Chapter 126 : Chapter 126

Chapter 126

In the place where Killian's reflection in the mirror had disappeared, a woman appeared.

She wore a pure white robe, and her platinum hair seemed to reflect the light.

She had an elegant and neat appearance, and her eyes were a clear blue.

‘A face I don't remember.’

Yet, for some reason, just facing her made my chest ache.

It was an unfamiliar sensation, the same as when I faced Edan or Agnil.

“……”

The deliberation was not long.

There were not many who could call me ‘Adamas’.

Killian stared at the woman who looked a few years older than him.

“Veritas.”

The ancient adversary, possessor of the Authorities of truth and verity.

As I called her name, the woman in the mirror opened her mouth.

[Master of Mana. You’re in quite an interesting state, aren't you.]

Unlike her benevolent face, her voice was filled with ridicule.

Confronting the souls of the past in the Mind Image world.

It was a phenomenon I had grown accustomed to.

“It's been a while.”

I replied, checking my surroundings.

In this pure white space filled with Divine Power, I could not feel the presence of Sharle and Lan.

‘Did they not make it in?’

It seemed I was the only one permitted in this current situation.

‘The fewer who know about my reincarnation, the better.’

The only one who knew my true identity was the Old Dwarf.

Just as I thought that.

[Don't worry. I have no intention of revealing your true nature to those pitiful children.]

The woman in the mirror sneered as if she had read my thoughts.

“……”

Pitiful children.

That likely did not refer to just Sharle and Lan.

“Still as arrogant as ever.”

Killian said in a cold voice, tilting his chin.

If I had my way, I would want to cut her down right now.

But there were things I needed to figure out before that.

“It doesn’t seem to be a living body. It must be a medium formed with Divine Power for manifestation.”

Though it was the form of a woman I had never seen before, the fact that her essence was an ancient adversary remained unchanged.

“Whose face is that?”

[In addition to your insolence, your foul mouth is also the same as ever.]

A new emotion was carried in the voice that had held ridicule.

Anger, interest, sadness, affection.

Emotions unbefitting of a God flashed by.

And what settled was.

‘……Pity?’

The voice and eyes of the woman containing the God were clearly expressing the emotion of pity.

It was an incomprehensible reaction.

However.

[O ancient Human.]

The words pouring out from Veritas, the essence that possessed that body, were different from the woman's emotions.

A voice that scoffed at my rudeness and blamed my ignorance.

[How dare you speak of arrogance, and in whose presence.]

“Who else is there to talk to here besides you?”

She was an especially arrogant being, even among the arrogant Gods.

‘It must be due to the nature of the Authority called truth. A God is like a being manifested from their Authority.’

That was likely why Pantera, the God of Domination, had such a twisted personality.

[Thinking such insolent thoughts before a God is just like you.]

The woman’s eyes emitted a glow.

Insight .

The ability of Gods to see through the heart of an opponent they make eye contact with.

It was an ability that the previously, incompletely manifested Pantera had been unable to use.

“Tsk.”

Killian clicked his tongue.

‘This one manifested in a more complete state than Pantera.’

Facing a God whose power of Insight had blossomed was dangerous.

Nevertheless, I deliberately did not avert my gaze.

I calculated the odds of victory in a battle.

‘If I can just destroy the Divine Object acting as the medium, it’s winnable.’

My opponent had manifested with only a Divine Object, without even a Priest.

I did not know why this much Divine Power was latent in the Divine Object, but she was a being that would disappear again if only the object was destroyed.

Unlike in ancient times, we were both in weakened states.

In that case, I had the advantage.

[So you intend to try.]

“That's the idea.”

Rumble.

Haki was released from Killian’s body.

“It would be even better if you don't resist.”

[Then and now, you must be the only one who acts so confident before a God.]

“Is there a need to be scared of someone who can't even manifest without a Divine Object?”

[To think you're acting up, trusting in that trivial power called Mana.]

The woman’s lips twitched.

[You can't even use your ‘original power’ anymore, can you?]

“The same goes for you.”

Ridicule for ridicule.

The corners of Killian's mouth curled up.

The materialized blue Mana and the Haki emitted by the Superhuman’s body pressed down on the lone floating mirror.

The woman reflected in the mirror made a displeased face.

Pzzzzzt.

The Divine Power that had dominated the surroundings offset the Mana.

Rumble.

It disrupted the Haki.

Killian took a step forward.

