Chapter 820: The Last (53)

"The warrior who inherited the holy spear denied the will of the Son of Light, and…"

-Stop.

"…"

-…

"So the living and the dead…"

-Stop it. I'm serious.

"…"

-…

"Okay."

-Even in this kind of situation…

"Well, it's because I'm in a good mood. How can you stand still looking at this now?"

-I'm annoyed. What can I do? Please refrain from speaking like that. I'm more nervous than annoyed.

"What are you nervous about?"

-I think you're changing.

"What?"

-You seem to be changing. It's embarrassing to say this, and I am ashamed of myself for even thinking about it, but I'm anxious. I don't know your situation well, which makes me wonder… What should I do if you really become a god? If you stay there for a long time, will you lose your personality or something?

"That's not going to happen."

-What if it does? Have you ever assumed that these people would really accept you as a god, and that would cause a setback in coming down? What about the possibility of the continent's will not allowing it? If it's generally not allowed for those at the top to come down, if all the continental people regard you as an object of faith, I think it might have a negative impact on the plan.

"That's…"

-I'm just telling you that there is nothing wrong with being careful. Maybe it's because I don't know what I'm saying, but… it doesn't feel like something easy to do. Of course, being annoyed is the biggest reason, but… if possible, please stop.

Cho Hyejin's anxiety as she looked at the State caught my eye.

'She only gave me one more unnecessary worry…'

However, I thought it was worth thinking about as I watched what was going on below.

The sight of the Empire soldiers and the fighters of the State creating a scene from a myth made me forget what to say. The name of the dungeon being called the Continent where the Son of Light was Sacrificed the event's content that followed the Son of Light probably amplified her anxiety.

Maybe the continent was trying to turn Lee Kiyoung into a god. It was as if a transcendent power might need Lee Kiyoung. Now that I thought about it, I remembered Cho Hyejin was very relieved when I sent the Holy Spear and treated her as usual.

'Is this what Hyunsung is feeling too?'

I didn't really consider it.

There was a possibility that he thought that my personality had been cut off, that I had become something other than a human, that I would be very different from before.

Maybe he thought the continent was preventing me from heading down.

'I didn't think about that.'

He was probably nervous and anxious, so it wouldn't have been unreasonable for him to have strange thoughts. Like Cho Hyejin, I thought it would be good to talk openly once in a while, but… I thought it would be good to think about this a little more.

This was because making fun of her should be my priority.

"Oh… our Hyejin was worried?"

-Shut up.

"Aww… Were you worried? I'm so happy. Kiyoung is happy."

-Shut up! Seriously. That's why I didn't want to talk…

"You worry too much, our Hyejin…"

-…

"Our Hyeji-"

-Shut up! Bastard! Shut up! Shut up! Stop!

"Ah… okay."

-Don't mess with me. Please stop…

I could see her blushing. She seemed embarrassed, which was the first time I'd seen her look like that. She was probably very regretful, thinking that she said something useless and that she shouldn't have done so in the first place.

With this, Cho Hyejin tried to change the subject in a hurry.

-Vice Guild Master… you…

"Yes?"

-Did you expect this to happen?

As an extension of the question she asked earlier, I thought she wanted to change the subject fast.

"Yes. I was expecting it."

-…

"I was expecting our Hyejin to be worried about me…"

-Fuck! Son of a bitch! Enough!

"Oh, okay, okay! I'll stop. Don't throw the spear away. I won't do it anymore."

-You're going to pay. One more, and you'll pay.

"I said okay. Well… To be honest, I didn't expect it. How will this turn out? What is the correct answer? How can I get it right?"

-…

"Don't be nervous. I'm really not going to do it."

-…

"I think there may have been several branches of thought and possibilities. There must have been a way to hunt the named monsters, and there must have been a way to convince the ghosts of the Empire. There may be a way I hadn't thought of. I did not make the choice, but Oscar, no, Alice did. The results haven't come out yet, so it seems like I'm already ahead of myself… Still, I think she made the right decision."

-Are you saying that it is Alice's ability to awaken the spirit of the State?

"Well. I don't know that either. But I think the chances are high. It seems that it is far from the picture that Jihye is thinking…"

-And Alice…

"It's a little difficult to explain. I don't even know how this is possible."

It was weird to say this, but honestly, I could only describe it as a miracle.

After all, in Alice's status window, she didn't realize her special ability, nor did she grow as an adventurer and summon the spirit of the State.

If I had to elaborate on it, wouldn't it be that when she grabbed Cho Hyejin's spear, the divinity flowed into her, and it gave strength to her cry?

