The Shadowed Legacy of the Soulless Messenger [EN]: Chapter 142

Azadin believed that life should have an aesthetic.

Living merely to survive was not a human life. If one was human, they should pursue values beyond simple survival, and that was philosophy and aesthetics.

Having an answer to what is right and beautiful, and continuing to live life towards that. That was the reason and goal of life that Azadin thought of.

However, most of the Ara Gasa [a nomadic tribe] were not pursuing such philosophy or aesthetics, but were instead captivated by the vision that Arael presented.

To subdue and break everything, placing it under one’s control. That vision was now right before their eyes, appearing as tangible results.

What if he were to reject it here?

All of the Ara Gasa would turn against Azadin. The persecution and contempt he had faced so far would be laughable. He would truly become a public enemy.

And it wasn’t as if the King’s Church or the Rescue Knights would truly accept him. In the end, Azadin would become a complete outsider.

But he couldn’t submit to the mercy that Arael offered.

The position, power, wealth, and beautiful women that Arael was offering were all unrelated to the philosophy and aesthetics that Azadin desired.

Trying to fill Azadin with those things was Arael’s arrogance, attempting to destroy Azadin’s soul and fill it with his own.

“Now, Azadin. I’m not trying to kill or harm you. Other executives are trying to kill you behind Arael’s back, but well, if you have the skills to defeat an Elder, things will be different, right? Think about the status you’ll have in the world we control. Ah, of course, it’ll be hard for you to take such sweet fruit now that you’ve openly proclaimed your cause, right? Then, just close your eyes a little here. You were taken hostage and couldn’t help it. Or you were too exhausted and couldn’t help it. Anything is fine. We’ll do the dirty work without any damage to your morality.”

Zenith’s sweet voice tickled his ears.

“I don’t know if you’re trying to persuade me or mock me, Zenith. If you say it like that, I can’t give up even more, can I?”

“Are you going to interfere with us in this situation? Are you going to deny all the Ara Gasa’s wishes?”

“Before that, let me ask you one thing. You guys are talking like this is a done deal, but do you really think you’ll succeed?”

“Why do you think we’ll fail? What’s your basis?”

“Have you ever succeeded at this?”

When Azadin asked that, Zenith smiled.

“Have we ever succeeded? Of course, we have. Otherwise, why this storm? Do you think it’s a natural storm?”

“I’m not talking about drawing power from the Nether [a dark, chaotic dimension], but whether you’ve ever banished a Nether being that has descended. Are you confident that you can banish a being that causes such a storm?”

“That… we haven’t.”

Zenith had no answer to that point.

“Right? Even if you succeed in practice, there are many cases where you fail in real situations. If you fail this time, how are you going to take responsibility? Don’t be ridiculous. Are you all out of your minds?”

“Then what can you do?”

“Collect the copies of the Divine King’s Scripture and find the Emperor’s Treasure Vault.”

“We already know that. We’ve even secured one key.”

“But you don’t know where the Treasure Vault is, do you? And one key won’t be enough to open it, will it?”

Azadin mentioned finding the Emperor’s Treasure Vault, but Zenith didn’t seem too keen on it.

“We’re not just trying to break the curse of servitude, Azadin. We want more than that. Of course, we plan to find the Emperor’s Treasure Vault, but now that we have the opportunity to destroy the Koresar Kingdom right in front of us, we can’t give up this chance.”

“What if you can’t control the Nether being? What will you do then?”

“We’re prepared for that. Well, I don’t think Arael will fail… but even if Arael fails and the world ends, isn’t that good in its own way? The ones who will be sad if the world is destroyed are the ones who have a lot. The Hybrids [people with mixed heritage] have this world, so we don’t care if this world burns.”

Azadin sighed.

“Do you really think the Hybrids have everything? The peasants are poor, and only a few nobles and merchants are wealthy. Of course, I understand your hatred for those who oppress the Ara Gasa without reason. But it’s truly disgusting to justify spreading hatred to the poor and powerless.”

“So, persuasion won’t work, Azadin. Then what will you do? Will you betray your own people and fight us for the sake of the Hybrids who won’t even thank you, while abandoning the lives of your comrades?”

Zenith flicked her coat tails and widened her stance. As her posture lowered, a murderous aura emanated from her.

“Before that…”

Azadin sheathed his curved sword and held only the Wendigo dagger in his hand. He pointed the dagger at Elder Sebali’s neck, who was lying on the floor, and lifted him up.

“If you want to save Elder Sebali Etar’s life, don’t harm my comrades. If you harm even one of them, the Elder’s fingers will disappear one by one.”

“Wow. Okay, okay. Calm down.”

Zenith smiled as Azadin took the Elder hostage.

“But don’t you think we can harm an Etar Bloodline Elder? He symbolizes the old order that we want to overcome.”

“Not at all. An Elder who has defected from the Council of Elders will be very valuable to you. If you sacrifice him, will you be able to persuade other Elders in the future?”

“……”

“Also, let the Sea Serpent Nagas [a race of serpent-like humanoids] know so they can’t interfere with me.”

