Chapter 137
Chapter 137
Chapter 137
Hall of Heroes (3)
Gabriel.
One of the twelve great archangels of Heaven and known as the most belligerent angel.
In fact, among the archangels, all of the highest-ranking four great angels called Michael, Raphael, Gabriel, and Uriel are belligerent.
But even among them, Gabriel was a famous mad dog from the original work, having charged forward while hurling curses even in front of Baal himself during the First Heaven-Demon Great War.
'This isn't good....'
Just like when Raphael appeared in the Tower of Trials, the emergence of an unexpected variable was not particularly welcome.
Rudian managed his expression and asked.
"Are you the real administrator of this hall?"
"Before answering that question...."
Gabriel briefly waved his hand, then walked straight over and stood in front of Yev.
Then he politely bowed his waist and offered a greeting.
"I meet the great outer god. I am called Seraphim Gabriel."
Indeed, someone of archangel class would be able to recognize Yev's identity?
Nod nod.
Yev roughly nodded her head, accepting Gabriel's greeting.
But Gabriel, who seemed like he would end there, slightly raised his head and sent a sharp gaze to Yev.
"I know this is a rude question, but recently the movements of the outer realm have been unusual. Do you perhaps have any idea about the cause?"
"......"
"No matter how much Heaven ponders it, the only conclusion we reach is...that you are the cause."
At the mention of outer realm movements, Rudian swallowed slightly and looked at Yev.
In fact, Chapter 3 of is triggered by the rampage and death of Maria, the master of the green world, at the end of Chapter 2.
The rampage of the green world causes outer civilizations to notice the energy and send exploration teams, which gradually escalates and develops into a full-scale war in the first half of Chapter 3.
'Honestly, it wouldn't be strange if they caught on from the moment Yev was summoned.'
When Rudian first made the 'contract' called a promise with Yev, he did request that Yev hide her power.
But the summoning itself being exposed was unavoidable.
Rudian hadn't known that damn Baphomet would open the gate to the outer realm even at the cost of his life, and he certainly hadn't expected Yev to suddenly burst in.
When everyone's eyes focused on Yev's mouth.
Yev said something unexpected.
"Not my problem."
"......?"
Was that saying she was related or not related?
While everyone was tilting their heads in confusion, Gabriel nodded as if he understood.
"I understand."
Gabriel, who turned his gaze from Yev as if his business was finished, looked at Rudian.
Opposite to how he treated Yev, he opened his mouth while looking down at Rudian with an arrogant gaze.
"I'll answer your question. The administrator of this place is indeed Kirchrus."
"Then why are you here?"
"Because unlike Raphael, I'm not an administrator but a watcher and guardian."
Rudian understood to some extent.
It might seem like wordplay, but it was a bit different.
The Tower of Trials, that is, Leviathan's tomb, was directly intervened in by Heaven, but this place was ultimately created by a contract between dragons and ancient heroes.
Since Heaven had little room to intervene here, they were using watching and guarding as an excuse to exist here like this.
"Then where is Kirchrus?"
"Since I called her, she will come. She's usually not on the southern continent."
Kirchrus, unlike other dragons, was very interested in earthly affairs.
Especially recently, with wars between nations breaking out, it wouldn't be strange for her to be on the central continent to assess the situation.
"But before that lizard returns, I have something to tell you all."
"......?"
"......"
While the other companions were puzzled, Rudian, who roughly anticipated what would be said, calmly waited for the next words.
"Go back. This place was not prepared for the likes of you."
Gabriel's eyes gleamed coldly.
"Go back? What kind of bullshit is that?"
Gray immediately showed opposition and frowned.
"You said you're not the administrator! Then don't tell us what to do!"
"......"
Rudian was impressed.
The audacity to pick a fight with an archangel.
It really made him feel anew that Gray was still not dead.
But still, it would be troublesome if he continued to cross the line.
"Stay quiet for a moment."
"Ah, why!"
"Boldness is good, but you should value your life."
Look, there's a slight smile on Gabriel's lips.
That's a kind of warning saying 'Go ahead, keep babbling.'
If he fell for that and really kept babbling, a water blade imbued with divine power would immediately separate Gray's head from his torso.
Rudian pushed Gray back and slowly stepped forward.
"Gray speaks a bit harshly, but he's not actually wrong."
"......"
"While our not bringing the white world means we lack the most important qualification, since we've reached this place, what comes next is ultimately a matter for Kirchrus, the administrator, to judge."
Gabriel's eyes were fierce.
He looked displeased with Rudian's party, but what could he do when he wasn't even the administrator?
"You...."
Gabriel slowly opened his mouth.
"Do you know that this place was prepared for a specific someone? Just like Leviathan's tomb that you previously destroyed."
Of course he knew.
How could he not know the most important leveling course for the protagonist Abel?
But having already done everything he was going to do to get this far, it was far too late to worry about the original story now.
"Heaven must have concluded to watch me, right?"
"That's why I'm...speaking nicely with words."
Rudian had prevented a great war between humans and demons by killing multiple Demon Kings including Marbas who had been scheming in the Morian Empire.
