Chapter 518. Hello! Liber!
Choosing who to save and who not to save—this was a pointless concern in the first place. Chi-Woo had reverted everything back to the way it should’ve been before the Sernitas invaded Liber, except for a few exceptions. As a result, several destroyed countries and tribes, including kingdoms as well as the empire that originally ruled Liber, were revived. Of course, not everyone was 100 percent revived, and the Demon Empire and the Abyss were good examples. At this point, it was safe to say that the ruler of the Demon Empire was Shersha. Although this position was meaningless when the Demon Empire had already fallen, Chi-Woo still asked for Shersha’s opinion, who had the absolute trust of the remaining demons.
It might be beneficial to not revive the Demon Empire for the sake of Liber’s humanity, but Chi-Woo had promised Shersha, “Tell me who to save and not to save to rebuild the Demon Empire you dream of.”
Shersha immediately opened her mouth as if she had already thought about this matter. “This is enough.” Surprisingly, Shersha did not want Bael to be revived.
“What about Bael? You said only Bael can open the way to the devildom.”
“That path. I want you to open it.”
“Well, that can work…but would you really be alright?”
“I wasn’t able to change Bael’s mind in the end,” Shersha replied with a clear voice. “Even if you revive her, I don’t think I can persuade her. So rather than that…”
“…Shersha. Don’t get me wrong and listen to me. I can create the Bael you want,” Chi-Woo, who had been listening quietly, suggested. “A Bael who rectifies her beliefs and agrees with your ideas and dreams and supports it wholeheartedly.”
“Then that won’t be Bael.” Surprisingly, Shersha still didn’t hesitate. “I was at odds with Bael, but that was because I loved her. If you create a Bael that agrees with me on everything, I won’t see her as the Bael I love anymore.” She shook her head and continued, “This is a chance that might never come again. I won’t let my personal feelings get in the way. This is for Bael’s sake as well.” Shersha sounded strong and firm with not the slightest sign of hesitation.
A glint appeared in Chi-Woo’s eyes. “Yes, if that’s what you think.” With Shersha’s selection, the Demon Empire agreed to revive only a small number of great demons whose beliefs align with hers and who felt the need to coexist with humanity.
The Abyss was easier to deal with. “It’s fine. Why would you save them? Don’t save a single one. They’re all inherently dangerous.” Evelyn spoke her opinion in a firm voice.
“Uh…well, obviously not the Abyss King, but what about the Abyss Queen…?”
“It’s the same for Her Majesty. Of course, she took me under her wing and helped a little at the end, but I’ve fulfilled my duty with the Abyss King destroyed.” Evelyn was sometimes very firm and cold in relationships. She had also been like this when Chi-Woo became furious for the first time and tried to chase Eshnunna and Hawa away.
“Her Majesty was not interested in the Middle World or even the Abyss in the first place. She was forced to stand opposite of the Abyss King since the situation turned out like that, but she had always wanted to go to eternal sleep. Now that she’s finally at peace…”
After hearing this, Chi-Woo thought of the story of a master chef who was getting old and considering retirement. The restaurant that he was operating had suddenly collapsed due to a natural disaster, so he thought he should pack up and enjoy the rest of his life with the money he earned. However, his regular customers rebuilt the restaurant of their own volition, so he was forced to work again. With the anecdote suddenly coming to his mind, Chi-Woo easily accepted her explanation, and he felt a bit relieved after cleaning up the Abyss.
With this, Liber would be peaceful for at least 100 years. As long as Shersha remained at top rank in the hierarchy, there was no way the Demon Empire would act recklessly, and the Abyss had disappeared into the backdrop of history. Of course, humanity and the League may fight for leadership, but that wouldn’t happen for the time being as Chi-Woo had clearly imprinted a thought on everyone he revived—Liber had collapsed for the same reason the Sernitas had been allowed to invade Liber. Since the universe was so vast, another enemy like the Sernitas or an enemy perhaps more powerful than them may come from somewhere else. If they didn’t want to go through the same pain again, they had to learn to behave and prepare themselves. Of course, their alliance would not last forever at the end of the day.
