episode_0162

51. The Black Knight and the Awakened Girl. (4)

A girl’s reflection in a circular pond created by Tot.

I could tell that the girl was Ho-ryeong, the daughter of Mr. Du-sik. She looked a little more mature than in the picture of Mr. Du-sik I had seen, but her overall outline remained.

Yeong-i was sobbing and covered in blood that even I, who was watching, frowned.

The black smoke I see. The power of Thanatos seems to continue to flow out of that child’s body… How many of these cruel and insane rituals has this child seen?

” How much… is left…? ”

At my words, Thoth unfolded the ‘Papyrus’ from his bosom and handed it to me.

” There are many things needed for a god to appear, but the common factor is the body the god will descend into. In other words, a ‘vessel’ is needed. Additionally, in the case of Thanatos, I know of ‘666 martyrs’. ”

” Indeed… Did you calculate the numbers written here yourself…? ”

Tot simply nodded his head slightly and looked at the reflection of the spirit in the pond.

” Perhaps… there aren’t many martyrs left. And… that child’s will… is also gradually weakening… ”

” How… Is there no way? ”

” I have to save that child before he gets covered in the blood of all the martyrs, but that’s impossible. ”

” Then… How on earth…! ”

When I heard that it was impossible, I felt like my heart was breaking.

Why on earth did that kid have to go through all this? Because he has the power to change fate? Because of that?

As I sat there with tears streaming down my face, looking at Lingyi and wondering how I could save that child, Tot put his hand on my shoulder and opened his mouth.

” It would be difficult to prevent that child from taking on the deaths of 666 martyrs. But if that child’s will is not broken… Charlotte, you will be able to purify it with your power. ”

” Is that… the only way…? ”

Thoth nodded and left me, saying that he and the rest of the gods would prepare in case they failed to save the child. I said I understood and started preparing to return to Ara and Pedro.

I thought all the gods had left, but there was one left.

” Vulcan. Do you have something to say to me? ”

” Charlotte. Looks like you still haven’t pulled out the ‘Third Sword’. ”

” That’s… okay. You don’t have to take out that sword… ”

Honestly, I think I can solve everything with just these two swords: [First Sword. Durandal.] and [Second Sword. Hauteclair.] However, Vulcanus’ voice denies my answer.

” There’s probably no one who can stop you from using those two swords. But when Patruna and everyone created the ‘vessel’ called ‘you’, they thought that your power would be at its peak when you obtained the ‘third sword. ‘ Do you know what I mean? ”

” I understand… to some extent. But unlike the two swords that were liberated on their own after receiving his… love, the third sword… doesn’t respond at all. ”

” Is that so… Then, you still haven’t been able to bring out your ‘own strength’. ”

” Yes…? ”

” Think for yourself what God is. This… won’t be solved even if I, no, we tell you. That’s how it was made. ”

Leaving those words, Vulcanus left, hoping to come to his senses as soon as possible.

What on earth are you talking about?

What more am I supposed to know about God here? Is it to make me realize… what I lack?

” Sigh… Right now, I don’t have time to think like this… ”

What’s important now is… saving her before her will is broken.

Yeah, that’s it.

*****

As I slowly opened my eyes, Ara was watching me with anxious eyes, and Pedro was sighing in relief.

” Sister, are you okay? ”

” Yeah. Sorry. I had something to do. What time is it now? ”

” It’s been about two hours since my sister lost consciousness and collapsed. ”

” Really? That’s good. Then, let’s move quickly. I’ll explain while we move. ”

After packing our bags and leaving Seoul Station, we quickly headed to the memorial complex.

Unfortunately, I wanted to open a portal to the memorial settlement, but… since it was a place I had never been to, I could only move to a place I had observed from afar.

‘ Well, it’s fortunate that we’ve reduced the distance to this extent… ‘

After glancing at Ara and Pedro coming out of the portal, I looked at the ‘War Memorial Settlement’ in front of me.

Unlike other places, a black light was shooting out from what seemed to be the center, turning the sky black, and a large wall was visible starting from a large three-way intersection and surrounding the perimeter.

It looks like they’ve been continuously building up, as it’s higher than what I saw before.

