Chapter 197 : Chapter 197
Chapter 197 : Declaration
There are two types of people in the world.
Those who are proud of the somewhat embarrassing title bestowed upon them, and those who are ashamed of it.
Whether it was because Luna possessed delicate sensibilities or not, she belonged to the latter.
“I’m not a witch! Those guys just attached that name as they pleased!”
“Isn’t a nickname given by others more meaningful? It means you appear that way in the eyes of others.”
“Aack!”
Luna screamed and expressed her indignation, but the more she did, the more fun it was to tease her.
“Gray Witch, no matter how much I think about it, it suits you quite well.”
“……If you keep doing that, I really won’t stay still.”
“That’s quite a witch-like warning. I’ll be careful.”
“…….”
Meanwhile, Yuliana, who examined me and Luna in turn, looked puzzled for a moment before shifting her gaze to me.
“……Vell Blackwood, it seems an explanation is needed regarding this.”
“Nothing difficult about that.”
I explained to Yuliana the story related to Luna and what had happened a little while ago.
Hearing that, Yuliana’s expression changed a few times, and was soon dyed with surprise.
“……It’s unexpected. To think you were acquainted with the witch.”
“If you call me a witch one more time, know that I’ll tear your mouth apart.”
Luna growled like a chihuahua, but Yuliana replied with a relaxed smile.
“Oh my, I’m sorry. The notoriety of the Gray Witch is so widespread that I did it without realizing.”
“I told you, I’ll tear your mouth. I’ll make you wear a mask starting today.”
“Would that be possible?”
“Do you think I can’t?”
An unusual aura flowed from both Yuliana and Luna.
Judging by my assessment, there wasn’t much difference in their skills, so if they fought like that, it would probably be quite a spectacle.
Watching that mess would be quite entertaining, but unfortunately, there wasn’t much time right now.
“Enough with the jokes, tell me what you’ve grasped about the Hall of Subjugation first.”
At that, Yuliana subsided the aura she had raised as if nothing had happened and shifted her gaze to me.
“As expected, Gray Clouds succeeded in rallying most of the Hall of Subjugation forces. Wouldn’t the witch…… no, this person knows better about that part? Since you’re on the same side.”
“We’re not on the same side, got it? It was a temporary cooperative relationship, got it? And even that is over now. Also, I didn’t know anything about them originally.”
“Is that so? That’s quite a shame.”
Yuliana smiled brightly as she said that, and Luna, perhaps finding that appearance vexing, bit her lips alone.
“……That vixen-like thing.”
Luna muttered something alone, but there was no need to pay attention to it.
I turned my gaze to Yuliana.
“What does Bellerophon intend to do?”
“If it’s an unavoidable war, we have to face it. Bellerophon will also do its utmost. Probably…… because this war will decide the fate of everyone in this world.”
“Wouldn’t there be those within Bellerophon who want to return to Earth?”
“There are. No, rather, it’s safe to say they are the majority. But they are also concerned about the side effects caused by the door opening. They know well that our greed could destroy the things we cherish.”
“Is that so?”
Bellerophon and Yuliana, who seemed lost for a moment, felt like they had finally found the path they should take.
If they had made up their minds, I also had something to say to them.
“I have a favor to ask.”
“A favor?”
“Right. A favor that only Bellerophon can grant.”
“……What is it?”
I needed to tell Bellerophon about my goal to some extent.
What I am going to do from now on.
“I plan to meet Nero.”
“……Nero?”
“Right. I plan to meet Nero and bring a conclusion to all of this.”
Until now, I have turned away from many things.
But I will no longer do so.
“Such…….”
“But you must know that meeting Nero alone is no different from walking into a dragon’s maw.”
Of course, there was a time long ago when I went into the Destruction Dragon’s maw and came out alive, but I was lucky then.
No matter how many firearms useful for dealing with multiple enemies I possess, there was no way to handle the troops of the Hall of Subjugation if they rushed in all at once.
Yuliana spoke as if she understood my words.
“Does that mean you want Bellerophon to draw the attention of the Hall of Subjugation?”
“Right.”
“……I trust you, but that’s not something I can decide alone. I have to ask the opinions of other executives and the Guild Leader.”
“There will be no need for that.”
“What? What does that mean?”
“Tell Bellerophon.”
Since coming to this world, I have lived hiding many things until now.
Because I didn’t have the power to protect myself, and I couldn’t achieve what I wanted.
But not anymore.
Tzzt, Tzztzzt──!!!
[Activating ‘Weapon Summon(??)’.]
[Reproducing weapon, ‘Divine Sword Levatein’.]
[Weapon Reproduction Rate : 70%]
[Reproduction Duration : 60 seconds]
A blue halo of light gathered in my hand, and soon a white blade revealed itself.
Divine Sword Levatein.
Even though it might be a creation and not the genuine article, I was the only one qualified to wield this.
Holding it, I declared calmly.
“That Cain has returned.”
***
There are a few things in the world that are hard to believe even after seeing them directly.
