Chapter 78: The Secret of Divine Power

Evan examined the information about the Mirror of Heaven with interest.

• Grade: SS
• Classification: Divine Artifact
• Defense: 1 (+ Holy Power)
• Durability: 0∞
• Usage Restriction: None
• Effect: Absolutely unbreakable. Has the effect of illuminating the world. By consuming Divine Power, the mirror’s power can be unlocked, and while unlocked, it can reflect attacks in proportion to the amount of Holy Power.
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• Additional: A mirror left by the gods for the world, imbued with divine power. It is said that one’s true form is reflected when standing before this mirror.

The Mirror of Heaven was an SS-grade item.

However, judging by the item’s effects alone, it wasn’t particularly outstanding. For an SS-grade item, it felt a little underwhelming.

Usually, SS-grade items possess abilities beyond imagination, so this one seemed rather ordinary by comparison.

‘But I haven’t properly tested it yet… There are still effects of the Mirror of Heaven that haven’t been unlocked. Those effects are probably the core of this item.’

‘Still, there’s no reason I can’t use it right away. Didn’t that guy use this as a shield? Judging by the specs, it must be almost invincible as a shield.’

Its durability was infinite, and its base defense was 1, but it increased proportionally to Holy Power.

This meant that as Evan grew stronger, the shield’s sturdiness would also be maintained.

Currently, Evan’s Holy Power exceeded 5,000.

At this level, it wouldn’t lose out even against an S-grade shield.

‘Its appearance is more like a translucent glass shield than a mirror.’

The fact that it was an indestructible shield and Evan possessed Holy Power made it quite useful.

However, one question arose.

‘Unlocking the mirror’s power requires Divine Power.’

Divine Power was a term unfamiliar even to Evan.

‘Now that I think about it, this is the first time I’ve seen a Divine Artifact.’

It seemed that Divine Power was necessary to properly use a Divine Artifact.

‘Wait, Divine Power… That mysterious message that popped up before I lost consciousness. I remember it said I had gained Divine Power.’

Come to think of it, after defeating the False Goddess, a foreign energy had entered his body.

Evan immediately opened his status window.

• Name: Evan Kerthen
• Age: 19
• Level: 141
• Race: Human
• Job: None
• Resonance Rate: 9.9%
• Life Force: 72,000/72,000
• Mana: 35,500/35,500
• Strength: 322
• Agility: 295
• Intelligence: 305
• Endurance: 320
• Wisdom: 150
• Holy Power: 5,321
• Fire Affinity: 50%
  Divine Power: Lowest Grade

Perhaps because of the huge amount of experience gained after defeating the False Goddess, his level had increased significantly.

His overall stats had risen noticeably.

But the most remarkable change was the addition of Divine Power.

‘Could it really be? Is this Divine Power the same as the False Goddess’s power?’

Evan’s eyes shone as he looked, then he turned his gaze to Jena.

She was sweating profusely while casting healing magic.

‘If anyone would know about this, it would be a Holy Official.’

Evan decided to ask her.

After all, she had been friendly toward him. Her attitude had noticeably changed since following him from Talin.

“I have a question.”

Jena, focused on healing, turned her eyes to Evan.

“Yes? A question?”

“It’s nothing major. I just want to know about Divine Power. I imagine the Order would know a lot about it.”

Jena tilted her head in surprise.

“Divine Power? That’s the power of the gods. Only those chosen by the gods can use it. Typically, it’s saints or some of the Order’s officials. Such cases are extremely rare—rarer than the chance of becoming the empire’s emperor.”

“Power of the gods…”

That strange energy he’d felt from the False Goddess was probably Divine Power.

‘Even the False Goddess had divine power, and I absorbed it?’

That was entirely possible.

He still didn’t know how to use it, but at least he now understood that Divine Artifacts required Divine Power.

‘I’ll need to meet the Mediator as soon as my body recovers.’

Darwen was in the reception room, talking with everyone.

“Hah, cloning a goddess. Those fools did something utterly ridiculous.”

“These madmen! They’re clearly determined.”

“The Holy Union of Bellium will be investigating this matter. We request your cooperation.”

Clyd remained silent, and only the Order officials eagerly bombarded Darwen with questions.

Of course, they only discussed the Nervan Order’s plans, excluding any mention of Evan.

Since they had seen the goddess’s image, they couldn’t hide the truth anymore.

One senior Holy Official asked Darwen,

“Marquess, why were the Lamakria people there? And how did you find out about their plans to stop them?”

“Did the young master originally possess such power?”

Darwen frowned at the barrage of questions.

‘Even if I explain it once, they just keep asking. This could go on forever.’

Suddenly, Darwen stood up.

Everyone was startled and fell silent.

