Most of the information obtained from Kreutzvalt had to be discarded. It was a natural procedure, as it was impossible to immediately distinguish between truth and lies.
For instance, his claim that the Abyss Gate was a prison named the Abyss Tower, or that he was the manager of the Abyss Tower. Information stating that there were 100 floors and that stronger monsters tainted by the Abyss would appear the further down one went.
Hio had already confirmed that such words were likely lies during the collapse of the 70th Floor. According to Kreutzvalt, Abyss Monsters should have appeared, but those that emerged on the 70th Floor were clearly Strange Entities.
They were Strange Entities born from the Abyssal Depths since birth, twisting the laws of reality.
“Then the likelihood of Strange Entities appearing from now on will be high,” Airlights said, and Hio nodded in response.
“Most likely. I suspect the Abyss Gate itself might have been one of the arrangements made by the old gods.”
Hio had thought of the Abyss Gate as merely a passage for the Abyssal Depths to invade, but those thoughts changed after meeting Kreutzvalt and obtaining divinity.
Perhaps the Abyss Gate was not made by the Abyssal Depths, but by a god. Perhaps it was created to delay the erosion of the Abyssal Depths as much as possible, buying time to prepare something.
“It makes sense when you think about it that way. It explains why that Kreutzvalt fellow can’t just cross over as he pleases, and why the Abyss Gates are released one by one in stages.”
“That is why we must make the most of this time. To prevent Kreutzvalt from crossing over, we must reach the World’s End and face him there.”
It was impossible to predict what that man would do if he were freed into this world. While he claimed his only goal was to restore his kingdom and save his family, how could someone with such a goal possess such an Ideation? Could a person whose emotions and Mind have been devoured show nothing but the Abyssal Depths?
Therefore, he could never be trusted.
As they conquered the Abyss Gates one by one, the energy of the Abyssal Depths would thicken, and eventually, Kreutzvalt would find a clue to enter the world. Perhaps he had already found a way and was waiting. Thus, they had to find a way to the World’s End first.
“How cool.”
Airlights offered a charming smile and touched her fingertip to Hio’s shoulder. “Just the two of us?”
Slowly, her finger traced down Hio’s shoulder.
“Well, for now, I don’t think just the two of us will be enough.”
Hio pulled Airlights’ hand away and placed it on the table. “Kreutzvalt’s Ideation is darkness.”
“Darkness?”
“A darkness that swallows everything. I’m not sure if even combining our powers would allow us to pierce through his Abyssal Depths…”
“Hmm…”
Nothing could be guaranteed. Before gaining divinity, what Hio had felt from Kreutzvalt’s Ideation during their clash was an infinite Abyssal Depths. It was a terror that returned everything it touched to a void. Would it be any different now that they had Authority? He couldn’t be certain.
“That’s why we must gather more Authority as soon as possible.”
“I understand. So that’s why you want me to establish a religious order and receive faith?”
“Exactly.”
The best course of action was to quickly increase Airlights’ power. While Hio had an excellent source of faith called Earth, Airlights did not.
“It will be fine if you start in Fioria, where Venus’s Sanctuary was located. You’ve already charmed all the residents of that kingdom anyway.”
“Hmm… That sounds like fun.”
“Don’t do it just for fun; release the people you’ve charmed. Quality Divinity Points will only accumulate if they worship and believe in you sincerely.”
“Yes, yes. Don’t worry. Things like that are my specialty.”
Her playful smile felt somewhat uneasy, but he couldn’t force her further. Airlights had a history of seizing and growing the underworld to the point where even Atawolf of the Heuka needed her, so she would likely be good at creating a religious order. The problem was the method…
‘Well, whatever. She’ll figure it out.’
He couldn’t criticize every little thing. Airlights was also an Heir Apparent who had inherited the divinity of beauty and love, and she had her own unique personality. He couldn’t simply say her methods were wrong, just as Airlights never questioned Hio’s way of always being patient.
“Regardless, the top priority is finding a way to enter the World’s End and gathering as much Authority as possible before then.”
“Everything is so vague. Setting aside the location of the World’s End, why are the names of these Authorities like this? I can’t even tell what kind of powers they are.”
“For now, establish a system that can continuously gather Divinity Points. I’ll find a way to reach the World’s End and figure out the abilities of the Authority somehow.”
“How?”
He hadn’t spoken those words without a plan. He said them because he had a strategy in mind. There was a clue, so he could begin.
A way to reach the World’s End. A way to oppose Kreutzvalt. The Authority and power of the old gods, even their arrangements. There was one source that would know everything.
“I need to find the Suicide Squad.”
The great ancient magicians. He had to find the true heroes who had been opposing Kreutzvalt for over 1,000 years. They were likely looking for him as well. Every plan would become complete after that.
***
The Imperial Household of the Verden Empire.
It was the heart of the continent, the core of all power and military strength, and the brain of the current situation. Suddenly, an abnormal phenomenon appeared in the sky above the Imperial Household. The phenomenon was so distinct that everyone in the capital, Enmenia, beyond the Imperial Household, could see it.
“Your Majesty! You must flee immediately!”
The sky was dyed white. Could there be a more bizarre phenomenon? All the defense artifacts of the Imperial Household were activated, and all the standby Knight Orders gathered. The current situation on the continent was pure chaos. Since no one knew what might happen at any moment, they had no choice but to be tense.
