Chapter 91
Chapter 91
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 91
Chapter Title: Chapter 2-1. Calypso's Nightmare
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Bell-Terza.
The embodiment of death itself, an existence that any living being could not help but fear. He stood right before their eyes. Judah himself had set him up and created him in the game, but he couldn't say that out loud.
Above all, the moment their eyes met, Judah could do nothing but stare up at him in a daze, his mind blank. Jeanne had fainted, and in this cavern, he was the only one conscious enough to hold a conversation. So Bell-Terza stared only at Judah. A faint blue glow seeped from the skull of the black-cloaked Bell-Terza.
『I'll ask once more. Where were you trying to go?』
His words came a little quickly. But with the weight behind his voice, they rang out with crystal clarity. Judah fell silent again. He knew he had to say something, but his foolish mind drew a blank. It was like a pure white sheet of paper, not conjuring even a single word. Instinct told him he couldn't let the silence drag on, so he forced the words out.
"Out... outside."
『Why?』
"Because... all our business here is finished."
Even conversations with Sian had never felt this heavy. It hit him anew just how much consideration Sian had always shown him. Every time he tried to open his mouth to speak, he had to fight against the pressure crushing down on his entire body. Bell-Terza said nothing in response.
Thanks to that, Judah had to watch Bell-Terza's mood. The overwhelming gap in power left no room for irritation at the situation. If it had been due to a difference in status, he might have at least felt anger.
『…….』
The silence choked the air from his lungs. Bell-Terza, simply gazing down, stroked his bony chin with his skeletal hand, lost in thought. Watching him, Judah had no choice but to admit it.
Yes, this was a monarch. He felt like an ant. Scrambling about desperately, but one press of a human finger would crush him flat—a frail existence. His mind blared alarms, uncertain when death might strike. Hurry and escape this place. Run away. It offered no solutions, only directions.
『Do you know who I am?』
Judah hesitated. He couldn't decide how much to explain or what to hide.
A short answer might prompt, "You didn't even know who I was?" and spell his doom. He couldn't even give a vague one. He couldn't fathom why Bell-Terza, who hadn't even appeared in the game, had shown himself here. Would he have to abandon this dungeon if he died? Was leaving the wraith behind at the end the problem? But he didn't have time for such thoughts. His sweaty palms slipped. Suddenly, Bell-Terza lowered his stance and thrust his face right up to Judah on the altar.
『You're tense. Understandably so. But no need to tremble. I didn't reveal myself here to kill you. So speak. Do you know who I am?』
It was almost considerate. Just knowing he had no intent to kill lightened Judah's heart considerably. It wasn't a promise, so he could always go back on his word, but unless Judah boldly flipped him off right in his face, it seemed unlikely. Careful not to bite his tongue, Judah rolled it around in his mouth before speaking.
"...The lord who embodies death, Lord Bell-Terza."
『Not a satisfying answer. Fine. Then to the next question. Why do you think I revealed myself here?』
"That's..."
Why? Because he possessed a fragment?
Or because someone had stolen the offering meant for him?
As he hesitated, the blue glow in Bell-Terza's eyes intensified.
『You don't know? Because I sensed the power of two lords in your body.』
Judah swallowed hard. And doubt crept in at his words. Two lords, not one?
It could be Perlnen's power from the fragment. But who was the other? Among the seven lords, ones with connections...
'Blessing.'
He'd momentarily forgotten about the [Blessing of the First Lord]. And then, black energy swirled around Bell-Terza, who had poked his head out from before the altar, enveloping his form and hurtling toward Judah. From within the black aura that blanketed the altar emerged a massive two-meter skull clad in ornate robes.
Startled, Judah stepped back, but on the stairs, that meant tumbling down. Feeling nothing under his toes, he flailed in panic, but there was nothing to grab, and his balance had already tipped backward.
『What are you doing?』
Bell-Terza caught Judah's flailing hand and pulled him forward. With an expressionless face, he released the wrist. As Judah started to thank him, pain shot through it. He looked down. A bruise in the shape of Bell-Terza's hand.
"Thank you."
『No thanks needed. I simply grew interested in you and wanted answers.』
"What... kind?"
『For reasons I don't know. You bear Sian's blessing and possess two of Perlnen's fragments.』
"Yes."
Judah felt a twinge of unease. It seemed like something would be demanded.
『I have a proposal.』
"Pardon?"
『To my knowledge, no one has gathered two of Perlnen's fragments thus far. And among those who possess fragments, none bear a lord's blessing.』
"......"
