Chapter 104

"Haha, how could that be? You're overthinking it. How could I care about such a trivial matter? I just really wanted to see you..."

Beelzebub's smile could even be described as innocent and naive.

Novia responded to her with a wave of light that seemed destined to kill her body.

"Ugh, so hot! So cold! Ugh, so numb..."

The Lord of the Flies screamed as if utterly helpless, then its body ceased to move in the radiance, leaving only its remains.

But the next second--

With a calm expression, she reappeared in front of the wreckage she had just discarded, slowly clapping her hands and weaving words of praise for Novia.

"If I were Beelzebub, I might already be kneeling before you, becoming your pet. But alas—"

The girl, lying on the fake chunks of flesh and pools of blood, looked at the swarm of flies that began to reappear around her, and continued with satisfaction,

"I am Beelzebub, and so I hate. In the end, I was abandoned, abandoned by my Mother Star, mercilessly corrupted by my Mother Star, abandoned by humanity's Faith... To be able to plunge this Planet into an unprecedented catastrophe, that's quite something, ah, really something. Don't you think it's a wonderful thing?"

To be honest, Novia wasn't quite sure what kind of conflict had occurred between the Canaan pantheon and the Bible system in the Nasuverse in the past. After all, the Canaan pantheon had already been replaced by the first century. His biggest conflict with Judaism was with those who had made the covenant.

However, from the perspective of modern people's research on the past, the existence of the stigma surrounding Beelzebub is the most powerful manifestation of monotheistic religions' denigration, stigmatization, and Demon of Pagan God...

This was also why he initially hoped Beelzebub would leave voluntarily, because he felt a little embarrassed. However, now that the Lord of the Flies had done so, Novia didn't care about the stain on his reputation anymore. If you have a problem, go find the Dove. It was He who wiped out your Canaan gods completely, it has nothing to do with him.

All he needs to do now is give this guy some face.

The silver-haired youth walked steadily forward step by step through the swarm of flies... until he finally stood before Beelzebub.

Beelzebub knew he was no match for him, so he gave up the chance to fight back.

Then, Novia asked again in an extremely calm tone:

"You should also know that this world is not the real world, but merely a trial world I Maya up. Even if you stall for time, they still cannot succeed."

"Just because something is impossible doesn't mean you have to give up. I learned that from you. Besides, death isn't something that comes suddenly; it's contained within all things at the moment of birth. Birth and death are like cause and effect."

Beelzebub raised his green compound eyes and said calmly,

"To survive, one must sacrifice other living beings. To be killed simply by assuming the killer is evil... this weakness is the true 'evil.' If we're to assign blame, shouldn't we blame the powerless? If one cannot protect oneself, being killed and forgotten is only natural. Strength is the prerequisite for everything, whether it's committing evil or upholding so-called justice."

"... I cannot cure your Revenge, because your thirst for Revenge makes you reject the world you have forgotten. But even so, I still hope to cure your Revenge, because it is I who, in the New Testament, smeared and humiliated you as a bloodthirsty and terrifying demon king."

As he spoke, he stretched out his left hand.

A dazzling light emanated from the silver-haired youth's hands.

Finally, an object appeared out of nowhere in Novia's hand.

It is the Primordial Sacred Sword that has merged with the Demonic Sword: True World.

In that instant, the world changed.

Centered on Novia's raised hand—a change occurs.

A gigantic, clock-like Magecraft circle stretched out infinitely, covering the entire dark sky, dominating and rewriting the laws of this world.

Everything in the world lost its color and turned black and white.

The wind stopped.

Time stopped.

Then, Novia carefully aimed at Beelzebub's body, making sure that it wouldn't be unable to be resurrected with the help of the flies.

Swing down the Holy Sword--

"Hey, hey, did you suddenly feel apologetic towards me? Hahaha, I was just kidding! My mom is Asherah, Ate was just an accident. So you're actually my elder, don't take it too seriously. I've actually been the Lord of the Flies for a long time!"

Now, there's no need for a complete release; just this is enough.

Perhaps the dangerous event that should have destroyed the entire Snowfield City was thus averted.

188: Mount Olympus (4k)

Let's rewind to the moment Beelzebub was born, in the underground of a Factory in Snowfield City.

"'Let this Planet wail and scream as it pleases...' Did Francesca say that to you?"

The Master of Avenger Alcides narrowed his eyes and spoke these words to the great hero who had lost his integrity due to the Command Spell he had used.

