“人问道：‘正义是什么？’”
"Someone asked, 'What is justice?'"
“神回道：‘正义是批判的武器。’”
"The god replied, 'Justice is a weapon of critique.'"
“艾自由回答道：‘不对，正义永远都是武器的批判！’”
"Ai Ziyou responded, 'No, justice is always the critique of weapons!'"
卢恩死后，众神们的生活又恢复平静，
After Luen’s death, the lives of the gods returned to tranquility.
米尔寇无法接受自己的挚友惨死于人间，
Milco could not accept that his dearest friend had met a tragic end in the mortal world.
更无法接受与那些杀死挚友的神像无事发生一样地共处生活。
Nor could he bear living as if nothing had happened alongside the gods who had caused his friend’s demise.
他将自己囚禁在过去的世界之中，
He imprisoned himself in the world of the past.
这里虽然没有神界与人间的美色，
Although this realm lacked the splendor of the divine or mortal worlds,
这里的世界只有黑白灰，
its world was composed solely of black, white, and gray.
可这里的生灵——那些可爱灵魂化为的生灵，他们的心是五彩斑斓的。
Yet the beings here—souls transformed into gentle creatures—had hearts bursting with vibrant colors.
至此以后，他再也不管人间生灵的死活，
From then on, he no longer concerned himself with the lives and deaths of mortal beings.
他再也不到神界讨论平等的命运与命运的平等。
Nor did he attend divine gatherings to debate fairness in fate or the fate of fairness.
他就坐在那，坐在那座被称之为忘忧石之上，在奈河边日日夜夜的垂钓。
He simply sat upon the so-called Stone of Forgetfulness by the Naihe River, fishing day and night.
米尔寇以为自己会一直垂钓下去直到世界的灭亡。
Milco thought he would fish like this until the end of the world.
可故事总不会这般平静的，一位人类闯进了这个死后世界，
But stories never remain so calm—a human trespassed into the afterlife.
他走到米尔寇跟前想要坐下。
He approached Milco and prepared to sit.
“不要坐在这里。”
"Do not sit here."
那人类以为自己惹到了这位掌握死亡的神，连忙跪下谢罪。
The human thought he had offended the god of death and hurriedly knelt to apologize.
米尔寇拉住了这位企图下跪的人类，
Milco caught the kneeling human by the arm.
他站起身来将脚下的忘忧石踢到水里，然后对那人类说道：“来坐吧。”
He stood, kicked the Stone of Forgetfulness into the river, and said to the human, "Now you may sit."
“大人，那个石头是？”
"Sir, what was that stone?"
“那是忘忧石，坐在上面就会忘记忧愁，那是给神用的，
"That was the Stone of Forgetfulness. Sitting on it erases your sorrows, but it's meant for gods.
你要是坐在上面的话不就白来一趟了吗？你叫什么名字？”
If you sat on it, your journey here would be in vain. What is your name?"
那位人类见到米尔寇问自己的名字，他立刻郑重的回答道：
Seeing Milco ask his name, the human solemnly replied,
“大人，我的名字叫艾自由。”
"Sir, my name is Ai Ziyou."
“艾自由？爱自由！哈哈，好名字！
"Ai Ziyou? Love Freedom! Haha, what a great name!
你信仰自由，信仰自由的话来我这里做什么，
If you believe in freedom, why come to me?
你应该知道我是掌管死亡的，我可教不了你什么。”
You must know I preside over death. I have nothing to teach you."
艾自由摇了摇头说道：“米尔寇大人，我从来不相信什么自由公平，
Ai Ziyou shook his head and said, "Lord Milco, I have never believed in freedom or fairness.
那些都是骗人的，您知道吗？
They are all lies, do you know that?
命运将我定义成卑贱之人，公平视我与野狗同价，
Fate has defined me as a lowly being, and fairness equates me to a stray dog.
智慧骂我是愚钝之人，我不服，
Wisdom ridicules me as a fool, but I refuse to accept it.
有许多人也和我一样不服，
There are many others who feel the same.
幸好卢恩大人将希望之光带来人间，
Fortunately, Lord Luen brought the light of hope to the mortal world.
希望的光芒不会因为我们低贱排斥我们、不会因为我们弱小嘲笑我们，
Hope's light neither rejects us for being lowly nor mocks us for being weak.
他给我们带来通往未来的希望。”
He brought us hope for a future."
米尔寇感慨道：“以前我还笑话他什么也不干，只知道打铁发呆，
Milco sighed, "I used to mock him for doing nothing, just hammering metal and daydreaming.
没想到到了最后什么都没干的只有我啊。”
But in the end, it’s me who’s done nothing at all."
“大人，我们在人间学会了反抗，
"Lord, we have learned to resist in the mortal world.
反抗后我们才恍然大悟，
It was only after resisting that we realized,
原来那些国王贵族们从来都不怕我们比他们聪明、比他们勤劳、甚至都不怕我们比他们幸运。
the kings and nobles were never afraid of us being smarter, harder-working, or even luckier than them.
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
您知道吗，我这样的人怕极了别人比我聪明，怕极了别人比我勤劳，怕极了别人比我幸运，
Do you know? People like me are terrified of others being smarter, harder-working, or luckier than us.
