Chapter 212
Chapter 212
Chapter 212
Utopia (4)
'I see.'
Rudian understood the situation upon seeing Utopia.
'He was barely maintaining his lifeline by depending on that thing.'
In the past war with North, the Water God had certainly taken a fatal blow.
While dying in that state, he had somehow discovered Utopia and was clinging to his last breath.
However, since Utopia was fundamentally locked and had limited functionality, it literally couldn't do more than serve as a respirator.
'His condition is worse than I thought.'
Forget about deals or whatever—if I just retrieve that thing and go back, the situation ends.
The Water God, with his respirator removed, would no longer be able to survive and would perish completely, and the sea races who lost their god wouldn't pose a threat and would simply drop out of the story.
'Those guys aren't particularly on the good side anyway, so I could just retrieve Utopia and leave, but...'
Something bothers me about that.
The Water God.
Even if he has the form of a monster, he's one of the few elemental attribute gods who can openly intervene in the middle world like this.
A powerful being beyond the Elemental Kings who cannot exceed planetary influence—certainly, if I used Utopia to fully heal the Water God, he would definitely become a major military asset.
'The problem is whether I can control him is a separate matter. Since he was expelled from the Pantheon and became mortal enemies with North, there shouldn't be much of a problem, but still, control is a separate issue...'
Rudian decided to first assess the opponent's hand.
"First, if I resurrect you, what can you give me?"
The Water God quickly responded to Rudian's words.
-Of course, I will stand by your side and fight together. With my power, I would be of great help even in battles against outer space. Especially if there's a fight with North, I will stake everything and engage in battle.
'His hostility is no joke...'
Looking at the tremendous killing intent gathering in his mouth as he mentions North's name even while nearly a corpse... I probably don't need to worry about that.
But even so...
"Could you be a bit more useful?"
-...
"Even if we form a sacred oath through word-spirit, if a divine being like you wants to rampage, you can use plenty of tricks. And honestly, you're also ambiguous as military power."
If that guy came out of the water in perfect condition, I didn't know how the currently silent Pantheon would react.
Especially, I had no idea how North would go crazy and rampage.
Rudian narrowed his eyes and continued speaking.
"And I can't use you as military power right now anyway. Unless you're a joker to use later when conflicts with the Pantheon arise."
-Groan...
"So if you have some hidden assets, bring them out quickly. I'm not the one who's desperate right now."
The Water God spoke with difficulty.
-There's nothing I can give you right now. I lost everything in the war with North, and what remains in this sunken city wouldn't be of much help to you.
'Ugh, hmm...'
I felt a poverty and misery that was hard to believe from a god who had once shaken heaven and earth.
'I feel like I've become the bad guy...'
Rebecca was looking at me from behind with a gaze that said 'Do we really need to go this far?'
Then the Water God spoke to Rudian with a resolute expression.
-I have nothing to give, but there is something I can mediate.
"Mediate?"
-This is also one of the reasons North opposed me. Though it's not mine, I can open a path for you to challenge it.
Rudian felt something extraordinary in the Water God's words.
"...What is it?"
The Water God spoke solemnly.
-Among the seven-colored worlds, the Yellow World.
"...!"
Rudian's eyes widened greatly.
Confident that he had hooked him, the Water God accelerated his pace and continued.
-The Yellow World was under the management of the Thunder God who once ruled the spirit world. But when the Thunder God was destroyed by Berus, that management passed to the Thunder Elemental King under his command.
"...That's a known fact."
-Originally, when beings from other dimensions challenge the trials of the Yellow World, they must fight consecutive battles against all seven Elemental Kings.
The Thunder Elemental King who is the administrator is already a formidable opponent, but above all, defeating the two spirits of darkness and light that you encounter before reaching him is truly burdensome even for decent gods.
-But if you have my mediation, you can bypass all the other six Elemental Kings and challenge the Thunder Elemental King directly.
"...Hooo?"
Great interest appeared in Rudian's expression.
He couldn't fail to understand how much the difficulty would decrease if he could face only the Thunder Elemental King without having to fight the other six.
"That's, that's not bad?"
-Of course, there's a rule that you must face him one-on-one, but you should have enough chances of victory against him.
"Right."
If I recover my body through Utopia, I'll have enough chances of victory.
Of course, fighting within the spirit world would show divine power comparable to the upper god Raihon, but... I could somehow win.
-This is everything I can give you right now. If you refuse even this... it can't be helped. I'll have to accept annihilation and fall miserably...
The Water God lowered his head with a dejected expression.
'...No, this guy?'
To be able to express his self-PR in such a way that evokes sympathy!
"...Pitiful."
"..."
Rebecca was streaming tears from behind, sending a heartbreaking gaze.
It seemed that guy's target wasn't me, but Rebecca.
***
To conclude, Rudian accepted the Water God's proposal.
"Naturally, we'll need to make several oaths. The period is 10 years. If you can't follow my control, the promise becomes void."
Even with the huge bait of the Yellow World dangling before his eyes, Rudian remained calm.
It would certainly be of great help, but in the current situation, it was something that would be nice to have but wouldn't particularly matter if absent.
-...Fine. During the contract period, I'll help with all my heart and soul as if I've become your servant.
For an upper god to bow his pride to that extent meant he was sharpening his blade for revenge.
-Just when North appears before my eyes... Please allow me to fight to my heart's content.
"...Even so, I'll have to see the situation. Would you pick a fight with North when the Pantheon guys swarm in groups?"
-I have that much sense.
'...I doubt it.'
Rudian swallowed those words.
