Chapter 68: The Way to Destroy Evidence
Misha had always firmly believed that the Hero had no connection to the gods.
After all, every conjecture and judgment Arlo made was based on the premise that the suspect was not the Hero. And thanks to Mishaâs perjury as an “accomplice,” Arlo had never even considered the possibility that the Hero was the culprit.
At the very least, Misha knew that the Divine Realm’s Hero Selection System excluded all members of the Divine Race. If the Hero truly possessed divine blood, he never would have been chosen by the system. Not to mention… if the Hero really was a god, why would he reject and oppose the gods so vehemently?
It was difficult for humans to achieve such power, but not entirely impossible. Perhaps… the Hero was simply an exceptionally powerful human?
Arlo suddenly sighed again.
“There is one more thing,” Arlo said in a low voice. “This incident is too serious. The Divine Realm will definitely send someone to intervene.”
Misha nodded.
He had thought as much. It was just that he didn’t know the other gods well, so he wasn’t sure exactly which deity would be sent.
However, since matters related to the Hero were usually handled by the Goddess of Light, Ginises, he figured she might be the one sent to the human world.
He hadn’t seen Ginises in a long time and actually missed her a little.
But Arloâs brows were tightly knit, clearly extremely worried about this. Seeing Mishaâs relaxed expression, he couldn’t help but say, “It likely won’t be anyone we know.”
Misha: “…Huh?”
“I don’t even know who they’ll send,” Arlo sighed. “But regarding this matter… we can make a rough guess.”
Misha scratched his head and asked, “It won’t be Ginises?”
“Absolutely not,” Arlo said.
Anyone capable of destroying the Gate to Another World was certainly no ordinary person. Against such immense power, a typical god would struggle to compete.
For this very reason, Arlo deduced that the Divine Realm would send a Superior Deity of immense powerâone they were definitely not familiar with.
To Misha, this didn’t seem to make much difference.
By the time someone from the Divine Realm arrived, the evidence of the Hero’s crime would likely have been dealt with. Even if the visitor wasn’t the familiar Ginises, it surely wouldn’t have too much of an impact.
But Arlo didn’t think so.
“When you enter the Holy Land with the Hero, you must remind him,” Arlo said, his concern evident. “The Superior Deities from the Divine Realm are different from you and me.”
Misha: “…”
Misha suddenly seemed to understand why Arlo was worried.
Of course, the Superior Deities were different.
When Misha and Arlo saw the Heroâs eccentric behavior or heard his blasphemous words, they merely found it odd or tried to correct him, attempting to guide him back to the right path. But if a Superior Deity saw such a Hero, they might not be so lenient.
If Misha remembered correctly, Arlo had once said that for a disqualified and blasphemous Hero, the gods’ method of dealing with him would beâ
To erasure him.
“No matter what, please make sure the Hero shows some restraint,” Arlo whispered. “Even if this Hero is a bit strange, I really don’t want toâ”
He abruptly stopped, unwilling to say the rest.
But Misha understood what he meant.
Misha didn’t want to see that ending either.
Although he hadn’t known the Hero for very long, no matter the length of time, he couldn’t accept the Hero dying for something like this.
He even found it a bit strange.
Since the revelations passed down by the gods and all the sacred texts repeatedly emphasized the benevolence of the gods and the God Kingâand in the Divine Realm, it was always said that the God King viewed all living beings as his childrenâwasn’t the gods’ punishment for a Hero who was merely “unqualified” a bit too extreme and heartless?
Yes.
He knew the Hero didn’t respect the gods; the Hero was practically a heretic. But even a heretic deserved the gods’ mercy, didn’t he?
For the first time, a trace of doubt about the gods arose in Mishaâs heart. This strange feeling made him uncomfortable. He didn’t know why he felt this way, and in a moment like this, he felt he shouldn’t be swayed by such odd emotions. He shook his head vigorously, trying to fling these thoughts from his mind. Then, with great determination, he nodded to Arlo and said, “Don’t worry, I’ll tell him.”
He thought that questioning the gods was simply a manifestation of the weakness in his own nature.
Wasn’t the reason they were just muddling along in the lower Divine Realm precisely because of their capitulation to human nature and their own weakness?
He found it hard to be steadfast. He should abandon these thoughts, and he absolutely could not reveal the cowardice in his heart to Arlo.
Arlo remained unsuspicious.
He clearly had full trust in his Demon Lord colleague, while Misha… Misha felt he was truly unworthy of that trust.
