Chapter 223
Chapter 223
Chapter 223
The Worst Variable (4)
His mind went blank for a moment.
He had never anticipated such a variable, which made it all the more...
But that didn't mean he could stop thinking.
-Master, what will you do?
'Extract part of the small body and search for traces of Baal or other Demon Kings. We must confirm the enemy's identity.'
-Understood.
'Inform the others of this situation as quickly as possible. And tell Giovanni to activate the defensive formation.'
Currently, the Morian Empire was teeming with countless magicians gathered from across the continent.
Even those not deployed for this lunar plan—from apprentices to those who could be called magicians—over 50,000 magical forces from across the continent had assembled in the Morian Empire.
What they would do when gathered was obvious.
The activation of a massive defensive magic formation that would envelop the entire planet.
Originally, such a scale would truly be in the realm of the gods.
Even if 50,000 magicians gathered, they would need at least Class 10 or higher magicians to anchor the formation's center.
No, to develop such a magic formation in the first place would require Class 10 level magicians to devote themselves to magical development for at least decades, if not centuries.
But that was only under normal circumstances.
For Rudian, who could draw upon all the capabilities existing on the surface of this stage, it wasn't a major problem.
-Will you be alright? Once the defensive magic formation is activated, Master won't be able to enter the planet until everything is over. In a situation where we still can't guess who the culprit is, acting rashly is...
'It's fine. Whatever the culprit is, they're probably not from outer space.'
The fact that they clashed in the sparsely populated northern mountain region was decisive.
Baal wouldn't have headed north without reason, nor would he have considerately moved the battlefield for humans.
Yet if they clashed in the north, it meant Baal's opponent had chosen the north as their battlefield.
'In a time-pressed situation like this, we have no choice but to take risks. If we try to handle both, we'll lose everything.'
-...Understood, Master. I'll carry out the orders.
Elli nodded heavily, seeming to understand Rudian's feelings.
'If I were to guess the culprit... could it be the Pantheon?'
It would be possible if high-ranking gods like Caron, Blamir, and Raihon who had previously attacked Rudian came in droves with the Pantheon's backup.
However, since not only Baal but other Demon Kings would be by his side, they would need backup that drew upon all their divine power.
'If there's another assumption... no, let's not think about that.'
Rudian shook his head, dismissing the emerging assumption.
The most absurd but possible assumption of 'Abel'... he didn't even want to think about it in the current situation.
'Adi, just in case, contact Gabriel and find out if the Pantheon has made any moves.'
-Yes, though it might take some time.
Even for Adi, interdimensional connection wasn't something easily accomplished.
'Well, we'll find out soon enough anyway...'
The Water God and Death King would know the culprit of this incident.
Their perception and influence extended across the entire planet.
Having taken primary measures, Rudian pressed his throbbing forehead and comforted himself.
'It's still okay, still okay.'
He had just crossed a major mountain, and now only one remained.
In such a situation, being swayed by a suddenly appearing variable and ruining the grand plan would be truly ridiculous.
***
Not long after, before returning to the lunar base, representatives from each faction gathered together.
Though fatigue showed on their faces from the intense battle, their expressions were bright as the battle itself had turned to victory.
"I'll go to Ktuna. Luciella will be the only companion. The rest will take brief rest and then be dispersed to various defense lines."
The sanctuary where the Water God sealed Ktuna existed not on this planet but in another dimension.
After all, if they failed to restrain Ktuna on the surface, the consequences would be unmanageable.
"You mean only two of you will go without support from other colleagues? That's too reckless!"
Among them, Kirchrus, who came as the dragon clan's representative, strongly objected to Rudian's words.
"It can't be helped. If colleagues with the Seven-Colored Worlds are absent, there will be huge gaps in the defense lines."
Even so, Elvin and Gray were currently half-exhausted and wouldn't be of much help in battle.
Kirchrus, seeing reality, made a proposal to Rudian.
"Rather, it would be better to wait until all battles are over, or even if gaps appear in the defense lines, to all go together now."
But Rudian shook his head and rejected that opinion.
"Numbers are meaningless against Ktuna. Also, if we keep delaying, there's no telling what it might do."
No matter how much the Water God and Death King held it together, it was still a supreme divine being from outer space.
There was sufficient possibility it could create completely unexpected variables.
"Luciella, who possesses half of the purple world, can deal meaningful damage to Ktuna. Also, I have this."
Rudian produced Krakar's divinity that Adi had sealed.
Krakar's divinity, with its brilliant purple hue, still emanated an ominous aura even while sealed.
"If necessary, I can use this divinity to damage Ktuna."
"Hmm... if you insist that much..."
Finally, Kirchrus raised the white flag.
***
Entering the Water God's sanctuary, Rudian felt pressure of a different caliber from the previous floating city Lucretia.
'...Indeed, being the home ground, the Water God's power is no joke.'
Luciella also seemed to feel this, making a slightly uncomfortable expression.
"My body feels heavy... Even more uncomfortable than when I was in outer space..."
"It's because this place is full of the Water God's divine power."
Here, the Water God could even defeat North, who had previously defeated him.
