Chapter 115
Chapter 115
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 115
Chapter Title: A Hero's Welcome
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“I think it’s time to repot it.”
[That’s true, but we probably won’t need a pot much longer.]
At Mitra’s words, Cheon-ho reflexively relayed them to Lucille and Eizel, then stared at Mitra with the same expression as the two of them.
“No more pot?”
[Right. Think back to when we first got the little Demonic Tree. Did the Casablonda you fought take root with two legs?]
“Oh.”
Right. The mother body, Casablonda, had moved quickly on two legs.
[It needs a pot when it’s a sapling… but now it should be fine. Of course, having a pot fitted to its body like a bed wouldn’t be bad.]
Eizel’s eyes widened as Cheon-ho passed on Mitra’s words verbatim.
“Wow, so I can carry the little Demonic Tree on my shoulder now?”
At Eizel’s words, Lucille gasped. She wanted to do it too.
Unlike its mother body Casablonda, the little Demonic Tree was incredibly cute.
Kkwi-kkwi.
Just then, Ember let out a plaintive cry. It had grown several times stronger after devouring magical equipment, but its favorite spot was still inside Cheon-ho or Lucille’s pocket.
“Yeah, yeah, sorry. Ember’s cute too.”
Kkwi-kkwi.
As Lucille pulled Ember out and stroked it, Ember wagged its flames like it was acting cute. It was always fascinating to watch.
“Mitra, if it keeps growing like this, will it turn out like we talked about at first?”
[It will. It’s absorbed so much holy power growing up among angels. And with only good people around, its personality seems kind too.]
It was already closer to a divine tree or sacred tree than a Demonic Tree.
As Mitra said, its personality was good too—it never got annoyed at Eizel squealing over it and even acted cute. Its behavior made it seem more like a puppy than a Demonic Tree.
“If I keep feeding it growth potions…”
At human size, it would be a solid combat asset. Of course, it was plenty useful as a pet to enrich the angels’ hearts too.
“Speaking of which, how about Mitra grows too?”
[What?]
“We still have stuff left to eat.”
Cheon-ho turned to Lucille, who quickly understood what he meant and pulled an item from her inventory.
The Empire Guardian Sword made by Leon.
The once-bisected blade was now whole. The hilt was newly attached, restoring it to a complete sword.
It was a fine blade. As a sword made for Mitra’s body, it was strong and beautiful.
It was undoubtedly among the top five of all the magic swords they’d acquired.
But using it separately was a waste.
The best use was for Mitra.
[Yes, this feels right.]
Cheon-ho had already gotten permission from Makina, so with Mitra’s approval too, there was no reason to delay.
Cheon-ho picked up Mitra, and Lucille picked up the Empire Guardian Sword. As he crossed the blades, a familiar golden light soon filled their vision.
Mitra absorbed the Empire Guardian Sword. As always, it changed its form.
The True Silver Sword.
The form it had taken when they first met.
[I’m… back.]
Mitra murmured softly. Though unbound by external form, it was a body it had used for centuries. The emotions were bound to be special.
And there was one more undeniable fact.
[I’ve grown.]
It had advanced another step. Even after absorbing over twenty magic swords, its inner form hadn’t changed—until now. A new holy sword skill had unlocked too.
And this growth held more than usual significance.
It had crossed a line. Passed a threshold. It was too much for a singularity, but it had definitely passed a special point. In game terms, it had reached job change level?
“I can feel holy power from Lady Mitra.”
Eizel said in a slightly dazed voice. Mitra had always emanated holy power, but now the intensity and quality were different.
‘The God of Purification.’
He couldn’t recall the name, but the young god, the baby brother of the God of Healing.
It felt like facing him.
[Probably thanks to the True Silver, a holy metal. And eating all those magic swords in the forge.]
Maybe it was his imagination, but even the voice sounded holier.
‘What if I shout “Uwaang” here.’
Would it become a holy “Uwaang”?
He really wanted to try, but with eyes on him, Cheon-ho held back for now. He could hear it in the mental world later.
Come to think of it, how had the mental world changed?
Had it finally returned to the golden-eyed woman, its true form?
Or still the girl?
Either way, Cheon-ho was looking forward to it.
[Hehe, look forward to it. Expect as much as you want.]
Mitra said in a sly voice. It seemed in a great mood.
“Five Goddesses, we give thanks.”
