Chapter 1241: Return of the Beast-Bug G.o.d

We flew out of the window of Klimts room and gazed northward from the sky.

The enormous barrier that had exuded such a distinct presence was completely gone.

And in its place, we sensed an intense amount of evil energy.

Had a fragment of the Evil G.o.d truly been revived, as Potima claimed? The ridiculous amount of power in the air certainly gave me that impression.

Mrgh?

This place is

Fran and I were focused on the northern skies, but then we found ourselves in a familiar white s.p.a.ce.

Neither Fran nor I made a fuss about this. We instinctively understood what was going on.

Qualified one.

Suddenly, an inhuman giant revealed itself in front of us. He looked like some bizarre mix of beasts and insects, giving him an appearance befitting the last boss of a video game. However, this was no enemy.

He was the Beast-Bug G.o.d.

A fragment of the Evil G.o.d has awakened in the northern lands.

!

So that ominous wave of evil energy was exactly what we suspected. I had many questions, but I could neither speak nor move. It seems I was considered little more than an accessory to Fran right now.

Did the G.o.ds set up the barrier uh, your grace?

Qualified one, you may speak as you do normally. Mere choice of words will not affect your standing.

Okay.

That barrier is not ours. It was created by borrowing the power of the Evil G.o.d, after offering the people of the land as sacrifices.

In other words, Laranflura must have set up the barrier with the power of the Evil G.o.d Fragment?

Only one fragment is active at the moment, but the other three fragments are on the verge of awakening.

There are four Evil G.o.d Fragments sealed in Raydoss?

Correct. They have awakened the first fragment by gathering power through ma.s.s sacrifices, which they used to create the barrier. Then, they plan to break the seal on the other fragments with the life energy drained from those within the barrier.

So the East Conquest Duke ma.s.sacred all those people in order to gain enough power to resurrect the Evil G.o.d! Then, he must have used whatever was left to create the barrier.

More importantly, we just learned that the other fragments were about to awaken. If Raydoss dismissed the barrier, does that mean theyve already broken the seal?

No, that cant be it. The Beast-Bug G.o.d said they were still on the verge of awakening, which means Raydoss has yet to achieve a full resurrection.

While I was worried about the details, Fran seemed to be more concerned about a different subject.

Are you telling me to defeat the Evil G.o.d?

The Beast-Bug G.o.d must have an important reason for visiting us directly like this. Fran thought this might be a divine command to defeat the Evil G.o.d Fragment.

It seems that was her main concern.

Despite how strong weve grown, a fragment of the Evil G.o.d is still out of the question. That said, I doubt Fran would refuse a direct order from her G.o.d.

I waited anxiously for the Beast-Bug G.o.ds answer, but it wasnt what I expected.

You are free to do as you wish. Fight or retreat; its your choice.

? Then why are you telling me about this?

You have my divine blessing, and the Apostle of the Chaos G.o.ddess is comparable to a divine sword. Thus, you have the right to hear my words. However, unlike those who possess a true divine sword, you have no obligation to challenge the fragments of the Evil G.o.d.

Those with a divine sword have to fight?

They do. Such is the mission of those who wield them. The three wielders in the northern lands have already received their revelations.

Three? By the northern lands, he must mean the Kingdom of Raydoss. So theres three divine sword wielders nearby? Maleficent has h.e.l.l, and Phyllius has Diabolos. Is there another?

Fran attempted to ask about the third divine sword, but we were unable to get a straight answer. I doubt the G.o.ds care much about confidentiality, though it seems they put the divine sword wielders a level above the rest.

Isnt it best if we all join forces to beat the Evil G.o.d?

As someone bound to the Evil G.o.d through a contract, you have the right to an answer We have never told anyone to destroy the Evil G.o.d. It is impossible for mankind to defeat a G.o.d in the first place. Mortals can merely defeat the fragments, thus returning their souls to the divine realm.

As I suspected, the G.o.ds have no intention of destroying the Evil G.o.d.

Arent the G.o.ds angry at the Evil G.o.d?

We are indeed angry, which is why we deliberately sealed the Evil G.o.d on the surface world as a form of punishment. However, this was not the unanimous decision of all G.o.ds.

So they had no intent to kill despite their anger. Splitting a G.o.d into pieces and sealing them away might be their way of giving a timeout or something.

It is about time for my departure. Farewell.

Wait! Just one more question!

Very well.

Why didnt you speak to Potima? She believed in you.

Potima, you say. She was a girl br.i.m.m.i.n.g with talent and faith.

I never thought the Beast-Bug G.o.d would actually remember Potimas name, but it seems I was wrong. Does he remember every single beastman? Or maybe she was recognized as an exceptional individual?

However, her heart was weak.

Her heart?

Thats right. Her reverence for the G.o.ds was impeccable, but clinging to the divine is a sign of weakness. No matter how much faith one places in us, those who can hear our voices must try and fulfill their wishes with their own power. Maintain a strong heart. Such is the most important factor in bringing out the power of the G.o.ds.

Wow, so the G.o.ds themselves say that relying on them too much leads to weakness. What he says sounds true, faith and strength of heart are completely different things.

Unlike Earth, the existence of this worlds G.o.ds is a proven fact. The people here place much more faith in them as a result. However, relying on the G.o.ds for everything only leads to weakness.

In that sense, I cant say that Potima had a particularly strong heart. Meanwhile, Frans mental toughness still amazes me to this day.

I attempted to bestow my divine blessing on her, but my voice never reached her.

I see

That is why I invited her to my side after her death.

Eh?

As the Beast-Bug G.o.d said that, we noticed a snake at his feet. It was a beautiful snake with green and purple scales sparkling like gemstones.

Despite the lack of a human form, Fran and I understood the snakes ident.i.ty.

Potima?