Chapter 121
Chapter 121
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 121
Chapter Title: Conditions for Defeating a God
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I instinctively gripped the hilt of the Seven Sins Sword at my waist.
[…]
For some reason, I felt as if the forgotten Martial God was also listening in on this conversation.
“What do you mean, you can become a god right now?”
Many questions arose, but I started with the one I was most curious about.
“It is as I said. The deeds I have accomplished are not insignificant, and I have also located the Pantheon. All other conditions have been met, so if I wished it, I could become a god at this very moment.”
“…”
“But I will not. If I were to become a god now, the divine title I would gain would be that of a minor deity. There is only one divine seat that can kill all the Demon Kings, and that is the Martial God.”
The Iron-Blooded Duke’s indifferent eyes turned to me.
“Ruan, if you also wish to kill the Demon Kings, you must aim for the seat of the Martial God.”
This was likely the truth.
But…
“Are you reluctant?”
The Iron-Blooded Duke asked, as if reading my expression.
I hesitated before nodding.
“Why?”
“It’s hard to explain the exact reason… but it feels like that is not my path. It’s a feeling that goes against the martial arts I have built up until now.”
“…”
“Family Head, is it truly impossible for a human to defeat a god? Please, consider it one more time.”
I asked in a serious voice.
“As a human, what must one do to defeat a god?”
“…”
The Iron-Blooded Duke seriously considered my stubborn question.
He seemed to fall into thought, stroking his chin, before finally speaking.
“To do that… one would need multiple chances.”
“Chances, you say.”
“To have spare lives, or to be able to try again and again. Or… the most absurd assumption of all, to be able to turn back time itself.”
The moment I heard those words, I felt a chill run down my spine.
“A human would need that level of absurdity to face a god. Of course, even then, it would be a thorny path. This is, quite literally, the minimum requirement…”
The Iron-Blooded Duke looked at me and asked.
“Why do you look like that?”
“…It’s nothing.”
My head was reeling.
As if I had been struck hard by someone.
And for some reason, I felt that the one who had struck me was my master, Baek Rogwang.
I was reminded once again that taking a full three days of rest had been the right choice.
Without that rest, I would have let out a heavy sigh right here and now.
‘The Blessing was a little too good, I see.’
To defy the heavens.
The act of reversing time.
It was a power that everyone coveted…
But according to the Iron-Blooded Duke, when facing a Demon King, this was merely the minimum requirement.
And having faced a Demon King myself, I agreed.
‘…Fine. That’s fine.’
I never thought it would be easy in the first place.
It was a task given to me by none other than my master.
Demon King or whatever, I’ll just have to get strong enough to beat them all down.
“If there is anything else you wish to request, say it all here. I will grant it as long as it is within my power.”
‘Here… he says.’
That probably meant that any rewards I could receive for my recent accomplishment were to be decided in this very spot.
I had no intention of milking the High Priest’s subjugation forever either.
I nodded and fell into thought for a moment.
The first thing that came to mind was…
“Does the main family also have divine beasts in its service?”
It was something I had discussed with the Martial God.
A way to build resistance to demonic energy.
“Of course, we do.”
“Would it be possible for you to arrange a contract for me? I need a way to counter demonic energy.”
“That is not a difficult task.”
The Iron-Blooded Duke nodded nonchalantly and continued.
“The Bednicker family commands a total of five divine beasts. A green deer, a white rat, a gray sheep, a black snake, and a blue dog. Which of these do you desire?”
“Hmm…”
The deer, rat, and sheep didn’t really appeal to me.
If I had to choose, it would be either the snake or the dog…
I answered without much hesitation.
“The snake.”
The Iron-Blooded Duke’s expression became slightly peculiar as he spoke.
“May I ask why?”
“The deer, rat, and sheep seem too weak. As for the dog, I don’t like the color blue.”
It wasn’t that I particularly liked snakes; I had simply chosen through a process of elimination.
At that, the Iron-Blooded Duke let out a faint smile and said something unexpected.
“It seems you have not yet met the librarian.”
“Pardon? Ah… yes. I had to go to the training assembly right away, so the timing was off.”
