Lord Baby Runs A Romance Fantasy With Cash [EN]: Chapter 264

☆ 264 ☆

‘……!’

I quickly ducked and held my breath.

I stayed like that for a while.

“……?”

I didn’t feel anything unusual.

‘What happened?’

I carefully opened my eyes, but it was still dark.

Endless darkness spread out like an abyss.

“……Did I just get crushed to death so quickly that I didn’t even feel the pain?”

“Yeah.”

“Really……? Am I really dead?”

No way!

This was even more absurd than when I was hit by the reincarnation truck in my previous life.

“Pfft……!”

Just then, I heard a strange laugh from above.

It was a bit too frivolous to be the laughter of hell.

Huh?

‘Come to think of it, who was answering me just now?’

I quickly turned my head and saw a man looking down at me and laughing.

“Pwahahahaha!”

“…….”

“Puh-ha! S, she says she’s dead! Pwahahahaha!”

Hey, you.

Aren’t you laughing too much?

My face involuntarily turned sulky.

But the man in front of me didn’t seem to want to stop laughing.

“Euhahahahahahaha!”

“Stop laughing!”

Finally, I couldn’t stand it anymore and shouted, and only then did the man barely stop laughing.

Still, I could hear intermittent sounds of “Pfft, puheung.”

“……Does he have air in his lungs or something?”

The man replied with a serious face to my sulky words.

“It’s normal to have air in your lungs. You have to breathe.”

“…….”

“Wow, I’ve never received such a look before. I’m hurt.”

“Good for you.”

“Good for me! Still, isn’t that too much? To your savior.”

The man smiled, and at the same time, the surroundings brightened a little.

Only then could I see what state the man and I were in.

The man was supporting himself with his hand next to my face.

He was protecting me, covering me with his body.

And on his back, blocking the dirt, was a large—

‘Wings……?’

Black wings, similar to a membrane, were spread out.

Thanks to those huge wings, not a single grain of sand fell on me.

Dark-colored skin.

Slit pupils.

Sharp fangs visible whenever he laughed.

‘He’s not human.’

As a heavy reader of romance fantasy novels, I immediately recognized this man’s identity.

“A demon?”

The man grinned.

The eyes, resembling those of a reptile, glowed strangely.

* * *

Inside the ritual chamber.

“Then it’s not the Paeraton territory, but somewhere else—”

“No. If it were somewhere else, we would have already received a report. I have a different opinion.”

“A different opinion? Th, then you’ve interpreted the prophecy?”

Everyone’s eyes turned to the priest.

“Look. There were four mentions here.”

The origin of the highest place.

The mire of the lowest place.

The forest of the most common place.

The abyss of the most exclusive place.

The people who saw the paper with the prophecy written on it tilted their heads.

“We knew where the first three places were, so shouldn’t we have been thinking about where the last one is? I thought it would be the Paeraton territory, but we haven’t heard anything.”

“You won’t hear any news. There won’t be any danger in the ‘abyss of the most exclusive place’ mentioned last.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Look at the phrase below.”

After the crises in the three places pass, the demon who swallows the world and turns it upside down will be born in the last place.

“The crises in the three places have already occurred.”

There was realization in those words.

“Then could it be that this ‘last’ is……?”

“The demon who turns the world upside down is born in the abyss of the most exclusive place.”

“……!”

“Isn’t that what it means?”

“N, no way…….”

The first thing that came to mind when they heard the words ‘the most exclusive place’ was the Paeraton Dukedom [a powerful, influential territory].

People couldn’t bring themselves to say it and swallowed their words.

“Th, then is the abyss mentioned here not a cavity or a tunnel, but—”

“The magic of the Paeraton Dukedom!”

Someone shouted.

“That’s absurd……. Is a demon going to be born in the Paeraton Dukedom that will destroy the world?”

“What are you talking about! How much has the Paeraton Dukedom done in recent years! How many people haven’t received their help?”

“You must have misinterpreted the prophecy.”

“If it hadn’t been for Paeraton in the first place, the empire would have suffered greatly from the Black Death!”

“Rather, we should say they saved the world, but now you’re saying a demon who will destroy the world will be born!”

Liriel’s eyes narrowed.

‘That troublemaker is causing trouble until the end.’

It seemed that Ruatisha’s efforts hadn’t been entirely in vain.

‘She’s taking the influence I should have.’

It was impressive, if anything.

Even in the face of a miracle that humans couldn’t control, the prophecy of God, they were making them take Ruatisha’s side.

