Chapter 840

【 PLEASE TAKE GOOD CARE OF HIM 】

Seeing the Seraphim, who was thoroughly dead, Surtr was left utterly dumbfounded.

Covering his face with one hand, he couldn’t do anything but mutter:

“It’s over… It’s over… This time, it’s really over…”

“You killed Raphael. The Eternal Lord will surely be enraged about this…”

Just as he finished speaking, he saw Imheter summon a ball of flames and completely burn the Seraphim’s corpse to ashes.

“Now… he won’t know.”

Imheter said in a deep voice.

Surtr: “…”

His eyes widened. He opened his mouth, but suddenly found himself at a loss for words.

Raphael had been killed on the spot, his divine soul had also been destroyed, and his corpse had been completely erased. On top of that, the barrier surrounding the World of Seigües would interfere with any attempts to investigate the matter…

…Well.

All things considered, it seemed that there really was no need to worry anymore.

…At least, not for the time being.

At that moment, radiant light gathered where the Seraphim had disappeared, eventually forming a dazzling divine bow.

It was the divine artifact the Seraphim had used to ambush Diana.

Imheter’s eyes lit up slightly, but when Surtr noticed the radiance surrounding the divine bow, his expression suddenly changed.

“Not good! That’s the Eternal Lord’s divine artifact! We have to leave!”

However, it was already too late.

In the next moment, platinum-colored light burst forth from the divine bow, and a vast, awe-inspiring aura suddenly rose from it…

Immediately afterward, the heavens and earth changed color. Thick, dark clouds gathered in the sky, eventually transforming into a terrifying bolt of lightning that descended violently.

Vaguely, an enraged voice resounded throughout the heavens and earth:

“Blasphemer… die!”

The target was none other than Imheter, who was holding the divine bow.

Feeling the power contained within the lightning, Surtr’s expression changed.

That power had already surpassed what a demigod could withstand. Hell, even an ordinary True God would likely be seriously injured by it.

It was the Eternal Lord’s divine punishment infused with his wrath!

“Imheter! Quick! Get back!”

Surtr roared and stepped in front of the Titan, shielding him from view.

He then shouted loudly as flames surged around his body, summoning a barrier of fire that appeared above the island.

The lightning descended and collided with the flames as terrifying power erupted in an instant, turning the entire sky into a sea of fire and lightning.

The space above trembled, much like the seawater boiled below. In the blink of an eye, the entire surroundings had transformed into a scene resembling hell itself…

However, just as the lightning divine punishment was about to end, Surtr suddenly sensed an even more powerful aura descending from the sky and reinforcing the divine punishment.

The power that he had originally been able to withstand suddenly became far more terrifying…

“This is bad…”

Surtr’s expression changed slightly.

He wanted to take the Titan and leave, but to his horror, he discovered that they had already been locked onto by the attack.

In the end, he gritted his teeth and decided to endure it head-on.

Thunder descended like the apocalypse, leaving the two Mythical beings nowhere to hide.

Yet, just as that terrifying divine punishment was about to strike them, an aged sigh slowly echoed through the vicinity…

Pale blue light rose from the surface of the sea, passed over Surtr and Imheter, and collided with the divine punishment formed from the lightning.

A vast yet gentle power spread outward, gradually wearing away the terrifying divine punishment.

Soon, the power of the divine punishment was completely exhausted, and the entire sky once again returned to its former tranquility.

“Your Majesty Guy!”

Sensing the familiar aura within that overwhelming power, Surtr breathed a sigh of relief, his expression filled with joy.

He pulled the Titan along and bowed toward the sky.

The next moment, a gigantic, illusory face materialized in the sky.

It was none other than Guy, the sealed Ancient God and ruler of Utopia.

His gaze did not fall upon the two Ancient Gods. Instead, it settled on the divine bow hovering in midair, and he let out a soft sigh.

“Your Majesty Etriōu, this is the territory of the Ancient Gods. You have crossed the boundary.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the divine bow once again radiated light, and a vague projection gradually appeared across the sky.

A white divine robe with golden trim, a handsome face, long platinum-colored hair, and a pair of deep golden eyes.

It was the Eternal Lord, Etriōu.

His gaze fell upon the divine bow and the Titan, and his voice remained calm.

“Your Majesty Guy, I need an explanation.”

The enormous, illusory face let out a long sigh.

“According to the Covenant of the Gods, any Mythical being who engages in battle within our territory is considered to have violated the Ancient Gods’ rule. As such, we the Ancient Gods therefore have the right to punish them accordingly…”

“Of course, Imheter was also in the wrong in this matter and he simply went too far. For that, I will assure you that I’ll punish him severely.”

