Chapter 102: The Invasive Heretic God
The Supreme God bestowed the Elves with immortal life.
Only fire, sharp blades, and extreme sorrow could lead them to death.
…
The girl from myth before Kurumi gave her a gentle smile.
Kurumi finally understood the nature of the girl in front of her.
A beloved child of the Supreme God, a Vanyar Elf, graced by the radiance of the Two Sacred Trees.
Then, the tree glowing with golden light in the distance and the one before her, shimmering in silver, must indeed be the embodiments of Telperion and Laurelin.
Telperion & Laurelin.
Perhaps, even more familiar than the name "Vanyar Elf," Kurumi recognized the name Vanya's Peerless Radiance—the name of the shoulder guard in her armor, a piece blessed with formidable power.
She finally grasped the meaning of that prompt. Since her armor was named Vanya's Peerless Radiance, she should find an actual Vanyar Elf.
Slay the Heretic God, seize their authority.
A shiver ran through Kurumi's heart.
Quite the "special surprise."
The girl known as Kurumi Tokisaki—the most evil Spirit—was, in reality, a dreamer.
She had killed many but had never done so without reason.
The gunblade in her hand tightened and loosened, over and over.
Kurumi was conflicted. If she had been faced with a murderer, or if the person had come at her with an attack, she could have cut them down without hesitation.
But here was this girl, greeting her with respectful civility, without a hint of bloodlust.
This wasn't an online game, where you could simply attack someone to get their drops.
"As for me, I'm just an ordinary person." Leaning against the silver sacred tree, the girl who bore the name Vanya spoke softly.
"I have no great power, nor am I some prodigy. My archery is mediocre at best—not anything to be proud of."
"My singing and dancing are pretty basic too. In fact, I'd say I'm an average Elf at best."
Her eyes were beautiful, clear and open like a deep lake, with a cheerful sparkle, and sweet as if she were an innocent young girl.
"Perhaps it's just because of this appearance that I've been granted such fate, a chance to see such sights." She gently stroked the tree's trunk.
She was right—aside from her allure, her combat prowess was low; otherwise, Saint Raffaello and Paolo wouldn't have been able to drive her out of Florence.
"So, the rules I've set are not about fighting."
A sly smile bloomed on her delicate face, like a flower that blossoms after a summer rain.
"If you want the power I hold, then show me a beauty that surpasses this form!"
The girl named Vanya made her intention clear.
—A beauty contest.
Her archery was unimpressive, and she was average in other respects. In the world of Elves, she was so unremarkable that her name would be easily forgotten.
She wasted her breathtaking potential, and the reason was probably simple laziness.
But even so, she had her own pride.
Her beauty—rare even among the Vanyar Elves.
This, perhaps, was why such an ordinary Elf was graced with the title of Vanya.
Honestly, Vanya, with her pure, night-blooming beauty, and Kurumi, with her seductive allure, were each striking in their own way.
"If you were just a bit more…mature, I'd admit defeat right now~" Vanya laughed.
"But as you are now, you're still a bit too young."
"But! But!" she added quickly.
"If you could act cute or pull a…well, an ahegao face or something…then maybe I'd just hand over this power~"
Kurumi's face darkened. This girl…is she role-playing? What kind of things does she have in her head?
Behind her, Lilianna stood in confused silence, wondering.
She didn't know what an ahegao was…but for some reason, she was oddly intrigued.
Also…if Kurumi-sama acted cute…
Ah, I've died.
"Oh?" Kurumi's lips curled in a smirk as she raised her gunblade, aiming its dark barrel at Vanya.
"Sorry, what did you say? Could you repeat that?"
"I… I said, if you want the power I hold, then show me a beauty that surpasses this form!"
Vanya took half a step back, surrendering as she spoke.
"My, my. I meant the last part." Kurumi's eyes narrowed, a clear threat in her gaze.
"T-there was nothing after that!" Vanya played innocent, feigning innocence with surprising audacity.
Huff—
Kurumi lowered her weapon, exhaling deeply.
Cuteness? Not a chance. That would never happen—not in this life.
The one standing before her wasn't some adorable kitten but an old woman who had lived who-knows-how-many years.
As for the other option…well, she surely didn't want to find herself with a bullet wound.
So…to grow a little, she thought?
It wasn't impossible. She did have the power for it.
Trickery of the Time God
A skill gained after drawing the cards post-Iron Fortress world, one Kurumi never expected she'd actually use.
