Chapter 257: Ragnarok (3)

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The human faction had gathered in one place.

As the time allotted wasn’t long, Carl got straight to the point.

“There are currently four Demon Realm factions here, and one faction under the demigod Prometheus.”

“It’s more accurate to consider the Demon Realm as a single faction. Even if they sort out other groups and establish a hierarchy internally.”

“I have a question.”

Cardinal Nadram raised his hand.

When Carl nodded, he asked with a puzzled expression.

“Walpurgis Night appears to be a preparatory ritual or stage for Ragnarok. Ragnarok itself seems to be a process that determines ascension to divinity.”

“That’s right.”

“In that case, does the Demon Realm also have demigods? If they were to win, would they become a divine entity affecting the Middle Realm, or would they become a god of the Demon Realm alone?”

“Hm.”

“If the Middle Realm and Demon Realm are distinctly separate, then perhaps compromise is possible with them as well.”

“……Is that acceptable for a clergyman?”

At Crown Prince Yulian’s question, Cardinal Nadram gave a dry chuckle.

“After coming this far, what wouldn’t I do? Heretics are more dangerous than demons. More precisely, their ideology is.”

He extended his finger and formed divine power at its tip.

“No matter which god one believes in, as long as it’s not an evil god, divine power serves to benefit people.”

The Holy Church believed their god was the only one, but they didn’t actively reject other religions.

Religious war wasn’t viable since other religions had grown too large, and any conflict would clearly harm the people.

However, when it came to eradicating heretics who deviated from the righteous path, no one was more fervent.

“Divinity itself isn’t the problem. The problem lies with people. They use divine miracles as an excuse to commit evil—extorting money, spreading twisted ideologies, or even engaging in unspeakable acts. It’s a different kind of evil from demons. While demons are evil by nature, heretics are evil because of their actions. They are utterly detestable.”

“We can just ask that directly, can’t we?”

Carl turned his head and looked toward a corner of the ceiling.

As the others followed his gaze, the air shimmered, and the Fairy King Mabel appeared.

“……!!”

Everyone sprang to their feet.

No one had sensed Mabel’s presence until he revealed himself.

-How did you notice I was here?

“It’s no fun if I just tell you. Answer my question first, and I’ll explain.”

-……What is it that you wish to know?

“You should already know if you were listening to our conversation.”

Carl crossed his legs as he spoke.

“If Ragnarok is an ascension ritual for true divinity, are the demigods of the Middle Realm and the Demon Realm considered separate in status?”

-Yes.

It was a short and direct answer.

But Carl wasn’t satisfied with just that, so he stared, prompting Mabel to continue calmly.

-Even if one ascends to true divinity, a divine being of the Demon Realm cannot intervene in the Middle Realm. Such interference would violate causality. Therefore, each exists in a separate dimension.

“So gods aren’t omnipotent, then.”

“…….”

At Carl’s remark, Cardinal Nadram and Paladin Ruthwell’s expressions turned grave.

“Then why make it a competition? If they can’t interfere across dimensions, there’s no reason for Ragnarok to be conducted jointly.”

-Though the dimensions differ, there can only be one who ascends to true divinity. This, too, is part of the trial. Now, please answer my question.

Carl touched his lips in thought.

In that case, the Middle Realm’s contenders included himself—who had absorbed Kylos’s divinity—Prometheus, and…

Carl glanced subtly toward the Holy Church.

Why had the priests of the continent’s largest Church been granted qualification to attend Ragnarok?

‘Could it be that the Goddess isn’t a true god either?’

Of course, it was only a hypothesis.

Just because they qualified for Ragnarok didn’t necessarily mean they were demigods.

He didn’t bring it up and provoke the clergy unnecessarily.

Now was a time when they needed to work together.

‘There’s already a fracture because I’ve absorbed a demigod’s divinity. No need to stir up trouble by pointing out inconvenient truths.’

Still, he was a bit curious.

Just how much did the man who gave that impassioned speech about the heretics’ depravity truly understand?

-Are you not going to answer?

“Ah, apologies. I was lost in thought for a moment.”

Carl raised his head and met the eyes of the Fairy King Mabel.

There was no reason to make an enemy of the guardian of Ragnarok.

“That powder scattering from your wings—your energy was well concealed, but it created minute distortions in the air. Like that.”

-……I see.

The Fairy King nodded.

The powder trailing from his wings was dispersing in the air, breaking apart into fine particles.

Traces so subtle that they were impossible to notice without close attention.

Soon even those disappeared, completing his perfect concealment.

-I appreciate the advice.

“Think nothing of it.”

-Then I shall take my leave.

Srrk.

With that farewell, the Fairy King Mabel vanished.

After a brief silence, Cardinal Nadram asked,

“An impressive eye. To notice that in such a short time.”

“He introduced himself as a Fairy King, so I paid close attention, that’s all.”

Carl shrugged.

Of course, he hadn’t revealed everything.

He had only noticed the powder-induced distortions later—what he had really sensed was the unnatural aura Mabel exuded.

