Chapter 226: Apostle Contract
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 226: Apostle Contract
It happened in a time so distant it feels like a myth, yet if I close my eyes, it all comes rushing back.
The celestial army that filled the sky, the screams of my subordinates echoing from all around, and the village engulfed in hellfire, burning to the ground.
I remember it all, down to the stench of burning flesh and the coppery smell of blood that stung my nostrils.
-Why! Why in the world would you do this!
In my memories, I am always crying out, my battered body looking up at the heavens.
-Michael!
Waving platinum-blond hair and golden eyes that radiated brilliance.
Archangel Michael, one of the twelve archangels who protect the heavens, the master of the Holy Flame that annihilates evil.
His flames were burning the village.
-It is the will of God.
I despaired, seeing his eyes, colder than ever before, and my former comrades who, following his lead, aimed their spears at me.
Impaled by ten spears, I was dragged to the courtroom without being able to put up any meaningful resistance.
The charge was treason.
Falsely accused of rebelling against the heavens, I was sentenced to eternal confinement in the Abyss.
I was given no chance to defend myself.
Thud—
Darkness and silence descended.
My voice reached no one.
Throughout the unfathomable eons, I asked myself the same question over and over.
Why did this happen?
I prided myself on being more faithful than anyone.
I never harbored a shred of doubt in God's will. I always fought on the front lines, annihilating our enemies.
And yet, why?
-...A foolish question, perhaps.
Faced with the flow of time, I eventually accepted my reality. I couldn't stop laughing.
Just as a tool is discarded once it has served its purpose, I, too, had been abandoned by God.
No, it would be more accurate to say I was 'expelled'.
The reason didn't matter. What mattered to me was avenging my subordinates who had been wrongfully killed.
Unlike humans, the emotions of a Constellation do not fade easily.
Even as the halo above my head lost its light and my pure white wings were stained jet-black, I nurtured my hatred for God.
And so, I endured the endless passage of time, vowing revenge day after day. Then one day...
Kuuung—
The prison door opened.
If not for the chains binding me, I would have burst out immediately. This was the moment I had so desperately awaited.
With a bright light, a silhouette approached me.
'...A human?'
I was sure it would be an angel, but the one who actually opened the door and entered was a human.
My surprise at this unexpected turn of events was brief. I could feel the lingering traces of powerful divine energy from the rosary around his neck.
Among humans, only a select few within the 'Twilight Holy Society' could consecrate an object with such immense divine power.
Especially the apostles of the archangels.
They probably intended to send some clueless, ordinary believer to hell in their stead to carry out the execution.
'Are they so afraid of getting blood on their own hands that they'd push an innocent human into hell?'
Their ways haven't changed one bit. A bitter laugh escaped me.
Most Constellations think of humans as nothing more than consumables.
They couldn't be happier if humans become their playthings, and if they find one they like, they form a contract to make them their personal pawn.
I disliked such behavior, so I never made a contract with anyone. As a result, I was the only archangel without an apostle, but I never once felt it was a shame.
After all, not all Constellations are deeply interested in the affairs of the Tower.
'...For now, this is the best I can do.'
As long as I could achieve my revenge, I couldn't care less about my principles.
Although most of my powers were sealed, it would be simple to use the strength I'd accumulated over the years to seize control of a human's mind.
If I could make him my pawn and one day break free from my restraints, revenge would no longer be an empty dream.
That's what I thought.
But as time passed, he did not harm me.
To say he was trying to lower my guard was absurd; I was more helpless than an ordinary human.
He must have known that a single blade would be enough to finish me off.
To say he wasn't approaching because he was wary of me felt... off.
Besides, if he were a believer sent for an execution, some light brainwashing to prevent accidents would be standard procedure.
But I sensed no hostility from him. On the contrary, all I felt was curiosity and a hint of lust, like any normal human.
'What in the world is he...?'
As time went on, my questions about his identity only grew.
I was stunned that a mere human, not even an archangel, could touch Aethersvine with his bare hands. But more than that, I was shocked to learn he was neither a resident nor a Player.
That was an act that defied the laws of the Tower established by the System and the Creator Gods.
It was nonsense not even worth considering, but what was even more absurd were his words and actions, suddenly offering to help me.
Does he even know what he's talking about?
Just as a wave of displeasure washed over me at being pitied by a human...
「Time has expired.」
「A penalty will be imposed.」
「The avatar of 'The First Tempter' will now manifest.」
The System appeared.
'A penalty...?'
If he belonged to the Twilight Holy Society, there would be no penalty. My mind grew complicated, but I had no time to think it over.
Because from beyond the stone gate, an ink-black serpent revealed itself.
It was the 'Serpent of Eden'.
A Constellation of a somewhat lower rank than myself, but by no means a nobody.
Even for a penalty mission, this was far too excessive.
So much so that it was hard to believe it was a judgment made by the System, the guardian of the Tower's balance.
However, contrary to my expectations, he succeeded in hunting the serpent. Of course, there were dangerous moments, but defeating the avatar of a Constellation was something only a Player from the middle floors should be capable of.
But he is not a Player.
'What in the world is he...?'
Is it possible for a mere human, neither a Player nor a resident contracted with a Constellation, to possess such power?
Could it be true, as he said, that he appeared from beyond this dimension?
