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March 10, 1804.
Nearly two weeks had passed since the end of the Holy Kingdom Defensive War. Jin had spent the entire period by Ayula's side, and awakened the souls of the fallen subjects back into the territory of the Holy Kingdom.
Ayula completely disappeared from the surface about ten minutes after all the subjects woke up. Her last words were a verse from Ayula’s scriptures that her subjects always kept in their hearts:
-Do not seek rewards in doing good deeds, do not seek recognition in upholding your beliefs, do not calculate when deciding to make a sacrifice.
God’s last words resonated not only within the Holy Kingdom but also throughout the world.
Naturally, these words turned into faith, and as a result, the Holy Kingdom attracted more believers than ever before.
It all began with Ayula's resolve, and believers began to flock to the Holy Kingdom, which was on the brink of destruction or close to it.
Believers saw the shattered and torn landscapes across the Holy Kingdom, and the soul of the fallen subjects standing above them.
[Welcome, brothers who have come to the Holy Kingdom following Ayula's light.]
[Though there is little left unscathed upon this land now, and we are but souls unable to assist in your restoration efforts, but we shall pray by your side. We shall witness and remember all that you do for the Holy Kingdom.]
The ravaged land astonishingly began to quickly regain its former appearances.
Not only Huphester but also the Lutero Magic Federation and even the lands of the beastmen witnessed countless people deciding to migrate to the Holy Kingdom.
"It's a strange thing, isn't it? Ayula's faith has seen a tremendous revival only after her death."
A man amidst the crowd in the capital square remarked.
Luke, the High Priest of the Sun God Religion. He had disguised himself as a human using Golden Snow Tribe cosmetics, and no one could recognize him due to his suppressed aura. Standing beside him was Sanna, a Shrine maiden who had also concealed her identity.
"Our Sun God Religion has experienced a similar paradox. The greatest revival of our sun god religion occurred after he disappeared."
Sanna glanced at Luke with a bitter smile, and recalled their failed attempt to capture Peitel and the conversation she had with Luke at that time.
-The Vamel Alliance, the Lutero Magic Federation, the Red Plutonian Tribe, and the True Demon World. I wonder which of them we'll end up fighting first.
-We will fight whichever force wins first. I can't tell for sure right now as my prayers aren't receiving clear answers, but I think there are higher chances that it's the True Demon World.
-Perhaps, but I am convinced that the Vamel Alliance will ultimately become the biggest obstacle to the Sun God Religion's long-standing goal.
-Is it because of Chiron Runcandel?
-No, it's Jin Runcandel. He became a Battle king in the human body and successor to the current Battle God. Moreover, he possesses the authority of Solderet... If he survives through this war, all factions, including our Sun God Religion, will look up to him.
“To be honest, I didn't expect the situation to would unfold exactly as you predicted, High Priest Luke. Jin Runcandel ascending to Genesis Knight... Does this mean we now have to look up to him as you mentioned back then?
Luke pondered for a moment before nodding.
"Not yet."
"Not yet?"
"The power he has acquired doesn’t solely have the characteristics of destruction and dominance like the current Battle God or Chiron Runcandel, or me.He does possess some of these powers, but it falls somewhat short compared to us. That’s because Jin Runcandel is not as ruthless and cold-hearted as we are."
Chiron sacrificed everything for his purpose and left for the Black Sea. His personal life is not important to him, and this also applies to his subordinates and enemies.
Vahn led her countless brethren to death in her pursuit of war against the gods. Luke spilled endless blood to become stronger when he lived in Laprarosa, and it didn't matter to him whose blood it was.
In other words, the three of them are the type of people who can do whatever it takes for their purpose, or at least they used to.
However, Jin is a human who can't do things like them.
That's why Jin's newly acquired Genesis knight characteristic, dominance, wasn't as strong and perfect as theirs. It also had a mixture of characteristics similar to righteousness that Ron was pursuing.
"But that's precisely why he's more dangerous. Being not entirely complete means there's room for improvement.He still has a path to ascend."
"Well, I feel like we haven't been restraining Jin Runcandel enough after listening to what you're saying, High Priest Luke. I recently missed Kelliark and Sheenu... The prestige of our Sun God religion is beyond words."
"Perhaps we should consider trying to bring him over to our side."
"...Jin Runcandel on our side? It's hard to imagine him cooperating with us. I didn’t see that possibility even during the time when the Sun answered my prayers most deeply."
"Of course, it would be impossible with your prayers alone. It might be possible when the Sun God resurrects."
"Still, there must be a reason you suggested such an idea?"
"The power he gained when ascending to the Genesis knight seems to be related to the Sun God."
"I haven't felt that at all. In what way?"
"The will to regenerate. The Sun God's will is divided into various aspects, and the will to regenerate the world aligns with the will of Jin Runcandel the moment he ascended to Genesis knight."
