The 9th Class Swordmaster: Blade of Truth-Chapter 476: The Tenth God (3)

“All troops, advance...!!”

“Wyvern Squadron, full deployment! Rip apart those four gods!”

“Activate the Sky Fortress!!”

“Golem unit, prepare for combat!”

“All sorcerers, deploy shield spells!”

The battle had begun rather quietly, but the spark ignited by the Ten Godslayers quickly intensified the fire of the million-strong army.

“Haaaaaa...!!!”

“Chaaaaargeee...!!!”

Led by knights, the soldiers surged toward the gods.

“Hmph, those fools. I told them not to interfere,” Nain Darhon muttered, glancing back at the advancing troops with a smirk.

“Well, you yourself don’t seem particularly concerned with preserving your own life. Truth be told, it’s unlike you to give such a command. The leader of the Immortal Council I knew considered human life rather... insignificant,” Berchi Blano remarked with an amused smile.

“Hmph, that’s none of your business.”

Berchi snorted. “We’ve lived long enough, haven’t we? Of all those soldiers out there, we’re probably the oldest. It’s only fair that we allow them to feel the thrill of battle we once felt, don’t you think so?”

“Sure, I can get behind that,” Nain replied with a shrug.

“Hah, looks like hell froze over. The Dawn Council and the Immortal Council, fighting side by side for the same person. I never thought I’d see the day. Even if the one leading us isn’t the ruler I once wished for... I’d like to think His Majesty would’ve been somewhat pleased,” Kadin Luer remarked, his voice subdued by his conflicting emotions.

“To the Ten Lights of Dawn! Illuminate the battlefield!” Berchi Blano commanded, his voice echoing across the field, amplified by his tremendous 9th Class mana.

“Dawn is rising!”

“Waaaah...!!”

The elite troops of the Dawn Council, who had avoided death by staying out of the Empire’s wars, now roared as if releasing all the pent-up frustration.

“Immortals, seek life,” Nain Darhon urged as the sorcerers of the Immortal Council began channeling their power into the Slaves Nain had summoned.

“Ghrrr...!”

As his dark energy seeped into his undead servants, their bodies swelled, and they lunged forward with terrifying speed.

Thud-thud-thud-thud...!!

With each step they took, the ground shook as though an earthquake occurred.

“...Fools,” Miliana muttered as she watched the soldiers surrounding the gods. Yet, seeing their unwavering resolve, she unwittingly clenched her fists. She wouldn’t let her spirit falter.

“Lord Karyl didn’t task those soldiers with slaying the gods, yet they chose to fight. So how can we Godslayers stand here and do nothing? At the very least... we must behead one god and aid Karyl.”

With an unwavering gaze, Miliana pointed to each of the four gods before her.

“Who among you will be the sacrifice?”

“Tsk...!”

“How dare you...”

The gods growled in turn as her finger landed on each of them. Yet none moved to attack. Their anger was palpable, but none dared to act first.

One stood out—not for their aggression, but for their cowardice. Instead of holding their ground, they hid behind the others.

This is just as Toska said.

As Miliana observed the trembling god, she recalled what had transpired earlier, when Karyl was clashing with Yula and the Golden Dragon summoned the Ten Godslayers.

~

“What do you mean Karyl will die?!”

“Lower your voice. From this point on, you must secretly prepare to strike Pharel.”

“Stop spouting nonsense and explain what you just said!”

Toska’s revelation had been a devastating blow to those who, just moments earlier, had been celebrating their progress after the death of the Third God. Among them, Miliana was especially vocal in her disbelief.

“Karyl plans to become the final god himself and bring down Pharel from within. But a god cannot die by his own hand, so he will eradicate the other gods and wait for you within Pharel.”

“Wait... Is that why Pharel has been left intact?” Serga asked.

“Of course. When all gods are gone, their world will collapse. However, each floor of Pharel is also the domain of a different god. Karyl intends to ascend the Divine Throne, not to reform this world but to create his own within Pharel. By dying there, he will ensure the destruction of the gods without harming this world.”

