Chapter 213
Symposion. This garden, the gathering place where the banquets and councils of the heavenly gods are held simultaneously, was crowded with various deities today as well.
“…….”
However, Symposion today was far different from its usual lively appearance. The beautiful songs and instrumental sounds that used to echo incessantly through the garden had ceased, leaving only a heavy silence. The gods, who used to enjoy precious wine in crystal glasses, now watched the images unfolding before them with their mouths tightly shut.
Clang— Boom!!
Reflected in the video were two earthly beings standing in the center of a swirling wind of blades. One was a human with ashen hair wearing armor, and the other was a female demon holding a heavy sword the size of her own body. The two swung their swords at each other without a moment’s rest, and the gods gathered in small groups to watch their battle.
Originally, they were beings who took little interest in the petty brawls of those on the earth, but today, the look in their eyes was different.
“It begins. Watch closely.”
As a tall god connected to the black demonic energy surrounding the image muttered, the fight within the video reached its climax. The female demon, driven into a corner, used the power contained in her sword to fire a massive, dark-red slash at her opponent. And the human man facing that colossal strike slowly closed his eyes. Then.
Whirring—
Black demonic energy dwelled within the man's sword, which was already wrapped in pure white holy power.
“?!” “Th-this is impossible?!”
As what the tall god predicted unfolded in the video, every god present could not hide their shock.
“The powers of Minis and Nox… those opposing forces have merged?!”
Holy Demonic Power. A power born from the fusion of the holy power of Minis, the God of Light and Sun, and the demonic energy of Nox, the God of Darkness and Moon—it was something no god standing there had ever seen. In other words, it was a power that transcended the very perception of the gods.
“He will use it once more afterward, but there is no need to show you that.”
Nox, the God of Darkness and Moon, stood on the platform looking down at the wide-eyed gods of Symposion as he withdrew his demonic energy. Soon, the energy that had visualized the memory shattered into thin pieces and was absorbed back into Nox.
“Anyone with eyes can tell. Just how dangerous a kind of power that is.”
At Nox's sharp gaze, the gods could only remain silent and nod in agreement. To their eyes, which could pierce through the very essence of things, the power wielded by the human in Nox’s video was far too dangerous. Because the power created by the fusion of two opposing forces held by high-ranking gods was enough to threaten even the strength that formed their own spirits and bodies.
“That rumor… was true.”
One of the gathered gods, Melos, the God of Song and Performance, muttered. The lower god Kalungod. When the word spread that an earthly being had annihilated him, the atmosphere at the time was simply to snicker and laugh it off. However, now that there was a being wielding such power before their eyes, that rumor quickly approached the gods as a sense of dread.
“Then that means the one who destroyed Kalungod could also be that being.” “How can this be… since when did such an abomination…….”
At Melos’s mention, the gods of Symposion began to stir one by one.
“I only learned of this being a short while ago. However, there is someone who knew before me.”
Nox's gaze slowly turned toward one spot, where a slender woman stood. A goddess in elegant yet pure clothing made of white cloth and gold leaf. It was Minis, the God of Light and Sun.
“Furthermore, she interacted with several gods and tried to conceal this fact.” “I-is that true? Minis!” “Since when did you know? And why did you try to hide such power!” “Minis… why on earth……”
As Nox added his words, the gazes of the gods turned toward her all at once. Yet, the goddess Minis simply stood there with a serene smile amidst the concentrated stares.
“Hmph. It is only natural to hide it. Since her own believer possesses such power. Minis probably intended to use that power to win the fight against me.”
With those clinching words, a sharp light flickered in Nox’s red eyes. Amidst the suspicious gazes of the gods, Minis slowly opened her lips.
“In the end, it turned out like this.”
Her soft voice contained regret rather than self-mockery.
“You’re right. I knew about that human long before you all did, and I’ve been hiding it until recently.” “Finally, you confess. As expected, you……” “But it’s quite troublesome if you think I did that for my own personal gain, Nox.”
Minis slowly raised her eyes.
“Everyone here knows that you and I aren't on the best of terms. But listen, Nox? I’m a god who knows how to keep public and private matters separate. Understood?” “Public and private? You can say that even after seeing what you’ve done?” “I don't know what ‘deeds’ you're referring to. But I’ll tell you this: at the very least, that wasn't my intention.”
Blue eyes with golden concentric circles looked up sharply at red eyes with the same concentric circles.
“I simply didn't want to spread the seeds of useless chaos.” “Hmph. That is nothing more than a flimsy self-defense. It is an undeniable fact that you intentionally hid that being, and consequently, that thing destroyed Kalungod.” “Who said that child destroyed Kalungod?” “What……?”
Nox narrowed his eyes.
“You see, Nox. You’ve been saying that child destroyed Kalungod for a while now. What is your basis for that?” “……Stop playing innocent, Minis. You don't think I'm unaware that your believers were at the scene when Kalungod was annihilated, do you?” “Oh? I didn't see him kill Kalungod. I did see him kill a believer, though.”
The other gods held their breath at the argument between the two high-ranking gods, and eventually, opinions split around Minis and Nox.
“……Those words are mere sophistry. Regardless, the power that being possesses is too dangerous. Therefore, we must move directly to take action.” “Well~. I’m not so sure. Even if it is a threatening power, I don't think it will ever reach us here. Aren't you being a bit too scared?”
The Nox faction insisted that Symposion must intervene and dispose of that human. And the Minis faction argued that it didn't matter since he posed no threat to Symposion.
