Chapter 869
Episode 217: The Reason Ayula Manifested (Part 1)
The Holy Kingdom of Vankela, the capital city’s Ayula Grand Temple.
Midnight was approaching. Despite the precarious international situation and the looming invasion from the demonic realm, more tourists than ever had gathered in Vankela today.
In times of turmoil, many seek solace in the divine.
But those who came to Vankela today weren’t only looking to place their faith in Ayula.
“Jin Kyung, these people have gathered to find comfort in the words of our great Ayula. And, on the other hand, many have made the difficult journey just to catch a glimpse of you,” Rani said, scanning the crowd inside the grand temple. The prayers that had continued nonstop for days had just ended, and she wiped the sweat from her trembling hands off her forehead.
“Ever since you began your activities as a novice, everyone here has known that you’ve carried the burden of these chaotic times and quelled the unrest. So naturally, they believe that this time too, Jin Kyung will once again bring light to this dark era.”
“Before I even say hello, you’re already gilding me with praise, Rani. That’s a bit much, you know.”
“I’m just stating the facts. Isn’t that right, Murakan?”
“You religious types—hand me a handkerchief. I can’t tell if you’re wiping sweat or just fidgeting. Don’t tell me you’ve got the shakes?”
“Try praying nonstop for a week without a drop of water, Murakan. You’ll experience worse than the shakes, I promise. Anyway, thanks for coming, both of you. With the recent Jinma Realm crisis, I was worried you might not be able to make it.”
“All the cracks in the Balmel Alliance have been suppressed for now.”
“Yes, while communicating through prayer with Lady Ayula, I witnessed some of the scenes firsthand. In Hupester, Lord Luna and the Run Kandel members performed admirably, and the Empire’s Golden Fleet utterly crushed the demons.”
“Oh? You know all that even though you’ve been praying the whole time? That Ayula is truly remarkable.”
“Murakan, Ayula will manifest soon. Can you handle such irreverent talk then?”
“Heh heh, you religious types don’t know Ayula as well as I do, even though you’re a holy king. As long as you don’t stir up sensitive issues, Ayula is incredibly kind. I bet even if I stood in front of him with my hands on my hips, speaking informally, he’d just laugh it off.”
Rani felt a twinge of frustration but was left speechless, convinced that Ayula would indeed be that forgiving toward Murakan.
Through her prayers, Rani had seen that Ayula placed great hope in Jin, Murakan, and the Balmel Alliance.
“When the dormant volcano at the center of the grand temple is completely bathed in light, Ayula will manifest. That’s when the kingdom’s barrier will be perfected. Once the barrier is complete, most demons from the Jinma Realm won’t be able to approach the kingdom. Only the demon generals are exceptions.”
“Couldn’t he have made a barrier so strong that even the generals couldn’t break through while he was at it?”
“As you know, Ayula is extremely cautious about divine intervention in the mortal realm. Even forming this barrier exceeded the limits he set for himself. He must have endured great pain.”
“Right, I heard that in the past, the god of blessings was destroyed by Ayula because of that. The pain of a god, the price of divine interference… I spoke carelessly.”
“If you know that, then at least wipe your sweat properly. We want to look our best before meeting Ayula.”
“Alright.”
“And you two should wear these dormant volcano necklaces. After completing the barrier and encouraging the faithful, Ayula said he would meet with you separately. Even if you’re not worshippers, it’s only proper to show this level of respect.”
After about ten minutes, the light from the dormant volcano at the temple’s center grew dazzlingly bright.
Then, the world briefly darkened. For about ten seconds, darkness enveloped everything, shrinking with each passing second until it converged inside the kingdom’s barrier.
In the pitch blackness, only the volcano’s light grew ever brighter.
‘Is this the true manifestation of a supreme deity…? It feels like not just Vankela, but the entire world dimmed for a moment.’
Ayula’s manifestation carried a dignity far beyond the other divine avatars or manifestations Jin had recently witnessed.
While Feitel’s power was relatively weaker and Shinu had been injured, manifesting through the young fire dragon Pai, Ayula’s was nearly a full, direct manifestation.
“My children.”
Ayula’s voice soon echoed throughout the kingdom. The faithful dropped to their knees, tears of joy streaming down their faces, and Jin and Murakan bowed their heads.
Above the dormant volcano appeared Ayula’s form—like a being with ten pairs of wings. Golden light radiated from his entire body. Though his eyes were closed, the divine compassion within them seemed vividly alive.