“As for your divine envoy, Raphael… I deeply regret what happened. I am willing to offer a True Divine Artifact of the Intermediate Divine Power rank, along with a divine spark capable of allowing one to become a King of Angels, in exchange for your forgiveness…”

Hearing the illusory giant’s words, the Eternal Lord Etriōu narrowed his eyes slightly.

He glanced at the Titan on the island and gently shook his head.

“No…”

“I only want his life.”

He pointed toward Imheter.

Surtr and Guy’s expressions changed simultaneously.

“Your Majesty Etriōu, Imheter has done us a great service. We cannot abandon him here… This is the oath of our faction. Under no circumstances can we violate it.”

“Other than him, we will do our utmost to fulfill any of your other demands…”

Guy said solemnly.

The Eternal Lord stared deeply at Guy before suddenly smiling.

“That is not necessarily impossible…”

As he spoke, light radiated from his body, and his voice became solemn and majestic.

“Join my faction, and I can forgive his offense.”

Guy gave a bitter smile and shook his head again.

“Your Majesty Etriōu, you know that we will not join any faction.”

Hearing this, the Eternal Lord sneered, his voice gradually turning cold.

“Your Majesty Guy, then have you decided to become my enemy?”

The illusory giant face let out a sigh.

“No. You are the great ruler of the Era and the God of Destiny. Therefore, I have no desire to become your enemy…”

The Eternal Lord did not answer.

He coldly regarded the illusory giant face as the two beings of Peak Higher Divine Power confronted one another across the distance.

After a moment, Guy let out a long sigh.

“Of course, after what happened, Imheter has also violated Utopia’s prohibition. Once this matter is over, we will expel him as punishment… As for what happens afterward, we will no longer interfere.”

“Your Majesty Guy! You cannot!”

Surtr’s expression changed.

However, the illusory giant face did not look toward him. Instead, he sincerely gazed at the Eternal Lord.

The Eternal Lord stared deeply at him before letting out a mocking laugh.

“I see. I hope you keep your word.”

With that, he coldly swept his gaze over the two Mythical beings on the island, snorted, and dispersed his projection.

The dazzling divine bow also slowly disappeared as the projection faded.

Only after the Eternal Lord’s projection had vanished did Guy slowly turn his gaze toward the two Mythical beings.

His eyes swept over the Titan, filled with complicated emotions. When his gaze shifted to Surtr, however, it became one of profound disappointment.

“Surtr, come see me at the divine temple.”

With that, he too dispersed his projection.

Surtr’s expression shifted repeatedly.

“Surtr… Your Majesty.”

The Titan shook his head.

“I… will bear… my own… consequences. I… won’t… implicate… everyone.”

“Bear the consequence? Nonsense!”

Surtr roared.

In the end, he gritted his teeth, grabbed the stubborn Titan, and left the area.

༺⟐༻

“Your Majesty Guy! Have you forgotten the oath? How is what you’ve done any different from abandoning Imheter?”

After returning to Dream Island and entering the Central Divine Temple deep within the mountains, Surtr looked at the figure manifested within an oil lamp, his voice filled with indignation.

However, Guy merely gave him a deep look and shook his head.

“Surtr, as Guardians, we cannot become allies or enemies with any faction.”

“But you… have already crossed the line. Once this matter is over, accept your punishment.”

Surtr froze slightly.

After remaining silent for a moment, he asked:

“You… knew?”

Guy glanced at him and said sternly:

“You failed to stop Imheter in time, and you repeatedly encouraged him with your words. You bear at least half the responsibility for Raphael’s death!”

“Or do you really think that because it is Imheter, I will tolerate him no matter how great a mistake he makes? Do you even think I would go so far as to personally involve myself in the conflicts of the Outside World because of him?!”

Guy’s voice was forceful, like thunder, his anger barely restrained.

Surtr opened his mouth but had nothing to say.

Indeed.

As a True God, he had had the opportunity to stop Imheter.

Yet in the end, he had allowed him to kill the Seraphim.

Besides, he really disliked Etriōu. So if possible, he very much hoped that they, the Ancient Gods could stand on the side of the World Tree.

Some time ago, while traveling across the continent, he had visited Urinos on Dragon Island and learned about the thoughts of some of the other Ancient Gods outside of their faction.

And those thoughts happened to coincide with his own…

In his view, Urinos’s choice did not conflict with His Majesty Guy’s objective.

“Put away those naive thoughts of yours. Since we have decided not to participate in the conflicts of the Outside World, then we absolutely cannot get involved. Once we take the first step, there will be no turning back. As Guardians, you must understand your responsibility!”

