Light of Arad: The First to Walk - Chapter 32



Only Noblemtl

032

Lotus’ eyes were fixed on Jinseong for a moment.

It’s not just my imagination that makes me feel uncomfortable when I make eye contact with you.

Because we have to assume that Lotus is now reading Jinseong’s own memories and mind.

[… … I don’t know about that. For something like Direji, which can be called a hotbed of germs, the expression ‘infection, as you think’ would be more appropriate.]

Jinseong bit his lower lip at the fact that Lotus also didn’t know.

The things he was talking about were thoughts that Jinseong had organized once after being possessed here in Arad, and were also thoughts that Jinseong had been thinking about without realizing it, ‘along with the questions.’

“……I see.”

Lotus’s telepathic ability to read memories and thoughts is certainly superior to Jinseong’s expectations.

[The same goes for Ozma, who is unclear whether he is an apostle or not, and the silent old man. Black Nightmare? It’s strange that the old man would have the will to do something like that, but it’s unlikely.]

Jinseong was able to become convinced by listening to Lotus’ words.

Direzia spreads disease. It is .

Ozma turns normal humans into demons called ‘impostors’. It’s a .

Luke is consumed by negative and destructive impulses. It is a nightmare, a .

These are all words that are similar to the term ‘contamination’ or are sometimes used with the same meaning, but based on what happens in Arad, and especially considering what Jinseong experienced with the transcendent Nemer who possessed him here, they all do not correspond to ‘that contamination’.

‘Yeah, I thought it wouldn’t be Luke anyway. Luke was already on the purification list of that Ranger user who came before me… … .’

He is a user who was trying to check the contamination status of Frey-Isis.

Didn’t the Apostle Luke already confirm that he was not the ?

‘But one thing is certain. Once a being is contaminated, it cannot be the .’

In addition to the information that Nemer had given us that ‘even a being that was once purified can become contaminated again’, there was also the fact that ‘a being that was once contaminated can never become the ‘.

In the end, the hypothesis regarding the that Jinseong had been thinking about on his own had to be confirmed to some extent at this point and also had to be discarded.

And as if to mock such genuine sorrow, Lotus said:

[Whether it is the cause of the pollution or something, the fact that a being stronger than that girl has not yet solved it… … . Aren’t you aware of it yourself, human? That’s why you are such a dull being.]

It is a being that Nemer could not even find.

It is an object that is too big of a distortion to be intervened in by the Lady of Light and the Transcendent One, so it is impossible for her to intervene.

The general apostles mean no in the end.

So what are the possibilities?

Or, someone who has the power of an apostle but is not an apostle, so he is not noticed by Nemer.

He is the most special apostle among the apostles.

At this point, when I tried to squeeze out my true memories, there was only one name that came to mind and from which I could draw a conclusion.

The only one who is an apostle and can transfer other apostles.

Hilda.

‘Ah. Ten.’

It is inevitable that swear words will come out first.

At the same time, I would say that the thoughts that come to mind are ones of speculating about other possibilities.

‘No, but Cosmo Find is still left-.’

Of course, such evasive thinking was immediately detected by Lotus.

[Do you think that closing your eyes will make the crisis before you disappear?]

It is not yet confirmed.

In fact, there remains a possibility that other beings, including Cosmo Find, are the , as Jinseong himself speculated.

“……I guess I’ve been listening to all the advice from the apostles. Damn it.”

However, since it was not an idea that could come to mind at least at this point, Jinseong could not help but smile bitterly.

Lotus asked with a satisfied look in her eyes.

[Now to my question-.]

No, I was going to ask.

‘It’s true. There is a parallel world. There is a Lotus there too. Of course, that Lotus… … is fighting the adventurer in a situation where it can use its power a little more freely than you. That’s what I meant by that it’s a little better than you who is trapped in the altar and can’t move. Oh, by the way! The Lotus in that world was also transferred by Hilda. In the end, the thing that pisses off the Lotus on both sides the most is almost the same: Hilda.’

[-… … Hahaha, are you pretending to read my mind, in front of me?]

“This isn’t mind reading, it’s just the natural flow of things. Anyway, did that answer your question?”

Jinseong spoke as if he was annoyed and slowly placed his hand on the handle of the sword.

This means that the deal that allowed for such a peaceful conversation with the ‘Apostle’ Lotus has ended.

Lotus said to Jinseong, who was preparing to use [Inventory] with his left hand at any time while strengthening his right hand in case of an emergency.

[It would be easy to crush that little body right now… … but it seems better for you to ruin that girl’s plans yourself than to be under my control.]

Shoooooooo──────… … .

The surrounding space seemed to shake and distort for a moment.

[I will not kill you now, foolish human. But when the tip of that sword is turned toward me, you will taste my power that ruled the world.]

As Lotus’s figure disappeared, his last words were heard.

“Well, if I had the original ‘forged blade’, you wouldn’t have said it so easily either.”

Jinseong did not back down until the very end and spoke to the scattering illusions.

And then it was a snap.

“Ugh……”

“Jin… Seong-ssi? How-. What happened?”

“Ugh, my head hurts!”

Fiona, Lenny, and Dan all staggered beside Jinseong, holding their heads.

* * *

“Is everyone okay? It seems like the Apostle Lotus was trying to mind control us.”

Jinseong woke up Fiona and Dan.

“I saw a welcome. It was scary-.”

“Damn, how many followers did I kill that my arms are literally aching and you’re telling me it was all a hallucination?”

The only one who made a deal with Lotus was Jinseong himself, and Lotus kept her promise not to kill them, but she didn’t say she wouldn’t harass them.

