Ch.4747. Ragnis

A painful male scream.

The sound of burning wood that was once a Dark Elf.

And surrounding him, evidence of divine power manifestation.

Ragnis tried to assess the situation even while feeling the exhilaration of successfully extending her life and achieving revenge.

Since earlier, an inexplicable sense of elevation had been responding to “something.”

The source of this discomfort was a masked, unidentified figure who had been present for an unknown amount of time.

“Hello.”

When their eyes met, he greeted her naturally.

To Ragnis’s eyes, he didn’t look human at all.

“…A monster?”

‘That’s quite rude.’

Hiding his feelings of injustice, he tilted his head slightly.

When he just nodded silently, it came across as quite threatening to Ragnis.

“Think whatever you want.”

“…!”

He didn’t bother with lengthy explanations.

She would realize it naturally anyway.

“Why did you save me?”

Ragnis lowered her attitude, appreciating the freedom of thought he granted.

Ron, satisfied with this, decided to answer her question.

「Incarnation of the Black Sun: How dare a mere elf…!」

“You looked like you needed help.”

“What does that…”

Originally, help and kindness are given at the discretion of the giver.

-Ding!

「Hostile targets approaching!」

Simultaneously checking the map, he could see numerous red dots approaching near the dense forest.

“It’s not over yet.”

“….!”

While taking the opportunity to chat, he began to raise black flames around them using Black Abyss.

A mysterious power that existed not with the properties of fire itself, but to achieve a purpose.

-Whoosh!

As I imbued my will into the divine power, it surrounded the area without burning the forest, just making it impossible to approach.

“…..”

Ragnis seemed deep in thought as she observed the phenomenon I created.

A power similar to what she had just used to deal with the assassin.

By now, she should be able to roughly guess who I am.

“Let’s talk for a bit.”

The divine energy would allow us to converse briefly, but once beyond this barrier, her life would immediately end.

Therefore, I decided to have a short interview to determine if she could be useful for my future plans.

#

Ragnis is a fugitive.

She was called a heretic, banished from the sacred forest for breaking an elven taboo.

In this world already deeply influenced by the constellations.

The elves’ way of life isn’t much different from others.

Blessing comes to those chosen by the constellations; misfortune to those who aren’t.

In this regard, Ragnis’s misfortune was of a particularly bad quality.

The constellation of the elves was naturally the World Tree, and all elves relied on its blessing to sustain their race.

“You were the most favored elf?”

“…Yes.”

“Then why are you now…”

“I rejected the blessing.”

“Oh.”

What a trendy believer.

While others spend their entire lives trying to get even a whiff of a constellation’s attention, our Ms. Picky had a different approach from the start.

Ignoring the Black Sun who was trembling with rage at such unprecedented irreverence, I continued the conversation.

“Why?”

“We elves serve the World Tree constellation, and when the time comes, we must return to its embrace. Otherwise, we receive a terrible curse.”

“No, I know that.”

Would I, who played the game diligently, not know such minor details?

The elf race lives in the great forest, where a massive World Tree stands.

The World Tree belongs to the constellations, and all elven power stems from it.

But in Ragnis, I couldn’t sense any of that divine power.

‘So this is what makes her unsuitable?’

Just an empty shell.

An elf without divine power or the magical power derived from it would face obvious consequences.

“When the time comes, elves must sacrifice their remaining life to make an offering to the World Tree.”

“So, you didn’t like that?”

“….”

Though she said nothing, her silence was answer enough.

“I like how straightforward that is.”

I appreciated the lack of complicated circumstances.

“You, you dislike the constellations.”

“I—”

“You can be honest. I dislike those constellation fellows too.”

Ragnis’s expression changed noticeably.

While it’s said that constellations don’t like other constellations, few would take such an openly negative stance.

After all, it’s essentially like spitting in one’s own face.

“Now.”

I decided to get to the point.

I pointed my finger toward the outside of our barrier.

Though the Black Abyss made it difficult to see clearly, the map showed more than twenty red dots approaching.

They seemed to have no intention of letting their clan’s disgrace live.

“Once I remove this fire, assassins like the one you killed will come rushing in.”

Ragnis responded with detachment, as if she already knew her future.

“I’m the disgrace of the elves after all.”

“So you’re just going to die?”

The Ragnis I first saw didn’t seem to feel resignation or surrender.

“Do you want to die a meaningless death at the hands of those who made you this way?”

Bestial ferocity.

The raw, desperate tenacity reminds me of Lisia’s past, still leaving a strong impression.

“I don’t care.”

If she hesitated to go further here, I could have left this as her final moment.

I could always find believers elsewhere.

But.

“…I want to.”

“What?”

“I want revenge…!”

Ragnis gave the answer I was waiting for.

“Against whom?”

“Against the bastards who made me like this… hic!”

Tears streamed down Ragnis’s eyes.

