Chapter 354

353 Revival and Reunion #4

“This little one, nothing but trouble. Send him to the Prison City.”

First, I handed Uter and his minions over to the guards.

Bald Uter, who already had several criminal records, seemed destined for the Prison City, while his less experienced subordinates looked like they’d be spending a few months in the Sodomora detention facility.

I was worried about what would happen if these unsavory characters were released again and wreaked havoc outside.

“Hu-, quickly send me to prison!”

“Hi-i-ek-! Hi-i-ek-!”

After witnessing Kalidur’s knuckle-cracking fist techniques while questioning Uter for information on the Divine k*ll Fist, the men had descended into sheer panic, seeming completely shaken.

To be honest, even I thought it was a bit terrifying.

I didn’t even want to describe it.

In any case, I had managed to clear out the group criticizing me within the city. After leaving the guards, I leisurely strolled back towards the city center.

Kalidur casually remarked, seemingly out of the blue.

“And so, how is the witch doing?”

A witch?

Several faces flickered through my mind before narrowing down to one—Elpride. Kalidur was originally one of the relentless pursuers sent from Albrheim to track her down.

Although it seemed like he had abandoned that duty, there was still the chance he had changed his mind and wanted to take her back.

In the past, I might have let him take her. But now, after becoming deeply entangled with Elpride, it was impossible for me to stand aside and let her be dragged off by others.

I thought about what I would do if Kalidur asked for her.

At that moment, Kalidur continued speaking.

“The trackers seem to have temporarily withdrawn. However, next time, they will return better prepared to retrieve d*ath World.”

“Of course, they haven’t given up yet?”

“The children of Albrheim don’t know the meaning of giving up. They might break, but they never bend.”

From Kalidur’s words, I recalled the stubborn nature of the elves I had met. Most of them were obstinate and anything but meek. Elpride was the same.

Elpride was exceptionally stubborn, making it extremely difficult to alter her set decisions.

“And Brother. If you truly seek to become a god, the trackers from Albrheim are ones you should particularly watch out for.”

“Why?”

I remembered Elpride once advising me to be careful of the elves from Albrheim, but at the time, it passed by without much thought. Now, as Kalidur wasn’t one to make meaningless comments, I asked in curiosity.

“To be cautious of the elves?”

“That’s correct. The children of Albrheim do not know the meaning of giving up. They are steadfast people who cling tightly to the cold, dark remnants of the fallen Albrheim.”

Winter and darkness, you say?

“Albrheim is now a winter continent covered in snow, isn’t it?”

“That’s right. Thirty years ago, from this continent, the winter that swept over the land of fairies, Albrheim, began—it’s called Himbulvert.”

A long-forgotten memory surfaced, something Elpride had told me once.

Albrheim used to be a lush land full of greenery, a land where fairies lived among the trees, dancing with butterflies.

Thus, there were many in this Gaia Continent who referred to Albrheim as a paradise.

I thought of a place where elves resembling Elpride wandered freely and pictured myself there.

Hmm? What is this? A strangely looking human?

Ah, what? You want to massage me?

Certainly, a paradise worth its name.

However, the divine land, a place so paradisaical, was shattered one day by the cold northern winds that suddenly arrived.

Eventually, the prolonged winter set in, making it a land where neither lush greenery nor animals and people could survive.

Kalidur continued.

“Our investigation team from Albrheim discovered that the northern winds causing the winter originated from this continent. The curse of Ceres, the winter of this continent, finally crossed the sea and brought tragedy upon our Albrheim.”

“Hu-, that makes sense…”

“Originally, we elves weren’t so harsh and unfeeling. However, to survive during the severe and eternal winter, emotions became merely trivial.”

Kalidur was implying that the elves were not innately stubborn or cruel. His words rang true when I considered the way he spoke now and the calm demeanor Elpride increasingly embraced. That Himbulvert, the endless winter, might have hardened them into what they had become.

And this winter had originated from the Gaia Continent.

That this winter stemmed from the strong wrath of my grandmother, the goddess Ceres, seemed quite unbelievable. The cause of this wrath, and its ultimate consequence, pointed at me.

