Those time travelers that year

540. The Infiltration of Grenvia

A little bit forward in time.

In the Netherworld, a different dimension between life and death, two uninvited guests secretly crossed the sealed barriers and infiltrated the Netherworld. At that moment, the Campiones were beginning their 'gathering' outside, while the Vatican Crusaders were being easily defeated one by one by the Campiones.

A little girl, using some clever tricks, managed to bypass the blockade and sneak in.

"I do not approve of your taking such a risk, my beloved child." A deep voice echoed in the little girl's ear, admonishing her. "This place is far too dangerous. Two of the highest-ranking Earth Mothers, along with that mysterious figure from before, have joined forces to destroy the original owner of this place. Whatever their intentions, you shouldn't have come here to get involved in this mess."

“Uncle, that’s precisely why I should have come.” The little girl who had sneaked in was none other than the God Ancestor, Gnevia. With her magical knowledge far surpassing that of humans, she easily slipped into the Netherworld, a realm even several Campiones couldn’t easily enter, thanks to her status as a God Ancestor. “…I’m very curious about what those two women and that monster are planning.” Biting her lip in frustration, Gnevia recalled the nightmarish memory of almost being crushed by Sharl in Finland.

A spellcasting system never seen before, a rain of fire falling from the sky, a calamity tearing the earth apart, the protection and control of darkness and shadow that were stolen away... and that final scene, where even his own guardian was almost blasted to smithereens—a sword storm unleashed by a 150-meter-long ship-slaying sword.

Thinking of this, Guinevia's face paled and trembled. There was nothing she could do; as for that inexplicable fight with Charles, being inferior in magic was one thing, and Guinevia didn't particularly care. However, that final 150-meter-long sword-slaying storm... it was just, just, just too damn damning.

What is that thing?!

Every time she recalled that scene, Guinevere would turn pale and tremble uncontrollably. Yes, that's right. Anyone who saw that scene, especially one who experienced it firsthand, and didn't die of fright or have a heart attack, could only be described as worthy of being called the Ancestor of Gods.

However, every time she recalls that nightmarish scene, Guinevia feels an urge to shout "MMP!"

'However, if we encounter that mysterious monster again, I won't be able to protect you and break through again!'

'Besides, this time two rebellious earth goddesses are following him, and who knows what they're doing? You're taking a risk!'

“Uncle, according to the intelligence I’ve received, there’s a Steel being in this country who targets the Dragon-Snake,” Genievia replied. “And a Steel of extremely high divine rank, even in a restricted state. The Dragon-Snake that previously wreaked havoc in this country were all vanquished by him—”

"—This is why, compared to Europe, which often falls into disobedience, this remote far eastern region has not suffered too many disasters."

'You mean?!'

"That's right, a sealed steel, a steel that can only appear at specific times. Uncle, don't you think there's something fishy about this?!"

"But that's just your guess!" the guardian replied. "...While it sounds like our master, the one who slew the demon king and saved the world, the chances of that are slim."

“Yes, it’s not high, but it’s possible,” Guinevia said stubbornly. “As long as it’s possible, I have to pursue it. If it really is my master, compared to a maid like me who is willing to serve, the other Earth Mothers…” At this point, Guinevia’s face darkened. Indeed, compared to a god like her who was willing to be loyal and serve, the other Earth Mothers were not at all willing to see the appearance of that final king.

This unwillingness has reached the point of disgust and hostility. The Steel Hero and the Earth Mother are mortal enemies, and someone like Guinevere, who abandoned her status, position, and even her name, willingly degenerating into serving, is truly unique.

If possible, those earth goddesses wouldn't mind utterly destroying her, along with the Last King. Therefore, she wasn't the only ancestor of gods in this world, yet the others completely ignored her.

It was already a great act of mercy that they didn't immediately turn on her and humanely destroy Guinevere. If Guinevere were to encounter the Earth Mother in her full form, she would even need to take a detour to avoid being killed by those disobedient Earth Mothers who descended upon her, and in the process, shatter the Holy Grail that Guinevere had created.

