Chapter 23: Avon County Rampage!
Shwooo! Light swirled around my body. And then the blessings came pouring down.
Strength permanently increases by 10%.
"Oh ho!"
Boom!
A blessing that permanently boosted my overall strength. I swung right at Odin's champion, and he spat blood as he staggered back.
Right now, I was using swordsmanship with my fists. As expected of a divine martial art. My fist techniques were only beginner level, but wielding a sword felt completely natural—no awkwardness at all.
Whoosh!
Blessings poured down on Alfred's body too. I had no idea what they were, but seeing his muscles swell even larger and veins bulging in his eyes, it looked like he'd gotten a strength boost just like me.
The gods stirred.
Mana is purified.
Mana destructive power increases.
Kaboom!
A sharp blue sword aura flared along my blade. Soon after, more blessings rained on Odin's champion, making his battle axe even more ferocious. The protruding blue energy was powerful enough to kill anyone it hit.
I could have killed him right then, but I didn't. Opportunities like this weren't common—I planned to wring every last blessing out of the gods.
Whoosh!
Alfred staggered back again, and Odin bestowed another blessing. The gods matched it without hesitation.
Spirit's blessing infuses you.
Your body is protected by spirits.
Clang!
A metallic ring echoed from my body as it deflected the sword auras bit by bit. This was the spirit's blessing. Could I squeeze out more?
Hmm, so he couldn't pour out more blessings even if he wanted to now? Time to make him pay for it. And if the gods went wild and showered more karma, even better.
I hurled my sword aside and smashed my fist into the champion's skull. It might look like a simple punch, but it was infused with the Fist God's techniques.
Crack!
"Gaaack!"
Blood exploded from Alfred's mouth in an instant. His nose gushed as he fell into a groggy state—his brain must have been rattled, leaving him unable to move properly.
Now, time to drive the gods wild?
Bam! Bam!
Boom!
"Kweeeek!"
Relentless beatdown! The gods' excitement exploded—they were raving so madly I couldn't make out their words. And with it, karma poured in.
God of Destruction and Regeneration Mahadev sponsors you with 15,000 karma.
Goddess of Love Venus sponsors you with 18,000 karma.
Goddess of Abundance Demeter sponsors you with 20,000 karma.
God of the Sky Jupiter sponsors you with 20,000 karma.
God of Giants Talos sponsors you with 15,000 karma.
Fairy God Rebra sponsors you with 20,000 karma.
"Whoa, they're going all out."
Not far from the battlefield, Kainus waved his fan to scatter the blowing dust.
Odin's champion was getting brutally pummeled. The sight of a massive giant god warrior being mercilessly thrashed wasn't something you saw every day.
The knights and soldiers cheered wildly.
"Woooah!"
"As expected of the lord!"
"Hmph, all heretics deserve to die."
Cecilia sidled up to Kainus, spewing curses. The gods under Odin and the other heavenly gods had terrible relations. Odin, often called the Warrior God, rewarded fallen warriors, driving his followers into a frenzy that harmed other nations. Because of that, the Vivian Church branded Odinism as heresy, and every nation except the northern continent did the same. That's why Cecilia was so fired up.
"Heh heh heh, what do you think, High Priestess? Doesn't it look like the lord is receiving the gods' blessings?"
"Sure does."
"And his opponent's champion is getting Odin's blessings too."
"Yes! But our lord's winning! Look, that guy's not even twitching!"
It was pure, baseless hatred. Kainus vaguely realized why he had to help Aron. Something was brewing in the heavens—Odin and the other gods were dividing into factions and clashing. The warriors blessed by each god fighting was proof their power struggle had begun.
Puhahaha!
Aron's fist aura severed the enemy champion's head.
"Kyaa! Lord! You're so cool!"
