Ch.99Podium (1)

# Guardian of Humanity

The once-exalted title bestowed by the heavens upon the hero had faded. It had become merely a scene from distant memories. The past that had floated away after his resurrection couldn’t overshadow reality. Unlike the legendary heroes who had faced death multiple times in battles against demon lords yet overcame all adversities without losing their humanity, he had failed to follow in their footsteps.

Though granted another chance through the Creator God’s power, the motivation to rise again had vanished.

Emptiness. This single word alone could define his current state.

Even that was insufficient to describe the magnitude of his loss. It couldn’t be expressed through simple words. Even his gaze toward companions who had shared his journey for over a decade was now devoid of emotion.

An ordinary person would have collapsed on the spot, feeling as if cast alone into a vast ocean.

Yet, befitting the sole human chosen by the Creator God, he managed to stand on his own. The hero left the grand sanctuary of the Dark Order, which was under reconstruction, and settled in the archives.

“If you need any materials, I’ll send them to you anytime. I hope you find the true light.”

The fallen angels that Durin had brought from the demon realm assisted him. The hundreds of ancient texts before him served as a staff to support the hero. Though he couldn’t see what lay ahead, he fumbled forward little by little. He filled the void by following the traces left by the Goddess of Night.

-Two transcendent beings born of the Creator God.

-Kalas, God of Light who governs life, and Diphrine, Goddess of Night who governs death.

-Born to manage humans created by the Creator, but unsatisfied with their given roles.

-A small yearning for something different kindled from embers that had been covered.

As he encountered content that differed from the scriptures, he erased his deficiencies.

The honor of being called the Guardian of Humanity and his devotion to the gods. A new stimulus that he had never felt during all those years of living solely for that title overwhelmed him. The existence of a new deity he had encountered at St. Moriano Cathedral became a milestone, giving him a sense of destiny.

The direction that the demon warlock had spoken of.

It breathed life into the hero who had been moving solely with the purpose of reviving his companions. He noted the differences from the scriptures he had learned in the human realm and engraved them in his mind. He waved his hand to grasp the light the fallen angel had spoken of.

-Death and life. The more these two beings delved into each other, the more intense their desire grew.

-Because possessing both powers would allow one to rule over humans.

-Just as their mother, the Creator God, had done.

Gods were always supposed to be in an absolute position. They needed to be flawless to be objects of worship. But the gods revealed in the records showed a different aspect. They were like humans. They coveted the abilities of others and tried to solidify their authority based on them.

“It’s different. Definitely different from the scriptures.”

The hero turned to the next page. The letters were blurred. It was unreadable content.

When he looked up at one of the fallen angels, they also shook their head.

“It requires interpretation work. Even we don’t know beyond that.”

That was as far as he could go today.

The hero closed the ancient book and rose from his seat. He had been cooped up for over a month already. If he didn’t get some fresh air soon, his companions would worry and come looking for him. Since he wasn’t in the mood for troublesome conversations, he headed to the order’s plaza to at least make an appearance.

Whooosh-

The wind blew. It was cold.

He felt the seasons that had passed during the war. Throughout that time, he had been asleep. He had been trapped in the demon realm without fulfilling his duty as a hero. The world he finally faced now was no different from before, but it was sinking deeper into chaos.

Just like the hero’s complicated concerns.

“What was my duty?”

It was a pure question that arose while reading the records.

Duty. Guardian of humanity. But what had he protected them from?

Looking back, it was all heretics. The first time he went to slay demons was during the recent infiltration into the demon realm. Ironically, as a hero, the only ones he had properly killed were humans. He had slain them all for not believing in the gods.

He hadn’t protected the world.

He had only protected the Papal Territory. Of course, by disposing of those with different voices, he had maintained an imperfect order. Should that be considered fulfilling his duty?

Since he had protected the heavens.

“The revelation I received from the Creator God in the demon realm was different.”

It hadn’t come through the heavens. Usually, angels would show the way, so it was a unique experience. At the time, it had given vitality to his stagnant life, so he had pursued it passionately, but…

“Was I destined to die like a sacrifice from the beginning?”