Luke was more aware of this fact than the Shrine maiden, and he also had a good understanding of the Sun God's secret history.
"So, Jin Runcandel can gradually become more closely connected with the will of the Sun God as he continues to develop his authority."
"Ah! You mean he will become a part of the Sun God itself if he gets to the will of the Sun God?"
"The expression 'becoming a part' is not appropriate. You can say he will be 'consumed' or 'merged' with Sun God. If he gets devoured by the Sun God, from then on he will have no choice but to be with us. Even if neither he nor us wants it."
"That makes sense. Ah... That would undoubtedly help the revival of the Sun God Religion."
***
Jin was sitting in the Garden of Swords's office, and picking his ears with his little finger at that moment.
"Who is talking about me? My ears are strangely itching."
"Of course the whole world must be talking about you, youngest. You reached the Genesis knight and protected the Holy Kingdom. Furthermore, you resurrected all the dead in 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."
"God? Just hearing that makes me uncomfortable."
"You've entered the domain of gods, and you even gained the authority of regeneration, so it's not entirely wrong."
"No, elder sister Luna. It's not correct."
Contrary to what Luke and Sanna expected, Jin had no intention of becoming a god or a part of one.
In some ways, he was convinced that it would be a darker future than ultimately being defeated by his enemies. If the opportunity to become a god ever came, Jin would undoubtedly find a way to escape from it.
"The term ‘god’ is just a word to describe the level I've reached. I believe that becoming a god is a worse future than anything else. That belief only strengthened after meeting immortals like Ms. Ameris. Becoming a god or immortal, means being bound by fate and walking a limited path."
"Hehe, you're a bit overreacting."
"I really dislike the idea. Even Lady Ayula mentioned that becoming a god is a terrible thing... After reaching Genesis Knight, I instinctively feel repulsed by it. I plan to die as a human who once lived on this land."
"Well, Father also had a much darker period when he lived as a god before overcoming his 'demonization.' He's much better now. You would be surprised if you met him in person. Of course, he would be surprised by you becoming Genesis Knight too. Is it that much? Haha, he might laugh heartily and pat you on the back, just like our great-grandfather."
The two of them burst into laughter.
But in fact, Jin was worried about "demonization." There were no signs of it yet, but it would surely come at some point.
Because of this, Jin actually felt impatience after becoming Genesis knight. He felt the pressure to finish everything before he fell into demonic nature.
He had recently seen Paellito succumb to demonization and meet a hopeless end. This only added to his anxiety.
"...Paellito is probably even stronger than me in his prime before being brainwashed and succumbing to demonization."
"It's likely true if you think so. Of course, the difference in strength might not have been significant enough to guarantee victory."
"Even someone like Paellito was turned into a monster under Zito's evil hand."
[T/L: 마수 : - evil hand(A trick or a foul means that guides a person to destruction.)]
"So, are you afraid of facing Zito?"
Jin immediately shook his head.
"No, I was trying to say that I'm not afraid of Zito. The reason Paellito lost to Zito was that people he cared about, including Sakiel, were constantly taken hostage. But I have my elder sister, my comrades, and knights."
"Right, our Runcandel will never be caught by him and become your shackles."
"So, Elder sister Luna, please stay out of this Hell Expedition."
Luna's eyes widened in surprise.
"...Are you saying you'll go on the Hell Expedition without me?"
"I plan to go without most of the surface forces, including you. Elder sister Luna, please make sure that none of the people dear to me get hurt or captured by him."
At first, Luna stared at Jin in disbelief. But soon, she could read his intentions. Luna was the only person Jin could entrust with the full responsibility for this matter.
Moreover, the problem wasn't just Zito. Apart from the True Demon World, there were still threats to the clan and the Vamel alliance.
"You're giving me a more challenging task than going into the battle. I'll follow your orders. But surely, you don't plan to go alone?"
"I plan to take Murakan and a few others with me."
"Zipfel and Kinzelo will send large forces, but we will invade Hell with only a small number of people."
"The Visepps are also waiting inside the True Demon World, so we will receive their help. And Kelliark Zipfel is likely plotting something in Hell, so I am concerned about him as much as Zito."
"In the end, Kelliark Zipfel turned Paellito into the evil god. You might be his next target. However, Zipfel also has a reason to punish him, so Zipfels may take charge of him."
Jin recalled Veradin's appearance.
For some reason, Jin felt that Veradin would never come back if he were to encounter Kelliark in Hell and kill him.
"I don't think I can just let personal feelings towards Veradin Zipfel dictate my actions. Whatever the case, I'll have to go and see for myself."
Luna smiled at his words.
"You are the young patriarch of Runcandel, so it's technically against the law for you to be concerned about the patriarch of the Zipfel clan. But there's no one else who heard you say that, and fortunately, I don't have the authority to punish you. In fact, I'm relieved that you've managed to maintain such feelings even after becoming a Genesis Knight."
Amazing