As these thoughts crossed my mind, I was seized by an intense and disquieting sense of shame and some inexplicable, guilt-laden weight that I couldn’t shake.

Is it because of my parents that Elpride became a prickly character?

Did many people suffer or starve due to the winter?

“Stranger Brother, you don’t look well.”

“It’s nothing. So, what did the investigation team discover?”

“Our Albrheim Elf Reconstruction Foundation plans to hold this Gaia Continent accountable for its role in the catastrophe. That is why our monks were dispatched.”

Albrheim’s Elf Reconstruction Foundation? What kind of foundation is that? Between the nymphs’ Relief Foundation and the Elves’ Rebuilding Foundation, I was utterly confused.

“Holding accountable, you say? Can they really hold someone accountable for that?”

I imagined the elves protesting about the winter wind originating from the Gaia Continent.

Even in the highly rational 21st century, it was impossible to assign blame for the smog that clearly swept over from China.

It was questionable whether, in this barbaric world, one could make someone accountable for something as vague as the winter wind.

“Even I think this talk is unreasonable. However…”

Kalidur paused momentarily. His eyes fixed on the backs of children playing in the central street.

“However, there are many who cannot think this way. The pitiful fools who cannot abandon their frozen homelands.”

With that, Kalidur finished speaking.

However, I realized that I hadn’t understood why I should be cautious of the Albrheim trackers.

“So, why should I be careful of the elves?”

“Didn’t I say they planned to hold this land accountable? They intend to take the god of this land, using him to bring about a new light for Albrheim.”

“What? Steal the god?”

“A newborn god, despite being newly formed, has a formidable power, becoming an easy target. They might extract the divinity from your body, using it as nourishment for some new light.”

“Are you serious? Is that even possible?”

The idea of blaming the winter wind seemed absurd. Yet, this tale grew even more ridiculous.

“To k*ll a god…”

But Kalidur tightly clenched his fists.

“An ascetic monk who has tempered his fists with the poison of the World Serpent, Eshir, can achieve this. Originally, the monks dedicated everything to this purpose—.”

Spat—.

The punch Kalidur unleashed cleaved the air like a streak of lightning. More precisely, one could say that space itself had warped.

I felt goosebumps as I watched the simple punch distort the air around it. Getting hit by that would surely dislocate your jaw.

My guard against Elven monks rose significantly.

And I was relieved that Kalidur wasn’t my enemy.

But then, hearing about the extraction of divinity didn’t seem totally unfamiliar.

Previously, the venerable Nox had warned me that the Lords of Hell, Gigas, who were after Luna, sought to extract her divinity to use as their own power.

The elves and the Gigas.

It seemed unrelated at first, but now it was as if these disparate stories were connecting in unexpected ways.

*

“Ah, Brother! Long time no see! I’ve heard you’re doing quite well these days!”

“Hey, you smelly kid with the nose. Why’s only your nose showing?”

In the city center, I found Malco plucking at a stringed instrument and singing.

Wandering musician Malco.

In my novice days, this guy and I went through quite a lot together.

The last time I saw him, he was sporting strange gemstones dangling all over him.

But now, the air of wealth and the presence of noble ladies from back then were nowhere to be found. His face was emaciated, looking like he hadn’t eaten in days; his large nose and sunken eyes were the only things standing out.

Still, like always, he kept wearing a bizarre and mismatched tall hat on his head. It made him look somewhat like a goblin sorcerer. Of course, I don’t know if the goblins even have sorcerers, but if they did, Malco would be a good fit.

“Brother, are you not thinking something very impolite right now?”

“Nope. Anyway, what have you been up to? Why do you look so ragged if you’re doing well?”

“Money comes and goes. Malco has abandoned his greed for gold and material wealth. No amount of money will move me from my place. That is my vow.”

His blue eyes sparkled quite brilliantly. He might be poor and shabby, but he couldn’t let go of his art—like an artist, I reckon. Of course, that’s none of my business.