“That’s a bit difficult.”

“Then the Elder might die or get hurt.”

“No, we really can’t do anything about the Nagas. They’re a loose alliance, and the Sea Serpent Nagas are a bit crazy.”

“I understand.”

Azadin took the Wendigo dagger and scratched the magic circles made of Nether letters on the floor, damaging them.

“Then!”

Azadin went down the lighthouse stairs.

Zenith didn’t chase after him right away, whether because of the Elder or because she was afraid of Azadin.

*********

Every time lightning flashed, a huge shadow seemed to appear from the sea.

Some of the Sea Serpent Nagas were prostrating on the ground, worshiping the shadow that appeared from the sea.

“Awooo! Awooo!”

The Sea Serpent Nagas howled, their cries spreading through the storm like werewolves howling at the moon.

Azadin clicked his tongue at the sight. He understood what Zenith meant when she said the Sea Serpent Nagas were crazy.

“The light of the King’s Hallows is weakening.”

“Ugh…”

Elder Sebali stirred.

“Are you alright?”

“Are you asking that after sticking an arrow in my hand that was already down?”

“That was to prevent you from joining forces with Zenith against me. But… you’re weakening now.”

As the excitement of the battle subsided, the pain surged.

Sebali was in a dangerous state.

The situation was such that he had to be injured and subdued, but now that the situation had been resolved, Azadin had no intention of killing the Elder.

“The injury… is too severe.”

“There’s someone among my comrades who is good at treating wounds. I’ll go find them.”

“Comrades, you say.”

“Yes. If Sion Etar has taken control of my comrades… he will listen to you, won’t he?”

“Haha. I wonder?”

At that moment, Sea Serpent Nagas appeared in front of Azadin.

“Human…”

“Step aside. I am a messenger of the Etar. There’s been an injury.”

“……”

The Sea Serpent Nagas hesitated for a moment upon seeing Azadin, then allowed him to pass.

As Azadin was about to walk away, he stopped and looked at the Nagas. There was a Naga mage who had taken on a human form.

“Hey. Do you know how to use green magic? The power of healing and regeneration.”

“…That? I used to be able to use it.”

“There’s an injured person, so…”

“I can heal with Nether magic, though.”

“Forget Nether magic. Ah, do you happen to know where I can meet my comrades?”

“…The third watchtower of the outer castle.”

“I see. Thank you.”

Azadin calmly passed through the Sea Serpent Nagas.

“Your courage is impressive. Is this the cursed son of Acre?”

Elder Sebali was impressed by Azadin’s audacity.

“I can’t fight while carrying you. Keep talking. It’s dangerous if you lose consciousness.”

“Heh… heh heh. Bold and very generous.”

Elder Sebali laughed as he saw Azadin, who had subdued him, was now worried about his well-being.

*********

After that, the Sea Serpent Nagas they encountered also let Azadin pass, thinking he was a messenger of the Arael faction who had joined hands with them, as he acted confidently.

However, some of the Sea Serpent Nagas who had fallen into madness tried to attack regardless, but the leaders of the group were sane and restrained those mad ones.

Azadin, shamelessly, even asked if there was a caster among the Nagas who could use healing magic.

Fortunately, he found a caster who still maintained faith in the Cobra Queen Debislin, and calmly entrusted the treatment of the Etar Elder to him.

“You’re a bold fellow. Excellent. Even when I was active, there would have been few like you. And you’re Arael’s younger brother?”

“Older brother.”

“Well, the order doesn’t matter much between twins, does it? Anyway, do you have any thoughts of becoming a son-in-law of the Etar Bloodline?”

“A son-in-law, you say?”

For the Etar Bloodline to propose a son-in-law was a sign that they recognized that person as the best talent.

“Yes. I heard that Midiam has become your follower? How is that child?”

“Haha. She’s a child.”

“In the old days, she would have been old enough to marry.”

“Thank you for the offer, but I don’t think this is the time to discuss such things. How is your body?”

“Hmm, it certainly feels better than before. However… I won’t be able to fight.”

“That’s a relief.”

It would be troublesome if the Elder became too energetic. He might attack Azadin again, and he wouldn’t be careless this time.

Azadin had already experienced the characteristics of green magic through Sharti. Regeneration magic accelerated natural healing, treating internal bleeding and concussions throughout the Elder’s body, preventing him from dying, but it wouldn’t have completely restored the injured muscles and bones.

“But what are you going to do now? You’re not planning to charge in, are you? You know that Arael is here, let alone Sion Etar, right?”

“Yes.”

Although Zenith hadn’t said it, Azadin could tell that Arael was in Coral Sahar.

The Arael faction’s plan was probably as follows.

Kill the king of Coral Sahar, and when the Nether being descends and the Sea Serpent Nagas’ wish is fulfilled… Arael would sit on the throne of Coral Sahar, obtain the Divine King’s Scripture, and use the power of the King’s Hallows to drive out the Nether being.

It was a reckless operation that could only be established if one had unwavering faith in Arael’s individual capabilities.

Or perhaps they cursed the whole world to the point where even destruction was sweet.