The one approaching Jinseong was a red-haired lower-ranking knight.

“Are you okay, Jinseong?”

“Yes, I… Mr. Lenny? Are you feeling well?”

“Yes, I think so. Like Den, I feel like my muscles are a bit sore from dealing with the illusions.”

Jinseong nodded as he watched Lenny awkwardly smiling and rubbing his arms and shoulders.

Anyway, at this level, there won’t be a significant power loss.

‘More than anything, I guess I should say it’s fortunate that Lenny is relatively healthy.’

If Lenny’s health had not been good even for a moment, it would have been a big problem if he had not been able to express his lively energy.

Jinseong looked around as he watched Lenny supporting Fiona and Dan.

From the angle of the light coming in from outside the ruins, I could tell that some time had passed.

‘I just wanted to make it brief and cut to the chase, but… How much time has passed? Where is the user now? Hmm?’

No contaminated cards have been released yet.

In other words, there is a high probability that the female archer user’s quest will proceed as is, even though it has been contaminated.

While Jinseong was wondering how far the quest had progressed and where the user was currently located, he heard the sound of quick footsteps.

“Lenny, Fiona, Dan!”

“Adventurers? Haven’t you seen any adventurers?”

Two voices were heard urgently, Ban and Aganzo.

The expressions of the three knights of the duchy, including Robato, who was chasing them from behind, were not good, and Jinseong had to swallow dry saliva after hearing Aganzo’s question a little while ago.

Just hearing those words made me recall the flow clearly.

“Captain? Oh, yes, adventurers aren’t really from this side…”

“Ha, damn it. He suddenly went off somewhere like he was crazy and disappeared.”

When Lenny shook his head, Van sighed in annoyance.

The adventurer, that is, the user, suddenly broke up with Ban, Aganzo, Robato, Isadora, and others and headed somewhere else?

And that too right after coming out of the blood prison?

‘… … It’s the beginning.’

Jinseong retreated half a step back and fell.

Aganjo asked Ban.

“The situation seems strange. It may be related to the sudden increase in Lotus’s power. What are we going to do, Ban? It’s too early to find the adventurer.”

“I know, I know. I can’t give orders to Hearts and the other members. Since I can’t get help from the Blood Prisoners, they’ll be busy dealing with all of Lotus’ eggs, in addition to Lotus.”

Although he had only briefly described what had happened in the Blood Prison, Jinseong could tell that it was as if he had seen it with his own eyes.

‘Marcellus, whom Isadora had trusted, has completely turned black. In the end, she can no longer receive their help, so the Iron Wolf Knights have to handle everything.’

The power of the Lotus feels stronger, but the manpower is actually lacking.

With one person having to shoulder more responsibility, the four Weaponmasters and the Captain of the Iron Wolf Order had few choices.

“First, you and I have to deal with Lotus. Before Lotus gets stronger.”

“That would be right. Just tell Hearts and the other members to follow you and take care of the eggs… Lenny! Fiona! Den!”

The first priority is, of course, dealing with Lotus.

But what if that isn’t enough?

“Yes, sir!” “Yes!” “Go ahead!”

The three answered loudly.

Half of them were instructed.

“Find the adventurer and stop him from doing anything stupid. If possible, bring him to his senses, but if that’s not possible, at least buy him some time. And GSD’s disciple-”

Then I looked at Jinseong.

Jinseong stepped forward before Ban could say anything.

“Mr. Lenny – I’ll follow these two to find the adventurer. I think I’ll know the path above the Behemoth ruins better.”

“Ah, then that will do. Okay, please. Let’s go, sir and gentleman of the duchy.”

“Hmm. Let’s go.”

Ban ran towards Behemoth’s second spine, led by Aganzo and Robato.

The loud noises and shouts heard from behind were probably the sounds of Hearts and other members of the Iron Wolf Knights taking care of the ‘trash mobs’, so Jinseong moved quickly.

“Let’s go find the adventurer. This way.”

It is not known exactly where the user is, but if you look at the direction that Ban and Aganjo are pointing,

And if you remember that everyone eventually joins at the second spine where Lotus is.

Jinseong was able to come forward without hesitation.

“Mr. Jinseong? Why are you suddenly wearing a mask?”

“It’s nothing.”

However, Jinseong’s mind was not at ease.

Fortunately, he has the GBL mask on his hand, which hides his expression and keeps his true feelings from being revealed.

Even as he ran quickly, Jinseong had to worry.

‘If I only made up my mind… … No, no. That can’t be done.’

Is this right? Is this the right way to do it?

There is power and a way to fix it. But it cannot be done.

‘I was prepared for it from the beginning. That’s why… … Hendonmeyer and I went around together – I tried to make it as enjoyable as I could.’

Since he did the best he could, Jinseong had to make the decision.

“Over there, over there!”

“Found it, adventurer!”

Fiona and Dan’s voices were heard.

The female archer user was running somewhere, shooting arrows as if possessed by something.

“You have to stop him! Fiona, Dan! I’ll chase after him first and stop his feet, follow me!”

Lenny ran towards such a user.

Jinseong watched from behind as Fiona and Dan also rushed towards the user with their weapons drawn.

Because his footsteps had already stopped.

Gulp.

Jinseong swallowed his dry saliva again in regret.

Now Lenny will succeed in catching up with the adventurers, that is, the users.

With the help of Fiona and Dan, you will work to save users who are hallucinating due to Lotus.

and?

‘… … die.’

Lenny dies. Right here, right now.