'But it's still too risky!'

“If the sleeping steel here is truly the savior, then no matter how great the odds or how great the potential dangers, I have to take the risk.” A resolute look appeared on Guinevere’s face. “It is my duty. If I hadn’t forgotten what that king looked like and what I remembered, I would have prevented those demon kings from running rampant and wreaking havoc on the world by now.”

If Ciel heard this, he would only seriously reply, "You self-righteous, immature, idiotic fool!" It's as if the world would be peaceful without Campiones. You might as well say that the gods shouldn't descend in their disobedient forms. Without disobedient gods, there would be no Campiones, and humanity would quietly engage in its own power struggles, without ever having any connection to them.

Not to mention, the number of people who die in the chaos caused by these Campiones is less than the number of people who kill themselves, such as the Greens. A few Campiones are nothing; at most, you can treat them like royalty. If necessary, such as when the Disobedient Gods jump in and cause trouble again, you can fight them off. Just use them as human weapons.

However, completely immersed in her own world, utterly unaware that both she and the Last King she served were actually control terminals left behind by other gods, she didn't even consider why she couldn't find the Last King! If he hadn't intentionally evaded responsibility, deliberately erasing all information about his slumbering place and refusing to awaken, then why hadn't she found a single trace of him for so long?

It can only be said that fate played a cruel trick on us.

Having never considered this issue, or rather, being unwilling or afraid to imagine it, Gnevia fell silent after her guardian deity fell silent. After entering the Netherworld, she slowly walked forward.

Before long, she arrived at a sea of ​​flowers, or rather, quite suddenly, a sea of ​​flowers appeared before her.

"What is this!?" Guinevia hesitated for a moment and stopped in her tracks.

“This lady, you shouldn’t have come here!” Just then, a sigh rang out.

The monkey won't have a scene until tomorrow!

541. Hero?

"This lady, you shouldn't have come here!" A sigh rang out, startling Guinevia. Just as the voice appeared, countless petals fell from the sky above the surrounding sea of ​​flowers, and a black and white datura flower appeared in front of Guinevia, upon which sat a phantom.

"What are you!?" Guinevia took a step back, her expression tense as she warily stared at the illusory figure before her.

"What am I?!" the phantom slowly proclaimed. "I am merely an obsession, a bondage, a foolish person unable to break free from worldly ties."

Guinevere looked puzzled; she couldn't comprehend the existence of this illusory figure before her. It was neither alive nor dead, seemingly existing like some kind of natural phenomenon.

'This is a lingering thought.' At that moment, the voice of the guardian Lancelot appeared in Guinevere's ears. 'A lingering thought, an obsession, and some other connection mixed together, forming a haunting afterimage.'

“Yes! This humble monk is but a shadow…” The phantom nodded, looking at Guinevia, its eyes seemingly meeting those of someone else through her. “And this benefactor, are you not also but a shadow?!”

"You can see Uncle!?" Guinevia exclaimed in surprise.

"Life is like a dream, all is emptiness." The illusory figure put his hands together, murmured Amitabha, and said, "Since it is emptiness, then attachment to form is obvious. It is not that I can see the war god who has turned into a shadow, but that at the same time that war god can see me, I can also see the war god."

Guinevere frowned; she couldn't understand such cryptic words. However, Lancelot, the God of War and Shadow of Gods, then provided the answer: "No need to worry, my beloved son. As long as I can see this one, then this one can see me. If I don't look at him, he cannot see me, even if I materialize myself."

"So, you're a monk?!"

In response to Guinevia's question, the phantom merely nodded slightly without answering.

“Then, monk, where is this place?” Guinevere asked. “And why did you say I shouldn’t have come here?!”

"As you can see, this is the boundary between life and death," the illusory figure replied honestly. "As for why you shouldn't have come here, please forgive my bluntness, but you are surely the reincarnation of a dragon or snake, aren't you?"

Guinevia nodded.

