I Do What I Can Do (5)

Since descending into this world, Omphalos hadnt left the western square of his palace.

A throne was built in the middle of its vast emptiness, and he had been sitting there for days and days, watching only the screen of light.

Likewise, Genovia stood by his side the whole time.

No eating, no drinking, no sleeping. She just stood there like a pillar.

She didnt feel particularly uncomfortable because she was in the realm of immortality. It was just endlessly boring.

But there had been a change.

Telbaran of the darkness died.

Ill have to go see this for myself.

Pointing to the Emerald Tower, Omphalos grinned.

Will you follow me, Genovia?

Anything was better than standing like a pillar. She nodded.

I will, my Lord.

* * *

There was a green glow all over the place. Genovia looked around curiously.

Is this the interior of the Emerald Tower?

Even the ceilings, walls, and pillars supporting the tower were made of green emerald material.

Theyre not even fakes.

As the former queen of a country, she could tell the difference between a real gem and a replica. Everything was real.

Omphalos, who led the way, frowned.

What do you think?

Genovia had a vague look on her face.

Well

It was fancy.

At the same time, she realized that they were not human.

This place was a gem in itself. It glittered wonderfully beautifully, but it was of no use at all.

There were no functions that were essential for human survival.

Omphalos himself seemed to be aware of that.

Its not a practical interior at all, is it?

Not knowing what to say, she remained silent.

Giggling, Omphalos continued to walk down the hall of jewels. Genovia followed suit without a word.

At the end of it was a green hall.

Numerous cocoons of light were erected all over, one of which contained huge human-shaped shadows.

Standing in front of it, he put his palm on it.

Wake up.

Bubbles rose and soon tore through the cocoon. The apostle with silver armor burst forth.

It was Telbaran of Darkness, whom Ryu Han-bin had just killed.

He slumped to his knees, looking fine.

Forgive me, my God! I brought shame upon your name!

Looking down at his apostle, Omphalos smiled bitterly.

Dont worry. its my fault, too.

He knew that Ryu Han-bin was a chosen one. He also knew that he could use the Divinity Suppression skill, the Lord Throughout Heaven and Earth.

Nevertheless, he didnt inform his closest aides of the fact.

I forgot because I had a lot of things to worry about.

Of course, Telbaran wasnt the first to fight the Sword King.

Ectos of Earth was beaten first.

But he didnt use the skill Lord Throughout Heaven and Earth

Omphalos reflected on their battle one more time.

The Sword King used Valtaras Three Swords to push him, and Ectos, who was pushed back out of sheer force, flew up to avoid combat. Han-bin then threw a building at him.

Im sorry. I didnt think it was a threat to you.

Telbaran shook his head gratefully.

My Lord, please give me, your lowly servant, an ordeal to train further.

No, I made a mistake

I am foolish and do not yet understand your deep plans, but I believe that everything is meant to be.

Hearing what you want to hear is, in a sense, free will. For one, Im glad youve improved, at least.

He clicked his tongue for a moment, then gave an order.

Get up.

Telbaran leaped to his feet, his eyes gleaming.

Shall I fulfill your orders?

Scotaskia hadnt suffered too much damage. He had failed to carry out the Devils command properly.

But Omphalos shook his head.

Thats enough.

His finger pointed south.

Move to the next objective.

As you wish.

Telbaran spread his wings. He quickly left the Emerald Tower and rose to the skies.

Looking at him disappear in the distance, Genovia asked, Dont you completely cut off their resistance?

She couldnt understand Omphalos.

He was trying to conquer all of Latna with angels and monsters, attacking every major force with commanders that couldnt be killed.

Was it because he didnt have enough power?

It couldnt have been possible.

They were pushed back in Armorica and Scotaskia because of Latnas strongest fighters, the incarnations party.

But that didnt mean he didnt have enough power to kill them.

The six Goddesses of this world couldnt get involved.

If Omphalos came forward himself, no matter how strong they were, he would finish it instantly.

The Devil could also just mobilize all of his six apostles. Or Genovia could step forward.

Its as if youre trying to keep them alive

Omphalos grinned as he looked back at her.

Youre right.

They had to stay alive.

They need to survive and be the symbols of hope.

Isnt our goal to release the angels and the monsters to make Latnains give up hope?

Thats right as well.

Latnas hope shouldnt be lost.

The creatures of this world should have no other idols in their mind but Omphalos.

But their hope in the Goddesses shouldnt be lost.

Im in a situation where I have to read their minds.

At this point, he looked like the clear winner. Everything was going according to plan, and the Goddesses of Latna had no way to stop him.

