Chapter 160

Legacy of Great Demon King.

There was little I knew about it, that thing which transcended mere benchmarks of power and sublimated into the concept of Authority. Not until the Demon King told me about it.

Of course, even now I don’t know much.

“If we have Sacred Relics, like how the Daemons have their Demon Artifacts and Demon Armaments…”

-You’re asking if those two are the same category? Are you?

“…What’s the difference between a Sacred Sword and Authority?”

-A polite way to put it: A Sacred Sword is made for whoever wields it to use. But Divine Equipment can only be handled by those worthy. It’s a weapon, a shield, a belief, and proof of life. That proof manifests as Authority.

So…

-The Legacy of the Great Demon King you just handled… it’s similar but different.

“In what part?”

-Because the Great Demon King wasn’t a god.

“……”

-That thing you just used? It was forged by the divine Giant smiths to kill the current Supreme Deity back in the day. No matter how special the Great Demon King’s legacy is… it doesn’t reach that level. Though, if you squint, they could be compared. Your item might fall short, but still…

“…For something so legendary, it feels pretty underwhelming.”

-I said not everyone can use it.

“But that’s true for Sacred Swords too, right?”

Isn’t the Legacy of the Great Demon King the same in that regard?

-Then why did Grandeous wield a Sacred Sword?

“……”

-It’s hard to meet the requirements, but anyone who tries hard enough can pick it up. Ah, your dad’s Divine Sword is different though. A Sacred Sword? Ultimately, anyone can use it if the sword allows it. Look at Leo kid. Did he have the qualifications when he picked it up?

“That means…”

-Truthfully, you shouldn’t normally be able to handle Aegis or Astrape. You’re borrowing them. The person who lent it to you approved, so you can use them.

Well…

Even the minimum standard to use them is beyond most people.

-So stop stressing over trivial things. You can’t fill your shortcomings with that.

There’s no need to explain further right now.

You’ll figure it out on your own if you think about it.

If you can’t even grasp this much yourself?

You’ve been wasting your time studying.

“I’ve never had any such expectations.”

And Carriel didn’t dismiss her thoughts lightly.

Even without her saying anything, he already considered this aspect.

This is akin to a sword from the start.

A tool.

Something you use and discard, something that breaks or must be let go eventually.

Once you start thinking borrowed items are yours…

When it’s taken back, how powerless will you feel, relying solely on it?

Just imagining it makes my brows furrow.

“…Still, I see I can’t do much with this either.”

The aftereffects of the thunderfire were still wriggling through the Giant’s body like snakes nesting within.

Though the Giant looked damaged, there seemed to be no material harm.

In other words, the body is intact.

At least on the surface.

-Immortality isn’t ordinary. It’s something extraordinary.

Much less these guys.

-They once fought against a divine realm and won.

“Divine Realm?”

“There is one. The Cyclops Mage. If we split the world into two sides, here he was the son of Jeupse, but in the other side, he became the Supreme Deity. And somewhere else, he was also the God of Wisdom.”

“…”

That clicked with something.

“Are you talking about Ōthinus… no, Úþin?”

-That’s right. You know him?

“…Isn’t that a bit strange?”

The central figure of the warrior faith upheld by the Vikings.

Born as a mortal warrior, recognized for his achievements, immortalized as an eternal warrior upon death—this was their unwavering belief.

Thinking about it, this statement carried profound implications.

Not “undying” but “unperishing,” “indestructible.”

The Immortal Warrior.

Great warriors are called to their divine realm and ideal destination, where they feast and train endlessly, preparing for the day of destruction.

…Destruction.

“Judging by the context, they were gods before Jeupse, right? So how could he become the son of Jeupse?”

How could someone who became the Supreme Deity of a divine realm end up like that?

-That’s the limitation of primitive creations. Where did you throw away the World Tree story?

Above all, based on the logic of divine realms—if I may say—the past, present, and future are all opaque to them.

