Chapter 193
Chapter 193
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 193
Chapter Title: Law Addition - 4
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That statement shocked not only Idria and her minions.
We were pretty taken aback too.
Offense asked,
"Why? You've finally returned to your original body, haven't you?"
"Even so, Aktyon is still inside me."
"That's true, but."
"Mother. I've only just realized this now, but Aktyon devoured my personality a very long time ago. And he put on an act in front of you."
Idria shook her head in disbelief.
"But when he devoured Adin..."
"Yes. That time, it was definitely me. Probably because I absorbed Adin's soul and you grew stronger, Mother, I was able to regain control as well."
"Then it's fine, isn't it?"
"But that time was short. Aktyon took over me again in an instant. Even if we go outside together now, it'll be the same."
I cut in.
"Even if it's the same, it doesn't matter. The Aktyon under the law I added won't be in his right mind."
"......"
"He won't even have the sanity to reclaim his body."
"Indeed, Aktyon seems to have lost his mind right now. Thanks to that, a gap opened up, and I was able to briefly read his thoughts."
Batore continued in a heavy voice.
"I didn't understand everything, but anyway, Aktyon's thoughts are this: The application of the law you established, Maide, will end soon."
"What? Ah!"
"Yeah. You stole Aktyon's abilities with the Jewel of Greed, and the world recognized it as 'the handover complete.' But with the Demon King of Greed..."
"He couldn't steal them forever, right? It said only a few minutes were left."
"That's right. Once those few minutes are up, you won't be the 'hero chosen by the world' anymore. The law you established will disappear too... or so Aktyon thinks."
So that's how it is.
In the Eye of Omniscience, Impellium received the handover by drinking the wine the previous hero enjoyed.
Sharing the previous hero's hobbies like that must be the 'normal' handover method.
Stealing abilities with the liquid of greed wasn't complete.
Idria said,
"Does that mean you're staying here?"
"Mother."
"Let's go out together first. Aktyon can't exert his full power outside the special chamber anyway."
"Even so, I'd still be his eyes and ears."
"Batore."
"So... I'm truly sorry, but I must take my leave first."
Before I could ask what he meant.
Stab.
Batore plunged a dagger into his own heart.
Everyone's eyes widened.
"Ba, Batore..."
"Cough. Step back. If I die now, Aktyon's personality will resurface."
"This can't happen. You can't die before me."
"Everyone, protect Mother."
Thud. Thud.
At his words, Sorbias, Sabak, and Pirensha grabbed Idria with their entire bodies.
And they dragged her backward with grunts.
"Let me go."
"Mother. Please understand Batore's feelings."
"I said let go."
"Please, we're begging you."
Still, Idria wouldn't listen.
Finally, unable to endure, Pirensha shouted.
"We're sad too! Don't you get it?"
"......!"
"Batore is like a brother to us. Please understand how we feel, having to hold back Mom. Please."
Idria's body went limp.
Batore's eyes grew dim.
He spoke his final words.
"Meeting you that day, Mother, was truly fortunate. Thank you."
"Batore."
And so Batore died.
[...Does sticking a dagger in the heart kill something called the Finger of Deceit?]
'Idria could save him if she wanted. She revived Sabak from extreme poison and Sorbias after I got him.'
[And?]
'In a situation like that, even Idria's power wouldn't mean anything.'
I nodded toward the dead Batore.
No, it had already reverted to Aktyon.
"Urgh. Damn it. I didn't expect this move."
As Aktyon returned, the world's law applied once more.
Drowning this time?
His body swelled up, and he flailed and gurgled in the empty air.
[Even if Idria has gotten amazing, she can't save Batore by breaking through the law's application, huh.]
That seems to be the case.
I let out a light sigh.
Idria just stared blankly at Aktyon, dying and reviving repeatedly.
I said to her,
"Let's go."
"......Yeah."
Strength returned to her eyes.
She seemed to have pulled herself together faster than expected.
Having already lost one finger, she must think they need to get out quickly or the other children would be in danger.
I signaled to my companions.
That's when Neril spoke.
"Maide. Thinking about it, isn't this a chance?"
"Hm?"
"That guy's temporarily lost his abilities, and he's busy getting his sins rebound on him nonstop. How about killing him now?"
"You're reluctant to just leave, huh."
"Honestly, he's pissed me off too much."
Thinking about it, she wasn't wrong.
As I nodded, Neril formed hand seals.
"Transcendent Decomposition."
The familiar transcendent spear flew toward Aktyon.
It pierced the repeatedly dying and reviving Aktyon.
"Arrrgh!"
Aktyon's body completely disintegrated.
Not a speck of dust left—it truly returned to nothingness.
[Is it over now?]
'Who knows. Honestly, the world's laws will probably keep tormenting him even in the underworld.'
[Good for him. Tell Adwin to check later.]
Then Adwin's voice came.
[Yes. I'll check and come back.]
[Adwin? You were there?]
[Of course I was. With all my sisters, brother, and uncle working so hard there.]
[I can feel your strong determination to call me uncle no matter what.]
Adwin neatly ignored it and continued.
[Jenia sis is a bit worried, but... I'll just confirm if Aktyon's soul came to the underworld and return. That's okay, sis?]