Just then, Lucille prayed facing Mitra. Eizel immediately followed, and soon all the angels in the carriage were praying. Like devotees gathered before an idol.
[Hmm.]
Mitra had plenty of such experiences, but a group of angels like this felt novel.
Cheon-ho chuckled softly and mimicked Lucille in praying.
‘May everything continue to go well like now.’
This forge visit had yielded so much.
They’d made the Sword of Dawn, acquired the Primordial Forge. Makina had joined as a new companion, and twelve of Mother’s carriers had arrived. The Dragon Plate Armor and Leon’s gear had combined into better equipment. And now Mitra had grown further. A string of joyous events.
Lucille thought similarly. After praying fervently, she leaned lightly on Cheon-ho’s shoulder and smiled softly.
“I’m excited for the Center.”
What would it be like?
How grand and beautiful?
Lucille was born in the branch office. Until meeting Cheon-ho, she’d only lived there and knew nothing of the outside.
The branch wasn’t small. It could house hundreds of angels. But even so, it couldn’t compare to the Center—the Citadel of Justice.
A place where countless good gods and angels resided.
Paradise of the good gods built within the Great Labyrinth.
“It’ll definitely be amazing.”
Eizel said, eyes sparkling. Even the photos from the angel network were incredible. The real thing would be beyond imagination.
Makina in the corner was also leaving the forge for the first time, wearing a similar expression to Lucille’s—an odd mix of tension, anticipation, and anxiety.
[I’m looking forward to it too. But… the entire Center, all floors, probably aren’t that flashy.]
As Mitra said, not every floor could be the same.
Not every part of the Empire was beautiful and grand.
When Cheon-ho relayed Mitra’s words, Eizel’s eyes sparkled again.
“But we’re going to the special mid-layer areas, floors 14 and 15, so it’ll definitely be amazing. Lucillia said so too.”
They’d descend from the 10th floor Center to the 14th. All stairs from 10 to 14 were inside the Citadel of Justice, so once they reached it, the rest would be smooth.
‘The rewards are exciting too.’
Cheon-ho wasn’t moving just for rewards, but he wasn’t free of greed either.
The God of Healing’s promise.
She’d give ample rewards upon arrival at the Center.
Considering the God of Healing’s generous nature, it was worth expecting.
“We’ve almost reached the Center!”
Just then, Orenol’s voice rang out from the cockpit.
Three days from the Primordial Forge.
They’d finally arrived at the Center.
Lucille and Eizel fidgeted restlessly. Not just them—Aurael and Raguel too, and Saschiell and the combat angels.
Everyone’s first time at the Center.
Everyone excited to go.
“Shall we at least look out the window?”
As Cheon-ho stood and spoke, the angels responded in unison.
“Yes!”
“Yes!”
“Yes♥”
Hearing the chorus of lovely voices from all sides, Cheon-ho infused a bit of mana into the Dragon Plate Armor. To transform one of the carriers forming the airship.
“Lucille, barrier please. Transparent one.”
“Yes, Hero.”
Lucille swiftly cast a transparent barrier on one wall. Moments later, the carrier transformed, revealing the view beyond clearly.
First, a pillar connecting heaven and earth came into view.
And below it, a fortress city sprawled out.
Massive walls and buildings numbering in the hundreds, thousands.
In sheer scale, smaller than Aiterium. A bit larger than Floren Kingdom’s capital.
But it was different.
Scale wasn’t what mattered.
It was alive.
Unlike the previous two cities, this fortress city—the Citadel of Justice—radiated a vibrant life force ready to burst.
Lucille’s mouth fell open.
Not just her—all the angels. Even Liliel, who’d visited the Citadel before, widened her eyes.
It couldn’t be helped.
The Citadel of Justice had changed.
Something new had appeared that wasn’t there before.
Visible clearly from hundreds of meters in the air.
Something unnoticeable from the ground.
Huge letters of light crossing the Citadel of Justice.
An embarrassing, heart-filled message.
[As expected, as expected of the God of Healing…]
Mitra muttered dazedly, and Lucille blushed. The other angels too.
Why is the embarrassment ours?
“Hmm.”
But Cheon-ho kept his poker face.
He read the light letters once more and smiled inwardly.
A very satisfied smile.
* * *
Welcome to the Citadel of Justice!
We welcome you, Hero♥
As the Citadel of Justice drew nearer, the angels’ faces grew redder.
No wonder—the embarrassment swelled bigger.