He listened as Arlo listed the names of the Superior Deities who might come to investigate the Gate, yet he dared not look Arlo in the eye. Misha had heard of the names Arlo mentioned.
They were all terrifying deities that even ten Mishas put together couldn’t defeat.
Misha didn’t want to see them.
He imagined the scene of the Hero talking to these gods…
He felt a little like trembling.
Shortly after, the Hero returned with his sword.
Misha followed Ismael and met up with the Hero in front of the Holy Land.
Seeing the Hero actually carrying the weapon used in the crime, Misha felt a complex mix of emotions. Looking at Ismaelâs innocent, know-nothing expression, Misha took a deep breath, thankful that the person who had arrived first was Ismael and not the human High Priest.
Ismael had prepared some standard adventure medicine for them, which surprised Misha slightly. He couldn’t help but say, “We’re just going in to investigate. We won’t need these, will we?”
Ismael shook his head.
“No one knows if that detestable criminal is still nearby,” Ismael said with a frown. “If you encounter him, a conflict is very likely.”
Misha: “…”
Misha silently turned his head to look at the Hero beside him, who was smiling with absolute calmness.
Ismael thought for a moment and emphasized again.
“If you really do encounter him, please do not try to be heroes,” Ismael furrowed his brows, earnestly instructing them. “That is a heinous criminal. If he could destroy the Gate to Another World, he is certainly capable of other terrible deeds.”
Misha: “…”
Misha stole another glance at Lance.
The Hero looked incredibly composed, even putting on a deeply moved expression as he earnestly thanked Ismael for his concern.
“You’re right,” Lance nodded. “This person is a villain.”
Misha: “…”
Ismael: “I even suspect this isn’t his first time committing evil.”
Lance agreed wholeheartedly: “I think so too.”
Misha: “……”
Ismael: “After returning to the Royal Capital, I will immediately have people search for the traces he’s left over the years.”
Lance: “It really should be investigated thoroughly.”
Misha: “………………”
What is this?!
This Hero has absolutely no shame, does he?!
They accepted the medicine and tools Ismael prepared, then entered the Holy Land together. Ismael and Samuel watched them with concern from a distance. Arlo did not reappear; Misha knew Arlo had likely left the Elf Town temporarily to try and contact the Divine Realm again while they searched for clues about the Gate.
Misha couldn’t help but sigh deeply again.
Once they had walked further into the Holy Land and the Elf Town was no longer visible behind them, Misha spoke carefully, somewhat abruptly. “I just talked to Arlo.”
Lance stopped and looked back at Misha curiously.
He didn’t look anxious at all. Misha even suspected the Hero just planned to wander around the Holy Land, kill some time, and then go out and tell Ismael they hadn’t found anything.
“Arlo said the Divine Realm might send someone to investigate the destruction of the Gate,” Misha thought for a moment and decided to be direct. “It will likely be a Superior Deity.”
Since the Hero already knew about the Hero Selection System and the Divine Realm, there was no need to hide it or weave some mythological story. It was better to speak plainly.
“Arlo told me that a Hero who is too negligent and uncontrollable will be erased by the Superior Deities.” Misha thought seriously about the Hero’s actions and gave his evaluation very sincerely. “You’re dead meat.”
Lance: “…Is it necessary to be so hurtful?”
Misha: “Arlo wants you to be careful and curb your nature a little.”
Lance: “…”
Misha: “That shouldn’t be a problem, right?”
Lance: “It’s very difficult.”
Misha: “…”
Great. It seems the Hero is truly dead meat.
Misha took a deep breath, too lazy to respond to the Hero’s words.
He focused on finding the location of the Gate. Under the current circumstances, it wasn’t difficult; visible, chaotic, and eerie magic was darting everywhere. He just had to walk toward the place where the dark mist was thickest.
But the closer they got to the Gate, the more uncomfortable Misha felt.
The oppressive feeling from that magic made him anxious, even unable to suppress a bit of fear. He almost felt as if the heavy magic was pressing against the air, strangling his neck, making it hard to breathe. This was unlike any magic he had seen in the Divine Realm. If he had to make a comparison, he would even feel that this magic resembled the evil magic possessed by monsters.
Misha shook his head vigorously, feeling a bit helpless about having strange, blasphemous thoughts twice in one day. He tried to steady his mind and take a deep breath, only to realize they had already penetrated the deepest part of the dark mist. The dark fog floating around them was almost like a semi-solid liquid; walking through it, they actually dragged out long trails behind them.
Misha couldn’t help but whisper, “This mist isn’t poisonous, is it?”