[No. My arm hurts like hell.]
[Thanks. I knew you'd allow it.]
[Argh, seriously! I can't even complain in front of people who suffered there.]
I chuckled.
Before I knew it, we were right in front of the door.
I grabbed the handle without hesitation.
And.
Click.
We finally exited the special chamber.
We raced like the wind and passed through the door in the imperial palace basement.
Then we gathered in a corner of the imperial palace wall.
"Let's part here."
Idria said with parched lips.
"When do we fight?"
"Whenever suits you."
"......Give me three days. I need time to mourn Batore."
"Got it. Let's start the 'play' in three days."
Idria nodded.
Crackle.
She opened a space.
She sent her children first.
Sorbias and Sabak jumped in without a word, and Pirensha said to Serein,
"See you next time."
"Yeah. That's what was gonna happen anyway, right?"
"Where'd she come from?"
"Don't go around saying I'm your sister anywhere. Before I kill you."
Pirensha vanished beyond the space without retort.
Idria was about to step in too when she said to me,
"Almost forgot."
"What?"
"Thanks for the help."
"Huh. Didn't expect a thank you. It's just that if you die, my way to kill Bellosian disappears too."
"I know. I know."
She smiled bitterly and continued.
"Still, it's true I could save the children thanks to you."
"......You're consistent."
"I should go. Need to bury Batore."
I didn't say something like, his body's completely gone from transcendent decomposition.
I just nodded.
That's when Trail spoke.
[Don't come with a face like that next time.]
"Huh?"
[Killing a demon king that haggard won't boost your reputation much, Maide.]
She chuckled.
"Got it. Thanks."
Idria disappeared.
Trail grumbled.
[That wasn't comfort. What's to thank?]
We returned to the inn.
Jenia was half out of it, shaking a bell by Adwin's ear.
"Just hang in there a bit. Jenia Side. Yeah, good girl. That's it."
"......"
"Just hang in there a bit. Jenia Side. Yeah, good girl. That's it."
"What're you doing."
Jenia answered through her soul.
[Don't talk to me. I'm matching the spell to the bell-shaking pattern.]
"Just hang in there a bit. Jenia Side. Yeah, good girl. That's it."
[Or I'll go insane.]
"Just hang in there a bit. Jenia Side. Yeah, good girl. That's it."
We looked at Jenia with indescribable emotions.
Neril pressed her index finger to her temple and twirled it.
"She's gone like this."
"Well, it's been almost a full day by the clock. Repeating the same action all day isn't normal."
Jenia nodded vigorously.
[Exactly. First, I really need the bathroom?]
"So that's it. Since when."
[Three hours ago! It feels like I've surpassed human limits.]
Neril sighed.
"I'll take over. Go to the bathroom."
"Thank you. I'm saved!"
"No need to switch."
Adwin shot up.
"It's over! I'm going."
Jenia bolted outside with tears in her eyes.
And returned after 3 minutes.
With an expression like she'd conquered the world.
"Uh, how to put it. You really suffered."
"It's fine. I held it for three hours and didn't eat for a full day, but no way I suffered as much as you all."
Serein giggled.
"Speak your true feelings."
"Oh. True feelings... right, you confessed you have the same wish as Offense."
"Sorry. Forget it."
Then Adwin spoke.
"Anyway, bro."
"Yeah? Oh, right. Was Aktyon's soul in the underworld?"
"Nope."
The mood sank instantly.
Adwin, though not his fault, fidgeted with his fingers and continued.
"I came back thinking if I made Jenia sis wait more, she'd be socially endangered..."
"Please don't say it."
"Normally, it should've appeared in the underworld long ago by now. Aktyon probably didn't die."
I crossed my arms.
"Hang on. Let me check. Trail, do it."
Trail said,
[Can't you use the Eye of Omniscience without me now?]
'Why are you sulking.'
[No. This was mine originally. Yet I can't see the highest secrets.]
'I'll buy you snacks later, cheer up.'
[Don't need it. Whose secret with Aktyon are you trying to see.]
'Bellosian, obviously.'
Pop.
The screen appeared.
[Error. The secret 'between Aktyon and Bellosian' is ??? rank.]
[Eye of Omniscience level ??? required to view.]
I rubbed my forehead.
My party members, already sensing it, reacted.
Neril asked,
"Can't see it now?"
"Yeah. Well, those few minutes passed long ago. My ability must've returned to Aktyon."
"So the world judged the handover incomplete. So petty."
Her tone suddenly reminded me of Serad, and I laughed.
"Ahaha."
"Why laugh."
"Uh. Serad had a similar way of speaking to you."
Offense tilted his head.
"No way. He was very dignified at the banquet."
"Are you indirectly calling me undignified?"
"Directly."
"......"
"No way Serad was hiding his true nature. Similar to Serein."
Before Serein, who'd been hit out of nowhere, could get mad, I spoke first.
"Then let's all sleep."
"Huh? Suddenly?"
"Last time we took down Adin, Impellium threw a banquet to celebrate. Today's events are even bigger."
"......"
"Not just a banquet—maybe even a party. Let's all go watch."
I added,
"I have a lot of questions too."
Now it's time to hear all the world's secrets.