Ivan the Terrible

He stared at Higashino Makoto for a few seconds, a hint of confusion flashing in his Kohaku eyes.

"By the way, would you like to live a little easier? I can help you find a more suitable place to live. Do you want to come with me?"

Yaga's brows furrowed even more, and a roar surged from deep within his throat.

"Leave? Where to? Is there any land left suitable for survival? It's all snow, all ice, all monsters outside. Leaving here will only hasten our demise."

Higashino Makoto waved his hand dismissively; he didn't actually care about the Yagers' choice.

Since he had already decided to pack everything up and take it all with him, their opinions weren't that important.

Asking him was just a routine matter.

"If you don't want it, that's fine too. Consider this food a gift from me. See you later."

Yaga remained silent for a long time, and the Yaga behind him also remained silent.

Only the wind howled overhead, rustling the dried meat strips hanging at the entrance of the shed, making a crackling sound.

They couldn't believe that someone would give them food unconditionally, nor did they believe his claim that the land was more suitable for survival.

It was something they had never seen before; how could they possibly agree to it just because of a few words from a stranger?

However, all of this was within Higashino Makoto's expectations.

He turned around and walked out of the village, with Utaha following behind him.

The Yaga stood there, watching his receding figure grow ever more distant.

The leader, Yaga, looked in the direction he left, his lips parted slightly, then closed again, and then he spoke.

"Etc."

Higashino Makoto stopped and looked at him with some confusion.

Can you really take us to a warm place?

"Can."

"Alright, I'll go with you."

After saying that, he looked at his fellow humans behind him and spoke.

"Those of you who want to stay can come with me; those who don't can choose a new leader yourselves."

"You don't need to come with me now. Stay here, and I'll come find you later."

After saying that, Higashino Makoto continued walking forward.

He passed through villages, across the snow-covered plains, and ventured deeper into the Frozen Earth Empire.

They climbed the mountain, passing through snow-covered valleys, towards the city buried deep beneath the ice, the throne of Ivan the Terrible.

He needed to go to that city to find someone, or rather, an Orthrous emperor.

Ivan the Terrible.

His fingers moved lightly through the air, and a spatial rift opened up before him, revealing the interior of the city.

Wall of Stone, ice layers, and figures wandering in the shadows.

Let's go.

He stepped into the rift, with Utaha following behind him. The rift closed silently after they passed through, leaving no trace.

Higashino Makoto emerged from the crevice and stepped onto the ice.

The space was more spacious than he had imagined; it was a huge underground palace with a high dome covered in ice, gleaming with a ghostly blue light.

Stone pillars stretched from the ground to the dome, their surfaces covered with ancient runes that shimmered faintly in the reflection of the ice. The air was cold, but warmer than at ground level, and the sound of the wind was blocked out.

From deep within the Moscow palace, the sounds of music and deep breathing could be heard.

His breathing was like the panting of a wild beast in its slumber, even and heavy.

Higashino Makoto walked toward the sound; Mozart was playing lullabies continuously, making him feel sleepy.

If I didn't have a high level of mental resilience, I would definitely be asleep by now.

He ignored Mozart's performance and cast a spell on the already exhausted Mozart, putting him into a deep sleep.

Then I watched that figure sitting on the throne.

Ivan the Terrible.

Just like in Higashino Makoto's memory, Ivan the Terrible was like a giant beast, with skin like a mammoth, Crown, and a pair of ivory-like things hanging on his body like a shawl.

Higashino Makoto stood before the throne, looking up at the colossal beast, having already awakened after Mozart's performance ended.

"Ivan the Terrible."

His voice echoed in the empty palace.

Ivan the Terrible opened his eyes, his pupils reflecting Higashino Makoto's image, his gaze scrutinizing.

"Who are you, and what brings you to the Tsar's court?"

"Higashino Makoto, I've come to talk to you."

Ivan the Terrible leaned forward slightly, his massive hands pressing down on the armrests with a dull thud.

What should we talk about?

"Let's talk about the future of this Lostbelt."

Ivan the Terrible remained silent.

He stood up, his massive body rising from the throne. He was over five meters tall, and when he stood up, the top of his head almost touched the ice on the dome.

He looked down at Higashino Makoto, his eyes like two burning stars in the darkness.

"The future of this Lostbelt? We are still resisting, the Yaga are still multiplying, this world will exist forever—that is the future."

You're wrong.

Higashino Makoto's voice was soft, but clear.

"This Lostbelt has no future; it's merely a tool to replace Proper Human History. Once the Fantasy Tree has absorbed all the energy of this world, you will all be discarded, along with your history."

"The Alien God' resurrection of Lostbelt is not out of pity, but to collect 'non- Proper Human History Earth data' to nurture themselves. Each Lostbelt is an experimental dish, and the life forms within are merely data that are used and then discarded."

Even if Chaldea doesn't come, Lostbelt will eventually vanish into Void.

Ivan the Terrible paused for a moment, his fingers tightening slightly on the armrest.

"What did you say!?"

"That's the truth. Aren't you curious why the Alien God would resurrect you Lostbelt?"

Higashino Makoto felt no fear whatsoever; Ivan the Terrible was nothing compared to Tiamat and Goetia.

"I'm not here to destroy this world, but to give this Lostbelt a chance to survive. I have several empty small worlds, more than enough to hold a Lostbelt. If you're willing to leave this Lostbelt, I can move it to a place where you can truly live."

Ivan the Terrible did not answer, but Higashino Makoto knew that he actually had no reason to refute him.

Because if this world doesn't take action, it's destined to perish.

Besides, he can't beat me, and I'm only asking him to make the relocation easier. After all, he's the de facto ruler of this Lostbelt.

The only sound in the palace was the wind, seeping in through the cracks in the ice and echoing in the empty space.

His lips parted slightly and then closed again, finally uttering a single sentence.

"Okay. But I need to go check it out first."