372 Death Mage V12 Chapter 304

Chapter 304
The progression of the God of Law and Life’s insanity and the Five-Colored Blades


The human society, particularly the temples of Nineroad and the wind-attribute gods, was in a state of uproar.

Yesterday, the statues of the God of War Horns Sirius shattered, and some of the clergy members who were devout followers of Sirius fainted. Additionally, a knight with Sirius' Divine Protection nearly drowned in a stew. The incident was far from over, much to the dismay of the clergymans who didn't faint.

However, no one would have expected that the statues of God of War Drums Zepaon would also shatter soon after.

Both of them were ancient gods that existed before the appearance of the Demon King in this world, and they possessed strong aspects of war gods, which was rare among the wind-attribute gods. Consequently, they had a significant number of believers among the subordinate gods.

Within this year, the statues of these two gods, as well as the God of Thunderclouds Fitun, had all shattered. People began to fear that something unknown was happening in a place they were not aware of, something that could potentially determine the fate of the world.

In particular, there was great turmoil in the Amid Empire, where Eileek Marme, the young Pope of the Alda Grand Temple, had received an oracle foretelling the revival of the Demon King.

The sudden abdication of Mashkzar Emperor and the subsequent ascension of the eldest son of the Iristel Duke, who had been unknown to the public until then, only added to the chaos.

The attack on Duke Marme's house and the destruction of an Alda Temple by the Storm of Tyranny, the party led by S-class adventurer Thunderclap Schneider, the hero of the Amid Empire and a living legend, as well as him coming out to be a believer in Vida, were among the major events that had occurred.

For the ordinary people who were unaware of the underlying circumstances, these were once-in-a-lifetime events. Besides, the fact that the revived Demon King had somehow dealt with Sirius, Zepaon, and Fitun instilled horror and unease, leaving people trembling with anxiety.

There was even a possibility of people succumbing to panic and resorting to riots, saying “This is the end of the world.” Furthermore, the cause of these events originated within the temples, which was these people’s spiritual sanctuary.

Even if the nobles, knights, and guards who were meant to maintain order reassured the panicked individuals, saying, "Everything will be fine, don't worry," but their words were not convincing. It is wondered whether they were aware of what was happening to the gods, aside from the ascension of the new emperor.

It was the duty of the clergymen to calm down the anxious and uneasy believers who sought solace in the gods. However, the highly respected High Priest among the clergymen of Zepaon, who could have brought comfort to these people, was currently in a fainting state with the whites of his eyes rolled up. As for the others who had not received an oracle from Zepaon, the effect was less than satisfactory.

Even the clergy members devoted to other gods could not explain what had happened. They could only assert that the gods were still alive and well. Thus, the clergy members from the Nineroad and Alda temples and the subordinate gods, as well as the heroes who were blessed with the gods' divine protection, began their respective struggles in various places.

"Oh! What a splendid day it is today!"

However, it wasn't all bad news for the people.

"Never could I have imagined that I would live to see this day... I will spread the word that Botin-sama, our Goddess, has been released from the Demon King’s seal and revived!”

It was the revival of the Mother God of the Earth and Craftsmanship, Botin, and the Goddess of Water and Knowledge, Peria.

The Goddesses had delivered oracles to all devoted believers who could receive them, regardless of whether they belonged to the Amid Empire or the Orbaum Elective Kingdom, announcing their own revival.

Upon hearing this, the believers shed tears of joy and started to move to spread this good news to the people.

"No, wait! We must still wait!"

However, the oracle didn't end with just good news.

"I have reconciled with the mad flames, acquired magic, creation, knowledge and blessed with life. However, we are devoid of light."

The dwarf who served as the Temple Head of Botin in the vassal state of Marmook in the northern region of the Amid Empire perceived the latter half of the oracle in that way.

(What does this mean? Devoid of light... Is it an ill omen of some sort? No, that's not it. If the mad flames refer to Zantark, magic to Ricklent, creation to Zuruwarn, and knowledge to Peria... could blessed with life mean blessed by Vida? And the absence of light means that God of Law and Life Alda is not an ally...)

"If this were made public, what would happen to our country... What would become of the people? The order... the country may collapse."