Considering a number of things, that seemed to be the most plausible hypothesis.

—Revolution! Comrades! Revolution!

"Let's raise the flag of our struggle here once again!"

Otherwise, perhaps those souls just wanted to reach out to Alice…

A lot of things outside of common sense happened on the continent.

It might be most comfortable to think of it as a miracle, like the citizens of the State fighting over there.

-That's amazing. Thinking that this sight might really be a miracle… it feels a little overwhelming.

"…"

-Sometimes I wonder if you could really come back here. I sincerely hope that you will return here. I am fighting for that.

"…"

-So what should I do now? Go to Laios? If not… to the Federation…

"I don't know."

As I slowly turned my gaze, I could see them preparing in their respective positions.

Kim Hyunsung finally decided to move to the north, and although he seemed a little hesitant, I could see him spreading his wings.

'Will he be able to handle this?'

I felt like he wasn't even sure about it himself and like his body was shaking.

-It looks like there will be a battle in the Federation. I don't think Cha Heera will need help, but… adding a hand…

"That wouldn't be bad, either."

-Or how about Laios?

"Laios…"

When I turned my head once more, I saw Jung Hayan, Han Sora, and Park Deokgu.

Of course, I could also see Laios.

It was the same as back then. Priests were seen praying, and the evacuation procession continued. Pristina, the leader of the neutral nation, was welcoming Jung Hayan, looking nervous. I could see her looking at her, ashamed.

-Thank… Thank you for visiting Laios once again, Jung Hayan, Park Deokgu, and Han Sora.

-No worries. Long time no see, Pristina.

-I wanted to meet you all again at a much better time… I'm sorry for not being able to welcome you properly due to this situation, but I have no choice but to ask for your help again…

-Don't worry too much. If that falls, Laios isn't the only place in danger. The fate of the entire continent will be at stake… Being able to follow in hyung-nim's footsteps once again is essential.

-However…

-There's no need to be so sorry! Actually, finding the key to the dungeon is more meaningful than protecting Laios. I'm sorry if that's a little selfish, but this quest is that important to us… Rather, I want to ask Pristina to cooperate with us.

-Thank you for worrying, Park Deokgu. I have nothing to say other than thank you very much. In my name, I promise to the heroes of Laios once again. For our kingdom…

-Then I-I… p-please…

-Yes, Jung Hayan! Please feel free to tell me anything.

-T-The temple of the magic god…

-Yes?

-Jung Hayan, can I speak on your behalf?

-Ah… yes. Sora can do it.

-So… Jung Hayan wants to build a magic tower here, Pristina. It is a new type of research institute centered on wizards who believe in and follow Jung Hayan, a giant tower like a temple. They have already made a trial model in Lindel, are satisfied with the successful result, and want to build a second tower in Laios.

-Ah…

-Financial support is not required, so I would like to ask you to prepare a site…

-Naturally. Of course, I will! Rather, I should be the one asking you that, Jung Hayan.

-T-Then, t-that's it…

-We promise that we will spare no expense in supporting you. Laios will not hold back.

-Then, I guess that's enough for greetings… I think it would be better to proceed with the task at hand now.

Rather than Jung Hayan's smile, Park Deokgu's worried expression stood out.

Even during the conversation, his face remained the same.

It had been a while since I didn't see him look playful, and when he confirmed that Pristina wasn't in their sight, he slowly opened his mouth.

- Well, I'm nervous about this.

-…

-At that time, hyung-nim was with us. Of course, I know that Hayan has grown stronger, but still… to be here without him… Thinking that we have to stop that, I feel anxious… and all sorts of other things. Sora, you feel the same, right?

-Yes? I… I am a bit like that too.

-There seems to be a battle going on in the State. As we expected, this dungeon is following in his footsteps. The ghosts of the old Empire won't be relevant to the dungeon raid, but I feel something is going on in this place as well. He'll probably be here if I'm right.

-W-What?

-The man who is moving the magic above here.

-Ah… Yes…

-The villain who summoned the Great Demon. Demon Summoner… from the Republic. Perhaps Laios' invasion is closely related to him. It's more or less certain.

'That's plausible.'

It was an inference that I would normally ignore, but…

I was thinking a little serious about it too. There was something about it that made sense.

The great trash that terrorized the continent and Laios.

A demon who didn't even have the minimum sense of ethics that a human should have.

The guy who tried to burn Laios in its entirety only for his own gains.

"Demon Summoner Jin Qing."

I had no choice but to say the name again, which was already taboo on the continent.