Pairs of hands grabbed it, carrying it up the high wall before it fell into a golden field.
Hunger would not die in an unpeopled corner. It would only die amid those joined hands, vanish into a bowl of food offered with kindness, and fade away amid the wheat husks blown by hardworking farmers.
Its skeletal figure returned to normal, its swollen belly disappeared, and a gentle, balmy breeze brushed past. The obsessions surrounding it grew as still as water. It fell asleep in the golden field, its lips curved in contentment, as though it had dreamed of something wonderful and would never wake again.
The instant the [Hunger King]'s presence vanished.
Inside the Forbidden Zone, the [Seedling Eater], who had been mocking the [Whale of Wailing] with folded arms, raised its head. The leaf sinking beneath the water fell into silent, eternal sleep, peaceful and gentle.
The [Seedling Eater] lowered its lashes, the corners of its mouth lifting slightly.
"May you sleep forever in a beautiful dream, never to be startled awake again."
The [Whale of Wailing] and [Eternal Frozen Silence] stopped at the same time, silently gazing into the distance toward the Present World, their eyes complex and faraway.
[Eternal Frozen Silence] withdrew its gaze and waved, taking the [Perception Controller] farther inside.
"To have one's wish fulfilled is a blessing, at least."
Finally, it turned its head slightly toward the [Whale of Wailing].
"I lost this wager. For half a year, I won't act against the Present World. Hopefully, everything you've done won't be in vain."
Frost swept past, and [Eternal Frozen Silence] and the [Perception Controller] vanished without a trace.
The [Seedling Eater] lowered its hands, its thoughtful gaze settling on the [Whale of Wailing].
"Were you the one who made me go to that place