Chapter 869

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Holy Kingdom of Vankela, Capital City, Ayula Grand Temple.

Midnight was approaching. Despite the precarious worldwide situation and the impending threat of underground forces, more tourists gathered in Vankela today than ever before.

Many sought solace in the god amidst the chaos of the world.

However, those who had come to Vankela today were not solely seeking solace in Ayula.

"Sir Jin, these people have gathered to hear the words of our Goddess Ayula and find comfort. And on the other hand, they have come to see you, Sir Jin, in person during these difficult times."

Lani spoke as she looked around at the crowd gathered in the Grand Temple. The prayers that had continued tirelessly for the past few days had just concluded, and she wiped the sweat beads from her forehead with trembling hands.

"Since your days as a reserve flagbearer, Sir Jin, you have always shouldered the burden of these turbulent times and suppressed them. So, everyone here knows that if it's you this time as well, you will illuminate this dark era once again."

"Before you even say hello, you are already burdening me with a task, Lani. Quite demanding."

"I just stated the truth. Isn't that so, Murakan?"

"Religious zealot, you need a handkerchief or something. Are you wiping sweat or what? It's not like you have hyperhidrosis, right?"

[T/L: Religious zealot is the nickname of Lani.]

"Murakan, you also try praying for a whole week without drinking a single drop of water. You'd experience something worse than hyperhidrosis, right? Hoo! Anyway, thank you both for coming. I was worried about what would happen if neither of you could show your face due to the situation with the fractures."

"All the fractures on the side of the Vamel alliance have been suppressed for now."

"Yes, during the communion with Goddess Ayula, I personally witnessed several of those events. In Huphester, members of Runcandel, including Lady Luna, played a significant role, and the Golden Ship truly annihilated the demons in the Empire."

"Oh, they know all about it even though I've been praying all along? Ayulla, that lady is quite connected, huh?"

"Murakan, Goddess Ayula will be manifesting soon, can you stop such disrespectful remarks?"

"Heh heh, religious zealot, you're the Holy Queen, but you don't know Ayula better than I do. That high and mighty goddess is benevolent as long as you don't touch sensitive issues. They're a sight to behold. Probably, even if I playfully tease and use informal language, they'll just laugh it off."

Lani felt resentful for some reason, but was speechless at the thought that Ayula would really be as lenient with Murakan.

The Ayula she saw through her prayers was placing a lot of expectations on both Jin and Murakan, as well as the Vamel alliance.

"When the dormant volcano in the Grand Temple is completely bathed in light, Goddess Ayula will manifest. The barrier of the Holy Kingdom will be perfectly established at that time. After the barrier is completed, most of the demons won't be able to get anywhere near the Holy Kingdom. Commander-level demons are an exception, though."

"Wait, when she manifests, can't she create a barrier even the commander-level demons can't breach?"

"As you know, Goddess Ayula is extremely cautious about God's intervention in the human world. Creating a barrier of this magnitude would already exceed the criteria she set. He must have endured a great deal of pain."

"Well, I've heard that Ayula killed the God of Hope in the past because of that. The pain of God, the price of God's intervention... I've spoken rashly."

"Just make sure you wipe off my sweat. I want to look as neat as possible before meeting Goddess Ayula."

"Got it."

"And both of you should wear this dormant volcano necklace. After Goddess Ayula completes the barrier and encourages the subjects, she said she will meet with both of you separately. Even if you're not believers, it's still wise to show this level of respect, don't you think?"

[T/L: 신민(臣民, subject) is a person who obeys a monarch or religious leader, such as an emperor or king who has divine authority.]

After about ten minutes, the light of the dormant volcano, rising in the center of the Grand Temple, became dazzlingly bright.

And for a moment, the world darkened. For about 10 seconds, the entire world plunged into darkness, and the darkness gradually shrank and converged within the barrier of the Holy Kingdom with each passing moment.

Amidst the pitch darkness, the light of the dormant volcano grew even brighter.

'Is this the true manifestation of a high-ranking god...? For some reason, it seems that not only Vankela, but the entire world went dark for a while.'

Ayula's manifestation was different from the other gods Jin had recently experienced; it exuded a different sense of majesty.

Peitel is relatively weak, and Sheenu had appeared through the young dragon Pyre while nursing injuries, whereas Ayula manifested in perfect state.

My children.

Soon, Ayula's voice began to reverberate throughout the Holy Kingdom. The subjects knelt down, shedding tears of joy, and Jin and Murakan also bowed their heads.

The appearance of Ayula rising above the dormant volcano resembled that of a human with ten pairs of wings. A golden radiance flowed from her entire body, and although her eyes were closed, the love of God within her pupils seemed vivid.

