Chapter 804

〈 Chapter 804 〉 Part 3, Chapter 1, Section 6

All the villagers were herded to an open space outside the village. To prevent any chance of escape, I arranged mini-Phoenixes in a circle around them, ensuring no one could flee.

Even if they tried to run, a mini-Phoenix would dart like lightning and snatch their necks.

Not cute little canaries but literal firebirds resembling phoenixes or eagles flapping their wings – this sight alone made the villagers too terrified to even consider running.

“There’s something called ‘longevity’ in this world. It contaminates everything – plants, animals, people, and even spirits.”

I raised my hand high. Delphia scanned around me with a tense expression.

“Fire attribute…!”

“Of course it’s fire attribute since I’m the one who controls flames. Oh, is this color new to you?”

“I’ve never seen blue flames before.”

“Hooh, interesting.”

For me, flames are only ever blue. Apparently, in this world, red is the default color for fire spirits.

The default color of fire spirits here is red.

“You, what kind of spirit are you? A new spirit created by the Fire God? Or…”

“Sorry, I don’t know myself either. Things are still confusing here.”

As a man who lost his memory while searching for his wife – this setup given to me by Shin-ra must be followed. However, sticking strictly to it might create some awkward situations, so I need to provide an appropriate excuse.

“But today, looking at this place, I realized. I am the apostle of purification flames that destroy these kinds of monsters. My god sent me here to bring salvation.”

“I don’t get it.”

It’s fine if you don’t understand.

In fact, it’d be problematic if you did.

The story about how the world’s destruction trapped gods as game characters within the game world, how I as a player rescued her from there and returned to eliminate the cause of destruction – it’s better if you don’t understand.

Honestly, explaining all this…

“The lord said, ‘purify the filth.'”

“Yeah, so you’re saying you’ll burn down this filthy village?”

Rather than trying to explain, it’s better to be treated as some delusional zealot.

“To summarize, that’s correct.”

“Got it. But you’re only burning this village. If the fire spreads to the forest or causes casualties, it’d be troublesome.”

Permission granted by the knight. Though I planned to burn it regardless of permission.

Since a terra-lister appeared here, it’s necessary to purify the land with flames so no one dares cross it again.

This is possible because of ‘Blazing Flame.’

When entering the original game world, Shin-ra’s power transformed into blue flames, which were granted the ability to oppose and purify chaos to serve as the protagonist’s power.

In other words, this world’s ‘Fire God’ lacks the love for me and the power to burn away chaos.

Thus, Shin-ra can be considered stronger and greater. As Shin-ra’s apostle, I can be regarded as the eighth elemental spirit different from this world’s spirits.

As the purification apostle sent here by the god to save Tera, I will burn away and purify the corruption affecting the country of Gaechonkwang.

“Blaze… One question. Naturally, I have to burn this place, but is it really okay to do so?”

“It’s fine. It’s a logging village that didn’t pay taxes anyway. If news spreads about rape incidents here, it’d be more inconvenient.”

“So, treating it as if it never existed?”

“Exactly.”

Though making it disappear completely would be too flashy, when someone sees the pile of ashes, they’ll likely assume the logging village simply perished.

“Understood. Let’s begin then.”

Standing in place, I joined my hands forward in prayer.

“My Lord, my Light, your servant has arrived upon this land. Grant me the strength to burn away the seeds of chaos clouding your paradise and purify this land.”

Reciting an appropriate prayer while emitting magic power from my body.

My heart starts racing, and blue flames spreading beyond my robe begin forming a circle around the entire village.

And then,

“By the almighty Sun!”

I declare,

“Blazing Flame, Ultimate Advance!!”

To announce the arrival of Shin-ra’s apostle to the whole world.

Whoosh!!!

Creating a pillar of Blazing Flame that pierces through the night sky clouds.

A flame pillar that shatters the clouds overhead, reaching towards the heavens.

‘Are you watching, Shin-ra?’

For the regeneration of Tera, for the protection of your paradise,

I flaunted the power received from Shin-ra to everyone.

Now.

The Blazing Phoenix has arrived at Tera.

* * *

“Here she comes! Everyone, cheer! Season 1’s Blazing☆Flame★Ultimate☆Advance!”

“Every time I hear it, I think it’s such a lame skill name, and you’re going to use it again?”

“Isn’t it rather unique and good? Harang doesn’t even have a named skill.”

“Yeah, next Ground Zero One Tool.”

“……”

* * *

“I’ll send a signal, so wait. Soldiers will arrive within four hours.”

The problem of the unnamed logging village of the Bisunia Kingdom was quickly resolved.

Just like the Doppleganger Delphia interrogated me, the original Delphia turned out to be quite competent. Given that she experienced the situation of being assaulted firsthand and sought to resolve it, she must have prepared all solutions beforehand.

“Don’t you need to inform those rushing here, startled by your flame pillar, about the situation?”

Pewww!

