Epic of Caterpillar Chapter 2935 2936: The Chosen Ones

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Within the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain, a total of five Multidimensional Clusters thrived, each commanded by a mighty Multidimensional Paragon. These Clusters combined to shape the full scope of the Heavenly Dimensional Domain, all under the supreme rule of a Reality Monarch.

Suddenly, without warning, Kireina had fully refined and seized this vast Reality for her own. The previous Dimensional Rulers, Multidimensional Paragons, and the Reality Monarch reeled in shock from the abrupt upheaval.

Their once-mighty Authority and strength were ruthlessly stripped from them. After countless billions of years of idle obedience to every decree from the Empyrean Throne, they were now demoted to powerless cosmic deities without crowns.

The six crowns, freshly claimed by Kireina, were promptly bestowed upon those she found worthy—loyal companions she desired close by her side.

As she soared up the Cosmic Staircase and faded away amid the jubilant festivities over the Sun God's demise, certain family members and friends spotted it first. The news raced through the ranks until the entire group grasped the immense event that had transpired.

Soon, they witnessed her clashing fiercely with the Spider, ascending ever higher. Kireina's Heart ballooned boundlessly as the spiky vines of her Heart Essence sprawled across everything—swallowing Universes, the Multiverse, Dimensions, and ultimately the Multidimensional Clusters.

In this way, the Sun and Moon Heavenly Dimensional Domain got fully wrapped in her Heart and absorbed within, enabling her rise to the Empyrean Throne as she reshaped the Heavenly Dimensional Domain according to her desires.

To cast off the cursed title of Sun and Moon, she rechristened it the Eclipsing Garden Heavenly Dimensional Domain.

Across reality, gardens burst forth alongside thorny vines and vibrant flowers, remolding it into a stunning fresh Realm. The ex-rulers watched in stunned wonder, realizing that after eons, true transformation had at last arrived.

"Kireina has ascended…" Zehe murmured beside her son.

"I see…" Ryo muttered, gazing upward. "Buddha-sama, do you think we can do anything?"

"Hmmm, it seems unlikely we can help," Buddha sighed. "We are Constellations… but reaching such lofty planes feels utterly impossible. Only Kireina herself, a Fragment of a Great Being, could climb so far in so short a time."

"She is merely reclaiming her birthright," the voice of Primordial Yggdrasil echoed from afar.

"No…" Flora interrupted gently. "Kireina said she would not use that power. She rejected it."

"What? Then how?" Aura wondered, not far from them.

"It is not that she abandoned it—she completely rewrote it," Wasp explained with a sigh. "Her awakening to the Heart Path, her training until now—everything she has achieved is her own effort, her own accomplishment."

"Exactly!" Brontes declared. "Calling it all birthright, just power she was born with, is wrong! She earned every bit of it!"

"Our dear daughter has truly grown so quickly, though," Khaos sighed. "Now we can do nothing but watch."

"Hmm…" Lord Chaos sighed, clasping Khaos' hand. "Kireina… to think you carried such a vast fate. Please, be safe… please…"

"The Planet Earth is stabilizing…!" Erika exclaimed, noticing the world had suddenly healed completely.

"Indeed, it seems the power Kireina shared with us has repaired the damage," Charlotte said. "The planet is even stronger now…"

"Mother Earth seems satisfied," Flora added. "Yet she wishes to help Kireina. It was thanks to her that we came this far…"

"Without her, we would all have been annihilated," Harumi murmured. "And… um, big brother, were you always an angel?"

"I am not an angel! I am a Nephalem—half Angel, half Demon— Wait, I guess I never explained that either…" Mammon muttered, embarrassed.

"I am well aware that the great beings here are largely powerless, so what can we even do ourselves, Vessel of Mother Earth?" the Dragon King of the East Seas asked.

"Even our ocean feels so small compared to everything else…" Gaby sighed.

"We… could find a way though! Come on!" Valentia insisted.

"Sister… maybe we should sit this one out, don't you think?" Aarae asked.

"We fought so much… but still, the fact that we can't go with her… I guess there would come a day when we'd be left behind," Lilith said quietly.

"…Not exactly."

FLAAASH!

A massive Pillar of Celestial Enlightenment erupted before the assembly, radiating dazzling splendor and shocking every onlooker.

The voice resounding from it was Astraea's, as she emerged from its core. Her being had merged with the Pillar, together with Andromeda, Origin, and Asteria, elevating them into Gods of this Heart Dimension.

"Astraea!" Charlotte cried. "So that's where you were…!"

"Sorry for disappearing," Astraea said. "We've been occupied. Kireina-sama's power has grown tremendously, and she insists on fighting alone because she believes it is the right path. However, that is utterly wrong. We must help her—and I will, even if she does not want us to."

"But how?!" Rimuru asked desperately. "Guuu… I'm so worried too, but what… what can we even do?!"

Astraea spread her glowing palms, conjuring seven unique crowns. Five radiated blue hues, with the sixth blazing in pristine white brilliance.

Behind her, seven hundred additional crowns hovered in a spectacular spectrum of hues.

