Chapter 414:

Chapter 414:

"First, we prioritize assisting the citizens with evacuation. In order to do so..."

Oello's icy gaze was fixed on the Elohim, who were increasingly filling the sky.

"We'll need to hold them back."

No further instructions were necessary. Every person he'd selected was highly competent. Anyone who couldn’t understand even this simple command was, at the very least, not present here.

The former Tellers, who were now problem-solvers, immediately displayed their own abilities, unleashing their powers. A translucent golden barrier stretched across the sky, blocking the Elohim from Camelot.

Oello issued a warning.

"Don’t bother trying to kill the Elohim. They're expendable anyway. Even if you take a few down, they'll pour in endlessly as long as the Shrine's main base remains intact. And it's not as if we can do anything to the Shrine itself, so just focus on stalling them."

Their objective was to safely evacuate the citizens of Camelot, not to battle or defeat the Elohim.

They couldn’t afford to forget the most crucial point.

"I’ll help too."

When Yu-hyun stepped forward, Oello stopped him.

"Arthur, there’s no need for you to step in."

"One more hand wouldn’t hurt, would it?"

"We're not weak enough to need your assistance. Just stay back and watch. Moreover, considering the power you wield, it would be wise not to use it in front of the Shrine right now. Listen to me."

"It's been a while, but I see your manner of speaking hasn’t changed."

"So, what? Should I cry and embrace you in a tearful hug instead?"

Oello flashed a grin, baring his teeth.

"This is more like us, right?"

"Well, yes, it is."

"Don’t feel too disappointed. After all, I have a lot I want to ask you, and you’re curious about a lot from me as well, aren’t you? We may not have much time, but we have enough. No need to get anxious."

"Understood. By the way, that outfit—is it for work?"

"This one?"

Oello glanced at his luxurious uniform and nodded slightly.

The black uniform adorned with golden threads suited him perfectly.

"To take on assignments like this, one’s appearance needs to be tidy. So, I’m wearing this as per regulations. I made those regulations, after all, and I’m no exception to them."

Other Tellers wore uniforms for that same reason.

As the Elohim encountered the golden barrier, they tried to circle around it or pierce through it.

The barrier didn’t seem to have much durability; after a few stabs with their spears, the Elohim created gaps in it.

"Oello! It won’t hold for long!"

Hearing Alisha's panicked shout, Oello stepped forward himself.

"Don’t worry."

He clenched his fist and soared into the sky. His target was the cluster of Elohim that had just broken through the barrier. Without hesitation, Oello aimed his fist at the Elohim.

Boom! A torrent of golden energy burst from his hand, sweeping over the Elohim. At the same time, the broad wave of energy strengthened the golden barrier.

Seizing this opportunity, Merlin drained all his remaining magic and focused entirely on teleportation.

Columns of light gradually increased across Camelot. By now, more than eighty percent of Camelot's citizens had been evacuated.

Vrrrm.

Sensing their current strategy wasn’t working, the Elohim changed tactics.

A new shadow emerged from the Shrine’s open portal. It was a far larger entity than the usual Elohim.

Measuring over 100 meters in length, this figure had wings made of countless spears and descended slowly with its arms crossed.

Recognizing it, Oello furrowed his brows.

"An Archon."

Celine, who was helping maintain the barrier, asked, "An Archon?"

"It’s a higher-level entity of the Elohim. There aren’t many of them, but the Archon’s destructive power is truly exceptional. It's akin to a mobile fortress. And... it’s also the one that supplies weapons to the Elohim."

No sooner had Oello finished speaking than the Archon made its move.

Uncrossing its arms, it spread its wings. Countless spears scattered like feathers and found their way into the hands of the Elohim.

Divine Armament.

Armed with new weapons, the Elohim hurled their spears at the barrier.

The barrier, which had previously been holding them back, began to crumble instantly. The extraordinary power of these spears took even the problem-solvers by surprise.

"These bastards!"

Celestina erupted with fury, surrounding her entire body in flames. Crimson fire enveloped her arms and legs, sweeping through the Elohim with searing heat.

The Elohim turned to ashes, but more of them quickly took their place.

The Archon moved as well. A single glaring red eye on its head began to glow, and then a red laser sliced through the air.

Clicking his tongue, Oello unleashed his own power. A double-helix-shaped shield of light formed before him.

Boom!

The Archon’s laser collided with Oello’s shield, and both were obliterated on impact.

"Did it really destroy Oello’s shield in a single hit?"

