Barbarian in a Failed Game

317. The Heavens (13)

Recreating the world.

Were they not supposed to be the hands and feet of the world’s laws?

Before even debating whether it was possible, the goal itself raised suspicions about the true intent. The revelation that the God of Magic was actually the Apostle of Truth, who was a mage, was more shocking than the fact itself.

‘I had already suspected the identity of the Apostle of Truth….’

In the game, the Apostle of Truth was the leader of the villainous group that spanned the storyline, yet they maintained a neutral stance, almost like a God uninterested in earthly matters, merely observing from a distance alongside their followers.

The suspicion that the Apostle of Truth was a mage arose after encountering Mortalia, who had become an Apostle of the Void in Paradise.

Mortalia, as an Apostle of the Void, said she became such to escape the endless repetition of the world. She hinted at this to her counterpart in another timeline like an oracle. This broke the cycle of repetition, leading to the downfall of the once-glorious ancient civilization.

‘The Mortalia of the final timeline, who broke the cycle, didn’t die. Instead, she bore the punishment and fell from grace.’

If someone who was once part of the Council of Truth, the founder of necromancy, and master of all ancient spells still existed in this world, it could only be the Sorceress.

In that case… the ‘Apostle of Truth’ who was hunted in the late stages of the game was either a stand-in or a doppelganger. It couldn’t have been easy to kill a mad Arch Mage who could match Karyan.

‘And if she is a mage… it’s not surprising she became the God of Magic.’

Even Ludmilla couldn’t help but marvel at and take an interest in the mage’s spell system. Although it was unclear how things stood now, in the realm of ‘magic’, the Sorceress was practically a God. No, she had already become a transcendent by controlling chaos. She had been the God of Magic since ancient times, and her divinity might only have been revealed recently.

“Recreation, huh.”

It was somewhat surprising that she, as the God of Magic, would express a desire to recreate the world in its true form after revealing herself and gaining the power of the laws to take over the heavens.

‘A lie to deceive the gods? But… it’s hard to believe that high-ranking gods like Light or Death would easily fall for such an empty promise.’

Thus, it was necessary to listen further to the Goddess of Justice.

─Light was the first to agree with her. Or rather, it was inevitable. Light had become the closest to a ‘concept’ among us. In a way, light, having become almost a part of the world, would have perceived the creative power the God of Magic possessed as the will of the world itself. The divine will to recreate the world.

“And Death?”

─Death… He empathizes with the rampant deaths in the world and vowed to embrace them all. For such a being, the claim that the world is false would have sounded like saying all the lives he had embraced were false. Thus, to ensure the proper deaths of mortals, he accepted the hand extended by the God of Magic.

“The other gods… there’s no point in discussing them. Two of the highest-ranking gods of the heavens have already fallen.”

─Yes. But I couldn’t trust the God of Magic’s intentions. I believed I should not, as it was not in line with my name. So, I chose to imprison myself under the guise of accepting my own sin.

“What about your current state?”

─This, too, was my choice.

“Regain your divinity, my lord.”

At that moment, Aries took a step towards the Goddess of Justice, who had her back turned.

“If a false God is committing wrongs, wield your sword. I, Aries, will gladly obey your command.”

It was a reverent tone unlike any Khan had heard from her before.

To Aries, the Goddess of Justice was not only the mother she didn’t remember but also the great being who had given her the blade for her vengeance. For Aries, the Goddess of Justice was the measure of good and evil, the epitome of absolute goodness.

Even though the goddess had fallen to the status of a mere mortal, that did not change.

Feeling touched by this sentiment, the Goddess of Justice’s benevolent smile deepened. However, since her back was turned, Aries could not see this smile.

─Aries. My sword. The child who overcame trials on her own. You and I harbored resentment for different reasons, and you chose faith as a way to resolve that resentment. Some priests call choosing faith as a means of revenge blasphemy. But I believe it is one branch of faith.

Aries nodded quietly. Although she had wielded faith as a blade for vengeance, Aries’ faith was genuine. The Goddess of Justice had chosen her as an apostle not out of mere interest but because she truly deserved it.

─Therefore, I judged that you were worthy.

When the Goddess of Justice turned back around. The sword she held was now naturally replacing Aries’ sword.

“… My lord! This is.”

─Up until now, you have been called the Sword of the Goddess of Justice, punishing all evils and eliminating corrupt forces on the continent. From now on, you will not be merely a sword. From this moment, Aries, you shall become the true Sword of Justice.

It happened before Aries could say anything.

-Burst!

The goddess’s sword at her waist emitted a blinding light that gently enveloped Aries.

─The scales will be given to Elena. If she leads the believers on the ground to prepare for the coming disaster, you will become the sword to cut through that disaster. Then, the scales disappeared from the goddess’s hands.

