Chapter 941

## Chapter 941

March 10, 1804.

Almost two weeks had passed since the end of the Holy Kingdom’s Defensive War. Jin had spent all that time by Ayula’s side, awakening the souls of the fallen subjects once again in the territory of the Holy Kingdom.

Ayula completely disappeared from the surface about ten minutes after all the subjects awakened. Her last words were a verse from Ayula’s scriptures that her subjects always kept in their hearts:

—Do not seek rewards for doing good deeds, do not seek recognition for holding your beliefs, do not calculate when deciding to make a sacrifice.

The last words of the Goddess resonated not only within the Holy Kingdom but throughout the world.

Naturally, those words transformed into faith, and as a result, the Holy Kingdom attracted more believers than ever before.

It all began with Ayula’s determination, and believers began flocking to the Holy Kingdom, which was on the brink of destruction or very close to it.

The believers saw the devastated and torn landscapes throughout the Holy Kingdom, and the souls of the fallen subjects standing over them.

[Welcome, brothers who have come to the Holy Kingdom following the light of Ayula.]

[Although there is very little left unruined in this land now, and we are nothing more than souls unable to assist in your restoration efforts, we will pray by your side. We will be witnesses and remember all that you do for the Holy Kingdom.]

The devastated land astonishingly began to rapidly regain its former appearance.

Not only Hufester but also the Lutero Magical Federation and even the Beastmen lands witnessed countless people deciding to emigrate to the Holy Kingdom.

“It’s strange, don’t you think? Ayula’s faith has experienced a tremendous rebirth right after her death,” commented a man in the midst of the crowd in the capital square.

Luke, the High Priest of the Sun God Religion, had disguised himself as a human using cosmetics from the Golden Snow Tribe, so no one could recognize him due to his contained aura. Beside him was Sanna, a priestess who had also concealed her identity.

“Our Sun God Religion has experienced a similar paradox. The greatest rebirth of our religion occurred after he disappeared.”

Sanna looked at Luke with a bitter smile, recalling her failed attempt to capture Peitel and the conversation she had with Luke back then.

“The Vamel Alliance, the Lutero Magical Federation, the Red Legend Tribe, and the True Demon World. I wonder which of them we will end up fighting first.”

“We will fight against the force that wins first. I can’t say for certain right now, as my prayers aren’t receiving clear answers, but I believe it’s more likely to be the True Demon World.”

“Perhaps, but I am convinced that the Vamel Alliance will ultimately become the greatest obstacle to our Sun God Religion’s longed-for goal.”

“Is it because of Cyron Runcandel?”

“No, it’s because of Jin Runcandel. He has become a King of Battle in human form and the successor of the current God of Battle. Moreover, he possesses the authority of Solderet… If he survives this war, all factions, including our Sun God Religion, will admire him.”

“To be honest, I didn’t expect the situation to unfold exactly as you predicted, High Priest Luke. Jin Runcandel ascending to Genesis Knight…? Does this mean we will have to admire him as you said back then?”

Luke pondered for a moment before nodding.

“Not yet.”

“Not yet?”

“The power he has acquired does not solely possess the characteristics of destruction and dominance like the current God of Battle or Cyron Runcandel, nor even like me. He has some of those powers, but it falls short in comparison to us. That’s because Jin Runcandel is not as ruthless and cold as we are.”

Cyron sacrificed everything for his purpose and departed for the Black Sea. His personal life didn’t matter to him, and this applied to his subordinates and enemies as well.

Vahn led countless brothers to their deaths in his quest for war against the gods. Luke spilled endless blood to become stronger when he lived in Laprarosa, regardless of whose blood it was.

In other words, the three were the type who would do whatever it took for their goals, or at least they used to be.

However, Jin is a human who cannot do things like them.

That’s why the dominance characteristic recently acquired by Jin as a Genesis Knight wasn’t as strong and perfect as theirs. It also had a mix of righteous traits that Ron pursued.

“But that’s precisely why it’s more dangerous. The fact that it’s not fully formed means there’s still room for improvement. He still has a path to ascend.”

“Well, I feel that we haven’t contained Jin Runcandel enough after hearing what you say, High Priest Luke. Recently I missed Kelliark and Sheenu… The prestige of our Sun God Religion is indescribable.”

“Perhaps we should consider trying to bring him to our side.”

“…Jin Runcandel on our side? It’s hard to imagine that he would cooperate with us. I didn’t even see that possibility when the Sun responded to my prayers with greater intensity.”

“Of course, it would be impossible just with your prayers. It might be possible when the Sun God resurrects.”

“Even so, there must be some reason why you suggest that idea.”

