Episode 234. To Hell (1)
March 10, 1804.
Nearly two weeks had passed since the end of the defense battle of the Holy Kingdom. During that time, Jin stayed by Ayula's side, reviving the souls of the dead believers over the territory of the Holy Kingdom.
After everyone woke up, Ayula completely disappeared from the surface about ten minutes later. His last words were a passage from the Ayula Scriptures that believers always held in their hearts:
"Do not expect a reward when doing good, do not expect recognition when keeping faith, do not calculate when deciding to sacrifice."
The last words of God resonated not only in the Holy Kingdom but all over the world.
This resonance naturally led to faith, and as a result, the Holy Kingdom gained more followers than ever before.
Believers moved towards the Holy Kingdom, considered to be in a state of annihilation or close to it, inspired by Ayula's determination.
What they encountered were the shattered landscapes of the Holy Kingdom and the soul-form of the believers standing above them.
"Welcome, brothers who have come to the Holy Kingdom following the light of Ayula."
"Although there isn't much left intact on this land right now, and we as soul forms can't help with your recovery work, we will always pray for you. We will see, hear, and remember all that you have done for the Holy Kingdom."
The devastated lands surprisingly quickly regained their old look.
Many people from the Hufester, Rute Federal, and even from the lands of the beastmen decided to immigrate to the Holy Kingdom.
"It's strange. After Ayula's death, Ayula's teachings have undergone a larger revival than ever before," a man mixed in the crowd of the capital square said.
It was Luke, the high priest of the Solar Religion. He disguised himself as a human using gold thread tribe cosmetics, and no one recognized him due to his suppressed energy. Beside him, watching the crowd, was a shaman, Sanna, similarly disguised.
"The Solar Religion has also experienced a similar paradox. The greatest revival of our Solar Religion was after His disappearance."
Sanna looked at Luke with a bitter smile. She was recalling the failure to catch Phetel in the past, and the conversation she had with Luke at that time.
"Barmel Alliance, Rute Federal, Kinzel, Rednamed tribe, the Demon World. I wonder who among them we'll fight first."
"We'll fight the force that gains the upper hand first. Right now, the response to the prayer is vague, and I can't tell, but in my opinion, the Demon World seems the most likely."
"-Perhaps that will be the case, but I am confident that the Barmel Union will ultimately become the biggest stumbling block to the Church of the Sun God.
-Due to Siron Runcandel?
-No, it's Jin Runcandel. He became the Battle King of the Plutonian clan in a human body and is a character who became the successor of the current Battle God. In addition, since he has the power of Soldelet... if he is completed through this war, all the powers will have to look up to him. Even our Church of the Sun God.
"Honestly, I didn't expect the situation to really go as you predicted, Priest Luke. Jin Runcandel, he ascended to Genesis... Like what you said at that time, are we now in a position to look up to him?"
Luke pondered for a moment and shook his head.
"Not yet."
"Not yet?"
"The power he has gained is not exclusively characteristic of domination and destruction like the current god of war, Cyron Runcandel, or even me. He is not without power, but he falls short compared to me or them. It's because Jin Runcandel isn't as cruel and cold as we are."
Chiron is a character who can go to the Black Sea, abandoning everything for his goal. Personal life is not important to him, and this applies to his subordinates and enemies alike.
Vahn is a character who can push countless brothers to death to wage war with the gods, and Luke, too, could shed blood at any time to become stronger when he lived in Lafrarosa. It didn't matter whose blood it was.
In other words, all three of them are the kind who can do anything for their goals. Or they were.
But Jin is a human who can't do as they do.
Therefore, the other characteristic of Genesis that Jin gained, pathos, was not as strong and perfect as them. A trait similar to what Ron pursued was also mixed in.
"But it's more dangerous because of that. Being incomplete means there's more to fill. He still has a way to rise."
"Hmm, hearing your words, Priest Luke, I think we haven't contained Jin Runcandel enough. Now that we've even lost Kellyak and Shinu... It's not like our Church of the Sun God."
"Rather, we should consider bringing him over to our side."
"...Jin Runcandel on our side? I can't quite imagine him being with us. Even at that time when the Sun God responded most deeply to my prayers."
"Of course it's impossible with your prayers. It would be possible only when the Sun God is resurrected."
"But there must be a reason you suggested that?"
"It seems the power he gained by ascending to Genesis is related to the Sun God."
"I didn't get that feeling at all, in what way?"
"The will for regeneration. You, the shamaness, would know better than me, but the Sun God was divided into multiple wills. Among them, the will to regenerate the world matches the will Jin Runcandel had when he ascended to Genesis."
