Ch.178Chapter 178. Spirit World Escape No.1 (7)

Chapter 178. Spirit World Escape No.1 (7)

“…Guardian. Call the Guardian, the Great Chief, all the high-ranking people! That’s a dimensional gate!”

“What? Got it!”

At MeleeSpy’s words, the ghoul jumped down from the fortress wall. Having mastered the level 6 skill ‘Acceleration,’ he could move faster than others.

“They’ve already controlled the evil god? No way…!”

MeleeSpy raised his shield to defend against attacks that could come from anywhere at any moment.

Eventually, a figure appeared through the dimensional gate. It was a paladin emitting a red aura from his eyes.

– My name is Charon. I am the one you call the Lich Lord.

The paladin’s voice boomed loudly enough for everyone in the Tribal Alliance to hear.

“I-Insane.”

“What!? Did he use teleport? The one who should be in the capital…!”

Paladins rushed over to join MeleeSpy.

“…”

Princess Dina used the hidden piece skill ‘Dancer of Silence’ to conceal herself. She was waiting to deliver a powerful strike when Charon showed an opening.

– Fear not. Through the body of the paladin ‘Kkantappiyaaaht,’ I have come to this place…

“Shut up, you apostate.”

BOOM!

The paladin controlled by Charon was hit by golden energy and exploded. Lakye, who had quickly joined them, had fired divine power.

The paladin’s shattered remains fell to the ground, but the head remained floating in the air.

– Half-god, half-human… you’ve obtained divine power.

Lakye prepared to fire divine power again.

– How hasty. I came today for dialogue.

Red energy covered the controlled paladin’s head. It was Charon’s protective spell.

BOOM!

Lakye fired divine power again, hammering against the protective spell.

CRACK!

The protective spell began to fracture.

– Hmm.

Lakye had grown strong enough that Charon could not take him lightly. Charon quickly cast several more protective spells.

The divine power destroyed several protective spells but ultimately faded before it could damage the head.

– This is a waste of time. We can’t spend all day like this, can we?

“It’s far better than listening to your nonsense.”

As Lakye was about to fire divine power again:

“Wait! Malak said we should hear him out first!”

Noah shouted loudly. Lakye nodded and stepped back, withdrawing his divine power.

– …Malak. I see you still have the strength to watch.

Charon didn’t know that Malak was in the spirit world paying the price for his manifestation.

– I just destroyed the Grand Cathedral. I’ve also gained control over the evil god’s powers.

“You bark like a frightened dog.”

Lakye shot back.

While the first claim might be true, the latter was clearly a bluff. If he could fully control the evil god’s powers, he wouldn’t need to send just one paladin like this.

‘He must have only learned the basics so far.’

He had decided to make contact right after the Grand Cathedral fell to intimidate the Tribal Alliance.

Lakye could see right through Charon’s thoughts.

“Are you too afraid to come in person, Malak? You worm.”

– Paladins, Ishtania can no longer send you back to your homeland. Only I can do that now.

Charon ignored Lakye and continued.

– As you just saw, I’ve gained the power to control dimensional gates. If I can find the coordinates, I could open a gate to Earth. What do you think? Isn’t it better to change your mind now? There’s no reason for us to fight, is there?

“Charon!”

Siwoo stepped forward, in front of the paladins who were looking at Charon with fearful eyes.

“I’m ‘MorningTentSetupKnight’! Remember me?”

– You…!

Charon recalled the humiliation he suffered in the community.

UltraSansMadWithMoonlightMassacreMode, MorningTentSetupKnight, NotACatfish. These were nicknames he still remembered clearly.

[MorningTentSetupKnight: Charon’s mom, resurrected by Sans, is lying next to me right now lol]

[MorningTentSetupKnight: Charon’s mom was amazing]

He also clearly remembered the comments left by that guy. He was the one who irritated him the most after that Sans guy.

– …!

If it weren’t for Charon’s awakening in the evil god’s mental world, his eyes would have rolled back immediately. Before Charon could say anything:

“Here’s my answer.”

Siwoo raised his middle finger and shouted loudly.

“Your mother, you son of a bitch!”

That was the signal.

“Why would we trust you? You opportunistic burglar bastard!”

“Bring back Hanjogak!”

“You persistent cockroach! I’m sick of you! What are you, Naraku from 2Nuasha?”

“You commoner who struck when the Seven-Headed Dragon Devil was absent.”

“The most pathetic final boss ever.”

“There’s something fundamentally wrong with you as a human. You’re repulsive every time I see you.”

“I’m seeing you for the first time though.”

“It’s hard for a necromancer villain to be this charmless.”

“Trash that needs to be removed!”