The Amid Empire, which venerates Alda, the God of Law, as its main deity and the national religion, can be said to have all its citizens as believers of Alda.

Even the Botin Temple houses a statue of Alda.

That is why the dwarf temple head couldn't casually speak about the conjecture derived from the oracle. He instructed the priests to only convey the fact of Botin's revival, and he himself said, "I want to be alone to contemplate the deeper meaning of the oracle," and secluded himself in his room, ensuring that no one would approach him, even the guarding priest-warriors.


"What could be Botin-sama's intentions for delivering such an oracle? Or perhaps it was because I am still immature that I failed to fully comprehend the oracle?"

Oracles, meant for the lowly humans to receive the will of the great gods, inherently lacks accuracy. Sometimes, only a part of the oracle that the gods intended to bestow can be received, or it may be heard as different words.

The temple head pondered if that was the case this time as well. Perhaps there were further words after "However, we are devoid of light" in the oracle.

However, he realized that wasn't the case.

"Come to think of it, why did I only intend to convey the revival of the Goddesses to the believers? The oracle is meant to be delivered all at once. No matter how long the words of the gods may be... Could it be that the oracle was given to us twice, consecutively!?"

Oracles are not something that happen frequently. It is unheard of to receive a new oracle without any delay.

“It is unheard of, but... I've never heard that it can't be done either. The question is, why did Botin-sama do such a thing?”

"Perhaps, since I was able to receive the first oracle correctly, Botin-sama gave me the second oracle to inform me that I did indeed receive it correctly!"

If the oracle stating Botin's revival is correct, then the oracle stating that great gods other than Alda have joined Vida's faction must also be correct.

Even though he understood this, the temple head's expression did not brighten.

"At this point, how can I pray to Vida... However, the Goddess must have given me the oracle because she has expectations for me. I have to rely on the wisdom of everyone, and somehow find a way to convey the true intentions of the Goddess to the people.”

That is the significance of the clergyman as the representative of the gods.
With a burning sense of duty to withstand such pressure, the Temple Head soon realized that many other Botin clergymen had received the same oracle from Botin, and Peria had also given the same oracle to her own clergymen as well. Thus, he was able to rely on the "wisdom of everyone" much sooner than he had thought.





Meanwhile, in the Divine Realm of Alda, the God of Law and Life, a heavy silence hung in the air.

Alda, having heard the reports from the Peria Defense Corps' Gods and the God of Reflections, Larpan, remained silent. With Nineroad absent to coordinate the subordinate gods and handle the situation, the silence only grew heavier.

The gathered subordinate gods had no words to speak. Especially the subordinate gods of the earth and water attribute, who seemed stunned and lost, as if facing the end of the world.

The reason being that Botin, who had been sealed, and Peria, who had been dormant, were now released and had sided with Vida's faction.

Among them, many were recognized by the subordinate gods of Botin and Peria and ascended to become gods. These young gods, who had never met their masters, the Great Gods before, simply considered it an extension of what they had been taught as humans: "When Botin and Peria awaken, they will surely become allies of Alda."

Or rather, they didn't even think much about it. Just as the sun rises from the east and sets in the west, they believed that there was no other option but for Botin and Peria to become Alda's allies, without giving it any further thought.

That's why the young gods were confused and unable to take action.

And the confusion extended to the ancient gods who had existed even before the battle with the Demon King. They couldn't understand why Botin and Peria would ally themselves with Vida.

Why would Peria stand by Vandalieu, who had embedded the dangerous Demon King Fragment within himself and transforming his body into a grotesque form?

Why did Botin declare that she would ally with Vandalieu, who not only commanded the filthy undead and demi-gods like Talos and Tiamat, but also the new races of Vida, who had originated from not only demi-gods like Talos and Tiamat, but also the Evil Gods.

No matter how much they thought about it, they couldn't come up with an answer.

Some gods even wondered, "Could it be that we were mistaken? Were we under the wrong impression that Alda's and Bellwood's claims were the intentions of other Great Gods?"

However, admitting that was difficult for the gods. After becoming gods, they acted as gods of Alda's faction, conveying teachings to their believers, and the believers also worshiped them as gods of Alda's faction.

