Chapter 761: Oliver (2)
From a pitch-black hole torn open in the sky, a sea of fire poured down.
A chaotic blend of yellow, orange, and red flames filled the air, casting a menacing glow over the world. The infernal blaze began to merge into a flame sword, now wielded by the Burnt One.
“Kwa-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha──!!!”
The flame sword, having absorbed the sea of fire that fell from the heavens, rapidly expanded, growing so large that it seemed it would touch the sky.
Yet, this was not the end.
As if intending to end the battle with this one strike, the Burnt One combined the ring of fire above his head—a power granted by the divine—with his sword, stabilizing the once-unsteady flame blade and completing it fully.
Crackle...
The comforting sound of crackling fire filled the air, and the once-turbulent flame sword settled, forming a perfect blade.
It was as if it were a weapon crafted by the gods to punish the earth.
Crack!
As soon as the sword was completed, colors faded from the surroundings, the air warped, and cracks spread across the ground. The very fabric of space seemed unable to bear the heat and threatened to collapse.
At that moment, everyone who recognized the sword’s presence understood.
If that blade moved even once, the entire world would be consumed in flames.
A disaster beyond the words “fear,” “horror,” or even “despair.”
Just as the Burnt One was about to unleash that catastrophe...
Thunk!
Oliver lightly lifted his quarterstaff and tapped it against the ground.
Pa-ha-ha-ha-hah...
In response, the enormous hole in the sky was pierced by an even larger pillar of light, causing it to shatter and collapse.
“...!”
Everyone looked up at the pillar of light descending from the heavens.
It radiated with the brilliance of all the world’s light, yet it was not blinding; one could gaze at it directly.
It was vast enough to obliterate the hole that had covered the sky, yet, curiously, none of those present felt any intimidation.
They simply watched the majestic sight.
As the pillar of light completely obliterated the hole in the sky, it crushed and extinguished the sea of fire pouring through it.
The grand sea of fire that had descended with a sound beyond words or description faded away without a trace.
“Come forth──!”
A powerful shout rang out—the voice of the Burnt One.
He readjusted his grip on the flame sword meant to strike the earth and swung it toward the descending pillar of light.
[Punishment]
[Judgment]
The Burnt One’s voice and Oliver’s voice resounded simultaneously.
The impossibly immense pillar of light and the flame sword collided, one descending from above and the other ascending.
The world was engulfed in white light, a fierce wind surged, and sound momentarily disappeared. The only thing that could be heard in that silence was the cry of the Burnt One.
“Argh! This isn’t enough─────!!!”
Like burnt logs, his skin had blackened and cracked, and muscles pulsed over his scorched body as he gripped the sword even tighter.
In the cracks on his charred skin, glimmers of flame flickered like sweat, and the flame sword intensified in response, trying to slice through the pillar of light. But...
“......!”
Unlike the fierce, blazing flame sword, the serene pillar of light quietly pushed downward, extinguishing the fire as it descended.
Bam! Bam! Bang!
The Burnt One’s blade, poised to burn the world, shattered into countless fragments.
Like shards of glass, the fragments of flame scattered.
The pillar of light, with its splendid and distant radiance, extinguished the fragments soundlessly, continuing to descend over the Burnt One’s head.
The Burnt One smiled, exhaling flames from his mouth to enshroud his entire body, challenging the descending pillar of light.
“Come──!!”
Thunk!
When the pillar of light touched the ground, it emitted a quiet sound that seemed disproportionate to its size.
The moment it touched the earth, it surged upward with a brilliant glow, dispelling the darkness that had covered the sky and banishing all surrounding shadows.
It was like an inverted waterfall, cleansing the world as it flowed upward. Moments later, the pillar of light vanished, leaving the sun to shine upon the world once more.
Amidst the light of the new sun, the Burnt One knelt on both knees.
Sizzle...
His body, completely burned out like scorched wood, had turned ashen white. Oliver slowly approached him.
Crack...
The Burnt One’s white, charred skin flaked off like scales. He seemed as though he would crumble with even the slightest movement, but still, he lifted his head to gaze at Oliver.
The flames flickering in his empty eye sockets revealed that he was still conscious.
Oliver looked down and asked him a question.
“How is it? Have I earned your acknowledgment?”
The Burnt One’s cracked lips curled into a smile.
“...Before I answer, may I ask you two questions?”
“Please, go ahead.”
“Do you truly intend to bear all of humanity’s sins? The endless pride, jealousy, greed, lust, avarice, sloth, and hatred?”
“Yes.”
“One day, you will regret it.”
“Perhaps. But not today.”
“Heh... And you realize, it’s not just those burdens you will carry?”
The Burnt One asked, shaking his head with a knowing question.
Oliver looked down at his left arm, which had absorbed the sacred blood, and replied.
“By the way, do you enjoy steak?”
“...?”
“Or perhaps, pancakes? Beef Wellington? Fish and chips? Beer?”
“I like chocolate cake.”
