Chapter 1951

Grid, who had been scrambling to rescue Lord, excitedly asked, How did you figure out how to kill a G.o.d? Was it because of your genius intuition?

Kraugel laughed awkwardly as he looked after the wounded people. Kubartos just told me. Dont give me credit for his idea. He holds a lot of grudges against Judar for absorbing his heart.

Kraugel was being overly modest. How many people could achieve killing a G.o.d even after finding out how to do it? If it hadnt been for the Falling Moon Sword, it wouldve been difficult for Grid to slash through the ash pillar.

Two small spheres of light approached and hovered beside Grid as he curiously observed the golden energy flowing in Kraugels Twilight. He didnt pay too much attention to them.

Traukas lair was still collapsing, its appearance crumbling, and it was unleas.h.i.+ng waves of heat and magic at random intervals. He thought that the two lights were just the remnants of something pa.s.sing by.

He was surprised to hear words echo in his mind.

-I felt you even when I was asleep.

It seemed to be Traukas voice.

-Its ridiculous how many times you hesitated to harm me. You never intended to kill me. I guess the possibilities that the insane dragons daughter and Bunhelier spoke of left quite an impression on you, right? Why? Did you think a future in which you could cooperate with us was possible?

His characteristic sneering tone came off as completely arrogant. However, rather than showing annoyance, Grid shrugged it off. The strongest dragon, Trauka, had not been in good shape ever since he was seriously wounded by Ifrit. Nevertheless, he still displayed intimidating strength and instilled fear in Grid and the Overgeared members. Everyone admitted he was a terrifying presence.

Grid respected him, so he simply responded with a silent smile. This att.i.tude softened Traukas tone.

-I fully understand your feelings. But dont try to convince the old dragons. We cant defy the fate bestowed upon us by the foreign G.o.d. No matter our feelings, we are ultimately destined to act according to our instincts. If you act as foolishly against other old dragons as you did this time, you will get seriously hurt.

Seeing that youre giving me advice, I think I can still feel some kind of hope.

-Hmph. Im dead, anyway. The chains of fate have been loosened, so thats why Im able to give you this warning.

Trauka snorted and was silent for a moment. He stared at Grid, who was looking at him curiously. He continued speaking with some difficulty.

-Ifrits child is still alive. She is the only flesh and blood I have left.

The residual fire...

-Thats her. I want you to take her away. In any case, if I leave it like this, she will replace me.

Is she going to become an old dragon? Isnt that a good thing?

-Did you even listen to what I was saying just now? Once she becomes the fire dragon, she can only live according to the will of the foreign G.o.d. I wont be able to rest even when I enter the river of reincarnation if that happens.

Grid was taken aback. It was unexpected to see this evil dragon worry about his flesh and blood when he had eaten so much of his kin in his life.

Is this implying that Traukas obsession with predation isnt because of his natural disposition, but an order that Morpheus has given to him?

This was the result of a fate bestowed upon them by the foreign G.o.d.

Grid pondered on Traukas words and nodded. I understand. I am very grateful to you, so I will do you one last favor.

-...You are strangely kind. Come to think of it, your tone is also unusually polite.

Is there any point in being rude to someone who is already dead? Anyway, if the number of old dragons increased, that would be bad for us.

-Hmm, you seem to feel guilty about killing me. In any case, its fine. Now Im content. Since you are doing me a favor, I will tell you where my treasure trove is.

Trauka was cool to the very end. He gave Grid the location of the treasure trove and disappeared.

Just as Grid was recovering from the shock, a new voice entered his mind.

-Annihilate me.

This time, it was Judar. Unlike Traukas somewhat excited tone, his voice sounded gloomy.

-More than half my soul is already in h.e.l.l, so I cant destroy it right now. This means you have to personally go there, find it, and destroy it.

......?

He was saying to find his soul and destroy it? Grid was startled, and he didnt know how to reply.

-I never imagined the river of reincarnation could exert an attraction over the souls of the G.o.ds. Yatan mustve been very distressed after hearing the news of G.o.ds being killed by Trauka. He probably wanted to give them a chance to reincarnate. He was being uselessly nosy.

Judar didnt care that Grid didnt respond and kept going.

-Do you not want to talk to me? Well, you might think I am presumptuous. That is understandable. I will give you sufficient repayment. If you promise to do me a favor, I will show you how to make a body.

It felt like Judars soul was scanning the G.o.d Hands.

-The body creation recipe is a secret method that I discovered by researching the memory of my birth. Some of the information is in Hanuls hands, but given your divine items and powers, you can amplify it to a different level from what it is now. You will be able to produce clones of yourself.

Clones!