However, he gave clear warnings and proceeded with the contract.
-Master, I've successfully connected to Utopia. Fortunately, there's enough power left to recover both Master and that Water God fellow.
What emerged from the giant square box was... as expected, an android in operational standby mode.
However, unlike Elli, it had the appearance of a child about 4 heads tall and wore peculiar clothing like some mascot.
'Hm? Emergency rations?'
...I don't know why I had that thought, but anyway, Adi stuck his tentacle into the contact terminal on the crown and activated Utopia.
-3rd Generation Healing Artificial Intelligence, Utopia activating.
WHIRRRR!
FLASH!
Along with the sound of machinery operating throughout the body, optical networks flashed around the eyes as Utopia's android body opened its eyes.
"Yahoo! Master's kind companion! Utopia has appeared!"
"...What is this?"
"It's been a while, Master! This is the first time since I saw you dying before!"
Looking at Utopia floating in the air and greeting energetically, Rudian was at a loss for words.
No, before that...
"Before... you've seen me?"
Utopia nodded vigorously.
"Yesssss! Back then, Master was when you were eroded by the divinity of Outer Force! The main program summoned me with special authority, so I couldn't greet you properly!"
"..."
Rudian understood the meaning of those words.
It was probably the episode he experienced at Shub's temple.
When Rudian's expression darkened, Adi with a serious expression tapped Utopia with his tentacles.
-Utopia, enough with the unnecessary talk, heal Master.
"Yes! Got it!"
-After that, take a look at that dying fish over there too.
"Yes sir!"
As soon as those words ended, Utopia stuck to the back of Rudian's neck.
Just as he was about to feel slightly awkward at the appearance resembling an uncle giving his nephew a piggyback ride.
-Initiating causal restoration.
Rudian's shoulders flinched at the completely different, blunt and mechanical voice from just before.
-Karma: 51 (Penalty mitigation in progress)
He could see the Karma stat recovering in real time.
-Karma: 127 (Penalty mitigation in progress)
-Karma: 319 (Penalty mitigation in progress)
-Karma: 525 (Penalty mitigation in progress)
-Karma: 882 (Penalty mitigation in progress)
...
'Amazing.'
-Karma: 1,251
In just a few minutes, Rudian's physical condition returned to normal with numbers slightly higher than before.
"It's finished!"
"...Th-thank you."
I thought there would be an episode of tremendous adventure and bloody battles, but ending so easily left me feeling somewhat empty.
"Now then... it's the turn of that fish who became a rag."
-...
Both Adi and Utopia... these guys were somewhat harsh in their words toward others.
Even the Water God's expression visibly contorted.
But as soon as Utopia attached to him, the Water God's expression immediately relaxed.
-Oh, ohhhh!
The torn limbs regenerated instantly.
Moreover, the divinity that had remained only the size of a chestnut suddenly began to expand rapidly to match his divine status.
'...Really, cheat is cheat.'
Moreover, the changes weren't limited to the Water God.
"Ah, our god!"
"Ohhhh!"
The races serving the Water God also began to change rapidly as their god recovered.
Their scales became harder, their teeth sharper, and their size began to grow more than twice as large.
'...Will this be okay?'
Even if the sea races become stronger now, they wouldn't pose much of a variable... but even if that's the case now, they could become a problem after everything ends.
"There, the fish's recovery is also complete, Master."
Before long, the Water God had regained his massive majesty and was occupying the center of the city.
-Kuh, kuhuhuh... How, how long has it been since I regained this freedom?
"...Keep your promise. The moment you change your words, I can return you to your original state."
FLINCH!
The Water God's massive body immediately squirmed.
-Of, of course.
The Water God managed his expression and extended his hand.
-I'll open the gate to the spirit world leading to the Yellow World.
As soon as those words ended, a huge dimensional transfer gate opened.
Seeing him open a dimensional gate so simply, he was certainly an upper god.
-If you enter this, you'll immediately reach the place where the Thunder Elemental King resides.
"What happens if other Elemental Kings swarm even after reaching the place?"
-Don't worry. According to the primordial contract, other spirits cannot interfere in the trial of one who has received my mediation.
"...Good."
Rudian turned his head and spoke to Rebecca.
"First, go back to the surface and wait. This gate is for one person, so I must challenge it alone."
"Yeah, I'll wait."
Rebecca no longer worried about Rudian.
She just said she would believe and wait.
Facing those words and expression, Rudian smiled gently and threw his body into the gate.
And so...
Rudian came face to face with the worst fate he had been avoiding.
***
-Cough, cough!
"...What is this?"
Rudian, who had crossed over to the spirit world, moved directly to the place where the Thunder Elemental King resided under the Water God's guidance.
Normally, he should have shown the appearance of welcoming challengers while wreathed in blue thunder all over his body, but...
"You're late."
"How, how are you...!"
Rudian trembled as he saw the blonde young man holding a white sword before his eyes.
-This, this bastard...!
The man was gripping the Thunder Elemental King's neck with his other hand... clearly, he had come to this place before Rudian and subdued the Elemental King.
The young man's height wasn't that great, creating quite a comical appearance, but...
That wasn't what surprised Rudian.
The blonde young man's cold eyes directly stared at Rudian.
"I'm taking the Yellow World. You should have come a little earlier."
"How can you... be in this place?"
"..."
Rudian's cry, close to a scream, shook the spirit world.
"Answer me, Abel!"
The protagonist of the original work that constitutes this world, 'Chronicles of the Seven-Colored Worlds.'
'Abel Retsutain' stood before Rudian's eyes.