On the rooftop of a massive building at the Citadel’s heart.
A place that could be called an airborne garden like Floren’s capital, nearly a hundred angels stood in neat formation. And they were singing.
Oh, Hero.
Our Hero.
Handsome, cool, and strong, our our Hero.
A hundred angels sang loudly. It was truly majestic and beautiful music. Which made it all the more embarrassing. The lyrics were too flashy.
“Uwaaa.”
Unable to bear it, Eizel covered her face with both hands, but it was pointless. Songs were heard with ears, not eyes.
[Ugh, ugh.]
Even Mitra groaned. Lucille tried to act fine, but her face had long been beet red.
Amid this, only Cheon-ho maintained his usual expression.
“Hmm.”
Nice.
Love the lyrics.
Father said he had a few such songs too.
In Phaien without internet or TV, rumors spread mostly via bards’ songs, so naturally, there were plenty praising heroes.
[Ugh, hmm.]
Others thought Cheon-ho was forcing calm, but connected to him, Mitra could read his true feelings. So it let out subtle groans nonstop.
And finally, the airship landed on the rooftop.
As if timed perfectly, a second song began, and young angels unrolled a rolled-up red carpet toward the airship.
“Ugh.”
Even Lucille groaned in the end. Stepping onto the red carpet she’d only seen in the angel network was joyful, but right now, it felt off.
Over a hundred angels singing embarrassing songs, and advancing under all their gazes.
“Ugh.”
Still, Lucille was Cheon-ho’s angel. She had to stay by his side always.
‘Let’s go, let’s go!’
The Hero must be embarrassed too, but he’s keeping calm!
Clenching her fists to steel herself, Lucille swallowed and stood by Cheon-ho.
“Let’s go, Hero.”
“Yes, Lucille.”
As Cheon-ho and Lucille took the lead side by side, the other angels hesitated but followed.
“Welcome!”
“Welcome!”
Young angels’ chirping voices rang between songs, and sparkling light dust rained from the sky. Looking up slightly, young angels were scattering it from baskets in the air.
And the climax.
Lucille, stepping forward with all her might, nearly stumbled.
The angels clustered ahead parted like a path, revealing what they’d hidden between them.
A huge painting.
Of Cheon-ho and Lucille. More precisely, Cheon-ho stood heroically with his holy sword like a protagonist from a heroic novel, and Lucille nestled in his arms.
Monsters filled the background.
It was a splendid painting. So vivid it rivaled photorealism. No—beyond realism, infused with perfection photos couldn’t capture.
Thus, more embarrassing. And it wasn’t just one.
Cheon-ho in barely-there leather roaring, Lucille striking a provocative pose beside him.
Cheon-ho clashing swords with a massive evil god presumed to be the Winter King, Lucille watching sadly from afar.
Cheon-ho drawing what seemed Mitra and roaring, Lucille again in provocative pose nearby.
Cheon-ho opening a carrier and roaring, Lucille wailing with him.
Raguel casting necromancy with a lewd expression.
Cheon-ho slicing off the Plague God’s arm with a huge light sword.
Even Cheon-ho couldn’t maintain his poker face anymore. His lips kept twitching up, and Lucille was on the verge of tears from embarrassment.
‘No, why am I in it! And why that pose!’
As Raguel inwardly screamed, the group finally passed the red carpet. Arriving under the painting, beautiful harp music sounded.
“Pleased to meet you. Welcome to the Citadel of Justice.”
The song-like voice was delightful. Not just beautiful, it carried power to soothe the listener’s heart.
“I’m the Goddess of Music. Did you like the song made for you?”
The blue-haired woman playing the harp smiled as she appeared. Her blue hair, evoking a clear autumn sky, was striking on the beauty, and her figure was truly impressive.
“Do you like my painting too?”
Another bright voice, and a new woman appeared. Her dress was white and flowing like the angels wore, but her hair was the opposite of the Goddess of Music’s. Thick blood-red hair grew luxuriantly, covering her shoulders and waist, almost reaching her butt crack.
“I’m the Goddess of Painting.”
The Goddess of Painting, bowing her head in greeting, stood beside the Goddess of Music. Different builds, but faces like twins.
“We’re twin sisters.”
[The daughters of the God of Art.]
As the Goddess of Music laughed first, Mitra explained softly.
Goddess of Music and Goddess of Painting.
Like the God of Purification, they didn’t seem combat-oriented, but an undeniable divine power emanated from them.