459 - Regressor of the Fallen Family

**Chapter 459** There’s a stark difference between merely suspecting something and actually confirming it. Moreover, this wasn't the end of the revelations. “To put it bluntly, learning the paths the gods pursue through scripture and reciting prayers are rituals intended to reach the deities with one's soul.” “Hmm.” “It’s similar to how a rancher brands their cattle. The only difference is that even the smallest trace left by a god’s soul lets one wield special powers.” “Divine power…” “Yes, and that divine power becomes proof of their existence, pulling others in, without realizing it leaves a mark on one’s soul.” “A mark, you say?” “Yes, it’s only now I fully understand. Even if my soul wasn’t eroded, I wouldn’t have become an aura master. My soul has already been altered to match Aria’s wavelength, allowing me to use part of that power.” Harman’s words were far beyond Logan’s expectations. “You need not feel too sorry. I may have fallen short of being an aura master, but I can still wield the power of the soul. Once I recover, I can easily defeat most aura users, even though I am one arm short.” “That’s truly a pity…” “It’s all right. This was the path I chose. I sacrificed my arm to drive out a god’s soul, gaining the ability to use part of its power. It’s a fair trade-off. Although, you could say it’s like a servant taking grain from a betrayed master’s warehouse without permission.” It hardly leaves a mark on that storeroom. Harman’s face carried a bitter expression as he finished speaking. “Now, I understand why no aura masters ever emerged among the legendary leaders of the Holy Knights, arguably some of the strongest on the continent.” Aura master—a state where a soul ascends to control other souls. How could anyone who has tasted even a hint of that state let go of such longing? Logan felt a pang of sympathy for the yearning Harman would carry for life. But aside from that, one thing needed clarification. “So, how exactly is it possible to revive a soul?” Even though Logan had observed it with the Eye of Truth: seeing holy power resonate and amplify, restoring the extinguished spark of a soul to its original size. Yet, even witnessing it from start to finish didn’t allow him to fully understand without having divine power himself. Understanding Logan’s question, Harman quickly responded as expected. “As I mentioned, gods consume human souls to nourish themselves—a sort of ‘soul predator,’ if you will. And divine power is borrowing a part of these gods' powers.” “Hmm.” “The power that fattens one’s soul by consuming others. I wondered if the reverse might also be possible.” “Ah…!?” Seeing the realization dawn on Logan's face, Harman smiled wryly. He pondered whether this explanation truly helped. “The problem was, unlike an aura master, I couldn’t see or control my soul. Without gauging the wounds and passage in my soul, I needed a similar mirror.” “Ah... so that’s why...” “Yes, that’s why I needed to meet the saintess. Specifically, someone else who survived the encroachment of a divine soul through sheer will.” “...Hmm.” “By observing each other’s souls, the saintess and I reversed the method used by the gods to steal their powers. We simply utilized the passage that had our souls seized.” It was an unbelievable tale. Those nearly swallowed by gods had instead lived on through their powers? Moreover, if soul revival worked that way, could he even replicate it? ‘What about Duke Clayton…?’ Though half a success, a sense of frustration weighed down on him. ‘I have nothing to tell Lia.’ By now, the news of the saintess’ revival must have reached her, too. ‘She must be so hopeful...’ He couldn’t repeat the method he used to resurrect the swordmaster. With the depth of his current understanding, he clearly saw the peril and recklessness of that method. ‘I need to delve further into the divine soul encroachment and divine power.’ On the return journey, Logan kept thinking he would need to press Harman further. Harman seemed to perceive Logan’s expression differently. “I know it sounds hard to believe. Honestly, I thought it a gamble. Yet, the gods didn’t attempt to block the reversal of their power.” “Hmm? They didn’t block it… you say?” “Yes, there was surprisingly no resistance. Perhaps, because to them it was a mere fraction of power, but based on my experiences, they aren’t typically the type to allow such things. So….” Swallowing hard, Harman shared his intriguing thoughts with a grave expression. “As I mentioned earlier, there might be some cost or penalty involved in creating an apostle. That could be why Amun and Aria can’t currently interfere with us. But then again, it’s just my personal speculation.” “Hmm… No, it’s a plausible theory.” More than plausible; it certainly had convincing power. Logan set aside his disappointment over soul revival and engraved the new information into his mind. ‘If failing to apostolize carries a penalty, then perhaps killing an apostle could also negatively impact the gods…’ Making it so the gods couldn’t intervene in the earthly realm would be the ultimate goal, though unease still lingered. Perceiving Logan’s unsettling thoughts, Harman continued cautiously. “Since the gods oppose Your Majesty, you might want to consider destroying or sealing the holy relics of the Maclain Diocese and the ancient kingdom of Caron. Apart from those of Ricentia and Aurum, I've hidden the other five relics separately.” “Are you suggesting I openly defy the temples?” “There’s no need to go that far. His Holiness the Pope stands with you now, doesn’t he? Though the process might be complex, he would surely welcome the idea of sealing the relics with open arms.” “...That does make sense.” Of course, it wasn't something that could be done immediately. The current focus had to remain on confronting the Empire and the Cassel Tower. Moreover, apart