"Good friend, I look forward to our next meeting."
"Then, goodbye."
The Azure Great Octopus's farewell came with astonishing naturalness. The moment it removed its crown, it revealed its true form, plunging the Boundless Mystery, which had only just calmed, into turmoil once more.
Billions of universes and dimensions trembled. Chaotic storms swept through every corner of the mystery. All living beings had no choice but to open their eyes and look up at the endless shadow towering above infinite dimensions, dragging universes behind it. It existed only briefly before uttering words that only "witnesses" could understand.
"...We are gods... We merge... We shatter... We separate."
Amid that vast and majestic voice, the divine kingdom that had ascended above the Boundless Mystery began to fall.
Tang Qi sank together with the Ship of Fools, swaying as they descended back into the mystery.
Before his eyes, billions of universes and dimensions appeared with nothing concealing them. One after another, immensely familiar Monarch Octopuses emerged. Drawn by an immense force, they were cast toward different worlds. Before leaving, every one of those enormous creatures waved its tentacles at Tang Qi.
Joyful tears still streamed from their emotion-filled eyes.
"Thank you, our good friend."
"Goodbye, wise and benevolent sage, our only good friend."
"Don't forget us. We look forward to meeting again."
"We'll prepare your favorite food. Chaos Monster eyeballs, right? They're excellent ingredients. Besides being rolled into little balls, there's also a particularly interesting recipe called 'Stargazy Pie.'"
"Goodbye, good friend."
When all the storms had subsided, Tang Qi stood aboard the Ship of Fools, staring somewhat blankly at the Boundless Mystery as it returned to emptiness.
The Mystic Monarch had fallen once again.
It had split into countless different individuals again. Although every one of them had bid Tang Qi