Level Up Inquisitor [EN]: Chapter 135

135. The Sixth Executor (2)

A pristine white space, illuminated by pure white light.

As always, Ru gazed down upon the world below.

It had been a short time since he’d directly intervened in the mortal realm, yet he was already back in this divine space.

If he had his way, he would descend and resolve everything personally, but that was, of course, impossible.

Fundamentally, a deity’s direct descent to earth consumed a tremendous amount of divine influence.

Naturally, regardless of how much influence he possessed, he couldn’t manifest unless it was a matter of grave importance.

The last time Ru directly intervened was due to the involvement of the Demon of Greed.

By eliminating Venaron, who had lost nearly all his power and exposed his vulnerabilities, Ru gained even more influence than he had expended.

Of course, this was only possible due to the brevity of the intervention.

Unless a similar crisis arose, he wouldn’t directly descend again.

However, the situation wasn’t entirely bleak.

In addition to the influence gained by dismantling the Twilight Society, Aile’s acquisition of the Eltriss underworld for the Order secured a substantial amount of additional influence.

This meant he could now intervene in the world more actively.

Tsutsutsut!

The screen Ru used to observe the world shifted, displaying Aile entering the Inquisitorial Office.

“The first step is this.”

Aile’s favor had exceeded 100 percent, strengthening the connection between deity and apostle.

The surrounding environment was displayed more clearly, and actions like conveying his will or displaying messages could be performed with less influence.

“If she performs admirably, she deserves a suitable reward.”

Ru offered a faint smile.

* * *

A small shrine nestled within the Esmair Inquisitorial Office.

Inside, a modest ceremony was underway for the new Executor.

Even for an Executor, the process wasn’t widely publicized, and given the Order’s nature, it wouldn’t be a lavish affair.

After a series of simple procedures.

[You have acquired an item!]

For Aile, now an Executor, newly crafted Order equipment was presented.

A level 140 Hero-grade full set.

Blessed light armor and a longsword were bestowed.

Given that it was presented to an Executor, the specifications were self-evident. The equipment, with its white base and red accents, possessed a clean and stylish design.

Overall, it resembled the attire of other Executors.

“May the light be with you.”

The Order’s elder, clad in white robes, approached and bowed.

Then, he handed Aile the black cross pendant, the symbol of the Executor.

‘This is really happening…’

Looking down at the pendant in her hand, the reality sank in.

It wasn’t an equipable item with actual stats, but it represented the authority of an Executor.

Receiving this was a momentous occasion.

This marked the first time a regular user had ascended to a high-ranking position within the Order, let alone become an Executor.

Not only within the Order of Light but also among the other six Orders.

Aile had wondered why she hadn’t received any special rewards for her work in the underworld, but she never anticipated being directly appointed as an Executor.

It was beyond her wildest dreams.

As the appointment ceremony concluded and the shrine emptied, Eileen entered and approached her.

She was now a fellow Executor, no longer just a high-ranking named NPC [Non-Player Character].

“Congratulations, Executor. How do you feel?”

“Well… it still feels surreal.”

“I imagine it would. I couldn’t quite grasp it at first either. But being chosen by the Goddess and serving her is a great honor. I’m sure the Brother will be pleased too.”

Recalling the past, she gave a wistful expression and broached the main topic.

“As I mentioned before the ceremony, the duties of an Executor, with a few exceptions, are not rigidly defined. The primary purpose is to enforce the Goddess’s will upon this land, and you are to act according to your own judgment.”

Aile nodded in response.

Becoming an Executor wouldn’t impose significant restrictions on her freedom of movement.

This was naturally welcome news for Aile, a user.

“Of course, that’s not all. An Executor also bears a heavy responsibility for everyone. Brother, I would like you to take charge of the Eltriss branch for the time being.”

The newly discovered underworld was ultimately placed under Aile’s jurisdiction.

Currently, Eltriss, with the enthusiastic support of its residents, was undergoing construction, with numerous Temples of Light and Inquisitorial Offices being erected.

The Inquisitorial Office of the soon-to-be-completed Eltriss branch would be managed by Aile from now on.

“Then, should I proceed to the Eltriss branch?”

“That will be at the Executor’s discretion. The Order’s priests have already been dispatched, so the basic tasks will be handled.”

As she stated, priests of the Order had been dispatched to Eltriss some time ago.

They were striving to establish influence and secure power through the training of Inquisitors and Knights.

