Chapter 356: The King Who Kills Others, The God Who Kills Himself - 10
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 356: The King Who Kills Others, The God Who Kills Himself - 10
It was boom time for the Dholes.
The Golden Lord could create anything, but he didn't create just anything. His alchemy was used solely for the sake of the Golden Empire, and the works scattered throughout the Fallen Dominion were nothing more than burial goods interred with his nation. The Dholes, who lived by scavenging that tomb, would gratefully pick up whatever crumbs they could find.
Then, the Golden Lord prepared for war.
War wasn't fought with money alone, but it couldn't be fought without it. Weapons, provisions, warhorses, supply carts—everything cost money. The items the Golden Lord usually created were valuable, but they couldn't compare to the special demands of wartime.
The Dholes, who had initially been terrified at the prospect of war, went wild at the sight of the money pouring in before them.
“A war might not be so bad after all.”
“Damn. What is all this? If I stole just one of these and sold it in another country, I could live lavishly for ten years!”
“Sell it? Haha! You think they pay full price for whatever some wanderer is selling these days? You’d be lucky not to get stabbed and left for dead.”
There was a reason the Fireblastarch had wanted war. War made the Fallen Dominion wealthy. Not because they won, but because the Golden Lord produced weapons.
Money shared a similar nature with a river. Both carried all sorts of flotsam in their massive currents. The equipment crafted by the Golden Lord was wealth in itself. Dholes, tempted by it, gathered, and those who had planned to leave stayed. The news would travel with the wanderers and spread throughout the Fallen Dominion, and the Dholes would naturally form packs and then legions.
The legions of the Fallen Dominion. Just as that great journey was about to begin…
“Hey, hey! Over there!”
“What’s with all the fuss… huh?”
As if heralding the start of the war, a colossal serpent slithered across the ground.
It was a massive snake, seemingly alchemized from the earth itself. The diameter of its body alone was over three meters, and its length was impossible to gauge. The dirt of its body was cracked like scales, with stalks of corn growing from it like whiskers. The earth serpent advanced, shaking the very ground.
It was clearly a monster that defied all logic. They said there were snakes as big as houses in the Great Forest to the south, but at least those were made of flesh and blood. This thing, by contrast, was artificial.
“A monster snake! Run!”
“Someone made that snake! Who in the world—!”
The Dholes who had started to flee abruptly stopped in their tracks.
“Wait. A snake made of earth? Isn’t that a creation of the Golden Lord?”
“There’s no one else who could make a monster like that.”
“Then it’s on our side, right? Is there a pilot?”
It was a reasonable hypothesis. I would have thought the same. The Dholes fearlessly circled the earth serpent. Since the serpent paid them no mind, they became convinced it was an ally and lost interest.
Unfortunately, their conviction was wrong. This earth serpent wasn't made with alchemy, but with Earth Art.
The Regressor, with Jizan plunged into the crown of the serpent’s head, thought to herself.
‘That’s right. In this timeline, I earned Jizan’s acknowledgment. I don’t have to wield it like a sword. I can fight by applying Earth Art, just like the Earth Sage from the previous timeline.’
Of course, she wouldn't be as skilled as the Earth Sage. The Regressor had never formally studied Earth Art, and she lacked an understanding of geological strata and earth flows. This earth serpent was merely an imitation based on her memory of the Earth Sage’s form; it wouldn't be able to display the same level of power.
However, the mass of a three-meter-thick serpent of earth was very real. If she slammed it into something, it would certainly have the desired effect.
‘…Still. To just tell me to go, saying that if I act brazenly, they’ll be less suspicious. What kind of scams has she pulled to be so gutsy? Does she have nine lives or something?’
What are you talking about? It’s because I only have one life that I chose the best option. It would go so well, fighting every person I meet with this half-assed earth serpent. It’s better to act nonchalantly, as if this is the power of the Golden Lord.
Of course, this earth serpent might be attacked. If so, that would mean the opponent was on the Golden Lord’s side, and we could prepare for battle then. How convenient.
This is the proper way. Trying to be clever and taking the scenic route is just foolish. If the goal is to get to the Golden Lord, then let’s just go.
I was in the middle of congratulating myself.
“…Why did you bring me along?”
Peru asked, turning toward me.
Right now, Peru’s position among us was ambiguous. She was neither a hostage nor an ally. We hadn't restrained her, nor were we particularly wary of her. If anything, we had certain expectations of her.
It seemed she was curious herself. I began carefully.
“Look, I don’t mean any harm, so please don’t get offended by what I’m about to say.”
“…Things are already at their worst. I can’t possibly feel any more unpleasant.”
“Then that’s a relief! I’ll speak freely!”
‘…I’m starting to feel annoyed.’
She just said she couldn't feel any more unpleasant. Then again, emotions become unreliable the moment you voice them.
I explained kindly.
“Peru may be on the Golden Lord’s side, but she’s an advantage to us. After all, you can’t use your power against us, right? If you did, the Golden Palace, which is made of alchemy, would collapse.”
