Chapter 1238: 225. Wrath (XI)

“Your gentleness comes from your nature, your wrath comes from your sorrow, and what has supported you in persevering until now is your deep attachment to this mortal world.”

Muen tightly gripped that hand, his forehead lightly touching the back of it, as though he wanted to use this to feel that throbbing emotion.

Responsibility?

Perhaps, at the very beginning, she had acted because of it.

But after she had passed through spring, summer, autumn, and winter in Tars, after she had walked through a long thousand years in this mortal world, it had already become the most insignificant reason for why she had persisted until now, and even chosen to continuously carve knife wounds into her own heart.

“Miss Dragon, wake up.”

Muen said softly: “This world still needs you.”

“【Shut up! This is moral coercion!】”

The figure in the darkness angrily rebuked him: “【You are forcing those responsibilities onto her. Do you still want her to experience all that pain?】”

“......”

The corner of Muen’s mouth twitched. Being furiously accused of moral coercion by an Evil God was truly a first-time experience.

However......

“I am only making Miss Dragon understand her own true heart. As for that pain......one day, I will bring it to a complete end.”

Muen raised his head and met those dim golden pupils: “Besides, before that day comes, if you need it, I will share all of the pain with you. After all......we are companions, aren’t we?”

Although he had been driven away once before.

But although this peerless good man might be ordinary in every other respect, when it came to shamelessness, he still had just a tiny bit of confidence.

No matter how many times he was driven away, he would shamelessly chase after her again.

Just like now.

“Companions......”

A faint glimmer finally flashed through Hamreign’s eyes......

“【Nonsense!】”

The figure’s voice became increasingly distorted. He no longer even bothered pretending and returned to the Love God’s own strange manner of speech: “【Does sharing mean sharing merely because thou sayest so? Muen Campbell......those little tricks of thine can only deceive ignorant human girls!】”

“Deceive?”

Muen smiled: “Love God, I am not you. I never deceive ignorant girls. I only let......my actual actions speak.”

“【?】”

At that moment, the Love God keenly sensed some inexplicable aura being released from Muen’s body. But before He could understand the true nature of that aura, He saw Muen suddenly spread both arms.

“【Prayer】”

All sound vanished. This death-row hall within Hamreign’s mental space became utterly silent, leaving only Muen’s solemn declaration.

“【With all the remnant souls of this place, all its hatred, and all its deadly poison......I offer a sacrifice to the God Who Melts the World, the Lord of the Crimson Sun, the great Withering King......!】”

“【I pray......】”

“【A sacrifice? Thou art actually performing a sacrifice? And sacrificing to the Withering King? Hast thou gone mad?】”

The Love God finally reacted. Darkness surged wildly as He attempted to stop Muen......but this was Hamreign’s mental space. She was so weak here, and the Love God was not much better. Otherwise, He would have invaded directly long ago and would not have needed to make things so troublesome.

More importantly, the key part of a sacrificial ritual was never the prayer, but what came before the prayer......

“【When didst thou establish the ritual? How couldst thou possibly conceal it from Mine eyes?】”

Outside.

Within the boundless black mist, a distorted sphere of flesh suddenly appeared, and dozens of ferocious eyes opened across its surface.

The eyes swept in every direction, attempting to find the slightest clue.

Under normal circumstances, something like a sacrificial ritual would be difficult to conceal even from an ordinary person, let alone from a grand Evil God such as Him. After all, it not only required fresh flesh and blood as the basic construction materials, but the aura connection formed when communicating with an Evil God was also fundamentally impossible to conceal.

Therefore, He was extremely puzzled. With His caution, it was impossible for Him not to have monitored the surroundings before doing something like this. Muen Campbell should have had neither the time nor the remaining strength to construct a sacrificial ritual.

But why......

“Rustle.”

The sound of paper drifting disturbed the silence within the black mist.

The sphere of flesh floating in the air stiffened. All its eyes abruptly turned toward an inconspicuous location.

There, a sheet of paper fell to the ground with the wind. Bright-red lines outlined an incomparably complex pattern across it. A dense scent of blood spread outward and quickly connected with a terrifying existence above the sky.

