Chapter 159: Epilogue (1)
The war of the heavens ended as soon as it began.
Even though it brought its own share of grievances, the people of the world still learned how to move forward.
Friends and families perished, nations were destroyed, but the people still pressed on.
It didn't matter what race they were.
Whether they were dragons who hid throughout the entire battle, dwarves who tried their best to support others, or elves who healed the wounded.
Everyone rebuilt together.
But they never forgot the man who gave them this peace.
Arthur Val Arcain… or rather, "God."
The man who now stood beyond the pinnacle of creation.
A figure too radiant for any of them to gaze at.
Yet he was still one of them, even as he lay in bed completely unconscious.
In the territory of the Arcains, a lone figure rested on a massive bed with sixteen people gathered around him.
At the door were four men waiting for their best friend to awaken.
Inside, were the young man's sixteen companions.
"How long has he been like this?"
Everyone turned their eyes toward Alicia, who leaned against the wall with her arms crossed.
"About a week," answered Elizabeth, who was feeding Arthur his daily potions.
Nathira, sitting beside him with her gaze lowered, finally spoke. "Hey…" Her voice was hoarse. "Can you all step out for a while?"
The women didn't question her and quietly left the room.
Now alone with Arthur, Nathira lifted his pale hands and pressed them against her forehead.
His hair had turned white, and his eyes had reverted to the blood-crimson shade they held at the start of his journey.
He looked extraordinary, even in such a frail state.
Nathira forced a smile, though her eyes betrayed exhaustion and pain.
"Hey, Art…" Her voice rasped again. "Don't you think it's time to wake up?"
Perhaps it was fate, or maybe her words had reached him.
The moment she spoke, his fingers twitched, and she instantly noticed.
The once-lifeless figure slowly opened his eyes.
His snow-white lashes flickered before revealing crimson pupils that gleamed faintly.
Only his awakening sent a ripple across the world.
Everyone felt it—he was awake.
Almost immediately, the door burst open and Ellie, weeping, clutched the hem of her gown tightly.
Her voice broke the silence in the room:
"Art!"
She rushed forward and threw herself onto him.
The other women quickly entered, while the men stood dumbstruck.
The four boys at the door waved at their friend before leaving.
Arthur's face was stunned, but soon a smile formed.
"You guys are going to kill me."
Seeing them welcome him so warmly, he replied:
"I'm home."
---
The following days passed in a blur.
Arthur spent time with his family and friends, while even strangers came bearing gifts, seeking favor from the great Arcain bloodline.
The demonic dragon race was no longer just another race. They had become an anchor of faith and belief.
The family that birthed God.
Since then, Arthur had spoken with nobles and royals, especially the people of the Holy Empire.
As his in-laws, they were given first-hand privileges but also knew when to step back.
Now, Arthur stood in a vast study holding a letter.
Yesterday had been a great gathering of the world's leaders.
He had also taken the chance to purge corrupt nobles, though some sought shelter under his wives and concubines.
More importantly, he had chosen the new gods. According to Sylvia, the world couldn't function without them, even if they already had one.
To that end, he would visit other worlds and purge them of their corrupted gods.
His sixteen women, along with Eric, Naza, Cale, Vicky, Zahard, and the Twelve Zodiacs, among others, were chosen to take their place.
He couldn't trust outsiders with such a task.
This world wasn't perfect. He knew it never would be.
Perfection, after all, led only to ruin.
Arthur smiled faintly as the letter in his hand glowed with golden light.
---
My dearest Bemmy,
By the time you read this, I will already be gone.
Tampering with causality has its price, and mine was always to vanish, returning to nothing but energy.
Still, I couldn't leave without saying goodbye.
Please, live your life to the fullest.
Love to live, and live to love.
Don't let regret chain you; don't let sorrow bury you.
Even if we never meet again, remember, I will always be your infinite lover, your number one fan, cheering for you from beyond the veil.
There is no need for me to hoard all your kisses anymore.
Give them freely, let them warm your days, let them remind you that once, you were loved without end.
Thank you, for everything. For letting me be part of your story, for letting me be your first love.
Forever yours,
Lee Mi-kyong.
---
Arthur traced the words on the letter with his fingers, as if the warmth of her hand still lingered there.
For the first time since the war ended, he felt the ache of solitude pressed into him like a blade.
He could still remember her laughter, the same one that had once carried him through both sunny and rainy days.
The way she scolded him for his reckless choices, and the absurd theories she usually came came up with.
His lips curved into a warm smile. "Silly."
Even in death, she had ensured he would never forget her.
And he had no intention of doing so.
That was why he decided to give this world a name.
A name that would serve not only as a title but as a vow.
A vow to the dead and the living.
A vow that bound the very essence of time, linking both the living and the departed.
Meltonia.
It was a name Arthur had carried in his heart for as long as he could remember.
Now, it would belong to this world.
---
[First Person POV]
"Hey, babe."
The soft voice of Isabella broke my thoughts.
My gaze lifted to the beautiful young woman standing at the door in a flowing ball gown.
I smiled.
"Babe?"
She approached and smoothed the creases on my clothes.
"You're God now. Do you still expect me to look after you?"
I wrapped my arms around her waist. "Aren't you my wife?"
She rested her head on my chest. "Yeah…"
Through the slightly open library door, I could see the hall buzzing with servants preparing for a ceremony.
"Shall we go?"
Isabella nodded, linking her arm with mine.
I stepped forward, heart full.
It felt like only yesterday I was reincarnated, yet I had come so far already.
There were good times and dark times, moments I couldn't even comprehend.
We passed servants who bowed their heads.
Soon, we reached a massive door. It opened effortlessly, and the sound of the crowd filled my ears like music.
The sun shone brightly, promising a new day and a new beginning.
The moment the people of this world saw me, they lowered their gazes in awe and reverence.
Their eyes weren't fixed on a king.
No. They looked at me as their lord, their Monarch, their God.
And I was all those things and more. But I was also Arthur Val Arcain, son of Alicia Arcain and husband to sixteen beautiful women.
As we walked down the long aisle leading to a colossal throne surrounded by sixteen smaller ones, Isabella let go of me.
I couldn't watch her leave, my gaze fixed on the crowd before me.
The garments I wore were stiff, but they radiated nobility and grace.
I brushed aside the fluttering red cape and advanced.
One by one, nobles and commoners alike rose to their feet.
They bowed in unison, like choristers trained for centuries.
The wind stirred, scattering flower petals around me.
Climbing the steps slowly, I sat upon the majestic throne.
I leaned my elbow against the armrest, my face resting on my hand.
Echidna, who had been my sword throughout this time, ascended the stairs and bowed, carrying a crown.
With steady steps, she placed it upon my head.
As she moved aside to stand by me, the people's bow deepened even further.
The crown tilted slightly, but I closed my eyes, gathering the winds from the farthest reaches of the world and releasing them gently around us.
The crowd lifted their gazes as petals of every hue drifted above them.
I didn't need to speak. The power of God conveyed everything.
At that moment, they all knew the name of this world.
Meltonia, the World of Promise.
There was still one final war to fight, but this could be called the perfect close to my tale.
It wasn't the end... far from it.
Even as I, Lee Beom-seok, Arthur Arcain—now stood as God, Monarch, and husband.
Even divinity cannot change my truth.
I was bound to an unknown System… the Infinite Harem System.
A curse. A blessing. My strength, drawn from every woman who had chosen to walk beside me.
And as long as they lived, so too would my power.
And so too would my story.
─── ✦ End of Chapter ✦ ───