Lance: “Can you be poisoned?”
Misha: “…Oh.”
But after walking a bit further, Misha suddenly remembered that Lance might be human, so he asked, “But you can be poisoned, right?”
Lanceâs lips curled slightly, seeming immensely pleased that Misha was worried he might be poisoned.
“Don’t worry, it’s not poisonous,” he explained with rare seriousness. “This is just ordinary magic released after the Gate was destroyed. It won’t cause any harm to a human body.”
Misha: “…”
Misha hesitated slightly.
He remembered Arlo’s suspicion that it was nearly impossible for a human to possess the power to destroy the Gate. But hearing Lance’s words and explanation, it seemed… he really was just a human?
Misha decided not to overthink it and chose to ask directly.
“I have one more thing to ask you.” Misha looked at Lance, trying to put on his serious-business face. “Youâ”
Lance suddenly reached out towards him, startling Misha so much he almost jumped back to dodge. But Lance merely raised his hand to shield the side of Misha’s head, frowning as he said, “Be careful.”
Misha: “…”
Misha turned his head and realized a small, sharp piece of floating debris was hovering in the air. He hadn’t seen it when he turned to speak to Lance and had nearly walked into itâwait, why was there debris floating in mid-air?
Mishaâs eyes widened as he looked in astonishment towards the deeper part of the dark mist.
In the gloom that almost swallowed all sunlight, shadows of strange shapes floated, spiraling upwards from below to form a massive “vortex.” It was countless broken stones floating in the air, and judging by the texture and color of the stones, they clearly originated from the same place.
A vague answer formed in Misha’s heart: “Could this be…”
Lance remained very calm: “Yes, this is the Gate to Another World.”
Misha: “…”
Looking at the quantity of the debris, Misha couldn’t suppress the tremor in his voice: “The Gate… was this big?”
He had thought the so-called Gate was at most the size of an ordinary palace door. Otherwise, they should have noticed it from outside the Holy Land; they should have been able to see the direction of the Gate at a glance.
“The Gate… is very cunning,” Lance said, quickening his pace with his longsword in hand. “It’s hard to see its existence from a distance.”
This was a “defense mechanism” set by the Divine Realm for the Gate. These Gates were mostly located in the most secretive and sacred areas of various races. Outsiders could hardly get close, and unless one was right next to it, it was absolutely impossible to find the Gate’s location.
“The Church knows the general locations of the Gates best, but even they probably only know roughly,” Lance stood before the bizarrely spiraling debris, looking up at the sky, which was layered and twisted into a vortex shape by the surrounding stones. “If the Gate hadn’t been destroyed, that Knight Captain riding a dragon wouldn’t have easily found the specific location of the ‘accident’ when he passed by.”
Misha looked at Lance’s back, but his thoughts strangely drifted.
He felt he must have been corrupted by the Hero.
After hearing the Hero’s words, the first thing he thought of was… the Hero called Ismael “Knight Captain.” Did he fail to remember the four-character name again?
“After the Gate is destroyed, it is difficult to repair, but not impossible,” Lance lowered his eyes slightly, carefully searching the ground covered in rubble and weeds as he spoke. “But I still don’t know where the other Gates are.”
Misha found this strange. “Then how did you find this Gate?”
Lance: “One should always have a deep impression of the place where they appeared.”
Misha was stunned. “You mean… you came from this place…”
Lance suddenly took a few steps forward, placing his hand on the sword at his waist.
Misha was startled by his action and instinctively asked, “What are you doing?”
Lance stopped, rested his sword on a pile of rubble in front of him, tapped it lightly, then turned slightly to look at Misha behind him.
“Destroying evidence, of course,” Lance said. “I have to come up with a reasonable excuse for the magic on the sword.”
Misha: “You…”
Lance drew his sword. Misha’s heart jumped to his throat. He had already seen the remnants of a tiled floor among the rubble on the ground, as well as a section of a gatepost standing slightly higher than the debris. That looked like the original location of the Gate. He thought Lance drew his sword to destroy this last remaining pillar, which meant he was about to witness… the absolute power capable of destroying the Gateâ
Misha watched helplessly as Lance threw his sword into the pile of rubble.
Misha: “…”
Lance blinked at him.
“The magic here is the strongest,” Lance said. “While investigating, I accidentally dropped my sword in.”
Misha: “…”
Lance: “It’s normal for the sword to get tainted with magic.”
Misha: “…”
Huh? No?
What exactly is this Hero doing?!
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