“I don’t know more than that. We merely followed those heretics by chance and almost died there. We stopped them out of desperation to survive.”

To quell their curiosity about Evan, he added,

“By the way, the magic circle contained power controlling the cloned goddess, and she was unstable. That’s why the young master was able to defeat her.”

Without looking back, Darwen left the reception room.

He had much to discuss with Clyd.

But even that would have to wait until the Order disappeared.

Darwen headed to Evan’s room.

Clack!

The door opened, and Evan was lying down alone.

“Hmm? Young master. Where did the Holy Official go?”

“I sent her back. I thought you might come.”

“Shouldn’t she continue treating you? No need to push yourself.”

“My body’s fine now. More importantly, how did the talks go?”

Darwen wore a weary expression as he answered Evan’s question.

“Things got complicated. The Order has already recorded every scene of our battles.”

“So we’ll be encountering them more frequently.”

“Seems like it. There’s no choice but to keep an eye on them. And because of them, I haven’t had a proper conversation with the Count yet.”

Darwen pressed one hand to his forehead.

Evan shook his head, signaling it was okay.

“No, it’s actually good. I wanted to talk to the Marquess beforehand. I plan to move openly now, for the sake of the family’s succession. I’ve already shown all my power in front of everyone.”

Hearing this, Darwen asked with curiosity,

“Young master, I’ve wondered about something. You defeated the cloned goddess, but what happened to that power…?”

“I didn’t intend to hide anything. It’s just that the situation never came up. Let’s say I prepared this power before meeting the Marquess. A lot happened to survive.”

Darwen looked at Evan with a moment of pity.

He had forgotten Evan’s harsh circumstances.

With a notorious reputation, Evan had lived misunderstood as a reckless madman.

Isolated, scorned by those around him, even facing assassination threats.

To have fought all that alone was admirable.

Considering Evan’s situation, Darwen could guess the pain he must have felt.

“Alright. Let’s leave this story here. The past is the past.”

“Yes. Only important matters remain now, so I will focus on those.”

“That’s right! And I will also do my best to help you. I no longer want to see you suffer like that. After all, you’re my daughter’s fiancé.”

Darwen laughed heartily.

Yet his smile held an inexplicable urgency.

“We should hurry the engagement ceremony as well. Now that Hilton and Heres are gone, there’s no need to hesitate. We can start interacting with your family right away. And for appearances, I need a reason to associate with your family. Ahem! Let’s hurry the engagement.”

Evan’s eyes sparkled at Darwen’s last words.

Interaction with the family.

It was a method he hadn’t considered.

His influence on the family would grow considerably.

“I see. That’s a method I hadn’t thought of… I hadn’t considered the Marquess’s territory.”

“Haha, I’ve thought it all through. Our territory has many undeveloped resources. We’re short on manpower and have financial troubles developing them. Luckily, the Count Household has many knights and personnel, right?”

A smile spread across Evan’s lips.

“I understand what you mean.”

“Well, I’ll discuss that with the Count personally. But first, there’s the Magic Tower.”

Darwen’s expression grew serious.

“To build it and establish power, we need to gather technicians and researchers. That’s why we did it. But…”

Darwen scratched his head as if troubled.

“Most of those cooperating now are Lamakria people.”

Evan frowned, thinking of Agarrus.

“Lamakria people? Wait a minute. Agarrus was involved in this incident, wasn’t he?”

Darwen nodded.

“The Order really despises them. Even aside from that, the Orders in central and southern regions hate the Lamakria people. It’s not personal—it’s a sentiment forged by history. Must the era force things this way?”

Evan sighed with a headache.

“This might cause some friction with the Order later.”

“Sorry about that. Wizards and alchemists have strong pride. If a family doesn’t have power, they won’t even bother with them.”

Darwen said this with a bitter smile and continued,

“Most of them are opportunists who discard you without hesitation if they don’t need you—just like they betrayed me. Compared to that, Lamakria people don’t really care about social status. Since they’re pressured by the Order, as long as they’re given money and research facilities, they have few complaints.”

“Certainly, trustworthy people are better than those kinds.”

Evan agreed with Darwen on this point.

Internal betrayal was a huge risk.

Knock knock.

At that moment, someone knocked on the door.

“Young master.”

It was Alburton’s voice.

Evan answered immediately.

“What is it?”

“The Count requests to see the Marquess.”

Hearing Alburton, Darwen responded instead.

“Have all the Order officials left?”

“Yes, they have.”

Darwen prepared to leave the room.

“Then, young master, please take care of yourself. We’ll talk more when we meet next.”

“Yes. I will visit you.”

As Darwen left the room, Evan forced himself to sit up.

There was still more to investigate.

Evan took an item out from his inventory.

The Soul Stone.

Soon, a glow enveloped Evan’s body.