那些国王贵族们从不怕我们拿起法律的武器，
The kings and nobles are never afraid of us wielding the weapon of law.
而是怕我们放下法律，拿起武器。”
What they fear is us laying down the law and picking up weapons."
米尔寇若有所思地点了点头，
Milco nodded thoughtfully.
艾自由继续道：“大人，我们这些反抗者虽然杀死了许多国王贵族，
Ai Ziyou continued, "Lord, we rebels have slain many kings and nobles,
可是他们有索蒂斯的庇佑，因而可以世世都为王公贵族，
but they have the protection of Sotis, allowing them to be kings and nobles in every lifetime.
而我们得罪了神明，已然是个人神共愤的神弃者了。”
As for us, having offended the gods, we are abandoned by both man and god."
“米尔寇大人！伟大的死亡之神，
"Lord Milco! Great God of Death,
起允许我等拜入您的门下，
please allow us to enter under your protection.
我等愿用一生来祈祷。”
We are willing to dedicate our lives to prayer."
米尔寇点了点头又摇了摇头说道：
Milco nodded, then shook his head and said,
“上天给了我悲天悯人的心，却没有给我普度众生的手段，
"The heavens gave me a compassionate heart but not the means to save all beings.
我对自己的无能感到惭愧。”
I feel ashamed of my own helplessness."
艾自由有些着急道：“神啊，你怎能如此糊涂，
Ai Ziyou grew anxious and said, "God, how can you be so confused?
我们用死亡换来的不就是别人的认可吗？
Isn’t the recognition of others what we exchange our deaths for?
你能认可我们，其他众神能认可我们，世界能认可我们，
If you can acknowledge us, if other gods and the world can,
我们不是牛马，
then we are not cattle or horses,
衬托上位者奢靡的生活不是我们活着的意义，
our purpose is not to adorn the extravagant lives of the powerful.
我们是人，完完整整的人！”
We are humans, whole and complete humans!"
艾自由的话语拨动了米尔寇的心弦，
Ai Ziyou's words struck a chord in Milco's heart.
他说道：“生灵死前世界我无法插手，
He said, "I cannot intervene in the mortal world before beings die.
若你们死后灵魂无处所归，
But if your souls are lost after death,
你们可以到这里来，
you may come here.
我会为你们修建英灵殿，
I will build a Hall of Heroes for you.
这里没有富贵与贫贱，
Here, there will be no wealth or poverty,
没有仇也没有怨。”
no hatred or resentment."
至此之后，这片名为过去界的地方新的灵魂络绎不绝地到来，
From then on, the so-called world of the past was filled with a constant stream of new souls.
渐渐地大家都不把这里叫做过去界，而是叫它冥界或是乌托邦。
Gradually, people no longer called it the world of the past but referred to it as the Underworld or Utopia.
英雄与反抗者在此安息，
Heroes and rebels rested here in peace.
肉食者与那些懦弱者进入永恒的轮回。
Carnivores and the cowardly entered eternal reincarnation.
反抗的军团越来越多，每天被斩死的贵族们也越来越多，
The rebel armies grew larger, and more nobles were executed every day.
在这个时候仿佛生命才是真正意义上的平等。
At this moment, life seemed to finally hold true equality.
反抗的军团每经过一个城镇都会把当地所信仰的神明雕像推倒砸毁，就连米尔寇的雕像也不例外。
Every time the rebel armies passed through a town, they would topple and destroy the statues of the gods worshipped there—even Milco's statue was not spared.
艾自由之前询问过是否要留下他的雕像，可米尔寇言辞拒绝了，
Ai Ziyou had once asked if Milco wanted his statue preserved, but Milco firmly declined.
他说道：“死亡不需要他人的信仰与朝拜，死亡就在未来静静地等待。”
He said, "Death does not need anyone's faith or worship; death simply waits quietly in the future."
生活在未来界也就是世人所说的神界的众神们现在可着急坏了，他们聚在一起。
The gods living in the Future Realm, also known to mortals as the divine realm, were now deeply troubled and gathered together.
“人间反抗的贱民把我们的神像推翻，将我们的信徒杀害，这严重影响了世界的秩序。”元素之神伊兹帕鲁特严肃地说道。
"The rebellious mortals are toppling our statues and killing our followers. This is severely disrupting the order of the world," the God of Elements, Izparut, said sternly.
“这些狗胆包天的东西！让我去将他们屠杀殆尽！”战神葛雷克气煞汹汹地骂道。
"These insolent dogs! Let me slaughter them all!" roared Greck, the God of War, brimming with fury.
这时一直闭眼的命运之神索蒂斯睁开眼睛幽幽地道：
At that moment, Sotis, the God of Fate, who had been sitting with her eyes closed, slowly opened them and spoke softly:
“让正义女神忒弥斯去吧，战争需要以正义的名义进行。”
"Let the Goddess of Justice, Themis, go. War needs to be waged in the name of justice."
伊兹帕鲁特也点了点头，同意索蒂斯的想法。
Izparut nodded in agreement with Sotis's suggestion.