"These are Crowns of Authority," Astraea explained. "After Kireina-sama absorbed this entire Heavenly Dimensional Domain, she claimed these crowns but never used them. I propose we do. Five of you will become Multidimensional Paragons, one will become the Reality Monarch, and everyone else will receive a Dimensional Ruler Crown. Once we all become Dimensions ourselves, we can aid Kireina—even as small Dimension Spirits within the Summit of Existence—as long as we remain bound to her soul."

"That's possible?!" Lilith exclaimed.

"A-Amazing!" Amiphossia said. "Then we have to do this!"

"We have to help her—she can't face the three sisters alone!" Zehe declared.

"I know some of you have little connection to Kireina and simply crossed paths with her, but…" Brontes murmured. "You're free to return to your lives. Don't burden yourselves with us."

"Hahaha! What are you talking about?!" Susanoo laughed heartily. "Kireina is part of my life now! She's the woman I love."

"I agree," Obhedhrur nodded. "She's the only woman who ever stirred anything in me, and she helped me awaken my Heart Essence… I owe her a debt I must repay."

"My sister is gone, but thanks to her we avenged her," Tsukuyomi said. "And perhaps, once this is over, we can find a way to bring her back with her powers… For that reason and many more—and perhaps as an apology for the trouble we caused her before—we must help."

"I…" Matsuo muttered, staring in awe at everything unfolding. "I couldn't do a single thing in the end… I'm the most useless…"

"No, Matsuo," Frank said, reaching his friend. "You carry the power of Amaterasu-sama's final will. You will definitely be able to help."

"That's right, man! Cheer up!" Evan nodded. "We might be meeting for the first time, but you've got the potential to be a real Hero! And I know that better than anyone."

"Since when have you been such a gloomy idiot?" Erika teased. "Come on, Matsuo—you've gotta lock in!"

"Hm," Harumi agreed with a nod. "Let's do this together like we always do—as friends."

"Everyone…" Matsuo began to cry. "T-Thank you for never losing faith in me… I will… do everything I can to help her, to atone for all the stupid things I did and said…!"

As the group embraced this touching moment of unity, Matsuo's father and Hinata watched from nearby with smiles, cradling an orb that held the Great Ancestor's Soul—who wept uncontrollably.

"Uuughh, Matsuo, I'm sorryyy… it's all my fault, guuuuhhhh…" she wailed pathetically.

"Crying won't help now, Great Ancestor," Matsuo's father sighed. "Please—this time, help us."

FLASH!

The orb burst apart, and she materialized fully revived. Gradually, she drifted toward Beowulf and Clementine—she was supposed to battle at their side, but instead sowed chaos and offered zero aid.

"I'm sorry I couldn't help," she apologized to them.

"Shouldn't you be apologizing to that brat instead of us, girl?" Beowulf laughed. "Bwahahaha! Look at her face—she's really sorry this time!"

"It's the first time we've seen you look so sad," Clementine said with a gentle smile. "Maybe you've truly changed? I wonder. There's someone else you should apologize to."

"…"

The Great Ancestor floated over to Matsuo, observing the young man laughing joyfully with his companions.

"Matsuo."

"Great Ancestor?"

She hesitated at first to find words. "Amaterasu-sama is no longer with us, and I am deeply sorry for that… At the same time, I… I feel I owe you an apology. What happened to you must have been my fault—my lack of insight, my fear, perhaps everything and more… I know this is not the time, now that we see how vast this conflict has become, but…"

"I know," Matsuo said with a soft smile. "It's fine… There's no point holding grudges. That's something my friend here taught me. So… I want to think the same way he did. I forgive you."

"Oh, Matsuo," the Great Ancestor sighed in relief. "You're a good child… Thank you… I promise to do better from now on."

Meanwhile, Astraea pressed on with detailing the strategy to the assembled crowds. Noah's allies, Chaos' crew, Ervas and Veronica paid close attention. Genesis and her Supremes stayed quiet, taking in each detail.

"I like your idea, but how can we possibly grow strong enough so quickly with just a crown?" Noah asked. "Won't it take many years to master these powers?"

"Yeah, I was thinking the same," Iris agreed beside him.

"…Maybe we can be given time to train?" Clementina—the blue-haired vampire by Noah's side, the frozen moon once used as a pillar in the Dimensional Labyrinth, whom Noah had rescued and whose tormentors he had destroyed—asked.

"You will," Astraea confirmed. "We are not outside right now—we are within Kireina-sama's Heart. There is significant Time Dilation here. We have billions of years to grow stronger and prepare. While seconds pass in the Summit of Reality, billions of years unfold here."

"That's incredible…!" Frank exclaimed. "Now we can take our time and grow strong enough to catch up to her—no matter how long it takes!"

"Yeah!" Matsuo said, suddenly excited.

"But who will receive the crowns?" Chaos asked.

"Even with billions of years, the crowns themselves are the most critical," Abyss noted.

"I agree," Ervas said. "Astraea, has Kireina decided who should hold them?"

"No," Astraea replied.

"She hasn't?! So it's up to us? What—do we have a wrestling match to decide or something?" Veronica wondered, rubbing her ghostly chin.