Grid did indeed harbor a desire to make a doll in his image from the moment he discovered the magic machines. He had the worlds most powerful resources and technology, so hed naturally tried his hand at it. However, smelting and forming human body parts was different from creating a human body. Hed failed every single time. Not even Item Creation could help with this issue.

He really wanted a body recipe.

Just...

Grids expression changed. His eyes widened in surprise, and his eyebrows furrowed as if he was displeased. He smiled like he found whatever he was thinking absurd, his face darkening.

Grid realized something about Judars desire to die.

...Do you know the truth?

-How can I not know when the G.o.ddess is so obvious? Ive known for a long time that this world is just a lower dimension created by higher-level beings for entertainment.

Judars tone grew infinitely more displeased.

-In fact, I have many things I want to ask you. However, I am just a trivial clown who is nothing more than a plaything created by higher-level beings. I know that you cant really be sincere with me. To you, I am not worthy of respect. However, if there is even the slightest bit of sincerity in the heart that you have shown to the fleeting beings of this world, please listen to what I have to say.

......

There was no reason for Grid to refuse Judars request. Finding a soul at the river of reincarnation was more difficult than finding a needle in a haystack for ordinary people, but Grid was no ordinary person. If he spoke with Black Knight Eligos, he would be able to start his search for the soul as soon as possible. If this didnt work, he could ask Knight to do it. In return, he would receive the body manufacturing method.

There was just one thing that bothered him.

Did Hanul use the body manufacturing technique to make the yangbans?

-Thats right.

Strange. Didnt Chiyou side with Hanul on the off-chance that a G.o.d killer would be born among the yangbans? You also know this recipe. Why did Chiyou rely on Hanul and not you?

-The body manufacturing method I came up with is essentially the art of creating a G.o.d. G.o.ds cant kill G.o.ds. This is the G.o.ddess will. Since I am her child, there is no way I could disobey her.

Judar sighed.

-On the other hand, Hanul has the same hierarchy as the G.o.ddess. After leaving Asgard, he was able to completely escape the influence of the G.o.ddess and improve this recipe. He needed the power of a G.o.d killer to conquer Asgard, so he created the yangbans. For Chiyou, who wants to hold onto even the smallest of hope, he had no choice but to follow Hanul, not me.

That is what happened... So if I make clones using this body manufacturing method of yours, will I be unable to become a G.o.d killer?

Grids doubts were dispelled, only for him to have a new question. This made Judar laugh.

-You werent born in Asgard. You must use the black-gold metal for the body manufacturing method. Instead of creating a completely new being, it will be just a clone of yourself. You shouldnt encounter any problems. You already possess a superior concept of G.o.d killing intent, the Annihilation energy. Not even the G.o.ddess can intervene with this force. Your clone will also possess this type of energy.

Grids expression finally brightened. Judar, who had been worried that his request would be rejected, felt relieved. He told Grid, -The power of reincarnation is too strong. I cannot hold on for much longer. If you promise to do this favor for me, I will teach you the recipe right now. Is that okay?

Grid nodded. A part of Judars soul seeped into his mind.

Grid, who had lost his body to Braham in the past, was startled. He was relieved to hear about the effects of the Annihilation energy.

[The Body (G.o.d) Manufacturing Method has been acquired!]

-Please help me out as soon as you can. I dont know for how long I can endure the oblivion of h.e.l.l.

Yes... I will come find you as soon as possible.

Grids tone softened. Judar found it strange. There was no way that he, an Absolute, did not know that Grid had deep respect for him. He wondered if Grid would hold a grudge against him, and he was surprised when Grid had not only obediently agreed to the request, but also had a gentle att.i.tude in doing so.

He hesitated a bit before gathering enough courage to speak.

-I want to ask you one last thing. It is somewhat of a personal question, so you don't have to answer it.

What is it?

-Is this dimension inferior compared to yours?

What was the intent behind this question? Grid couldnt really tell, but the fear in Judars voice made his heart heavy. He thought about it for a while before coming up with an honest answer. No, this dimension is much better and more beautiful than mine. This place is someones ideal, so it has to be so.

-...That is enough.

The fear in Judars voice faded. He seemed relieved and proud. He also seemed to be smiling for some reason.

Judars last words left Grid in shock.

-I dont know if this will help in any way, but the dimension I created changed its name the moment Trauka died. The name is made up of characters I cant read, but Im sure you can. Ill give you the name before and after the change, so think about it.

Judars soul vanished after leaving a mark on the fragments of some rocks.

The name was indeed written in English, which was something that people from this world couldnt read. Its meaning was rather shocking.

Grids expression stiffened. He thought about it, but he didnt have the time to dwell on it. As he was conversing with the souls, news was pouring in from his colleagues who had left.

He put Judars belongings and the remnants of Trauka, collected by the G.o.d Hands, into his inventory. Then, he hurried out of the lair.