He would be able to eat this world up soon enough.

But that doesnt mean that the Goddesses dont have a last resort.

The six deities cared for and managed Latna.

Even at that moment, they were trying their best to sustain this collapsing world while somehow attempting to counterattack against Omphalos.

But what if they became convinced that there was no way to save the world?

What would they do upon learning theyd lose no matter what they do?

They will make an extreme choice.

She understood.

Protecting Latna was a very complicated and difficult task.

But destroying it was easy.

What if the six desperate Goddesses, instead of handing over the entire Latna, broke it with their own hands?

Theyve spent hundreds of years trying to get here. They cant just let it go in vain, can they?

The Goddesses shouldnt give up on this world.

Until he ate it up, they had to hang in there as hard as they could.

To do that, they need hope.

Pointing to the sky, Omphalos laughed loudly.

With it, the Goddesses up there will do their best.

* * *

At the headquarters of the Darkness Church, Kibie took a deep breath with Han-bins eyes on her.

Weve made it this far for now

With Shadow-Reading, she could manage to identify some of the apostles loopholes. Thanks to that, she also made this plan.

Omphalos interpreted Kybriels darkness and became a registered presence in Latna.

He aimed for the gap in the providence set by Goddesses.

In other words, it was theoretically possible to also aim for a gap by interpreting the divinity of Omphalos.

Although the apostle of the Devil disappeared without even leaving a body behind, he was suppressed by some of the divinity of Omphalos injected by Ryu Han-bins Lord Throughout Heaven and Earth.

Kibie didnt miss the chance she had been looking for.

Still, Im just an incarnation.

She continued, glaring at the faint golden particles hovering in both hands.

I cannot interpret his divinity alone.

But for a moment, it was enough to move a little bit of the darkness.

Two-thirds had been taken away, but Kibie still had the last remaining part of it. She just couldnt take it out and use it.

If I could conjure a little bit of it and use it

Small holes could be drilled in the Devils divinity suppression power throughout Latna.

That golden particle was the key to the Sanctuary of Darknesss doors.

Leon Hart nodded.

Its not exactly a key, but its more of a lockpick.

Effirs eyes gleamed.

When you return to the sanctuary, will you regain the power of the Goddess?

In an anticipated voice, Kibie put her hands together.

I cant hope it would work out so well, but

At least some of the Goddesss power could be recovered. Then she might get a solution to the current situation.

I might be able to reach my sisters.

Focusing, she opened her arms.

From the mouth of the incarnation, the voice of the Goddess came out.

Open up, my darkness.

Darkness opened the path. While Darker than anything, it was also contradictory in the sense that it was as bright as light.

Everyones facial expressions brightened up.

Did it work?

Is it a success?

Except for one person, Kibie.

Oh, my

She reached out to the darkness with a worrisome look on her face. When her palm touched the pitch-black surface, it caused a ripple.

Fluttering

The incarnations hand was no longer directed into the darkness.

Ryu Han-bin was puzzled.

Only half-successful, then?

Kibies expression hardened.

No, its a total failure.

The road to the sanctuary opened.

But the sanctuary of the darkness didnt accept her.

I dont have enough strength.

The act of opening the door existed to enter the room. It was no use just opening it.

Damn it!

Nervously, she pushed through the darkness.

The pitch-black surface fluctuated. Of course, she still couldnt breach it.

Artis soothed her.

Why dont you give it another try? I think well see apostles of the Devil more often anyway.

They were practicing all kinds of slaughter throughout Latna.

It didnt seem too difficult to encounter them again when moving through Effir.

Why dont we just tell Han-bin to kill them one more time?

Kibie didnt look confident.

Theres no other way, so Ill try

She didnt make a mistake. She simply failed. There was no chance of success, no matter how many times she tried.

Meanwhile, the darkness began to fade again, and the path to the sanctuary closed.

At least, Kybriels divinity, which had been dragged out for a moment, had been sealed once more.

With the hope that had arisen

What should I do now?

Kibies shoulders drooped.

Suddenly, a white hand popped out of the darkness.

Huh?

Soon a girl in a white dress tumbled out of it.

She looked to be in her mid-teens, perhaps a little younger than Effir, with colorful blonde hair and clear skin.

She remained motionless, completely unconscious. She seemed to be breathing, at least, because her chest was shaking faintly.

Whats this?

Ryu Han-bin blinked.

Inadvertently invoking the Guideline, it showed sentences that he had seen once a long time ago.

[Race: Goddesses Lv. Unknown.]

Looking down at the unconscious female, Kibie murmured in a dazed voice.

Althea? Why are you coming out of here?