"No, I will decide," Astraea said. "As the current Administrator of Kireina's Pillar of Celestial Enlightenment…"

Astraea had already selected her picks. The six crowns orbited her as she scanned the enormous gathering, with all holding their breath in suspense.

"Six Crowns, Six Chosen Ones. Step forward as I call you."

"The First Multidimensional Paragon Crown goes to Noah."

"The Second Multidimensional Paragon Crown goes to Frank."

"The Third Multidimensional Paragon Crown goes to Chaos."

"The Fourth Multidimensional Paragon Crown goes to Ervas."

"The Fifth Multidimensional Paragon Crown goes to Veronica."

They advanced boldly. Disappointment flickered among many—even some of Kireina's offspring and spouses appeared puzzled at being overlooked—but none voiced protests. All recognized these five as the mightiest.

"Now, the Crown of—"

"Wait," Veronica interrupted.

"We can wield one crown as we fuse," Ervas explained. "Please give this second one to someone else."

"I see. Then it is decided," Astraea nodded. "The Fifth Multidimensional Paragon Crown goes to…"

Tension surged through the throng as eyes shut and hopes soared.

Amid the masses, a longtime companion of Kireina observed everything in silent amazement.

Everything had shifted dramatically since their adventures in Vida. Time pressed forward relentlessly, propelling Kireina and the rest ever onward, stranding him—and countless others—in the dust.

He lingered merely as a former friend, though her affection endured… His role had been minor, a fleeting contribution at best.

Still, satisfaction filled him. He had beheld Kireina-sama's explosive rise to unimaginable heights across existence's realms, from humble caterpillar origins—or rather, the delicate butterfly he first encountered.

"Wagyu!"

That call shattered the hush. All eyes locked on him—the majestic wolf amidst his pack.

"...?"

He glanced about in bewilderment, tilting his enormous triple heads.

He had evolved into a formidable Cosmic Beast, yet dwarfed by these colossal entities.

And yet…

Wait.

Did she utter his name?

"…HAH?!"

Wagyu yelped in stunned disbelief, scanning frantically, mind reeling.

"M-my name…! Is this a joke?"

"Hm? No, Wagyu. Please come forward. You have been chosen."

"…"

Wagyu's three jaws dropped in sheer amazement.

"W-Why me?! I'm so weak compared to someone like her parents!"

"Is that what you believe? These crowns are infused with her Heart. Those who share the oldest history and deepest bonds with her will become the strongest. Wagyu, you are Kireina-sama's first friend, are you not?"

Wagyu gulped deeply. His surrounding wolves nodded supportively, prodding him onward.

"Come on, bro—go ahead!"

"You've earned this title."

"I always believed in you!"

"Let's howl for our King!"

"Awooooo! Awooooo!"

The Cosmic Wolves unleashed triumphant howls as Wagyu advanced.

Kekensha offered a proud nod in greeting.

"You got this, Wagyu! Go for it!"

"…! Yes!"

Joyful tears poured from Wagyu's eyes as he dashed across the cosmos to Astraea and accepted the crown.

FLAAASH!

Like his peers, overwhelming might surged into him. His eyes bulged as his view of reality transformed utterly.

"T-This is…! Amazing…!"

Astraea observed in wonder—the crown bonded so intensely, as if tailored just for him.

With the five Multidimensional Paragons selected, the ultimate crown—the Reality Monarch Crown—drifted near Astraea.

"And the greatest crown goes to the one Kireina loves most deeply…" she said with a warm smile. "Rimuru, step forward."

"G-Guuuh?! M-Me?!"

Rimuru gasped, hands shaking as she peered around. No objections arose—they long knew Rimuru held Kireina's deepest affection as her most indulged wife.

She was her inaugural love too. Should Kireina pick just one soulmate, Rimuru would claim that spot.

"Yes, you, my dear! Come here—hurry!" Astraea urged warmly. "Take it."

"Guuuuuuhhhh!"

Rimuru ballooned into a colossal slime form, approached Astraea, and crowned herself. She jiggled gleefully amid orbiting universal orbs, sending them quivering with delight.

"Wagyu! Wagyu! We were chosen!"

"Yeah! Rimuru! We're back together as a team!"

In their exuberant cheers, Astraea nodded approvingly. "Now, to everyone else—take a Dimensional Ruler Crown! There are more than enough for all!"

The Dimensional Ruler Crowns flew to their bearers, sparkling vividly atop every head.

Titanic power coursed through each as they asserted dominion over a Dimension.

With crowns outnumbering participants, most snagged not just one, but two—or three—boosting their might exponentially.

"Now, I have modified this dimension into a vast challenge universe," Astraea announced. "We will train as long as needed and grow as much as possible! Let's begin!"

A enormous white portal yawned open, guiding all into the forthcoming trial.

Regardless of the duration, they vowed to endure for her—the savior who repeatedly ignited hope and rescued them.

Driven by profound gratitude, blazing love, camaraderie, maternal bonds, or loyal reverence.

No matter the motivation, they rallied for her: the one convinced she inflicted only pain, now battling solo to shield them all.

For Kireina.

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