Reincarnated As The Villainess's Son-Chapter 394: [Terror of the Dead God] [2]

I blinked, tilting my head.

"…Come again?" I asked, half-sure I'd misheard her.

Helena's shoulders shook slightly was she laughing?

before she leaned closer, her voice dropping to a teasing whisper.

"Kidding. Kind of."

"Kind of?!" I took a step back instinctively.

I hate this bitch.

Helena just shrugged casually.

"The Church is divided right now. Some want to welcome you." She held up one hand lazily.

"Some want to chain you up, dissect you, and throw your corpse to the beast." She raised the other hand.

"Wow," I mumbled.

"But," she added, stepping closer, her voice dropping into a mischievous whisper,

"the real reason you're here... is because the Archangel Families cannot agree."

I stayed silent, waiting.

Helena tilted her head. "Would you like some coffee?"

"....Sure."

I replied, rubbing the back of my neck.

'Things keep on getting worse.'

"Good choice," she said, turning smoothly on her heel moving outside the building. "There's a cafe near the inner sanctum. Only high clergy and guests are allowed."

She beckoned me with a flick of her fingers, walking ahead with that casual, dancer-like grace.

I sighed and followed, feeling a headache coming.

---

The city inside the Trinitas Sanctum felt even stranger up close.

It wasn't just the architecture

though giant statues of angels and huge swords embedded into the ground were certainly intimidating... it was the air itself.

The place was too clean.

Too ordered.

Too... unnaturally perfect.

As if the land itself rejected chaos.

Helena led me through a series of suspended bridges until we reached a quaint little cafe tucked beneath the roots of a huge tree.

Its branches glowed faintly like soft stars above.

An old wooden plaque above the door read: "The Seraph's Rest."

"Where did those swords come from?" I asked, staring back at the closest one.

"They were wielded by the origin race," Helena replied, opening the door. "Well, they aren't real but a replica... the real ones are with the church."

"...I see."

She walked in and I followed her inside.

Warm air, the scent of roasted coffee beans, and faint music filled the space.

A few priests and knights were seated at polished wooden tables, sipping drinks from crystal cups.

As soon as we entered, the room stilled.

Every head turned toward us.

Or more accurately—

Toward me.

Some faces were curious.

Others... far less welcoming.

"Ignore them," Helena whispered, grabbing my wrist lightly and pulling me toward a corner booth.

She slid into one side of the booth and pointed at the opposite seat. "Have a seat, please."

I sighed, feeling every stare burning into my back.

After a moment, a waitress approached, a young woman wearing a white apron embroidered with the sigil of the Three Gods.

Helena ordered without hesitation.

"One mana brew. And a mana-infused espresso. Extra shot."

The waitress blinked. "For... just him, right?"

She chuckled. "Of course."

The girl bowed slightly and left.

I sat quietly as my gaze moved toward the side where a knight was walking towards us.

"You're going to say he doesn't deserve to sit with me, right?"

Helena said sweetly, making the knight halt in his step.

"Please fuck off."

The knight opened his mouth but couldn't argue, so he just glared at me.

I showed him my middle finger just to piss him off.

A void sphere formed around us before he could even speak.

'I don't have time to argue with randoms.'

"What's this?" Helena asked, looking around the purplish orb curiously.

"Sound barrier," I replied, leaning forward. "You were saying? About the Archangel Families?"

Helena tapped her finger on the table, the metal ring on her hand clicking softly.

"Simple," she said. "The Michael Family wants you gone. Not just kicked out. Erased."

"....."

"The Raguel Family," she continued, "wants you to stay. They think you're a sign that the prophecy is real."

"...What prophecy?" I asked, frowning.

Helena shrugged. "Long story. I'll tell you after coffee."

"And the Uriel Family?" I prompted.

Helena tapped her chin theatrically.

"They're split. Some see you as Elyon's chosen. Some see you as a mistake that needs to be corrected."

Great.

A three-way political knife fight.

Helena leaned back as the waitress returned, placing steaming cup before me.

The aroma was rich and sweet.

"Taste it," she said, gesturing towards the cup.

I grabbed my cup, sipping it cautiously.

"...Holy shit," I whispered.

Damn, it's really good.

Helena remained silent even though I couldn't see, but I could feel her eyes on me.

Finally, I placed the coffee down and leaned back.

"So, how are they planning to kill me?" I asked, rubbing my chin.

"There has been a case going on with the Dark Trinity," Helena said, tapping on the table.

"For some reason, they were able to revive a dead God who is terrorizing everyone."

"..."

I froze for a second before leaning back.

'So, it did happen....'

In the game, Elijah was an Avatar much earlier than now and was able to stop it before the dead god was revived.

But... here he attended the wedding of the Asuras.

That resulted in the Dark Trinity being successful in their plans.

'....Butterfly effect.'

"They want me to kill the god, right?" I asked, looking back at her.

"That's the mission they will assign you," she nodded in agreement.

"If you win which is almost impossible... they will acknowledge you and give you the rank you deserve."

"And if I lose, I die."

"If you refuse, you die as well," she shrugged.

"..Hmm."

Folding my hands, I leaned back, falling in deep thoughts.

Killing a god even though mindless would be close to impossible.

No.

It is impossible.

'But... He isn't really a god.'

It's a shell of the god stripped of his past glory.

'Killing him isn't impossible.'

All I need is well-thought-out planning and fucking luck on my side.

But....

'Why should I do that?'

I am not their slave nor a devotee of any god.

I am an Avatar of two gods and technically have a goddess as my lover.