To deny that would be to deny themselves. It would mean losing their identity.

It was like a god who had preached non-violence and compassion to their followers suddenly proclaiming, "Violence is justice, and the slaughter by the strong is the correct way to guide the world."

"A-as expected... Botin-sama and Peria-sama have gone mad, haven’t they?"

Some gods even jumped to the simplistic idea that Botin and Peria had gone insane. In fact, at the time of Ricklent and Zuruwarn, many gods had accepted this notion as true.

“You dare! Are you mocking our masters?"

However, unlike Ricklent and Zuruwarn, there were subordinate gods within Alda's Faction who had personally interacted with Botin and Peria. Even for them, it was difficult to believe the Goddesses' declaration. However, they couldn't accept the baseless claim that the beings they served had fallen into insanity.


"But such a declaration, it is hard to believe it was made with a sane mind."

"No, they were sane!"

And Botin, who made the confident declaration, had witnesses. Larpan, the God of Reflections, testified exactly what he saw.

"At least, Botin-sama, who made the declaration in front of us, was in her right mind. Her eyes were filled with strong determination and radiated confidence. It is hard to believe she is just spouting nonsense in a state of insanity."

"B-but, why would she make such a declaration and choose to ally with Vandalieu, telling us to “separate from Alda-sama and stay neutral”? Are you saying that Vida's faction... that filthy Vandalieu is right?"

"That... but isn't it dangerous to simply assume that the Great Gods have gone insane?"

"Dangerous!? Are you trying to divide us? If we are divided, defeating Vandalieu would be a dream come true. Are you going to let Goh -dono's brave efforts go to waste!?"

"I didn’t say that! I just..."

"Everyone, calm down."

At that moment, Alda, who had been silent until then, spoke in a solemn voice. The subordinate gods, who had been engaged in heated debate, closed their mouths and waited for their leader's words.

"It is understandable that all of you are shocked. However, Botin did not lose her sanity; she made a conscious choice to ally with Vida. Just like Peria, who deceived us."

But Alda's words further shocked the subordinate gods.

"Alda, isn't that proof that Botin-sama and the others have lost their minds!?"

"Why on earth would they choose to side with Vida... with Vandalieu!?"

"Could it be that Botin and the others kneeled before the stronger side?"

The commotion grew, and even Niltark, the God of Judgment who would have normally silenced them, could not find his voice.

"No, that’s not the case. Botin and the others have chosen a different future from the one we envision, and they have made it their own ideal. I cannot accept it. And I cannot understand it either..."

Alda himself was at a loss for words when she realized Botin's declaration and the fact that Peria had deceived them for so many years. It was a greater shock than when Zuruwarn and Ricklent’s betrayal was revealed.

However, he remembered. Gods, especially the Great Gods, originally gave priority to different things.

For over a hundred thousand years since parting ways with Vida, the Gods had been together for too long that they had placed what used to be normal before Demon King Guduranis appeared outside of their consciousness.

"Our ideal is to return the world to a normal... pure world before Guduranis appeared. Even if humans have grown accustomed to the existence of Devil Nests and dungeons, and have come to take using monsters' materials for granted. Even if it takes tens of thousands of years to purify Devil Nests, millions of years to persuade the humans, and tens of millions of years to seal the Evil Gods and Demon King fragments, we are prepared to realize our ideal."

For Alda, that was the ideal to strive for. A normal world with no monsters and no Devil Nests and dungeons that spawn them. And a world where Vida's new races do not exist.

Currently, as a result of Nineroad's proposal and subsequent discussions, it has been decided to accept the existence of races that did not inherit blood of the Evil Gods, whose Ranks are not displayed in their Statuses. However, that was the limit for Alda.

A hundred thousand years ago, Vida described her own children as "strong new Humans," but Alda did not see it that way. To him, Vida's New Races were not "humans." They were nothing more than highly intelligent monsters and followers who worshiped evil gods.

If it were just Dark Elves, Alda might have conceded. Perhaps, it wouldn’t have been impossible to acknowledge the existence of races like Titans, Beastmen, Merfolk, and Drakonids as well.

