Kapitel 84: Chapter 68: The Sealed Demigod, the Dark Goddess!
In Annihilation Mode, the devil's power and the sun's energy blend perfectly.
This fusion elevates Rhodes' strength beyond the realm of gods.
If left unchecked, his rampage could obliterate an entire kingdom of a million souls in a blink. Fortunately, the world itself intervenes, suppressing such overwhelming power to prevent total devastation.
Rhodes clenched his fist, feeling the crackling energy subsiding. "I lost control for a moment, but it's fine now." His voice was calm as he returned to the carriage, ignoring the wary glances of his companions.
The first time he activated the Demon God's Blood, it had spiraled out of control due to his inexperience. But now, he had mastered it—or at least kept it from plunging into chaos. As long as he didn't push the power to its absolute limits, he could wield it without losing himself.
Now, he stood on a threshold few dared to approach. Day or night, his power was enough to make even gods tremble.
---
The carriage rattled down a muddy road, stretching endlessly into the horizon. Around midday, Rhodes noticed something unusual: scattered figures ahead.
A group of ragged refugees shuffled along, their faces pale with exhaustion and fear.
"Young man, turn back!" An old man dragging a tattered bag called out. "There's a plague up ahead. Entire families have been wiped out!"
Another refugee chimed in, whispering ominously, "Move forward if you want, but don't blame us if you catch it."
"A plague?" Rhodes raised an eyebrow.
Before he could ask further, two refugees began arguing.
"It's not a plague! I swear it's blood-sucking demons!" one man exclaimed, clutching his wife's hand tightly.
"Nonsense! It's a disease. No wounds, no signs of struggle—how could it be demons?" the other shot back.
Rhodes ignored their bickering and leaned back. "Interesting. Let's see for ourselves."
The carriage pressed on. As they neared the town, the number of fleeing refugees increased. Fear etched their faces, and whispers of death followed them.
---
The town itself was a ghostly ruin.
Desolate streets stretched ahead, littered with corpses. Many houses had their windows shuttered, but Rhodes felt unseen eyes peering from the cracks. Only the elderly and the infirm, unable to flee, remained. They waited, resigned, for death to claim them.
Rhodes jumped down from the carriage, his boots crunching on the gravel. He strode toward the village center, his sharp gaze scanning the surroundings.
A rider approached, clad in worn armor and a cloak streaked with mud. He reined in his horse sharply as he spotted Rhodes. "You're an adventurer too? Leave while you can. This is an unknown village—nothing good happens here."
"Unknown village? Explain." Rhodes tossed him a gold coin, the glint catching the rider's eye.
The man hesitated, then leaned in, speaking in hushed tones. "I don't know much, but here's what I've heard. Overnight, half the adventurers who stayed here were killed. No wounds on their bodies, just… drained of blood. If that's not an evil curse, I don't know what is."
The rider shuddered, glancing around nervously before spurring his horse and galloping away.
---
Rhodes rubbed his chin, deep in thought. "Drained of blood, huh? This feels oddly familiar."
Despite the warnings, he urged the carriage onward. Refugees continued to pass by, their faces pale with fear. By nightfall, the eerie silence of the dark pressed in.
"There's a church up ahead," Yuliya pointed out from her seat. "It might be a good place to rest."
"As long as it's not abandoned," Rhodes muttered, steering the carriage toward the building.
The church was unlike others in the Shinra Empire. Its emblem marked it as a temple of the Dark Church—an exceedingly rare sight in this land dominated by the followers of the God of Glory. The rivalry between the God of Glory and the God of Eternal Night meant such churches were almost extinct here.
But this one seemed… maintained.
---
Inside, the air was cold and still. At the front of the church, a priest knelt before the altar, hands clasped in prayer.
But he was long dead.
Rhodes approached, examining the withered corpse. The priest's skin clung to his bones, blood drained completely. There were no wounds on the body or signs of struggle—except for two faint puncture marks on his neck.
"Not just anyone could have done this," Rhodes murmured, noting the lingering aura of divine power around the body. This priest had been a legendary bishop of the Dark Church.
"What are you looking for?" Yuliya asked, frowning as Rhodes inspected the corpse.
"Clues," he replied with a grin, eyes gleaming with intrigue. "This could be tied to that so-called demonic curse."
After some searching, Rhodes uncovered a hidden passage beneath the altar. He descended into a sealed basement, the air damp and cold.
---
At the center of the chamber was a dark coffin, its surface engraved with the symbol of the God of Darkness. Heavy nails imbued with divine energy secured its corners. A gem-encrusted sword pierced through the coffin, radiating faint traces of divine blessing.
Above it stood a statue—a woman cloaked in black, her figure elegant yet imposing. Despite her shrouded face, the craftsmanship made her seem alive, her pale skin a stark contrast to her dark attire.
"The Goddess of Darkness and Night," Rhodes murmured, recognizing the figure instantly.
This wasn't an ordinary seal. The coffin and its protective relics hinted at a foe of immense power—likely a demigod.
But now, the seal was broken.
The gem-studded sword lay corroded, the divine nails losing their luster. Whatever had been imprisoned here had escaped.
"So, this so-called demonic curse might just be its handiwork," Rhodes thought aloud. He could feel traces of divine fury lingering in the air.
He smirked. "Well, good luck to whoever has to deal with that mess. Let's hope they don't take it personally."
A demigod, freshly unsealed and weakened, would likely retreat to recover its strength. Until then, Rhodes doubted it would show itself.
But if it did return, fully restored and vengeful?
"Well, I do have some experience killing gods," Rhodes mused, his smile sharpening.
And for him, this would just be another day's work.
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