“Speak your fears when afraid, your pain when suffering. If you resent me for not answering your calls, then resent me. No matter what feelings you harbor toward me, I will not blame you. I will always watch over you with a heavy heart.”
That was the extent of Ayula’s audible encouragement.
Yet, as a god, Ayula continued spiritual communication with each person gathered in the kingdom.
“Wait just a little longer. Once I’ve heard all my children’s stories, I will come to you.”
That was the message conveyed to Jin and Murakan.
The spiritual communion between Ayula and his followers lasted an hour. Even the reporters who had come to cover the divine manifestation refrained from writing, instead listening reverently to Ayula’s voice.
“I will invite you briefly into my realm. Do not be alarmed.”
Ayula’s voice sounded again.
Before Jin and Murakan could respond inwardly, they noticed their surroundings suddenly shift.
They had been summoned into Ayula’s realm.
An endless, vast expanse of gray earth.
That was their first impression of Ayula’s domain. Not a breath of wind stirred; the atmosphere was unbearably desolate.
Yet, Jin and Murakan instinctively recognized that this cold gray land bore the scars of a fire that had once destroyed the mortal realm multiple times over.
When judging gods who caused excessive chaos in the mortal world, Ayula summoned and annihilated them here. When not judging gods, Ayula’s land was always this lonely gray.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve brought mortals here by my own will. Jin Runkandel, Murakan, and my most devoted child, Rani Salome.”
“It’s an honor to be invited, Lord Ayula.”
“Long time no see, Lord of Peace. I’ve often heard this place is harsh, but seeing it firsthand, the deaths of gods etched into this gray earth feel so vivid… I can’t help but feel a little intimidated. By the way, have you taken down anyone recently? It feels like the ground hasn’t cooled off for long.”
Rani flinched briefly, but as Murakan said, Ayula nodded with a smile.
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen Murakan’s antics. I’d like to enjoy it more, but time is short. So I should begin telling you what I came to say.”
“Please, we’re listening, Lord Ayula.”
“A great danger has come to the mortal realm like never before, Jin. But since the true nature of the Jinma Realm hasn’t been fully revealed, you probably don’t yet grasp how threatening they are.”
“That’s right. Our alliance has eliminated a few cracks, but we haven’t yet encountered any transcendent beings among the Jinma Realm’s forces.”
“Not only the Jinma Realm, but the Solar God Cult also has formidable enemies. Murakan just asked me if I’ve judged anyone recently. Indeed, I recently fought a mortal here.”
“…Could it be a priest of the Solar God Cult?”
“Fought, Rani? Are there mortals who can fight Ayula here? It can’t be the kid’s father. And surely not me. Could it be Elona or Ziphl?”
“There is one among the Solar God Cult who can stand against them.”
“Damn, not three but two. It’s not a perfect prime, so I’m a little jealous.”
“He goes by the name Luke, an ancient warrior of the Underworld Clan. Jin, he is the ancestor of your warrior brother Ban.”
“Was he as strong as Brother Ban?”
“No mortal has ever been stronger than Ban at his prime, nor will there be. But Luke was certainly capable of reaching the warrior status even during the Underworld Clan’s peak. Soon, he will be able to freely traverse the mortal realm.”
“I recently met Shinu. He was badly injured then, and it seems Luke was the one who did it.”
“That’s right. I originally intended to deal Luke an irreparable wound, even if it meant losing some of my power. I judged that unless Zito fully recovered, Luke would pose an even greater threat to the mortal realm.”
Ayula opened his eyes and looked at Jin, his gaze filled with sorrow.
“But Zito is regaining strength faster than I expected, so I had to leave Luke to you and your comrades. I’m sorry to entrust you with such a heavy burden, one I myself can only bear once with great resolve.”
“No, Lord Ayula. I’m grateful just to have this information about Luke, which I had no knowledge of before.”
[I trust you, and I bless you, Jin Runkandel. You who have always steadfastly carried burdens heavier than yourself.]
“Bless me too, will you?”
[Alright, I’ll bless you a little as well. Rani, Jin, and Murakan. In the end, it’s not a god like me who can save Inse, but only you three. All I can do is lighten that burden, even if just a little…]
Jin recalled what Ayula had just said—the part about Jito regaining his strength faster than expected, which was why he couldn’t use his power against Luke.
Ayula sighed softly, reading his thoughts perfectly.
[Right now, Jito will briefly reveal himself in the Holy Kingdom. And I… I will deal him a wound from which he cannot recover.]