“【It was you!】”

Dozens of pupils constricted simultaneously. The sphere of flesh trembled violently, and its piercing shriek was like a bone-corroding sound from hell:

“【It was you it was you it was you it was you it was you it was you it was you it was you it was you it was you!!!】”

“【So it was you!】”

“Mm?”

Within the death-row hall, Muen raised an eyebrow, thinking to himself that the Love God really did know the Black Book’s true identity.

But at a time like this, none of that was important.

What was important was......

“Look, Miss Dragon. Now, I have also become a sinner.”

Blazing Crimson Flame rose into the air. In the blink of an eye, dazzling light filled the entire hall. Outside, within the black mist, and within this mentally constructed death-row land, one damaged figure after another was set ablaze.

The remaining remnant souls and hatred of these innocent people were rapidly being devoured by the Crimson Flame descended from the Withering King!

“We are both accomplices now. We are both evil villains. That is true now, and in the future......it will still be true.”

Muen smiled gently. There was not much hesitation in him. Instead, he appeared extremely relieved.

This was the decision he had made from the moment he chose to come here.

Actually, throughout the entire incident in New Tars, what he regretted most was not failing to discover the “Goddess of Light’s” true identity in advance, nor was it failing to discover the true nature of the so-called “Dragon-Slaying Poison.”

Rather......when the Pollution erupted, he had failed to remain behind and bear it together with Miss Dragon.

Even though she had forcibly sent him away at the time, he still regretted it endlessly.

Therefore......

“This time, you will not be able to push me away again. You kill people, I set fires......That sounds like a perfect match, doesn’t it?”

“......”

Hamreign’s hand trembled faintly.

The cries coming from within those flames still caused her pain, but beneath Muen’s gentle words, she now seemed about to immediately escape the shadows and walk toward the light......

“【So what!】”

However, the darkness enveloping her once again surged into violent chaos, instantly swallowing more than half of the stage and seeming as though it would devour her along with it.

“【Muen Campbell, thou art still only making grand claims!】”

Several ferocious eyes opened within the darkness, staring at Muen with hatred: “【Thou sayest for her to return, but what will happen even if she returns? Thou sayest thou wilt bear it together with her, but what will happen even if thou dost? Even if this can slightly alleviate her pain, canst thou completely erase that despair? Couldst thou possibly cleanse Pollution? Couldst thou possibly defeat every Evil God and thereby save this world on the verge of collapse?】”

“Big Sister Dragon Big Sister Dragon!”

The puppets began moving happily once more, circling around Hamreign. Those calls that should have been incomparably adorable instead seemed like knives stabbing into her heart, allowing the darkness to once again corrode the heart that had only just begun to waver.

“【That is right......exactly so! Ignore this human and come to Me. This world is so painful. Only with Me canst thou obtain release!】” The Love God was incomparably delighted.

It was useless.

After doing so much, it was still ultimately useless.

This time was different from the previous times.

It did not matter why this dragon had persisted for a thousand years.

It did not matter whether anyone could share the burden with her either!

What mattered was that this pain had already reached the limit of what she could endure.

Her heart had already been riddled with wounds throughout a thousand years of torment and was on the verge of shattering.

And the source of all of it......was that unsolvable Pollution!

Had she not tried?

She had tried, and that was precisely why she suffered so much.

As long as Evil Gods still existed in this world, as long as Pollution still existed in this world, as long as this terminally ill world remained in this wretched state, then for someone like her, who could not simply stand by and watch, it would remain an endless cycle of despair and pain!

This pain had long since exceeded all of her attachment. Even if she was reluctant to let go, what difference would it make? Her heart could no longer endure it!

What use were all thy sweet words? How could a mere human change something that was absolutely impossible to accomplish? How could he save someone......who had already fallen into complete despair?

“【Muen Campbell......once I pluck this fruit, I will certainly repay the humiliation I once suffered a hundredfold!】”

The darkness licked Hamreign. One ferocious eye after another emerged from the shadows, staring mockingly at Muen and attempting to see fear and fury upon his face.

Those were His favorite nourishment.