‘But that’s only for a moment.’

A follower who received Liriel’s gaze pointed at the screen.

“Look there!”

At those words, people’s eyes turned to the screen.

The screen was still showing the water source.

No, it couldn’t be called a water source anymore.

“Th, that’s…….”

A scene like hell descended upon the world was unfolding.

Black magic that obscured even the sun.

Beneath it, the mountains, rivers, and trees were all dug up, and their original 모습 [moseup – Korean for ‘form’ or ‘appearance’]을 찾아볼 수 없었다 [chajabol su eopseotda – Korean for ‘could not be found’].

The withered and dead trees and flowers were frozen blue.

A sight that seemed to have taken away the life of everything alive.

The black energy, without a single ray of light, was truly worthy of being called an abyss.

Seeing the hesitant people, Liriel smiled with satisfaction.

‘Yes, of course, it would be.’

A powerful force that humans cannot control.

Difficult to even look at, difficult to even covet—

‘The power of God.’

The power of Aphthanes instilled instinctive fear in humans even with just a fragment of it.

It had always been a question.

Why Ruatisha possessed the aura of Pasa.

How she inherited the power of Aphthanes, who was torn apart and killed in ninety-nine ways.

‘I found out too late.’

That power had never been cut off in the first place.

Remaining as a fragment that erased its scent to the point that even Liriel couldn’t notice, it had been inherited through blood.

In the Paeraton Dukedom.

And a being who could fully control the power that only remained as a fragment was born.

‘……This must have been Aphthanes’ last arrangement.’

From the beginning, Ruatisha wasn’t born with magic.

She was simply born with perfect power, not just fragmented pieces.

However, she was sealing it herself because she was afraid that the powerful force would harm the child’s body.

Gradually getting stronger, so that she would eventually have all the power in her hands!

‘But that’s the end of it now.’

Ruatisha will die today.

Even if she doesn’t die, if she’s branded as a demon who will destroy the world, there’s nothing she can do.

Because she will lose all that influence in an instant.

‘In the mortal world, the power of God is the most powerful yet the most fragile power.’

The influence Ruatisha has is the influence of Aphthanes, who made her his proxy—the church.

What if Ruatisha loses influence?

‘How can a god who has lost faith exert power in the mortal world?’

All Ruatisha can do is wait for the approaching death.

Liriel smiled and looked around.

“Come to think of it, didn’t Her Holiness the Saintess say earlier that she felt she had to send the Paeraton Duchess [Ruatisha] ?”

“The Paeraton Duchess was in danger as soon as she left, and the prophecy says that a demon will be born in Paeraton.”

“Then did God deliberately send her to a dangerous area to save humanity from the demon……?”

Liriel’s followers, who had infiltrated among the humans, were diligently adding fuel to the fire.

Foolish humans tend to blindly follow in confusion.

It was clear that Ruatisha’s influence was already decreasing among the people.

On the contrary—

“The only one we can trust is Her Holiness the Saintess.”

“Won’t Her Holiness guide us again?”

‘My influence is rising very well.’

I could feel a strong power filling me from the empty inside.

‘Should I thank Ruatisha for this?’

Because I’m going to eat all the powerful influence that Ruatisha has gathered over the years.

Why did she give me so much trouble when this was going to happen in the end?

For a mere human being to resist me, she will lose everything and die painfully.

‘Aphthanes struggled in vain even as he was dying.’

No, it wasn’t in vain.

‘In the end, even your last arrangement, Ruatisha, was just a stepping stone for me.’

Liriel smiled deeply.

It was then.

Multicolor light poured out from the river.

The light embroidering the sky formed lines and curves, creating complex patterns.

“Wh, what is it?”

“Why is there light all of a sudden…….”

Caution subsided in an instant.

People were amazed by the beautiful, mysterious, and warm light.

“Could it be a new divine revelation?”

Liriel, who had confirmed the anomaly beyond the murmuring people, flinched.

The body that had been leaning leisurely on the sofa was urgently straightened, and the hand gripped the armrest tightly.

‘This energy is……!’

* * *

Nike was enjoying a pleasant nap.

In her dream, Mama was brushing her fur and praising her, saying, “Pretty, pretty. Good girl.”

When she did a somersault, Mama laughed and hugged her tightly.

“Who does our Nike take after to be so smart?”

Nike smiled and snored softly.

It was at that moment that she felt something strange.

Eerie and ominous—

“Kyaoong!”

Nike jumped up.

Then Mama’s lackeys looked at her in surprise, as if they had been caught stealing.