” Wow… This is the memorial settlement… It’s a lot different from what I heard. ”

” Of course. Unlike back then, my sister said that those cult guys took over. ”

” Yeah, that’s right. But Ara, noona. This is… really… ”

” Pedro. I think I know what you’re thinking. Sister… Is this really the right place? ”

” That’s right. This is really… ‘War Memorial Settlement.’ ”

Just looking at it gives off an eerie, creepy vibe, and the horribly pungent smell of blood wafts out.

Just from the pungent smell of blood wafting in, it seemed like I could tell just how much of the ‘torture’ called ‘ritual’ that Yeong-i had been subjected to there.

” Both of you, listen carefully. You two… move separately from me. ”

” What?! Hey, wait a minute, what are you talking about! Sister! ”

” That’s right, Sister! Even if we’re weak…! ”

At the suggestion that we move separately, Ara and Pedro were startled and grabbed each other’s arms, shouting that there was no need to do that.

” Both of you. Calm down. What I’m saying is… I can’t infiltrate because of the divine powers I have. Because of that guy over there. ”

” Oh Hyuk-jin… That guy, right? ”

I felt Ara’s hand tighten on my arm as Pedro sharply called out his name.

” Sister… Is Yeong-i really over there…? By any chance… ”

” I’ll tell you everything, including that. You two, let go of my arms. ”

After making sure Ara and Pedro let go of their arms, I used my device to unfold a map of the area and explained it to them.

” First of all… Mr. Doosik’s daughter. The place where Yeong-i is is in this building. It’s on the top of the building called the War Memorial. I think I’ll have to fight quite a few guys to get there. But if I, who poses a big threat to them, catch their attention… ”

” The guards will fall to where my sister is. ”

” Yeah. But that doesn’t mean it’ll be easy. They’ll definitely think I’m drawing attention, so at least I’ll have insurance. So you two, infiltrate before me and find one of them. ”

While saying that, he showed them the photo he had received from his older brother.

A photo of a man with a neatly trimmed dandy cut and wearing black horn-rimmed glasses. Yes, this is the man my brother was talking about, ‘Park Se-chan.’

” Who is it…? ”

” This is Park Se-chan, a friend and informant of my brother. In fact, we started moving because of the information he sent us. He sent us that there seemed to be a problem at Seoul Station.

Anyway, you guys need to infiltrate first and find this guy who knows the situation better than we do. So Pedro. ”

” Yes! ”

” When Ara creates a piece of land that is similar in height to the top of that memorial, you have to connect the thread and get there. Ara has to confirm that the spirit is coming from the top, and then… you two will have to separate for a while. Sorry. ”

” No, Sister. It’s to save Ling. Right? Pedro? ”

” Yeah, it’s okay, don’t worry. But where can I find that guy named Park Se-chan…? ”

” If it’s as my brother said… he said it’s in the museum where the children gather. It’s right next door, so it should be easy to find. ”

” Okay. Does this person… have any abilities? ”

” Since you said it’s the ability to hide in the shadows, the faster you find it… it’ll help you run away and stuff. Okay. Is this enough of an explanation? ”

At my words, the two nodded and stood up from their seats, and I also stood up and waved to them.

” Then, I’ll move first and watch the situation. If you find Mr. Park Se-chan or Yeong-i, contact me. Then I’ll move. ”

” Yeah, be careful too, unnie. ”

” You two be careful. ”

The moment I turned my back on them and was about to move my feet, there was something I absolutely had to say.

” Sorry for making you come with me. And… thank you for coming. ”

The two of them didn’t answer me and just quietly pushed my back.

I felt the warmth of the two on my back and moved forward.

Now, I have to save Yeong-i… and put an end to Thanatos and Oh Hyuk-jin.

*****

” How long on earth will I… just take it easy… Oh, no! ”

The girl shakes her head vigorously and mutters sweet words to seduce him.

But the light in the girl’s eyes was gradually fading away.

Like a black hole swallowing light.

Horyeong wonders how much longer he can endure his increasingly weak mind, but he begins to feel himself sinking into a swamp of despair with no end in sight.

The man in the pure white robe who appeared in front of her. Oh Hyuk-jin.

” Now, it’s time for the final ritual. Are you ready? ”

” Huh…! Absolutely… It won’t go your way… ”

” Think as you wish. After all, you will become a vessel for Him and a saint who will lead us to the new world. ”

After the Black Knight silently watched the two leave, only silence remained in the memorial hall.

An eerie silence that swallows everything up…