Chapter 259: Ragnarok (5)

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1st Place: Carl Leipzig

2nd Place: Veil

3rd Place: Detan

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The first trial of the first gate had concluded.

Right after the Apostle’s head exploded, Detan of the Empire’s Knights and Veil the Paladin surrendered, allowing the human faction to amicably share the top ranks and take the lead.

Pop!

The demons who had been torn apart and killed by Carl immediately returned to their original state after the trial ended.

Carl, standing in the stands and watching the scene, wore an expression of interest.

“It seems the Apostle’s words were true. Since causality from the real world doesn’t apply in this gap, perhaps causality itself is being erased.”

However, that didn’t mean one could be resurrected without any consequences.

In fact, right after their revival, the demon faction received penalty points.

[1. NOX +15]

[2. Holy Church +10]

[3. Imperial Palace +5]

Points were only given to the top three, and it didn’t appear to be in uniform increments of five.

Below them, all received a consistent -5 points without exception.

– We will now begin the second trial.

At the words of Mabel the Fairy King, new participants were summoned into the arena.

The Queen of NOX, a Paladin from the Church, a Knight of the Empire, an Apostle of the Prometheus Cult, and demons—though the faces changed, the composition remained the same.

Carl leaned on the railing and looked toward the Queen.

Just like last time, the human factions had gathered together.

However, it seemed the demon faction wouldn’t just stand by either, as they took the initiative to approach the Apostle from Prometheus, who stood apart.

It wouldn’t have been difficult for them to notice that even among the human faction, there was someone left out.

“Human. Joining hands with a cult’s Apostle is distasteful, but given the situation, it might be worth considering.”

“……”

The Apostle, hooded in a robe, lifted their head at the demon’s words.

Seeming to ponder something briefly, the Apostle then grinned and extended a hand.

Crack!

Grabbing the demon by the neck as it drew close, the Apostle unleashed divine power.

Immediately, pure white flames erupted and engulfed the demon’s body, burning it from the head down.

“Graaaagh!”

The demon, who had let down its guard for the sake of alliance, was completely unprepared and could only be helpless.

It hadn’t expected to be attacked like a fool even with a shared enemy in front of them.

“You bastard!”

“Damn it, this is why we should never reach out to humans.”

The demons quickly changed their stance and attacked the Apostle.

Dodging their strikes with swift movement, the Apostle smirked and spoke.

“If I want first place, I have to take everyone down anyway. Forming petty teams just isn’t my style. And besides…”

Fwoooosh!

Blinding divine energy swirled into the Apostle’s hand.

Infused with immense physical power, it stretched long like a whip and lashed out at high speed.

Boom!

Even the Queen and the other human faction members, who had been observing from afar, were caught in the shockwave.

The Queen lightly leapt into the air to avoid the strike and calmly turned toward the Apostle.

“Savage, as expected from a heretic.”

“You do realize you just insulted yourself, right? Your master’s also an Apostle of a demigod.”

“The Master is nothing like you.”

Her violet eyes gleamed coldly.

As the sword was slowly drawn, emanating a chilling light, the Queen’s figure vanished from where she had been descending to the ground.

“Petty tricks.”

The Apostle chuckled and expanded the range of their divine barrier.

Anyone trying to approach would either have to break through the barrier or cross it—either way, they would be detected instantly.

‘Let’s see what you’ll do.’

Sharpening their senses, the Apostle took a steady breath.

Among those present, the only one worthy of concern was that woman known as the Queen.

The others could be taken down easily if a bit of damage was tolerated, so all focus remained on her.

“In the meantime…”

Just as the Apostle’s attention fixated on the Queen, the demons began to move.

They aimed to attack from behind while the Apostle was facing forward.

For demons, the most threatening foes were those who wielded divine power.

Namely, the Apostles of Prometheus and the Holy Church.

‘Take out the capable ones first, then clean up the rest…’

Szzzt!

A searing heat suddenly grazed the back of one demon’s neck, causing its eyes to bulge.

The Queen had appeared behind him at some point and slashed his throat with her sword.

“…Damn it!”

He hadn’t expected her to go after him while she was still clashing with the Apostle.

But demons didn’t die from ordinary attacks.

Even if injured, their exceptional regenerative abilities allowed them to recover.

Clunk.

However, contrary to expectation, his demonic energy churned wildly and failed to gather. The demon wore a panicked expression.

“I borrowed it specially from the Church.”

“…This is…”

A subtle divine power flowed along the blade of her sword.

While it wasn’t a holy sword, the blessing imbued into the weapon made it worthy of being called a sacred relic.

It had originally been a ceremonial ornamental sword, but its power varied drastically depending on who wielded it.

Slaying a demon by beheading was no difficult task.

Shhk.

Another demon lunged with swollen limbs and a rough swing, but the Queen’s figure vanished once more.

‘The demons deployed aren’t particularly strong. Does that mean they’re holding back their main force?’

Ragnarok was being conducted based on a point system.

If they intended to follow the ritual properly, it would be advantageous to send in strong fighters early on and secure points.