『Artemiya or Evenhiyan have granted blessings to humans a few times. But Sian, who maintained neutrality, has done so only for Lucifer and a handful of his loyal subordinates. I can't divine fate, but by my judgment, you seem likely to become Perlnen's successor. Of course, far in the future.』
Should he respond with "Thank you for the vote of confidence"?
His words weren't finished.
『I intend to let you live.』
"Didn't you say you had no thought to kill me?"
『Of course. I'm not so petty as to rage over you stealing my offering. No need to worry. What I mean is this: once in the future. When death approaches you, I will aid you.』
Judah was confused. The words pierced straight into his mind, but he couldn't grasp their meaning.
Aid him when death approached?
Revive him once upon death? That didn't seem so special.
With Sian's power, death already rewound him to the moment he regained the fragment. Revival from death was impressive, but it didn't feel groundbreaking. Then, a hologram window appeared before Judah's eyes.
[Acquired one-time skill [Descent of the Sixth Lord, Bell-Terza].]
[The skill deletes upon activation.]
[This is his favor to you.]
[At the moment you desire, if he descends to the Middle Realm, Bell-Terza will aid you, no matter the situation.]
[But you must use this skill with utmost caution. The influence of the Heavenly Realm on the Middle Realm surpasses even the Demon Realm, especially their vigilance against the dead.]
[Summoning him to human lands? Well, you might become the enemy of all the living.]
[Descent of the Sixth Lord, Bell-Terza] Rank: SSS / Workmanship: Master
Summons the sixth lord of the Demon Realm, Bell-Terza, once.
The descended one will aid you in any situation.
The skill deletes upon activation.
'Crazy.'
This gift was beyond imagination. Only then did Judah understand what he meant by aid. Though only once, Bell-Terza was one of the seven lords of the Demon Realm. To summon such a being without offering or sacrifice, even once, was monumental. An utterly unexpected gift—and not the end.
『And like Sian, I too shall grant you my blessing.』
From the fingertips of Bell-Terza, perched on the altar, black energy extended toward Judah's heart and seeped in without resistance. His heart throbbed.
[Acquired trait [Blessing of the Sixth Lord].]
[Blessing of the Sixth Lord] Rank: S / Workmanship: Master
You bear the blessing of the sixth lord of the Demon Realm, companion of death, Bell-Terza.
Even if death finds you, you can revive.
Recovers all status ailments and immediately restores 50% of health and mana.
But as this power defies the natural order, it requires 30 days to reactivate after use.
My god. What does he want in return for such gifts?
As if reading Judah's anxiety, he spoke.
『You seem to know what my blessing entails. My proposal is simple. If you become Perlnen's successor, hand over the tenth fragment to me. That is my offer. Consider my gifts an investment for that time.』
Indeed.
Judah recalled the lore about him.
On reflection, he coveted several of Perlnen's fragments. Especially Artemiya, tied to vitality, which he desperately wanted—but Perlnen refused. The item tooltip recorded their exchange.
'Nice. Give it to me?'
'A dead guy absorbing life force? What for? No. Can't have it. Get lost.'
'Harsh.' - Conversation between the 4th and 6th lords.
Even a lord couldn't have what he desired. It must have become his grudge. Handing over Artemiya would sting, but not right now—only after becoming successor. No issue there. Judah nodded slowly, accepting.
"I am truly grateful for your excessive favor. I promise. If I become the successor... I will unconditionally hand over the tenth fragment."
His presence still made speaking difficult, but knowing the value of his favors made it easier than before. He nodded in satisfaction, as if pleased.
『Good. Never forget.』
========== Author's Note ==========
1) Something like weird blisters appeared on my knee, so I wondered what it was and went to the hospital thinking it might be shingles.
Fortunately, it's herpes or something. No big worry, thankfully.
They say it can even appear around the lips.
2) Have to go to school. Damn it!
3)
Q. In an item from the previous work, purebloods were mentioned. Do they have any relation to the Demon Realm lords?
A. Nah, no relation. Similar concept, but separate beings. They won't appear in this novel.
Q. What are the names of the Demon Realm lords?
A. They'll come up gradually, but the names at least...
-First Lord, Sian
-Second Lord, Sereno
-Third Lord, Even Hiyan
-Fourth Lord, Perlnen
-Fifth Lord, Bango
-Sixth Lord, Bell-Terza
-Seventh Lord, Artemiya
Q. Is Jinmu the Blue Spear Knight? In chapter 86, he was called the Viscount of Baekje, so please correct.
A. White-Aged-Socks commenter said: "Jinmu is indeed the Viscount of Baekje. But among the spirits possessing Jinmu, there was the Blue Spear Knight." That's right. One of the spirits possessing Jinmu was the Blue Spear Knight. It was a possession.