No matter how much he thought about it, that was the only conclusion he could reach. The words Durin had spat out during their first confrontation, in the moment of his defeat, echoed in his mind.

-A warrior abandoned by the heavens.

It wouldn’t have been strange if anger had welled up. If he hadn’t been in his current state of maintaining his rationality, he would have drawn his sword immediately.

“But without even that sword, what can I…”

The more he pondered, the more bitter his smile became. A human who belonged nowhere, along with a pessimistic situation. The world he had previously protected treated him as dead, and demons regarded him strictly as an outsider.

The very situation of trying to be treated as an ally by demon forces was laughable, but he wanted to establish his position clearly.

Click! Click!

“The Regent is looking for you.”

A demon came when the hero was wandering alone. It was a headless Durahan. Most had returned to the demon realm following the demon lord, but a few remained under Durin’s command to help rebuild the order.

“Is there something I need to do?”

The hero asked the Durahan. The demon didn’t answer.

It refrained from speaking more than necessary. The hero was the same.

“Alright. If needed, I should go.”

Though quite self-deprecating, he didn’t express any particular dissatisfaction. He moved his feet, as he was in a state where he couldn’t be fundamentally fulfilled despite filling his deficiencies.

#

The Grand Sanctuary of the Order.

Believers gathered in small groups, listening to a fallen angel.

“There isn’t just one god in the world! If there’s a god who governs the day, how can there not be a god who governs the night!”

The appealing voice swept through the audience. The murmuring grew louder.

“But, I was taught that night is the time when God sleeps. Since we sleep, doesn’t God also sleep?”

Someone with courage questioned. It seemed like a harsh rebuke would follow, but what resonated was gentleness.

“God is a being who watches over the world. How could one sleep while leaving their children?”

“Ah.”

“That is the love of the Creator God and affection for their children.”

It sounded too much like a cleric for someone who had converted to demons. Heretics usually spoke of the hypocrisy and deception of gods. But the transcendent world expressed by the fallen angel wasn’t much different from the Papal Territory.

Without needing to criticize anyone or show provocation, the mere appearance of a new deity could shock the sanctuary built by the Papal Territory.

They could engage in a power struggle through simple evangelism. It was a significant advantage.

“They’re busy.”

From the most prominent seat on the upper level, overlooking the sanctuary.

“Did you get what you wanted?”

Durin asked the hero. The regent was genuinely inquiring about his recent state.

“I’m not sure.”

The hero, who had expected to receive a new mission, couldn’t easily choose his words. He pondered for a moment before giving a bitter smile.

“It’s so far away that I don’t know if I can really attain it.”

“Even after touching the sacred relic, you couldn’t find your way.”

“The Papal Territory was my entire life.”

A guardian for a single power, not for humans or gods.

That was the realization of the past month. The thought he had kept to himself stung as he voiced it. The fact that his interlocutor was a demon played a part.

It was evidence that he had completely separated from his life before resurrection.

“Honestly, if it weren’t for my previous determination to save Eiley, I would have strayed to a different path long ago.”

The image of a ghost consumed by revenge came to mind. He would have returned to that state. Even now, there was a voice constantly whispering in his ear.

-Take revenge.

-Don’t you want to fight?

-Reclaim your lost honor.

What was its identity? It was intense enough to be his next destination, but equally repulsive. He felt that if he were to be consumed by primal emotions, he might truly throw everything into the void.

The reason for his wandering.

It became one of the reasons he remained in the demon camp, unable to move in either direction.

“Durin. Will you really revive Eiley?”

“If you wish, I can show you her soul.”

“Isn’t she in the demon realm?”

Durin waved his hand.

“In these times when the human realm and demon realm are connected, I can show you like this whenever you want.”

A vision appeared in the faintly glowing demonic energy. Inside the room of the tower where the hero had been imprisoned. The magician with closed eyes was visible. She looked very peaceful in her deep sleep.

“…..”