[<I am not your lover, pretty boy.>]

'Not yet.'

[<Never, and what makes you think I would even join your harem of weird girls?>]

'....Fair point.'

Anyway, if I want to do things, then I will do it on my own accord.

'...They will have to pay for me to move.'

And I just so happen to know what it will be.

"What will I get in return?" I asked, glancing back at Helena.

Helena tilted her head slightly.

"You want a reward?" she asked, sounding genuinely amused.

"I don't work for free," I said, resting my chin on my palm. "Especially not for a bunch of hypocrites who would rather see me dead."

Helena's fingers drummed thoughtfully on the table, her nails clicking lightly against the wood.

"...If you succeed," she said slowly, "you'll be granted the title of Heir of the Sanctum."

I narrowed my eyes.

"And that means...?"

"Recognition." Helena leaned forward, her voice dropping to a low whisper.

"Official protection under the Three Gods' Church. Access to the Inner Sanctum's resources. Authority over the Seraphblood families lower than the Archangels."

"Of course," she said sweetly, "if you want more... you can bargain for it."

"Like what?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

Helena shrugged. "Relics, secret arts, lands, titles... maybe you can ask my hand for marriage—."

"And if I asked for something ridiculous?"

She turned silent before whispering. "Like what?"

I smiled sweetly. "Snow dallet flower."

Helena took a few moments to process my words.

"You sick bastard," she replied, laughing softly. "Asking for the core of a Relic—."

"Would they give it or not?"

She leaned back thoughtfully.

[<Is it for Christina?>]

'Partially yes.'

I still remember why Christina had to die.

In the first place, she chose to become an Avatar because she was afraid...

...Afraid that she would be a burden to me.

'I don't want her to feel that way again.'

If I am going to give her a new body, might as well give her the best one.

"Well, it depends," Helena replied, looking at me. "How much they want you to be gone."

"So, make them hate me more," I replied, nodding my head. "Noted."

She chuckled softly, shaking her head.

"Anyway, I have a favor to ask," Helena said, shifting back.

"Speak."

"Live in Kandam for a few months," she replied, looking into my eyes.

I frowned. "Why?"

"So, you can do me a favor," she said, passing me a card. "By becoming a professor in EEA Academy."

I stared at her, deadpan.

"...A professor?" I repeated, slowly blinking.

Helena smiled sweetly behind her veil like she hadn't just dropped the most random bombshell ever.

"Yes, a professor," she said, voice lilting with amusement. "You're smart, strong, and scandalous. You'll fit right in."

"Are you out of your damn mind?" I asked, genuinely baffled. "Why would I teach a bunch of spoiled brats?"

Helena didn't reply; instead, she turned still.

'Wait, EEA Academy?'

I silently grabbed the black card that she passed me.

My gaze found Helena again.

"... It's because "he" is there, right?"

She slammed her palm on the table, beaming in happiness.

"I knew you would know who he is!"

"...It's more concerning how you know him," I mumbled, looking at her.

She just smiled. "So, are you going to take the offer?"

I remained silent, looking at the card.

Finally, I whispered. "Can I....meet him?"

She thought for a moment before nodding. "There is a function going on in the academy."

She picked up her phone, dialing a number.

"Wanna go check it out?"

"...Fine by me."

I mumbled softly.

Even though I don't want to be anywhere close to this crazy girl... I do want to see him.

[<Who might "he" be?>]

'The protagonist of the third game.'

And....

'She might also be there.'

Ragnar's daughter.

"Let's go," Helena said, getting up from her seat.

Just as I moved to follow her, my gaze fell on the painting hanging on the wall.

It was the same painting of the lady I saw in that building.

Midnight blue hair adorned with crown-like horns and crimson eyes.

"Helena," I said, making her halt on her steps. "Who is she?"

She followed my gaze at the painting.

"She is Lady Nyxara, daughter of the leader of Archons, Vulas Hader Argonian."

"Why do I see her picture everywhere?" I asked as he moved out of the cafeteria.

"Because she owns everything," Helena replied with a chuckle. "They call her a monster when it comes to business."

"...."

Weird.

Wasn't Vulas' daughter a spoiled brat in the game?

'She wasn't even in the game but only mentioned once or twice.'

How did she become so important all of a sudden?

"Can I meet her?" I asked, feeling a lot of doubts creeping in my mind.

Helena glanced back at me, her eyes behind her veil staring into mine.

"Your face may melt any girl's heart but not hers," she replied, turning around. "Give up, she is out of your reach."

I frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Countless men had tried to woo her but none succeeded," she explained, looking back at me.

"All of them were influential beings, many were even kings and princes."

"..."

Why is this bitch acting like I want to propose to her?

[<You don't!?>]

'Why are you acting surprised!?'

[<I mean, you did hallucinate her hugging you—.>]

'It was real, okay!?'

[<Sure....>]

'....'

Fuck.

"Wait, we didn't pay the bills," I mumbled but she waved her hands dismissively.

"Why would the future Holy Lady pay for things?"

She said, glancing back at me as we crossed over a bridge.

"Everything is free for this lady."

"..."

What a bitch.

I sighed, walking behind her.

But....

My steps slowed down as I noticed someone on the other side of the bridge.

...She was a girl.

Wearing an white armor and a helmet that covered her entire face.

Yet I still recognized her.

Helena twirled past the girl, winking towards me.

I drew in a deep breath, walking closer towards the girl.

"...It's been a while."

I said, standing in front of her.

The girl opened her helmet as her long white hair fell behind her.

"It's....been a while."

Arianell said, smiling brightly.

"....Sir Azariah."