Chapter 35
Chapter 35
Episode 35
Seawater seeped through the cracks that had formed.
The ocean water dripped down in thin streams, like reeds in the wind.
As screams began echoing from outside the temple, the devotees exchanged panicked glances.
Someone came sprinting in, shouting frantically.
"T-The world is breaking apart!"
"What nonsense is this?!"
The priest standing beside the altar roared at the young man's absurd claim. But the screams only grew louder. Even the priest realized something was terribly wrong.
"You there! Go out and see what's happening!"
Several devotees immediately rushed out.
The guards encircled Aiden, pointing their spears and swords at him.
Of course, none of them could have imagined that the chaos spreading outside was caused by his actions.
The priest glared at Aiden.
"You dare defile the sacred altar? Don't think you'll get off lightly."
Aiden remained impassive.
"Understood. You should all evacuate quickly."
Just as the priest's face flushed with rage, a deafening roar shook the heavens and earth.
BOOOOM!
Screams erupted from all directions. Seawater burst through the cracks in the barrier, cascading down like a waterfall.
The priest stared at Aiden's face as if memorizing it before hastily retreating.
No one could hold their ground. They immediately began fleeing outside the temple.
Soon, only Aiden and Yuriel remained inside.
Yuriel stared at Aiden with utter bewilderment. She blinked, unable to believe her own ears.
"S-Sir Aiden? What did you just say...?"
"I asked for your eyes."
This was no time for jokes. Besides, Yuriel couldn't even imagine the paladin before her cracking a jest.
So she asked again.
"...You asked for my eyes. Did I hear that correctly?"
Aiden met her gaze with more sincerity than ever before.
"You heard correctly. I desperately need the Saintess's eyes."
The benefits Aiden would gain from obtaining the [Eyes of Truth] were too numerous to count.
Simply put, the number of lives he could save would increase exponentially. The mid-game would become far more manageable.
Thus, Aiden had to persuade Yuriel.
He couldn't take them by force—the exchange could only happen through mutual agreement.
And the exchange of divine abilities was only possible once—within the ruins of the Great Hero Elpis.
That was why he had brought the Saintess here.
Of course, Yuriel knew none of this, and Aiden couldn't explain.
He could only hope she would quickly grasp the meaning behind his request.
Yuriel chewed over his words. After a long silence, her expression settled into calm composure.
She met Aiden's gaze directly.
It seemed she had activated her [Eyes of Truth]. A strange light swirled in her pupils.
"You don't mean to gouge them out. Be precise."
Aiden was pleased with her question.
"If I specify, I will die. But it seems you already have an inkling of what I mean."
Her [Eyes of Truth] confirmed his words.
She didn't understand why he would die, but his statement was true.
Yet what unsettled her more was what followed. After a pause, she spoke again.
"If I ask what you think I've guessed, you'll say you can't answer—because you'd die."
"Apologies, but yes."
Yuriel didn't know how to react if Aiden truly knew the nature of her [Eyes of Truth].
The world didn't know of their existence.
Humans naturally hid their darkest thoughts. Who would willingly speak to someone who could see through them? No one would stay by her side.
She knew this well—which was why she had never revealed her ability.
Yet Aiden spoke as if he knew.
Of course, she couldn't be certain. He hadn't explicitly stated it—only hinted.
She searched her memories. There had been moments when Aiden's words and actions struck her as odd.
Like their conversation in Tegain's office.
Whether Aiden believed in God or not—
Why would he deny the divine before the Church's Saintess?
A paladin devout enough to maintain his facade had no reason to say such things to her alone.
Had she asked then, "Why are you telling me this?", he likely would've replied, "Didn't you ask first?"
That was the kind of man Yuriel saw in him. And in truth, his answer wouldn't have been far off.
Lost in thought, Yuriel finally spoke again. Water had begun pooling at their feet.
"You didn't hesitate to speak blasphemously before me, the Saintess."
She was circling the question—asking if he had spoken his mind knowing she would see the truth.
"Was the reason...?"
"Correct."
Yuriel froze.
The assumption she had dreaded was confirmed, striking her like a hammer.
"H-How...?"
Did the paladin before her also possess the ability to read others? Otherwise, it made no sense. There was no way he could know about her [Eyes of Truth].
"I'm sorry. I can't tell you."
For the first time, Yuriel's face twisted. She was still beautiful, but her expression was colder than ever.
Her voice, too, dropped to a frigid whisper.
"Do you respect me at all?"
Aiden lowered his head slightly.
"Of course."
It was the truth.
"You asked for my [Eyes of Truth]."
The restriction lifted.
"Yes."
"Is it possible here?"
"Yes."
"Then the reason you brought me here was to obtain them."