-Didn’t Grandeous tell you about the truth of stars? What you see as stars and starlight in the night sky are actually light from tens, hundreds, thousands, millions of years ago.

“What does that have to do with anything…?”

-The idea that the process determines the future is based on extremely limited and confined worlds.

Why do you think the process determines the future?

Why don’t you consider that goals and results weigh and guide the process?

You’re still trapped in humanity’s narrow-mindedness.

-Your prophecies, examples, and visions of the future are all based on that, remember? Didn’t I explain it all before?

“…If that’s true, then changing the past from our current point doesn’t make sense, does it?”

-We’re back to your old question. Is that really so?

“After talking like that, if you turn around and act like it’s not true…”

-It’s a matter of will.

You can’t swim upstream against a strong river.

But blocking the river is within your control.

Whether you utilize or destroy it,

Or even swimming against the current itself—all depend on you.

“…”

She said it like it was nothing, but from my perspective, it was something I couldn’t overlook.

How could even the great gods overcome something they themselves struggled with repeatedly?

This premise seems fundamentally flawed.

-Then what about those Giants? Were they destined to win?

“Didn’t the Supreme Deity Odin wrestle with destruction? Because of the prophecy given to him. And he was eaten by the wolf…”

-Really? Did you confirm that? Are you sure? Is he truly dead? Truly destroyed?

“…”

That leaves you speechless, doesn’t it?

How am I supposed to verify that right now?

-Faithfully believing hearsay as truth and fact—what’s the point of that? Tch!

“Haa. I get it, let’s go out first.”

-Entering right here?

“I already told Zora. I’ll scout first and come back.”

-But wouldn’t that put that girl in danger?

Haa.

You twist the meaning of carefully scouting the interior to sound better.

It sounded good, but honestly…

“She and I aren’t playthings. She’ll make her own judgment. And I intend to fully share everything I’ve experienced here.”

-Yep yep. That’s one choice, not a bad one. Really.

“And if you want to hear myths, she’d be better than me.”

While saying that, she took a moment to gaze steadily at the Demon King.

“…Unless you plan to spill everything.”

She throws hints, leaving the rest for me to think, ponder, and worry about.

…Saying it’s to keep my mind sharp, but can’t you consider my situation too?

====

“It looks like you’re talking about Ragnarok. There’s more to the story.”

“…Is that so?”

The word Ragnarok just came to mind.

In the Irene’s Doctrine, there are several mentions in the Revelation or Bible-like texts, but since we’re all alive and well, the final day hasn’t come yet.

“Still, it’s not important anyway, since none of it is confirmed. These are just speculations by storytellers.”

“So… does that mean myths have no real meaning?”

“That’s also a Correct Words. How you interpret the stories ultimately depends on the listeners.”

Imagine a child inspired by tales of heroes, dreaming to become one.

Could that child have become a hero without knowing the hero’s legend?

Zora began reciting softly, almost like a hymn or song.

“Stories are entertainment for the living, compasses, milestones, hope, dreams, ideals, and aspirations.”

“But if it’s not the truth…”

“Does the fact matter? Even falsehoods can lead people positively if they bring good results. Isn’t that fine?”

A white lie? A blatant lie? Malice or goodwill?

“If you’re really curious, ask God. Can’t you connect with deities? This place is tough, so how about going to a Temple?”

“…”

This is confusing in another way.

“We’ll continue that story later. Anyway, if what you say is true, the inside must be incredibly dangerous?”

“I nearly died.”

…Whether he really did die aside.

“Let me see your hand.”

Her hand, charred black, was surrounded temporarily by darkness—a makeshift solution. Just a temporary fix.

It merely wrapped her hand like a glove; the condition remained unchanged.

“What happened to it?”

Zora inspected the blackened hand with her eyes, unable to touch it, clearly exasperated.

“Trying to cast recovery magic?”

“Other than White Magic? Besides, regular spells barely work, and this state seems untreatable by normal remedies.”

