Chapter "561"

The [Nursery Rhyme] used by Noxana gave dreams to everyone.

Most people had nightmares.

They struggled and couldn't escape from their dreams, and they had to repeatedly see painful memories from their past.

She didn't kill them.

Noxana, the goddess of death and dreams, was a generous goddess to humans.

Even when humans bared their teeth at her, she chose to subdue them instead of killing them because dreams embrace everything.

Even if it's painful now, once everything is over, they'll be happy again but there was something Noxana overlooked.

That there were people who didn't break down even in the worst nightmares.

That they chose the cruel reality over sweet dreams.

They didn't ignore their wounds.

Every day, every moment, they embraced the wounds of the past because that's how they had lived.

That small mistake created a variable.

People who had fainted began to regain consciousness one by one.

If the current state had continued just a little longer, the fainted people would have all lost their sanity and will to fight.

But thanks to the quick actions of Rudger, Clara, and Franz, people were able to regain consciousness before it was too late.

The emotion that the awakened people felt wasn't agitation, fear, or confusion.

It was intense anger.

Compared to gods, humans are insignificant.

But even so, there was no one who would tolerate others playing with their memories as they pleased.

As the saying goes, even worms will squirm when stepped on, Noxana's manifestation of compassion ironically became a catalyst for human anger.

"This feels unpleasant."

-Growl.

Pantos made a beast-like sound from behind his mask.

As arrogant as Pantos was, even he had memories he didn't want to recall.

The experience of failing a hunt for the first time and feeling bitter defeat.

Even though it was an opponent different from his original target, it was a huge shock to Pantos, who had never been defeated in a fight against a strong opponent before.

The man who subdued him so easily while emitting an ominous red light, wrapped in enormous magical power and mysterious forces, Rudger Chelici.

Following his words wasn't because of submission.

It was part of a deal, helping with the work because he received a promise to fight again later.

But at some point, he came to enjoy working with him and didn't really refuse it.

Perhaps this is where I should be, he thought.

He felt that way even when facing various companions working with Rudger.

He had thought he was a unique being that no one could understand, but the others gathered there were also unique beings with their own stories.

Yes.

'I liked these unique beings.'

But the nightmare deceived Pantos like this.

Asking if he was satisfied with being subdued like this.

If he didn't want revenge.

Did he want it?

Surely back then, he thought he did.

'But not now.'

Rather, what angered Pantos was the shallow intention to disturb his mind with such petty memories and whispers.

-Chwarreurek.

Black iron chains formed in Pantos' hand with a giant harpoon on one end and a giant anchor on the other.

His complete weapon was manifested through mental imagery.

"Everyone get up."

Pantos quietly spoke to Owens, who was still staggering.

"Get up. And be angry. Fight against this injustice."

The scars on her face had been erased, but the memory of the day those scars were made was traumatic for her.

“How dare a lower-class woman like you be so arrogant? Is it because of that pretty face of yours?”

The words that fire-wielding thug had said to her with mockery.

“Let's see if you can still be so haughty when that face becomes hideous.”

The flames flickering before her eyes.

The intense pain felt on one side of her face.

Violetta touched the place where her scar had been through her mask.

"Are you alright?"

Arpa approached Violetta and asked.

Violetta was about to say she was fine, but she was startled when she saw Arpa's expression.

"Arpa, you..."

"Huh? What's wrong?"

"What do you mean, what's wrong? Your expression right now..."

Arpa's face, which was always bright with a smile, was distorted with sadness.

Arpa touched his face with her hand, and belatedly realized his emotional state.

"You're right. So this is what it means to be truly angry."

"Are you really okay?"

"Honestly, I don't feel good. I recalled a strange memory."

"A strange memory?"

"Yes. The memory of a little boy who couldn't protect his only sister. A poor child who was violated by power, unable to do anything."

Arpa looked down at the palm of his hand.

It looked like a human hand, but it was made up of countless steel parts.

Even in this dream world, it was the same.

His real self could not become human.

After clenching and unclenching his hand, Arpa's gaze turned to Rudger.

‘Teacher.’

Arpa called him once with his eyes.

When he first opened his eyes the face of the teacher who spoke gently while looking at him with sadness came to mind.

He didn't know then why Rudger made such an expression.

He still couldn't know what was in his heart when he gave him a name while looking at him.

Just that he must have been very sad.

And that he must have desperately swallowed that feeling.

'This is my memory.'

The dream shown by Noxana revealed all the memories inherent in the deep part of one's soul.

Thanks to that, Arpa was able to recall everything.

Who he was. And what was the precious something he was looking for.

'That's right. I had a sister.'

He needed to meet that child. He wanted to meet her and apologize.

Although his body had changed from a human one to cold steel, the soul that Arpa possessed was clearly that of a boy, a human, so he couldn't just stay here.

He ironically felt somewhat grateful to Noxana for making him realize the truth, but he had to fight.

Bellaruna and Seridan were the same.

They too had many untold hardships, having been ostracized by their own kind and driven to the human world but Seridan didn't complain about such things.

Instead, her gaze turned toward a small ridge covered with dream sand.

Seridan approached it and spoke to something buried in the sand.

"Hey. Are you going to stay there?"

There was a large beast buried in the mound of sand, curled up like a coward.

The silent cry of a young man trying to suppress his wildness while somehow struggling to break free was more clearly heard by Seridan than anyone else.

"We're going to fight. Everyone probably thinks the same."

"..."

"What do you want to do? Will you keep running away? Or will you hide like a coward? That's not like you."

"..."

"That's not what you want."

Seridan extended her hand.

"Let's go together. Everyone is waiting."

"..."

There was no answer.

But a response to those words came immediately.

-Pop.

The sand ridge bulged up like a balloon and then deflated like a punctured balloon.

