Chapter 144
Audrey, who had been silently listening to Cyphry’s story, interrupted with a puzzled voice.
“Isn’t it something trivial? Why are you so cautious? If it’s just to win someone’s favor, can’t you just harden your heart?”
She couldn’t understand why it was such a difficult matter to consider.
Cyphry couldn’t help but laugh for a moment at her serious expression. She tried to hold it back, but it seemed she couldn’t calm down as she wished.
“What’s so funny?”
Audrey asked, seemingly displeased.
– It might seem like a trivial matter. If it were that simple, I wouldn’t be contemplating this. Among the other defectors, I would have handled Talion first.
“Isn’t it your fault for not explaining properly?”
– Wasn’t it you who interrupted before I finished speaking? Passing the blame to me is laughable.
“….”
– Listen carefully. Talion’s ability goes beyond just winning people’s favor.
“Then, does he make others follow his every word?”
Audrey snapped, as if offended. Cyphry nodded.
– It’s similar. If you submit to him, you become a loyal servant. To put it simply…
“He’s like a cult leader.”
Ian quietly muttered, and Cyphry tilted his head, then nodded.
– A cult leader… yes, that expression fits. However, he doesn’t directly become the object of worship.
“Then?”
– He becomes the agent of the gods. Ultimately, what he speaks is the will of the gods. His actions are seen as the gods’ will. His gestures and every word must be revered as the truth.
“That’s absurd! If he had such an ability, his name would already be written in history books!”
Lise exclaimed in astonishment. She had been wary of Cyphry, but this time, she couldn’t hold herself back.
– That’s because it was cut short before his talent could fully bloom. Various circumstances aligned. He was an orphan from a young age, raised in a temple. Due to his introverted nature, he avoided external activities. His mature personality meant he never fought with other children when he played.
“He was kind, then?”
– Yes, he was kind. Everyone liked that child. No one hated him. Even if you felt uneasy about him, after talking to Talion for just a few words, you would open your heart.
Cyphry muttered bitterly.
“So, what made him realize his abilities?”
– It was when that child became a protector and killed for the first time. That was when Talion first made someone submit. When he pointed his sword and forced his opponent to admit defeat, everything changed.
“How so?”
– You could say it was a moment of awakening. At that moment, a faint halo appeared above Talion’s head, and the man who had admitted defeat fell silent. Immediately, he lay down, saying he would follow any command. When Talion told him that if he didn’t trust him, he should prove it by taking his own life, the man, without hesitation, slit his own throat. All in an instant.
“Ugh…”
– With a delighted expression, the man pulled out a hidden dagger from his chest and stabbed it into his own heart.
Audrey, who had shown interest in the story, nodded.
“If what you’re saying is true, it seems there are two conditions: First, he is subdued by force. Second, he admits defeat.”
– The first condition is wrong. The moment you think you can’t win psychologically, that’s when the condition is met.
That was true. Ian, who had been silently listening to Cyphry and the others, felt an overwhelming urge to wipe his face. He couldn’t help but feel devastated.
‘Shit.’
It was impossible not to curse under his breath. Unfortunately, that ‘Talion’ was indeed right.
His steps grew heavier, as if he were shackled. Should he try to persuade the group to turn back now?
The thought lingered.
Now was the time. If he failed the mission, he could just call it a common mistake. But the nagging issue was the outer gate.
The outer gate was still an issue, and the fact that it was changing still lingered at the back of his mind.
Right now, it was only a level-3 gate, but if it became a level-2 gate, the story would change. That could trigger a situation where a hero would have to step in.
‘…A hero?’
Wait a second.
Wouldn’t that give him the opportunity to meet a hero if he left it be?
Maybe this was a good opportunity. But still, he felt conflicted. There were two heroes currently active in the Empire’s eastern region. Gailgron and Abella.
‘Sigel could be around too.’
The monster slayer hero was such a slippery figure, so let’s exclude him.
In truth, it wouldn’t matter much who he met. If he met Abella, that would be ideal, but if he met Gailgron, perhaps he could learn something about swordsmanship.
They had made an agreement last time. If it was Sigel, they would just build a friendly connection.
However, if he backed down just to meet a hero, it would lead to Talion, who posed a threat to the Empire, being set free.
‘And my evaluation would drop as well.’
He could claim it was a strategic retreat, but it would be seen as a cowardly escape.
As Talion’s influence grew and his notoriety spread, this incident would be brought up time and time again, a label that would stick with him.
If he failed outright, the outcome would be the worst, but at least it could be chalked up to unavoidable circumstances.
Ian let out a sigh, feeling the tension in his face like a dog needing to relieve itself.
‘But I can still handle it, for now.’
Who would even be the one to deliver such trials?
‘I’m no hero.’
If that someone were in front of him, he would probably punch them in the stomach. What a stroke of bad luck.
The only fortunate thing was that there was still time.
Ian was about to turn to Cyphry to ask something when Audrey suddenly approached and asked.
