Chapter 255: Ragnarok (1)

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“…What?”

Crown Prince Yulian frowned and asked again, as if he didn’t quite understand.

However, the response from the Holy Church was quite different.

Fwoosh!

The priests’ vivid hostility surged over the skin.

Their intent to respond differently depending on the truth of the words just spoken was palpable.

Of course, NOX didn’t remain idle either.

Tap.

Second, who stood at the forefront, along with the executives and Black Label members, emanated a sharp murderous aura.

Having cooperated behind the scenes before, they were considerably aware of each other’s capabilities.

It was true that the Holy Church held overwhelming superiority against the forces of the Demon Realm, but the story was quite different when it came to NOX.

“Sir Carl. The matter of heresy is not something we can overlook either. Could you explain what this is about?”

“I wouldn’t say I’m a worshipper of a demigod or anything like that.”

Carl held out his sword.

The Divine Thunder Sword, a relic of one of the ancient heroes, ‘Justice’.

He had condensed the divinity of Kylos into the sword in preparation for a situation like this.

‘It’s practically become a holy sword.’

It was a situation where hostility against the powers of the Demon Realm was inevitable.

A holy sword would certainly come in handy.

“I obtained the legacy left by ‘Justice’ in the underground ruins of the ancient heroes beneath the Imperial Palace.”

This was something already well known, as Crown Prince Yulian had verified it.

“While trying to get used to the divine sword, an unfamiliar energy seeped in. It called itself the demigod Kylos.”

“…The demigod Kylos.”

Crown Prince Yulian repeated the name, as if it were unfamiliar to him.

On the other hand, the members of the Holy Church looked at Carl with solemn expressions, as if they already knew.

“It’s difficult for a human to resist the level of a demigod. Normally, in such a situation, we’d assume he’d already been consumed.”

Cardinal Nadram continued with a calm expression.

“If that’s the case, then it makes sense. Sir Carl’s unusual strength and growth beyond his age.”

“Feel free to verify it, if you wish.”

Carl shrugged as he replied.

They were about to face off against the powers of the Demon Realm and the heretics—he couldn’t leave behind seeds of discord.

Thud.

He planted the divine sword into the ground and extended his hand.

Cardinal Nadram and Paladin Ruthwell seemed to deliberate for a moment, then stepped forward together.

“We have a sacred relic of the Church. It holds the miracle of discerning the false faiths of heretics.”

“Very well.”

Carl nodded without hesitation.

At the same time, he inwardly let out a bitter smile as he looked at the relic Nadram brought.

‘False faiths, huh.’

Wasn’t it just that they had decided their beliefs were the only truth?

Had their god not won during the last Ragnarok, it would be the Church now labeled as heretics.

Shouting that only what they believed was right—this didn’t seem all that different from the Central Plains.

Creak.

Cardinal Nadram took out a small scale.

As he infused it with divine power and activated it, the scale slowly tilted back and forth before settling into perfect balance.

“Hmm.”

Cardinal Nadram let out a low hum after observing the result.

“What does it mean?”

“…You do not possess the faith of a heretic. However, it is astonishing. For a human mind not to be seized by the divinity of a demigod…”

“I’ve always had a strong sense of self. It seems a mere demigod wasn’t enough to take over my sanity.”

Carl said with a faint smile.

“To think that ‘Justice’ had taken the power of a demigod.”

Crown Prince Yulian, who had been quietly observing, murmured.

He had stepped in to mediate the tension between NOX and the Church.

“I doubt ‘Justice’ was a heretic or anything like that. The power left in the sword was nothing more than pure divinity.”

“So, the demigod Kylos no longer exists?”

“He disappeared after being defeated during the last Ragnarok. I can’t say for the others, but it’s unlikely Kylos will manifest in the Middle Realm again.”

“…”

The reasoning was sound.

Though there were still some unclear points, Cardinal Nadram nodded and organized his thoughts.

“With a clear enemy before us, there’s no benefit in turning on one another. Let’s discuss this matter again after everything is over.”

“Agreed.”

Carl also lightly agreed.

After all, once this war ended, he would become someone even the Church would no longer dare touch.

—Then, it seems the conversation has concluded.

“…!!”

“Who’s there?”

“Where are you?!”

A sudden, unfamiliar voice from thin air prompted everyone to tense up and scan their surroundings.

Carl too raised his senses.

He hadn’t sensed any presence at all until the voice rang out.

—There’s no need to be so wary. I am Mabel, a guardian who exists to preserve the balance of this stage.

Fwoosh.

A blue light flared up as a fist-sized form appeared.

Those who recognized the being furrowed their brows and opened their mouths.

“A fairy?”

“Is it a spirit?”

“Wait, that’s not an ordinary fairy. It’s wearing a crown…”

Fairy King.

A being regarded on par with elementals and charged with maintaining the order of the spirit realm had appeared here.

—The authority to preside over the edge of the horizon has long been the sacred duty of the Fairy Kings. I, Mabel, by that oath, shall guide you to the field of Ragnarok.