As if he had seen through Surtr’s thoughts, Guy spoke coldly.

Surtr fell silent.

Yet after his silence came a sense of disappointment.

He gritted his teeth and said:

“Your Majesty Guy… Even if you choose this path, can you really remain neutral forever?! Or do you truly believe that by waiting like this, we can wait for His Majesty Neo to return?!”

Guy fell silent.

After a long while, he let out a sigh.

“The future is unknowable, but… our responsibility cannot be abandoned. Behind us lies the hope of reincarnating into the subsequent cycles. We are the seeds of civilization, and we cannot afford to take such risks. For us… waiting is the best choice.”

Hearing this, Surtr’s expression became complicated.

“Your Majesty Guy, in my opinion… you have already lost the courage to resist.”

Guy shook his head.

“Perhaps… But if one day you become the master of Utopia, you too will understand.”

After saying this, his aura gradually became sharper, and his voice turned solemn and majestic.

“Pass down my divine decree. Imheter attacked the envoy of the Eternal Lord, thereby violating Utopia’s prohibition. Henceforth, from this moment on, all his privileges are revoked, his status as a Guardian is stripped, and he is to be expelled from the island!”

Surtr’s expression changed drastically.

“Your Majesty Guy! Imheter is already severely wounded! If you expel him now, the Eternal Lord will also hold a grudge against you. How is expelling him now any different from standing by and watching him die just now?! You—”

“—Enough!”

Guy interjected.

The leader of the Reincarnation Faction looked at the Fire Giant in disappointment and said:

“Surtr, you have lived in comfort for far too long. You have completely forgotten our principles. Go back! Reflect carefully on what you’ve done. You are not to leave Dream Island for ten years!”

Surtr panicked. Gritting his teeth, he replied:

“If that’s the case, then expel me as well! After all, I tacitly allowed Imheter to attack!”

Guy flew into a rage.

“Silence! You… you stubborn fool! Get back there! Reflect on yourself!”

With that, divine power surged from his body. He sealed away most of Surtr’s power in an instant, then threw him out and imprisoned him within Surtr’s own divine temple.

Faced with an Ancient God at the peak of Higher Divine Power, Surtr had no ability to resist.

When he finally regained his freedom, the Fire Giant discovered that he had already been placed under house arrest.

“Your Majesty Guy! You can’t do this!”

He grabbed the gates of the divine temple and shouted furiously.

However, he could no longer hear Guy’s voice.

Surtr slumped dejectedly, a sense of helplessness and profound disappointment welling up within his heart…

Until a concerned voice suddenly sounded:

“Your Majesty Surtr, are… are you all right?”

It was a fire elemental demigod named Fael. He was the administrator of Surtr’s divine temple and could also be considered his subordinate, having always helped him manage the temple.

“Oh, it’s you, Fael…”

Surtr let out a long sigh.

He then told his subordinate what had just happened, venting his dissatisfaction.

“Your Majesty Surtr… I think perhaps His Majesty Guy has his own difficulties.”

Fael said.

“His own difficulties, my arse! He’s changed! His Majesty Guy has changed! He wasn’t like this when dealing with the Ancient Gods of Utopia before… He’s completely lost his former spirit…”

Surtr roared.

His voice was filled with deep disappointment.

“But… if that’s really the case, then why didn’t His Majesty Guy personally stop Imheter when he could clearly see what you and Imheter were doing?”

Fael suddenly asked.

“…Hmm?”

Hearing this, Surtr froze.

༺⟐༻

The mountains of Dream Island, Central Divine Temple.

After imprisoning Surtr, Guy let out a long sigh, his expression filled with exhaustion.

His illusory figure slowly dissipated, then reappeared on the other side of the Central Divine Temple.

This was a secluded side hall.

Inside were two ancient divine thrones. Seated upon one of them was a beautiful figure wearing a crown and a divine gown.

When the beautiful figure saw Guy arrive, she smiled slightly.

“Have you made up your mind?”

Guy sighed and said:

“I’m very sorry Your Grace. Since I have decided to become a Guardian, I have taken an oath that neither I nor anyone in my faction shall participate in the conflicts of the Outside World.”

The beautiful figure tilted her head slightly and smiled.

“I see… But haven’t you already participated by doing this?”

Guy was helpless.

“It was merely a helpless transaction.”

With that, Guy walked up to her and bowed slightly, smiling bitterly.

“Imheter’s divine soul was already damaged, and he didn’t have much time left. Now that he has suffered further injuries, even I am powerless to save him. Thus, I can only rely on your power to save him…”

“Your Grace Evé, please take good care of him.”

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