Luke knew that fact better than the shamaness because he was a Genesis and knew well about the affairs of the Sun God.
"So, Jin Runkandel is becoming more closely aligned with the will of the Sun God as he approaches completion."
"Ah! You mean he could get closer to the Sun God's will and become a part of the Sun God himself?"
"It's inappropriate to say he becomes a part. It's more fitting to say he's consumed or buried. If he's consumed by the Sun God, from then on he can only be with us, even if neither he nor us want it."
"That makes sense. Oh... that would certainly help the revival of the Solar Church."
* * *
At that time, Jin was sitting in his office in the Sword Garden, his ears itching.
"Someone's talking about me, my ears feel funny."
"Of course, the whole world is talking about you, my youngest. You ascended and saved the kingdom. Moreover, you resurrected all those who died in the kingdom as spirits. Those who are gathering in the kingdom now are not only inspired by Ayula, but also see you as a new god."
"God, it sounds creepy just to hear it."
"You've entered the realm of godhood and you even got the power of resurrection, so it's not wrong."
"No, Luna sister. It's wrong."
Unlike what Luke and Sanna expected, Jin had no intention of becoming a god or part of a god.
Jin was sure that in some ways, it was a darker future than being defeated by enemies. If the opportunity to become a god comes, Jin will definitely get away from it.
"'Godhood' is just a term to express the level I have reached, I am someone who thinks that becoming a god is a worse future than anything. My thoughts have been reinforced after meeting immortals like Ameris. Becoming a god, an immortal means being tied to fate and only able to walk a limited path."
"Hehe, you're reacting a bit sensitively."
"I really hate it. Ayula also said becoming a god is a terrible thing... After becoming a god, I instinctively feel a sense of rejection. I will eventually end my life as a person living on earth."
"Indeed. Even father, before he overcame demonetization, was very dark when he lived like a god. The current father is much better to look at. You'd be surprised to see him in person. Of course, father will also be surprised that you became a god. About that much? Hahaha, he'll probably pat your back while laughing. Just like our great-grandfather."
The two burst into laughter.
But in fact, Jin was worried about 'demonization'. Although there are no signs yet, it is clear that demonization can come at any time.
That's why Jin felt even more anxious after becoming a god. He feels the pressure to finish everything before demonetization comes.
Especially after seeing Paelleito, who fell into demonetization and met a futile end not long ago.
"...Paelito, in his heyday before being brainwashed and falling into demonetization, was probably stronger than I am now."
"If you saw it that way, then it must have been so. Of course, the difference wouldn't have been significant enough to definitively guarantee the outcome of a fight."
"Such a Paelleto turned into a monster under Zito's spell."
"So, were you scared of fighting Zito?"
Jin shook his head immediately.
"No, I was about to say that I'm not afraid of Zito despite that. Paelleto lost to Zito because people precious to him, including Sakiel, were constantly taken hostage. However, I have my sister, my comrades, and my knights."
"Yes, our Runkandel will not be taken by him to be used against you."
"That's why I ask you to step back from this hell expedition."
Luna's eyes widened.
"... Are you saying you will go on a hell expedition without me?"
"Not just you, I plan to go excluding most of the terrestrial forces. Sister, please protect the precious people of Inse from being hurt or captured by him."
Caught off guard by something she had never considered, Luna stared at Jin for a while.
But soon, she could understand his intentions. Luna was the only person that Jin could entrust with total responsibility for this matter.
Moreover, Zito wasn't the only problem. The enemies still threatened the family and the Barmel alliance outside of the Demon World.
"You're assigning a more difficult task than going to fight. Follow the order. But surely, you're not thinking of going alone?"
"I'm thinking of selecting a few people, including Murakan, to depart with."
"Zifel and Kinzel will send large-scale forces, so we'll end up invading hell with a very small number of people."
"Biseps will also be waiting inside the Demon World, so we will receive their help. And I'm as concerned about Kellyak Zifel, who will be plotting in hell, as I am about Zito."
"In the end, it was Kellyak Zifel who made Paelleto into a monster in the end. I'm worried about him too. But Zifel also has a reason to execute him, so he might end up being taken care of by Zifel."
Jin thought of Beradin.
Somehow, if he encountered Kellyak in hell and ended up killing him, he felt like he would become someone who couldn't return.
"I can't just leave him because of personal feelings towards Beradin Zifel. Anyway, things will only become clear once I go there myself."
At that, Luna smiled.
"As the head of Runkandel, worrying about the head of Zifel is against the law. However, I am the only one who heard it, and luckily, I have no authority to punish you. Rather, the fact that you have kept such feelings even after becoming the Chosen One reassures this sister."