Looking around, the dreamlike aquatic scenery reminiscent of the spirit realm was impressive.
'It would be a hit if developed as a tourist destination.'
Having briefly entertained such frivolous thoughts, Rudian soon felt a massive sense of discord flowing through the surrounding splendid scenery.
"The spirits are terrified..."
It was like shrimp trembling in the standoff between whales.
Just as Rudian was about to identify the source of this unease, a familiar boy's voice came from far away.
"Have you come?"
"Death King."
Death King Tartian Lil had appeared before Rudian at some point.
The Death King wore a benevolent smile while waving a black fan obtained from who knows where.
"Yes, I've been watching your exploits well. Magnificent. It's the achievement of a great hero that will be remembered throughout universal history."
Having defeated Krakar, a powerful alien god, such praise wouldn't be strange.
But Rudian, having no time to worry about that fan, asked the Death King.
"Where is Ktuna?"
"Over there."
Focusing his sight where the Death King's fan pointed, he could see two massive beings glaring at each other in the distance.
One was the Water God Dagon, who had now perfectly regained his divinity.
The other was the alien god Ktuna, who had a considerably slimmer appearance compared to Krakar.
Rudian felt something slightly strange about their appearance.
"There are no... traces of battle."
"Whether it knows its place or trusts its twin, it suddenly became docile as soon as it was brought here. Thanks to that, it was convenient not having to waste unnecessary power."
"...Something's strange."
With Ktuna's power, escaping from here wouldn't be impossible.
Of course, since the Water God and Death King had joined forces, it would require tremendous power, but that was exactly what Rudian had been aiming for.
But just standing in confrontation like that was beyond Rudian's expectations.
Before approaching Ktuna, Rudian used the brief spare time to ask the Death King.
"Death King, by any chance..."
"Ah, I know what you want to ask."
Tartian Lil's expression turned slightly unpleasant.
"You're asking about what suddenly happened in the north?"
"...Yes, that's right."
Why did Baal and the Demon Kings battle in the north?
And if they battled, who exactly was their opponent?
The Death King spread his fan wide, covering his expression as he spoke.
"I'll tell you the conclusion. Baal lost. Whether he was annihilated or fled to the demon realm... I don't know yet either..."
"...!"
Rudian's eyes filled with shock.
"What did you say?"
"It's hard to believe, but it's true. The only survivor I confirmed was one—Demon King Agares. Even he barely escaped after losing both arms."
"Who on earth...!"
"Who indeed... That's an excellent question. That's why I'm so angry right now."
For someone as cunning as the Death King to cover his expression with a fan showed he was truly tremendously angry.
"The one who ground up those five Demon Kings was none other than a human. Moreover, one who appeared with not only Medaiel's sword but also Berus' blessing out of nowhere."
"......"
At the worst situation he had imagined, Rudian's expression hardened.
"What's most infuriating is that this human's existence isn't in the underworld records. While not being affected by causality at all and wielding supreme divine power, his flesh was human."
SNAP!
The tip of the fan pointed at Rudian.
"Yes, you could say he's an existence similar to you."
"...That's."
"Ah, I don't think you're involved in that incident, of course. Just looking at your expression shows that existence is just a pest pouring cold water on your plans."
The original protagonist had suddenly been treated as a pest... but honestly, in the current situation, the Death King's words were correct.
"However, that bastard also seemed to have suffered major injuries after the battle with the Demon Kings and disappeared immediately. Whatever happens, once this is over, he's someone who must be eliminated."
Rudian hesitated.
If that person wasn't Abel, Rudian would have spared no effort to finish him without hesitation.
But the problem was that he was originally the protagonist of this world.
'Do I have the right to kill Abel?'
Though he had doubts about his identity since it didn't match the original timeline at all, the existence called Abel was something Rudian had consistently avoided.
"You look troubled."
"Honestly, yes."
"Then, how about having a chat with that octopus?"
"...?"
"Perhaps that creature's existence might become the key to solving your situation."
Even the Death King wouldn't know detailed circumstances about Ktuna.
His words were somewhat puzzling, but divine insight often penetrated complex situations and found answers directly.
***
Having accepted the Death King's proposal, Rudian carefully approached Ktuna.
Even as Rudian came very close, for some reason, Ktuna showed no fighting spirit.
Ktuna's countless eyes embedded throughout its body like Krakar's all turned toward Rudian at once.
-You're the human who killed Krakar.
"...Yes."
-Is that one beside you an apostle chosen by Mother? I can feel that tomboy Yev's power as well.
"...Apostle?"
Luciella tilted her head, but Rudian nodded and continued the conversation.
"That's right. The Black Goat recognized her as the owner of the purple world."
-I see, so Mother has indeed abandoned us... Garganta's words were true after all.
Whatever Garganta had told them, Rudian somehow felt a deep sense of doubt from Ktuna.
FLASH!
Suddenly, a massive light flowed from Ktuna's body.
Ktuna's body, which had been tens of meters tall, rapidly shrank as if compressed, and eventually began transforming into a 'human woman' with long purple hair.
Finally, having completely taken human form, Ktuna spoke to Rudian in a voice rather than spiritual speech.
"I surrender."