Ch.37Ep.37 Rank

Four Divine Fragments containing the power of the Blind Idiot God.

Radios possesses the fragment with the power of replication, which could be considered the core among them.

It’s no exaggeration to say that thanks to this fragment, his relationship with the goblins was able to change to a friendly one.

Then where are the other three fragments, and who possesses them?

And what abilities are contained in those fragments?

Although Radios hadn’t seriously contemplated the fragments yet,

Now that he had met someone like a sage, wouldn’t it be only natural to ask?

After raising his question, Radios followed behind Kraud.

Eventually, Kraud arrived at what looked like an altar, and as Radios entered the altar.

Koooong.

He struck the ground with his staff, and the entrance door slowly closed, creating a perfectly isolated space.

“There’s something I want to ask.”

“Please speak.”

“How long do you think I’ve been alive?”

“…”

To answer a question, one must understand its intent.

But Kraud’s question was one whose intent Radios couldn’t grasp at all.

How long have you been alive? How would I know that?

That’s what he wanted to answer, but Radios maintained his silence.

Then Kraud smiled slightly and began his story.

“The lifespan of goblins is at most about 200 years. Did you know that?”

“I didn’t know.”

“Until now, countless goblins have been born, and they have met their deaths, embraced by Cronos.”

“..?”

Being embraced by Cronos must be a metaphorical expression.

There’s no mention anywhere of Cronos surviving after his defeat in the Titanomachy.

After all, the Demonic Prison itself developed into the worst forbidden zone because of Cronos’s corpse.

For now, Radios concentrated on listening to what Kraud was saying.

“I’ve always been exploring. Why the goblin race was born, and why I haven’t died.”

Haven’t died?

Radios frowned at Kraud’s significant words.

Then Kraud rolled up his sleeve and showed a tattoo.

When Radios tilted his head and asked about it, he gave a shocking answer.

“Skytheda, the adamant sickle said to have been used by Cronos, the god of time.”

“…What?”

“It’s still faint, but on the day this sickle’s color turns completely black, Cronos will be resurrected.”

“W-wait–“

“And the being who will become the resurrected Cronos’s body is me, Kraud.”

Koong.

Radios froze in place at Kraud’s sudden shocking statement.

Judging by his expression, he wasn’t joking.

Then could the reason why goblins are abnormally strong be…?

“The goblin race exists for Cronos’s resurrection. The more they meet their deaths, the darker this tattoo’s color becomes.”

“Wait, when you said you haven’t died…”

“Yes. I am the origin of goblins and destined to be the last goblin.”

The atmosphere is heavy.

So heavy that Radios couldn’t even ask why he was talking about something else when he came to hear about the Blind Idiot God’s fragments.

But more than that, Radios didn’t know how to deal with Kraud.

A body that would become the host for the resurrected Cronos.

This is really…

“So you too can live a life where you’re just being used by gods.”

“You’ve hit the nail on the head.”

Kraud sighed deeply as if Radios’s words were correct.

Although thanks to Radios, the goblins were able to escape from the Demonic Prison.

Now the time had truly come for Cronos to be reborn in his body.

But why is he telling this?

Well.

“The darker this tattoo becomes, the more Cronos’s memories begin to surface.”

“…Don’t tell me?!”

“Yes. Cronos was maintaining a close relationship with the Outer Gods.”

Let’s briefly review Cronos’s life history.

He was the youngest Titan born between Gaia, the goddess of earth, and Uranus, the god of the sky.

He castrated Uranus and seized power in Olympus.

However, he ignored Gaia’s request and was cursed by her.

To escape from that curse, he devoured all the children born between him and Rhea.

Of course, Rhea, using her wit, managed to hide Zeus away and succeeded in deposing Cronos.

But here we should focus on ‘why’ Cronos ignored Gaia’s request.

“The Outer Gods tried to consume Olympus as operating material for the fragments.”

“What?”

“All the Divine Fragments are owned by Yog-Sothoth, and he wanted to erase the residual thoughts of the Blind Idiot God residing in those fragments.”

“?!”

What is he talking about?

From what I’m hearing, it sounds like Yog-Sothoth backstabbed the Blind Idiot God and took control of the Outer Gods’ forces.

‘Then why did the Blind Idiot God choose me?’

Before Radios’s thoughts could continue, Kraud kept speaking.

“Yog-Sothoth tried to devour Cronos’s Olympus, but Cronos refused. However, Olympus’s power was insufficient to stand against the Outer Gods.”

“…”

That makes sense.

At that time, there wouldn’t have been the 12 Olympian gods or the three divine artifacts.

“As a result, he wanted to create stronger gods, even at the cost of his own death.”

“..!”

