Chapter 131
Chapter 131
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 131
Chapter Title: Chapter 3-1. Black Tree Tribe
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"Sole God...?"
Gabriel blankly murmured the word in response to Cyan's shocking statement. It was truly hard to believe. In her eyes, Judah Arshel was just an ordinary human. Of course, the fact that he was experiencing the future Cain would face and that he could forge his own destiny made him special, but it wasn't the omnipotent image she had imagined.
'He's not teasing me, is he?'
Her eyes narrowed. Sometimes, even if someone was telling the truth, if the information was too absurd, it was hard to distinguish fact from fiction.
The Creator. The Sole God.
She let out a hollow laugh as she looked at Cyan. But the expression on his face was so serious that it was hard to even ask if he was lying. He didn't look like he was joking. She couldn't say she knew him that well. This was the first time they'd had a conversation like this, so it was hard to put words to it. As if he knew what Gabriel wanted to say, he met her eyes and opened his mouth.
"From the tip of that person's finger, we were created, and from the tip of that person's finger, our fates were decided. Even if they seem deficient both mentally and physically, that doesn't change the fact that they are our god."
It was hard to believe? Cyan added, and she could only nod as if it were obvious.
Gabriel turned her gaze back to Judah. Her brow furrowed.
Thump.
...?
But unlike her outward reaction, her heart was honest. From the moment she heard about the Sole God and Creator, her heart had been racing nonstop. She pressed her hand firmly against her chest. She bit down hard on her lower lip with her upper teeth and relaxed when she felt the pain.
"There's... no lie in those words?"
"I stake my name on it."
"And the proof?"
"I've staked my very existence—what more do you need? What more proof is required for forging destinies that even the supreme beings of this world cannot achieve?"
Tears streamed down from Gabriel's eyes. Her chest felt tight, and she felt like bursting into sobs. She, who had never shed a tear in any situation or before anyone, was showing a fragile side. She bit her lip hard to suppress the sobs trying to escape.
The god she had cried out for so desperately was finally appearing before her eyes. She didn't know whether to collapse and weep, rush to that god's side and kneel while calling their name, or embrace them and ask why they had appeared only now.
"Cry. No one will say anything. No one will mock you for crying, and no one who learns of that person's existence won't shed tears. Especially for those like us, who repeated our fates while screaming our god's name until our throats bled—we have more than enough qualification. Gabriel."
A being from the demon realm opposing the heavens.
A lord with inclinations opposite to the Holy King.
Hearing such words from the 1st Lord Cyan, who could be called absolute evil, she naively burst into tears as if granted absolution. She wrapped her wings around her body, gazed at Judah, and sobbed loudly. She pressed her chest and let the tears flow.
Cain's death, where she had bestowed her apostle's power, had already faded into the background. Before absolute priority, Cain's existence was unimportant.
After crying like that for a while, Gabriel finally looked down at Judah with reddened, bloodshot eyes and spoke. There was no shame. How could she be ashamed of tears shed for that one?
"But why are you just leaving that person be? If we help—"
"No. We can't."
"Why not?"
"Because that would prevent various destinies from being forged. For this incomplete world with only one fate to become complete, countless branches are needed. That's why I've given nothing but the minimal help. I told you of that person's existence to prevent any unnecessary aid later on."
But Gabriel found it hard to accept.
"So. You're making that person walk a path of hardship now? Repeating countless deaths in a frail body, just like we repeated our fates?"
Cyan fell silent at her words before continuing.
"...It's unavoidable. Even if this is blasphemy against the god. At the same time, it's the Creator's duty. Something only a god can do."
"But by what right do you impose duties on that person? This... no matter what, this..."
He let out a laugh. He knew well what Gabriel was feeling. Her head understood, but her heart couldn't. Cyan gazed silently at Judah like Gabriel and continued.
"Do you know?"
...?
"My power, without limits, unknowingly pierced through this world's truth. Before that truth, I... felt powerless. I could do nothing. The fact that even I, who could be called an absolute in this world, was helpless was quite a fresh shock. After centuries of growing my power even more before that truth, only then did I finally have something I could do."
"What was it?"
"Finding that person's existence and bringing them here! Even with the power to destroy the world with one finger, that was all I could manage. Surprisingly, even that was burdensome."
......
"I know well that I'm unforgivable for subjecting that person to this. But if I hadn't forced it, no one could have broken this wheel-like fate."
Gabriel was silent.