But contrary to His expectations......Muen was very calm at this moment.

Extremely calm.

So calm that even the Love God felt an inexplicable unease.

“Saving a world on the verge of shattering? That truly sounds unrealistic.”

Muen sighed.

Several years had already passed since he came to this world. To be honest, his aspirations had never been particularly grand.

At first, he only wanted to survive.

Later, he wanted to live just a little more happily.

That was all.

But now......

“If the things I pursue, and the things Miss Dragon pursues, require saving the world to accomplish......”

“Then let us save it.”

Muen pushed his advantage further. He did not merely hold one of Miss Dragon’s hands, but tightly gripped both of them. Then he stepped forward until he was almost pressed against her.

“A villain saving the world. Is that not an interesting script?”

“【Hast thou gone mad?】”

Muen’s words were so absurd that the Love God was actually less deranged than before: “【Saving the world? Thou sayest thou wilt save it, and therefore thou canst? What giveth thee the right......】”

“I am serious. There is no falsehood in my words.”

Muen directly interrupted the Love God. His expression was solemn and serious, without the slightest trace of falsehood.

He was just about to continue when suddenly, along with a soft “Hum”......

Outside, a divine radiance abruptly pierced through the boundless black mist and enveloped Muen.

Immediately afterward, a dazzling crown depicting the sun, moon, stars, heaven, earth, and all living things descended from the sky and landed upon Muen’s head.

Boom!

Muen’s body shook violently.

He opened his eyes in astonishment and felt an unprecedentedly vast power surging into his body. In a single short instant, it brought enormous changes to him.

His perception became incomparably clear. Every minute detail of the world appeared before his eyes. His body also felt lighter than ever before, as though a single gentle leap would send him soaring into the sky.

Most importantly......Muen raised his head. He could feel his connection with this crown. Within the range illuminated by its radiance, he actually experienced the illusion that he was omnipotent.

“This is......a Heaven-Bestowed Crown? A Crowned One?”

I became a Crowned One?

Muen and the Love God were both simultaneously stunned.

Neither of them had expected that, at a time like this, he would break through that most difficult and most mysterious threshold and become a true Crowned One.

Without any warning.

It even gave Muen the absurd urge to laugh. He had wandered along the edge of death so many times before without his realm moving in the slightest. Yet now......merely because he had said a single sentence? He had become a Crowned One?

“In that case, even the world itself recognizes my will and determination. Miss Dragon should believe me now, shouldn’t she?” Muen did not remain immersed in his joy for long and continued speaking to Hamreign.

The radiance descending from the crown seemed to simultaneously pierce through Hamreign’s heart and shine into this mental death-row hall.

Hamreign frowned slightly. Her body gradually began trembling, and the darkness that had just condensed once more became unable to restrain her.

“【No——】”

But how could the Love God give up so easily?

A drop of thick, foul-smelling, blood-like substance suddenly appeared and merged into the darkness. The darkness seemed to receive the support of some even more powerful force and instantly became even more terrifying, suppressing Hamreign’s struggle in return.

“【Muen Campbell......in the end, thou still canst not accomplish it. What difference does becoming a Crowned One make? Forget a Crowned One—even this dragon, despite being so powerful, could not save the world. Thou art the same!】”

“I know.”

Muen calmly nodded: “Something like saving the world is still too distant for me. I also never imagined that I could save the world so quickly. Therefore, I actually came here only to prove one thing to Miss Dragon.”

“【?】”

“To prove......that there is no complete despair in this world. Even in something that appears impossible, there must still be a thread of hope.”

Muen laughed brightly. Within the radiance, even his smile became incomparably dazzling: “I will fulfill my earliest promise and give Miss Dragon......hope!”

“【What art thou planning to do now?】” The Love God became vigilant.

“Now? Have I not already done it?”

Muen tilted his head: “Do not forget......that sacrificial ritual just now still has one final step that has not been completed!”

“【......】”

The Love God abruptly awakened and immediately understood exactly what final step Muen was referring to.

Just now, he had only offered the sacrifice, which was why the Crimson Flame had burned those remnant souls.

But correspondingly, he could still make a request of the Withering King in exchange......

