Chapter 220

Hundreds of pairs of eyes on the other side of the mask stared back at him. When one considered that these beings lacked human-like cognitive abilities, this was essentially a defense mechanism of sorts.

“XXXXX XX XXXX XXX XX,” a gurgling cry escaped from Seojin’s throat.

The message was simple: the duty of serving the master, an utterly straightforward phrase. Yet, it sufficed. Their gazes returned, and from this moment on, Seojin was recognized as one of them.

‘First checkpoint cleared.’

Now at ease, Seojin could take a closer look inside. The interior space was quite extensive, fitting for something prepared in the underground of the imperial palace. Hundreds of guards in masks seemed to encircle a bizarre altar in a circle.

‘Hmm, an altar.’

Engraved above it, the inverted skull pattern. One of the symbols of the evil deity Gramaticus.

Any players who had encountered Gramaticus in Asgard would know, this was not just a mark of vanity; Seojin was aware of it.

‘He liked putting meaning into such things. An ordinary skull seemed too plain, so why not invert it, he thought.’

At the time, it was viewed like a mischievous child’s act, but here, the meaning was different. After all, he was a deity. And Seojin came here, confident in perfectly aligning with that deity’s preferences.

Seojin subtly signaled to Flappy. It was time to begin, and to stay as quiet as possible. Once things started, a slip-up could be hard to manage.

‘He must know I’m here.’

Perhaps not the emperor, but Gramaticus would. Being a deity, he might even be observing Seojin in real-time.

Yet, he did not act.

‘He’s interested in me. Or perhaps… it’s childish but, maybe he means to surprise me. As if to say, you’ve made the wrong choice from the start.’

In another game, perhaps. Seojin had experienced several times what kind of person the developer of Midgard was. The Gramaticus here would be exactly the same entity Seojin knew in the past.

Seojin stepped onto the staircase, slowly and respectfully ascending to the top of the altar, as if handling something very delicate. The guards did not react. Perhaps because Seojin felt like one of them, or maybe Gramaticus decided to watch silently.

Seojin reached the highest point of the altar, where a small podium was placed. Inverted skulls were stacked in a triangle, and Seojin knelt before them.

“XXXXXX XX XXXXX.” He spoke.

This act was Seojin’s gambit. His words were simple.

“To the always right one, this humble one seeks your teachings. I trust you are watching. I know you always strive to guide us. I have brought these foolish ones here, hoping to be of even the slightest aid to the power you wield.”

Gramaticus was referred to as the right one. During his time in Asgard, he would grumble as if displeased.

“I am not wrong! I am right! Humans are a race unworthy of grace! Not wrong! If you’re going to teach, get lost! I have nothing to ask of someone like you!”

It was one of his sore points. While the expressions varied, Gramaticus was an NPC who could not accept anyone being wiser than him. So, the moment someone affirmed his rightness,

Gramaticus smiled more contentedly than ever.

“XXXX XX XXXX. XXXX.”

So, Seojin said, seeking teachings from the right one, claiming to have brought offerings for him. Using thousands of adventurers as a stepping stone, surely something more meaningful could be achieved.

Furthermore, “XXX! XXXX XXXXX.”

Instead of an apostle who does not listen, to make oneself your apostle.

‘The emperor hasn’t shown up. He hasn’t kidnapped civilians nor revealed this to other countries.’

What Gramaticus wanted was the extinction of humans. He considered their very existence harmful to this world. If the emperor had fully acted as his apostle, by now, the Camilton Empire might have been at war with all neighboring countries.

But the emperor didn’t.

‘Not listening as an apostle. Even though it’s the will of a deity. That’s why he couldn’t come out until now. Whether it’s his own will or a punishment from Gramaticus.’

Gramaticus must be pondering the proposal just made. He was an entity that couldn’t admit to being wrong. To think he could be deceived by humans? For Gramaticus, such an event was unimaginable.

“XXXXX XXX XXXXX”

Once again, Seojin emphasized that he came here solely to become his apostle, and the adventurers and humans he brought were all part of his offering.

At that moment

-Things are looking bad. Twenty thousand. I’m starting to pull out.

A message arrived from Merhen. Seojin did not reply immediately. The being before him was a deity, who might overhear even whispers.

-Just keep charging ahead. The greater the damage, the better.

-…Charge ahead? You said to back off earlier?

-Plans have changed. You know I’m not doing this for nothing. Again, the more people die here, the better. I’m busy, so contact me later.

