Chapter 808: Prisoners!

The next day, news that Henwell has taken control of the Phoenix family rapidly reaches every major faction.

Every faction fans the flames, twisting the story until cause and blame bear little resemblance to the truth.

In the tale now spreading, Henwell is the villain who seized the Phoenix family, slaughtered many of its members, and murdered Duke Jansen's entire household.

Peace Haven offers no explanation.

As Peace Haven attacks the Descartes family, nobles throughout Vorry grow terrified and begin petitioning Arius for an explanation.

In their eyes, Henwell is finally moving against the nobles within Vorry.

Not even the surrounding nations, including Ika, dare utter a word.

They are terrified of attracting Henwell's attention.

Three days later, a visitor arrives at Phoenix Castle and meets with Henwell.

Fighting erupts throughout Phoenix territory that day. One defiant noble faction after another is tracked down and wiped out.

The visitor is Senar, the Eye of the Holy Spirit. With him are Elisa, Jansen's younger daughter, and her family.

Years earlier, Elisa had married into the family of a neutral-aligned count.

Immediately after Henwell emerged from seclusion, a group stormed the count's castle and killed everyone in its path. Their target was Elisa's family.

At the critical moment, Senar charged in with a group of church knights and rescued them.

The attackers were ruthless, however. Despite Senar's best efforts, Elisa's second son was killed.

Senar then protected the survivors throughout the journey and delivered them to Phoenix territory.

Their pursuers clearly feared Henwell. They did not dare set foot in Peace Haven's territory.

Henwell says to Senar, "You can take your brother away now."

Senar shakes his head. "On the contrary, I hope my brother can remain here."

Henwell glances at him. "Fine, but this favor is not enough to pay for his protection."

Senar considers this. "When Orak returns from the Abundant Continent, I will personally escort him to Peace Haven."

"Deal."

Senar raises a hand. "By your own reasoning, your protection of my brother is not enough to repay the favor of escorting Orak."

"There is something I want to know. Answer my question, and we will call it even."

Henwell studies him. "You want to know how to advance to Glory Rank?"

Senar chuckles. "Of course not. The price of that answer is too high. I could never afford it."

He then lifts his head proudly. "Besides, I am confident that I can reach Glory Rank through my own efforts. I do not need anyone's guidance."

Henwell says, "Oh? Now I am curious. What do you want to ask?"

Senar's expression turns solemn. "Why did you say that fighting calamity creatures in the Scorching Sand Sea or the Great Wasteland would threaten the church and the empire?"

Henwell chuckles. "That answer is expensive."

"More expensive than the secret of advancing to Glory Rank?"

"Far more expensive."

Senar considers this in silence. "Very well. You can owe me this favor for now. I will ask for your help when the right opportunity comes."

Henwell shakes his head. "I do not like owing favors. I much prefer having other people owe me."

"I can tell you the secret, and one day, I will demand an appropriate price for the answer."

Senar asks, "If you prefer being owed, are you not worried that people will refuse to repay you?"

Henwell grins. "That would suit me just fine. Then I could deal with them without any moral qualms."

Senar frowns. "I cannot guarantee that I will be able to repay this favor when the time comes."

Henwell says, "Do not worry. I will not force you into an impossible choice. If you agree, I can give you the answer right now."

After considering the offer, Senar says solemnly, "Please continue."

"Do you know the true source of the Calamity War?"

Senar answers, "An invasion by extraplanar creatures."

Henwell shakes his head. "That is not entirely correct. More precisely, they come from minor planes born from the shattered divine kingdoms left behind after gods fell."

"The so-called calamity creatures form from the lingering resentment or flesh of fallen gods. Others are warped by the lingering laws those gods left behind."

Senar freezes. "The War of the Old Gods?"

Henwell nods. "Exactly. The fallen gods in question belonged to both the New God Faction and the Old God Faction."

"The so-called sources of the Calamity are places where gods fell, and the calamity creatures are derivatives of divine abominations."

Senar frowns and thinks for a long time. "This information is extremely valuable, but it does not seem relevant to my question."

"Of course it is relevant. The Church has records of divine abominations. I assume you have read them."

"Most divine abominations are extraordinarily powerful. They exist somewhere between life and death, at the edge of the main plane."

"The world's laws reject them, yet their divinity also grants them the world's favor."

"In short, they are contradictions made flesh: immensely powerful, yet utterly chaotic."

"In most circumstances, divine abominations can wield power beyond mortal limits on any plane."

"No matter the rank involved, destroying them is extremely difficult. Even driving them away is rarely possible."

"At the very least, a subordinate god must descend to banish or annihilate one."

Senar still does not understand. "What does that have to do with my question?"

Henwell sighs. "Why do you think the professionals of the Abundant Continent do not dare come here?"

"Why do you think the Veil's top professionals do not dare travel openly across this continent?"

"Because the sites of divine fall contain true divine abominations, not merely the creatures now escaping after being warped by their emanations."

"The gods used the laws of the world to bind those abominations inside the sites of divine fall."

"These divine abominations were born during the war from the flesh and resentment of fallen gods."

"That is why the only thought remaining within their chaotic minds is battle."

"They kill everything they perceive. Yet despite their power, their exile within the sites of divine fall prevents them from entering the material world."

"Divine abominations possess one unusual ability, however."

"Their flesh and will both came from fallen gods, allowing them to extend a portion of themselves into the main plane."

"The laws prevent them from descending directly, so they require a body."

"Once they sense a suitable vessel, they will force their way out of their prison, devour that vessel, and take possession of it."

"The minimum threshold for such a vessel is Glory Rank."

"If a Glory-rank professional engages in a violent battle near the entrance to a site of divine fall, the disturbance in the rules and laws will attract the attention of the divine abominations."

Henwell smiles as he finishes. "After that, we will have a serious problem. The entire continent may have to be remade."

Senar lets out a long breath. "That really is a terrifying threat. Henwell, you are willing to sacrifice yourself just to bring Orak back."

Henwell leans back in his chair. "What are you talking about? I have no intention of dying. When the time comes, I will run very, very fast."

"When something like that appears, naturally I will seek help from those stronger than me."

"The Abandoned Continent is a prison, and its strongest powers are the Empire and the Church. Of course I will make them solve the problem."

"As it happens, both powers are backed by Glory-rank professionals."

Senar stares at Henwell for a long moment. "You're completely insane."