And that request......

【With these countless remnant souls and resentments as the sacrifice, I pray to the great Withering King......】

Muen raised his hand and made his final prayer toward that distant deity:

【——For the mighty power to cleanse Pollution!】

......

Annabawei.

Countless citizens were kneeling on the ground under the guidance of the Pioneers, praying devoutly.

“Remember, you must be devout. Incomparably devout.”

At the very front of everyone, within a mirror-like screen of light, a girl wearing broad ceremonial robes deliberately assumed a mature manner. Holding a staff taller than herself, she solemnly reminded them:

“Next, in terms of power, you may feel just a tiny bit of fear, but do not be afraid. You must devoutly recite the revered name of the great Black Sun within your hearts! Only in this way will you not lose yourselves. Remember......remember......”

“You are so long-winded!” another girl said unhappily.

“Your Excellency the Archbishop, please obey the doctrines of the Church!”

The girl glared, just about to properly display her authority as Pope......when she suddenly felt a scorching power descend from the sky.

“It is here!”

She cried out in delight, then hurriedly raised her staff high:

“Everyone, quickly steady your minds. Another miracle of our Lord has descended!”

......

“【Thou wishest to use the Withering King’s power to resolve the Pollution from the Demon God’s blood?】”

The Love God shrieked: “【Hast thou gone mad?】”

“I have not gone mad.”

Muen shrugged: “Only a god can deal with a god, and only the Pollution of an Evil God can cleanse the Pollution of another Evil God. That is common sense, is it not?”

“【But after the Withering King cleanses the Pollution, His Pollution will still remain. Thou wilt merely turn those humans into His blood food. And at thy current level, it is fundamentally impossible for thee to devour such an enormous amount of Pollution!】”

“That is right......The current me cannot accomplish it.”

Muen sighed.

His black flames did indeed possess a suppression of rank over Brother Wither’s Crimson Flame, but that was still only an extremely small portion originating from His Authority.

And to cleanse all the Pollution belonging to the Demon God’s blood throughout Annabawei, the power He descended would absolutely not be something Muen could shake.

At least, the current Muen could not shake it.

Therefore, what he had to do was very simple.

“Miss Dragon, I once boasted to you, didn’t I? What I am proudest of is my self-control.”

“But in the current situation, it seems that even this one thing I could boast about will no longer exist.”

“So......”

Muen spread his arms and gently embraced that cold body:

“If you still feel that saving the world is too exhausting, too painful, and you do not want to accomplish it......”

“Then......save me first. Save only me.”

“You certainly would not abandon me......would you?”

——Of course she would not.

Muen smiled freely.

After all......she was so gentle.

......

......

Outside.

Muen, who was embracing the dragon’s head, suddenly trembled several times and collapsed weakly to the ground.

Ever since the incident in New Tars began, he had continuously squeezed and overdrawn his mental strength. Later, when fighting Harris and Priscilla, he had basically only been able to persist by relying on the jade bead Miss Dragon had given him.

And now, his mind finally could no longer endure......

It completely shattered.

He lay on the ground, little by little......losing his breath.

A long time passed.

A very long time passed.

He seemed to have completely died.

Until......Puff.

Pitch-black flames suddenly flickered to life and instantly swallowed him.

Hum!

Only at this moment did the crown floating above his head finally sense something and immediately attempt to escape.

But the moment it rose into the air, a pale hand reached out from the black flames and seized it.

Then......dragged it into the flames.

Crunch.

Crunch.

The grating sound of chewing rang out.

But strangely, although the crown had been dragged away below, the chewing sound came from above.

From......an even higher place.

“【Madman......madman! Muen Campbell......thou art a madman!】”

Within the black mist, the sphere of flesh squirmed, and the Love God emitted a harsh, incomprehensible noise. As a grand Evil God, this was the first time He had sensed an aura from a human that made Him feel afraid.

Several ferocious eyes looked upward. At some unknown moment, a pitch-black sun had appeared in the sky, gazing down indifferently upon all things.

The Black Sun said nothing, but He seemed able to understand the meaning it was expressing at this moment.

【So hungry】.