Chapter 44 – After the Subjugation (5)

As Rubia and Noah disappeared from view, the smile on Jure’s face faded, returning to her usual neutral expression.

“Kent. What happened to the body?”

Kent, who had silently approached as always, gave a small bow before speaking.

“According to the investigation team, there were no traces of Carpeng left. They concluded that the damage was solely from the greatsword. It appears that even after its death… the body was struck approximately thirty-nine more times.”

“I see.”

She recalled the sight of the mangled corpse.

Its limbs had been torn off, its guts spilled out, and the bones were so crushed that the body was unrecognizable.

“And the villagers, did they see the body?”

Kent cleared his throat before responding. “There were witnesses who saw the killing. We’ve instructed them to remain quiet, but the rumors have already spread.”

“So it’ll be difficult to contain it entirely.”

“I apologize.”

She thought about the voices she’d overheard.

While there were a few supportive whispers, most of the villagers were terrified, blaming everything on the ones who had saved them.

It wasn’t hard to understand why, given the state of the body. But treating their heroes this way… it felt undeserved.

“Phew…”

She thought of the girl she had spoken to yesterday and today.

A girl with a bright smile and a body much smaller than the others, with a timid and pure nature.

And yet, she carried a greatsword that dragged along the ground, far too large for her.

The image of her killing someone was impossible to imagine.

But somehow, that girl had caused such an atrocity.

If she were a normal person, there would be some hesitation in killing another human being.

But from the look of that corpse…

It wasn’t just without hesitation. It seemed as though she had enjoyed it.

“Tsk.”

Thinking more about it won’t change anything.

She expanded her senses and surveyed the battlefield where Carpeng had been fought.

Then, she used her second unique ability, reading the flow of mana, and began to reconstruct the battle in her mind.

First was Carpeng against Luchi and Heinzel.

Next was the greatsword… Noah.

And then…

She picked up faint traces of residual mana, bloodied arrows, a cloaking robe, an enhanced berserk horn, and the sight she’d seen on the body…

A twisted grin.

And burned into the brain, the mark of the Black Sun.

“There’s no one who saw the mark, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Well, that’s a relief. But please, do whatever it takes to prevent these rumors from spreading further.”

“Understood. I will do my best.”

“No, don’t just do your best. Do it properly. Make sure of it.”

“…Yes, I understand.”

She waved her hand dismissively as she turned away.

“I’ll take my leave.”

As Kent disappeared, she let out a deep sigh.

She envisioned Luchi’s final battle.

He had struck down Carpeng.

And after that, carved a path through the world itself.

A mark, not of obedience to the heavens, but of defiance against them.

Luchi had not become a ‘master’ of everything.

He had defied the world and become a ‘challenger.’

She remembered Luchi’s bright smile as he lay dead.

She glared up at the sun, narrowing her eyes at it.

One day, the sun would fall.

She glared at Lilith, the Evil God.

The fifth nightmare had come to an end, thanks to a new challenger.

Now, there were only four nightmares left.

And five challengers.

The balance had broken.

The Awakening of the End had begun.

The arrival of the False Paradise was underway.

“This… is too far off from the prophecy.”

The birth of a sixth challenger.

The disappearance of the fifth.

And the mysterious girl, Noah.

And now, the priestess and Noah were headed toward the Karahan Mountains, where the fifth challenger had vanished.

Until now, everything had followed the prophecy.

But Noah’s arrival had changed everything.

The prophecy had been broken.

Closing her eyes, she gathered her mana.

“Ah, can you hear me? This is Jure.”

Far away, in Alrba…

She made contact with the first challenger.

Reporting the incident.

Reporting the start of it all.

“Beginning the report, Hermilla.”

***

“The fifth nightmare has ended.”

At the top floor of the Erden Temple.

In a hall surrounded by stained glass.

Kneeling in prayer was Alstein, dressed in pristine white robes.

“And… a new challenger has appeared…”

Blood burst from his body, and crimson letters began to etch themselves on the ‘Revelations’ scroll he held.

[You’ve disappointed me greatly, Alstein.]

“Guh… I… I’m sorry…”

Blood poured down Alstein’s face.

His fingernails tore off, his fingers twisted, his toes wrenched out of place, and his innards crumpled within him.

[I told you the Awakening of the End was too early. And I also mentioned that Erden’s descent wasn’t prepared yet, didn’t I?]

“I-I’m… s-sorry…”

[Oh, I apologize. I suppose that’s understandable. I didn’t know about her either, so it’s only natural that you didn’t. I let my emotions get the better of me for a moment. Huhu…]

Alstein’s blood began to flow backward.

His crumpled intestines unraveled, his torn toes returned, his twisted fingers straightened, and new nails grew back.

“Thank you for your mercy…”

[I trust you, Alstein. You’ll do better this time, won’t you?]

The agony on Alstein’s face gave way to euphoric joy.

“O-Of course!”

His golden eyes sparkled.

[Then, Alstein von Erdenshutte. As your master, I command you. Restore balance to the world.]

[Kill the fifth challenger, and sow despair across the land.]

[And recover the Fragment of the End.]

“I will obey.”