“Ian?”
“Yes?”
She looked at him, waiting for an answer. He was sure she had asked something, but he hadn’t heard it clearly.
Sorry, I didn’t catch that, Ian could only ask back with a dumbfounded expression.
“Do you know about the Fallen Star?”
“Why are you asking me?”
“We don’t know much, but you’ve been lost in thought. I thought you might know something.”
“Of course, I know.”
Ian nodded reluctantly, and Cyphry looked at him with a hint of surprise.
– You know? About the Fallen Star?
It wasn’t surprising. Talion, that guy, founded a cult for the Fallen Star and came out into the world.
It seemed like a trivial matter, but it had caused a huge mess in the El-Carda Empire.
What’s worse, it wasn’t something easy to clean up. The forces they sent to suppress him were absorbed into his power instead.
They had sent a specialized squad composed of highly skilled individuals, but it turned out to be a poison instead.
By the time they realized the seriousness of the situation, it had escalated. The Empire had to make a massive sacrifice.
Ultimately, the Golden Tower, where only the Empire’s greatest mages could enter, had to be mobilized.
The special task force, consisting entirely of individuals level 6 or higher, and their commander reaching level 8, had to intervene.
Looking at it like this, it didn’t seem like a big deal, but Talion had earned more than just protection from the press. He had gained love.
Thanks to that, I heard the damage was enormous. Even though it was eventually subdued. I didn’t hesitate for nothing about whether to retreat or not.
Talion has an immense latent power. On the other hand, that means this is also an opportunity.
It means we can catch him at his weakest, when his influence is the smallest.
“All good, but don’t mention specific terms from the Otherworld too often here. They’re listening.”
Even if you know the name, it’s better to use a nickname. It’s all to avoid drawing attention to that being.
The beings from the Otherworld are eagerly listening, trying to figure out who is looking for them beyond the dimensional barrier.
Let alone spaces like the Otherworld, which are completely isolated from the rest of the world.
It’s certain they’re watching with great interest, almost as if they were on a stage.
And each time their name is mentioned, they might feel a sense of pride. I didn’t want to risk adding any unnecessary variables.
“And there’s no benefit to knowing.”
“In situations like this, isn’t it necessary to share information?”
“That’s true, but we’re not going to fight beings from the Otherworld, are we?”
Once beings from the Otherworld descend, then it’s time to run without looking back.
There’s no guarantee we could escape, but if that happens, all the empire’s efforts, including the Heroes, must focus on it.
“Still, knowing could come in handy someday, right? There’s no knowledge in the world that isn’t useful.”
When I glanced back, not only Audrey but others also had gleaming eyes.
Even Gawain, pretending not to care, stopped watching his surroundings and stared at me. It’s like children showing interest in a scary story.
Technically, this could be called forbidden knowledge. It’s not like there’s any benefit in knowing it. After a moment of hesitation, I decided to stay silent.
“It’s still not possible. If this weren’t the Otherworld, I might have said more. Let’s save it for another time. By the way, Cyphry.”
– Speak.
“The treasure that was here, it must be a relic, right?”
– …Yes.
“The spear surrounded by radiant light, is that it?”
– So, you came here aiming for the treasure too.
Cyphry’s gaze felt intense through the shadows of his hood. There was a hint of faint hostility.
The reason I had planned to speak after closing the gate to the Outer World was because if the opponent was Talion, things would be different.
The holy radiance is effective against beings like those from the Outer World.
“So, you thought I came here to worship a god in such a suspicious place?”
– …Suspicious? This is a temple.
“It’s a forgotten temple, an ancient ruin. And it’s been tainted by the hands of the Outer World.”
– ……
“Let’s not waste time. Where is the treasure?”
– …It’s in there.
“In there?”
– It’s in there. The treasure you seek is in Talion’s hands.
“You mean it was taken?”
– It wasn’t taken, it was originally there. As I told you before, I was the last to awaken among these traitors, so there was nothing I could do.
“…Ugh.”
A sigh escaped me. I wasn’t sure what the angel’s key was, but if it were a relic, I thought it would help in this situation.
“You must have tried to take it back, right?”
– Of course I did. But just like Elarcia, Talion had the dead close by.
That meant there was nothing they could do.
“Anyone can handle a relic?”
– Yes.
“Even the lowly beings of the Outer World?”
– If they believe in the god.
Isn’t that a bit too broad a condition? It’s just the kind of thing that suits the gods of this world.
A weapon that fits their nature, one that does nothing to help but simply leaves things to rot.
“Then this is troublesome…”
– But you can rest easy. Talion never earned the treasure’s recognition.
I didn’t believe Cyphry’s words. What he said meant that if it had been recognized, it would have been usable.
Thinking about it… I remember hearing something about Talion carrying a spear as a symbol.
“This won’t do.”
I stopped abruptly, staring at the central building of the ruins in the distance. Ignoring the curious gazes from everyone else, I muttered.
“Pamael.”.