I said, scratching my head.
“But does the underground library actually exist? I didn’t see any stairs leading down in the main building.”
“Of course, it exists. It is simply not accessed by stairs.”
“…”
“Since you have chosen the snake, you will meet him soon enough.”
His words were cryptic.
I suddenly became curious and asked.
“Have you also formed a contract with a divine beast, Family Head?”
“I have.”
“May I ask which divine beast you contracted with?”
“The deer, the rat, the sheep, and the dog.”
“…Hm. Does that mean.”
“Yes. I have contracted with all the divine beasts except for the snake.”
The Iron-Blooded Duke said with a strange expression.
“And since the dark elf Kuset, not a single person of Bednicker blood has ever formed a contract with the black snake.”
“…”
The way he said it made me want to take back my choice.
But the Iron-Blooded Duke was looking at me with an oddly expectant gaze, making it difficult to retract my words.
“…Well, I’m looking forward to it.”
“Anything else you’re curious about?”
The Iron-Blooded Duke seemed to be in a better mood than usual today, and he also appeared to have plenty of time.
I decided to take this opportunity to ask everything I wanted to know.
“What happened with the Demon King expedition? I was wondering if there has been any progress.”
I was referring to the subjugation party for the Monochromatic Demon King—my Eldest Martial Brother—that he had mentioned last time.
The Iron-Blooded Duke shook his head and said.
“That matter has been postponed indefinitely.”
“…What?”
“I told you before. The Demon Kings’ whereabouts are not fixed. The Monochromatic Demon King has moved its residence again.”
Moved its residence?
Was it because he met me in hell?
“Fortunately, we were able to track him, but…”
The Iron-Blooded Duke, for once, trailed off.
“…The first reconnaissance team that set foot in that region, fifty elite members, has gone missing. Considering the location, it’s safe to assume they are dead.”
“Where is this place?”
“The continent’s worst demonic realm.”
“Are you talking about one of the Empire’s Forbidden Lands?”
Like the Jewel Mountains I had passed through.
Or the swamp.
But the Iron-Blooded Duke shook his head.
“It is a place dozens of times more dangerous than those.”
‘A place dozens of times more dangerous than a Forbidden Land?’
Such a place existed on this continent?
“So, I apologize, but forget my previous offer. I doubt I would have the capacity to protect you there.”
“As for the exact location—”
“I cannot tell you. I have already given you a clue.”
The clue seemed to be the title, ‘the continent’s worst demonic realm.’
“Find out about that place on your own. If you cannot even do that much, then it is a place you have no business setting foot in…”
“…”
“However, I can offer you a piece of advice.”
“Advice?”
“There is someone at the Imperial Academy who knows about the demonic realm.”
“Who is it?”
“If I told you that, it would defeat the purpose.”
My attempt to get an easy answer failed.
He was not a man to be trifled with.
“If you can make contact with that person, you will be able to learn a great deal. Whether you still wish to aim for the demonic realm after that is up to you.”
It was quite a meaningful piece of information, but there was a problem.
“…Isn’t the Imperial Academy Kartell a place outsiders cannot enter?”
“That is correct.”
“And I’m already too old to enroll at my age.”
Besides, I didn’t have time to attend an academy now.
I asked with a suggestive gaze.
“Perhaps with the power of the Bednicker family, we could bend the imperial laws a little—”
“Impossible.”
“Right.”
Then, the Iron-Blooded Duke brought up a rather random topic.
“How did the training assembly go?”
“I finished in the top three.”
I left out the part about ‘probably.’
“In that case, a way will present itself.”
“…? Understood, for now.”
“Anything else to say?”
From his tone, it seemed this was the last question.
I chose my words more carefully than ever before and slowly opened my mouth.
“The Bednicker family knew that the High Priest had infiltrated the training assembly, didn’t you?”
“We did.”
“Then that means you left him be instead of stopping him beforehand. In order to kill the High Priest.”
“Yes.”
The Iron-Blooded Duke nodded calmly, without any excuses or justifications.
—Delac was against this.
