Chapter 214 – The Identity of God

It shone so brightly…that darkness couldn’t possibly exist in this bright world.

The intensity of the light increased, as if everything had come to light in God’s identity. It seemed to herald the beginning of the harvest of souls.

[Since it has been opened, should I reset it? The next thing to do is to remove all obstacles.]

Leaving behind the so-called god, Libra raised his hand high. and swung it down towards me.

Immediately, the black cube began to take in the surrounding souls again.

『Fate!』

It turned into a soul monster and attacked. In that case, let’s use soul liberation to dispatch it…at least that’s what I intended to do, until I saw the grin on Libra’s face.

[No, let’s not do that.]

『What’s wrong?』

While holding Roxy in my arms, I dodged the soul monster. I can feel it by looking at it up close.
I couldn’t understand these souls.

[I told you, I won’t make the same mistake. Those souls are under my complete control. I didn’t know the experiment I did when I spawned Eris for fun would come in handy. I’ll have to praise her when it’s all over.]

[Libraaa!]

[Ohho, so scary. It’s your own fault. You prioritized your father first instead of something more important. It’s unfortunate that you can’t even hold on to a promise.]

[Eris is not yours.]

[Oh yes, she’s my belongings. Look at this, even though I gave you the chance to transfer the possession rights.]

The soul monsters were approaching from all sides. There’s no escape.

[It would be interesting to see someone with Gluttony skill being devoured instead. Don’t worry, you won’t be alone. She’s with you after all.]

[You…]

He’s doing whatever he wants by taking advantage of Roxy. He must have let her go on purpose, knowing that this would happen.

『It must be decided in one blow』

[That’s all there is to it.]

But a faint sense of unease crossed my mind. Libra said he wouldn’t repeat the same mistake.
I quickly transformed the black sword into the black spear.

The only thing I got that might stand a chance.

[Take my power.]

『Very well, I’ll take it』

The black spear changed shape after draining my status as its sustenance. It became more ominous, sharper. As a throwing weapon, it transformed into a form that was indescribable.

I activated the 6th form’s secret technique, Revolt Brionac. I put all my power into it and let it go.
If it’s a black spear of annihilation, even a black cube with an indestructible attribute won’t stand a chance. A soul monster stood in the way. However, the black cube that was the core was easily erased.

Each time, an inorganic voice told me that my status had increased. Furthermore, even the skill income was repeated in a matter-of-fact voice as usual.

I appreciated the status, but these skills wouldn’t reach Libra. Even so, it took a lot out of me to use it. So let’s use it carefully.

[Kuuuh, Greed!]

What would happen next? Roxy couldn’t defend herself.

A tremendous shock wave rushed through.
That indicated that the black spear of disintegration, Revolt Brionac had been stopped. The black cubes couldn’t do such a thing.

Colliding head on against 《Revolt Brionac》. Is it even possible…? But I understood everything upon seeing the weapon used to block it.

[They look exactly the same…]

It was exactly the same as Greed. Using the same form and secret technique to cancel each other.
There was no settlement between the opposing secrets. Two black spears floating in full force.
I tried calling one of them.

[Get back, Greed.]

One of the two spears drew a sharp trajectory like thunder and reached my hand.

『I didn’t expect it to disguise itself as me.』

[As long as I understand its fundamentals, I can easily copy it.]

The other black spear returned to Libra and turned back into a black cube.
It can also be used like that!? Libra opened his mouth as if reading my mind.

[And that’s not all. Look at this shape, and this one. Do you want to see more? I wonder how you’ll fare against all of them.]

Not only the black spear. A black sword, a black bow, a black scythe… it’s all Greed’s form that I’ve released so far. And as if that’s not enough, there’s even a black axe and a black bayonet.

[Have you ever wondered before, about who made these weapons?]

Weapons were not people. They weren’t born. Like Libra said, someone had to create it.

[Only fools will dare to be arrogant about being the only one with a strong weapon. But I got some good data. This black spear is great. A major difference from Vanity. This is how a black spear should be.]

[But it should take a lot of power to use it.]

Secret techniques consumed a large amount of status. And the loss would never return.
I didn’t think Libra, who seemed cautious, would take such a big risk so easily.

[What are you talking about? There are an overflowing amount of things to use here.]

He said while taking in the drifting souls.

No way!? He said that the souls should be fed to God. and yet, Libra was able to use it for his own cause?

Libra pointed at the red glowing stigmata on his face.

[God is forgiving. It’s a small thing in the grand scheme of things. It could easily be replaced. There’s no way I would do something as clever as you, like consuming my own soul. There are more alternatives. Look at those hordes of souls! Their replacements have arrived.]

A new wave of souls was about to surge from the direction I came from.

[Oh well, should I just conclude it now? Feel free to say anything, while you have the chance.]

[Kuh…]

Some of the soul monsters were annihilated, but not all. Even now, they continued to attack me.

While dodging around, I checked Roxy. She never seemed to wake up despite everything.
The opponent was not something I could fight against properly while keeping guard on her. If only she would wake up already…

A number of black lightning bolts rain down from overhead. When I looked up, Libra was throwing out the second form’s secret technique Bloody Ptarmigan.

I flapped my wings, flying around to avoid it, but my left shoulder still got shot through. A piercing pain ran through my body. It’s not just pain. I remember this feeling. It was the same as when I was training with Greed and Luna in the spiritual world.

Greed said at that time. If you take too many attacks on your soul, your heart will break.
Libra wasn’t satisfied with destroying my body. He’s trying to finish off my heart as well.

And he’s not playing around. Another hail of《Bloody Ptarmigan》was released upon me.

[Roxy! This is bad…. Snow, answer me!]

At that time, a large group of souls appeared in front of us in waves. Souls running through. If I believe what Libra said, these should be the souls who flowed backwards into this world. There were so many of them that it was difficult to even see what was in front of them.

Among the souls that flew into the golden sphere, only one turned around. It was flying around Roxy while emitting a warm light.

I touched it as if I was drawn to that soul.

[Fate Barbatos. To think we would meet again, in such a place, in this form…]

[Mason-sama!?]

[I died and came back to life, and I was able to meet my family again. I have no regrets anymore. However, I am still conscious even though I have returned back to my soul form. Is this also a miracle…or… Fate, can you lend me your strength? My daughter’s soul is imprisoned.]

[…What should I do?]

[Take my soul. I shall lead you to my daughter’s soul.]

[But, if I do that… What about you, Mason-sama?]

[‘Tis fine. I’m already dead. If it’s for my daughter’s well being, then I’m willing to use even this soul of mine.]

Mason-sama’s determination rang firm.

Greed said that’s the only way now. He had done something similar before, so the weight of his words was different.

『While you’re entering Roxy’s soul, I’ll somehow buy you some time.』

[But…]

『I can do that in the Crossing state, remember? Time is running out, just go』

Greed one-sidedly fused with me. And as if he kicked me out, I was left with nothing but my soul. Led by Mason-sama, I jumped into Roxy.

Greed, who was left behind, used my body to wink uncharacteristically and seemed to tell me to leave it to him.

When I entered Roxy, I heard the sound of Mason-sama’s soul shattering. Then, I heard his last words.

[My daughter, Roxy… I entrust her to you.]