The instruction to increase the damage. No further contact was made. Though it might be confusing, Merhen would surely follow Seojin’s command. Death is negation, and negation is precisely what feeds the power of an evil deity.

After showing the minimum respect, Seojin decisively concluded, “X XXX XXXX XXXXX!.”

Humans, worth less than maggots. Not only useless to this world, but actually detrimental.

The muttered phrase was a staple adjective Gramaticus attached whenever he mentioned humans.

The evil deity Gramaticus shows interest in you.

Karma significantly increases!

Dharma significantly decreases!

The evil deity Gramaticus bursts into laughter!

Messages surged crazily. It was as expected. Gramaticus had been watching Seojin’s every move. Seojin had caught his attention, shown sincerity, and ultimately proved to share the same ‘ideology’ as him. But the messages didn’t stop there.

You have sufficient proficiency in Divine Speech!

You can understand the language of the evil deity Gramaticus!

‘Emotions’ are replaced with Language!

“A statement unbecoming of a human, from you! Yes, you’re right! Humans do not benefit the land I love!”

The high-pitched voice of a boy sounded out.

‘Just like the real thing.’

The voice was so familiar that Seojin couldn’t help but think reflexively of Gramaticus’s voice heard through the speakers while playing Asgard, perfectly identical even to his manner of speech and the habit of clapping hands excitedly when happy.

‘It’s possible.’

There was a chance. The developer lived up to Seojin’s expectations, and Seojin was not one to miss such a served opportunity.

“XXXX. XXX”

Seojin spoke again. Instead of an incompetent apostle, he would burn himself to fulfill his will.

“That seems acceptable. It’s a pity to have raised you…”

The youthful voice continued, with a pondering groan. Unaware that his mutterings were heard, he didn’t even think to disguise himself. Seojin, therefore, found another opening.

“XXXX. XXXXXX”

To invest one and reap two, or even more without the means to invest. Seojin’s sole purpose in life was this, and the reason was because he shared the same ‘ideology’ as Gramaticus.

“Huh? You can hear my voice, can’t you? That’s amazing.”

A natural response. Seojin was practically reading his mind. Seojin didn’t stop there but continued to scratch where it itched for Gramaticus, making even him flustered, multiple times.

And finally, “…Hmm. I suppose I should tell him to wait.”

Seojin managed to elicit the response he was looking for.

* * *

Grand Emperor Kalus had weakened. His conviction to lead the country well remained, but the restraints imposed by the evil deity gnawed at his flesh. The emperor’s chamber was pitch-dark, now that his body couldn’t receive even a sliver of light. His skin would boil terribly upon light contact, and merely seeing it caused him blinding pain. But Kalus did not surrender.

Forced to become the apostle of the evil deity, through him, the empire became even more prosperous. Power was all about how it was used. With Kalus’s personal sacrifice, the evil deity’s power was utilized for the right cause. Yet, that was only until today.

“Ah, at last!”

Kalus exclaimed in a cracked voice. He heard the voice of the deity. The offer to choose. To step down from the apostle’s position and return to being a mere human, or to work for himself at last. If he chose the former, the implication was that he wouldn’t be let go easily.

“Do you think I need to think about it?”

A desperate cry. It had been a time of enduring by cutting down himself. Even if he were to fall, it would be under his own volition.

“I would rather die honorably! For this country!”

At that moment, “This is…”

Finally, Kalus felt the shackles that had bound him for decades loosen.

“Was it this sensation!”

Whoosh!

He pulled back the curtain, too thick to be just a curtain. Intense light flooded the room. He squinted involuntarily, but that was all.

“This… This was it!”

The longed-for situation. If he were an ordinary person, he would have spent a long time trembling in ecstasy. But Kalus was no ordinary human.

“Since the power has been taken from me, surely…”

The evil deity must have chosen someone else. Someone more competent than the human Kalus, who could carry out his horrific commands without hesitation.

‘Surely an adventurer.’

Why else had he restrained adventurers to such an extent? In case Gramaticus found an alternative, it would surely be among them. That’s why, even in a situation where he couldn’t go outside, he had ordered strict control over adventurers.

‘And this…’

He looked outside. The intense light continuously illuminated his surroundings.

“…Let whoever it is come in.”

Laying his hand on the magic circle, Kalus spoke. A startled response came back, and the listener was even more astonished by Kalus’s request.

“I will descend to the underground. Prepare to leave the palace afterward.”