Chapter 531 (1) - The Academys Weapon Replicator |
I listened to the entire story, trying to understand it all.
In the end, I shook my head.
“...I don't understand what you're saying yet.”
There were a few things I could guess. Especially the story about the statues, which needed to be checked as soon as possible.
If I was right, those statues might not just be imitations of heroes, but could be completely identical to them.
‘The heroes I saw with my own eyes, Merlin and Joan of Arc. If I see their statues, I'll be sure.’
Especially Joan of Arc. Merlin was an illusion created by Nimue, so there could be some embellishment.
But Joan of Arc would be exactly as she appeared. If I see it myself, I'll be able to draw some conclusions about my guess.
Also, if I think about it, it's not impossible that Loki is on the humans' side. I was helped by Hestia in the past.
However, the other things Sigurd said were difficult to understand easily.
And right now, there was something more urgent.
“I came here to find out how to kill the Gods.”
The Gods will continue to target me, but I have no way to attack them. Because they possess humans.
Sigurd's face turned sad at that.
“Truly, humanity has forgotten so much. Have you forgotten about Mistilteinn?”
“...I know about Mistilteinn. However, that weapon is now,”
“Inside the temple.”
“...That's right.”
I nodded.
This is why I couldn't go looking for Mistilteinn even though I knew its location.
Mistilteinn is known as a weapon that kills Gods, but in the game, that perception didn't really exist. Because the Gods were not the enemy.
However, because it was Aster's divine power, Baldur's greatest weakness, most players tried to get their hands on Mistilteinn.
This was partly because Mistilteinn's performance was good, but ultimately it was to eliminate Baldur's weakness. I was no different.
Aster learns the location of Mistilteinn according to the revelation of the main quest. In the basement of the Parthenon. A place that even the residents living nearby, and even the devotees, didn't know about. Aster acquires Mistilteinn from within a hidden secret passage.
However, in order to reach the place where Mistilteinn is located, you have to go through a tremendous amount of poison, which only divine power could resist.
Aura, protective magic, etc. all broke through, and healing magic was useless. It was as if it had been arranged so that only Aster, who possesses Baldur's divine power, could obtain it. Players accepted this without question, as the main character of the game was Aster.
But now that I think about it, it was made so that humans without divine power could never obtain it.
“It's in the basement of the Parthenon. The poison there is so powerful that you can't set foot in it without divine power. I've never used Eclexis, but I don't think it will last.”
“Well, if it was made to prevent the Gods from approaching, it probably would be. The giants would be the target too.”
“And it's dangerous in itself because it's a temple. The moment they find me, the Gods might descend even if they have to force it.”
The temple is literally a place where believers pray to the Gods. Of course, it's not a prayer for the descent, so it lacks power, but if there are enough places and people, they can descend.
It's just that they won't do it unless it's a big deal. But if they could kill me, they probably wouldn't hesitate.
Sigurd asked in surprise.
“Are you such a threat to the Gods?”
“...It's a bit much for me to say, but it probably is.”
After saying that, I suddenly thought.
Divine power cannot be blocked by aura, magic, or even Eclexis. It doesn't heal with healing either.
But if that's the case.
“...Sigurd. This, but.”
I took out the Ring of Origin, the Golden Apple, from my arms.
As soon as he saw it, Sigurd's eyes widened.
“This is...! What?”
“That's quite a surprised look for someone who doesn't know.”
“No, it feels familiar. But it's something I don't remember.”
Indeed. I know what it means.
I explained to Sigurd about this Golden Apple. That it was a mixture of several myths.
And then I said.
“If it's this, wouldn't it be able to suppress that poison?”
Sigurd thought deeply before answering.
“It might be possible. However, as you said, this ring doesn't ‘heal,’ it ‘devours,’ right? Have you thought about what will happen after that?”
“Of course, I'm worried about that, but if there's a way, we have to try.”
“Hmm,” Sigurd pondered.
This Golden Apple definitely has an element of instability. It has been swallowing diseases, curses, and harmful magic all this time.
What is particularly worrisome is that this thing has been eating those things all along, even before I got it. I don't know where the limit is, but it may be close already.
“...If it means stabbing a God in the heart, it would be worth a try.”
Sigurd said. I thought the same.
“But be careful. Human history has always suffered greatly from elements of instability. It is very rare to suffer an unexpected hardship. Most of the time, we knew, we predicted, but we let our guard down and met with tragedy. That is why humans regret.”
“...I'll keep that in mind.”
Those were harsh words. I bowed my head deeply.
I got the information I needed. My head hurts because I got a lot more information than I expected, but let's solve it one by one.
“Are you leaving now?”
“Yes. I wanted to take you with me, Sigurd, but it seems too much time has passed...”
“I see. So you're saying my body has already turned to dust.”
Hahaha. Sigurd laughed. I don't know if it was something to laugh about.
“It's okay. Being freed from the pain is enough. I'll have to get out of here someday, but not yet.”
“...I see.”
I nodded.
“Then I'll be on my way. It was nice meeting you, Hero Sigurd.”
“Yes. Until next time.”
Sigurd had already lost his body, and I would leave this place.
So Sigurd's words would never come true.
“...Yes. See you again.”
For some reason, I felt like these words would be a promise.
And when I returned to the shores of Agoris.
A strange and ominous sight unfolded before my eyes.
“...What is this?”
Elodie, Selena, Pielott, Lily, Arald, and all the devils under my command.
They were gathered on this beach where I came out, looking at me.
In particular, all the devils were kneeling on one knee, waiting.
Countless people were waiting on the beach for my return. Most of them were on their knees, which was a spectacular sight, but all I felt now was a sense of foreboding.
“What's going on?”
I never gave an order to assemble.
In other words, they gathered voluntarily. Because there was something they needed to tell me. However, it was unlikely that all of this was gathered for a simple report.
Emergency.
That one word crossed my mind.
“Frondier.”
Elodie slowly approached me.
She looked at me with eyes that had seen a lot.
I asked her.
“Elodie, how much time has passed?”
Unlike when I entered, it was now dark night.
Time had flowed so fast in this place during that short conversation.
I don't know if half a day had passed, a day had passed, or several days.
To my question, Elodie said.
“We have to go to the Empire.”
“What?”
That wasn't an answer to my question.
But it seemed like enough of an answer. I could see the urgency in her eyes.
“What are you talking about?”
“Frondier, listen carefully.”
Elodie gritted her teeth and slowly opened her trembling lips.
“...Sir Azier de Roach is—”