[Such an ungrateful creature.]

The woman in the mirror stepped a little closer.

[If I myself had stepped forward in the ancient battle.]

The smile on the woman’s lips grew colder.

[You wouldn't even be here right now.]

“I find that hard to agree with. You, who were cast out from the group.”

A memory that was now beginning to fade after reincarnating as Killian.

Veritas had walked a different path from the Gods who had sealed Killian in the blade.

In other words, she was a God ostracized even by the Gods.

‘Eight steps forward.’

Two steps, Killian walked forward.

If I closed the distance and swung my sword directly, I could deliver a significant blow to the Divine Object despite the interference of the Divine Power.

Just then.

Grab.

The woman in the mirror’s hands gripped the sides of the mirror.

And then.

Swoosh.

She stepped right out of the mirror, straightened up, and stood before Killian.

[The truth is always harsh.]

“……”

Killian looked down at the woman, who was a handspan shorter than him.

So that I could swing and cut her down at any moment, I condensed Mana in my hand to form a sword.

The woman was smiling.

[They turned away from the truth and distanced themselves from me.]

She murmured softly that this was why she had been able to preserve her power.

Sssk.

The woman cloaked her body in pure white Divine Power.

That body was not just a form manifested by Divine Power; it was a real body of flesh and bone with crimson blood flowing through it.

Mana flowed into the mirror held in her hand.

‘She manifested… without a Priest.’

[Did you ask whose body this is?]

Killian’s eyes, meeting her glowing ones, trembled slightly.

[Tatia de Veritas. She was a child humans called a Saintess.]

“……”

[Against me, what can the current you possibly do?]

A 7-star Knight without a sword, and a God manifested with a Saintess’s body and a Divine Object.

The outcome of the match was not difficult to predict.

‘A delinquent Saintess. Nothing they say is ever right.’

Lan had said that after the previous Saintess’s death, no one had been able to connect with Veritas.

Why the body of the supposedly dead previous Saintess was slumbering in the Divine Object was not important.

‘I have to choose.’

Whether to fight the God manifested in the body of the previous Saintess.

‘Or to take a step back.’

Killian’s eyes met those of the glowing Saintess.

The original Adamas would have been able to mimic Insight, but not now.

‘I have to draw my sword.’

Killian fiddled with his pendant.

I would have to finish my thoughts before that.

What her intention was, and how to overcome this reversed situation.

I put every piece of information into my head, down to the subtle movements of her face with that strange expression that was neither a sneer nor a cynical smile, and read the situation.

‘Even if I use Aether, I can't guarantee victory.’

Unlike in ancient times, Killian Eurasia had things to do.

I did not use Insight, but inference.

‘She had plenty of opportunities to attack.’

In other words.

‘This one has no intention of harming me.’

The Haki being released from Killian’s body subsided.

The Mana being sucked into the mirror stopped.

[So you know how to assess the situation.]

“Today’s not the only day we’ll have.”

[It's not good to bluff in front of a God.]

“So, it seems you’re not thinking of fighting.”

I continued speaking without letting my guard down.

“What are you thinking? I heard you don't even communicate with the Chief Priest?”

[That is none of your concern.]

A cold smile graced her lips.

[You’re the one who showed up uninvited. In such a shabby state.]

Shabby.

It was an unfair word to describe a Superhuman who had surpassed the wall.

[Were you hoping to hear a compliment from me?]

Veritas, having seen through Killian’s thoughts, continued.

[7-star.]

The realm where a human who trains in the sword and magic surpasses the wall, the first step as a true Superhuman, called a Sword Master.

Veritas spoke of such a realm as if it were a common mercenary found anywhere in the neighborhood.

[I suppose it’s a considerable rank among humans. If you hadn't at least achieved that level, you wouldn't have been able to make contact with me.]

“Your followers would be sad to hear that.”

[A being who is worshipped must know how to embrace all things.]

“For someone who says that, the others haven't shown themselves.”

[How could a mere human possibly know of that heavy responsibility.]

“Then why did the great Gods abandon that heavy responsibility and hide themselves?”

She clicked her tongue at my crooked response.

While experimenting with the Divine Objects’ reactions, Killian had come into contact with a total of twenty of them.

They all tried to cause a reflux for some reason, but none had led to a manifestation.

‘This is the first time I’ve made contact with a God like this since Pantera.’

And in the most perfect state among the Gods I had contacted since being sealed in the sword.