Human greed was endless, and they repeated the same mistakes. Things might have settled down now, but there was no guarantee that this peace would be maintained even after hundreds and thousands of years. Rather, there was a hundred percent chance that things would return to normal. Humanity would constantly fight each other to the death, and Chi-Woo’s answer to that was clear. “That’s none of my business.”
Chi-Woo was not trying to manage Liber. All he had wanted was to return it to how it had been originally. Therefore, it was safe to say that Chi-Woo’s wish had been fulfilled at this point. He wasn’t interested in a wish that had already been realized. The picture that would be painted here in the future was in the hands of those living on the planet Liber. So what was left now was…
* * *
—Don’t you think this is too much?
A familiar voice rang in Chi-Woo’s ear as he sat in his office chair, interrupting his break. Chi-Woo opened his eyes and glanced at the spirit hovering around him. “What now?”
—I mean, consider my position.
Philip said in complaint.
“What’s the problem?
—No, just think about it. I left looking so cool, but what did it make me if you just revived me like this? Come on.
Philip’s complaint was reasonable. There was nothing more awkward than if two lovers left with a touching farewell, as if they would never see each other again, but then they had to take the same bus on their way back. Chi-Woo began to understand Philip’s feelings and said, “If you want to go back to the other side…”
—No, that’s not it.
Philip immediately tucked his figurative tail between his legs.
—I’m just saying if you’re going to save me, couldn’t you have revived me as a living person? A fresh new start as a young man with a handsome face and a great body!
“And not as you, Mr. Philip?”
—Oh, on second thought, don’t do it here. You said you brought back the Salem Kingdom. The genealogy would get messed up if I join.
When Philip waved his hand, Chi-Woo nodded. “Yes. Well, if that’s what you wish, Mr. Philip.”
—As expected, I knew I could depend on you!
At Chi-Woo’s easy answer, Philip immediately became a bootlicker.
—Hehe. Sir Chi-Woo, that smartie was right!
Wag, wag, he rubbed his hands and might as well be wagging his tail.
“Smartie?”
—Ah, he was in your memory. Wasn’t it you in another worldline? Anyway, don’t you remember what he said?
Philip talked about the strange space Chi-Woo had entered before and continued.
—He said that among all the Choi Chi-Woos and Choi Yoo-Joos, you are the best Choi Chi-Woo.
When Chi-Woo recalled Future Yoo-Joo’s space and recalled his promise with them—
“Of course. He’s the best.”
Clack, the door opened, and a woman entered the room holding a teacup. It was Evelyn.
—It’s been a while, mademoiselle. Your beauty is still brilliant as ever.
“That doesn’t sound like a compliment because you’re stating the obvious. Anyway, welcome back,” Evelyn dismissed Philip and continued, “Well…it is a bit too much.” Then she looked at Chi-Woo with a slightly disappointed expression. “I’m also a resident of this world. Although it has been a long time ago, I had family and friends, but you never even ask me what I want.”
“Ms. Evelyn, anytime you want—” Chi-Woo realized his mistake and hurriedly tried to remediate it when—
“Ah, you’re saying I’ll no longer be a resident of this world anymore?”
“Excuse me?”
“Even if I say no, you’ll force me to follow you to your world? Since you’re going to marry me and start a family there, it won’t matter?”
“?”
“And I should really prepare myself since I’m going to have at least 100 babies?”
“…”
Evelyn put on a one-woman act and treaded lightly toward him. “Well, if that’s what you want. I guess it can’t be helped. I understand.” She put down the teacup on the desk and kissed Chi-Woo’s cheek. Chi-Woo was stunned by her sudden attack and blankly stared at Evelyn as she winked and turned around.
—I’ll correct what I said earlier.
Philip, who had been staring blankly at her with Chi-Woo, suddenly said with a serious face.
—You’re the worst Chi-Woo.
At that moment, Chi-Woo, who had gone from best to the worst, heard a notification in his mind. He turned on his device and stared at the message in the air.
—What’s wrong? What happened?