That they hadn’t done so suggested some kind of hidden agenda.

‘Or perhaps there’s something we’re unaware of.’

For now, the priority was to secure points.

The rest could be looked into calmly afterward.

Swish!

Queen, once again closing in behind the demon, swung her sword roughly.

“Not just once or twice…!”

Did he think she would fall for it again?

As the demon twisted his body and let out a furious roar, his eyes opened wide.

Thud.

All of a sudden, a hand burst through his chest.

“How amusing.”

The Apostle, who had taken the demon’s life in an instant, reached for Queen beyond him as well.

Clatter-clang!

White chains surged up, trying to bind her just like they had with Carl, but Queen, using Dark Flow Footwork, slipped away like a phantom and halted at a distance.

“Gasp!”

The Paladin and the Knight had not been merely watching, either.

In the previous trial, Carl had overwhelmed everyone with his martial prowess, easily earning the points.

But since they couldn’t expect NOX to perform the same this time, they, too, had stepped into action.

Clang!

The Apostle drew a wand and deflected the Knight’s sword, dodging the Paladin’s strike.

Judging by his movements alone, he appeared extremely skilled in close combat.

Shff.

He even managed to instinctively avoid Queen’s surprise strike, which had slashed through the air.

“……”

The Apostle’s eyes narrowed as he saw strands of his own hair flutter down.

“Fighting three at once with these shackles on is a bit much.”

He raised the arm wearing a snow-white bracelet and gently stroked it.

“I can’t use Apostolization, and I can’t fully unleash my strength either.”

Scratching his cheek with an awkward expression, the Apostle casually glanced at the audience seats.

“I suppose I should do the same, right?”

“…What are you talking about—”

Shff.

Before the Knight could even finish speaking, the Apostle abruptly raised his wand and slashed his own neck.

Blood gushed like a fountain, and he died instantly.

In the end, just like before, only three spots on the human side remained.

“……”

Queen, who had been watching from behind, furrowed her brow.

He gave up the trial this easily?

“…I forfeit.”

“I forfeit.”

—The second trial has ended. Please prepare for the third trial shortly.

As soon as the Knight and Paladin declared their forfeits, the Fairy King Mabel ended the trial.

Soon returning to Carl’s side, Queen wore a serious expression as she reported to her master.

“Master, it seems…”

“There’s some scheme at play. Or perhaps there are rules to Ragnarok we aren’t aware of.”

Carl rested his chin on his hand, eyes turning cold.

He had summoned Mabel during the trial to request an announcement of the rules, but had already been denied once.

There was no obligation to do so, and the answer he received was simply that he didn’t want to.

To get any answers to their questions, it seemed they’d need to use a Q&A format again.

‘The problem is, the Demon Realm side and Prometheus seem to know.’

Kylos hadn’t cooperated with them except when necessary.

Even when asked about the rules, he remained silent.

Carl couldn’t understand why he acted that way either.

[1. NOX +30]

Regardless, NOX had taken a commanding lead with an overwhelming point difference.

“Queen.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Even if we disregard the Empire, we’ll need to keep an eye on the Holy Church as well. If we keep pulling ahead like this, they won’t take it lightly.”

A Demigod was undergoing the ritual to attain full Divinity.

If Carl—or rather, Kylos within Carl—attained complete Divinity, the Holy Church certainly wouldn’t be pleased.

Even if they tolerated the existence of other faiths, it was unclear whether they would accept the birth of a new god.

“…I will remain vigilant.”

Queen responded softly with a nod, as if she, too, was aware.

At the same time, Cardinal Nadram and Crown Prince Yulian began approaching from their respective camps.

“Carl, it seems there’s something we don’t know.”

“Indeed. They seem to be handing over points too easily.”

They appeared to share the same sense of unease.

Carl let out a short sigh and stood up.

“My guess is that there’s some kind of penalty.”

“Penalty?”

“Things like the score available at each gate varying, or those who participated in the first gate being unable to join the second. There are many possibilities.”

“…That makes sense.”

“That seems the most plausible. Otherwise, they wouldn’t give up so easily. Even if they do revive, after all.”

Carl was suspicious of the ‘revival’ itself.

Though points were deducted, was it truly without any side effects?

Since there hadn’t been any casualties on the human side yet, it still needed verification.

“Before that.”

Carl lifted his head and cast a chilling gaze toward the Empire’s camp.

“There’s a traitor on your side.”

“…A traitor? In our camp?”

“Yes. He colluded with the demons. I figured it out just now by reading that one’s memories. Up until Walpurgis Night, all our plans and movements were being reported.”

That explained how they had prepared such a meticulous plan and laid the groundwork for Walpurgis Night.

Crown Prince Yulian turned his stiff gaze toward his own companions.

Carl had shown them too much thus far to doubt him.

After a moment of contemplation, he made up his mind and asked Carl,

“…So what should we do?”

“There’s no need to take immediate action. He still seems useful.”

Hearing Carl’s low, whispered plan, Crown Prince Yulian’s eyes widened in shock.

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