Cecilia shrieked in ecstasy. Toying with the enemy champion before decapitating him had the knights and soldiers' morale skyrocketing. Especially the defeated remnants—they'd been pushed back relentlessly until now, but seeing what seemed like the strongest giant god warrior get beaten and beheaded sent their spirits soaring.
At this point, Kainus had to admit it.
"Heh heh heh, looks like I'm properly tangled up now."
The sudden appearance of Odin's champion had halted the advance, but with everything wrapped up, they marched toward their destination: Avon Count's territory.
Today's battle alone had netted nearly 100,000 karma. The gods had gone berserk, clearly getting catharsis from destroying anything Odin-related. No wonder—Odin was slaughtering other gods to become the sole deity, so aiding me in weakening him was only natural.
"Hope I get a shop voucher."
Were there conditions for using the God Tower? Karma was piling up—already close to 200,000. Enough to buy an intermediate fist technique manual and intermediate mana potions. Acquiring those would birth a Grand Master by this world's standards. Not that a Grand Master could sweep a battlefield alone, but it'd leave me without true rivals here. Maybe even strong enough to take down a dragon.
Lost in thought, the carriage halted. Rommel reported.
"Lord! We've arrived. Avon Count's knights are coming out to greet us!"
"Yeah? Got it."
Destination reached—time to raise hell. The gods might be getting bored of my rampages, but prying troops from here might pique their interest. No messages popped up, but I could feel them watching. They'd detoured to Avon Count's on purpose, wondering what insane stunt I'd pull next.
Yeah, no matter how stale, what could be more fun than a rampage?
Stepping out, I eyed the massive fortress. Avon Count's stronghold, called the North's final bastion, loomed ahead. Far off, a knight unit with white flags approached.
"Hm?"
Something felt off. A nasty vibe lingered over the county.
"Cecilia!"
"Yes!"
Cecilia scampered over. I dodged as she lunged for a hug; she tumbled but brushed off her clothes and stood.
"You called?"
I rarely sought her out first—that's why she was thrilled. Exactly why I avoided calling her, but oh well.
"Anything you sense looking at the territory?"
"Smells like Odin."
"Right? Not just me?"
"Yes! To think heretics worshiping that filth are hiding there! We should burn the whole place to purify it!"
"That's overkill. The Empire declared Odinism heresy, so they can't proselytize openly. Means they've got a secret altar somewhere."
"Then we destroy it?!"
"Bingo."
"Whoa! As expected of our faithful lord! Leading the charge against heretics!"
"Wanna come?"
"Yes! Thank you!"
Goddess of Wisdom Bibian (Bibian) watches you.
Your life is added to Bibian's favorites list.
Heretics expanding south at last. Slaying such filth—your champion is a righteous man indeed.
"Oh ho!"
"What's up?"
"Nah. Just thinking about crushing those bastards—body's already heating up."
"Hehe, our lord really is righteous!"
Cecilia's eyes were half-lidded in bliss. Finally, the mightiest goddess of wisdom, Bibian, had started subscribing to me. Even the other gods seemed wary of her power. If Bibian backed me? As the earthly faith's biggest player, she wouldn't skimp.
While I pondered the gods, the North's strongest order, the Dark Lion Knights, lined up before me. Arrogant as ever—the captain at the front didn't even dismount.
They nodded curtly and shouted.
"We greet the Conquest Army Commander! Our lord wonders what brings you here."
"Ha... look at this fucker."
"Did you just say that to our lord?"
"Nah. You, punk—Conquest Army Commander shows up, and you don't dismount? Just nod like a prick?"
Only then did he get off his horse and salute.
"My apologies."
Still no bow. Perfect excuse—I'd been racking my brain for one. I launched myself and kneed him in the face.
Crack!
"Gaaaaah!"
The Dark Lion captain tumbled far away. Clang clang clang!
With their captain out, the Dark Lion Knights drew swords.
"Oh ho, look at these traitors! Drawing blades on His Majesty's army? If I don't send you all to hell today, I'm no man—I'm a bastard!"