They were transported to Elena on the continent. Thus, the two divine relics symbolizing the Goddess of Justice were bestowed upon her apostles. Now, these women were not merely apostles but almost incarnations of the goddess overseeing justice.

“Ah…!”

Aries tried to speak, but her words did not fully come through. The power of the light was elevating her spirit to a higher place.

─And Gordi Khan. You, the valiant warrior who has received and continues to receive my favor. You have been given a destiny that is hard to believe is that of a mere mortal. Once, seeing your actions twist the fate of the continent, I thought it was the influence of the Warrior God. But now I know. You are yourself.

“That’s right. I don’t particularly believe in Karyan. If anything, I think about beating him up thoroughly if I ever get the chance.”

─You are a storm unto yourself, sweeping through everything around you. But to those around you, you are the strongest fence and wall. Just as you have been to my sword. However, this trial will be extremely arduous, even for someone like you.

The Goddess of Justice had given away her two divine relics, which were as much a part of her divinity. But she still had something left to offer.

─Pray.

“To you?”

─To anyone. It doesn’t have to be me. If there is a God you truly believe in, pray to them. If you believe in your comrades, that is fine too.

Khan did as she said.

He believed in only one thing.

Himself.

He believed in himself to fight the most dangerous battles in the most perilous places and emerge victorious. That was a kind of wish and, as the Goddess of Justice said, a prayer.

─I will support your wish from beside you.

And when he finished his prayer and opened his eyes. The Goddess of Justice had vanished without a trace. Thus, in the monastery where only the two of them remained,

Sunlight suddenly streamed through the window, illuminating the Invincible blade at Khan’s waist. As if imbued with divine light, it shone brilliantly.

***

『It seems like their conversation is over too. The Goddess of Justice remained true to herself until the end.』

“So. Are you going to tell us what’s next?”

『Shall I?』

The Knight God, appearing as a young child, grinned mischievously and looked up at his newly restored apostle.

『Did you know? Death, amusingly enough, ended up being dragged away by Light in a half-crippled state. Light, along with the God of Magic, headed out of the heavens. So now, I’m the only highest-ranking God left in the heavens in good condition.』

“What do you want me to do with that information? Should I sing praises for your greatness?”

『Well! That wouldn’t be so bad either!』

E-Urel’s face scrunched up visibly, but the Knight God continued to smile, as if such minor irreverence was just amusing.

E-Urel’s expression tightened further, and the Knight God spoke again.

『Of course, that’s not the only reason I’m talking to you! Why do you think I gave you back your body, E-Urel? Because there’s work to be done!』

“Work? And what task would that be now?”

『It’s because it’s now that the task is necessary, wouldn’t you say?』

As the Knight God said this, he extended his hand, and the Holy Lance Reletalrasa, stored somewhere within E-Urel’s body, flew into his grasp.

『Reletalrasa. My divine artifact, capable of neutralizing all the knights on the continent in one fell swoop. You know that, right?』

“If I didn’t know, I wouldn’t have tried to use it.”

『Yes, exactly! But E-Urel, you don’t know the conditions to fully unleash Reletalrasa’s power. Think about it! This is my divine artifact, so wouldn’t it inherit my traits strongly?』

It was a given. But why the Knight God was stating the obvious was unclear to E-Urel, who watched as the God elaborated with a smile.

『E-Urel, you’ll probably find it difficult to fully draw out Reletalrasa’s power. Sure, you can ‘handle’ it well because you manage aura better than anyone. But you won’t be the ‘best’. Because it will only truly become Reletalrasa when it absorbs your power too.』

In other words, Reletalrasa would only manifest its true power after absorbing E-Urel’s strength.

-E-Urel nodded quietly. It made sense. Only when it absorbed the aura of the apostle of the Knight God could it be said to have absorbed the aura of ‘all knights’.

“Then? What’s the plan? It’s a weapon that handles aura, so it must be wielded by a knight. Is there anyone who can handle Reletalrasa better than me? There isn’t. Absolutely.”

『There is no knight who can. But surprisingly, there is someone else who is very suitable. Not a knight, but a very fitting person who even uses a spear.』

“A person like that exists?”

『Yes!』

Despite his puzzlement, E-Urel accepted Reletalrasa from the Knight God and secured it.

『So, give Reletalrasa to that person. In the great battle to come, it will need to display its true power. You’ll find out who it is when you meet them….』

“And this great battle?”

『Oh, I didn’t mention that!』

Clapping his hands theatrically, the Knight God smiled.

『Soon, the God of Magic plans to summon the Arch Demon. Apparently, to recreate the world, it needs to be emptied first.』