Chapter 2046

Is that possible?

Raphael abandoned his prejudices. He evaluated Grid without taking into account that Grid had a human origin. He obediently acknowledged the being known as the Only One G.o.d and pledged to regard him in the same way as Rebecca.

...If he hadnt admitted this and continued to remain prideful, he wouldve been killed right away.

Nevertheless

Grid mightve surpa.s.sed the G.o.ddess, but thats impossible.

Raphael couldnt admit that Grid had transcended the G.o.ddess.

The G.o.ddess was the creator of this world. She was the one and only supreme being. It was fundamentally impossible for a being greater than her to be born. This was the providence of the world. How could the creator be inferior to others?

But the Refractive Dragon existed, a transparent being who was covered in mirror-like scales. It was as if the universe had created him to kill the G.o.ddess. All of his features countered her. However, he couldnt hurt the G.o.ddess. All he could do was chase her.

More than anything else...

Even Chiyou spent over nine hours crossing this path.

Yes, the great Martial G.o.d Chiyou was also below the G.o.ddess. At least in terms of the total amount of magic power and divinity, the G.o.ddess was overwhelmingly superior to Chiyou.

A long time ago, Raphael witnessed Chiyou cross this path with his own eyes. This meant that Chiyou was one of the five people who were aware of the existence of this path. This was just useless information because Asgard rejected Chiyou.

Grid just took his fourth step. The impact was huge. The path of light was unable to bear the weight of Grids footsteps and roared vociferously.

No, why...?

It was an incomprehensible phenomenon. Raphael became even more confused. Nothing made sense anymore. He witnessed the scene in front of him with his own eyes but he still wasnt convinced.

Rumble...!!

The more Grid moved forward, the stronger the turbulence of the path became. The shaking came from the resistance that occurred every time the minerals growing along the path suppressed Grids magic power and divinity. The light that formed the path refracted again and again, swallowing and then spitting out Grids appearance.

s.h.i.+t.

Grid was sweating heavily. He had to squeeze every muscle in his body in order to barely take a step. He also had to bend slightly forward to lower his feet. It was hundreds of times harder than walking in water.

Grid remembered the days when he used to walk around construction sites with no physical strength. Right now, he was dizzier than when he used to spend time climbing with bricks on his back. He quickly became exhausted, both physically and mentally, even though he wasnt performing any hard labor. He almost wanted to hit Raphael, who was talking behind him.

This guy is crazy.

Grids jaw twitched as he gritted his teeth and squeezed out all his strength. All his teeth wouldve shattered if he had an actual human body. However, Grids body was resilient. He endured the pressure and kept moving.

Grids tenacity allowed him to make the tenth step. Just then, light surged forward like a tidal wave. Beyond the wave, tens of thousands of ores of various sizes and shapes were embedded in the bare ground of the path like landscape stones. All of them were convulsing as if they were going to jump out.

Raphael was looking at the situation contemplatively.

W-Wait...!

Stardust was an Asgardian mineral that had been growing since the beginning of time by absorbing and scattering Rebeccas light. It had been developed for a long time and gained an ability at some pointthe ability to absorb and disturb magic power and divinity. This place could be used as a back road purely due to the existence of Stardust.

In other words

Please, stop!

Raphael was familiar with the functions of Stardust. He immediately understood how serious the situation was.

Um...?

Grid stopped as soon as he heard Raphaels warning, but it was already too late. The minerals on the path were already screaming and trembling, turning purple.

This was the Annihilation energy flowing backward. The Stardust had been tempered for a long time by the G.o.ddess light, but it couldnt digest the Annihilation energy.

This...! This is ridiculous...!!

Raphael was very frightened.

As expected, this happened.

Marie Rose was unfazed. It was as if she had foreseen this situation from the beginning. She didnt react in any way.

The Annihilation energy led to the destruction of everything. No one had gained this power before Grid. Could a mere mineral bear the power that could kill the old dragons and G.o.ds? Obviously not.

In the end...

Oh my G.o.d.

It was Grids fault, the master of the Annihilation energy, for not foreseeing the current situation. Raphael had escaped death because he hadnt been subjected to the power of the Annihilation energy, so he was innocent in this.

Finally, Raphael couldnt help raising his voice. It sounded almost like he was sobbing. Why... Why did you deceive me?

Tears flowed from his eyes and his neck veins bulged. The G.o.ddess only resting place was on the verge of collapse. Guilt and sadness overwhelmed him.

Are you taking revenge for the wrongs Ive committed in this way...?

Raphael couldnt control himself any longer. His legs gave out. He flopped to the ground as he sobbed.

Stunned, Grid tried to explain. No, I...

Tens of thousands of Stardust, tinged with purple, cracked at once.

Subsequently

Baang!

Baaaaaaang!

they exploded. They couldnt handle the Annihilation energy they had absorbed.

A-Ahhh....

Raphael only saw red in front of his eyes. The Annihilation energy released by the cracked minerals dyed all of the surrounding light with purple. The minerals reflected the light and gained a dark red-purple shade that looked very much like blood.

