually, he said:
"I actually don't remember. I only remember key feelings and actions I made – like saving Edari, forming a contract with the Lances, and most importantly, knowing that something that would destroy the world is coming."
"Who are the Lances?" Ruel's face then contorted to a frown and panic. "And what the fuck do you mean by destroying the world?"
Nocten gave Ruel a smug look and said:
"Calm down."
Ruel's frown seem to only deepen, but Nocten continued:
"First off, 'Lances' was your family's original name—before they changed it.
"And for what's coming to destroy your world – it was a memory too dangerous to have in a normal body, I don't know. I only know that something put me in a state that led to my being weakened."
Ruel grabbed Nocten's body and snapped:
"I haven't healed my father and I haven't achieved my goal of creating a place for me and my people yet! And you're casually speaking of a possible Ragnarok?"
"Ruel, I have one more key memory," Nocten sighed as his rims began swirling with golden energy. "Guess what your family once called me."
Ruel didn't respond. Instead, he found himself turning to Muriel, almost instinctively.
The ball of light then said, "Lord Nocten was once called the Ruler of Ragnarok – whether Ragnarok occurred or not – it was left for him."
'Ruler of Ragnarok…' The words echoed like a war drum in Ruel's head.
Nocten grinned.
"Aside from my world-ending strength, there was another reason. It was because I stopped the first Ragnarok. Now guess what. I am going to stop the second."
Nocten turned to Muriel and said, "Muriel, take over."
"Yes," Muriel turned to her miniature form and said, "When I met you, I told you that as time goes on I will obtain more information prepared for you."
Ruel nodded, calming himself while he listened.
"Yesterday, I obtained a memory from Senior Edari.
"Centuries ago, around when Enma was created, Lord Nocten—as a god of course—gave a task to the Lances.
"A specific statement the Lord gave then was, 'Swear to me. When the others grow blind… you will still see.'"
Seeing Ruel grit his teeth, Muriel paused for a few seconds.
"This is a summary, but it covers everything—the coming memories are all in places difficult to reach, and the information we have gotten explains why it needed this much security."
"The goal you have right now is to prepare for something greater," Nocten added in conclusion.
Ruel was stunned, left speechless.
He rested his back on the chair and stared aimlessly at the ceiling.
His mind was lost in thought.
'We will all… die?
'Was everything for nothing…?'
While he thought, he heard the muffled words of Nocten.
"We'll leave you be, man. Just remember we have the auction to attend at night."
He took note of that and continued with his thoughts.
'But we have Nocten…
'Yes, my forefathers have prepared to take on those seeking to destroy the world.
'Why do I fear? I just need to diligently follow the path that was paved for me.
'It's nothing. I will grow stronger and I will protect my family and the people who support me.
'I will build a nation, obtain Royal status and obtain power to support Nocten in stopping the Ragnarok.
'He's like me, he wants to enjoy life. The only difference between us is that I want to enjoy life with my people, while he can do it alone…
'C-can I do this?'
Ruel's hand subconsciously formed a fist.
'Father… What do you think I should do?'
Resolve sparked behind his eyes.
The fear was still there—but so was something stronger.