Humans were a relatively unfamiliar race in Eltriss, but since everyone shared the same faith, there were no issues.

“Above all, the Goddess would not have appointed Brother as an Executor without reason. Her will shall soon be revealed.”

‘The Goddess’s will…?’

Aileen departed, leaving behind meaningful words.

She diligently continued to deliver judgment as an Executor and moved to track down another group of demon followers.

Standing alone in the empty shrine, Aile exchanged the newly acquired equipment.

‘If there’s been a significant change in the Order while I’ve been occupied in the underworld, it’s undoubtedly the annihilation of the Twilight Society.’

The war between the Order of Light and the Crimson Twilight Society, initiated by the Order on a grand scale, concluded just a few days prior.

Unsurprisingly, the result was a resounding victory for the Order.

The Twilight Society, which had somehow persisted, was ultimately eradicated, including its leadership.

Given the nature of demon followers, who rarely disappear entirely, it was generally believed that merely weakening their power was the best that could be achieved.

But somehow, the seemingly impossible had been accomplished.

As a result, the Order’s extreme measures, which had been focused on them, returned to normal, and all the tasks that the Order had temporarily postponed were resumed.

The investigation into the Knights Order, which Aile had been solely responsible for, was once again being conducted by the Inquisitorial Office.

Beyond simply weakening the force, there were even rumors that Venaron, the Demon of Greed, had been destroyed.

Regardless of the truth, it was certain that Ru would have gained a significant amount of influence as a result.

‘The influence gained from this Eltriss situation will be substantial as well… At this rate, I might be able to move in earnest.’

Ailee mused, roughly estimating the influence Ru would have acquired.

And his prediction was remarkably accurate.

No, to be precise, it was more accurate to say that it fell short of the mark, as it far exceeded those expectations.

Doo-doo-doong!

A message flashed before his eyes, accompanied by the blare of horns and drums.

[A World Event has occurred!]

[The Light’s Uprising – A sense of war looms over the southern part of the continent.]

[A fanatical group, proclaiming justice, is advancing towards the city. Their flames will consume everything, turning it to ashes. The followers of the Goddess display no fear or hesitation, and their swords show no mercy towards heretics. Who can halt this tide of destruction?]

[Under the command of the Sixth Executor ‘Aile’, all believers in the nearby area will gather.]

[Target City – ‘Amstel’]

“What, what…?”

Ailee, startled, froze in place.

A world event known throughout the continent.

This message that had just appeared would be visible on the screens of all Warlord users currently logged in, including Ailee.

But before she could react, the next message appeared.

[A quest from the deity ‘Ru’ has occurred!]

[It has been revealed that a lord who made a pact with the devil is plotting an evil scheme by sacrificing innocent people. There is no concrete evidence, but the Goddess’s will points to his head, and the believers advance for liberation. The sword that follows justice heads to the southern city of ‘Amstel’.]

[This quest cannot be refused and is forced upon all believers located in the Esmair and Solstice regions.]

[Depending on the outcome of the quest, a large penalty or reward will be given.]

[Failure Condition: Annihilation]

“Crazy…”

Ailee blurted out involuntarily.

A ‘World Event’ triggered by a deity.

It was a compulsory event in which all believers within the designated area had to participate, and it was a major event with significant repercussions for the continent.

One of the primary reasons why most users avoided the Order was precisely this.

There was no right to refuse participation under any circumstances.

Moreover, the failure condition was annihilation.

Everyone had to carry out the mission until they succeeded or died, and those who abandoned it midway would immediately incur the deity’s wrath and suffer a severe penalty, worse than death.

‘Even so, why is my name plastered all over the World Event!’

Not only Ailee’s name but also the fact that he was the Order’s Sixth Executor was explicitly stated.

Considering that it would be exposed to all users, it was as if he had drawn an enormous amount of aggro [aggression or attention].

‘I’m going crazy…’

Moreover, the city ‘Amstel’ was one of the main territories of a guild belonging to the top 12.

It wasn’t just a mediocre guild; attacking and capturing a city against a formidable force like one of the top 12 guilds…

This event was, in effect, a declaration of war against them.

Thinking about the events that were about to unfold, he was at a loss as to how to handle it.

‘What the hell is this for a first mission…’

But there was no time to dwell on it.

Since the World Event had been announced in large letters to everyone, the die had already been cast.

The followers of the Light were gathering, and the opposing guild would also be mobilizing to respond.