There was little of significance in the bard’s song—nothing noteworthy, no specific details that stood out. Yet the last verse, the giant and the Empress, remained in my mind. 0

It felt almost prophetic, that the giant recognized the Empress, and the Empress recognized the giant. As I read those strange lines, I found myself, for some reason, hoping for Sophien’s happiness...0

Sophien turned the pages of the poetry book again, quickly locating the verse she was looking for.0

The Empress and the Giant recognized each other. The ruler of all humanity, and the Giant, bound to a world it could not abandon, wandered endlessly, searching for something that was both everything and nothing. When the first light pierced the darkness of that realm, an even deeper shadow fell across the land. 0

Only then did humanity awaken to the truth. Like the Giant, they saw the reality they had long pursued. What they had been seeking in their wandering was not simply a knot—an end never meant for them, but a scar left behind, clinging like a curse...4

The verses, stripped of any melody, felt worthless, like absolute shit. With a hardened expression, the Empress closed the book and picked up another volume.0

Archaeology: Evidence of the Giants.0

Unlike the poetry, this text held many of Deculein’s thoughts. Resting her chin on her hand, Sophien started to sift through his memories.0

The continent stretched endlessly before them, and for the giants, this vastness was no less overwhelming. Though they possessed immense bodies and boundless wisdom, it was never enough. 0

Over time, they began to see everything the world had to offer. They could have roamed across the continent, sailed over seas, and reached the world's end. But upon arriving there, the giants would have lost all desire to continue their existence.0

Sophien raised her eyes to the empty space before her. In that void, Deculein seemed to materialize like a faint illusion, seated upright, engrossed...0