Just as one question led to another...
Tiring—
「The First Tempter lets out a sneer.」
「"...Do you think it ends here?"」
Refusing to accept defeat, the Serpent of Eden crossed the line.
It ignored the System's restraints and used its authority to make its true self descend into its avatar.
'...This is madness.'
Such an act would guarantee the annihilation of its existence. Even if it survived, it would be reduced to something that could no longer be called a Constellation.
But I wasn't too concerned.
Because as long as the System existed, it was impossible for the Serpent of Eden to descend.
The System would never stand by and watch something that violated fairness.
That's what I was sure would happen.
'Why...?'
The System condoned the serpent's atrocity.
Despite clearly having the power to stop it, it only issued a superficial penalty.
Why?
The System is a being that protects the balance of the Tower.
It doesn't take sides, even for a Constellation.
In this incomprehensible situation, a hypothesis suddenly came to mind.
What if even the System doesn't know his true identity?
What if it judged him as a potential threat to the Tower's balance and is trying to eliminate him beforehand?
'...An Irregular.'
My revenge, in the end, was to kill one of the Creator Gods. For my hatred to become a blade that could reach the heavens, I needed an accomplice.
If he is a being who exists outside the established laws, he might just become the dagger that pierces God's neck.
As that thought filled my mind, his identity no longer mattered.
I wouldn't care if he were a demon.
As long as I could have my revenge.
*
「The Fallen Star proposes an Apostle Contract.」
「Will you form a contract with the Fallen Star?」
I was about to end the match when I found myself staring blankly at the screen that appeared before me.
'An Apostle Contract?'
Wasn't that what the demon named Purpur offered me?
My mind was a mess at this sudden development, but I didn't have time to think it over.
It was a bit suspicious, true, but I'd do anything if it meant I could kill that snake-headed bastard. Besides, my pride would be a little hurt if I ended the match like this.
Plus, this isn't Earth. If things get too complicated, I can just forfeit the match.
“I accept the contract.”
Tiring—
「You have formed an Apostle Contract with the Constellation, Fallen Star.」
「Connecting to the Star Soul of the Fallen Star.」
「Error, Error, Error, Error.」
「The Constellation's rank is sealed.」
「Some authorities will be restricted.」
「The contract will be converted to a temporary contract.」
「The Fallen Star bestows the authority 'Twilight Extinction Flame (S)'.」
Fwoosh.
In that moment, violet-black flames erupted all over my body. I felt no heat.
Instead, my wounds were healing rapidly.
「Twilight Extinction Flame (黃昏滅火)
Classification: Authority
Rank: S
A celestial flame that annihilates evil (惡) and incinerates demons (魔).」
The wounds covering my body burned. This wasn't simply cauterizing them.
Flesh regenerated, and bones mended. Even my torn muscles were recovering at an incredible rate. It was such an overpowered ability that it made me gasp.
Of course, the magic consumption was just as immense. I could probably only maintain this state for about a minute.
But for now, this was enough.
I drew Gilenium. Not a blue Sword Qi, but violet-black flames flickered over the blade.
In that instant, I was certain.
Certain that these flames could cut through those ridiculously tough scales.
Kuuung.
Just then, the creature's massive body began to move. It didn't look to be in good shape.
That explosion that sent me flying at the end... it seems it was a kind of self-destruct move that also damaged itself.
Covered in blood, it glared at me as if to kill me.
「The First Tempter grinds its teeth.」
「"Those flames..."」
Its low growl and killing intent forcibly sharpened all my senses.
Of course, it wasn't that I was scared.
A beast on the verge of death always puffs itself up to look bigger.
I used my footwork to dash forward. With just over 50 seconds left, there was no time to waste.
Fwoosh!
The flames erupting from the tip of my sword seemed to know their role, growing larger on their own. Startled by the immense firepower, the creature flapped its wings, trying to escape.
Of course, I had no intention of just watching it flee.
Formless Electric Body.
Vajra aura enveloped my body, momentarily freeing me from the surrounding interference. My speed surpassed its limits, and I ran like a bolt of lightning.
I swung my sword at the creature just as it was about to escape into the air.
Surprised by my unexpected speed, it hastily swung its claws. My flame-wreathed sword strike clashed with them, and the result was just as I'd expected.
Krr-dck—
「The First Tempter's eyes fly open.」
「"I-Impossible!!"」
Its claws were sliced off like tofu.
I didn't stop there. I spun around and swung my sword once more.
Panicked, the creature reacted a step too late. The price for its delay was gruesome.
Slice.
「The First Tempter writhes in agony.」
「"Kuaaaargh!!!"」
A cry of agony echoed out.
A fountain of blood erupted from the stump of its severed leg. But of course, that wasn't enough to stop my sword.
Faced with my relentless barrage of strikes, the creature thrashed about pathetically. But the battle was already decided.
Before long, one of its wings and its remaining foreleg were also severed. Its much-vaunted scales had long since been torn to shreds.
Covered in wounds, the creature collapsed to the ground, glaring at me murderously as it gasped for breath.
“Let's end this.”
I swung my sword lightly and cut off its head.
It was the end of a tiresome fight.
Tiring—
「You have defeated the avatar of the Constellation, 'The First Tempter'.」
