Chapter 363

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A radiant golden veil unfurled.

Centered on Azazel.

Based on the divine sword she raised.

A widespread wave of light began to spread rapidly.

Everyone saw that light. They had no choice but to see it. It was a benevolent radiance that naturally drew their gazes. Like the benevolence a god bestows upon humanity, the golden veil covered the city, extending its influence beyond. 

The warm veil illuminated the world evenly. Quickly. Gradually accelerating. As if to engulf everything.

Incantation · Domain Declaration.

Wherever the light touched was Michael’s domain.

It was a technique similar to the current Knight leader Johan’s ‘Sword Domain’. A barrier that creates a favorable environment for the user. 

A difficult technique to activate, but once successfully used, it grants a massive advantage. The only difference was the absurd scale.

If Johan were to deliberately deploy his barrier, he could claim several hundred meters in radius as his domain. 

However, he usually didn’t expand the domain that much. Spreading the barrier too widely made it difficult to maintain, and above all, the power was diluted as the area increased.

Michael was not much different in that regard.

The wider the range of the barrier, the more the power was distributed, weakening the barrier’s power and strength.

Even considering that, Michael endlessly expanded the barrier. He had long surpassed Johan’s maximum range of several hundred meters. 

Further. Even further. Several kilometers. Still not satisfied, he covered the entire city. Yet the expansion did not stop. He continued to expand his domain. He declared his territory.

The Godlike One.

The one closest to God.

Therefore, his supernatural ability rivaled the power of God, and his barrier was no different from God’s grace. 

Originally, it included several functions, but Michael maximized only one of them. By cutting down all other abilities, he conversely highlighted only one ability. 

Protection. A wall to protect people from external forces. As long as his light remained, no one would dare to invade.

“This should buy us some time.”

Currently, a large-scale invasion was beginning at the border.

Monsters were pouring out of the demonic realm like a flood, and even though demonic beasts had descended upon the city, the captains could not easily come to support them.

In terms of sheer numbers, humans were overwhelmingly at a disadvantage compared to monsters. This was due to the difference in the number of troops that could fight. 

Lucille’s sacrifice had exponentially increased the number of supernaturals, but they were still a minority compared to the monsters. 

Until now, the balance had been maintained because the God of War, an unrivaled powerhouse, was standing firm. The absolute asymmetrical power nullified all numerical superiority. 

However, with the God of War sealed, the safety of humanity was like a lamp before the wind.

Excluding all invasions.

Michael’s barrier became a new wall protecting humanity.

No monster, not even a demonic beast.

Breaking through Michael’s barrier and invading was close to impossible.

“You’re really something, aren’t you?”

Azazel chuckled in disbelief.

She could tell because she shared a body with him.

The light covered the entire world.

It embraced the United Nations warmly.

The entire UN came under Michael’s command.

She had never imagined such a thing was possible. Could the Commander do it? No, wouldn’t even he be unable to do it? The God of War was the undisputed strongest, but most of his abilities were focused on combat.

It was a fresh realization.

Who she had summoned and was channeling.

Michael.

The Godlike One.

The strongest saint.

Was it too late to feel awe now?

“It’s just a temporary measure.”

Michael muttered bitterly. Yes, it was just a temporary measure. It doesn’t solve anything. It just buys some time.

“The barrier won’t disappear overnight. It will last quite a while.”

It wasn’t for nothing that all the other functions were eliminated. If it were the original barrier, it would not only prevent external invasions but also incinerate all enemies that entered. 

However, the demonic beasts and monsters already within the barrier felt uncomfortable but were not burned. This was because the function of attacking invaders was reduced to almost nothing.

All the resources that would have gone into other functions were invested only in the barrier, increasing the strength of the barrier and greatly extending its duration. At least a month. The barrier would protect humanity for that long. What next? What happens after the barrier’s duration ends?

“Girl, even if I leave your body, the barrier will continue to exist.”

If Michael had been given more time, he would have directly repelled the monsters instead of creating a barrier. He was second only to Yoo-seong, and until Yoo-seong appeared, he was the strongest supernatural of the time. 

If Yoo-seong could do it, there was a high probability that he could do it too. If Michael was in his prime, he could have replaced the God of War.

“But, since I have little time, this is the best I can do.”

Even the Godlike One cannot do everything within a limited time. Unless he could turn the demonic realm into ashes within minutes, which was a miracle even Yoo-seong couldn’t perform. 

Let alone the current Michael, who had lost his prime strength.

“I bought time. Before that time runs out, find it. A way to solve this disaster.”

“…If only it were as easy as it sounds.”

Although she didn’t show it, Azazel was just as frustrated. She had been overwhelmed since hearing the news that the Commander had been sealed. 

All the members of the Celestial Corps trust and rely on the captains. Their strength is beyond measure, and each one is a walking strategic weapon. 

However, even the captains struggle and cannot protect everything, yet that was never an issue.