It allowed her to present herself at a particular age range.
She could go from "young" to "mature."
While she'd once thought her first use of the skill would be to revert to a child and dodge trouble by playing cute.
But now, it seemed, she'd need to display her older self.
With a casual flick of her hand, Kurumi took a step forward, shadows swirling up to enshroud her.
Her height grew a bit taller, her figure becoming more lithe and graceful, with perfect curves, a soft, willowy allure.
The real change, however, was in her aura. The radiant rose had fully bloomed, exuding irresistible charm.
A dark red rose transformed into a majestic peony in full bloom.
Kurumi stopped just before Vanya, her scarlet eyes filled with regal dominance as she lightly lifted Vanya's chin with her finger.
"Well?"
…
"Truly beautiful," Vanya sighed, smiling as she leaned back.
An ethereal brilliance radiated from her form, her smile one of complete surrender.
She had originally thought she might get to see this chosen girl try to act cute—it was a pity.
Maybe if I grew older, waited another few centuries, I'd look like that too.
Such a shame…such a shame.
She was simply too weak.
The Elven world wasn't devoid of wars and conflict. It wasn't all peace.
…
A brilliant butterfly of light paused on Kurumi's fingertip, as a golden-red magic circle bloomed in radiance around it, visible only to her.
Vanya tilted her head back, dodging Kurumi's outstretched hand.
Despite how appealing it might seem in the novels she'd read, where a domineering king cups the chin of a common girl, perhaps even pinning her to the wall, it was a bit embarrassing when actually facing it in real life.
Kurumi could swear by the heavens that she just had a habit of petting "cats," so she instinctively wanted to lift Vanya's chin to give a gentle scratch.
She wasn't that kind of hentai.
Kurumi could place her hand over her heart and assure anyone that she was a wholesome, pure-hearted young woman with firm moral values.
If she were lying, let her chest grow another size as punishment.
Clutching her chest, Kurumi suddenly realized something else.
Her "mature" transformation armor was so thick she couldn't even reach her heart.
Oh well, let it be.
For some reason, watching Kurumi's stunning, graceful figure, Liliana felt a pang of sorrow in her heart.
Kurumi-sama…you're so cruel.
I want such a burden too…
I want armor like that too…
I'm so envious.
…
Vanya gently sat beneath the silver-glowing Sacred Tree, gazing up at its dark-silver leaves and delicate white blossoms, smiling as she re-entered the myth.
For gods who defied fate and wandered the mortal realm, there were many possible ends.
Being slain by a Godslayer…
Being killed by another Heretic God…
Being sealed away…
Choosing to sleep or willingly retreating to the Netherworld…
Or, like Vanya, choosing to return to the myth.
Perhaps, it could best be described as returning to Nirvana.
…
A delicate butterfly landed on Kurumi's outstretched fingertip, scattering gentle light.
This was the power Vanya had left behind.
An essence identical to Kurumi's equipment piece, Vanya's Peerless Radiance, only this time, it was gifted power instead of crafted gear.
Kurumi's power came from three sources:
The strength held by Kurumi Tokisaki, the Spirit…
The power inherent to her title as the Crimson Rose…
And the perfect gear she wore.
Now was the time to brand the power Vanya left behind onto her armor.
Opening her status panel, Kurumi saw the butterfly resting over the shoulder slot, aligning the two layers.
[Vanya's Peerless Radiance - Eterna will require 500 Fate's Mark and 500 Eternal Melody.]
—Confirm?—
The costs were calculated meticulously, just enough to empty Kurumi's reserves.
Without hesitation, she hit Confirm. A feeling washed over her, as if the entire world had just approved her.
If this were an online game, a "+100 Charisma" notification would be hovering over her head.
[Ding—]
[Kurumi Tokisaki Charisma +100]
…
Enough already!
…
Vanya's task was finally complete.
Before leaving the Netherworld, Kurumi plucked a flower from the sacred tree before her, shining with a silver glow. After all, in the myth to which Vanya belonged, the Silver Tree Telperion and the Golden Tree Laurelin held a place akin to the universe's axis.
The last blossom of Telperion and the final fruit of Laurelin eventually became the moon and the sun, respectively.
Though the Sacred Tree before her was a mere replica, it still possessed special significance.
Taking Liliana's hand, Kurumi prepared to leave, glancing around in mild confusion.
