Episode 941
Chapter 234: To Hell (Part 1)
March 10, 1804.
Nearly two weeks had passed since the defense of the Holy Kingdom ended. Throughout that time, Jin stayed by Ayula’s side, awakening the souls of the fallen citizens and guiding them back over the kingdom’s lands.
About ten minutes after all the souls had been roused, Ayula vanished completely from the surface of the earth. His final words were a passage from the Ayula Scriptures—words that his followers always held close to their hearts.
“Do not seek reward when doing good. Do not seek recognition when upholding your beliefs. Do not calculate when committing to sacrifice.”
The god’s last testament resonated deeply—not only within the Holy Kingdom but across the entire world.
That resonance naturally blossomed into faith, and as a result, the Holy Kingdom began to attract more believers than ever before.
Despite being considered a realm on the brink of ruin—or something close to it—devotees inspired by Ayula’s resolve flocked to the kingdom.
What greeted them was a landscape of shattered ruins and torn remnants scattered throughout the kingdom, and above it all, the spiritual forms of its citizens.
[Welcome, brothers who have followed Ayula’s light to the Holy Kingdom.]
[Though little remains intact on this land, and as spirits we cannot aid your restoration efforts, we will always pray by your side. We see, hear, and remember all that you have done for the kingdom.]
The devastated lands astonishingly began to recover their former appearance at a remarkable pace.
Not only from Hupester and the Lutero Federation, but even from the lands of the beastmen, countless people were deciding to migrate to the Holy Kingdom.
“A strange thing, indeed. Only after Ayula’s death has the Ayula faith experienced its greatest revival,” a man said, blending into the crowd in the capital’s square.
This was Luke, the High Priest of the Sun God faith. He had disguised himself as a human using golden elven cosmetics, suppressing his aura so no one recognized him. Beside him, the similarly disguised shrine maiden Sanna was watching the people.
“Our Sun God faith has undergone a similar paradox. Our greatest revival came only after the disappearance of our deity,” Sanna said with a bitter smile, glancing at Luke. She recalled the failed attempt to capture Feitel and the conversation they had then.
“I wonder which faction we’ll face first: the Bamel Union, the Lutero Federation, Kinzel, the Red-Eyed Tribe, or the Jinma Realm.”
“We’ll fight whoever gains the upper hand first. Though the answers to our prayers are unclear now, I think the Jinma Realm is the most likely.”
“Perhaps, but I’m convinced the Bamel Union will ultimately be the biggest obstacle to the Sun God faith’s aspirations.”
“Because of Siron Runkandel?”
“No, Jin Runkandel. He became the King of the Underworld in a human body and is the successor to the current God of War. Plus, he wields the power of Solderet… If he completes his ascension through this war, all factions will have to look up to him—even us.”
“I honestly didn’t expect things to unfold exactly as you predicted, High Priest Luke. Jin Runkandel ascending to Changsung… As you said back then, are we now in a position where we must look up to him?”
Luke hesitated briefly before shaking his head.
“Not yet.”
“Not yet?”
“The power he’s gained isn’t purely the nature of destruction and chaos like the current God of War, Siron Runkandel, or myself. It’s there, but it’s somewhat weaker compared to us. That’s because Jin Runkandel isn’t as ruthless or cold-hearted as we are.”
Siron was the kind of person who could abandon everything for his goals and plunge into the Black Sea. For him, individual life was insignificant—this applied to himself, his subordinates, and even his enemies.
Ban was someone who could send countless brothers to death in a war against the gods, and Luke himself, back when he lived in Lafrarosa, was willing to bathe in blood to grow stronger. Whose blood didn’t matter.
In other words, the three of them were—or had been—the type to do anything for their goals.
But Jin was a human who couldn’t do that.
Because of that, the other aspect of Changsung that Jin gained—chaos—wasn’t as strong or perfect as theirs. It even mixed in traits similar to what Ron pursued.
“But that’s what makes him more dangerous. Imperfection means there’s room to grow. He still has a path to ascend.”
“Hmm, hearing you say that, High Priest Luke, I realize we haven’t been cautious enough about Jin Runkandel. We’ve even lost Keliak and Shinu recently… The prestige of our Sun God faith is in shambles.”
“Perhaps it’s better to consider bringing him to our side.”
“…Bringing Jin Runkandel to our side? I can’t imagine that man standing with us. Not even when the Sun answered my prayers most deeply.”
“Of course, your prayers alone won’t make it happen. It would only be possible if the Sun God were to be resurrected.”
“You must have a reason for suggesting that.”
“The power he gained upon ascending Changsung seems connected to the Sun God.”
“I didn’t sense that at all. In what way?”
“His will to regenerate. You, as a shrine maiden, know better than I do, but the Sun God’s will is divided into several aspects. Among them, the will to restore the world aligns with the will Jin Runkandel embraced the moment he ascended Changsung.”