"Then you should not enter the Netherworld even more..." the phantom sighed again. "Something is about to happen here, a disaster is about to occur—the Fighting God who has escaped will not let any of you go, and even if you are freed from your shackles, the Fighting God will not like any god or Buddha, not even a reincarnation of a dragon or snake."

"The God of War? Who is that!?"

"A piece of steel that was previously sealed here has now been subdued and reforged by a male benefactor who came with two earth goddesses by his side..." the phantom said. "When that person is reborn in the flames, then the real disaster will come."

“Steel forged with flames…” Gnyvia stared at the phantom in astonishment, then quickly asked, “Then, where is that steel?”

"It's right down there."

"Below?!" Guinevere instinctively looked down, but could only make out the petals that didn't reach her ankles. However, soon, a ripple appeared in front of Guinevere, and the ground below trembled like water. Then, a scene appeared.

Endless flames burned, turning the sky, the earth, and the towering mountains into a sea of ​​fire. Within this inferno, countless sparks scorched a stubborn rock riddled with cracks, and from within the rock, deafening heartbeats resounded.

Gunivia stared intently at the stubborn rock. Even through the screen, she could feel the intense heat of the flames and the divine power and fighting spirit that were constantly growing within the rock.

After staring at the stubborn rock for only a moment, Guinevere's face turned deathly pale. She took a step back, her body trembling; just moments before, she had witnessed a magnificent scene.

High above the nine heavens, all the gods gathered, and a hundred thousand heavenly soldiers and generals formed a vast net that covered everything, from the sky above to the earth below. Under this inescapable net, all living beings were like ants.

Under the watchful eyes of countless gods and Buddhas, and within the gaze of all the celestial beings, atop a not-so-high mountain, a group of trembling and fearful, yet remarkably intelligent monkeys, mustering their meager courage, held a banner high.

Even though all the gods and Buddhas were casting their gazes here, and even though all living beings were mere ants and not considered by these gods and Buddhas, and even though they knew they were just like dust, these rather intelligent monkeys, facing the gaze of all the gods and Buddhas, still held their flags high with their heads held high, even though they were trembling.

Because at the very front of them, on the edge of the cliff, stood a towering figure, shielding them from the gaze of the gods and Buddhas and the 100,000 heavenly soldiers and generals.

The figure wasn't tall; compared to the giant standing amidst the clouds, overlooking the earth below, wielding a Xuanhua axe, this figure was not imposing. Yet, it single-handedly held up this entire sky.

The gods are high above, and their authority is unquestionable...

Even after transforming into a god, Guinevere remained certain of this: the gods could not be defeated, even by demon kings known as the Godslayers, the Campiones. They defeated the gods, they usurped divine power, but they too would die. And die, in the same way, at the hands of the Last King. This was a tenet Guinevere firmly believed in to this day: the birth of the Campiones was a scourge, something forbidden. While the descent of disobedient gods might bring natural disasters, the existence of the Campiones was an apocalypse far worse than any natural calamity.

Ultimately, the reason is that these Campiones are rebellious madmen who defy God. Therefore, they are a calamity that must be eliminated.

No matter what kind of excuses or reasons are used... in essence, there is one core element: those who defy God, die.

Campione's existence defied the gods, so Campione had to die, it's that simple.

However, Gnevia's conviction wavered at that moment.

In her understanding, the so-called savior and hero is the Last King she has been searching for, and the Last King's duty is to defeat the Campione and save the world.

But does the world really need a god to save it? Or rather, is the so-called savior—the Last King—truly a hero?

Perhaps in the eyes of humans, while the Campiones had their problems and troubles, they would always rush to fight any rebellious god who dared to cause trouble. From the humans' perspective, defeating the Campiones and upholding the unquestionable authority of the Last King seemed more like aiding and abetting evil.

So, what is a hero?!

542. Hero!

The definition of a hero is broad. In Western civilization and mythology, the earliest definition of a hero was 'someone who accomplishes great deeds that ordinary people cannot.' Whether in various mythologies, those who slay dragons or are demigods are all hailed as heroes because they are people who have accomplished great deeds to a certain extent.