That alone would be quite a satisfactory outcome from Heaven's perspective.
"While many of the archangels voted to just watch like this, that doesn't mean everyone views you favorably."
"And you're one of those not included in that everyone, I suppose?"
"Correct."
Gabriel glared at Rudian with murderous intent on his face.
"Because of you, everything I've been preparing up until now has gone awry."
Gabriel was quite a special individual among the archangels.
Angels created as servants of the gods had submitted to their fate since the beginning of time, serving as slaves according to the gods' will.
But Gabriel sought to cast off the fate of his kind, and even after rising to the position of archangel, that belief never changed.
'The angel who once rebelled against Heaven together with Luciel, her former comrade...now the Seven Seats' Lucifer.
That was exactly who Archangel Gabriel was.
"Anyway, Kirchrus will think the same as me. So leave obediently while I'm still talking."
What should he do?
Looking at Gabriel's attitude, which seemed ready to resort to force, there appeared to be no room for compromise.
But mentioning Gabriel's plan, Heaven's Fall, here would be too risky....
'If I cause a commotion here, that would be exactly what Gabriel wants....'
While he was pondering what to do.
A lifeline appeared to save Rudian.
"That's enough, Gabriel. Anything more would be overstepping your authority."
A blue-haired young woman who appeared through space.
The moment he saw her, Gabriel's expression immediately twisted.
"...Kirchrus."
Blue Dragon Kirchrus, who gave off an atmosphere like a scholar.
She narrowed her eyes and questioned Gabriel.
"This is unlike you, Gabriel. Is there some reason you need to urgently drive them away before I arrive?"
"That's...none of your business."
Though Gabriel dismissed Kirchrus's question, she was persistent.
"Since they entered using the spare keys set for other races, you know that normally I would refuse them. Yet you're acting this way...."
"......"
"In any case, the judgment is mine to make. Please step away from them. I will not tolerate any further interference."
"Hmph...!"
At Kirchrus's ultimatum, Gabriel seemed to realize things had gone wrong and roughly turned his divine form.
Originally, in terms of individual strength, there was such a gap that Kirchrus couldn't last more than a minute against Gabriel.
But even so, the reason Gabriel couldn't rampage freely was probably because of that one book Kirchrus held in her arms.
FLUTTER!
After Gabriel spread his wings and returned to the original 5th floor....
"Now then...."
Kirchrus, the real administrator of this Hall of Heroes, looked around at Rudian and his party and slowly opened his mouth.
"Shall we hear the story of...the guests who entered this place through irregular means?"
There was no hostility in those eyes, but no goodwill existed either.
***
"Gabriel's words are actually not wrong. This place was originally created for a great savior who possesses the 'white world.' Even if you could somehow enter with spare keys, receiving training here is a separate matter."
Kirchrus continued speaking methodically while fidgeting with the book in her arms.
"Judging from Gabriel's behavior, I believe you've brought negotiation material to persuade me... Am I wrong in my assumption?"
"No, you're exactly right."
She was indeed perceptive, probably because she was a dragon.
Kirchrus's blue eyes showed a look of 'let's see what you've got.'
"Before mentioning the negotiation material, let me first state what we want."
"......"
"One is naturally training in this Hall of Heroes. Moreover, we want access to the 4th floor personnel, including 'external summoning.'"
It was natural, but class differences existed even among ancient heroes.
Of course, high combat ability didn't necessarily mean good teaching, but at least all the individuals Rudian wanted were located on the 4th floor.
Kirchrus nodded and asked.
"I won't ask how you know that fact. Then what's next?"
"That thing you're currently holding in your arms."
It appeared to be a book or magic tome, but its essence was a treasure incomparable to mere magic tomes.
"I demand the return of the 'blue world' you received from Erenika Celestial 800 years ago."
"......"
"I believe the current leader Giovanni has sufficient qualifications to handle the blue world."
If he had brought the white world, he could have demanded the blue world outright, but unfortunately, in the current situation, he couldn't demand that much.
Kirchrus's eyebrows drew together.
"You're asking for too much."
"I'm not asking you to give it to me, am I? Celestial is our ally, so I'm simply representing their position."
Kirchrus fell silent.
If he brazenly said he couldn't give up the blue world, there would be no answer, but Kirchrus wasn't such a selfish being.
Dragons, as superior beings, were easily bound by oaths anyway.
"I know Giovanni, who currently leads Celestial, well. He's certainly a genius of the century comparable to Erenika and has sufficient qualities as a leader, but...he lacks the most important thing."
Rudian understood what Kirchrus was trying to say.
Giovanni was certainly a hero and great figure, but if the opponent was a god, he was a being with clear limitations.
"Still, let me hear the price. If I grant all your requests, what can you do for me?"
He had been waiting for those words.
"First of all...."
Rudian drew Diablo from his waist.
Then he spoke of one of the dragon race's greatest secrets and shame.
"Red Dragon Lady Calesta."
TWITCH!
The dragon race's biggest headache and practically a burden at this point.
"I will restore him to his original state - the one driven mad by the magic of Seven Seats Demon King Diablo."