No matter how unfavorable the battle situation, the moment the commander arrives, the tide turns. 

The hope of humanity. The Celestial Corps’ hidden card. That was the commander.

Even the captains trusted and relied on the Commander. Knowing is seeing. Those who reached the captain-level became even more aware of it. 

The strength of the God of War. That’s why they vaguely think. No matter what happens, if there is the God of War, it will be solved somehow. 

In fact, the countless achievements and legends created by the God of War have made that belief even more solid.

That Commander disappeared.

Sealed.

It was maddening.

“How should we fill the Commander’s vacancy…?”

It is already difficult to fill the commander’s vacancy. 

It took four years to fill the position of the 7th Division Captain, which became vacant after Jin, the former 7th Division Captain, was killed in action. 

The God of War has reigned as the Commander for 150 years. 

In fact, the Commander status is only for the God of War. Can the Commander’s vacancy be filled? Azazel tried to think as positively as possible. The conclusion was the same. No way in hell.

“After all, the best way is to break the seal. If only that person would return, everything could be solved.”

The problem is how to break the seal.

The monsters’ sealing of the God of War was a strategically excellent decision.

Since it was difficult to defeat him, they sealed him to eliminate him.

Of course, they would not leave us alone to break the seal.

“Where is it sealed, how can we find it, even if we find it, do we have the means to break the seal, how will we shake off the interference…

Can we even solve the means that sealed even the Commander in the first place?”

If only we could catch Michael…

Azazel couldn’t help but sigh. She shook her head, lamenting as if the ground would sink. 

Impossible. Even if she held on to Michael’s soul for as long as possible, a few tens of minutes would be the limit. 

With a normal soul, it would be possible for several hours or more. However, Michael was too different. Azazel’s small body couldn’t handle it. 

Even though she hadn’t fought, she already felt like she was going to collapse because of declaring the domain.

[Don’t worry too much.]

As if comforting Azazel, who was holding her head, Michael said.

[They are paying attention.]

“They?”

[The Four Seasons. Our gods. They will surely not neglect this situation.]

Michael’s channeling was thanks to the intervention of the Four Seasons. It was evidence that they were seriously looking at the current situation. Michael tried to calm his rising heart. It was something that had not happened during Michael’s lifetime. 

The intervention of the Four Seasons. It had always been a question. Why don’t they help us? Although humanity is retreating and being driven into a corner day by day, why are the gods only watching?

‘Because we can solve it ourselves, even if the gods don’t reach out.’

Michael guessed so, and today’s events confirmed it.

The gods are not ruthless. They were not indifferent to humans. They just believed in the potential of humans. They believed that even if they didn’t help, they could do it with their own strength. 

Didn’t they actually do that? Although there were many sacrifices, humanity overcame the crisis and lived on.

‘In other words, the current situation is difficult to overcome with human strength alone.’

The gods intervened directly.

Even the Four Seasons thought that there was no future without their intervention.

“The Four Seasons? Yeah, well, hmm…”

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m an atheist. I don’t believe in gods.”

“…Huh?”

“Besides, the Four Seasons faith has already waned in this day and age, unlike in the past? There are even opinions that they don’t really exist…”

“What?”

“It’s not for nothing that the clergy insists that supernatural powers are a gift from God? They’re just struggling to maintain their power by doing this, right?”

“…”

…What an impious era.

Michael had a lot to say, but he held back for now.

Faith cannot be forced, and belief in God waxes and wanes with the times.

It seems to be declining in this era.

In fact, Azazel doesn’t really deny the existence of God. She believed that there was a divine being. However, she just thought that a god who is of no help is as good as nothing. 

Whether God exists or not, if it doesn’t help, it’s the same as not existing. So she’s an atheist. But according to Michael, it seems like they helped…Should she believe them a little?

“…I still have some leeway.”

Perhaps because the compatibility with Azazel’s body was unexpectedly good.

He thought that he would use up all his power and retreat at the same time as activating Incantation · Domain Declaration, but unexpectedly, he still had time left even after declaring the domain.

An empty vessel after using up most of the ‘light’.

Although only a small amount of light remained, Azazel was already a captain-level powerhouse.

Even a small light would be of considerable help.

“Really? Shall we go help Karma?”

“It’s okay. That man can handle it alone.”

The girl in Karma’s arms continued to catch his eye…Michael decided to prioritize Azazel’s feelings over his own personal feelings. 

In the first place, he was a ghost of the past. Too much greed can cause problems.

“Girl, let’s go solve your worries.”

Didn’t you say you wanted to save your sister?

Author Note

A/N (Author’s note):
Today’s author’s note is…

Tired…

Good dreams…

Everyone dreams of good dreams…

Translator Note

T/N (Translator’s note):
Hey, that’s something! Good enough, so have a good rest!

Anyway, the Storm has to work overtime thanks to the incompetent noob!