Chapter 249:

Chapter 249:

What is the highest honor and position a human can attain in this world?

In the world Isaac came from, achieving heroic feats might get one immortalized in a game as a character. However, in this world, one becomes an angel named by the gods.

Receiving a new name and being reborn anew—that is the status of an Archangel, the highest rank a human can achieve.

‘As long as they don’t entertain thoughts of daring to challenge the gods, that is.’

Among the Nine Faiths, there were gods who had been betrayed by angels, but none had fallen from power because of it, so let’s set that aside.

Anyway, Isaac was stunned by the possibility that such an immense position could be bestowed upon him.

His first thought was, ‘Is this even okay?’

Even the Lighthouse Keeper would know that beneath Isaac’s skin, there wasn’t just blood and bones. Furthermore, Isaac was a Nephilim. The angel who birthed a Nephilim inevitably became a fallen angel, an undeniable proof of sin.

Could it be possible to become an Archangel despite such adverse conditions?

The conclusion came quickly.

There was no reason he couldn’t.

Belonging to another god’s retinue?

There had been angels who committed apostasy and became gods themselves.

There were those who renounced one faith and committed apostasy to join another faith and became angels.

Isaac could do the same.

Nephilim? There were already exemplary precedents like the Red Chalice and the Dancer. They weren’t angels but gods, yet Nephilim were evidence of sin, not the sin itself. If that were a reason for punishment, Isaac’s head would have been off long ago.

‘But still, an Archangel?’

As Isaac was lost in thought and failed to respond, Horhel smiled, understanding it as him being overwhelmed.

Isaac was indeed shocked.

“You seem surprised. Well, even I didn’t expect to deliver such a proclamation twice in my lifetime.”

Isaac barely managed to pull himself together at Horhel’s words.

“...So, you must have delivered it to Kalsen as well.”

“That’s right. The opportunity to become the messenger of an angel is not given to just anyone. It’s truly a blessed and glorious thing.”

Horhel observed Isaac’s complexion and slowly tilted his head.

“But you don’t seem as pleased as Kalsen was, Brother Isaac.”

Isaac quickly corrected his demeanor. He hurriedly knelt on one knee before Horhel and bowed his head. Following protocol, he unbuckled his sword and placed it on the ground.

“I dare not open my eyes to such unexpected radiance. Forgive me for not accepting it with proper etiquette due to my bewilderment. It is a glorious matter, but it feels burdensome for my undeserved reputation. Please withdraw it.”

Isaac had thought he would succeed and live well under the Codex of Light. If becoming a Archangel of the Codex of Light was foretold, he could certainly live a life of abundance.

But he couldn’t just accept it happily.

There’s no such thing as a free lunch. Promising generous rewards meant that severe trials were prepared. If he accepted it just because it seemed nice, it might end up being like signing a slave contract.

However, Horhel seemed to take Isaac’s humility as sincerity or deliberately ignored it, picking up the sword and handing it back to him.

“Stand up straight, Holy Grail Knight. I am merely delivering the proclamation, not an angel. It’s natural to feel burdened, but all this is the judgment made by the angels with their clear eyes.”

“But...”

“There haven’t been many heroes who achieved such feats at a young age like you, Brother Isaac. Even Kalsen, who was destined to become a Archangel, didn’t accomplish such feats at such a young age. Think of how many more feats you can achieve in the future.”

“...”

“And the Lighthouse Keeper only said there’s a reserved name. It’s not decided yet. Names are given after death, not immediately. Until then, they will watch if you accumulate enough feats, so don’t feel burdened.”

Cold sweat ran down Isaac’s spine.

That statement sounded like, ‘We’ll use you as much as you’ve achieved so far and keep using you until you die.’ It wouldn’t be much different in reality. But he couldn’t continue to refuse while pretending to be humble.

Horhel had already mentioned Kalsen, who was similar to Isaac.

If he kept refusing, they might suspect, ‘Come to think of it, Kalsen also refused the glory of becoming an Archangel by becoming an apostate. Are you planning the same?’