“Lord Karyl...”

Aidan’s voice quavered as the weight of the plan settled over the group. Grim faces exchanged glances.

“Don’t look so defeated!” Miliana shouted into the heavy silence. “You think he’s sacrificing himself? No, pursuing your goal without a single thought for those left behind...? That’s just selfish!”

“...”

As her outburst was met with silence, she continued, her voice becoming even fiercer.

“I won't allow it. Who gave him permission to die? I’ll punch that ridiculous idea out of him myself before it happens!”

“And what do you propose instead?” Toska challenged.

“I will slay the gods, and I will claim the Dimension Spiral myself to gain their power.”

“Wh-What?”

“What do you mean?!”

Her declaration sent shockwaves through the group, everyone voicing their alarm.

“You all know why he’s willing to die. He’s doing this to free humanity entirely from the gods' influence. But that doesn’t mean the Divine Throne has to be destroyed.”

The listeners swallowed hard.

“The real problem is that the gods see humans as their playthings. If I ascend to the Throne instead, humanity won’t be in danger, and I could keep the gods in check without destroying the throne.”

“So... Master wouldn’t need to die?” Suan Hazer asked, his voice tinged with relief.

“Exactly,” Miliana replied with a firm nod.

Suan cheered, but the others remained silent with their expressions filled with doubt.

“Can you truly carry that burden?” Toska asked what the others didn’t dare. “The power of the gods is not something humans can endure. It may even consume your mind. To be frank, Karyl is exceptional.”

“I am the leader of the tribe blessed by you. Your golden blood flows in my veins, and of my sisters, only I can wield your power,” Miliana countered resolutely.

“You are the first being to defy the gods,” she went on. “If you had feared their power, you wouldn’t have started this fight. I carry your blood, and while I may not be a perfect dragon, I’m still your only descendant. Trust me, I’d rather claw my way through temptation than succumb to it.”

Toska sighed, shaking his massive head as though conceding to her conviction.

“I see. As you’re my last descendant, let me offer you one piece of advice. If you truly wish to claim a god’s life, there is only one god you must target.”

“Which one?” Miliana asked with marked eagerness.

Toska’s voice rumbled with finality as he answered. “It’s the Tenth God. The one known as the Calamity of Regeneration.”

“Hmm. Why that one?”

“The gods of balance are not warriors by nature. In the human realm, they’d be similar to priests or monks. But that doesn’t mean they’re weaker than humans.”

“That makes sense. Even among human priests, there are zealots,” Miliana replied.

“The comparison is different... but not entirely wrong.” Toska paused, glancing at the four gods in the distance. “No matter how strong you are, you’re but a drop in the ocean compared to a god. Karyl didn’t factor your strength into his plan because he knew you wouldn’t stand a chance. His readiness for death makes it clear. He never intended for you to fight the gods directly.”

“A drop in the ocean, huh... That’s not the most flattering assessment, but fine. That aside, why target the Tenth God specifically?”

“Because she is the Calamity of Regeneration. That’s her name in times of disaster, but she is originally the God of Life.”

“Hmm... And?”

“The primordial gods were born from the rift of creation, and no new gods can emerge from there anymore. Thus, the pantheon needed a being who could bear successors to continue their domains.”

“No way...”

“Yes. The God of Life, the Tenth God, was created to embody life and fertility, capable of bearing new gods.”

“Bearing gods? That makes them disturbingly similar to humans,” Serga mused, stroking his chin. “We’ve always considered gods to be flawless beings, but perhaps the reason they maintain balance through multiplicity is because of their inherent imperfections.”

“So, is the point to target her because she’s the weakest in combat?”

“No, she’s still a god. Human strength alone will not be enough to defeat her.”

“Then why?” Miliana asked, her tone impatient.

“Because circumstances have created an opportunity for you.”

“Circumstances...?”

“When I awoke, what surprised me most was the outbreak of the Exordiar. The death of the Lord left a vacancy among the gods. Following the laws of their realm, the God of Life must fill that void by bearing a new god.”