This person is Bazdiloh Coati. As Magecraft, he specializes in a rather distorted Magecraft Lineage of 'domination' systems. He focuses on 'dominating' Magecraft rather than others. He is also proficient in the Eastern Cursecraft system that is looked down upon by the Clock Tower.

He was suspected of being involved in the murder of Multiplicity Magecraft and was regarded as a thorn in the side by the Department of Policies of the Clock Tower. He then became antagonistic to Sponheim Monastery due to a certain incident, during which he was protected by the Squartino.

At that time, the next Director of Sponheim Monastery disappeared in the Far East, causing chaos within the Monastery. Otherwise, even the Italian Mafia family Squartio couldn't protect him... The missing Director was none other than Cornelius Aruba, a very minor character who appeared in the game "Karakuri" and was eaten by Familiar in a suitcase after saying "Crimson of Pain" to Touko Aozaki's head.

After being taken in by the Mafia, he became an officer. Several years ago, after his leader was dealt with by the United States, he was determined to avenge him, and he was involved in more than 125 murder cases.

This criminal, who should have remained imprisoned, was ultimately released due to a deal between Francesca and the United States government, and thus became the Master of the Holy Grail War in Snowfield City.

"Um."

"The spy at the Police Department has been found. Knowing the Police Chief's personality, he's probably on his way to me... So, do you still think you can win?"

"I have no intention of becoming the victor of the Holy Grail War," Alcides said calmly. "But, Master, may I use a little more Od?"

How much do you want?

Bazdiloh looked at the clumps of transparent crystals piled up in the room like a mountain of gems.

This is the source of his Od in supporting the Avenger, and also the Od that allows him to sacrifice human lives.

In the United States, there are hundreds of thousands of missing persons cases every year.

If asked whether such an astonishing number of humans truly disappeared within a year, the Answer would likely be half true and half false.

Although the number of hundreds of thousands reported in Japan in the past with sensational headlines, most of these people are actually found on the same day or within a few days. The number of people who have been missing for more than a year—in other words, the number of people who have truly disappeared without a trace—is actually less than Issei, which is about tens of thousands of people each year.

Tens of thousands of people is already a number that cannot be ignored. Even if we exclude that number, the figure had already become abnormal several years before the start of the Holy Grail War in the Snowfield. In a sense, it was a rather slow change.

Most of them were used as offerings to infuse Od.

Use as much as you have.

After giving a swift reply, Alcides added:

"Once it's done... there's no need to provide any more Od."

If the soul could grow more resilient, the outcome might be different.

I wonder if the Holy Grail... can solidify the soul into matter?

No, the Holy Grail can't do that here.

There is no essence of 'third' within the container of Snowfield City.

Would the real Holy Grail work?

What about the Holy Grail in Fuyuki?

Does the Holy Grail, its dregs and remains, still remain on that land?

These questions remained in the Avenger' minds.

"Yeah."

Faced with his Servant's words that could be described as abandoning him, Bazdiloh did not curse or refuse to provide Od. Instead, he remained expressionless as always, and slowly uttered the words "yet again" to the 'person' in a voice that seemed to come from the depths of Hell.

Before we part, I want to tell you, it's not the noble heroes who stand out, but the persistent ones.

"So-called extreme hatred, though a curse, or even a remnant of modernity, is a kind of mystery that cannot be categorized as Magecraft. In reality, it's not a mystery at all, just human emotion, therefore—"

"There's no need to hide your Sin or regrets. Lay bare your heart and soul, reveal your Greed to achieve your goals by any means necessary. Even if the final destination is a noble path, don't hesitate to choose ruthless methods. That's the persistence of being human."

Speaking of which, Bazdiloh was recognized by Richard the Lionheart in the original FSF as the contemporary 'Lionheart,' and the so-called Lionheart refers to having the awareness to destroy oneself for a purpose... And the current Alcides might also be the 'Lionheart' that Heracles once had.

"Wear it forever, for it is the essence of humanity."

These were the words Bazdiloh spoke to Heracles, the noble archer he had Archer Class, when he used three Command Spell and the 'mud' he obtained from Francesca to forcibly twist the noble hero into a pathetic Avenger.

Then, the man gently closed his eyes, as if letting his thoughts wander through his life that was about to end.

"Go ahead and seek Revenge. You deserve Revenge, you determined person."

This grumbling wouldn't reach anyone's ears; it would simply disappear into the sound of the walls shattering from the impact.

"I've come to seek justice for my men, Bazdiloh Coati. This time, you won't go to jail; you'll die here."