Luke knew this better than the shrine maiden because he was a Changsung himself and well-versed in the Sun God’s secrets.
“So as Jin Runkandel completes his ascension, he may grow closer to the Sun God’s will.”
“Ah! You mean he could become so close to the Sun God’s will that he becomes part of it?”
“‘Part’ isn’t quite the right word. ‘Consumed’ or ‘buried’ fits better. If the Sun God consumes him, from that moment on, he will have no choice but to be with us—even if neither he nor any of us want it.”
“That makes sense. Oh… that would certainly help the revival of the Sun God faith.”
At that moment, Jin was in the Sword Garden’s office, picking at his ear.
“Who’s talking about me? My ear’s itching strangely.”
“Of course the whole world is talking about you, youngest brother. You ascended Changsung and defended the Holy Kingdom. You even resurrected all those who died there as spirits. Many who gather in the kingdom now are not only moved by Ayula but also see you as a new god.”
“God? Just hearing that makes me uncomfortable.”
“You’ve entered the realm of divinity and gained the power of regeneration. It’s not an inaccurate description.”
“No, Luna noona, it’s wrong.”
Contrary to what Luke and Sanna hoped, Jin had no intention of becoming a god or part of one.
In fact, he was certain that, in some ways, becoming a god was a darker fate than ultimately falling to the enemy.
If the chance to become a god ever came, Jin would do everything to escape it.
“Being divine is just a way to describe the level I’ve reached. I think becoming a god is the worst possible future. Meeting immortals like Ameris only strengthened that belief. To become a god or immortal means being bound by fate, forced to walk a limited path.”
“Heh, you’re a bit sensitive about this.”
“That’s because I truly hate it. Ayula also said becoming a god was a terrible thing… Since ascending Changsung, I instinctively feel repulsed. Someday, I want to end my life as someone who lives on the earth.”
“That’s true. Your father was really dark when he acted like a god before overcoming his demonic corruption. The current father is much better. You’d be surprised if you met him. Of course, he’d be surprised you ascended Changsung too. But I think he’d just laugh and pat your back—like your great-grandfather.”
The two chuckled softly.
But deep down, Jin worried about the demonic corruption. There were no signs yet, but it was inevitable.
That’s why, after ascending Changsung, he felt a growing urgency. He had to finish everything before the corruption took hold.
Especially after recently witnessing Paelito’s tragic end, consumed by demonic corruption.
“…Paelito was probably stronger than I am now during his prime, before he was brainwashed and corrupted.”
“If you say so, then it must be true. Though the difference probably wasn’t enough to guarantee victory or defeat.”
“Even so, Paelito became a monster after falling to Jito’s demonic influence.”
“So, are you afraid to fight Jito now?”
Jin shook his head immediately.
“No. Actually, I was about to say I’m not afraid of Jito. Paelito lost because those precious to him, including Sachiel, were constantly held hostage. But I have you, my comrades, and the knights.”
“Yes, our Runkandel will never let Jito hold you back.”
“Then please, noona, stay out of this hell expedition.”
Luna’s eyes widened.
“…You mean you’ll go to hell without me?”
“Not just you, but most of the surface forces will be excluded. You must protect the precious people of Inse from harm or capture.”
Luna stared at Jin for a long moment, caught off guard by his words.
But soon, she understood his heart. Jin was the only one she could entrust with full responsibility for this mission.
And the problem wasn’t just Jito. Enemies beyond the Jinma Realm still threatened their family and the Bamel Union.
“You’re assigning a mission even harder than going into battle. I’ll follow orders. But you’re not planning to go alone, are you?”
“I’m planning to take Murakan and a few others with me.”
“Ziphl and Kinzello will be sending a large force, so it looks like we’ll be invading hell with just a handful of people.”
“There will be Biceps waiting inside the Demon Realm, so we’ll have their help. And I’m just as concerned about Keliak Ziphl, who’s scheming in hell, as I am about Jito.”
“After all, it was Keliak Ziphl who ultimately turned Paelito into a fiend. He’s a problem for me too. But since Ziphl has his own reasons to eliminate that guy, he might be the one to take care of him.”
Jin pictured Veradin’s face.
Somehow, he felt that if Veradin were to meet Keliak in hell—and kill him—he wouldn’t be able to come back.
“I don’t think I can just leave it to Veradin because of his personal feelings toward Ziphl. Whatever happens, I’ll have to see for myself to be sure.”
Luna smiled at that.
“As the head of the Runkandel family, it’s technically against protocol for me to worry about Ziphl’s head of house. But you’re the only one who’s heard this, and luckily, I have no authority to punish you. In fact, knowing that you’ve kept those feelings intact even after becoming Changseong puts this sister’s mind at ease.”