“Your Majesty, this way…”
Sylvia tried to evacuate immediately according to the established procedure.
“Your Majesty…?”
Sylvia’s hurried steps came to a sudden halt. Above the white sky, something began to happen.
*Koo-oom—*
Something had plummeted right into the middle of the Knight Order. A figure slowly rose amidst the thick clouds of dust. It was a form whose black, wavering energy was far too familiar. Despite being surrounded by hundreds of knights, the figure possessed an overwhelming presence.
“…Theodore?”
The Death Knight had returned to the Empress’s side.
***
“I heard the news, but honestly, it was hard to believe even as I heard it.”
“I understand. Based on what I’ve heard, it makes sense.”
Even while sitting across from him and talking, Sylvia was staring intently at Hio’s face. It had been one year and a few months since he was confirmed dead. When she heard that Hio had returned alive, she doubted her ears. Everyone would have thought there was a misunderstanding or a scheme if the news hadn’t come directly from the Ancient Dragon.
But it was true, and he was right there before her eyes, having a conversation. And the surprises didn’t end there.
“You met the Master of the Abyss…? You obtained divinity…?”
What did all of this mean? It was a story that felt completely detached from reality even as she heard it. Although the size and momentum of Theodore, who stood behind him, had grown stronger and larger than before, wasn’t this on a completely different level?
The Master of the Abyss, traces of old gods, Authority. It all sounded like nonsense and was hard to believe. However, she couldn’t help but believe it because the person speaking was Hio, and it explained the bizarre battle in Hibernia that had been reported earlier, along with the recent report from Sword Saint Vitalianus.
“…So, what should we do now?”
“We must resume conquering the Abyss.”
“But we don’t have the strength. We won’t be able to form an expeditionary force of the previous scale. If we do that, the probability of failure will only…”
“No, an expeditionary force isn’t necessary.”
“…”
“…Huh?!”
Sylvia’s eyes widened in surprise. Facing Sylvia, Hio conveyed his intention firmly.
“Please have the Empire focus only on dealing with the remaining Abyss Monsters and purifying the energy.”
“B-but we don’t have the troops for that. To release the troops concentrated around the gates… Even according to what you said, that’s only possible if we abandon several regions and concentrate our forces…”
“You only need to station a minimum number of troops around the gates.”
“…”
“What?”
Sylvia looked at Hio with wide eyes, as if trying to grasp the exact meaning of his words. And she soon understood.
“Don’t tell me… are you planning to go on the conquest alone?”
Hio intended to take on the Abyss conquest by himself. And he was full of confidence that he would never fail.
“Well, accurately speaking, I’m not alone. But I can promise you that I will never fail.”
“That’s impossible. It’s too dangerous. What if what happened a year ago happens again…!”
“It’s fine. That won’t happen.”
The Strange Entities appearing now could not harm Hio. He had survived the long night at the World’s End with only the 6th Circle, so even if thousands of far inferior Strange Entities swarmed him, they couldn’t pose a threat. Unless Kreutzvalt intervened directly, that was.
“So, please focus only on restoring the Empire and the continent.”
Sylvia stood silently for a long time, clearly unsatisfied with Hio’s words, before finally speaking with a small sigh.
“Even if we do that, it’s a problem. The number of priests capable of using Holy Power is absolutely insufficient. Although it’s not widely known yet, no new priests have been born since the Holy Maiden.”
“That’s understandable since Liphuie is dead.”
“…”
“…Eh? Who died? Liphuie?”
Sylvia, who thought she wouldn’t be surprised anymore, let out another bewildered sound. Since Hio had come to the Imperial Household immediately after leaving the sacred space, the events in Hibernia involving saving the Holy Maiden and the disappearance of Liphuie had not yet reached the Empire.
“That’s fine now, too. Divinity will begin to bloom again.”
This wasn’t a problem either. New priests would emerge in the religious order that would be newly born around Irina. Even if people didn’t believe at first, how could they not believe once they started using Holy Power one by one?
“A new religious order will emerge.”
And it wasn’t just a religious order. Lost magic would also be reclaimed. The ultimate magic would be completed.
“In the name of Patience and Magic.”
That was the journey he had begun for in the first place.
As expected, Divinity Points did not accumulate as dramatically on the Verden Continent as they did on Earth. It was natural. Unlike Earth, where people denied the existence of gods, everyone in Verden believed in them.
No matter how miraculous the power shown, they didn’t necessarily view him as a god. It was even harder to believe that a human being had suddenly appeared and inherited Rie’s power.
Yet, the story spread nonetheless. That the hero who had died had returned and inherited the power of a god. That he had revived the dying Holy Maiden, appointed her as an apostle, and that divinity was spreading far and wide.
Such rumors were slow, but they were gradually covering the continent. It became hopeful news after a long time, brightening the atmosphere significantly.
Strange rumors were mixed in, such as how a new religious order had been born in the kingdom of snow and ice, Fioria, and how all the residents, including the royalty, worshipped it almost like fanatics, but as always, they were swept away by even larger rumors.
The news was that the Empire was taking an active role in subjugating monsters. People rejoiced at the news that the Empire had broken away from its defensive stance and was aggressively suppressing Abyss Monsters and restoring damaged areas. They began to harbor hope once again and imagine a tomorrow.
The 71st Floor Gate appeared amidst such circumstances.