As he pressed his forehead to the ground in prayer, Alstein’s face twisted in madness and ecstasy.

“All in the name of Erden.”

The blood-soaked scroll of Revelations returned to its pure white state.

At the same time, Alstein’s expression calmed.

His wild emotions subsided, his voice returned to normal.

Alstein turned toward the door and spoke in his usual reverent tone.

“Phew… Come in.”

One of the many stained glass windows opened, and a man in black armor entered the hall.

With each movement, the screeching of metal echoed through the room.

The sword at his waist rattled with each step.

His breath filled the hall like the tearing of lungs.

“It’s been a while, Sir Kalt.”

Alstein smiled and extended a hand.

But Kalt, the man standing before him, ignored the gesture, his eyes fixed on Alstein.

“We haven’t met since you became a Master… You’ve changed quite a bit.”

“S…stop talking. G-give the order.”

Kalt’s voice was no longer human, a ghastly rasp that escaped his throat.

“Oh dear… your voice seems to be in terrible shape. How about some holy water—”

“The o-order.”

Kalt’s hand moved toward the hilt of his sword.

“Ah, you’re in a foul mood, I see. My joke was out of line… Haha. Very well, I’ll convey the goddess’s command.”

The fierce energy emanating from Kalt ceased as he knelt on one knee, bowing his head.

Alstein smiled in satisfaction and continued.

“Master Kalt, immediately travel to the top of the Karahan Mountains and kill the fifth challenger, ‘Yuria.’”

As Alstein spoke, divine power filled his words.

“And recover the lost Fragment of the End.”

The power coiled around Kalt, squeezing his body, pressing him down.

“All… in… Erden’s… name.”

“All in the name of Erden.”

As Alstein’s command ended, the divine power that bound Kalt’s body seeped into him.

“Hah…”

Kalt’s ragged breath slowed.

The trembling sword at his waist fell silent.

“What’s the timeline?”

His voice had returned to normal.

“Fifteen days.”

“And the aftermath… how will that be handled?”

“Erden will take care of everything. Including compensating the families.”

Kalt’s face twisted.

“I’ll be going, then.”

“Please, take care.”

***

The wagon clattered over the rough plains.

Hephaestus was sniffling in my arms, while Rubia watched us with a strange expression.

“Umm… Rubia…?”

“Yes?”

Her voice… it sounds a bit cold.

“Do you want some jelly?”

I carefully pulled out the jelly I had been squishing in my pocket earlier.

It wasn’t really in the best shape, but it was all I had left…

“It looks… strange.”

“Ahem… Well… I think it got a bit squished in my pocket.”

Rubia moved a little closer.

“It’s shaped just like your hand… Did you squish it, Noah?”

“Ugh… um… I just… played with it a little because I was bored… But I did wash my hands! Though, maybe it’s still not great to eat now… Maybe I should just…”

Just as I was about to put it back in my pocket, Rubia leaned forward suddenly.

“Ah!”

She snatched the jelly from my hand.

Her tongue, soft and damp, flicked against my fingers as she pulled the jelly into her mouth.

“R-Rubia…?”

“It’s peach-flavored.”

“W-Wait… wasn’t the peach flavor… all gone?”

I wiped my now damp fingers on my clothes, feeling confused.

But I’m sure… the peach flavor was all eaten…

Rubia’s eyes twinkled mischievously as she leaned back, licking her lips.

“Well, it definitely tasted like peach. So maybe… your fingers taste like peaches, Noah?”

“W-What…?”

I instinctively curled my fingers into a fist and shoved them into my pocket.

“Unnie… sniff Can I have some jelly too…?”

Hephaestus, still sniffling beside me, reached out her hand, her fingers sticky with tears and snot.

“You… You want some too?”

“Yes…”

I took out the remaining two jellies from my pocket, carefully selecting the one that was less squished and handed it to her, making sure it didn’t touch her nose.

“Thank you… sniff“

After a deep breath, Hephaestus ate the jelly, and I finally felt her calming down.

Ugh… the spot where Hephaestus had been resting her head on me was all damp now.

“Are you feeling better now, Hephaestus?”

“Ah, yes… I’m sorry for the trouble…”

As soon as Hephaestus moved away, Rubia’s expression softened.

She had been annoyed earlier, probably because she didn’t want the clothes she had washed to get dirty.

Well, she did take care of all my laundry, so it made sense.

“Phew… Actually, there’s something I’d like to tell you…”

Hephaestus exhaled slowly and pulled a small letter from her pocket.

“This is the reason why I’m heading to the Karahan Mountains. I thought… it’d be better if I explained it now.”

Rubia nodded as she took the letter delicately from Hephaestus.

“Hephaestus, do you mind if I read it out loud?”

“I don’t mind.”

I guess Rubia was doing this because I couldn’t read, but…

Wouldn’t reading the letter out loud be kind of embarrassing?

“I-I mean… if it’s too personal, you don’t have to explain it right now…”

“No, Noah-unnie should hear it too.”

Hephaestus smiled softly and shook her head.

Rubia carefully unfolded the letter.

“This letter is from your master, right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“And… your master’s name is…”

Rubia’s voice trailed off as she unfolded the letter and began to read.

“‘Yuria.’”