“When I come to retrieve my own, I’ll be sure to bring you a chocolate cake.”
“...”
“So please, welcome me with a smile.”
“Ha... Ha! Ha! Ha!”
Hearing Oliver’s last response, the Burnt One let out a laugh, casting aside all pretense and dignity.
Then, he raised his white, charred arm toward Oliver and shouted.
In response, Oliver lifted his quarterstaff.
“To the great being—”
Once more, he tapped the ground.
“—our reverence!!”
Thunk!
The Burnt One’s skin of white ash crumbled, his entire body turning to a haze of ash as he vanished from the human realm.
When the Burnt One was completely gone, the darkness that had enveloped the surroundings also disappeared, and a brilliant light from the sky illuminated Oliver.
Everyone present involuntarily held their breath, watching that spectacle.
It was the moment when the divine had descended upon this land.
Just as everyone’s overwhelming emotions moved them to kneel...
Oliver knelt first.
Amid the white ash left from the Burnt One’s disappearance, Oliver knelt before a red-skinned warlock lying in the ash, his body marred with discoloration and missing one leg. Oliver addressed him.
“Unyielding Knee.”
“Die...! You bastard!!”
...
“Aaah...! I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you!!!”
Through the remains of the Burnt One’s descent upon this land, a man screamed.
His entire body was scarred and discolored as if burned, and he was missing one leg.
“I’ll kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill...!”
Beyond this, his body appeared malnourished, covered in wounds that suggested torture.
With his broken body, he crawled to Oliver, seized him, and picked up a rock from the ground, bringing its sharp edge down onto Oliver’s kneeling knee.
Whack! Thud!
Incredibly, though his strikes held no strength, they not only touched Oliver but also caused him pain and injury.
Thud! Whack! Thud!!
Although his strength was weak, each blow left scrapes on Oliver’s skin.
“Ah...”
Those who witnessed the absurd scene—a mere mortal striking a divine being—let out soft cries of horror and began to approach, intending to intervene.
But just then, Oliver raised a hand to stop them and shook his head.
Seeing this, none dared to move.
“Die! Die! Just die, please!!”
Regardless, the Unyielding Knee continued to grip Oliver and strike him with the rock.
“Die!”
Using Oliver as a support, he hammered the stone against Oliver’s chest as though driving a nail.
A red bruise formed on Oliver’s exposed chest, followed by a tear in the skin, allowing red blood to trickle down.
Even then, Oliver knelt silently, watching the Unyielding Knee with sad eyes.
“Aagh...!”
Finally, exhausted, the Unyielding Knee clutched his own injured hand, bleeding from the excessive effort he had put into his strikes.
Having been used as a vessel for the Burnt One, even this minor injury was life-threatening.
“Unyielding Knee...”
For the first time since the beating began, Oliver slowly extended a hand toward the Unyielding Knee, who was now writhing in pain.
Whack!
Filled with rage, the Unyielding Knee slapped Oliver’s hand away and flung himself forward, throwing a punch at Oliver’s face.
With a dull impact, Oliver fell to the ground.
Despite having absorbed the sacred blood, broken through his shell, accepted his role, and received the Burnt One’s acknowledgment, Oliver...
The Unyielding Knee climbed atop Oliver, raised his fist high.
“No!”
The Unyielding Knee’s fist came down upon Oliver’s face.
Whack!
“I am not the Unyielding Knee!!”
Smash!
“I’m not the Red-skinned Warlock!”
Whack!
“I’m not your brother!!”
Whack!
“I’m not a warrior or even human!”
Wham!
“I am a prince!”
Smash!
“A prince of hell!!”
Smack!
“I am! The one who will lead you all to the end! A prince of hell──!!!”
With bloodshot eyes, the Unyielding Knee screamed, frantically pounding Oliver’s face.
No matter the damage to his own hands.
Oliver quietly endured the blows, while the Unyielding Knee continued to strike him.
Breathless, with broken fingers, and his entire body wracked with pain, he continued to beat Oliver.
“Aaaah...! Why?! Why did you break your promise?!”
The Unyielding Knee shouted, his cries bordering on sobs, as he grabbed Oliver’s throat with his injured fingers.
With all his strength, he squeezed Oliver’s neck, just as he had done when he choked his younger brother to death...
“Aaaahhh...!!”
The Unyielding Knee grasped Oliver’s neck with both hands.
With Oliver defenseless, the Unyielding Knee’s fingers easily sank into his neck.
“Kuh... Khek!”
Oliver struggled for breath.
The Unyielding Knee drew close, his face just inches from Oliver’s, and questioned him once again.
Why had he stopped him? Why had he prevented him from becoming the Prince of Hell and avenging himself upon the world that had taken everything from him? Why did he suffer while losing everything?
Why?! Tell me. Tell me. Tell me.
“Tell me—!!!”
“I’m sorry.”
Beneath the Unyielding Knee’s wrathful, hate-filled grasp, Oliver shed tears and replied.
“Truly... truly... I am sorry.”