The paladins, inspired by Siwoo’s courageous action, hurled insults.

Some curses were so severe that even Lakye, who was watching with his star sword drawn, frowned.

– Fine. If you wish to die, I will grant you death.

Charon responded more calmly than expected.

“Huh.”

Siwoo was surprised, having thought Charon would throw a tantrum and retreat when faced with such criticism.

– I say this to everyone in the Tribal Alliance. I don’t even ask for your cooperation. Just leave Malak’s side, leave the Tribal Alliance. Then I won’t attack you. My goal is the end of mythology. If you’re not a god or a believer, there’s no reason to fight.

Everyone in the Tribal Alliance heard his voice.

– That’s all I have to say. Well… hmm?

Charon’s gaze turned toward Paya. She was glaring at him with clenched fists. She seemed to be studying the spells surrounding the controlled paladin.

– You’re like me. Born with natural talent. What a curious fate…

BOOM!

Taking advantage of Charon’s distraction, Lakye fired divine power with his star sword.

– A futile effort.

Charon tried to block it by layering protective spells, but this time was different. Princess Dina, who had been waiting for an opportunity, dropped her stealth and attacked, creating a crack in the protective spell.

CRASH!

The more ferocious attack pierced through all the protective spells and completely destroyed the paladin’s head, leaving nothing behind.

“Did we get him?”

After the paladin named “I Trusted the Monkey Uncle” said that:

WHOOSH!

The dimensional gate widened greatly, showing the capital. Countless demons and worshippers were still looking this way.

Most frightening was the white giant standing in the center. A being that inspired awe just by looking at it. An indescribable terror could be felt.

– If you won’t come to the capital first, I’ll come to you myself. I will thoroughly destroy everything you’ve built.

Charon, standing on the giant’s shoulder, said.

– Malak. Now it’s just you and me. Let’s end this.

As Charon stretched his hand into the air, the dimensional gate disappeared.

“…”

Everyone was struck dumb. Lakye was the one who broke the silence.

“I believe there is no beast more ungrateful than him.”

After giving the Tribal Alliance people a cold look, she left.

“Eh? W-why?”

She didn’t forget to come back and drag Noah along.

***

I was surprised when I heard that Charon had opened a dimensional gate and come looking for us. The timing was perfect—right when I had lain down to rest after finishing my conversation with Mera.

[PetiteNoah: Lakye is asking why you let Charon speak!]

[PetiteNoah: She says some people might be swayed by his cunning tongue!]

[PetiteNoah: (Picture of Lakye looking disgruntled)]

There was no need to send a picture, but well, it doesn’t hurt.

Lakye has a point, but I think differently.

Charon is a petty and persistent guy. He would have acted somehow to achieve his goal (causing division).

In that case, isn’t it better to just listen and let it go in one ear and out the other? It’s better than Lakye and Charon wasting their abilities in a meaningless psychological battle there.

[I simply trust my believers]

[Tell her that]

[PetiteNoah: Malak, you trust humans too much]

[PetiteNoah: In a situation like this, trust is dangerous]

[PetiteNoah: That’s what she said!]

Yes. She’s right about that. But.

[My guardian, if I don’t trust my believers, what else can I trust?]

Honestly, I can understand if some believers leave. Who wants to die fighting? But if someone like me says “it’s okay to go,” the followers would lose heart quickly.

And what about those who stay to fight if I let people go quietly? It’s right to maintain this attitude for now.

[Because of the current situation, we must trust]

[Tell her that]

[PetiteNoah: (Picture of Lakye looking at herself with an expression that could be either moved or sad)]

[PetiteNoah: I only believe in Malak’s insight]

[PetiteNoah: I want to see you soon]

[PetiteNoah: That’s what she said before leaving!]

I just trust my people.

[PetiteNoah: Oh! Come to think of it, Lakye didn’t tell the messenger to relay anything!]

[Maybe she didn’t want to say the same thing twice?]

[PetiteNoah: Ah, that must be it Σ(°ロ°)]

I closed the message window and closed my eyes. What Charon said to Paya bothers me.

…Suddenly I had a thought.

Could Charon be a Paya who never received a response?

If the real Malak, or I, hadn’t responded like a divine fragment, would Paya have become like Charon?

“Tsk.”

I want to get some sleep, but there’s no concept of sleep in the spirit world.

I guess I’ll just rest my eyes for now.

***

“Paya? What’s the matter?”

Luna asked Paya who had entered the temporary magic tower (residence). Paya approached the Asha zombie that had been preserved by Malak’s order.

‘I shouldn’t do this… but I think I can control it.’

Paya silently furrowed her brow.

In that brief moment, she was Paya who had gained insight from the necromancy Charon had displayed.