Chapter 789
Episode 194: An Unexpected Encounter (3)

—“Moreover, one could interpret that you and Orgal’s Kinzello are each trying to resurrect the Sun God by entirely different means. So, what you just said is especially hard to believe. Your sect might even advocate destroying the whole world first, then reviving the Sun God—using a malevolent deity like that.”

The moment Shinu spoke, Jin recalled what he had told Sanna earlier.

‘I was just speculating, but could she really be someone capable of such a thing?’

According to Shinu, Sanna’s ideology was even more dangerous than that of the former Rosa. And since a god like Shinu had appeared before Jin himself to reveal information about Sanna, it was likely that Shinu’s power was formidable.

“So, you’re saying they want to use the power of Ziphl to destroy the world until the gate to the demon realm is found?”

[Exactly.]

“Why is the Sun God’s altar located in the demon realm? Orgal worships the Sun God, and there seems to be some connection between the demons and the Sun God, doesn’t there?”

[Strictly speaking, everything in this world is connected to the Sun God. The world and all life began with the Sun God.]

“That’s not the kind of boring answer I was looking for. It just seems like the demon realm has a deeper connection.”

[Well, I don’t know exactly when or how the demons were formed. But the early demons always longed to leave the underground and live on the surface. Since light symbolizes the surface, it’s natural they came to worship the Sun God.]

Discovering the exact relationship between the demons and the Sun God wasn’t urgent. Jin could learn more over time, so he stopped pressing Shinu.

“Understood. In any case, thanks to you, I now know Sanna’s goal and can consider how to respond. Helping you is essentially the same as helping myself. Now, tell me who has invaded your domain.”

Shinu hadn’t come here to negotiate.

Jin sensed this clearly. Shinu was cornered and was trying to find a way out through him.

That wasn’t a bad thing for Jin either. He had gained new information about the demon realm, the Sun God, Sanna, and the various sects of the Sun God’s cult.

Of course, someday he’d have to deal with Shinu and Kelliak, but now was not the time. Fighting Shinu immediately would only lead to mutual destruction.

[They are priests of the Sun God’s cult.]

“Somewhat predictable. Judging by Pai’s condition, they must have been tough opponents even for you.”

[Most of the priests are the undead—heroes whose names were once renowned.]

“Resurrected old warriors… how tiresome.”

[They all died harboring grudges or obsessions. They were lured into becoming priests by the promise that when the Sun God is revived, they will get what they desire.]

“You are one of the most powerful gods. Yet these ancient heroes have been resurrected and serve as priests of the Sun God’s cult. Why doesn’t Sanna unleash them directly into the mortal world?”

[Manifestation is limited. The priests are like gods themselves. To appear in the mortal realm, they need a contractor or a special event.]

“That sounds like it’s only a matter of time before the priests freely operate in the mortal world.”

[If that happens, it’s the end of the mortal realm. Even if huge forces unite, they won’t be able to stop them—just like with the malevolent gods.]

“You sound weak.”

[Jin Runkandel, how do you evaluate your brothers?]

Brothers.

That word didn’t mean Runkandel’s blood relatives.

“…The Myungwang clan?”

[Among the priests I met this time, many were from the old Myungwang clan. Some were even presumed to be former war gods. If they appear in the mortal world, the result will obviously be destruction.]

The trust that the Seal of Fire inspired remained unchanged. Jin’s expression stiffened briefly before he shrugged.

“Seems like you’re scared after a tough fight, Shinu. I don’t know why the old Myungwang clan is allied with the Sun God’s cult, but they won’t destroy the world.”

[I hope you can keep that promise. Always be wary of the priestesses. On the day the demon realm opens, this world will no longer be the place you know.]

“I hope you struggle as you do now and vanish at the right time—meaning, when your disappearance won’t affect the revival of the Sun God’s cult.”

Shinu didn’t answer. His manifested form was gradually fading. He was ready to leave, having said all he needed to.

Jin didn’t stop him. Shinu had likely revealed all the information he could about Sanna.

Jin wanted to ask why Shinu was disappearing, but he knew Shinu wouldn’t say. Shinu’s purpose was to share information about Sanna and the Sun God’s cult, not to expose his own weaknesses.