“Too bad. I really wanted to grab a meal with Kalidur, but it’s a pity. I was going to treat you.”

“Hum, but for just one day, the vow could be loosened a bit.”

“Such a hypocritical guy.”

“But then, Brother who raises spirits so high, visiting someone like me? It’s not an ordinary thing, isn’t it?”

“Nah, it’s simple. Just grab a bite and talk.”

And with that, Kalidur, Malco, and I entered any nearby tavern.

“Brother, let me tell you upfront, I have no money.”

“I’ll pay, so just pick something.”

“The monk will have hindquarters of a deer.”

It’s been quite a while since the three of us men had eaten together. Surprisingly, it felt really relaxing. Normally, eating with women around can make things a bit less comfortable, even if it sounds fancy.

Now that I think about it, it has been quite a long time since I met these guys.

As alcohol started flowing, naturally, we began reminiscing about old times.

“That time, the bald brother appeared out of nowhere and blocked the attack from the holy warrior Psyche, wasn’t it?”

“That’s right.”

“And then someone got their leg broken later, didn’t they?”

“That’s true as well.”

We reminisced about the time we visited the temple of Venus. Back when Psyche, the holy warrior of the Venus temple, had given us a good scolding.

“Hey, Kalidur, so since we’re among friends, let’s be honest. Between you and that holy warrior Psyche, who would win in a serious fight?”

“Ho-ho, indeed an intriguing question. The rematch between baldy and that prickly princess.”

“Honestly, I would win nine out of ten times.”

“Ah-.”

“However, one time I would be utterly crushed. Torn to pieces. But as I say this, battles with the strong always have many variables, so I cannot assure anything.”

“So you say you win nine times and lose one?”

“Alcohol makes even trivial stories more interesting. I’ve been so busy lately that taking a break like this has felt like ages.”

We were engrossed in washing away fatigue with meat and alcohol when…

Malco asked.

“So I’ve heard that you’ve been doing really well recently. Heard that after returning from Delphi, you’ve started gaining fame as a deity.”

“Ah, you already heard?”

“Of course. There’s no one more sensitive to rumors than me. Bro, I could tell at a glance that you were an extraordinary warrior, but I never imagined you were the son of Pluto, the terrifying one.”

Malco didn’t act overly submissive or cautious even when he found out I was the son of a god. Of course, that’s more convenient for me.

“So anyway. Malco, how about you join the choir at the temple I built?”

“What do you mean?”

“People keep flocking in, and there’s no one to manage things properly, so it’s tough.”

“Are you asking me to be the musician of the temple?”

“Kind of, yeah.”

I knew full well that Malco, despite his lackluster appearance, had an exceptional talent. In this world, the spread of rumors can be quite significant. No one I’ve encountered spreads stories as effectively as Malco.

To be honest, most of the tales he spreads are exaggerated and puffery, which is somewhat frustrating. But now, I don’t care about that.

However, Malco shook his head.

“Even though I appreciate the offer, I’m not that qualified to take on such responsibility.”

“Is that so?”

“But I do know someone who could help with your concerns. There’s a person with connections at the Aquinas Theology University, which trains priests.”

“Aquinas Theology University?”

What’s that?

While I was frowning slightly, Malco continued.

“A place that systematically trains priests. If you, as the true heir to a god, plan to recruit future priests, you can surely do so there. Wait a moment, please. Host, could you bring me a pen?”

Swish, swish.

Malco quickly grabbed a scroll and pen from nearby and began scribbling.

“If you go there, you will meet someone who regularly orders supplies for Aquinas Theology University. Given that you might be familiar with him, conversation should be easy…”

Malco finished with, “Consider this as my way of returning the favor for tonight’s dinner,” and drained his glass.

“Someone I know?”

Perhaps I thought of Old Man Platan. He had mentioned that he studied both theology and philosophy, hadn’t he?

But upon arriving at an unfamiliar address, I couldn’t help but frown.

“Whoa, who is this?”

“Isn’t that the black-haired friend?”

Right before me, someone I truly did not want to see peeked from behind the door.

“Hello-”

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