Elric had told Peru not to use her power. Even without reading her mind, the reason was obvious. It was because of Peru’s ability. That power, which negated alchemy, was a perfect counter to the Golden Lord.
Well, I didn't think she could beat the Golden Lord, who used the very earth as an alchemic ingredient, but… she was clearly a very tricky opponent for him.
“What’s more, they know that too. So they won’t be able to use any power so great that it might sweep you up in it.”
“…He doesn’t care about my life.”
“No. The thing to care about isn’t your life, but your ability. If they accidentally involved you and you used your power, they’d be in real trouble.”
Peru would try not to use her ability even if her life were in danger, but would the Golden Lord know that? Fear is born from the unknown. Unable to know what was in Peru’s heart, the Golden Palace would be extremely wary of her.
Well, it was fine even if they weren't. The best-case scenario would be if they attacked recklessly, and Peru’s survival instincts reacted on their own. Then, whether she wanted to or not, Peru would end up becoming our ally.
“Hah! Regardless of how she feels, Peru is on our side! How reassuring! I’m so proud of myself for finding and recruiting her!”
“…I take back what I said. It seems I can feel more unpleasant.”
Of course. There’s always a new bottom beneath the bottom. It’s a shame that it applies to her favorability toward me, but…
It couldn't be helped. I couldn't reveal the real reason.
Peru was a Unique Magic launchpad. I had to bring her with me if I wanted to use her Unique Magic.
To reach the Golden Lord’s core, I would need to break through his final line of defense. That defense was likely also made of alchemy. Peru’s Unique Magic would be my trump card.
Good. A perfect plan. My silent chuckling was short-lived.
Rumble. The snake shook violently. We, who had been holding our breath inside the snake’s mouth, were sent tumbling. I braced myself by grabbing onto a cornstalk embedded in the inner wall, held my breath, and focused my attention outside.
Homunculi with wings were gathering around the earth serpent. They were Wyverns—the Golden Lord’s juggernauts and the equipment that provided propulsion via the Fireblastarch’s Unique Magic. The Fireblastarch, wreathed in flames, flew over and spoke to the Regressor.
“If you managed to save your life, you should have run. Did you come here on your own two feet because you wish to die?”
Even facing someone she had once killed, the Regressor was composed.
“I could say the same to you. I was trying to talk things out, and you attack me out of the blue? You think I don’t fight back because I lack the power?”
The Fireblastarch nodded.
“…Strange. I interpret that as you wanting to fight.”
“Can’t you understand words because you’re a homunculus? Do you need to interpret that to get it?” the Regressor shouted sharply, grabbing Jizan and pushing it forward.
The earth, which everyone believes to be solid, is in fact moving, and on a macro level, its flow resembles a liquid. Earth Art, which realizes that power, moves soil and rock at will. It’s impressive, but… ambiguous.
Unlike alchemy, the only useful application for Earth Art in daily life is digging holes, which can be done without it. Between a shovel and Earth Art, it was obvious to anyone which was easier to procure.
Because it was a mysterious and practical ability, but not particularly rare, Earth Art was not widely passed down outside of the Order of Gaia.
That was a relief, in a way.
The fact that Earth Art was also quite useful for harming people was kept a secret, hidden within the Order of Gaia’s silence.
I felt my body being thrown backward. The earth serpent had uncoiled its massive body. That heavy form, made of earth, slammed into the Golden Palace at a speed that was hard to believe came from the ground.
CRUUUUMBLE. The earth cried out. A white cloud of dust billowed up. The scattered dust clung to the wings of the homunculi, interfering with their combustion. The homunculi flying in the sky all faltered at once.
From within the chaos, a single whirlwind, thick with dirt and sand, shot upward.
The wind dissolves all things. Scent, water, even the earth itself. The wind, which dissolves and carries away everything in the world, never settling in one place, is truly majestic.
The vortex of dirt and sand soared high, like a dragon ascending to the heavens. Human sentiment seems to be similar across all ages and cultures, as people of old saw this phenomenon and named it a dragon’s ascension.
The Regressor was no different.
Aerith Blade Supreme, Serpent’s Ascent.
The Regressor, wielding the sandstorm like a sword, shouted toward the Golden Palace.
“I came prepared, too! If you want to fight so badly, then fight me first!”
With that most informal declaration of war, the Regressor swung the sandstorm. A deafening roar, as if the world were being torn apart, followed.
But no one could have predicted it. That the power she brandished was merely a show to draw their attention.
Of course, that attack, combined with the earth serpent, was certainly threatening, but while it might work against the homunculi, it was not enough to reach the Golden Lord. Against a supernatural disaster like him, it was better to find a weakness than to meet him with brute force.
The Regressor knew that. That’s why she attacked with all her might.
To allow us to advance through the gap created as their worlds collided.
“Alright, let’s go!”
Thanks to her drawing their attention, we had a clear path to the Golden Palace. From here on, it was the thief’s time. Taking advantage of the opening the Regressor had created, I went outside…
“Foolish.”
When I emerged, a man of steel stood before me. A homunculus, covered head to toe in armor, looked down with a cold gaze.