"I'm proud and at the same time guilty for bringing that person to this world. I want to beg forgiveness for making them walk this path of hardship, but I can't. Someone had to do it. You and I—one of us had to. But if you'd seen this world's truth, you'd have crumbled on the spot, and with your power, you couldn't have brought that person here. Correction."
......
"You couldn't have done it. No! No one could have! Only I! Only I could do it! So I may feel guilt, but I have not a shred of regret for my actions!"
......
"I have no regrets."
"...You could be hated by the god, by that person. You have no choice but to be hated. Is that okay?"
Her eyes turned to Cyan. He listened to Gabriel's words, closed his eyes, and quietly answered.
"Yes."
The two simply looked down at Judah's figure in silence.
#The nameless road back to the Black Tree Tribe.
After defeating the belligerent Red Bear Tribe's chieftain, Quake, Isabelle told Judah they needed to dispose of Quake and Cain's bodies. When he asked why, she said the other tribes wouldn't accept it.
"His personality and actions aren't important to them. What matters is that he's one of the top powerhouses in Regen and one of the few Spirit Sword owners. Above all, since he has a Fragment, his existence is a symbol of Regen's strength. What do you think the other tribes would say if we killed him?"
"Oh— a new powerhouse has emerged?"
Isabelle burst into incredulous laughter at Judah's words.
"Haha, they might think that, but they'd suspect we killed him to covet the Fragment's power. No matter how they see it, it won't be positive."
"...I see."
"Of course. A Fragment's power is that dangerous. If I wielded a greatsword instead of a bow, I wouldn't have handed the Fragment over to you so easily."
......
"Anyway, it's better to dispose of the bodies without a trace. Luckily, there's land nearby inhabited by always-hungry magical beasts, so we can just toss them there."
With that, Isabelle drew a slightly curved dagger from her waist and tore off Quake's leather clothes. His body, covered in hard muscles and scars, was revealed. Without the slightest hesitation, she enveloped the dagger in mana and began dismembering the corpse.
Gasp!
Arhil, standing behind, covered her mouth with both hands at the sight. Isabelle, midway through severing one arm, heard the sound, turned, and tilted her head. Seeing Isabelle, the pale-faced Arhil took a step back.
"Hmm. Not used to this? Humans or beasts, not much difference. If it's too much, step away. I'll finish quickly."
Jeanne took the retching Arhil back up the hill where Cain's body lay. Isabelle watched their retreating backs before looking at Judah and asking.
"You're not going?"
"You gave me the Code, so I feel like I should help. Of course, I've butchered plenty of beasts, but watching a person being dismantled isn't exactly pleasant."
He thought he'd be fine with it, but while he could watch orcs or beasts being cut apart indifferently, seeing a human made his stomach churn. It was probably because he'd lived in the much more peaceful modern world, dyed in its values, ethics, and morals. Even so, he'd severed Cain's arm and Quake's head, yet feeling repulsed by this was ridiculous.
He opened <Bag> and took out a sack used for grain, gathering Quake's dismembered body parts into it. Blood dripped, staining the bottom red.
"Give that sack to me. I'll handle it. Wait here."
Judah nodded and handed her the sack, unsure where she was going. Despite being dismembered, it held a large man's body, but she lifted it surprisingly lightly, slung it over her back, and dashed into the forest with agile movements. Watching her disappear in a flash, Judah sighed. His body wasn't tired, but after dozens of deaths, the mental fatigue was indescribable.
Perhaps because he thought it was all over, his steps felt heavy as he climbed the hill to Jeanne and Arhil.
'Now we have to dispose of Cain's body.'
How to do it?
He could put it in <Bag>, but... it wasn't a heroic death. If Caseun saw his Fragment-devoured, wretched, miserable corpse, he'd love it—lucky if he didn't get stabbed right there.
'Cutting it up is no good... Guess cremation it is.'
He'd keep the armor and deliver it to Caseun later. Reaching the hill, Judah glanced at Jeanne and Arhil sitting to the side, then cut down nearby fallen trees and stacked them in a well shape. Using Yakal, even huge logs sliced like paper with a cutter. Unsure how high for full burning, he piled them high, placed Cain's body on top, and lit it. He thought dry wood wouldn't catch well, but sprinkling cooking oil made the flames cling fiercely and burn vigorously. He quietly watched the black smoke rise like cigarette smoke into the sky.
========== Author's Note ==========
Author: bdb d.
If I finish exams by next Monday, I can temporarily escape this monstrous major subject!
Professor: Prepare your assignment presentation by next week.
Reserve Army: The nation calls you!
Author: I really feel like I'm sinning against you all, but I have to go study again. Sorry...
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