As soon as Philip asked, it became noisy outside, and the door burst open with a thump.
“Senior.” The ones entering were none other than Ru Amuh And Ru Hiana.
“It’s finally here. A message from the Celestial Realm,” Ru Amuh said in a slightly flushed voice, unlike his usual self.
“Yeah, I just saw it too.” Chi-Woo calmly nodded. With Chi-Woo’s energy, Liber’s World had never been better. Since the World was normalized, the connection between the Celestial Realm was restored, and the Celestial Realm must have learned what had happened on Liber. That was why they had sent a message like this—they judged that Liber didn’t need management for the time being, so everyone should return now.
“Yeah…” Chi-Woo let out a long sigh. “It’s time to go back.” The long-awaited time to return has finally come.
“Already?” Ru Hiana protested.
“Hmm? What then?”
“But—everyone is coming here right now.”
“Everyone?” Chi-Woo wondered why everyone was coming here. If he was going to keep paying attention to Liber, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to meet everyone once. He could see the face of the emperor or the king while he was at it and give various pieces of advice to warn them. However, Chi-Woo had no intention of doing this. By clearing up the Demon Empire and the Abyss, Liber was now out of his hands. In other words, he thought it wouldn’t be necessary to meet them because he wouldn’t see them in the future.
“Ms. Eshnunna and Hawa—”
However, things were different if those two were involved. Considering the time they’ve been together, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to meet them one last time before he returned. “If it’s just them, bring them here right away…”
“No, I meaaaan—” Ru Hiana finally got to what she was trying to say. “Festival! A festival!” The air in the office instantly settled. “It’s all finally over! To celebrate and commemorate this end, isn’t a festival the standard and…the best…way…?” When Ru Hiana was almost done, she noticed the atmosphere around her. She trailed off and looked around with a puzzled expression.
“Ru Hiana. Teacher is…” When Ru Amuh nudged her with his elbow in warning, she fell into contemplation with her mouth agape. Since the joy of saving Liber and the World returning to normal was so great, Ru Hiana had forgotten what Chi-Woo had been through. Putting herself in his shoes, she realized that Chi-Woo must not be in the mood to enjoy a festival. If Ru Amuh had died and she could never see him again… Ru Hiana shivered at the thought alone. “Ah, no, I-I just…” she stuttered and couldn’t find the words.
“It’s all right.” Chi-Woo smiled wryly. “Since everyone is getting ready. Let’s just do it—the festival.”
“Teacher,” Ru Amuh said, but Chi-Woo shook his head.
“It’s okay. Really. Let’s take it easy.” Then he waved, indicating for them to leave. Ru Amuh didn’t say anything else. He bowed and hurriedly left with Ru Hiana. Evelyn also quietly followed them out, and Philip coughed and quickly disappeared somewhere. Now left alone, Chi-Woo quietly got up from his seat.
Yeah. It was just a festival. It wouldn’t be bad to enjoy it and release his pent-up feelings, at least for the beautiful ending and farewell that everyone wanted. Of course, he had no intention to stay until the end of the festival. He was going to enjoy it in moderation and return using the device. In order to do that, he needed to get ready in advance.
‘Do I have any other preparation to make…?’ He couldn’t think of anything else except the bag he had brought when he came to Liber, and there was nothing much to organize in his bag. However, just in case, Chi-Woo brought the bag and began taking things out one by one when he came to a sudden halt. There was a rectangular box shoved to the bottom of his bag. It was one of the two snacks he had brought for Chi-Hyun before entering Liber. One had been completely smashed, but he had been planning to give Chi-Hyun this one at a later time. However, he had completely forgotten about it until it was too late.
Chi-Woo reached out unconsciously and picked up the box, shaking it carefully. He didn’t hear things crumbling, but the sound of something shaking inside. The snack seemed relatively intact. Chi-Woo’s expression fell. Ah…if he had known this would happen…
After standing still for a long time, he put down the box of snacks and let out the breath he had been holding.
“In the end…” he softly murmured to himself in a voice filled with deep remorse. “…I couldn’t give it to him.”
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