Toska’s voice grew heavier as he continued, “To claim the Lord’s empty seat, the gods opened Exordiar. But before the new god is born, the God of Life will have to pour all her power into the life growing within her.”

“Now I understand. The Tenth God is weakened because she is currently nurturing a new god,” Miliana concluded.

“Exactly.”

Miliana slowly nodded. “I take it there are no objections. As the Golden Dragon said, going against the gods is like striking a boulder with an egg. But if it’s just one god... it might be possible.”

Her words lit a fire in everyone’s eyes.

~

“Rhaaaaaaa...!!”

A sharp roar echoed across the battlefield.

“Hawat!”

At Miliana’s call, Hawat firmly grasped the Aegis taken from Ascalon and slammed it into the ground with all his might.

“How dare you...!!”

“Kill them all!!”

The impact shook the ground and gave rise to a sandstorm of dust and rocks, forcing the gods to retreat. One of them raised a staff and began chanting a spell.

Crackle! Zzzzzap!

But before he could finish, a sharp bolt of lightning grazed his cheek, forcing him to spin around.

Bang!

Aidan Hamil descended from the dark clouds and struck the wrist of the staff-wielding god with a thunderous blow.

“You insolent...!”

The god’s face twisted with anger as he swung the staff to counterattack, only to be intercepted by Nain Darhon’s Slaves hurling themselves at him.

Thud! Crash!! Boom!!!

With each swing of the staff, flesh and splintered bone from Nain’s undead servants scattered in all directions.

“Did you truly think you could face us with this pitiful display?! Vile creatures!” the god sneered at the crumbling Undead Legion.

“I admit, it’s rather impressive that humans can wield the magic of dragons. But in the end, that magic is nothing more than a cheap imitation of Divine Power.”

Thoom...!

Behind the wall of fallen undead, Serga’s magic barrier trembled precariously under the gods’ combined assault.

“Ugh...!!”

Feeling the brunt of the impact, blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

“Haaahh...”

Leaping over his shoulder, Serica Lauren hurled her spear at the god that was trying to pierce the barrier.

Voosh!

Her spear danced gracefully through the air, glimmering with frost that scattered in its wake.

Suan Hazer stepped forward as well, rushing to intercept the god advancing to crush the remaining undead servants.

“Not so fast!”

“Insolent vermin!”

The god scowled at Suan, and as they raised their hand and brought it down, he felt as though gravity itself were about to crush him.

“Watch out!” Anchar shouted, pressing her hands to the ground. Thick roots erupted from the earth, entangling the gods. However, with a violent sweep of their arms, the gods instantly withered the roots.

“Ugh...!!”

Anchar staggered under the backlash and collapsed. Alkar, standing beside her, gently brushed its forehead against her, clearly showing concern.

The difference in power was overwhelming.

“Is there no limit to your audacity? To think mere humans would dare defy us. You shall all face your end today.”

“Haha, yet you cower like dogs before the gods of war, too scared to say anythin—Urgh...!!”

The god pressed their foot down harder, and Serica Lauren, trapped beneath it, screamed as her body convulsed in pain.

“Empress...!”

Among the Ten Godslayers, who were falling one by one, Suan Hazer was still resisting the invisible force with his gauntlet, refusing to kneel as he shouted with all his might, both legs planted firmly on the ground.

It was then that amidst the fierce battle, a low voice came.

“Yeah. You did well to deceive them.”

“...?!”

Amid the swirling dust, crimson scales quivered faintly in response to the voice.

Shrrk—

A sharp blade rested against the neck of the Tenth God. The other three gods blanched as they stared at Miliana.

“Ah...”

Even with a sword at their throat, the Tenth God seemed oblivious to her own life being in peril. Instead, she clutched their abdomen protectively with both hands.

“Go ahead, kill us all. But we won’t go down alone,” Miliana growled at the three gods.

“No... STOP...!!!”

At that moment, the eyes of the First God, a man who had been silently watching the scene, widened in shock. Unable to restrain himself, he shouted out the name of the Tenth God, thus breaking the sacred rule.

“Lakshmu...!!!”