Chapter 77 : False Purpose (1)

Wolfgang, who had stayed by Monica’s side until her very end, finally stood up as Monica’s remains turned completely to ash and disappeared. 

It wasn’t out of pity.  

She simply paid her respects to someone who, with a human body and will, had endured the world and the sword she had created to hunt a god. 

Muspelheim and Lævateinn were weapons forged to capture winter.  

In truth, it was only after reaching the level of Muspelheim and Lævateinn that Wolfgang could even begin to fight the Winter King. 

Before that, all she could do was grit her teeth and endure.  

Wolfgang took out a cigarette from her pocket and placed it in her mouth. 

Smoking had become almost a habit for her. 

Whenever her thoughts grew heavy or she felt a bitter emotion, she would light a cigarette.  

“I’ll admit it. You were the strongest human I’ve ever met.”  

It wasn’t an empty compliment. If they could meet, she thought Monica might have a good match with Raipen, the second-in-command of the Vendetta Corps. 

After smoking for a while, Wolfgang finally moved on.  

She walked past the braziers containing blue flames and slowly crossed the stone bridge. 

Just looking at this eerie temple was enough to send shivers down her spine.  

But Wolfgang felt a sense of dissonance. 

According to legend, the goddess had bestowed the relic to defeat the Demon King, and people had built this temple to honor her.  

‘Then why does it feel so ominous and sinister?’  

If someone didn’t know better, they’d think an evil god was enshrined here.  

Usually, temples are built to feel reverent, noble, or at least bright. 

Was it simply the aesthetic preference of ancient people? 

Or was it influenced by something else?  

Even inside the temple, there were no braziers, lanterns, or torches on the walls, leaving it pitch black. 

Wolfgang had no choice but to rely on the light of her cigarette to navigate the darkness.  

Of course, when it became impossible to see even an inch ahead, she finally created a sphere of fire in her hand to light the way. 

But the interior of the temple was covered in bizarre murals.  

The murals, painted in red and black, depicted figures resembling living people, but with missing limbs or heads, creating an unsettling sense of dissonance.  

“……Tsk, who would play such a prank?”  

What’s more, the eyes of the figures in the murals were blatantly following Wolfgang’s every move. 

Did they really think she wouldn’t notice? Idiots.  

She didn’t know what they were planning, but Wolfgang wasn’t the type to wait for her enemies to reveal themselves. 

She didn’t enjoy fighting. In fact, she was so terrified that she wanted to leave this place immediately.  

So, she forced them out. 

Flames erupted from Wolfgang’s body, instantly engulfing the murals. 

Perhaps the heat spreading rapidly was too much for them to bear.  

Kieeeek!  

Kueeeek!  

“Finally, you’ve come out.”  

Grotesque figures began to emerge from the murals one by one. 

They looked like scribbles a child might make with red and black paint—horrifying and bizarre.  

What’s worse, they were clumsily mimicking human forms, making Wolfgang frown in disgust. 

She never thought she’d see something as creepy as the Wendigos again.  

The only silver lining was that, like the Wendigos, these creatures were extremely weak to fire. 

Unable to withstand the heat of the flames, they melted away like ice cream.  

“This confirms it. That imposter has been scheming to replace the true goddess.”  

What’s the first thing a fake does after driving out the real one? 

They erase all traces of the original. 

That way, people will believe the fake is the real deal.  

The false goddess must have tried to completely erase the existence of this temple. 

For some reason, she hadn’t been able to fully take control of it, so she had no choice but to send heroes to retrieve the relic hidden inside.  

The corrupted murals, the sinister atmosphere of the temple—it was all evidence. 

No matter how much the fake tried to erase the real and take her place,  

A fake is still a fake. 

There will always be limits.  

Wolfgang pressed on, relying on her flames. 

The temple was shrouded in darkness, making it impossible to see even an inch ahead. Fortunately, she could use her flames to light the way.  

After about an hour of nonstop walking, Wolfgang finally reached the deepest part of the temple. 

There, she discovered a single object placed at the center.  

The place Wolfgang arrived at was completely destroyed, to the point where its original form was unrecognizable. 

From this sight, Wolfgang could sense an indescribable malice. 

She clicked her tongue and muttered:  

“Destruction and corruption. They really tried everything to take control of this temple. But it looks like they failed…………….”  

This is the only temple they built for me.  

“……That voice…………….”  

Wolfgang’s voice dropped low, and she soon fell silent. 

The being observing her from not far away thought she was being cautious.  

After all, she was the famous war hero of the empire, the one who had ended the winter of apocalypse. It was only natural for her to act carefully. 

Under normal circumstances, that would have been the right judgment.  

‘What the hell? A ghost?!’  

The real reason Wolfgang had fallen silent was completely different, and it would have been heartbreaking to know. 

No matter how much of a war hero she was, she was still human.  

And humans don’t change easily. 

Besides, with things like Wendigos, the Winter King, and undead running around, who’s to say ghosts or spirits don’t exist?  

‘Damn it, I wish I had that necromancer I knew by my side right now.’  

Back then, she had a comrade who could perfectly control undead, so she hadn’t been too scared. 

But now was different. 

The atmosphere was already creepy enough to drive her mad,  

And then an unfamiliar woman’s voice echoed out of nowhere. 

Of course, Wolfgang, who wasn’t particularly fond of such things, had no choice but to be on guard. 

A brief silence fell between them.  

You don’t need to be so wary, hero.  

“Who are you?”  

I was once the master of this temple. 

But now, I’ve been driven out and can barely maintain this semi-divine form.  

“So, you’re the true goddess who was driven out by the false goddess?”  

Yes, that’s correct. You may call me Milena.  

The true goddess, driven out by the false one. 

She had been residing in this temple all along. 

That’s why the false goddess hadn’t been able to fully take control of it. 

After all, Milena’s divine power wasn’t completely gone.  

“That explains why the false goddess couldn’t take this temple.”  

I resisted with all my might. 

Fortunately, it wasn’t too difficult at first. 

Even though I was driven from my throne, I was still once a god. 

The faith directed toward me still exists, albeit in small amounts.  

“But the false goddess has taken your throne, hasn’t she?”  

A throne without faith is like a god with only half their power. 

And since I’m still alive, she can’t fully absorb all the faith.  

So, the faith from the kingdom is limited, and there are two goddesses vying for it. 

The false goddess sits on the throne, but Milena’s existence can’t be ignored.  

Wait.  

That means.  

The biggest obstacle for the false goddess is Milena and the followers who still believe in her. 

And there’s one way the false goddess could eliminate both at once.  

“I already know the false goddess is trying to resurrect the Winter King.”  

Yes, that’s right. 

It’s fortunate that she can’t fully use the throne due to her innate malevolence.  

“And you said a sacrifice is needed to resurrect a god. Does that mean…?!”  

You’re quicker than I expected. 

Yes, she plans to sacrifice all my followers to resurrect her father. 

If that happens, I won’t even be able to maintain my existence by possessing this relic.  

“How do you know who your followers are?”  

You’ve probably already met them. 

Those who, even in this situation, refuse to blindly follow the saintess and still hold onto their own will.  

For a moment, the faces of Prince Jaiha and Theodore flashed through Wolfgang’s mind. 

Now that she thought about it, they were the ones who had chosen to resist rather than blindly follow the saintess.  

Honestly, she had found it strange at first.  

If the saintess truly had the power to control minds, why didn’t she brainwash those who opposed her? 

But now, that question was finally being answered, at least partially.