Of course, compared to her true self, it was embarrassing to even call it a fragment, but it was clear that even that was difficult for humans to handle.

In the modern era, where the method of forging a Mana Heart was widespread among humanity, I, an ancient Human, had been reincarnated as a descendant of my friend, and those who were called Gods had hidden their identities.

Leaving behind only a part of their power called Divine Power.

[…….]

Veritas’s mouth, which had paused for a moment, opened.

[The same goes for you.]

Killian, no, Adamas, simply replied nonchalantly.

“A long time has passed.”

During that time, the memories of fighting against the Gods had also gradually faded.

“Even so, my hatred has not disappeared.”

Far from disappearing, it had grown even stronger.

There was no guarantee that there would be another meeting like this.

‘I have to confirm.’

With the emotions of a long time.

“You all.”

I spat out the fact that had always been a question.

“Why did you disappear?”

Why did those who acted as if they would reign for an eternity.

“Hide yourselves?”

[…….]

Veritas had no answer.

The time she remained silent was not long, but for Killian, it was a wait that felt like thousands of years compressed.

After a long while, her mouth opened.

[Adamas.]

Ancient Human and Master of Mana.

[You know nothing about yourself.]

God-Slayer .

[Not even what you have done.]

A strange smile hung on her lips.

A laugh that was neither a sneer nor a bitter smile , its meaning unknowable.

[It seems you want an answer, but I cannot speak of that.]

It was a deflating answer, but it was also a reaction I had somewhat expected.

“Well, it’s not like we're on terms to leisurely ask how we’ve been.”

[There’s something I need to confirm from you.]

Ssk.

The moment her hand was raised.

Fwoosh.

A new energy surged from Killian’s body.

“……!!”

Radiance.

It was the energy of the Grotesquery I had absorbed before.

[As I thought, you absorbed it.]

The Radiance released into the space began to eat away at the Divine Power as if it had a will of its own.

Veritas’s eyes narrowed.

[Moreover, you’ve also made contact with Pantera.]

“Hey, what are you doing?”

Killian asked, looking at the uncontrolled Radiance.

She had clearly done something, but I couldn’t be sure what it was.

At this rate, the Divine Power and Mana would all get mixed up in the Radiance.

[You pitiful thing.]

“……”

[Despite having lived as a sword for thousands of years. You still know nothing.]

“Speak so I can understand.”

[You deserve to know the truth. But.]

Veritas covered her mouth and smiled with her eyes.

[It seems now is not the time.]

Grind.

The Radiance began to be compressed by her outstretched hand.

Grind. Griiiind.

The Radiance, compressed and compressed, eventually turned into a sphere smaller than a fingernail.

Sssk.

The fragment of Radiance was sucked back in, just as it had come out.

[Go back.]

“Are you kidding me?”

[The truth is already by your side.]

“I'd rather we just fight.”

It was the moment Killian belatedly tried to manifest his sword.

Veritas waved her hand.

Fwoooosh.

The Divine Power in the area shone brightly.

[You fool. Such denseness, not even noticing the changes that have occurred within you.]

Get lost.

With those words, the Divine Power floating in the area rushed into my body.

My consciousness grew dim.

[We will meet again.]

Adamas.

[You creature who has come to bear the world’s causality.]

Leaving the fading sensation behind, Killian opened his eyes.

***

“……an……!!”

Someone’s call.

“……lian…… sia……!!”

A seemingly urgent voice.

“Killian Eurasia!!”

At the voice calling his name, Killian’s eyes opened.

“……!!”

His blurry vision quickly sharpened.

Before him, a middle-aged man with a stern face was looking down at him.

“You’ve finally come to your senses.”

I sat up and looked around.

A pure white room.

And the man before me wore a pure white robe.

Nine silver and gold crosses embroidered on the robe sparkled as if to reveal their owner.

“To cause an Oblivio while unconscious. If things went wrong, the whole area would have been a mess.”

“What……”

“Consider yourself lucky. If the Commander of the Holy Knight Order had seen this moment, he would have cut off your head with a single strike.”

Saying his own Divine Power was too valuable to be used on such trivial matters.

Beads of sweat formed on the forehead of the man who was speaking nonsense.

“You are……?”

Killian asked the obvious question.

“Claudio de Cronis.”

The man opened his mouth with an indifferent voice, wiping the sweat from his forehead.

“The one who summoned you here.”

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