Epic of Caterpillar Chapter 2914 - 2915: Kireina's Determined Heart

"I refuse."

The most absurd element of Obhedhrur’s proposal was Kireina’s blunt rejection.

"What...?"

"I have ceased consuming my adversaries," Kireina stated.

"...?! Why? For Chaos Beings, devouring the weaker is the fundamental method to gain strength."

"That is no longer necessary for me."

"...?!"

While the other Chaos Kings stared greedily at the seventh king's remains, Kireina remained unmoved—her hunger had been satisfied long ago.

"I have realized that true growth does not stem from merely consuming life or usurping their powers," Kireina clarified. "Genuine strength originates within the heart, the soul, and the trials of one’s own existence. The power manifested here was forged through my relentless determination and my Repentant Enlightenment."

With a clean strike of her blade, she reduced the remaining corpse to mere ash.

"Never again will I consume a life to seize its strength! I renounce my base nature!" she bellowed. "I reject the destiny imposed upon me. I shall cultivate, refine, and evolve my heart through my own methods, staying true to my own Dao!"

"...!"

"...?!"

"...!!!"

The Chaos Kings, the gods, and her wives all stood stunned, unable to fathom her proclamation.

This was Kireina’s chosen path.

This was her resolve.

And this served as the sacred oath she bound to her own existence.

By tethering such a profound oath to her very soul, Kireina unlocked a wellspring of immense power, provided that her vow remained unbroken.

The terms were simple: she would never again devour living beings to steal their abilities or status.

Should she experience genuine physiological hunger, nourishment was permitted.

But for the sake of power? She would rely strictly on Cultivation.

And thus.

By placing such a severe restriction on herself—a creature who had ascended by consuming all things—Kireina surpassed her limits.

Her Heart Path Cultivation saw a massive surge through this battle and her newfound oath.

She transitioned from the Star Shattering Realm, elevatingへと the Celestial Vessel.

Once more, her Heaven, Earth, and Heart Paths reached perfect synchronization within the same Realm.

A tri-colored crown materialized behind her, symbolizing the unity of these paths!

"Mother... she really has changed," Ryo whispered, witnessing her with profound awe.

"I understand," Amiphossia remarked with a tender smile. "How magnificent..."

"Kireina... I see," Zehe noted with a bittersweet expression. "So that is what you have done..."

"Is this for me?" Nanako pondered. "Or perhaps for those you have consumed, whose remnants weigh upon your conscience? Is this your eternal penance?"

"Kireina-sama... to think you would impose such limits upon yourself," Kaguya wept.

"That is the woman I adore!" Brontes said, nodding with unwavering conviction.

"Guuu! Amazing! Mastaaaaa!" Rimuru cheered.

"Hah... so this is your resolve, my darling," Nesiphae smiled, arms crossed.

"What incoherent nonsense is she spouting?" Amaterasu muttered. "She is done eating? Yet she consumed one of my fingers..."

"Technically, she forged it into her blade—she didn't truly digest it, hohoho," Tsukuyomi teased his sister.

"Tsk! Oi, is now the time to relax?!" Sadako groaned as the conflict intensified. "Ryo-sama! What is our move? Must everything rely on Kireina?"

"...No," Ryo said, radiating a surge of power as he faced the Chaos Kings. "We are all capable combatants. Even if these entities are formidable, they are not immortal. We cannot fight as individuals; we must act as a singular force!"

"As one! Exactly!" Amiphossia agreed. "Everyone, those not currently at our level, please channel your divine energy and magic to us!"

"Kami of Takamagahara!" Amaterasu proclaimed. "We fight today to defend our world from these warmongers! These beings who feast on ruin... we cannot permit them to cross from Yomi into the World of the Living! We must stand as one!"

"Indeed!" Tsukuyomi added. "As one!"

"OOOOHHHHHH!"

The roar of thousands of gods echoed as they transformed into brilliant stars, merging into Amaterasu. Tsukuyomi followed suit, offering his essence.