From the reduced sand mound, a human hand protruded weakly.

Seeing the trembling hand, Seridan smiled, showing her teeth.

"You know what? You're the last one."

Sheridan grabbed Hans' hand and pulled him with force.

Hans, who emerged from the sand mound, was in human form, not a beast's.

Looking at Hans, who had a complicated expression that seemed somehow sad yet relieved, Seridan laughed out loud.

"Ahaha! Why are you making such a face? Let's go!"

"...Alright."

All of Owens's members gathered in one place.

Rudger welcomed Hans with his eyes and Hans felt grateful for that wordless action.

All the Dreamwalkers had also regained consciousness, and the teachers of Theon were getting up one by one.

"So, how do we break that?"

Elisa Willow stared at the [Nursery Rhyme] with narrowed eyes.

The bell that rang once upon its summoning was quiet for now but everyone at the scene could feel it.

If that bell rings once more then everything would truly be over.

"Attacking from a distance is meaningless. Noxana will also do her best to protect the [Nursery Rhyme]."

Everyone nodded at Franz's words, who had information about Noxana.

"It's dangerous, but we need to approach there directly and break it with this."

Franz showed the dagger in his hand.

It was a weapon that had even killed Nirva, the apostle of dreams.

For people who had seen its power, it seemed quite possible.

"Then approaching that place is the top priority."

The distance from Noxana is at least several kilometers.

It wasn't obvious because she was so gigantic that she ignored perspective, but running there was practically impossible.

However, not everyone could fly like the Dreamwalkers either.

Naturally, some people would fall behind, and if that happened, they would only be picked off one by one.

They needed to move together in one group, like medieval cavalry charging all at once.

"How, isn't there a way?"

As everyone was pondering, Seridan exclaimed "Ah" and offered an opinion.

"What if we make an airship to move?"

People's eyes turned toward her.

From looks of "who is she" to questions of "is that possible?"

"If everyone needs to move together, don't we need a large vehicle?"

"How do you plan to make it?"

At Franz's question, Seridan asked back.

"Why not? This is Dreamland."

"Not all airships are fast. And they're vulnerable to external attacks, and to make one, you need to understand the entire structure, but who could possibly..."

"There is someone."

People's gazes turned to one side.

It was Merilda who said those words.

She pointed to Bruno, who was timidly hunching his shoulders.

"Considering what Professor Bruno has shown us, it's definitely possible."

"J-just a moment, Professor Merilda! Steam golems and airships are completely different!"

"But you've memorized all the blueprints, haven't you?"

"That's..."

Bruno couldn't deny it.

Airships had also undergone tremendous development due to magical engineering, and Bruno had delved into that field as well, memorizing everything.

"Still, in terms of stability, there are many shortcomings."

"Then we can modify it!"

Bruno widened his eyes at Seridan, who was smiling brightly.

He thought she looked familiar, and then realized she was the child who had brightened her eyes at his steam golem during the previous magic festival.

Of course, that steam golem had disappeared due to an unfortunate accident, but the memory of the girl who recognized the value of golems at such a young age was quite impressive.

"You are..."

"Creating something from nothing. That's what people like you enjoy most, isn't it? Am I wrong? That's what I think."

Seridan's words touched a desire deep within Bruno.

"It's an opportunity. So you should try. We're about to die, so why worry about such things? Just let go of everything and do what you want to do."

Bruno was speechless.

How could this girl see through his wish, which he had never dared to voice because it seemed too unrealistic?

'I see. This child was of the same kind as me.'

Although Seridan looked young and innocent, when he tried to look beyond her appearance and examine her essence, he could feel what kind of dwarf she was.

She was an inventor with explosive potential and desire inside.

And she had the talent to back it up.

"I think so too. Professor Bruno has even done it once before, right?"

The giant steam golem he had shown when fighting against Déjà Vu of the prophetic dream earlier.

Although it wasn't a complete finished form, it certainly didn't exist in reality.

"E-even so... that such a thing could be created simply with imagination..."

"I'll help you too. It'll be better if we work together, won't it?"

When Seridan sent a desperate look, Bruno wavered but the final nail was driven by Merilda.

"Oh, come on! Are you going to hesitate after coming this far? Act like a man and go for it!"

Bruno's eyes widened.

It was surprising that Merilda would say such a thing to him, but at the same time, he realized that the people around him trusted him that much.

Even teachers more excellent than himself, higher-ranking magicians, and Dreamwalker masters.

Everyone desperately needed his help.

He never thought he would receive such treatment for the rest of his life.

Bruno clenched his fist.

"Alright. I'll try."

"Great!"

Seridan clenched her fist and raised it.

Just then, someone's warning rang out.

"Noxana is trying to do something!"

Dark clouds had already formed in the sky of the deep level.

The dark clouds, like a swarm of countless beasts charging, gathered around Noxana and rotated like a whirlpool.

Beyond the huge hole created above Noxana's head, a faint landscape rippled like a reflection on water.

"That's Leathervelk, isn't it?"

"Could it be? Is she trying to go to the real world? And directly from the deep level of Dreamland?"

It was possible because she was the goddess of dreams.

If Noxana went to the real world, what would happen to this world was obvious.

"Everyone, steel your hearts and prepare."

The Dreamwalkers nodded with hardened faces at Clara's words.

Just before the airship production work was about to begin, Rudger called Seridan.

"What is it, sir? I'm really busy right now."

"Seridan. You once said that your dream was to cause the biggest explosion in the world."

"I did. But why are you suddenly bringing that up now?"

"I'll give you the catalyst to cause that explosion now."

In reality, many things would be needed to implement it but this place was different.

This was a place where imagination became reality.

Therefore, a place where one can freely spread the wings of imagination.

"Have you heard of nuclear fission?"

This was Dreamland.