NOVPUB
Chapter 299
Eden. Within the empire, it was more commonly referred to as the Celestial Realm.
The Celestial Realm was a sub-dimension pieced together by merging and stitching the remnants of the once-mighty divine territories—such as Asgard, Olympus, and others—that had been shattered during the God-Slaying War. The Celestials, the servant races created from the beginning to serve the gods, could naturally exist within this realm, but the souls of mortal beings from the surface would start to fracture after mere hours of exposure to the Celestial Realm.
Only those who had reached the Demigod Tier could withstand its environment. However, the empire was already stretched thin by conflicts on multiple frontiers, so it was impractical for Arcadia to leave its borders exposed just to launch an assault on the Celestial Realm.
—Have the tributes for His Majesty, the King of Gods, been prepared?
—We have gathered every sacred treasure that has been cherished since the age of the gods. Surely, even His Majesty will find them satisfactory.
—He may have been born a mere mortal, but he carries the bloodline of Cardenas. Strictly speaking, he could be considered the distant kin of dragons. Set aside any relics related to dragon-slaying.
The arrogant Celestials, who had once looked down upon Leonard simply because he was human-born, now found themselves in a desperate position—and for good reason.
The Middle Realm, which they had been certain would fall to the horrors of the Outer Gods, had unexpectedly given rise to the new owner of the Divine Throne. Not only had he crossed into the Underworld and fought the final battle, but he had also won. Now that the empire had secured victory across all fronts, even the Celestial Realm could be toppled with ease.
For the Celestials, who had spent the last thousand years trampling upon humanity and ridiculing their potential since the time of the Founding Emperor, the shift in the balance of power was nothing short of terrifying.
—...Perhaps it would have been wiser to proceed with the migration plan.
The Valkyrie Queen, Sigrdrifa, murmured to herself. But her words were met with an immediate and harsh rebuttal from Lothbrok, the warrior leading the Einherjar.
—The dimensional migration plan was meant to be our last resort when survival was otherwise impossible! Do you think it would be easy to flee to some unknown world, battle against unknown forces, and rebuild everything from nothing?
—It may be easier than bowing our heads beneath the feet of a god who may very well loathe us...
Though a non-aggression pact existed between Arcadia and the Celestial Realm, Leonard was no longer bound by its terms.
The only reason he had not yet shattered the pact was out of consideration for Empress Laila. But should he so choose, he could storm the Celestial Realm and slaughter every last one of them. Even the highest-ranked Celestials, those standing on the verge of becoming a True God, would be reduced to mere scarecrows before him.
—Hah! Do you truly believe he would go out of his way to punish an entire race of superior beings like us... for the sake of mortals? Ridiculous!
From the perspective of an ancient higher race, Lothbrok’s words were logical. There had indeed been gods who occasionally grew attached to mortals. But to forgo the opportunity to claim thousands of powerful Celestial warriors over something as trivial as past grievances? Such sentimentality was unthinkable.
—I can only hope that it’s not just wishful thinking from our side.
Yet Sigrdrifa couldn't shake the unease welling within her chest.
—Ugh...?!
—This is...!
An overwhelming presence descended upon them. Every Celestial, regardless of their strength, could feel it. A presence unseen since the mythological era, on par with—or perhaps surpassing—the God-King Odin.
It was the owner of the Divine Throne.
It was only now that Sigrdrifa and Lothbrok truly grasped what that title meant.
Eden’s governing authority... is shifting to the King of Gods!
In the end, the Celestial Realm has always belonged to the gods alone... Even if all seven of us join forces, we won’t stand a chance against the King of Gods. Before the battle has even begun, we’ve been backed into a corner.
The moment they sensed Leonard’s arrival, the two leaders took to the skies, breaking the sound barrier as they flew toward him. When they arrived just minutes later, they witnessed a scene of absolute disgrace. Their kin prostrated before him. A being radiating with divine brilliance in every shade of color, the King of Gods stood above them all.
It has been thousands of years since we last bowed our heads before another... I never imagined it would feel like this.
They had long been taught that serving a god was an honor, a duty to be fulfilled without question. And yet, after a millennium of ruling over others, this act of submission now burned them with humiliation.