“The power he gained by ascending to Genesis Knight seems to be related to the Sun God.”

“I haven’t felt it at all. How so?”

“The will to regenerate. The will of the Sun God is divided into several aspects, and the will to regenerate the world aligned with that of Jin Runcandel at the moment he ascended to Genesis Knight.”

Luke was more aware of this fact than the priestess, and he also had a good understanding of the Sun God’s secret history.

“So, Jin Runcandel will gradually become closer to the will of the Sun God as he continues to develop his authority.”

“Ah! Are you saying that he will become part of the Sun God himself if he reaches the will of the Sun God?”

“The expression ‘become part’ is not appropriate. It can be said that he will be ‘consumed’ or ‘merged’ with the Sun God. If he becomes devoured by the Sun God, from then on, he will have no choice but to be with us. Even if neither he nor we desire it.”

“It makes sense. Ah… That would undoubtedly help the resurgence of the Sun God Religion.”

***

Jin was in the office of the Garden of Swords, scratching his ears with his pinky finger at that moment.

“Who’s talking about me? My ears are strangely itchy.”

“Of course, everyone must be talking about you, the youngest. You reached the rank of Genesis Knight and protected the Holy Kingdom. Moreover, you resurrected all the dead of the Holy Kingdom in spirit form. The people gathering in the Holy Kingdom now are not only inspired by Ayula but also see you as a new god.”

“A god? Just hearing that makes me uncomfortable.”

“You’ve entered the realm of gods, and moreover, you’ve gained the regeneration authority, so it’s not entirely absurd.”

“No, Elder Sister Luna. That’s not right.”

Contrary to what Luke and Sanna expected, Jin had no intention of becoming a god or part of one.

Somehow, he was convinced that such a future would be even darker than being defeated by his enemies. If he ever had the opportunity to become a god, he would surely find a way to escape it.

“I truly detest the idea. Even Ayula herself mentioned that becoming a god is something terrible… After reaching the rank of Genesis Knight, I instinctively feel repulsed by it. I plan to die as a human who once inhabited this land.”

“Well, our father also had a much darker period when he lived as a god before overcoming his ‘demonization.’ Now he is much better. You would be surprised if you met him in person. Of course, he would be surprised that you also became a Genesis Knight. Is it that much? Haha, perhaps he would laugh heartily and pat you on the back, just like our great-grandfather.”

The two burst into laughter.

But in reality, Jin was worried about the “demonization.” There were no signs yet, but they would surely appear at some point.

For that reason, after becoming a Genesis Knight, Jin felt the pressure to end everything before falling into the demonic nature.

Recently he had seen Paellito succumb to demonization and meet a despairing end. This only heightened his anxiety.

“…Paellito was probably even stronger than me at his peak, before being brainwashed and succumbing to demonization.”

“It’s likely, if you believe it. Of course, the difference in strength may not have been significant enough to guarantee victory.”

“Even someone like Paellito was turned into a monster under Zito’s wicked hand.”

[T/L: 마수 : – wicked hand (a trick or vile means that guides a person towards destruction).]

“Then, do you fear facing Zito?”

Jin shook his head immediately.

“No, what I’m trying to say is that I don’t fear Zito. The reason Paellito lost to Zito was that the people he cared about, including Sakiel, were constantly being taken hostage. But I have my Elder Sister, my comrades, and the knights.”

“That’s right, our Runcandel will never be chained by him.”

“Then, Elder Sister Luna, please stay out of this Expedition to Hell.”

Luna’s eyes widened in surprise.

“…Are you saying that you will go on the Expedition to Hell without me?”

“I plan to take Murakan and a few others with me.”

“The Zipple and Kinzelo will send large forces, but we will invade Hell with just a small group.”

“The Visepps are also waiting inside the True Demon World, so we will receive their help. And Kelliark Zipple is probably plotting something in Hell, so I’m concerned about both him and Zito.”

“After all, Kelliark Zipple turned Paellito into the evil god. You could be his next victim. However, Zipple also has motives to punish him, so it’s possible that Zipple will take care of him.”

Jin recalled Beradin’s appearance.

For some reason, Jin felt that Beradin would never return if he encountered Kelliark in Hell and killed him.

“I don’t think I can let personal feelings towards Beradin Zipple dictate my actions. Whatever the case, I’ll have to go and check it for myself.”

Luna smiled at his words.

“You’re the young patriarch of Runcandel, so technically it’s illegal for you to worry about the patriarch of the Zipple clan. But there’s no one else who has heard you say that, and fortunately, I don’t have the authority to punish you. In fact, it comforts me that you’ve managed to maintain those feelings even after becoming a Genesis Knight.”