The incident where Vell Blackwood revealed himself as Cain was also like that.
“What kind of…….”
Yuliana doubted her own ears.
Who? Cain?
Why does Cain’s name suddenly come out here?
Cain’s name holds many meanings in the World of Justice Online, but it was also true that the name had not been heard much from some point.
Because Cain was like a giant too enormous, so his empty spot was also huge enough for anyone to feel.
It must be so…….
What was held in Vell Blackwood’s hand was clearly the Divine Sword Levatein.
Yuliana could recognize it clearly.
‘Come to think of it…….’
When Yuliana first saw Vell Blackwood a long time ago, she thought Vell Blackwood was someone related to Cain.
Because otherwise, he couldn’t have boldly possessed items that would be in Cain’s warehouse.
As she got to know Vell Blackwood, she had completely forgotten that fact, but Vell Blackwood himself is Cain?
It’s hard to believe easily, but if Vell Blackwood’s true identity is Cain, it was also an answer that explained many things.
“Really…… are you Cain?”
Yuliana’s voice trembled roughly as she spoke.
It was because she couldn’t hide her astonishment even as she said it out loud herself.
“Right.”
It was a calm word, but Yuliana knew too well that Vell Blackwood was not a man who spouted lies.
Everyone said Cain disappeared.
Everyone said Cain died.
However, Cain was here right now in a form she had never imagined.
“……It’s hard to believe easily, but that doesn’t mean it seems like you’re lying either.”
In fact, recalling the actions Vell Blackwood had taken until now, it seemed possible because he was Cain.
Yuliana glanced at Luna, who was wearing a very flustered expression.
“Especially that person who seems to have known already.”
“……Ugh.”
Vell Blackwood laughed lightly at Luna’s flinching appearance.
“She is a friend who isn’t very good at managing her facial expressions.”
“Certainly, the name witch might not suit that person very well.”
Yuliana said.
“I roughly understand what happened. Was it because of the fight with the Destruction Dragon?”
“Right.”
“As expected…….”
Most people think the Destruction Dragon disappeared suddenly, but there were also claims among some that Cain might have hunted the Destruction Dragon.
Of course, there weren’t many who believed that at the time Cain disappeared, but it was also true that otherwise, the reason for the Destruction Dragon’s disappearance couldn’t be explained.
“Then we must hurry. Vell Blackwood…… no, since you, Cain, said you’re meeting Nero, you intend to head straight to Gray Clouds, right?”
“Right, because there isn’t much time.”
Even Bellerophon hadn’t figured out the location of the Gray Clouds hideout, but it wasn’t a very strange thing if Cain knew it.
Because, within the Hall of Subjugation, there would be few guilds that haven’t been trampled by Cain.
“I understand. I’ll try to match the timing from our side as much as possible.”
“Thank you.”
“No, don’t mention it.”
Yuliana felt that a huge flow had begun to move now.
If the flow cannot be stopped, it is better to ride it together rather than go against it.
Now this world will undergo a great upheaval, and within the upheaval, only one of two endings will remain.
It is unknown what kind of ending that will be, but Yuliana knew at least one fact.
In the World of Justice Online, no one has survived after going against Cain.
Probably, it will be the same this time too.
“Then I’ll get going now.”
“Right.”
“Please, I hope the right ending comes.”
Vell Blackwood nodded and added.
“I’ll tell you in advance, but you might never be able to return to your hometown.”
“If that happens, there must be a reason for it.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
“……We know too, that my family could be hurt or killed because of the greed we put forward. That’s why we endure it forcibly. If only we endure, eventually Earth will be safe.”
There are many within Bellerophon who want to return to Earth, but they all rejected that temptation because of the fundamental danger the fragment holds.
Because even without thinking deeply, it wasn’t very difficult to imagine what would happen if this world and Earth were completely connected.
Chaos, confusion, fear.
All of that would find Earth, and in the process, precious people could be killed or hurt.
That is why Bellerophon made a decision after long deliberation.
To avoid the possibility that someone could be sacrificed due to my greed.
Even if the price remains in this world.
And as if responding to such determination.
“It won’t take long.”
Vell Blackwood.
Cain said so.
“I trust you.”
Yuliana also decided to entrust herself to the huge flow now.
***
After Yuliana disappeared, Luna, who couldn’t hide her reluctance, opened her mouth.
“……Is it okay to reveal your identity like that? You’ve been hiding it quite carefully until now.”
“Because it was necessary.”
No matter if Yuliana knew that I possessed the power of Destroying the Demonic, that alone wouldn’t have persuaded the others in Bellerophon.
To move a huge force like Bellerophon, a fitting name was needed.
For example, the name of Cain.
“And I have no intention of hiding anymore. There’s no need to either.”
“Ooh, what’s with that confidence.”
Luna laughed, kkyareureu.
“It is time to show it now.”
“Huh? What?”
“What Cain’s method is.”
I turned my steps, leaving the ruined Imperial Capital behind.
Nero of Gray Clouds.
It is time to show that guy Cain’s method.