Leonard, who had already noticed Sigrdrifa and Lothbrok approaching, turned to face them and issued his command.
—Summon those with the authority to decide the fate of your kind. Lead me to them.
—Yes, O’ King of Gods.
—Your wish is my command.
Forcing themselves to suppress their shame, the two swiftly gathered the seven representatives of the Celestial Realm.
Their meeting was to be held in the Septentrions, the ancient chamber where the highest-ranking higher species had convened to discuss matters of great importance since the days of old. Though the space had never been designed with hierarchical seating, today was different.
At the very center of the room sat Leonard, and surrounding him were the seven Celestial leaders.
—We welcome Your Majesty’s divine presence.
Their backs bent stiff as iron, their heads bowing low as if they meant to touch the ground itself. Until now, even if they had acknowledged his power, they still harbored a subconscious sense of superiority due to his mortal origins. But the awe-inspiring pressure of a Chief God emanating from him—a presence unseen for thousands of years—resonated with an instinct buried deep within their souls.
They were servants, they were handmaidens, and they were warriors. Before a god, they could do nothing but obey.
The seven Celestial leaders were Sigrdrifa, Queen of the Valkyries; Lothbrok, Commander of the Einherjar; Nessos, Chieftain of the Centaurs; Alseis, Nymph Guardian of the Forest; Karkotika, Sovereign of the Naga; Arctias, Queen of the Fairies; and Faunus, Sage of the Satyrs.
Even though each wielded power comparable to lower-tier True Gods, not a single one dared to show disrespect. It was not just because of instinct but because their intuition as warriors had already recognized the vast and insurmountable gap in strength.
Leonard spoke, his voice steady and unwavering.
—I will not waste time with pleasantries. Let’s get to the point.
His golden gaze swept across them, piercing through their very beings.
—I have heard that you have abandoned your plans for dimensional migration. Should I take that to mean you wish to submit to me?
—I, Faunus of the Satyrs, will reply to Your Majesty.
With the lower body of a goat and a pair of stag-like antlers, the elderly Celestial bowed with utmost reverence.
The Satyrs had once served Dionysus in Olympus, and they often appeared in the form of half-human, half-beast creatures common among the divine servant races. The Satyrs were known for their mischievous nature and indulgence in pleasures, but it was said that as they aged and their youthful vigor waned, they transformed into sages.
—As Your Majesty has already graciously considered, we are a servant race, and we wish to fulfill our duty. We are highly useful. We, the Satyrs who once served Dionysus, can maximize crop yields and aid in the growth of livestock. If you take us in, we will devote both our bodies and souls to serving you, the King of Gods, and your subjects.
The leader of the Satyrs presented himself with the utmost humility as he detailed the usefulness of his kind. His demeanor was fitting for the head of a tribe. It seemed that his eloquent and exemplary speech had an effect. The other leaders cautiously raised their hands, one after another, and began speaking of their own tribes’ usefulness and loyalty.
To summarize their lengthy explanations:
The Einherjar were warriors bound by an oath of loyalty, capable of resurrecting no matter how many times they fell in battle—so long as their god remained intact.
The Centaurs, with their formidable physiques and affinity for forests, could serve as caretakers of flora and fauna, ensuring the prosperity of ecosystems.
The Nymphs could enrich the natural world simply by existing, and they possessed the ability to restore polluted and barren lands.
The Naga, with their lifespans exceeding a thousand years and divinity close to those of gods, could provide immense faith and devotion to the gods, serving as priests.
The Fairies, with their magical abilities and capacity to traverse both the material and the Spirit Realm, excelled in artistic fields such as music and painting.
However, only one leader remained silent, her expression dark—Sigrdrifa, the Queen of the Valkyries. The Celestial leaders mistook her silence for nothing more than wounded pride and stubbornness. Excitedly, they pounced on the opportunity to denounce her.
—Sigrdrifa! Do you dare defy the King of Gods?
—Your Odin is gone! If you cannot accept the order of our new king, then leave this dimension!
—Even if you step down, the Valkyries cannot escape responsibility!
They were no longer sheltered within Eden’s walls. They had the favor of a new god and were meant to reign in this new era.