When you are afraid, say that you are afraid. When you are suffering, say that you are in pain. If you resent me for not responding to your call, resent me. Whatever feelings you hold towards me, I will not blame you, and I will always watch over you with a pained heart.

Ayula's encouragement, "that can be heard," came to an end.

However, as a god, Ayula was simultaneously engaged in spiritual communication with every individual gathered in the Holy Kingdom.

'You just need to wait a little longer. I will come after hearing the stories of my children.'

It was Ayula's voice delivered to Jin and Murakan.

Ayula's and the subject's spiritual communication continued for an hour. During that time, even the journalists who had come seeking the special scoop of a god manifestation didn't move their pens, instead listened attentively to Ayula's voice with reverence.

'I will briefly invite you into my realm, so do not be alarmed.'

Ayula's voice resounded once more.

Before Jin and Murakan could answer, the scenery around them had suddenly changed.

They had been summoned into Ayula's realm.

An endlessly vast expanse, a gray land.

That was the first impression they felt in Ayula's realm. Not a single breeze blew, creating an indescribably desolate atmosphere.

However, Jin and Murakan instinctively recognized that the chilly, gray land bore the traces of fire that had wiped out innumerable lives at one point.

Ayula had summoned the gods, who had caused excessive chaos among mortals, here to judge them and killed them. Unless she was passing judgment, Ayula's land was always this desolate gray.

[I've brought mortals to my realm with my will for the first time in a long while. Jin Runcandel, Murakan, and my most faithful child, Lani Salome.]

"It's an honor to be invited, Lady Ayula."

"It has been quite some time, Goddess of Peace. I've often heard that this place used to be harsh, but now that I'm here, I can vividly sense the deaths of the gods imprinted on this gray land... I'm feeling a bit apprehensive for no reason. By the way, have you caught anyone recently? The ground still feels warm, as if it hasn't cooled off for long."

Lani was momentarily startled, but as Murakan had said, Ayula nodded with a smile.

[It has been a while since I have seen Murakan's teasing. I'd like to enjoy it a bit more, but the given time isn't that long. So, it's best to start saying things that I want to share with you.]

"Please go ahead, Lady Ayula. We're listening."

[It's probably well-known that a greater danger than ever before has come to the human world, Jin. However, since the true nature of the True Demon World hasn't been revealed yet, you might not truly comprehend how threatening they are.]

"Yes, we have eliminated several fractures, but we have not directly encountered any members of the True Demon World who are transcendently powerful."

[Not only the True Demon World but also the formidable adversaries in the Sun God Religion. As Murakan just mentioned. I had recently judged someone. As he said, I had battled a mortal here not long ago.]

"...Could it be a priest of the Sun God Religion?"

"There was a battle, huh? Is there even a mortal who could fight with Goddess Ayula? There's no way you could have fought the kid's father. And of course, it's not me either. Maybe Elona Zipfel?"

[There's someone who can rival both of them in the Sun God Religion.]

"Tch, not three, just two? It's disappointing that you didn't include me."

[He goes by the name Luke, the former Battle God of Plutonian Tribe. Jin, he's the ancestor of your brethren, Battle God Vahn.]

"Is he as strong as sister Vahn?"

[There has never been a mortal stronger than Vahn in her prime, nor will exist after. However, it was clear that Luke was also a person who had achieved the status of a Battle God within the Plutonian Tribe in their prime. In the near future, he will soon be able to move freely among mortals.]

"I met Sheenu a while ago. At that time, Sheenu was in quite a wounded state. So, Luke, the member of the Plutonian Tribe, did so."

[That's likely. Originally, this time, I intended to inflict wounds on him that couldn't be healed, even if I lost some of my authority. Since Zito won't fully recover his strength, I judged that he could become more threatening to the human world.] 

As Ayulla opened her eyes, she looked at Jin with a gaze that conveyed a sense of regret.

[However, since Zito is regaining his strength much faster than I anticipated, you and your companions have to take care of him. I must entrust you with that heavy burden, knowing that I can only intervene once... I can only apologize for leaving it to you.]

"No, Lady Ayula. I didn't even know about Luke's existence, so simply informing us of this is already more than enough reason to be thankful."

[I trust you and bless you, Jin Runcandel. You've always carried a heavier burden than yourself.]

"Bless me too."

[Sure, I will give you a little blessing too. Lani, Jin, and Murakan. In the end, saving the human world is a task that only you, not any god like me, can accomplish. All I can do is help alleviate that burden just a little...]

Jin recalled the contents Ayula had just spoken. Zito is recovering his strength faster than expected, and thus is unable to harm Luke.

Ayula sighed and said.

[Now, Zito will appear in the Holy Kingdom for a while. And I will inflict irreparable wounds on him.]

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