“只是这些贱民们好像与你的丈夫有很深的渊源啊，你不解释一下吗？索蒂斯！”
"But these rebels seem to have a strong connection with your husband, don't they, Sotis? Care to explain?"
索蒂斯没有对伊兹帕鲁特的质问做出任何的表情，她仍旧幽幽道：
Sotis showed no reaction to Izparut's probing question and replied in her usual calm tone:
“我与他早已形同陌路，此事休提。”
"He and I have long been estranged. There is no need to bring this up."
就这样正义女神忒弥斯下凡到人间，
And so, the Goddess of Justice, Themis, descended to the mortal realm.
她展开她的那双巨大的羽翼，左半边遮蔽太阳，右半边遮蔽月亮，
She spread her enormous wings—her left wing blocking the sun, her right wing obscuring the moon.
人间界的众反抗者们看着漆黑的世界，只有天空那位掌握正义的女神散发阵阵金光。
The rebels looked up at the darkened world, where only the Goddess of Justice radiated a golden light from the sky.
反抗者们最先由惊奇变为恐惧，再由恐惧变为生灵自熔炉时代就存在的愤怒。
The rebels' initial amazement turned to fear, and then to the primal anger that had existed since the Forge Era.
最后他们绝望了，原来神是根本杀不死的。
Finally, they despaired, realizing that gods were truly immortal.
一些意志力薄弱的反抗者已经开始跪下忏悔自己的种种罪行了。
Some of the weaker-willed rebels began to kneel, confessing their supposed sins.
跪下的人越来越多，正义女神忒弥斯所散发的金光也越来越厚重，
More and more knelt down, and the golden light emitted by Themis grew ever more intense.
这里仿佛不是一个战场，而是佛祖讲经的道场，
It seemed less like a battlefield and more like a sacred site where a Buddha delivered sermons.
难道这一场反抗终究要以失败的结果收场吗？
Was this rebellion destined to end in failure?
神界的众神们是这样想的，贵族们也是这样想着，就连这些反抗者也是这般想着。
The gods of the divine realm thought so, as did the nobles—and even the rebels themselves.
死就死吧，至少我们是死在尊严的战场之上而不是畜生都不待的荒野之间。
"Then let us die," they thought, "but at least we die on a battlefield of dignity, not as beasts in the wilderness."
就在千钧一发之际，没人注意到天空中还有一双羽翼，
At the critical moment, no one noticed another pair of wings in the sky.
这双羽翼远没有忒弥斯的那般巨大，可以说它是很小的，那是一双黑色的羽翼。
These wings were far smaller than Themis's, diminutive even—and they were black.
控制羽翼之人身穿黑色长袍，面容在阴影之下。
The one controlling the wings wore a black robe, their face hidden in shadow.
黑袍之人手握一柄黑色大剑，就这样堂而皇之地到达忒弥斯的背后，
The black-robed figure held a massive black sword and boldly approached Themis from behind.
神界的众神清晰地看到这一幕，他们顿感不妙，连忙想要提醒身在人间的忒弥斯。
The gods in the divine realm saw this scene clearly. Alarmed, they hurried to warn Themis in the mortal world.
可是，为时已晚，木已成舟！
But it was too late; the die had been cast!
黑色大剑重重地刺穿忒弥斯的身体，忒弥斯惊讶的回过头来，
The black sword pierced through Themis's body with force. She turned around in shock,
不可置信的说道：“你……你怎么过来的？你是谁！我……我的神力在流逝，我的生机……怎么会！我可是神啊！”
and uttered in disbelief, "How… how did you get here? Who are you? My… my divine power is fading, my life force… how? I am a god!"
“吾名为艾自由，奉米尔寇大人之命，特赐你命定之死！”
"My name is Ai Ziyou, and by the will of Lord Milco, I grant you your destined death!"
黑袍男人终于不再遮掩，露出了他的面容。
The black-robed man finally shed his concealment, revealing his face.
“米……米尔寇……不对，这上面还有命运的力量，索蒂斯你果然还是跟他一伙的，你这个婊子！”
"Mil… Milco… No! There's also the power of Fate in this. Sotis, you truly sided with him! You wretched harlot!"
忒弥斯倒在地上，像人类一样，在死亡的最后不停地诅咒辱骂那些杀死她的人类和神明。
Themis collapsed to the ground, cursing and insulting the humans and gods who had killed her until her very last breath, just like a mortal.
终于，神死了。
Finally, a god was dead.
世界上再也没有绝对意义上的正义，也没有所谓的正义化身，
The world now had no absolute justice and no embodiment of justice.
忒弥斯的神力，也就是正义的力量，
Themis's divine power, the power of justice,
它的一部分化为浩然之气留存于人间，
partly transformed into a righteous aura that lingered in the mortal world.
剩下的部分随着忒弥斯的身体化为数枚卢恩碎片蹦散于世间。
The rest fragmented into several Luen shards, scattered throughout the world along with Themis's body.
“原来人是可以杀死神的！我们赢了！我们赢了！”人们大笑道。
"So humans can kill gods after all! We won! We won!" the people laughed triumphantly.