“Ughhh.”

As Shinu’s manifestation ended, Pai’s voice returned. Pai had no memory of the conversation between Shinu and Jin.

“Judging by the mood, it seems the talks went well. Thank you, Lord Jin.”

Perhaps due to the side effects of the manifestation, Pai hurriedly devoured the food in front of him again. Latri, looking concerned, kept offering more.

“Thank you, I really enjoyed it! I’ll be going now. Just so you know, trying to follow me to find out where I’m going won’t work…”

Quikantel watched Pai clutch the food Latri had given him like a treasure, his expression troubled.

“Goodbye, see you next time!”

Naturally, the others ignored Pai’s words and put a veil on him.

But about ten minutes after Pai left, Veil returned to Tikan and reported losing him.

[I was following him closely without losing him once, but suddenly he disappeared. It was like he teleported.]

“He must have been summoned to Shinu’s domain. Good work, Veil.”

Jin immediately shared the information he’d gained from Pai and Shinu with Runkandel and Honka Island.

{[Regarding the demon realm, we have no knowledge. There’s no mention of it in the documents left by the master. However, there were Histars who studied the demons. We should find their legacy and investigate.]}

Honka Island replied about the ‘Histars who studied the demons.’ Though uncertain, if they could find their legacy, it might provide a clue.

{[The gate to the demon realm… I think I’ve heard stories about it somewhere before. My memory isn’t clear, but I feel it was a matter known to our family and kin.]}

“Is that so?”

{[Yes, Lord Soga. The events and records from a thousand years ago don’t reveal it, but the Sun God’s cult was active then. Orgal tried to resurrect the Sun God, and Rokia stopped his plan. I don’t remember clearly, but there must have been an incident. Oh, wait. Lord Alpen and Lady Tasha seem to have something to say.]}

{[Lord Soga, this is the head of the defense council.]}

“Yes, please speak, Lord Alpen.”

{[Listening to this, I remembered something and asked the steward to open a communication. I had completely forgotten, but during the Holy Kingdom Defense War, our biggest problem was finding the gate to the demon realm!]}

{[As Father said, Lord Soga, I also recall carrying out that mission.]}

As Luet, Alpen, and Tasha heard that the gate to the demon realm existed underground, they felt a strange sensation.

This information was affecting the historical manipulation that had been applied to the three of them. It was the combined result of Jin’s efforts to break the power of historical manipulation and the recent partial destruction of the Tower of Stories. Like water seeping into a crack, forgotten memories were stirring in their minds.

“Please continue.”

{[During the Holy Kingdom Defense War, our biggest problem was stopping the demons from being reinforced. No matter how many we killed, they kept coming, and sometimes leaders thought dead reappeared.]}

“So, like the malevolent gods’ war, the dead were resurrected?”

{[At first, we thought so. But they weren’t truly dead. Some high-ranking demons kept their true bodies in the demon realm and sent out clones to fight. Once we realized this, we became even more desperate to find the demon realm’s location. Without it, the mortal world was doomed to fall first.]}

Alpen clenched his teeth, recalling the horrific memories growing clearer. If there was a malevolent gods’ war in modern times, back then the Holy Kingdom Defense War had brought the world to the brink of destruction.

“Did you find the demon realm’s location then?”

{[No… we never found it. After defeating the demon lords summoned by the witch Helluram, I died in battle. After that, Tasha took over my duties. Tasha, do you remember anything?]}

After Alpen’s death, Tasha had dealt with the remaining demons. Though called remnants, many were demon lords or equivalent, and she too died young in battle.

{[A few years after Father’s death, I remember discovering an area suspected to hold the gate to the demon realm. I tracked a demon there with the family’s Black Knights. The location was… ugh.]}

Over the communication device, Tasha pressed her forehead. A sudden wave of memories brought a severe headache. The others held their breath, waiting for her to continue.

After a moment, Tasha caught her breath and said,

“…The capital of the Kingdom of Vankela… Yes, Oterium. The land believed to be the demon realm was definitely the capital of the Kingdom of Vankela.”