But there was something even more concerning. The aura of death that faintly showed flames around the demonic energy. A pure power of a different dimension from holy power, drawing in the observer.

A magic more potent than the sermons delivered by the fallen angel. It could surely dominate the order.

“To be honest, with this power, I could revive the magician right away.”

But Durin told the hero something different. The regent looked at the corpse in the vision.

“The ability to handle death can settle a soul where desired without going through a warlock.”

“You could also create Durahans.”

“I’ll use that power for resurrection.”

It was an unexpected proposal. He was unhesitatingly offering to remove the only constraint that kept the hero with him.

“……”

If it had been his former self, he would have nodded without a second thought. He had prioritized his companions and wouldn’t have chosen any other option.

The problem was that the resurrected hero was a different person.

A tin can that had received the blessing through the Creator God’s power but lacked a proper personality without the help of the heavens, retaining only the strength of a hero. The smiling image from the recesses of his memory seemed too distant.

“I’ve achieved my goal in the human realm.”

“Are you satisfied with taking over the order?”

“Satisfaction will come after conquering the heavens. I’ve merely achieved my first goal.”

Durin rose from his seat. He looked down at the fallen angel creating a new faith.

“But there’s nothing for you to do there. I had intended to use you in the battle against angels, but seeing your state, I can’t find any use for you.”

His tone was strong despite being calm. Durin was merciless. He never once glanced at the hero.

“So go. Live as you please in the human realm.”

“I could stop you.”

“You?”

Durin sneered. That touched the hero’s sore spot. For the first time, he showed emotion.

“I also know about the traces left by the goddess. If possible, I’ll interfere.”

“Not bad.”

“If necessary, I might even join forces with your former demon lord who fled. To hinder you.”

“Joining hands with Lucretia…”

The mockery deepened. Durin still didn’t look at him.

“Do as you please.”

“What?”

“One wasn’t enough, but this works out well. I’ll show the mercy of sending you safely from the order.”

Durin cut off his words. He showed an attitude of not giving any more attention.

“……”

The hero gritted his teeth. He felt rebellious.

-Fine. I’ll leave as you wish.

He wanted to spit it out immediately. But he couldn’t voice it. All the milestones for the hero’s remaining life were in the order, so he couldn’t act emotionally.

-The trace of the goddess that would become a new blessing.

-The stimulus received from the contradictory heavens.

-The only force that acknowledged the memories of the previous era.

All these things held him back. Instead of the faded honor of being the Guardian of Humanity, he couldn’t easily leave the demons who remembered him and opened a path for him.

Above all, that power of death was too alluring.

The purest power of the world, unseen in holy power.

He was instinctively drawn to it. Was it because it was close to the blessing given by the Creator God?

“…I still have things to do.”

The hero finally surrendered. He sighed deeply and rose.

“I need to delve into the deficiencies of the heavens. It’s one of my tasks.”

“As much as you want. You can also interact with the Dark Order while you’re at it.”

“The order?”

“Don’t you want to handle the power of death more? If you wish, the fallen angels will help you. They need an apostle to practice their faith.”

“You’re demanding complete conversion.”

“It’s up to your choice.”

This time, the deliberation wasn’t long. The hero nodded.

“If necessary.”

“I’ll take that as acceptance.”

“I’ll go to that white-haired fallen angel and convey my intention.”

“Excellent.”

Only then did Durin express satisfaction. At the same time, he erased the vision floating above his hand. The demonic energy dispersed like a mirage between his clenched fist.

“The magician’s resurrection will happen soon. You’ll see her again on the day the order officially launches.”

“You’ll also announce my existence to the world?”

“If you want to join, decide your allegiance clearly.”

Durin turned around. His red eyes demanded a choice from the hero.

“Will you join us?”

Revenge was still shouting in the hero’s ears.

His uncontrolled heart was in turmoil. But an even greater desire became his driving force.

Guardian of Humanity.

He abandoned that faded title. Why hold onto memories that remained like ghosts?

Kael. Apostle of Death.

He grasped the demon’s hand.

“If necessary.”