Why does it feel like the world suddenly seems…bigger?
…
The spring constellations gleamed in the night sky.
In the grand hall of St. Giardino Monastery, the highest authorities of Italy's might were gathered in conversation.
Great Knight Paolo Blandelli, the most skilled swordswoman Saint Raffaello, and the man who was nearly a living embodiment of Saint George, Salvatore Doni.
They were discussing how best to handle Kurumi Tokisaki, the Heretic God.
Treat her with the reverence due a deity? Or do their utmost to drive her away?
"So, Doni. You, with your idiocy, what are your odds against this Heretic God?" Saint Raffaello asked, barely disguising her disdain.
Even with Doni wielding Saint George's powers, the confident knight didn't hold back.
In her mind, Doni's bumbling image seemed permanently fixed.
"To be honest, zero," Doni said, scratching his head with a warm smile.
Despite the serious topic, he sounded like he was casually deciding on lunch.
By now, he'd changed into a simple T-shirt and jeans, with no hint of a magician or knight's garb.
"Zero, huh?" Saint Raffaello muttered to herself.
This Kurumi Tokisaki, this supposed Heretic God, didn't appear that strong…more like a fragile girl.
From what the Council's intelligence suggested, she had some troublesome abilities, but it shouldn't be so difficult, right?
"Um…no matter what look you give me, sensei, I can't help it." Doni shrugged helplessly.
"Heavenly flames fell upon her like divine judgment but didn't cause her any harm. It felt like they were entirely blocked somehow."
"I just can't win."
…
"Then…what if we add that little girl from the Cranichal family?" Saint Raffaello pressed on. "The girl has inherited the powers of Nuada, king of the Tuatha Dé Danann from Celtic myth, right?"
"They've taken to calling her the Silver Arm Wargod or something."
"If the two of you teamed up, would there be a chance?"
"Hmm…" Doni thought it over before decisively replying, "Nope."
"Besides, I don't think that little girl would even fight against the Heretic God."
…
Which, in truth, was precisely the case.
Liliana would never raise her hand against the goddess she had vowed to serve.
Silence descended over the hall.
It was natural for them to worry about Kurumi. After all, if given a choice between a lion that says, "I'm a good guy, I want to be your friend," and a chained-up hyena, most people would likely trust the hyena.
—
Just then, the sharp sound of an alarm reverberated from the grand barrier encircling St. Giardino Monastery.
Someone had breached it.
A surge of hurried footsteps and shouts erupted outside as monks sprang into action.
Inside the hall, Paolo, nearest to the door, immediately leaped to his feet and ran out, Saint Raffaello right behind him.
St. Giardino Monastery was no ordinary place, not one that could be infiltrated lightly. Since the Renaissance, the monks had worked ceaselessly to improve and strengthen the monastery's barriers.
One could even say St. Giardino was among the most secure places in all of Italy.
But only to a point.
Erica, taking quick, delicate steps, hurried after Paolo and Saint Raffaello.
She had a hunch that something was amiss. The disturbance seemed to originate from the guest quarters where she, Kurumi-sama, and Liliana had been resting.
Who could be trying to steal from there? Erica pondered.
And lastly came Doni, as calm as ever.
Unlike everyone else, who knew only that there was an intruder, he understood more.
St. Giardino Monastery was indeed fortified by a powerful barrier capable of stopping any malicious intruder from the magical world.
But…what if the intruder wasn't from the magical world?
What if it…wasn't human?
It was all too clear—the one breaking into St. Giardino Monastery was a Heretic God.
…
Doni poured all his strength into activating Saint George's power. The white robe with the crimson cross flew up behind him like the wings of a dragon.
The holy sword Ascalon took shape in his hands, inch by inch, into a broad, shining blade.
Doni raised his arm, then casually swung it downward.
A fierce wind ripped through the earth, tearing through all obstacles, leaving people unharmed.
One startled monk, nervously gripping his spear, heard only the sound of fabric ripping. Looking down, he found his black robe split clean in two, exposing his bare backside.
The wild sword energy caused tremendous destruction in an instant.
Though not yet a Godslayer, Doni had already embraced the core truth of Godslayers everywhere:
Wherever a Godslayer goes, explosions are sure to follow.
Clang—
A sharp sound of metal clashing came from the far end of the hall.
Indeed, it was from where Kurumi and the two girls were resting.
Their opponent hadn't fled.
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