The red energy seeping from the wounds on her cheeks made it look like she was crying tears of blood.

“Yes, yes.”

A good mindset.

I snapped my fingers, immediately withdrawing the black flames surrounding us.

「The elf, ‘Ragnis’ has become your believer!」

「A quest has arrived.」

「Believer, ‘Ragnis’ must defeat all ‘Dark Elf Assassins’ (0/23)」

「There will be a reward upon quest completion.」

‘It’s been a while.’

This overlaps a lot with Lisia’s situation.

If I put the two together, they might create some good synergy.

Mainly, Lisia could provide good advice as a senior.

Quietly burying the expectation forming in a corner of my mind, I opened the skill tab.

While making myself invisible, I bestowed a small blessing upon Ragnis, my first believer, in the name of Black Abyss.

“…..”

The densely wooded forest.

Sharp gazes that felt like they were piercing the skin could be sensed between the trees.

The gathered assassins were confused by the unexpected situation.

“Do as you please.”

I spoke to Ragnis, who was facing them, and decided to quietly observe the situation.

#

“Hmm…?”

Lisia, who was busy dealing with believers of a hostile order, tilted her head at an unfamiliar energy.

With one hand, she roughly wiped the blood smeared on her cheek, then twisted her spear to end the life of the believer she had been trampling.

-Crunch!

“Gak.”

The believer of the Eternal Slumberer died instantly.

-Crackle.

Watching their order being consumed by flames, Lisia felt satisfied with her prayers for the day.

“H-how dare…! This is blasphemy!!”

A crazed believer charging from somewhere didn’t need to be dealt with.

-Slash!

“Kuk.”

Herien, the Hero’s assistant and Sword Saintess, had already eliminated him.

“Phew.”

“Is everything well handled on your side?”

To Lisia’s cold inquiry, Herien spoke without showing her nervousness.

“Thanks to the tight encirclement, there’s no trace of any escaped believers.”

“That’s good. We cannot let heretics who oppose Father God live.”

Could this really be the same sweet believer from before?

At least, when first dealing with her, such intensity wasn’t felt.

No, it was impossible to feel it given the structure of the situation.

Back then, it was purely how circumstances unfolded.

A minor misunderstanding.

Nothing more, nothing less in their relationship.

But now it’s different.

Her precious, beloved faith has been defiled.

“I must move faster than anyone else. That’s my calling.”

“…Even without pushing yourself so hard, there won’t be many who can oppose the Absolute One and survive in this world.”

“No.”

Lisia adjusted her weapon and corrected Herien’s assumption.

“There are none. Nothing that can defy Him and live.”

“….”

A truly unwavering attitude without a hint of doubt.

Herien subtly turned her head away.

It was too burdensome to face directly.

‘But that energy from earlier.’

Something had registered in Lisia’s sensitivity to divine power.

It was somewhat different from what one would feel in a crisis or urgent situation—

Clearly a feeling similar to a revelation meant to fulfill some purpose.

But it felt like the calling wasn’t directed at her, but rather delivered to someone else.

‘Attention. Father God’s attention.’

The news that Belladis had received holy blood from the Lord had come as quite a shock to Lisia.

My true Father God, my Father.

She never allowed herself impious or presumptuous thoughts, but the sinful desire creeping into a corner of her mind continued to whisper to Lisia.

That she could desire a little more, just as much as others coveted.

“….”

Lisia shook her head vigorously, trying to organize her complicated feelings as she moved on to find the next target.

#

“Huff, huff…!”

Someone was running through the dense forest.

With eyes filled with intense fear, they desperately moved their legs to survive.

In a situation completely opposite to before, Ragnis prepared her secret weapon with a hollow laugh.

「Dark Elf Assassin (22/23)」

Around her were numerous corpses being consumed by black flames.

Every one of them had rushed in to take Ragnis’s life.

-Whoosh!

The black flames spreading from Ragnis’s left arm soon manifested in the form of a bow.

In her empty hand was the bow of Black Abyss, ready to hunt the next prey.

-Creak.

With the manifestation of divine power, no bowstring was needed.

One only needed to desire and believe.

She pulled the invisible string with all her might and released the arrow.

“….Ah.”

The fleeing assassin looked back.

In the final moment of life, facing the rushing form of death.

“Urgh-“

There was no response coming back.

「Quest completed!」

「Reward has been given!」

-Clap, clap, clap.

The situation resolved.

Turning her head at the presence she felt again, she saw the unidentified figure watching her with a satisfied attitude.

“How does it feel? Relieved?”

“…No.”

Ragnis shook her head.

She wanted more sacrifices.

The desire to repay the malice directed at her twofold continued to squirm within her.

“If I serve you, can you fulfill my wishes?”

“Of course.”

Ron nodded, smiling behind his mask.

“If you just follow my instructions well, I’ll give you even more than that.”

-Thump. Thump.

Ragnis’s heart beat with a strange anticipation.