Back in the desert, when minor injuries occurred, Zora attempted healing magic, but it was all futile.

Mana-resistant bodies are tricky like this.

…If you possess abilities beyond common sense, like Mother, that’s another story.

Such situations inevitably remind me of miracles.

…Yet, it’s a miracle I’m not eager to embrace.

“Well, let’s use this then.”

She pulled out a small stone from her bosom.

“Since we’re talking about Odin, did you know the magical structure in his region differs from the general magic used on your continent?”

“…Hmm.”

“Like your mysterious powers, each region and foundation uses various kinds of energy and techniques.”

Here, the Demon Realm, and everywhere else.

“In areas abundant with trees, wooden houses are easily built. In treeless areas? Sand-mixed clay and stone houses are built instead. Think of it similarly.”

Ultimately, we adapted according to our environment and learned related skills.

“Faith is similar. The culture and belief system venerating Odin and warriors arose because their region was barren, making agricultural development difficult. Survival was harsh, so their approach to survival became intense…Ah, if I explain further, it might get boring?”

“…It’s fine. I like such stories.”

“I like it, but I don’t.”

She placed the stone on my hand and whispered something, causing a faint green glow to emanate from the stone.

Strangely, the severely burned hand began showing signs of recovery.

“Why isn’t it healing?”

“It’s healing, isn’t it?”

“No, it should’ve healed instantly.”

“…”

“Let me clarify—it’s unrelated to Mana. Do you think I tried this without knowing?”

Then she tossed the stone behind her and pulled out a new one from her bosom.

After consuming four stones altogether… it finally returned to normal.

“Know what? Right now, this could buy a couple of buildings in any city.”

“Now I understand thanks to your explanation. Thank you.”

She expresses gratitude humorously.

“There won’t be any next time. It’s not that I lack compassion, but I genuinely don’t have more, so take care of yourself.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

So, what should we do now?

“First, let’s see if this works before deciding whether I follow.”

Thus, Zora followed again to the massive entrance of the ruin building.

There, she flicked her hand, and something resembling a bird feather appeared.

The red-feathered plume was striking, but what followed was even more impressive.

The red feathers suddenly transformed into a bird proudly displaying crimson plumage.

“Take this bird inside. It’s a Spirit Demon; if sensations are shared, I won’t needlessly risk myself. No unnecessary anxiety for anyone.”

“…”

I perched the bird on my shoulder and entered.

“How’s it looking?”

The bird pecks at my cheekbone.

Turning my head toward the entrance, Zora appeared to be standing far away.

[Seems safe on this side. Since I’m slow, why don’t you show off your superior mobility?]

“…”

Acknowledging is nice, but why does it feel insufficient as praise?

[By the way, can you see properly? Is it clear to you?]

“If it’s not sight but sensing, I’m fairly accustomed to it.”

[That sounds abnormal regardless.]

…That applies to you too, though.

“Let’s move then.”

[No need to report every detail.]

With a smirk, I entered the building.

The Giant we encountered near the entrance remained unconscious.

If it woke up, things would get inconveniently complicated, so quick movement was key.

However, there was something overlooked.

“…”

There wasn’t just one.

As we ventured deeper, the scale of the building grew larger.

There, lying sprawled on the floor, collapsed, or leaning against walls as if their souls had left them, dozens of Giants were detected.

…Easily over twenty.

Thanks to moving quietly on the ceiling, there seemed to be no immediate issues for now.

…But unnecessarily provoking them could lead to unforeseen consequences, so caution was essential…

Until.

Suddenly, the space split apart.

!!!!!

The sleeping Giants simultaneously began reacting.

They weren’t responding to my concealed movements on the ceiling but to the phenomenon of the splitting space.

Strangely, it felt like the darkness turned crimson.

And whatever emerged from the rift in space.

For some reason, it felt like a red star blooming in pitch-black darkness.

Or a red flower blossoming.

Unbelievably… vividly red.

…For some unknown reason.

My heart raced.

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