If I hadn’t spoken with Asad before my regression, I might have mistaken the Iron-Blooded Duke as the one who planned this.
“…There must have been someone who pushed for that opinion. Is that person in a position that cannot be punished?”
—Kid, you know nothing about the Bednicker family. About the true power and secrets this family holds.
The words Asad had spoken, about a figure even the Family Head, the Iron-Blooded Duke, couldn't defy.
But even now, the faces of those who died sometimes flash before my eyes.
“It will not be easy.”
I had expected as much.
To be honest, I had said it half out of frustration.
“However, if you wish for that person to be punished… then it shall be so.”
I looked at the Iron-Blooded Duke with somewhat surprised eyes.
After a brief hesitation, I spoke.
“I ask this of you.”
“Hmph.”
The Iron-Blooded Duke only gave a slight nod, but that was enough.
I knew better than anyone that he was not a man of empty words.
“This conversation has gone on longer than expected. Since you seem to intend to lay low for a while, we will not hold an official ceremony for your appointment as the Young Family Head. However, the rights I mentioned before will all be guaranteed, and more than half of the Bednicker household will obey your command.”
One might say it was only half, but given the sheer size of the family, it was immense power.
The ones I wouldn’t be able to command were likely those in positions too high for a Young Family Head to order around, or factions that supported my other siblings.
“The closing ceremony for the training assembly will be held soon. Go, so you are not late.”
“Yes. Thank you.”
“I will contact you again.”
“Pardon?”
“A gift will be arriving soon.”
There was still more to give?
As I looked at him with a bewildered expression, the Iron-Blooded Duke gave an uncharacteristic, quiet laugh.
“It is something you rightfully deserve, so do not worry about it.”
“Yes…”
In any case, the Iron-Blooded Duke’s gaze had returned to Ainsburn, so I closed my mouth.
And since I had no hobby of watching others being tortured, I left the hut.
“Hoo…”
When I stepped out of the blood-scented hut.
Twilight had descended upon the sky.
‘We talked for a long time…’
Jane was nowhere to be seen.
Did she go back first?
It was rude for a servant, but considering her status as a Collector, it was understandable.
They were probably the busiest group in the Bednicker family.
Grumble…
“Ugh. I’m starving.”
I hadn’t eaten anything since morning, and my stomach felt like it was stuck to my back.
Should I head back to the main estate and get something to eat?
Or maybe they’ll serve something tasty at the closing ceremony.
As I started walking, I glanced down at the Seven Sins Sword.
“…”
The Altar of the Forgotten God, the Martial God, and the Seven Sins Sword.
I had intended to ask the Iron-Blooded Duke about this but decided against it.
For some reason, it felt premature to ask right now.
‘After I at least reach the Second Stage of Insight.’
With various thoughts in my mind, I headed toward the main estate.
I crossed the quiet and gloomy rear garden, passed the wall, and finally returned to the main manor.
I wonder where the closing ceremony is being held.
I could probably find out by grabbing any passing servant.
As I looked around… I spotted a familiar head of hair.
‘That girl is…’
Rare white—no, silver hair.
During the training assembly, she usually had it tied up in a single ponytail, but now, her unbound hair flowed richly.
I called out with a sense of familiarity.
“Whitey!”
“…Hieeek!?”
Seren jumped in exaggerated surprise, her eyes widening as she turned to look at me.
“Uh, uhhh…”
She looks way more surprised than I expected.
‘Ah.’
Come to think of it, was she unaware that I was still alive?
From the looks of it, she hadn't heard from Karon or Hector.
‘How should I explain this…’
As I pondered, Seren’s behavior seemed a bit strange.
“Uh, um, well…”
Fidgeting, Seren slightly lifted the hem of her skirt and gave a small curtsy.
It was an unfitting, noble-style greeting.
“…H-hello…? Um… Young Master Ruan…?”
“…”
“O-or, perhaps, former fiancé?”
Her sharp eyes, which were always raised no matter who she faced, were now drooped, and her constantly edgy voice trailed off into a mumble.
“…”
I narrowed my eyes at the girl who, in appearance at least, was clearly Seren.
Who is this?