‘Damn you, Kalsen.’

In the end, Isaac concluded that he had no choice but to accept while cursing the innocent Kalsen.

“Actually, about 20 years ago, there was one more Archangel in the Codex of Light.”

Isaac felt a chill down his spine at the mention of 20 years. The fact that he had no knowledge of this Archangel implied that the angel had fallen and been erased from history.

Isaac also felt a sense of déjà vu with the number 20.

“That Archangel committed a severe sin and went on the run. The Lighthouse Keeper ordered Kalsen, along with the Sword of May and the Burning Maiden, to find and eliminate that angel. Subsequently, the angel was punished by falling and erased from history.”

Despite two angels being involved, Kalsen’s help was needed, probably for the same reason Isaac was with the Kingdom of Elil. Entering certain places was impossible for angels alone, or Kalsen’s ability, ‘Lighthouse of the Watcher,’ was needed.

“Have you heard of the Teachings of the Owl?”

“Pardon?”

Isaac was taken aback by the sudden question. He feared the inquiry might be about Camille, but Horhel’s topic was entirely different.

“The fallen Archangel’s name was ‘White Owl.’ She created the Teachings of the Owl. Though her name has been erased from history, her knowledge and traces persist stubbornly.”

Isaac felt a strange ringing in his ears. At the mention of White Owl, fragmented memories resurfaced, echoing repeatedly.

It was a memory from Urbansus of Elil.

“It seems the newly named angel, White Owl, is making significant contributions in the Codex of Light. We cannot keep up with her movements in Urbansus. At this rate...”

The name echoed repeatedly in Isaac’s mind, making him feel nauseous.

***

Horhel patted Isaac’s shoulder as if understanding his reaction.

“I understand. It seems you’ve heard her name somewhere before. When erased knowledge is restored, it can cause headaches. I’ve experienced it several times myself.”

However, Isaac was experiencing something entirely different from what Horhel described.

White Owl, 20 years, Al, Baelbaden, Teachings of the Owl.

These words combined, leading Isaac to a hypothesis.

‘Could the fallen angel White Owl be my biological mother?’

If so, her falling and being erased made sense. The gods strictly forbade angelic procreation. That could be a greater sin than the radical Teachings of the Owl.

If true, Kalsen and the Sword of May would be enemies of Isaac’s parents.

‘Kalsen, you bastard. You kept this hidden?’

Isaac gritted his teeth, barely containing his emotions. Kalsen likely didn’t even know that Isaac was the child of White Owl. The Sword of May, too, seemed unaware of whose child he was, only recognizing him as a Nephilim.

‘Or maybe they just didn’t care. That’s more like them. It’s not like Nephilim are common in the world.’

Of course, bearing Nephilim was a grave sin, but as long as it wasn’t discovered, there was no punishment. That’s why a few Nephilim existed in the world.

Isaac calmed himself.

The only evidence that White Owl was his biological mother was the timing. Even if it were true, she wasn’t his real mother, so he had no obligation to seek revenge.

An Archangel mother he’d never met—more nausea-inducing than nostalgic. Besides, his targets for revenge were Archangels.

It wasn’t a goal that would help him live long.

Seeing Isaac trying to maintain his composure, Horhel continued calmly, as if Isaac had regained his composure.

“Anyway, because of that situation, Kalsen couldn’t publicize his great deeds to the believers. White Owl’s name remained in only a few records and among the priests.”

“...I see.”

“Although she was an Archangel, White Owl committed grave sins and went on the run for a long time. The Lighthouse Keeper was so pleased with Kalsen’s accomplishments in this regard that he reserved a name for him. In that respect, looking at Brother Isaac’s accomplishments...”

Horhel smiled.

“Indeed, your achievements may seem somewhat lacking compared to how much they contributed to the celestial grand plan. But as you mentioned, aren’t you still young?”

“...”

“The Millennium Kingdom is imminent. If you assist in the coming new order, I will show you the path to becoming a prophet of the new era, Brother Isaac. Thus, finally, your name will be inscribed as the fifth Archangel.”

_____________

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