“Well then, let’s resume.”

Carl glanced at the time.

【01:31:11】

Thirty minutes had already passed.

Carl brought his hands together and addressed everyone.

“Now then, let’s continue.”

* * *

-The first gate is a test of qualification. Each faction must choose five participants for the trial.

“Five, huh.”

Two hours had passed.

As everyone reconvened in the Central Corridor, the Fairy King Mabel calmly explained the trial.

Even with alliances formed, each faction still had to select five participants.

Like the other organizations, NOX also entered the meeting.

“Excluding myself, we need to choose four more. Who wants to step up?”

“……Master, perhaps it’s better to observe first?”

Queen cautiously offered her opinion.

No one could predict what dangers might arise.

If Carl were to step forward and something went wrong, it would make it difficult to prepare for what came next.

Some shared the same sentiment, as shown by their expressions, but Second simply shrugged and responded.

“Who’s worrying about whom? Those guys aren’t a threat to Master.”

“Second. Don’t take this lightly. It’s not just heretics—we’re also dealing with the forces of the Demon Realm. We don’t know what kind of powers these demons possess, so caution is necessary.”

“If Master can’t withstand it, then no one can.”

“Still…….”

“That’s enough.”

Carl ended the pointless debate.

“Queen, I intend to participate in the trial at the gate.”

“……”

As Carl stepped forward, Queen withdrew, nodding though she wore a solemn expression.

Of course, she didn’t forget to add a word.

“Then I shall go as well.”

“Me too.”

Second followed right after Queen.

That left two remaining spots. The executives of Black Label, having hesitated, subtly stepped forward.

“If we go by experience, I suppose I should be the one to join……”

“That’s true. But since we don’t know what kind of test will appear, I believe my adaptability would be valuable.”

Gallon For and Six expressed their eagerness, and others began voicing their thoughts as well.

As everyone exchanged glances and tested the mood, Carl spoke up.

“This is the first gate—we go all out. Queen, Second, For, Six, and X.”

“An excellent choice.”

X, formerly the Knight Commander and now an instructor mainly training new recruits at the main NOX branch in Leipzig territory, grinned confidently.

‘Been a while since I’ve seen real combat.’

How he had longed for action while hearing the news from the capital.

Since joining NOX, he had broken through his limits by learning martial arts from Carl.

Previously, he had served as NOX’s chief instructor to repay a debt of gratitude, but as the situation in the capital worsened, he had been summoned.

He was glad to finally have a chance to contribute.

-Participants for the trial, please step into the blue squares in front of your factions.

Pop!

As Mabel spoke, glowing blue squares appeared.

Carl and the selected five stepped into the designated area, waiting for the other factions to finalize their choices.

“A test of qualification, huh. I wonder how it’ll be conducted?”

“Who knows. Even the ancient texts didn’t mention anything like this. We’ll have to face it head-on to find out.”

To Queen’s question, Carl narrowed his eyes and surveyed the surroundings.

The Holy Church had sent its top elites, and the kingdom had chosen its strongest knights as well.

From the Demon Realm and Prometheus’s faction, those with potent auras stood within their blue squares as Mabel gave a small nod.

-Then, we shall begin the trial of the first gate.

Vmmm.

As darkness instantly consumed his vision, Carl raised his internal energy to shield his body.

Soon after, his vision returned, and he found himself standing inside a massive arena.

“This is…….”

Several others were visible nearby.

Paladin Ruthwell, an imperial knight, a priest from Prometheus’s faction, and demons from the Demon Realm.

It appeared that one person from each faction had been randomly chosen.

-The first trial of the gate, ‘Proof of Qualification,’ will be a contest of strength among the five representatives selected from each faction. Points will be distributed based on rank, and clearing hidden missions will grant bonus points.

Mabel scanned the crowd with his transparent eyes as he continued.

-The trial ends when only one remains standing or when the rest surrender. Rankings will be determined accordingly. Then……

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Fireworks burst grandly around the edges of the arena.

As everyone froze in response to the sudden development, a massive demon from the Demon Realm side grinned.

“So all I gotta do is take everyone down, right?”

Boom!

He immediately released a surge of immense demonic energy and leapt forward.

The problem was that his target was the human faction—Carl’s side.

“Sir Carl!”

“I’ll handle it.”

The Demon Realm would fight among themselves, and the human faction would do the same.

Naturally, allied lines were drawn, and everyone braced against the incoming threats.

In the midst of it, Carl slowly drew the Divine Thunder Sword as he stared at the massive demon charging at him.

“You’re a perfect target for an opening strike.”

The demon’s sheer bulk promised a satisfying sensation when cut.

Fwaaah!

As the Divine Thunder Sword was unsheathed, searing gray flames erupted from it.

“You think that’ll stop me?!”

“You’re behind the times.”

Flash!

As if to mock the charging demon’s sneer, green divine power enveloped and mingled with the gray flames.

Shiiing─!

With a single, light slash, Carl cleaved through the massive demon’s body in an instant.

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