Chapter 128 One Month

I’d like to change the posting schedule to once every three days from next time. I’ll keep this pace until the final chapter, so please bear with me. Next time is scheduled for May 29th at 7:00 PM.

[????]

"...Hybris has fallen..."

"Hybris?! Are you kidding? He was the strongest warrior who ever wounded 'Wang'—the one and only!"

"But it’s true. A human who should’ve been dead is back... and has defeated both Hybris and Lavana."

"I can’t believe it... Can humans really have that kind of power?"

"Lavana... even the 'Beast of Divine Prophecy' with ten lives... defeated...?"

"Either way, we can’t proceed with the plan like this. If anything happens to 'Wang,' it’d be a catastrophe."

"So you’re saying we’re scrapping the invasion of the human world?"

"At the very least, we’ve got to deal with that human somehow."

"Where is that person now?"

"We’ve confirmed they went to the entrance of the 'Dimensional Labyrinth'."

"The 'Dimensional Labyrinth'? That’s an irregular occurrence, isn’t it? Why would they go there... are they actually planning to enter?"

"If they think it leads to our world..."

"Luckily... we might be able to eliminate them without even lifting a hand."

"We need to confirm whether or not they’re actually entering the 'Dimensional Labyrinth'."

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

[Japan, Gifu Base]

"Wow, Gojo-san! The UK’s sent an exception request for the Order of the Garter, and France is considering the Legion of Honour, plus the Italian Republic’s Medal of Merit and even the Papal Order of St. Sylvester from the Pope!"

"Supposedly, the award of Japan’s highest honor—the Grand Cordon of the Chrysanthemum, Neck Badge—is guaranteed. And the National Honor Award too… But isn’t the Nobel Peace Prize the most certain one, honestly?"

Sakaki and Shimizu were reading aloud an article from the newspaper, telling me all this…

"Really kind of them, but even if it’s true, I’d have to decline it all. The world’s still not at peace, after all."

"Come on, just a little! Gojo deserves more recognition, you know. He’s done enough already."

Shimizu was clearly frustrated. It’s nice to hear that kind of thing, but…

"Did you actually go to Antarctica?"

"Yes, I did."

I’d already told Sakaki and the others that I was going to check something out there.

"Did you find anything?"

"Found something, yes… but…"

After the battle with the Black Knight ended and Leo and the others returned to their respective countries, I went straight to Antarctica.

When I reached the spot marked on the map, there was a cave. Its entrance was covered by a rainbow-colored membrane. I almost touched it—then a horrible, gut-wrenching feeling hit me.

I decided right then to give up on entering. Better to prepare properly first. So I came back to this base in Gifu.

If I go in that cave… I might not come back for a long time.

I told Sakaki and the others that, and first proposed strengthening the Self-Defense Force for defense.

"Yeah, it’s scary thinking something could happen while Gojo’s away."

"Can’t we just… not go to Antarctica?"

Sakaki asked, clearly worried. But I had this strong feeling—had to go. Besides, just defending won’t fix anything.

I explained that to Sakaki and got him to agree.

"But… how exactly do you plan to strengthen the Self-Defense Force?"

"I have a plan."

After saying goodbye to Sakaki and the others, I vanished in an instant and teleported straight to France.

"Teacher!"

I came to see Noah and the kids. We hadn’t had a proper talk since Bangkok, so I wanted to spend a little time with them, just a small moment of family.

And there was a reason I’d come here.

"I need to talk to Raphael and Gabriel."

"To us?"

"What? Teacher?"

I pulled out the职业 board from the pocket dimension. The "Blacksmith" board.

After checking their stats, I confirmed their Blacksmith level was maxed at 99, with a职业 skill rank of "B."

Even now, they still had unique skills, so they could craft high-tier equipment, but if their level and rank improved further, they’d be able to mass-produce even stronger gear.

"Can you touch the surface of this board?"

I’d never tested whether a normal human could use a职业 board.

I didn’t know what’d happen, but the twins looked curious. Gabriel reached out and touched the surface.

"Whoa!"

Light burst from the board, engulfing Gabriel’s body—then he dissolved into glowing particles, and the board itself vanished.

Different reaction than when I used it, but it seemed to have worked.

After checking his stats, Gabriel’s Blacksmith level had reset to 1. I handed the board to his brother Raphael and had him try it too.

Blacksmiths can raise their level without killing monsters—just by using the "Creation" skill. If they help me, I can make my plan a reality.

"Teacher… what’s going on?"

Noah looked puzzled. I explained I was heading to Antarctica, that I might not be back for a while, and then laid out in detail exactly what I wanted the kids to do for me.

They agreed without hesitation. Really, that’s amazing.

Then I headed over to Leo and the others.

“Alright, I’m counting on you.”

I took Durandal from Leo and activated its magic. The small rune circle moved from the tip of the blade all the way down to the hilt—then vanished completely.

Looks like the ability successfully took hold. I’m applying it to every weapon the Sanctuary Knights (Sanctuary Knights) possess. It takes a lot of magic, but with my infinite mana, that’s no problem at all.

And then—

“Who’d have thought I’d ever face off against Gojo with a blade?”

Leo raised his sword in front of me, gathering wind magic into Durandal.

“No holding back.”

“Perfect. That’s exactly what I want, Leo.”

Our swords clashed—explosions of force erupted, and the Sanctuary Knights standing nearby barely held their ground, struggling not to get blown away.

Not just Leo— I’m going to teach them everything I can about fighting. Even Freyja, Carlo… everyone.

They might be professionals when it comes to battle—but I’ve got things only I can teach. So I’ll have them learn as we fight.

I’ll even cross over to China, grant the power to the weapons of the Vermilion Bird’s members, and train alongside them—pushing their strength through actual combat.

When I faced Wang with my sword…

“Gojo… you’re going to Antarctica alone? I could come with you. I won’t be a burden, I swear…”

“Appreciate the offer, but no. Antarctica’s the most dangerous place I’ve ever been. I can’t drag you into this.”

“Huh… okay.”

Wang looked a little disappointed, but he nodded in acceptance.

I had the Japanese government secretly inform world leaders about heading to Antarctica. If word got out that I was gone, it could cause a huge uproar.

Some leaders tried to dissuade me from going altogether, but I explained everything clearly and managed to get their consent.

That’s how I asked everyone around me to handle every risk I could think of.

And one month later…

All preparations were complete. I was here, in Antarctica.

It took a little time, but I was finally okay with being away for a while. I’d fought alone for so long… it felt damn good to finally have trustworthy allies.

Standing in front of the Antarctic cave, I reached into the rainbow-colored membrane covering the entrance… nothing weird happened, so I just stepped inside.

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

The next day after Gojo entered the Antarctic cave, something strange happened across the world.

A few monsters that had been appearing here and there vanished all at once. People everywhere were confused—then a shockwave hit.

A spatial distortion appeared over Mongolia. A massive fleet of pitch-black ships emerged in the sky.

Ten thousand of them.

No one had ever seen anything like it. Countries around the world immediately decided to send their armies.

Armies from every nation, along with supernatural groups like “Suzaku” and the Holy Ground Knights (Sanctuary Knights), converged on Mongolia.

The final battle between Earth’s forces and those from another world was about to begin.