372

Eye of Reckoning

Under the intensifying heat, the Plague enveloping Forseti expanded and contorted, struggling against the rising flames.

However, the flames engulfing Forseti burned at temperatures exceeding ten thousand degrees, relentlessly intensifying.

Initially, the Plague managed to resist, but soon it could no longer withstand the fiery assault. Its asphalt-like body began to crack and crumble, akin to a burst dam.

"Roar-roar!!" The Plague continued to roar, faces manifesting on its body contorted in agony and terror, tearing at each other like tormented souls escaping hell.

"Boom—" The sun-like heat and intensity finally overwhelmed the Plague, culminating in a deafening explosion that shattered its form.

Ashes scattered like dust, filling most of the stone chamber.

Forseti emerged from the ashes, taking several deep breaths.

Dealing with this Plague had proven challenging indeed. It was astonishing that Earth's wizards could create such creatures.

Forseti flew out of the chamber into the open stone room.

Ander assisted a surviving brown-haired youth, severely injured from Natas's torment. Ander's care had stabilized him, though he remained weak.

"Thank you..." the youth uttered gratefully.

Forseti recalled, "You're Baka, sent by Sir Arnok to investigate the Plague?"

"Yes."

Forseti nodded, "Can you tell us what happened?"

Baka fell silent for a moment, then spoke slowly, "Several days ago, Ameligo and I were dispatched to investigate the Plague's origin in this area. We were captured by the wizard Natas and became subjects in his Plague experiments."

"Ameligo was transformed and controlled by Natas, becoming the masked minion you encountered earlier."

Reflecting on these events, Baka sighed, "If you hadn't arrived today, I might have suffered the same fate—turned into a mindless puppet for my enemies' amusement. Thank you."

"It was the least we could do. Let's leave this place." Forseti helped him to his feet, and the three departed together.

"The Plague's origin has been dealt with," Forseti relayed to Heimdall through their connection.

"Excellent," Heimdall responded, then added thoughtfully, "Forseti, do you ever find Midgard to be rife with unusual occurrences?"

Humanity is perceived as weak in the vast universe, and Earth appears quite ordinary—on the surface.

Yet, on this seemingly unremarkable planet, extraordinary events occasionally unfold, giving rise to peculiar individuals. The Plague engineered by Natas is but one example, a threat not to be dismissed even in Asgard.

"Being the hub of the Nine Realms, Midgard's peculiarity is to be expected," Forseti remarked casually.

Heimdall fell silent briefly before raising another topic, "By the way, there's something I must caution you about."

"What is it?"

"It seems you've established an order of knights?" Heimdall queried.

"Oh... yes, that's correct. Is there a problem?" Forseti slowed his pace, sensing the gravity of Heimdall's tone.

"Strictly speaking, this goes against Asgardian laws, as I'm sure you're aware," Heimdall remarked with significance, "Should you continue recruiting knights within Asgard, King Odin will not remain indifferent."

Forseti lapsed into silence, brow furrowing.

Heimdall phrased it diplomatically, yet Forseti understood the underlying warning.

Though he held a position of authority and respect within Asgard, he was not of royal lineage. Establishing a private legion within the Asgardian palace could be construed as defiance. No sovereign would tolerate such actions, especially with relations strained since Hela's departure, suspicion clouding Odin's regard for him.

"I understand," Forseti replied simply.

He exited the cavern with Ander and Baka, resting briefly by the river before returning to town to apprise its denizens of Natas's demise.

The townsfolk rejoiced, though their immediate concern was their current affliction. Upon their return, Forseti, Ander, and Baka found themselves surrounded by patients and their families.

"Merciful gods, save us!"

"Save my brother—he's fading!"

Observing the growing throng of sufferers, Forseti called out, "All who are afflicted, gather here with me. Stand clear if you are not."

The crowd stirred, and soon the sick were assembled near Forseti, their anxious kin standing at a distance.

Forseti was soon surrounded by Black Death patients, many in dire straits, the air heavy with the scent of blood and decay.

Forseti and Ander, as Asgardians, faced the Black Death fearlessly, seasoned warriors in their own right.

Baka, however, couldn't help but show trepidation. His face paled, "Are you... truly capable of healing so many?"

"Of course," Ander reassured him with a smile.

"Let's begin," Forseti declared, activating the Aura of Benevolence . Gentle, luminous light bathed the patients.

Simultaneously, Ander activated the Aura of Benevolence. The two auras overlapped, casting a golden radiance over the square, a sanctified glow.

"Gods!" Onlookers exclaimed, invoking their respective deities and offering earnest prayers.

Priests and priestesses recited scriptures and hymns.

The combined auras illuminated the area, visibly improving the patients' conditions. Wounds closed, swelling subsided, and those comatose began to stir, awed by the golden halo encircling them.

While channeling the Aura of Benevolence, Forseti also wielded the Holy Tome in his left hand.

As the root cause of the Black Death—the Plague created by Natas—was undeniably potent and malevolent, it promised to yield spells in exchange.

Indeed, Forseti now had two spells to choose from: Eye of Reckoning and Retribution Aura.

The Eye of Reckoning, a secondary spell, discerned energies and transgressions among the living.

Retribution Aura, conversely, was an offensive aura. Like others of its kind, it boasted wide coverage, low energy consumption, and persistent effects. It could assail enemies across vast areas over prolonged periods, though its damage was moderate.

Considering his options, Forseti deliberated briefly before opting for the Eye of Reckoning.

Learning the Eye of Reckoning posed no challenge. In truth, it aligned with the Holy Light's essence, requiring only conscious activation.

Within hours, Forseti successfully awakened the Eye of Reckoning.

With a mental command, holy light flooded his eyes, suffusing them with a golden radiance that replaced his natural gaze.