Chapter 43 - Prophesied End 2 (1/2)
Kalang!
The Abyssal Scythe moved to intercept.
It served exactly that purpose, a large weapon that was swung around with great momentum behind it.
As the highest level demon beneath the Demon God, Aris could naturally wield it with ease.
“Although I have to acknowledge that you are quite strong for a human, you are still very far from defeating me, a Demon King. Even if I’ve been in deep slumber for quite some time and not in peak form, you still aren’t my match!”
An ominous dark energy was emitted by the Abyssal Scythe, swallowing up Grandia’s white aura as soon as the two clashed.
As Woohyuk was forced to take a step back, Aris turned to Irene that was waiting behind here.
“Go and fetch me some blood from the Princess.”
Irene was still an incomplete Chimera, and would have to absorb what Divinity existed within Elizabeth, in order to have a chance in breaking through the final barrier.
Of course if she were to do so, her inner organs would turn to mush, since as a vessel she wasn’t stable enough to accept such power for long.
“That would be pointless.”
“Anyways, when the Demon God’s eye bursts, Only those chosen by the Demon God’s sword can survive the upcoming destruction.”
Just because one managed to obtain the sword, doesn’t mean that it had acknowledged its owner and be able to immediately use its powers.
Even if Irene betrayed Aris and attempted to keep the sword for herself, she wouldn’t be able to control its power and die.
“Oh, now that you mention it, it's possible that her body will indeed become completely corroded before even obtaining the sword. Since she can only be considered as a half-saint at most, she wouldn’t be able to withstand the Divine powers that flow through her.
“You must truly hate your own test subject.”
“Well, it’s nothing personal. If anything, I do have some lingering attachment since I’ve taken good care of her so far. Right, Irene?”
“...Yeah.”
Irene, who was interlocked in a battle against Leifina, replied in a flat tone.
Like an emotionless doll.
Born as a Chimera experiment, she could only go along with her creator’s orders. From the very beginning it was her sole purpose in life.
“I have a question.”
“What is it?”
“Is revenge really your only motivation?”
“What will you do next once you destroy the world and wield the Demon God sword?”
Woohyuk asked.
“It means nothing to me that this world is gone. Just getting my revenge is satisfying enough, and I will continue to repeat doing so until this ridiculous system is broken!”
Light and Darkness continued to collide, intertwining in the air. A battle that would leave any spectator speechless.
‘Everyone is doing their best.’
Regardless of how minor a role they played, they were giving it their all. But what about herself, this empire’s Princess...
‘I hate myself for just standing by and watching.’
Born into the Royal family, she had lived a passive life, just going along with her family’s wishes.
However this was a defining moment that would decide the fate of the world. She couldn’t help but hope that she could contribute in her own way.
As those emotions bubbled within her, she fell down to her knees and recited a prayer from memory.
‘Oh God above.’
Please aid those before me who fight sin in your stead.
Bless them with the power to uphold their faith.
Please, let this my earnest plea not fall upon deaf ears…
Shortly after Elizabeth opened her eyes.
Hwarrrr!
The Grandia and Argent swords erupted into Golden Flames.
[Judgment's Flames]
It was the Holy Magic which Saint Marina had used in the past to aid Leonhardt in his triumph over the Demon God.
“ An Archangels power!”
Aris panicked, as she stepped back in fear.
She had never expected Elizabeth, a 17 year old girl who was known to be nothing but a useless yes-woman in the royal family, to have been able to achieve such a feat.
“It’s time to put an end to our fight.”
Woohyuk leapt forward towards Aris with his eyes exuding a certain calm confidence.
His speed surpassed anything he had shown previously.
Aris hastily tried to parry with her Abyssal Scythe, but it lacked substance when compared to Grandia which had been imbued with a Saint’s Holy Magic.
“Kahh!”
The Demon King Aris shrieked in pain as she was struck by the Golden Flames, her Demonic energy slowly leaving her.
He then turned to see how Leifina was doing.
Irene was likewise overwhelmed by the mismatch in their weapons.
“Let me ask you something.”
Woohyuk exclaimed as he approached Irene, who just stood there, ready to accept her death.
“Why aren’t you giving it your all to be happy?”
“...I’m just a tool.”
That was what Irene thought of herself. Nothing more than an object that moved according to her owner’s commands.
There was no purpose to her life.
“No, that’s wrong.”
She didn’t have to live her life being another’s tool. Even a Chimera, had life within it, and a will of its own. She could aspire for more.
“Your master has lost her powers, now you will have to decide your future for yourself.”
“Happiness…are you saying I should try to be happy?”
“You are free to make your own choices now.”
After Woohyuk finished speaking, Irene looked at Aris lying helplessly on the ground.
Because she was a Demon King, she had yet to succumb. But at least she had exhausted the majority of her Mana and wouldn’t be a threat.
Regardless of what decision she made, she would no longer be bound by her former master. Still, she had lived her entire life as an obedient tool, never having thoughts of her own.
Even the very idea of happiness was a strange concept. She needed someone to guide her, even if it was only showing her the right path.
“I... Will you take me with you?”
“If you want to be my comrade, I’ll allow it.”
Comrade.
Her former opponent was now treating her like an actual person. Not a tool, but someone of real value.
Irene could hardly believe what she was hearing.
“I’ll do anything you want, even that thing that men and women do at night.”
“...”
In order to infiltrate the Royal family, she had been taught by Aris the arts of sexual seduction.
Woohyuk nodded back, as he stared at Irene’s blank expression.
‘Looks like this was a bonus achievement.’
Ever since they first met, he had that feeling that he shouldn’t kill her. It was his intuition from the past 40 years of completing countless quests.
[Lord, is this really okay? Just a few moments ago she was Aris’ loyal follower....]
[It’s fine, no need to worry.]
Although she was clearly a bit unstable, she was still much better than most humans that would try to stab him in the back.
Not to mention that this was the Twilight Tower’s 100th floor, the place where one could find the very best rewards.
It would be wasteful to not accept her.
“Is your body fine?”
“Ah? Yeah… thanks to…”
Elizabeth, who was still on her knees from praying, blushed as Woohyuk put his arms around her to pick her up.
“How do we break through the final barrier?”
“...It’s impossible without a Saint’s power”
The Magic Array created by Saint Marina by relying on the powers of Heaven and Earth. Only the Chosen could cross such a barrier.
Woohyuk however didn’t ask Elizabeth to go over and bring him the sword. If that happened, according to how the cycle of reincarnation occurred, the prophesied destruction would occur immediately.
‘It must be the reason for Irene’s existence.’
Aris must have planned on using Isabella’s corpse to avoid triggering the destruction system.
She just wanted to retrieve the sword. It was a well laid plan, but in the end it had failed.
No doubt it was because she had overlooked the fact that the Chosen wasn’t Prince Joffrey, but rather Elizabeth, who was regarded as being useless within her Royal family.
A box with white text appeared before him now that the situation had settled.
[New Quest]
Name: Man who challenges the authority of the Gods.
Type: Chain (3/3)
Content: Get past Saint Marina’s array and overcome the Demon God sword’s trial.
Reward: Depending on the player’s actions and results.
Other: If failed, can’t be retaken.
The last step in his Chain Quest, and just as he had expected it was connected to the Demon God.
Even if this world underwent its cycle of destruction and rebirth, the Throne couldn’t be left vacant.
This world was linked to the Twilight Tower’s 100th floor, a place where the very best rewards were held.
‘Nakron was quite mysterious.’