“Eventually, the current Olympus was born, and they were in a precarious tug-of-war with the Outer Gods’ forces… but after Kadinant was taken, it became no different from Cronos’s time in Olympus.”

“So… to summarize what you’re saying.”

The Outer Gods’ forces had been targeting Olympus for longer than expected.

And Cronos had been struggling to prevent the Outer Gods’ invasion by voluntarily playing the villain.

And the result of Cronos’s tearful villain show is this current mess.

“I have a question. Why didn’t Cronos…”

“Why didn’t he ask anyone for help? I can only say that I don’t remember that yet.”

“…I see.”

The story is more complicated than expected.

First, I just learned that the Blind Idiot God was betrayed by Yog-Sothoth.

I also learned about the origin story of the goblin race.

And why Kraud doesn’t like the current Olympus.

‘After going through all that trouble to set up a defense against the Outer Gods, it ended up like this, so how could he not be frustrated?’

But wait.

Aren’t all the current 12 Olympian gods Cronos’s blood relatives?

While thinking this, Radios met Kraud’s eyes, and Kraud sighed deeply.

“As you know, I only have one daughter, Brina.”

“Ah, I’m… sorry.”

“No. I am Kraud, not Cronos. The reason I hate Olympus is because I think Cronos is just like them.”

The way they take over a host’s body ignoring the person’s will.

That was why Kraud couldn’t help but hate Olympus and Cronos.

“Now you understand what I’m trying to say, right?”

“Pardon?”

“To erase this Skytheda mark from me, two Divine Fragments are needed.”

“Two means…”

“You’ll have to take one more from Yog-Sothoth.”

But is that even possible?

Just facing Yog-Sothoth alone would be impossible, let alone defeating someone who has three Divine Fragments.

But the trust in Kraud’s eyes didn’t waver.

“I believe in you. If you’re the one the Blind Idiot God chose as his apostle, you’ll eventually surpass Yog-Sothoth.”

Saying that, Kraud added.

The current generation of goblins are of such good quality and youth that they could be called the strongest ever, so there’s no worry about the Skytheda tattoo darkening.

All you need to do is get stronger, he said.

“If you have anything else to ask, feel free.”

Now that he knew the locations of the remaining Divine Fragments,

A perfect coordination relationship had been established between Kraud and the goblin tribe he led.

But he didn’t want to talk about Veichel.

‘I’ll catch her myself, alone.’

The righteous warrior who protected Kadinant has fallen and turned her blade against Kadinant.

To prevent her from committing more sins, Radios has the duty to close her eyes.

And to do it alone.

“This has been very helpful. Thank you for sharing such difficult stories.”

“Not at all. I feel relieved after opening up to someone like this. And… don’t die.”

“..!”

Yes. Kraud knew that Radios was going to fight Veichel.

Yet he didn’t say anything and trusted him.

Because it was a path Radios had to walk alone.

“Then I’ll be going now.”

“Leaving already? You can rest before you go.”

“No. I only have two days left. So during that time…”

As Radios hesitated, Kraud nodded as if he understood and said.

“We’ll take care of the Underworld messengers and the Best Guardian. Don’t worry and come back victorious.”

“Thank you, truly.”

After giving a final 90-degree bow, Radios left the goblin village.

He hadn’t told anyone else.

But Arsia might notice his sudden disappearance and come looking for him.

If she appears during the fight with Veichel, he couldn’t guarantee her safety.

If he entrusted it to Kraud, he would prevent her from interfering.

So that takes care of Arsia.

His destination was a barren wasteland where nothing existed.

Having already experienced the Sword of Judgment being torn, he couldn’t trust it.

Especially since Hades would have witnessed that Veichel was alive.

And that Radios’s friendly feelings toward Olympus had hit rock bottom.

Unless he was a complete fool, he would have noticed.

“Order. If I could just handle Order.”

Even without using the Sword of Judgment, he could exert its power.

Additionally, he would break free from being Olympus’s puppet.

And be able to use the Blind Idiot God’s power without hesitation.

It was a field he had no grasp of, but Radios pushed himself harshly for two days.

To be able to detect Order even a little.

To withstand Veichel’s fierce attacks.

Time passed quickly.

Exactly 31 hours after arriving at the wasteland.

“…She’s coming.”

A presence landed in front of him.

Radios rose from his cross-legged position.

“…Veichel.”

Five days ago, the appearance with the right side of her face wrapped in bandages was gone.

Revealing her whole face, she looked the same as the past Veichel, yet different.

Her once vibrant eyes were now dead, harboring an ominous energy.

She too faced Radios and spoke.

“Radios. It’s the promised time.”

Five days after their worst reunion.

A man and woman with different beliefs faced each other.

To kill one another.