chapter 144

“Stop.”

At Elliah’s words, Frey stopped moving. The same was true for the other three.

But this wasn’t because they were just obeying her orders. Instead, Elliah’s divine power disappeared at that moment as if it had been wiped away.

Frey then spoke with a confused voice.

“What do you mean stop?”

“I’ll admit it. You guys are qualified to fight against the Demigods.”

Elliah’s expression, which was even colder than the winds blowing around them, didn’t change, but her tone became strangely gentle.

“Are you done testing us?”

“Only a bit. If you weren’t good enough, I would’ve just killed you here.”

It didn’t seem like she was lying.

The anger that Elliah had shown was not something that could’ve been an act.

Nevertheless, her ability to control her emotions so easily was proof that she was a transcendent being.

Elliah seemed to think for a moment before finally opening her mouth.

“If I were to give a proper evaluation, then the Lich and the Magic Warrior pass without a doubt. The two of you have already reached the level to be called heroes. And…”

Elliah’s gaze turned to Snow.

“You… were Riki’s Apostle?”

“That’s right. How did you know? I can’t even use my powers.”

Elliah snorted at Snow’s surprised expression.

“Hmph. You probably watched Riki’s sword techniques too many times, so you subconsciously absorbed them. All of Riki’s habits are embedded in your swordsmanship. Oh, and say it correctly.”

“What?”

“It’s not that you can’t use your powers; It’s that you won’t. Riki’s dead, so you’re not an Apostle anymore. In other words, the divine power in your body is no longer borrowed. If you don’t increase your strength and control, then the power in you will just become a nuisance.”

“…”

Snow’s expression became solemn, but she didn’t dare refute those words.

This meant that Elliah’s words were true.

“But if I consider your potential, you pass. Riki is dead now, so with his power in your body, you will definitely grow to a tremendous level. Now then… human Wizard, did you say your name was Frey?”

Elliah’s expression somehow became colder.

“To be completely honest, I’m disappointed in you.”

“…”

“You know, I had really high expectations for you, but… what the hell was that magic? That was 8 stars at best. Something like that would only work against mortals. Plus, the divine power you’re using belongs to Indra. Not to mention Lord, you can’t even fight Agni or Nozdog at your level.”

[Frey’s commands were flawless.]

Surprisingly, it was Diablo who came to Frey’s defense. This was because he was completely surprised by Frey’s analytical ability and clear judgement that he’d displayed in the battle just now.

Elliah nodded at those words.

“I agree. That’s why I find it so strange. I don’t think he’s even been alive for 100 years, but it feels like he has a lot of experience fighting against Demigods.”

Even though Diablo had been alive for more than 1,000 years, the Demigods had already retreated to the shadows in his time.

On the other hand, during Frey’s time, 4,000 years ago, the Demigods moved much more openly than they did now.

There were times when he would have dozens of skirmishes with Demigods in a month. Therefore, when it came to combat experience, there was no one in modern times who had more than Frey.

“So when he reaches 9 stars, he will be extremely useful.”

[That’s not as easy as you’re making it seem.]

“I know. Nevertheless, you still need to act as soon as possible. Because your time is running out.”

“Running out?”

“You must have heard about the incident in Geotanbul by now, right? That was just the beginning. Lord will soon give orders to all the Demigods.”

Orders.

Everyone watched as Elliah looked up to the sky.

Despite the fact that she wouldn’t be able to see anything through the heavy wind and snow, her eyes seemed to be looking beyond that.

“He’s going to destroy all the nearby cities and towns. You probably have a week or so to prepare. After that, you will probably have to watch thousands of people die every day.”

Her gaze then turned back to Frey.

“So I will start training you from today.”

“Training?”

“Right. I’ll tell you in advance, but I won’t let you leave until you’ve reached 9 stars. After all, you’re the one who inherited Riki’s will. So I can’t let you die.”

“Wait a minute. I have to attend an important meeting in three days.”

In the first place, Frey had gone to meet Diablo in order to get help reaching 9 stars, but he knew that there was a high chance of failure.

Even when she heard Frey’s urgent words, Elliah’s serene expression didn’t change.

“Then you’ll have to reach 9 stars in three days.”

“…”

Frey grit his teeth.

He knew this woman was serious.

* * *

Warchief.

In the desert state, Silkid, it was a position that only those with honour, good reputations and outstanding skill could ever hope to achieve.

It could also be said to be the goal of every warrior in Silkid.

Yet these Warchiefs had been cut down with a simple gesture from Lord, unable to even make a sound.

The rough floor became covered in blood.

“…aren’t you breaking your promise?”

When the Great Chief, Tuarik, saw this, he couldn’t help but bite his lip.

Lord tilted his head.

[Promise? What are you talking about, mortal?]

“Didn’t you say that you’d spare our lives as long as we obeyed you?”

[Then I’m not breaking my promise.]

“What do you…”

[I already know that you have connections to the Circle. That can’t be called obedience.]

Those words made Tuarik’s expression change.