from Harman and the Saintess, it wasn’t a matter to casually disclose to anyone else. Still, the thought of the gods targeting him left him uneasy. Dealing directly with deities that existed on a higher plane was out of the question, so all he could do for now was… “…I should inform the Saintess of the significance of sealing the relics as soon as I return.” It was a passive measure, but the best he could manage for the moment. Logan felt a surge of frustration at the antics of the gods. When you got down to it, he hadn’t done anything particularly notable, yet his life was under threat. But then. “If you’re keen on dealing a blow to the gods, I might have a good idea.” “Hmm?” One of the two people in the current era who likely detested the gods the most spoke up with an intriguing proposal. --- After the Saintess’s resurrection incident at the Castle of Kyle, it took Logan merely a week to arrive at Rusfelheim. During that time, he engaged in discussions with Harman about the utilization and origins of divine power, further broadening his understanding. The key point was that he had been absent for such a short time that his presence wasn’t even noticeably missed. From the moment he informed Damian of his temporary absence, it hadn’t even been a month. Furthermore, the Imperial army’s advance didn’t deviate much from Damian’s initial predictions. “I feel like I’ve aged ten years in the past month. But Your Majesty looks remarkably well, haha.” Damian, looking haggard, let out an exaggerated chuckle. Despite the jest being inappropriate enough to warrant a stern rebuke, Logan, feeling somewhat guilty, could only manage an awkward smile. “You’ve secured the full cooperation of the Holy Kingdom. It was a risk worth taking, don’t you think?” “Well, that… Ugh. Yes, you did well.” Though he might have wanted to protest vehemently, the undeniable success left Damian with no choice but to nod begrudgingly, unable to hide his aggrieved expression. ‘For a strategist, he’s excessively candid.’ While it might be seen as a flaw by some, Damian’s demeanor was, to Logan, proof that he was indeed altering the course of the future—bringing an amused smile to his face. And he wanted to bolster the spirits of such a loyal subject. “Well, I’ve brought back an aura user as a bonus. You’ll meet them later.” “…What?” “One more aura fighter in our ranks.” “Really? Is that true?!” “Yes.” “Excellent! Haha. It was truly worth the trip, then. Great job, truly great.” Now his laughter brimmed with genuine enthusiasm. Seeing that, Logan, in high spirits, patted Damian on the shoulder and whispered the secret he’d thought to keep hidden a while longer. “And I’ve gained the confidence to face both the Emperor and the Master of the Cassel Tower simultaneously.” The confidence was well-founded. While he hadn’t reached the pinnacle of an aura master, there had definitely been an elevation in his capabilities, allowing him to boast. “…Really?!” “Quite worth the journey, wouldn’t you say?” Logan shamelessly feigned as if the unexpected growth in his realm was his intention all along, yet Damian had no way of knowing otherwise. “Are you serious!?” “Yes.” As Logan nodded with a sly grin, Damian couldn’t contain his delight and cheered. “Wow! So it’s true!?” “I assure you, it is.” “To think that’s achievable. Haha. You did exceedingly well! Even if my insides are churning into a state of decay, it’s a trivial matter! Hahaha.” Although Logan momentarily reeled at the comment laced with sarcasm amidst Damian’s genuine joy, a smile quickly returned to his face. And there was another surprise in store for his strategist. “Connect me with the Castle of Kyle. I will speak directly with the Saintess. Ensure absolute confidentiality.” “…What?” Damian’s smile vanished in stunned disbelief for a moment. “Hurry. The sooner, the better for the war.” With his lord’s subsequent directive, he didn’t even pause to respond as he briskly set off to fulfill the request. That evening, the prolonged communication between Logan and the Saintess stirred the world the following day. – Logan MacLaine, the Sun of MacLaine and the Continent's Finest Swordsman, is a hero ordained by the Nine Gods to bring peace in turbulent times. – In the name of the temple and the Saintess, we offer our support to the hero chosen by the gods, bestowing upon him the status and blessing of an honorary saint. The proclamation by the Saintess before the assembled high priests and holy knights at Kyle spread across the continent in an instant. “Did the temple really acknowledge him?” “I told you! How could someone become an aura master in their twenties unless they were a hero designated by the gods?” “Indeed. Our Majesty might as well be considered an apostle of the gods.” “Come now, an apostle? He’s a hero! A divine hero, a sainted hero.” “In any case, long live our Majesty!” The fervor that swept through the MacLaine Kingdom sent the morale of its troops soaring to the heavens in anticipation of war. Conversely, there were places where morale plummeted. “…The opposing king is said to be a hero chosen by the gods?” “No way.” “It’s true. The temple acknowledged it.” “…That has to be a rumor.” “There were whispers before about the Empire being enemies of the gods…” “Stop spouting such unlucky nonsense!” The Imperial forces hastening towards Rusfelheim were abuzz with unease, with rumors of desertions spreading daily. Even before the great war to determine the continent's future fully commenced, the tide had begun to shift. “The start is promising.” “How did you accomplish this, Your Majesty?” Amid the admiration and questions from those around him, Logan expressed nothing but a knowing smile. He couldn't very well reveal the truth that this was originally the idea of the former leader of the Holy Knights, and that the Pope, eager to thwart the gods, had enthusiastically supported it.