“How dare you try to touch this Nike-nim’s paws! How impudent!”

Nike raised her tail and shouted sharply.

“S, sorry, Nike-nim.”

“Hmph!”

Nike licked her thick paws.

Only Mama could touch her precious paws.

Nancy and Tilda looked at each other and sighed.

Another failure.

They even stopped breathing and waved their hands in front of Nike’s eyes to make sure she was fast asleep!

‘Aren’t babies supposed to sleep a lot! How can a baby have such a light sleep!’

It had been several years since she hatched, but Nike hadn’t grown at all.

Not only growth, but her temper was also the same.

It was certain that the young lady would be tired when she returned from the Rite of Purification today.

So they wanted to relieve her of some work, even if only a little…….

“Can’t we just trim her nails a little?”

“No!”

“But, they’ve gotten so long……. It hurts when you run. You might lose a nail.”

“I’ll ask Mama to cut them when she comes.”

“But…….”

Krrr릉—!

Even though she was still a baby, she was a divine beast among divine beasts.

Even a low growl was full of power that could make an ordinary person’s heart drop.

Nike, not caring about Nancy and Tilda, who were frozen pale, stretched, imagining the moment Mama would return.

“When Mama comes, I’ll ask her to clean my ears! When Mama comes, I’ll ask her to brush my fur! And I’ll ask her to hug Nike tightly! And kiss her!”

Nike was happy, wagging her tail.

At that moment.

The tail, which had been wagging wildly, stopped abruptly.

Nike raised her head sharply.

Her body was stiff, as if she were a stuffed animal.

The pupils in her purple eyes dilated strangely.

“……Mama?”

A small whisper escaped from Nike’s lips.

And the next moment.

“Mama!”

A thunderous cry erupted.

Before Nancy and Tilda could react, Nike’s entire body was enveloped in light.

Mama is in danger.

That was the only thought in Nike’s head.

Mama is anxious.

Mama will be in pain.

Mama will be in great pain.

I’m running out of breath.

Maybe.

Maybe she’ll leave Nike’s side forever.

‘No!’

I have to protect Mama!

I will protect Mama!

When the light completely subsided,

“Nike-nim?”

There was nothing in front of Nancy and Tilda.

* * *

What appeared above the patterns drawn on the river was a divine beast with a huge black mane.

“Th, that’s—”

But it was a type of divine beast that no one had ever seen before.

The black fur tips flickered and burned, sometimes appearing as a deep red light, and sometimes as a golden light.

A graceful body that seemed to crush Mount Tai [a famous mountain in China, often used metaphorically for immense weight or pressure] with one foot.

People didn’t know what to do with its wondrous yet imposing appearance.

Divine beasts were usually uncooperative to humans unless they invaded their territory first.

In the midst of the people wavering at the appearance of the divine beast following the divine revelation,

“Good heavens, it’s a Mythical Creature!”

The atmosphere changed with the priest’s words.

“A Mythical Creature?”

“Oh, God! A Mythical Creature! To see a Mythical Creature while I’m alive!”

A divine beast among divine beasts.

The king of divine beasts.

However, there were no remaining individuals, so it was a divine beast that only appeared in old legends, and a mythical creature said to have saved humanity with the legendary Saintess.

“My goodness, a Mythical Creature has descended on this land!”

“Could it be that she recognized Her Holiness the Saintess and came?”

“Oh, she is the Saintess who purifies evil and receives divine revelations, so it’s possible!”

People looked at the Mythical Creature with expectant eyes.

A Mythical Creature has appeared now that a prophecy of despair has been given!

The Saintess and the Mythical Creature to fight against the demon!

Isn’t this the revival of an old legend?

People looked up at the Mythical Creature, filled with awe.

The Mythical Creature looked down at the humans with dignified eyes.

“Her Holiness the Saintess, please approach the Mythical Creature. Like in the legend, the Mythical Creature will kneel before you.”

At the urging of the priests and the expectations of the people, Liriel reluctantly reached out her hand.

The moment her hand was about to touch the Mythical Creature.

“How dare you, you lowly and filthy thing, try to touch this Nike-nim!”

The Mythical Creature shouted sharply.

‘Huh?’

People were embarrassed by the unexpected situation.

“Mama!”

Regardless, the Mythical Creature turned its body and ran like the wind, stepping on the air.

“Mama? Is she looking for her mom?”

“But that direction is—”

It was the water source that had become hell on earth.

Where Ruatisha was buried.