He rose from his seat, his scared expression disappearing immediately. Then, he picked up a vicious looking double-edged axe on his right. (TL: mad respect)

“Tweh. You fucker. You were playing us even though you already knew everything.” (TL: Tweh=spitting sound)

[I showed mercy before, but now, I’ve changed my mind. After all, you still didn’t try to atone for your actions in the end. Your foolish pride and stubbornness has made my inner conviction stronger. So thank you.]

“Stop it with your pointless words. You want to kill me, don’t you? Well, it won’t be easy.”

“…wait.”

Agni stepped forward.

“Leave this to me.”

[May I ask why? Dear comrade.]

“Silkid is my territory.”

[…]

After a moment, Lord lowered his hand, falling silent.

His silence was particularly uncomfortable. Lord currently had no features, so no one could see his face. In other words, it was usually impossible to read his emotions.

The same was true for this situation. Agni had no way of knowing what he was thinking at that moment.

[…understood. I’ll leave it to you.]

Lord nodded.

Then he disappeared without another word.

Nozdog and Ananta left soon afterwards, and it seemed they all intended to leave Silkid to Agni.

“Huhu. Silkid’s guardian deity will destroy it with his own hands. It’s an honor.”

Guardian Deity.

That was Agni’s other identity. The Guardian Deity who protected Silkid from the shadows for hundreds of years.

This wasn’t wrong.

In fact, Silkid was Agni’s territory, and he’d even helped it out a few times when it faced certain crises.

For this reason, every successive Great Chief was informed of Agni’s identity.

It was also a method that helped him control Silkid more easily.

Agni spoke in a calm tone.

“The destruction of Silkid is inevitable.”

“Huhu. You’re a good talker. Why would that happen?”

“Do you want to die here?”

“Of course.”

“…honour. I know you all are obsessed with it. And I know the most honourable death would be as a warrior on the battlefield. So I’ll ask you again, Tuarik.”

Fwoosh.

Fire began burning around Agni.

“Do you really want to die here?”

This time, the answer didn’t come immediately.

Tuarik grit his teeth.

He knew.

Fighting against Agni would only lead to dying a dog’s death. It would be far from a glorious death on a battlefield.

Instead, it would be similar to the death of a bug who died from an accidental swing of a hand.

“…I might be able to save one more life by stalling you here.”

“You don’t actually mean that, Tuarik.”

“Kuk.”

Of course not.

In fact, Tuarik knew it well. Just standing in front of Agni now made his heart beat uncomfortably in his chest. He found it hard to breathe, and his jaw was already aching from how hard his teeth were clenched. His axe, which usually felt like a light branch in hands, now felt like one of the roots of the World Tree.

“You are the Great Chief. Not a Warchief.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Choose. Will everyone die here? Or will we maybe make a plan for the future?”

Tuarik blinked, not understanding Agni’s words for a moment.

“…are you… saying you’d let me go?”

Agni didn’t respond and Tuarik let out a laugh.

“Kuhuhu… you’re asking a warrior to run away.”

“I don’t care what choice you make.”

He meant it.

Agni was deciding their fate.

It wasn’t that he’d developed sympathy nor that he felt attached or responsible for them after protecting them for so long.

Instead, it was just because there were some doubts bouncing around his head at that moment.

Doubts about Lord.

“…”

Before he realised it, Tuarik had left. In the end, he chose to act like the Great Chief and give his country a chance at survival rather than confront Agni like a warrior.

That was the reason he was able to step above the rank of ‘Warchief’ to become the ‘Great Chief’.

“You spared him.”

“…!”

Agni turned around to find Lord’s Apostle standing there.

Iris Phisfounder was looking at Agni with a mysterious look in her eyes.

“Are you disobeying Lord’s orders?”

“…what he wants is the destruction of SIlkid. The fact that the country will disappear won’t change.”

“That’s a play on words. Lord won’t be convinced.”

He knew.

But he couldn’t do anything about it. This was because Iris was the one who’d caught him.

Iris had Lord’s power. If she wanted to run, there was no one on the continent who could stop her. Except for Lord, of course.

After a moment of silence, Agni spoke up.

“Are you going to tell Lord?”

“No.”

“Why?”

“You must have heard about Leyrin.”

“…”

She was only answered by silence, so Iris slowly continued.

“Did you know that Lord tried to cover up Riki’s betrayal?”

“What are you talking about?”

He hadn’t heard about that.

Agni looked at Iris in shock.

“He tried to cover for Riki by framing another Demigod for his sins. Riki didn’t change his mind in the end, so Lord was forced to kill him.”

“Yo-, you’re lying.”

Agni felt extremely shocked at that moment. Lord, of all people, thought about sacrificing a Demigod?

Naturally, he knew just how much Lord cared about Riki. But he didn’t think his judgement would be clouded to such an extent.

Would Lord really frame an innocent Demigod? In order to save Riki?

“I have a question, Agni. Lord valued and cherished every Demigod. He was fair and led you better than anyone. That was why the Demigods didn’t hesitate to call him Lord.”

“…”

“Do you think he is fit for the name Lord right now?”

Agni couldn’t answer easily.

Instead, he stood there as if he had been rooted to the ground.

Seeing this, Iris turned around and left.

She’d done enough.