However, in Eastern culture and mythology, the definition of a hero is relatively vague. There is an old saying: "Those who are intelligent and outstanding are called heroes; those who are courageous and strong are called warriors." But broadly speaking, a hero is someone who is exceptionally talented and brave.

Of course, in reality, heroes are not just about this aspect.

Like Kuafu chasing the sun and Yi shooting down the sun, they are also considered heroes. The former pursued and challenged the sun with his life, while the latter is more revered for his deeds of saving people from suffering, apart from the tragic love story in the myth.

Similarly, ancestors and sages such as the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, as long as they made significant contributions to human society, were all heroes. During this period, in Eastern culture, the concept of a hero was very general, but it usually only referred to those who made outstanding contributions.

However, in the course of history, Eastern culture began to redefine the measure of heroism. Leaving aside the mythologically rich Xia and Shang dynasties, starting with the Zhou dynasty, the definition of heroism was established with the rise of the Hundred Schools of Thought and the evolution of the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods.

Zhuan Zhu assassinated King Liao, Nie Zheng assassinated Han Kui, Yao Li assassinated Qing Ji, and Jing Ke assassinated King Qin... These four assassins demonstrated what it means to be a hero through their actions, regardless of their stance, their allegiance, whether their actions were right or wrong, or whether they succeeded.

But one thing they were certain of was courage.

This is the first element that Eastern culture began to define as a hero. Immediately following was the end of the Qin Dynasty. In Dazexiang, Qixian County, the first peasant uprising, with Chen Sheng and Wu Guang raising their banners and shouting "Are kings and nobles born with a special destiny?", also established the second element of a hero: the rebel.

From that time onward, no dynasty in the Central Plains could last long. As long as the rulers were foolish and oppressive, the common people, unable to survive, would rise up in rebellion, overthrowing and destroying one once-invincible dynasty after another. This is unthinkable in the West, but it is the most common thing in the East.

And all of this, the rebels, the brave, the hopeful ones, the heroes, thus became an idealized embodiment.

Just like the monkey in Journey to the West, born of nature, he became a disciple of Bodhi, broke into the Dragon Palace to obtain treasures, entered the underworld to determine life and death, and wielded the Ruyi Jingu Bang, a divine treasure that stabilizes the bottom of the Milky Way. He transformed into a rebel who was entrusted with ideals and hopes.

Perhaps, in the end, this once lawless monkey failed...

But what people ultimately remember is not the Victorious Fighting Buddha after the eighty-one tribulations, but the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, Sun Wukong, who fearlessly wreaked havoc in the Heavenly Palace and fought against heaven and earth even when he was all alone.

——————————Divider Line——————————

And at this very moment, this was the scene that appeared before Gnevia's eyes.

It was merely an illusion, merely a memory, yet it brought an unimaginable shock to this god-ancestor.

Under the watchful eyes of countless gods and Buddhas, when there was nowhere to escape from the net of heaven and earth, the monkey with the hairy face and thunderous mouth remained unruly. He wore a pair of lotus-silk cloud-walking shoes, a suit of golden chainmail, a phoenix-winged purple-gold crown, and a red cloak fluttering in the wind behind him. He held a Ruyi Jingu Bang in his hand, looked up at the heavens and Buddhas with arrogance.

Behind the monkey were his monkey offspring, these fragile and weak creatures, who were so frightened that they could barely walk or stand, yet they still stood stubbornly like the monkey.

Compared to the 100,000 heavenly soldiers and generals, compared to the gods and Buddhas in the sky, the banner held by the monkeys, fluttering in the cold wind, was so lonely and helpless. But the monkeys holding the banner still held their heads high and chests out, raising the banner so that every god and Buddha in the sky could see it.

Because on that banner was written—The Great Sage Equal to Heaven.

How can mortals compare to gods and Buddhas?! What gives these monkeys courage is nothing more than the figure standing at the very front.

That one, with the most defiant expression and the highest fighting spirit, glared and mocked the gods who were arrayed in the sky.

Heroes are those who bravely resist and saviors who crush tyranny, embodying people's hopes and ideals.

……