“…Have you heard of this before?”

“No. There are no such records in any known texts.”

In response to Crown Prince Yulian’s subtle inquiry, Carl shook his head.

He had scoured countless documents and ancient books to investigate the final battle known as Ragnarok.

But not once had he seen any record mentioning a Fairy King—let alone fairies being involved at all.

Flaaash!

A door leading somewhere soon appeared as space began to churn.

—I understand that the representative of the human realm, the representative of the Holy Church, and the demigod Kylos are currently present here.

Naturally, everyone’s gaze turned toward Carl.

‘So they’re treating me as Kylos.’

Whether it would be to his benefit or a hindrance was still unknown.

But that didn’t mean he could just stand still.

Carl stepped forward and spoke.

“Let me clarify one thing.”

—Please go ahead.

“Kylos the demigod no longer exists. I have inherited his divinity.”

—Understood. Then I shall amend it: from Demigod Kylos to Demigod Carl.

The Fairy King nodded and continued while looking around at them.

—If you’re ready, please proceed through the gate. All other participating factions, except for this one, have already arrived.

“…Participants?”

—Four forces from the Demon Realm. And the faction of the demigod Prometheus.

‘As expected.’

Carl rubbed his lips.

The Walpurgis Night was a preparatory ritual held to initiate Ragnarok.

It seemed the event had been forcefully commenced by offering countless bloodlines and sacrifices.

The issue was how exactly this Ragnarok would unfold, and judging by the level of formality and structure, it didn’t seem to be a simple battle of brute strength.

“You won’t explain what Ragnarok entails?”

—The details of the ritual can only be explained once all factions are present, for the sake of informational equality. We ask for your understanding on this matter.

“What do you intend to do?”

Carl looked around at the two other factions.

“There’s no need to participate forcibly. With the Demon Realm forces and heretics involved, it’s highly dangerous. Especially…”

He turned toward Crown Prince Yulian.

The next heir to the Imperial throne.

If something happened to him here, the Empire’s wrath would undoubtedly follow.

Moreover, Yulian had no clear reason to be directly involved in this situation.

“That’s right, Your Highness. Leave matters here to us…”

“No.”

Crown Prince Yulian shook his head.

“This happened in the Empire, so it’s the Empire’s business. I don’t know if this ritual is truly the same Ragnarok from mythology, but one thing’s for certain—it will have a major impact on the continent’s power balance.”

It wasn’t blind arrogance that had led him to participate.

He had come this far with careful calculations and thorough preparation.

Crown Prince Yulian’s gaze turned to Carl.

“Carl, I bet on you from the very beginning until the end. I can count on you, can’t I?”

“…”

Caught off guard by the timing and content, Carl let out a bitter smile.

‘He must know I’m hiding something.’

The matter with Kylos, his regression—there was no doubt he had other secrets as well.

Yet Yulian was still choosing to trust him.

‘He truly has the qualities of an emperor.’

Was this what defined the nature of a ruler?

It was hard for him to relate, never having possessed such a trait himself—but he had no intention of betraying that trust.

“Even if the worst comes to pass, I will ensure Your Highness escapes safely.”

“A reassuring answer.”

Crown Prince Yulian nodded in satisfaction.

“Then, as for the Church…”

“Of course, we will enter. This is what we came for, after all.”

Cardinal Nadram answered on their behalf, and all the priests nodded in agreement.

They were those who had staked their lives and destinies for their faith and mission.

They did not fear death.

What they truly feared was a world overtaken by heretics and the faithless.

To prevent that, they were prepared to burn their very bodies.

“It seems the decision is made.”

At Crown Prince Yulian’s words, Carl nodded.

Then he stepped forward first, standing before the door conjured by the Fairy King Mabel.

He did not bother asking the NOX members behind him for their opinions.

Asking would only imply doubting their loyalty.

—I have left behind a record with an overview of the situation. If necessary, the backup unit entering later will be able to assess and respond.

Queen conveyed this via voice transmission.

Currently, NOX was also working from the outside to interpret this barrier.

Should they break through by any means, they would need to understand what had transpired inside.

With Queen having arranged everything, there was nothing more to worry about on that front.

“Let’s go.”

Leading at the front, Carl stepped through the gate into the stage of Ragnarok.

Soon, a seemingly endless corridor greeted him.

It felt like it would take quite a while to walk through, but not even a minute had passed before a blinding light changed his surroundings.

Flaaash!

At the end of the corridor, what unfolded was the interior of a spacious palace.

“Hm?”

“They’re here. The ones from the Middle Realm, I suppose.”

“I was getting bored waiting. This is good.”

It resembled the structure of an auction house.

At the center was a wide open space, with what appeared to be seating areas along the outer edge for each faction.

As the Fairy King had said, the inside was already filled with demonic beings, monsters, and the followers of Prometheus cloaked in robes.

Shing.

Since it was their first meeting, it was only natural to offer a greeting.

As the demons stretched and stood from their seats, Carl drew the Divine Thunder Sword.

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