To Alda, Yupeon, the God of Ice who became the representative of the water-attribute gods after Peria fell asleep, and the now deceased Blateo and Madroza, they were not "new humans”, but were "relatives of humans who were inferior" or "failed creations of former friends”.

At the very least, there was no evil blood... no repulsive factor flowing within them.

However, even so, the existence of races like the Majin Race with Ranks could not be recognized. They inherited the aspects of the Evil Gods. If they gathered, they would pollute the world just like how monsters did and create Devil Nests, causing harm.

Alda was aware that they possessed wisdom and compassion. However, just as there is the saying among humans, "Goblins must be killed," whether their nature is evil or not, they are existences that must be eliminated.

Even without such reasons, Alda could only see the Majin Race as repulsive beings that would corrupt normal humans. However, that was Alda's way of thinking. He had forgotten that other Great Gods might not share the same opinion.

"But Botin, Peria, as well as Ricklent, and Zuruwarn, probably have decided that it would be good to coexist with the current world... a world where Devil Nests continue to give birth to monsters. They have also accepted Vida's new races and Vida's Circle of Reincarnation system."

Alda didn't know the details of how they reached such conclusions or how their thoughts had developed. However, the conclusion was clear.

"That… I can’t help but think that they have lost their sanity! But... it is unthinkable for Peria-sama to lose her sanity."

Yupeon, who must have been the most shocked by Peria's decision to join Vida's faction, shouted. But as he remembered what kind of god his true master was, he knelt down with a wilted expression.

"Then... Alda, what should we do? I don't believe the current world is normal. Furthermore, believing in Peria-dono, who deceived us..."

"Ricklent-dono and Zuruwarn-dono who hid themselves and didn’t present their thoughts. It seems they have abandoned the ideal of restoring the world to normal before the appearance of the Demon King, and succumbed to the present where monsters exist!"

The young gods pleaded with Alda.

For Peria, who had pretended to be asleep, and Ricklent and the others, who had awakened but remained to act secretly, they had their own reasons for not being able to join Alda, as they could only see Alda as having lost his sanity.

However, the gods gathered here were all individuals who never even considered the idea that Alda was insane. For that reason, they felt that Peria and the others were unilaterally criticizing them without presenting their own opinions or intentions.

Peria and the others might have anticipated this, but… it would be unbearable for them to appear before Alda, express an opinion that favors Vida and defend her, only to be struck by the "Pile of Law".

They knew from the start that they would lose the trust of the young gods in Alda's faction in exchange for their own safety.

And they were right.

"There is no other choice."

Alda has not lost his reason. It's just that they have become obsessed with believing in their ideals and pursuing them.

"Just because what they deem good is different from us doesn't mean we are wrong. There is no mistake with the ideals we aim for. Someday, they will come to understand that too.”

Yes, the ideals are correct. It's just that aiming for that ideal isn't realistic.

The power of Alda's faction alone is far from enough to achieve them. Even if combined with the power of Vida's faction, it is impossible. At the very least, achieving those ideals within the next ten million years is not possible.

And even if the ideals could be realized billions of years from now... would it be right to impose them on the humans of the present and the future?

It would be right for the next ten years. Even if it’s the next hundred years, it would be for the sake of the future generations. Even a thousand years from now, for long-lived races like Elves, it would be about their great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

But what about tens of thousands of years? Would it still be the same? To fight against Vandalieu and his Empire, risking lives and souls, for the sake of realizing ideals in an unimaginable future, is it right to force that upon them?

Alda believes it is good to do so. He believes that if one is a true human, it is only natural for them to fight.

Just like how the sun rises from the east and sets in the west. For Alda, it is a matter that needs no thought.

"But, including Vida and Zantark, if the six Great Gods turn against us...!"

"There is no need to worry. From now on, battles will take place in places where people live, not the unexplored lands. The time has finally come for the Heroes we have raised to show their true worth."

"What?! Can our Heroes really defeat the enemies who defeated Gohn and the others?"

One of the subordinate gods reluctantly questioned Alda's statement. It's only natural to doubt it. It's hard to believe that humans, even as heroes, can defeat demi-gods with their robust bodies and strength.

