"Are you stronger or the existence beneath the River of Life and Death?" Eren asked the author, stopping merely a hundred meters away from the river.
He had felt the existence when he was crossing the river last time. He was even informed by the Cardinal that even the Overlords couldn't return alive if they were to face the existence beneath the sea that was unseen by everyone.
Even his own soul felt slightly restless when he was near the river, letting him feel like he was truly going to die if he even entered the river for a mere fraction of a second.
The only person he knew who could have even a rough idea about the kind of existence hiding beneath was the author who was following him.
"I cannot answer you." The Author was just as vague, as if the existence beneath the river was something he couldn't talk about either. It was also restricted by the rules of this world.
"You can at least tell me if it's stronger than the four Overlords. I don't think that would break any rules as the people of this world already have a rough understanding about that thing."
The author grew silent, thinking about it for a brief moment.
After a few minutes, he answered, "It is certainly stronger than the Overlords. That is all I can say. As for how strong, I can't answer."
His tone turned grim as he further stated, "All I can advise you, is to never enter the river. Even the Celestial Dragon of the past, the ruler of the bloody ocean, wouldn't survive inside this river."
"Do I have a chance of surviving if I was able to use the Sword of Retribution?" Eren asked the author.
He knew that he couldn't directly ask him about the strength of the existence, but he could use rough reference to gain an understanding without breaking any rules.
"You can't survive."
The feeling disappeared when he reached the ground on the other end of the river, landing in the Western Continent for the first time.
Now that he was in another continent, the thread of hell around his neck was also gone, not able to reach into other Continents.
With this, even the Tower Master couldn't locate his exact location. The only thing the tower master could find out was that he was using the Holy Aura.
Fortunately, he hadn't used any other abilities. The only other thing he used was acceleration, which was a bloodline abilities. It was almost impossible to differentiate between a holy ability and a bloodline ability.
Even his sword had the holy aura which further signalled his association with the Holy Empire.
Even if they believed that he was the Holy Emperor's younger brother, what could they even do from the Northern Continent?
Even if he was going to try to find him, he would have no other choice but to attack the Holy Empire, which worked out in his favor.
"Now that you are within a safe range, are you going to ask your question and free me? I have other things to deal with." The Author rubbed his forehead, slightly tired at being dragged around for weeks.
As he was here, he had missed a lot of important events.
"It's still too soon. Can you wait until we reach the Holy City? I'm not sure if the people from the Tower will catch up to me as soon as you leave."
The Author silently looked at Eren. As he had no choice, he dragged along once more
One more week passed while the world and the door of hell remained frozen in time. The three weeks left within the opening of Hell's Door were still intact, with not even a single day having passed in reality.
The author went with Eren, only stopping when they reached near the Holy City, catching sight of the Sea Dragon Empress, still waiting while sitting on a rock.