Ah, seriously. This is a problem. Normally, I could use my mind-reading to know what to do, whether to retreat or advance. But of all things, they’re all homunculi, so I can’t read their thoughts. Do normal thieves have to work under such inconvenient conditions? I have a newfound respect for them, seriously.
“The Golden Palace is the Golden Lord’s domain, and the Golden Lord is the god of the Golden Palace. Did you truly think he would fail to notice an intruder?”
The armored figure looked impenetrable, as if not even a needle could slip through. In fact, there might not even be a human body inside. But what did it matter? The armor was moving.
What’s important isn’t a person’s inner self or essence. It’s whether or not that fist can smash me to pieces that determines my attitude. In that sense, I had to show this armored opponent the proper respect.
Fortunately, I had. I had prepared a fitting opponent for him.
The armor spoke.
“Furthermore, did you think you could sneak in with such an overwhelming presence, Progenitor?”
“I was so dumbfounded I didn't say anything, and you jump to your own conclusions. I merely covered myself because I dislike the sun, and you say what? Do you truly believe I would need to hide from the likes of you?”
A crimson light flashed within the dark mouth of the earth serpent. Normally, darkness is the absence of light, but for the Progenitor, it was a source of power. Darkness flowed from the serpent’s mouth like a toxic miasma.
The darkness gradually filled the space. From within it, Tyr emerged as leisurely as if she were on a picnic.
The homunculi were visibly on guard. None of them approached, instead projecting only their abilities forward. It seemed they were wary of being dominated by Tyr.
Amidst the tension, the armor spoke.
“…Are you alone?”
What was the true meaning of those words? Was he trying to gauge Tyr’s full strength, or was he wary of me, who was still unseen? The former was fine, but the latter was a bit worrying. I’d prefer it if they didn’t pay any attention to me.
Ah, seriously, Golden Lord. If you’re going to create humans, do it properly. Why did you have to make them defective so I can’t even read their thoughts? It’s so inconvenient!
As I grumbled and started to move forward, Tyr smiled faintly and slung her parasol over her shoulder.
“Oh? You have the leisure to count numbers in my presence?”
Clank. Clank. Footsteps echoed from a distance. It was the sound of dozens, hundreds of footsteps overlapping. It sounded like a well-trained army on the march.
But no army was in sight. Not until the footsteps were right upon them.
Finally, when the sound of footsteps reached Tyr’s location, dark knights in steel armor strode out from the serpent’s maw. Ten, twenty, thirty… and still they came.
These were not dark knights merely summoned as shapes from darkness. They were wearing armor. And not just any armor, but the supreme armor crafted by the Golden Lord himself.
A tool can belong to anyone. The Golden Lord had prepared them for the Fallen Dominion, but once captured, they were ours. On our way here, I had gathered all the ownerless suits of armor and given them to Tyr.
Dark knights, wearing armor made by the Golden Lord and animated by Tyr’s power. Their base forms were mere dirt pawns, so they wouldn't be very strong, but… even a pawn is a mountain if it wears sturdy armor. In the end, it’s the gear that makes the difference.
“I alone am a legion. Count them, if you can. Their numbers may increase, so you will have to focus.”
“The Sanguine Mark!”
The power to brand with blood and exert control. The dominion of a vampire. A vampire, whose boundary between self and the world is blurred, can divide itself to rule others. In her prime, Tyr had led tens of thousands of Kindred with this power.
Now, she was a shadow of her former self.
‘In the past, I could have commanded a legion of over ten thousand… but now, even with the aid of blood magic, I can barely manage a hundred. My power has clearly weakened. However…’
“An opening!”
The armor shot out a fist without any warning. It was more like a launch than a martial arts move. The shoulder and fist flew toward Tyr’s face simultaneously.
Tyr’s reflexes weren't the best. She didn't have the Heavenly Counter Domain like the Regressor, and her immortal body lacked the sense of crisis essential for living beings. By the time she noticed the attack, it was just about to hit her face.
It wouldn't have mattered much if it hit, but she had an aversion to being struck in the head. Reacting late, Tyr hastily snatched at the armor.
With a sickening crunch, the arm was torn off.
Tyr’s strength was excessive for her body weight, making it difficult to control her speed. The moment her arm blurred, a loud crack echoed as the armor’s arm was ripped out at the root.
Tyr’s own body couldn't handle the speed either; for a moment, her arm popped out of its socket and dangled limply, but… it was literally for a moment. All she had to do was regenerate. An attack that caused mutual damage was meaningless against her.
“…There is no reason to hold back. I suppose I will have to use some brute force.”
Tyr pierced straight through the armor. There was no one inside, but it didn't matter. She filled the interior with darkness and drew a Sanguine Mark with the blood of another homunculus… and the armor became Tyr’s faithful retainer.
The homunculi unleashed their powers all at once. The dark knights charged. A preview of the war was unfolding here, in the Golden Palace.
However, even this was a diversion.
‘Go now, Hu.’
Tyr projected her presence even more strongly, drawing the homunculi’s attention to cover my own presence.
And one meter below where Tyr fought, I was advancing through a tunnel in the earth.