"Yes."
Yuriel's expression darkened before freezing over completely.
"Were all our previous conversations just groundwork to take my eyes?"
"That was part of it."
Sorrow seeped into Yuriel's face. She turned away, hiding her expression. After a long silence, she murmured softly.
"You had so many chances to tell me."
You could've said you needed my eyes. If he had told her back at the inn, she might not have felt this wretched.
"I wasn't certain you would descend into the abyss even if you knew my intentions."
"Now that we're trapped here, it sounds like you could just take them by force if I refuse."
"That's not the case. Look at me for a moment."
"...No."
Yuriel's shoulders trembled faintly.
Aiden exhaled quietly before continuing.
"Even if you refuse, I can't do anything about it. Besides, bringing you here wasn't just for that. Didn't I promise to answer your questions about God?"
Yuriel wore a hollow expression—one Aiden couldn't see as she faced away.
"You always prove things through results. I'm sure you have everything planned out this time too. I was just part of that plan, wasn't I? So, where do you intend to use me—a Saintess with shattered faith? Of course, you can't answer."
She let out a bitter laugh.
"I can't even begin to guess what you're seeing right now."
"Just know this isn't for my own selfish desires."
"Of course it isn't. And I'm sure you're pressed for time. If you want them, just take them."
Aiden didn't fully understand Yuriel's feelings, but he could tell she was hurt.
Yet trying to persuade her with half-truths would only backfire.
"Time isn't an issue."
Until Atlantis sank completely, there was nothing else he could do.
"I'm not demanding an answer now. Take your time to think it over. Once I show you the evidence for my claims about God, then decide."
The proof lay within Elpis's ruins.
Since the exchange could only happen there, they had plenty of time before Atlantis fully surfaced and granted access.
Yuriel sat on the inner steps, silently watching the rising seawater.
Aiden had nothing more to add. In truth, he expected her to refuse.
Even so, this was still a gain.
She now knew he was aware of her ability, and with the restriction lifted, he could utilize her [Eyes of Truth] more freely in certain situations.
Moreover, he could alter the future where she slowly broke down after revealing her power to the world.
If she refused to hand them over, it would be disappointing—but this much was already a worthwhile outcome.
The rest was up to her.
A heavy silence stretched between them. The screams outside grew fainter.
The temple wasn't particularly tall, and water had already filled half the interior.
Soon, the altar began submerging.
"Saintess, from now on, do not leave my side."
Yuriel nodded silently.
As the rising water swallowed the altar, a blue radiance flowed from the small goddess statue, enveloping the temple.
The sealed remnant of Shailan's consciousness manifested.
Though her body had been torn apart by Vacheksar, her soul was immortal. The Goddess of the Sea had always watched over her followers from this place.
『Mortal.』
A melodious voice whispered into Aiden's ear.
『Has Vacheksar sent you?』
"No. I came of my own will."
『Then He has not forgiven this sinner even now? You are condemning the children of the sea to death.』
Disregarding the fact that the merfolk heading to the surface were once human—they were heretics regardless.
The Church would never forgive heretics setting foot on imperial soil.
Burning and live burial awaited the Seirun tribe.
That was how it should have been.
But having unlocked the seal using the Divine Keystone, leniency was inevitable.
It was an unbreakable pardon—the very reason Yona had sought the Keystone so desperately.
"I'm not condemning them to death."
The moment he spoke, a crushing pressure wrapped around Aiden and Yuriel. Shailan's fury.
『Even if you bear the Divine Keystone, it is meaningless unless He permits it! Do you think Vacheksar would condone such trickery?!』
Yuriel groaned in agony, nearing unconsciousness. Suppressing the pain constricting his chest, Aiden answered.
"It has been two hundred years since God last descended."
『He has ascended?』
"I don't know. More importantly—if this woman dies, I will slaughter every last one of your followers."
Yuriel couldn't die here.
Shailan's remnant could kill Yuriel, but she couldn't harm Aiden further.
The pressure vanished like a ghost. Yuriel collapsed, gasping for air.
『...Impudent.』
After a brief silence, Shailan spoke again.
『But it is true I owe you a debt. I shall repay it.』
Messages flooded Aiden's vision.
『Bearer of broken chains, I grant you title and power.』
Liberator of Atlantis. A title with many uses.
Then, a divine power etched itself onto Aiden's wrist as a tattoo.
『Deny the death of another. Use it wisely—you have but one chance.』
This was the power he would exchange for the [Eyes of Truth]—if Yuriel agreed.
By now, seawater filled the temple.
Most of the floor was submerged. Aiden lifted the trembling Yuriel into his arms.
Their destination was Elpis's ruins within Atlantis.
Without looking back, he stepped into the water.