156 - Reward (1)

156 - Reward (1)

TL/Editor: raei

Status: ongoing

Illustrations: none

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Episode 156, Chapter 43: Reward (1)

A day after all the battles had ended.

Thud, thud.

The silver-haired woman walked slowly through the streets of Lezero.

Bang! Bang!

"Hey! Bring more stone! We need to fix this part first!"

"Wait! The foundation here has collapsed. If we don't repair it quickly, there'll be secondary damage."

People repairing various parts of the city came into the woman's view.

Their faces weren't particularly bright.

'It can't be helped.'

The city had been nearly half-destroyed by the numerous battles yesterday, and the loss of life had been horrific.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it an unprecedented crisis since Lezero's founding.

'Plus, many of them must have lost family and close friends.'

It would be strange if their expressions were cheerful.

And it wasn't just the city's people who looked gloomy.

"......"

Rain and Turzan, following behind her, had also kept their mouths shut since yesterday, their eyes blank as if in a daze.

Of course, the reason was different.

'Probably because of the final battle they witnessed yesterday.'

People have their own spheres, and it's difficult to accept things that go beyond those boundaries.

The mythical clash that occurred in the sky above the city yesterday.

That clash must have been beyond their realm.

Even she, the hero, couldn't close her mouth once during that battle.

'The shock must have been greater than I thought.'

The woman thought as she looked towards Turzan.

The giant was thinking about something with an even more serious expression than Rain beside him.

He was called one of the world's strongest and indeed possessed top-tier power.

So, though he didn't show it outwardly, his pride must have been considerable.

That pride must have been thoroughly shattered since yesterday, which was understandable.

'Maybe it's for the best. It's better to get hit early.'

They would have had to experience such shock when facing the Four Great Demons or the Demon King later anyway.

Having experienced it now, they might be able to accept it more calmly next time.

Perhaps this incident could even be a catalyst for further growth.

Of course, they could also become frustrated and give up, but such worries didn't exist in the woman's mind.

These were companions she had chosen herself.

They wouldn't crumble from just this.

'Still, I can't even begin to guess his identity.'

The woman thought as she recalled the being who had annihilated the fallen angel Belial.

A being with a blurry appearance, as if covered in noise, holding a sword in one hand.

Just recalling that being sent a shiver through her body, as if she'd been doused with cold water.

'He clearly overwhelmed Belial from start to finish.'

Even when all of the fallen angel's seals were broken for some unknown reason midway through, that dynamic didn't change.

And that power that erased Belial's final 'Falling Sky' in an instant!

It was a realm so distant that even she, a hero, couldn't be certain of reaching it even if she devoted her entire life to the pursuit.

'Should I ask about it if I meet Ioa again or receive another oracle?'

A being of such caliber would surely have a massive impact on this world.

So it was right to try and learn their identity.

As she organized her thoughts, how much further did she walk?

"Found her."

The woman, who had arrived at the central square of the City of Light, muttered quietly as she spotted someone.

At the end of her gaze was a blonde woman using holy power to heal people in the center of the square.

It was Elysis Desire, who would become the future Saint.

* * *

In a private training ground within the Order of Light's headquarters.

In a place usually accessible only to high-ranking holy knights of 2nd class or above, an outsider with no connection to the Order stood.

A man spreading darkness deeper than the abyss around him while calmly keeping his eyes closed.

It was Zion.

SWISH-

The door opened smoothly without any noise.

Beyond it was a small, antique-looking study.

Reflecting its owner's personality, the wooden desk and chair were old but well-maintained, and there were only essential items besides these.

And in the middle sat an old man.

Zion knew who this old man was.

'Pope Simeon Zacharias.'

The ruler of the Order of Light, which boasted the largest following in the world, and the one called the representative of Luminous.

"Welcome, Prince Zion."

The Pope smiled gently and gestured for Zion to take a seat.

Deep wrinkles were etched on the old man's face, showing the passage of time.

Despite being able to maintain his youth with his immense holy power, he chose not to, suggesting a very modest personality.

"Why did you want to see me?"

Zion, sitting in the offered seat, immediately asked.

The Pope's smile deepened at this.

This way of speaking, going straight to the point without any pretense, matched exactly with what he had heard about Prince Zion.

"Isn't it proper for me to personally greet a member of the imperial family visiting the Order of Light's headquarters?"

"I thought usually an archbishop or special-class holy knight would come out for that."

"That's true, but Prince Zion is special even among the imperial family."

He was probably referring to Zion being designated and receiving an oracle from Luminous.

"And I wanted to personally thank you face-to-face regarding this incident."

With those words, Simeon bowed his head towards Zion.

Although the fallen angel was ultimately released, thanks to Prince Zion, they were able to recognize that the seals were being broken and learn that the demon realm was involved.

Moreover, the Pope felt deeply grateful that Prince Zion had helped the Order recapture the seal sites.

"Just with words?"

Zion smirked and asked the Pope.

"Of course not. We've prepared a reward sufficient to satisfy Your Highness."

Simeon answered confidently.

Before Zion could speak, he continued.

"But before that, let me tell you about the reward bestowed by the Light."

"The God of Light? Has another oracle come down?"

"Yes. When Your Highness was in the training ground, He sent down an oracle to me, conveying His will."

As he said this, the Pope's eyes took on a strange light as he looked at Zion.

Since the founding of the Church of Light, it was extremely rare for their god to directly mention a reward through an oracle.

No, it would be more accurate to say this was the first time.

'And that's not all.'

Prince Zion had already received several oracles before, and had even experienced a descent, which only the first Pope had experienced until now.

Is it possible for one person to experience all these things in such a short time, when most people wouldn't even see one in their entire lifetime?

'Perhaps...'

The Pope, who had been recalling something in his mind for a moment, spoke to Zion again.

"The Light said this: 'What was promised has been placed where the first weapon existed.'"

"I see."

Though it was completely incomprehensible to Simeon, Zion nodded, immediately understanding the words.

The place where his weapon first existed in this world.

There was only one such place.

"Then shall we hear about your Order's reward now?"

Zion smiled slightly as he recalled that place and immediately brought up the next topic.

However, Simeon didn't answer the question right away, instead looking at Zion for a moment as if thinking about something, or rather, hesitating.

Then, he spoke in a lowered voice.

"Prince Zion, I'm sorry, but before we talk about the reward we're giving you, may I ask one last question?"

The Pope's eyes began to take on a strange light as he said this.

It was a look similar to what Zion had seen from the First Prince Rubrious before.

"Go ahead."

As Zion answered, meeting Simeon's eyes directly,

"Prince Zion, are you the 'Heaven Destroyer'?"

An unexpected question flowed from the Pope's mouth.

---

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