"Nee-sama, I leave this to you. Work with Kireina and relinquish your enmity. It is the only path to our survival."

"Tsk! I am aware!" Amaterasu retorted crossly. "I am no fool, Tsukuyomi!"

"Then... let us become one," Tsukuyomi smiled, turning into a colossal moon and fusing with Amaterasu.

The result—aided by the many Kami who lent their strength—was a transcendent new Kami: a God of Eclipses, embodying both the Sun and Moon, wielding sunlight and moonlight alike.

With mastery over the Heavens and Time, Amaterasu-no-Tsukuyomi was born.

FLAAASH!

"Alone we might falter, but united, we shall defend Japan, our home! And all of humanity!"

A magnificent Titaness manifested, draped in raiment of luminous gold and silver. A crown signifying the solar and lunar eclipse adorned her brow, and her eyes shimmered with dual radiance.

RUMBLE!

Pushing her containment to its absolute limit, Amaterasu-no-Tsukuyomi joined Kireina in battle. The remaining hundreds of gods elected to support Kireina’s family.

Following the endorsement of Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi, the Kami seamlessly integrated their power.

Countless stars descended, fusing into the Auras of the group.

Ryo and Amiphossia operated independently, while Kireina's five wives merged into a single, breathtaking cosmic entity.

"Let's advance!"

With a synchronized cry, they unleashed their assault to support Kireina.

Meanwhile, Izanami remained on the ground, lamenting the struggle unfolding to protect Yomi and the Living Realm.

Her tears shifted into boiling miasma and nether, but eventually, her weeping ceased.

Beside her shimmered a beautiful fairy.

It was Kireina's Heart Avatar.

"Do you intend to remain here in sorrow, Izanami?"

"You are..."

"I understand you have suffered and were deeply manipulated, but this moment demands action."

"But what can I achieve? My efforts always result in failure...! I..."

"I had considered ending your life, but I spared you. I saw my own pain and obsessive struggle mirrored in yours."

"..."

"Izanagi was slain by the orchestrator, and I have since eliminated that man."

"...!"

"You are liberated, Izanami. Take control of your own destiny, and wield the immense power you hold—utilize your Authority over Yomi."

"I..."

"I shall restore you to your true form."

"...!!!"

"But first, you must join our cause."

"You... swear it?"

"I do. Unlike those who betrayed you, I do not break my oaths."

Kireina embraced her. Her Heart Avatar blossomed into a vibrant red rose within Izanami’s very heart.

Her mummified state shed away to reveal her youthful form as power surged through her veins.

A new, potent force was unlocked—one born from her own heart.

"I... what is this strength?"

"I possess the capacity to awaken the Heart Path in those who hold the potential but have yet to realize it."

"Heart Path?!"

"Izanami, with these capabilities, you can be an invaluable asset. Help us defend this world!"

"...! I shall!"

Izanami cast aside her hesitation. Expanding to the stature of the Eclipsing Empress, she dove into the fray.

Having rebuffed Obhedhrur's original proposal and dismantled the remains of the traitorous Chaos King, Kireina provided him with a final ultimatum.

"Join me in eradicating your kin, or fall by my blade. The choice is yours, Obhedhrur!"

"Hah... Hahahahaha!"

Obhedhrur laughed with dark amusement, surveying his fellow Chaos Kings.

As an entity of chaos, he lacked any real loyalty to those he had been forced to endure.

With the chance to purge them all now presented...

"Why not?"

He accepted and aligned with Kireina.

He had always been anomalous compared to his peers.

And in this moment, Obhedhrur chose to embrace his individuality.

"Chaos Kings! I renounce my title as the Fifth Chaos King from this day forth! I am simply Obhedhrur, a Wandering Warrior! I follow my Heart!"

Kireina offered a faint smile. Her strike pierced his core, shattering his original limitations. Obhedhrur achieved awakening as a member of the Heart Tribe—the very first denizen of the Chaos Plane to do so.