A beam of light soared into the sky, and fireworks exploded. Since it was already nighttime, the light stood out clearly against the darkness, its color distinctly golden, characteristic of light elementals.

“Why don’t we talk while waiting?”

“Sure. I also have something I want to ask.”

I stood face-to-face with Delphia. She’s quite beautiful, but every time I look at her face, I remember the despairing eyes that watched me from the warehouse.

That expression resembled the one Shin-ra wore when I sneakily ate the strawberry on top of the shortcake. If asked whether Shin-ra’s case and Delphia’s case are the same, I’d say “Hmm,” but the expressions when their expectations turned to nothing were not much different.

“I have a question for you.”

“It’s a coincidence. I also have one.”

We each have one question. So I proposed:

“How about we speak simultaneously?”

“Alright, count to three and speak.”

Three. Two. One.

“What’s that spirit?”

“What’s that spirit?”

“…Is the spirit I mentioned the same as the one you’re talking about?”

“Seems like it. That spirit you defeated. The rampaging spirit.”

Delphia knew.

“While I was being molested in the warehouse-”

“I don’t need a detailed description of your situation.”

While I understand the interest, repeatedly bringing up the topic makes me feel increasingly uncomfortable. Even now, I slightly feel uneasy, so I deliberately cut off the conversation.

“…When I was in the warehouse, I sensed a spirit’s presence. The village chief went berserk and called for help. And I heard…about a crazy spirit rampaging. So, I thought maybe someone noticed what was happening to me and rushed over.”

“That could be. But it seems the guy didn’t come for that reason?”

“Right. It wasn’t a spirit I summoned or controlled. It was an entirely separate entity that suddenly appeared. Almost like…it came from somewhere else.”

“Hmm.”

A sudden rampaging spirit.

But when I attacked her, I saw her appearance.

Though contaminated by longevity, she was undoubtedly the rampaging spirit itself – both from 20 years of Earth’s history and the original work, the light-element humanoid monster, Nachal.

And her figure somehow resembled Delphia’s…

“Nah, impossible.”

I erased the assumption that popped into my mind. Even if my hypothesis were true, the fact that I killed the spirit remains unchanged.

Rather, dying to Blazing Flame means she achieved purification and rest.

“So…you also don’t know anything about that spirit. This requires some investigation. Of course, your side too.”

“As I hoped. But now that my purpose comes to mind, no one can stop me.”

I held up two fingers.

“One is to burn away all seeds of chaos.”

“Are you talking about bad guys?”

“No. Those poisoned by chaos.”

“I don’t understand at all. What is chaos?”

“The seed of evil that dyes this world in chaos. I received orders from my deity to purify them-”

“Got it, got it. So you came to defeat the bad guys according to your deity’s command?”

That’s not incorrect.

“If the bad guys are super strong, it makes sense they sent a powerful spirit like you. Anyway, the priest will judge you.”

“A priest, huh. Understood.”

Priest.

‘Never heard of it.’

Shin-ra never mentioned priests. The only priest I know refers to players, or ‘commanders.’

Here, a priest likely refers to true priests, acting as apostles of the gods.

Gaechonkwang’s priest.

I don’t know what kind of existence they are, but I hope they remain safe from contamination when the time comes to uncover the truth.

‘Gaechonkwang was the fourth.’

The Light Country remaining safe suggests the rear is secure.

Even if Ji Ryun had already fallen and become a Hydra, we can fortify Gaechonkwang and purify them one by one.

“Alright. What’s your second purpose?”

“To find my beloved wife.”

“What?”

“I’m searching for my lost wife.”

Logging out, I’ll find my wife eating strawberry cake in bed.

“You’re married?”

“Memory tells me so.”

“Hmm…what a pity.”

Delphia licked her lips and looked me over.

“I was going to suggest a one-night stand if you were single.”

“Sorry, but that’s a no. Even if my wife isn’t in this world, she lives in my heart.”

“Ugh, got it. Stop already. I’ll investigate your wife’s situation too, so cooperate with us. Let’s help each other survive.”

“Of course. I don’t seek conflict.”

“Thank goodness… Ah, they’re coming.”

On the horizon.

Something began flying from the sky. Enhancing my vision with magic power, I saw golden-armored knights riding creatures resembling white griffins heading this way.

“They’re here. My comrades. Now you can relax.”

“Is that so. Am I going to your base now?”

“Yeah.”

“I see. Then…”

I’ve completed my tasks. If something powered by longevity interferes, I’ll automatically react.

Time to log out.

“A little… sleepy.”

“What?”

Leaning against a tree, I sat down.

And then-

[Log Out.]

My avatar in Tera fainted, and I opened my eyes in reality.

“Welcome back, dear.”

“Brother, are you alright?”

[How’s your body?]

Reaching out to those waiting for me in reality, I said,

“I’ve returned.”

My avatar in Tera?

Delphia will surely transport it to the capital of Bisunia. Probably.