"Then let me ask this. If the Shrine destroys Camelot and immediately demands accountability from the Mabinogion, will you still just stand by and watch?"

"...."

"What has Camelot done wrong? Just because its king abandoned his appointed role? Because he didn’t try to protect the city he was supposed to defend, so the Shrine is punishing him? Then look closely at that scene. Who is defending the city right now?"

"...."

Cú Chulainn and Fionn mac Cumhaill had supported Arthur’s cause, leading the rebellion in Camelot.

That was certainly a transgression without excuse. Causing such turmoil within the Great Army was indeed a matter that warranted severe punishment.

However, what was the result of that transgression?

An entity with no connection to the Mabinogion was now recklessly trying to annihilate Camelot. And the first-generation Divine Spirits were simply watching from afar.

What made them first-generation Divine Spirits? What made them the main figures of legend?

Here was their territory, being ravaged by an external force, and they were doing nothing.

"Is this the Great Army? Is this the Mabinogion? Have the Divine Spirits cast aside even their honor and pride, surrendering in silent submission to tyranny? Does this not shame you?"

None could rebut Cú Chulainn’s words. In truth, none were angrier at the Shrine’s tyranny than they were.

To see their domain ravaged by someone else’s hands wounded their pride deeply.

"But what are we to do? The Shrine... is far stronger than we had thought. Did you really think we didn’t know that?"

"So, you just won’t fight? Where is the law that says you must sit back and let them oppress you?"

"You don’t understand. You have no idea how fearsome the being behind the Shrine is."

"Logos, you mean."

Nuada nodded. Arthur had shouted the name of Logos to spread its infamy, but some among the first-generation Divine Spirits who already knew about Logos were hesitant to speak the name.

It was Logos who had given them the title of Divine Spirit. Even though earthly beings called them gods, Divine Spirits were not truly gods. They weren’t omniscient or omnipotent, nor were they close to divinity.

The god observed it all quietly from above, leaving them alone.

Logos.

Yes, that one.

"Mabinogion cannot go up against it. No, none of the Great Armies can."

"But what if the Great Army wasn’t alone?"

"What?"

"What if there were two Great Armies? Or, if that weren’t enough, three or even four of them? What if they all united and combined their strength?"

"What are you...?"

For a moment, Nuada couldn’t grasp what Cú Chulainn and Fionn mac Cumhaill were saying.

Great Armies joining forces? What guarantee was there that the other Great Armies would allow it?

"Nuada of the Silver Arm. The world is changing. And at the end of this changing world, what do you think lies in wait?"

Cú Chulainn pointed to the increasingly devastated Camelot.

"Ruin. That’s what it’s proving."

"So, what do you propose we do?"

"We fight. We stand against this tyranny and reclaim our freedom."

"What assurance is there that the other Great Armies will join our cause?"

"That won’t be a problem."

It was at that moment that Fionn mac Cumhaill spoke up.

"What?"

"The other Great Armies are surely observing this situation. Even if they pretend otherwise, their eyes are everywhere."

"That’s..."

"And they’re probably aware of the gravity of the situation. Since the Shrine has started acting so brazenly, they’ll have to respond. Eventually, they’ll have to choose. To stand against the Shrine, or to side with it."

"In that case, most will side with the Shrine."

"There are many who won’t. Even now."

"Could it be...?"

Only then did Nuada begin to understand what Cú Chulainn and Fionn mac Cumhaill were implying.

Were they truly acting out of anger at the Shrine’s behavior? They, too, were Divine Spirits who had lived long lives and were heroes of their age. They weren’t naïve youths who relied solely on strength.

"There are already those like us working behind the scenes in other Great Armies."

"I find this hard to believe. Who told you this truth?"

Nuada no longer tried to hide it. Knowledge of Logos’ existence was restricted to a select few first-generation Divine Spirits. Even they had kept it secret under the Shrine’s watchful eyes.

Yet Cú Chulainn, Fionn mac Cumhaill, and Arthur had uncovered the existence of the Shrine and the hidden secrets beyond. They had orchestrated the events unfolding now.

This would have been impossible unless someone had informed them in detail.

"The Prophet."

"The Prophet told you? That makes even less sense. Do you think we lack individuals with foresight and prophecy among us? Even they couldn’t pierce the Shrine’s shadow. And yet, you claim that a prophet told you of Logos’ existence?"

"Not just any prophet."

"And who might that be?"

"He calls himself a False Prophet, one who opposes the will of the god. A prophet unlike any other."