Orlando Reeves, the Police Department Police Chief of Snowfield City, who broke through the wall, picked up his Far Eastern Tachi and addressed the Mafia.

"Orlando, I've long been prepared to die, but do you really think you and your bunch of lowly Police Officers can kill me? You're not even Magus? You only know a little bit about Magecraft?"

Bazdiloh looked at the Police Chief, who knew absolutely nothing about Magecraft, and a rare, mocking smile appeared on his lips.

He now possesses far more Magecraft power than before. Due to his association with the Avenger, he is imbued with Red and Black Od originating from 'mud,' and with the support of countless human lives Od, he can be said to be comparable to a weaker Servant.

Ultimately, there's really no reason to explain this. But if I had to pinpoint a reason, perhaps there is one.

"Oh? What is it?"

"Because I'm Police Officers."

"... Hahaha, what a foolish fellow."

"Hey, don't talk nonsense, you Mafia. I might laugh at my brother's death, but I'm telling you, you can't mock a hero who risks his life for a stranger."

Suddenly, a bald Playwright popped out from behind the Police Chief, spreading his arms wide in an exaggerated tone and singing as if he were an actor on stage.

"Why are you here? Didn't I give you my card so you could spend freely for the next few days? This is my job, and I've already given you permission to rest."

"Ahem, don't interrupt me, brother... Let me reiterate, my brother is challenging death! This is a very promising sight! How could someone like you, covered in mud and rarely doing anything impressive, possibly understand?"

That's why everyone will understand once they see it.

If we were to stand by and watch someone die carrying something they don't need to carry, it wouldn't be surprising if people were heartbroken. But what would the Crowd call such a fool who always looks forward?

The Crowd would say this: this man's story is incredibly epic, and he miraculously survived against all odds—"

At some point, countless sheets of paper began to flutter before Orlando and Bazdiloh's eyes, and various writing instruments, such as metal pens, emerged from the quill pen and began to write automatically.

"If it were just suicide, it would be much easier, because you'd just say 'Nice to you' to Death God, just say hello... But my brother is the opposite. He says he wants to overthrow death, and not his own death, well, it's to... overthrow the death of strangers."

As soon as Alexandre Dumas finished speaking, the bundle of paper recording the story flew around violently, eventually heading towards the katana held by Orlando, as if it were stuck to it, before disappearing as light seeped in.

Needless to say, it's obvious to the naked eye that this knife is of a much higher grade.

"In the end, I was just doing what I wanted to do. Brother, I am incredibly grateful—" Alexandre Dumas mischievously adopted a theatrical expression, "Thank you for never once using Command Spell to restrain my free spirit."

"... I might order suicides next."

"That was an unexpected development. However, it's not something to talk about now; we can discuss it later." Alexandre Dumas patted Orlando on the shoulder. "Anyway, brother, the pheasant dish you made was the best I've ever tasted in my life. Go on, as in many stories, justice will not yield to evil."

"Alright, I'll make sure you get to eat even better food."

Orlando answered with a wry smile, then took a step forward.

He is one of the masterminds behind the Holy Grail War in the Snowfield, and also Police Officers in Snowfield City.

"What a pointless performance... Speaking of which, I've used so many lives as Od, are you planning to hang me on the spot?"

"I will kill you on the spot, to Revenge those who died because of you."

"Let me devour the Holy Grail?"

Somewhere, Alcides temporarily put down his bow, gazing at the Holy Grail before him, which was shrouded in ominous red and black Od, and murmured to himself.

"You want Revenge, right? I have a suggestion for you: swallow the Holy Grail. Then, both your and my wishes will be fulfilled, great hero. But until then, I'll buy you some time."

After all, Revenge that isn't based on distorted facts isn't necessarily joyful in the eyes of others; that curse is contagious. The more difficult the Revenge, the stronger its power.

Alcides recalled Francesca's words to him.

Normally, given his current personality, it would be impossible for him to trust others, but Francesca has the Humanoid of Ate, which is why the Avenger are willing to trust her.

Long ago, before Hera, the queen of the gods, and Iris, the goddess of the rainbow, cursed him, the goddess of madness had advised them not to punish Heracles.

According to Euripides's *The Heracles the Mad *:

Madman: You sent me to that man's house, but I do not like to wander around harming people. I want to advise Hera, and I also want to advise you, before I see her make a mistake. If you will listen to me, I advise you not to think of causing him a great disaster.

Rainbow Goddess Iris: Stop trying to stop Hera and my plans!