Grid suddenly became as light as a feather. All the pressure on him was gone. He had no choice but to finally understand what had happened.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

He glanced at Raphael, who was sobbing while hitting the ground.

Grid tried to comfort him. Thinking positively, this is for the better. At least this way, we can get to our destination quickly. Isnt that right?

......

The group was at a loss for words. The reason they used this back road was to avoid Asuras gaze. They needed the help of Stardust to suppress their magic power and divinity, so they could hide their presence. According to the original plan, they would be able to launch a complete surprise attack on Asura without giving him time to prepare.

But that plan was now ashes. The back road was the foundation for this plan, but it collapsed. There was no way to fix this. How was this better?

Noe clicked his tongue. Wow... You are completely shameless,

nyang

.

He looked tired as he glanced at his master, whom Noe had served since he was born. He was used to this. Both Grid and Noe had always been like this. Thus, Noe was able to predict Grids next move.

Thats just how things are. What do you want me to do?

Wahhhhh!

Noes hair stood up and he hurriedly hid behind Marie Rose. If he had reacted half a second later, Grid would have caught him and tickled his stomach.

Beast! Master is a beast!

This is the first time in my life that I have heard a cat calling a human a beast.

......

Raphael, who was almost lying face down in frustration, slowly raised his head. His expression was calm. He didnt dare to resent Grid and Noe, who were chatting happily despite committing a crime of treason against the G.o.ddess. He couldnt afford to do anything because he was weak. It was impossible for him to shout now that he had been subdued by Grids power.

Raphael was trying to suppress his sadness.

Im sorry, Grid said.

"......?"

Puzzled, Raphael looked up at Grid, who offered an apology, an act of acknowledging ones faults and asking for forgiveness. Usually, only the weak who wanted to survive did something like this. Raphael had been observing the surface for many years, so he clearly knew this.

I didnt do it intentionally.

There was no reason for Grid to apologize now. He hadnt intended to do it, just like he said. The destruction of Stardust was an accident caused by force majeure. Raphael also knew this, so he couldnt criticize Grid carelessly.

However, I know that I have caused trouble to Rebecca. Lets kill Asura and restore this place once everything is over. It should be possible with the help of Hexetia and Khan, who are familiar with minerals, and a certain cheap b.a.s.t.a.r.d.

...Im sorry.

Eventually, Raphael bowed deeply. The tears that had just stopped were now flowing again.

Im sorry not only to you, but also to all the humans I have harmed so far... I also... I also want to atone for those sins.

All things changed, sometimes due to the pa.s.sage of time, sometimes due to trivial reasons. Raphael changed because of the second option. He experienced too many emotions because of Grids small actions. He regretted and reflected on all the mistakes he had made in the past.

......

There was a moment of silence. Raphaels sudden change in att.i.tude made Grid, Noe, and Mumud feel a bit startled. Grids clone had been standing by Marie Roses side as she stroked her full-term belly with a slight smile. Now, he finally spoke.

Is he nuts?

Just as expected from Grids clone. He had the same thoughts as Grid. Thanks to this, Raphael came to his senses and blushed. He knew how to express this feeling. It was like writing a love letter before going to sleep and then reading it in the morning. Plenty of humans had experienced something like this during their life. Raphael often witnessed this from an observers point of view.

Raphael, whose ears were red, hurriedly spoke to lighten up the awkward atmosphere. A-Anyway! I will make sure to atone to humans someday!

Slas.h.!.+

Suddenly, the light of a sword fell.

"......?"

Without knowing the reason, Raphaels head was separated from his body and flew through the air.

The situation became tense.

Grids Defying the Natural Order pierced the abdomen of Asura, who had suddenly appeared and decapitated Raphael. A s.h.i.+eld of rainbow magic power appeared from the ground. Thanks to this, the Breath that Asura fired from his mouth dissipated before it could reach Marie Roses belly. The claws of blood-red magic power that flew along the path of Marie Roses arm tore Asura to pieces.

But Asura survived. Beyond the scratch marks that looked like they had been left by a ma.s.sive beast, Asura stood firmly with his arms crossed. What flowed around him was rainbow-tinted magic power. This was Mumud-style Magic s.h.i.+eld.

Asuras purple face was distorted by a grin. [There were so many opportunities to learn from you.]

[You...!]

Raphaels angry intent spread faintly. He was contributing to the battle even though he had been decapitated and was dying.

He tilted the halo above his head and aimed at Asura, firing powerful divinity.

[Ahahahaha!]

Rather than panicking, Asura laughed boisterously. A halo appeared above his head. One, two, three... ten, twelve... twenty-five, twenty-six... fifty-one, fifty-two, and finally, ninety-nine...

There were a total of ninety-nine halos above Asuras head, signifying all the angels he had slain. Asura had done a lot while Grids group was busy destroying the Full Moon Fortress of the demon cultivators.

Flas.h.!.+

The ninety-nine flashes of divinity devoured Raphaels divinity and reduced him to ashes.

G.o.d of Fighting Asurathe seed of disaster left by Baal had finally blossomed. It was the ugliest flower in the world.