Back in the Iron-Crag, the sun was setting, casting a long, golden shadow over the forest.
Aris walked through the halls of the Institute. He passed Goblins in lab coats debating the molecular weight of dragon-scales. He passed High-Dwarves using sonic-drills to carve precision lenses for telescopes. The world was loud, messy, and vibrant.
He reached the "Ascension Chamber," the place where he had first gained his humanoid form. It was no longer a dark, secret lab. It was a museum. In the center sat a glass case containing a single, blue slime-core—a replica of his original body.
"Archivist," Aris whispered. "Do you ever miss it? The simplicity of the first loop?"
< Answer: Data suggests that 'simplicity' was a byproduct of 'ignorance.' Current complexity provides a 99.8% higher satisfaction rate for all integrated entities. >
"Spoken like a true processor," Aris chuckled.
He stepped out onto the balcony. Below him, the first train hissed as it pulled out of the station. It didn't use coal or magic; it used Lattice-Induction, a clean pull of energy from the planet's own rotation.
Aris realized that his greatest achievement wasn't defeating the Church or breaking the cycle. It was the fact that he had made himself obsolete. The world didn't need a "Sovereign" to protect it anymore. It needed teachers, builders, and dreamers.
"Master," Fenris said, appearing at his side. "The stars are out. Baron says the new telescope is ready for its first alignment."
"Then let's go, Fenris," Aris said, his cobalt eyes reflecting the infinite dark above. "I've spent three lives looking at the past. I think it's time I finally saw what's out there."