Though they were all classified as Celestials, they were not truly the same kin. If one of the seven Celestial tribes were to be removed, the remaining tribes would have a larger share of the power. Despite having fought together for thousands of years, there was no trace of camaraderie between them.
—I, Sigrdrifa, Queen of the Valkyries, humbly confess my sins before the King of Gods.
Unmoved by the accusations hurled at her, she prostrated herself before Leonard and began her confession.
—I am guilty of harboring the ambition to seize the status of a god, of making humanity our enemy, and of attempting to flee instead of taking part in the decisive battle against the Outer Gods. I will settle the debt of my sins first. Only then will I offer my allegiance.
Failing to understand her words, the other leaders simply tilted their heads in confusion. But for the first time, Leonard lifted his gaze, his eyes glinting with intrigue as he looked down at the Queen of the Valkyries.
Of all the Celestials, the Valkyries were the ones who had most frequently appeared on the frontlines. Even the veteran knights of the Order of the Blue Dragon had acknowledged them as worthy foes, grinding their teeth in hatred. Had their frequent clashes with humanity made them more attuned to their ways? Had they gained a deeper understanding of human thought?
I had thought of wiping them all out... but perhaps keeping just one alive to collect their blood debt wouldn't be such a bad idea.
Had Sigrdrifa groveled like the other leaders, uttering empty words of submission, Leonard would have slaughtered every last Celestial present here today. Yet, at least one among them had not abandoned all shame. If he left the matter to her, then extracting the debt he was owed would be possible.
Leonard spoke.
—Very well.
At that moment, a divine sword of iridescent light materialized in his grasp, the Five Elements Divine Sword. A blade that had grown even more powerful after severing the head of Cenn Cruach now flashed toward the six Celestial leaders. Leonard no longer saw any reason to spare them.
—What?!
—W-Wait—!
—Your Majesty!
—Please, have mercy!
These leaders could display power at the level of a True God while within the Celestial Realm, yet they were torn apart in an instant, falling like withered leaves in a storm.
Lothbrok’s twin axes, beard, and skull were cleaved in one swift strike. Nessos was split in half before he could even draw his bowstring. Alseis, with a look of resignation, shattered into pieces. Karkotika, who had managed to withstand a single strike thanks to his bodily resilience, was hacked apart by a second slash. Arctias attempted to escape into the Spirit Realm, but the Five Elements Divine Sword was not a weapon bound by the physical plane. The divine sword cut down the Fairy Queen’s spiritual form, then pierced straight through Faunus’s heart, bringing the slaughter to a halt.
—...Should I... have begged for forgiveness...?
—You sought to rule yet lacked responsibility. You sought to dominate yet did not care for your subjects. You shirked even the duty of salvation yet felt no shame. Your deaths are well deserved.
—We... were never... taught such things... by the gods...
With a hollow smile, Faunus slumped over the blade before crumbling into ashes.
Leonard watched his end with a cold gaze and murmured.
—Then you chose the wrong ones to learn from.
Having butchered the six Celestial leaders in an instant, Leonard turned to Sigrdrifa, still prostrated before him. He gave a command.
—I will grant you a grace period of a thousand years. If the Valkyries can prove their worth within that time, I will consider speaking further on what could not be discussed today.
—...I accept this decree with the utmost gratitude, Your Majesty. 𝔫𝖔𝖛𝖕𝔲𝔟.𝔠𝖔𝖒
Though she maintained a composed facade, she could not entirely suppress her fear.
After one last glance at the last remaining Celestial leader, Leonard departed from the Celestial Realm.
—...
Even after he had left, Sigrdrifa remained on the ground for hours, unable to rise. She had felt the presence of countless beings vanish in an instant.
Leonard was the King of Gods who had returned after thousands of years. Had she failed to grasp what that unparalleled being sought from the Celestials, she too would have perished here, no different from the others. She knew why Leonard had set the grace period at exactly a thousand years.
—It corresponds to the years of suffering Arcadia has endured.
The time since the founding of the nation, since the age of the Founding Emperor Ragna and the Three Noble Houses—the time humanity had spent bleeding to defend the Middle Realm.
That was the debt Leonard had decreed the Celestials must now repay.