"Of course, they can. You all should have raised them to be able to win."

But the fact is that true heroes... the humans that the gods expect to eventually become gods themselves, are equal to or even stronger than demi-gods.

Certainly, demi-gods are strong. With their towering hundred-meter bodies, sturdy muscles, scales, fur, and armor made of hardened shells, and various abilities depending on what they specialized in, they can operate in places where humans cannot survive, such as the Demon King's Continent.

In that sense, demi-gods are undoubtedly stronger than heroes.

However, when it comes to combat, it's a different story. True heroes can defeat Colossi, Elder Dragons, and Beast Kings.

In fact, even though he is a hero of the Vida's faction, Thunderclap Schneider, has slain many elder dragons that have fallen into evil. In the past, heroes from Alda's faction have also defeated demi-gods like the Pure-breed Vampires.

Heroes were able to fully utilize the benefits of the Status System, devise clever tactics, equip themselves with superior weapons and armor, and even let the gods’ familiar spirits and heroic spirits descend on themselves. By doing so, they can even defeat demi-gods, who are the symbol of nature’s wonder.

The prime example of such heroes is Bellwood and the other Champions. Even though they were summoned from another world in order to find the most suitable vessel to receive the gods' power, they were still human.

"And everyone, at long last, our hero Heinz, leading the Five-colored Blades, has reached the level where Bellwood is sleeping. Before long, he will be revived."

Upon hearing Alda's words, the Divine Realm filled with cheers for the first time in a long time.





The numerous battles with the recreated Demon King Guduranis within the Dungeon were fierce.

Even Heinz himself couldn't believe that they had won, as he watched Guduranis disappear into particles, remaining cautious, thinking it might be some sort of trap.

"Does this mean we're on par with Bellwood?" Jennifer, a human who specializes as an unarmed fighter, asked as they descended the stairs to the next level. However, no one agreed with her words.

"Indeed, we defeated Guduranis, but... in the battles from over a hundred thousand years ago, Bellwood and the others fought countless evil gods and their minions before confronting the Demon King."

"We may have come close, but we are not on par with them, are we?"

Diana, an elf and a priestess of the Goddess of Slumber Mill, explained, and Delizah, a female dwarf who served as a shield bearer, agreed with her.

"Besides, we died and returned many times before defeating the Demon King, constantly devising strategies. We’re nowhere near as good as Bellwood, Farmoun, and Nineroad in real battles.”

And it was as Heinz said, their victories are the result of countless experiences... learnings.

Due to the destruction of the original administrator of the dungeon, the God of Records Curatos, the enemies reproduced from the records of past formidable foes that appeared in the Dungeon had become mere reproductions of the past.

They lacked cognitive abilities and judgment, only able to fight Heinz and his group following the battle patterns from the past. It is impossible for them to deviate from those patterns or make spontaneous actions to adapt to Heinz's changes.

They were like robots programmed to move only according to instructions, or like enemy characters in a game.

Heinz and the others learned the Demon King's patterns of action through repeated deaths, and used that opportunity to defeat him.

Their ability to learn and exploit vulnerabilities alone was already remarkable. Even at this stage, they could likely defeat Schneider.

However, if Curatos were still alive and the reproduced enemies retained their diverse patterns of action, along with reasonable cognitive and judgment abilities, it would have been impossible to beat them.

To claim they stood on par with Bellwood would be far from the truth.

"Just because we defeated impostors doesn't mean you can get carried away."

"Hey, hey, I get it. But there's no need to give me such a look."

"A look...?"

Edgar, who had scolded Jennifer, touched his own face with his hand as if he realized it for the first time after being retorted by her.

It seems that there was tension unconsciously building up between his eyebrows. That's how much Jennifer's words... No, the battle against the impostors had been unpleasant for him.

"Sorry about that. I guess I was a bit tense."

Edgar apologized, unable to recall why it had been so unpleasant. He quickly brushed it off, and no one paid it much attention.

After all, they were about to enter the place where Bellwood was .

As they descended the stairs, they faintly heard the sound of chains swaying from behind the door ahead.