The Second Son of The Marquis Runs Away from Home ~ Lacking Talent, He Abandons Everything and Becomes an Adventurer ~ - 112

Chapter 112: A Brief Moment

The light from High End blew away the castle keep. From the stance after swinging High End, I remained focused, gazing at the smoke rising ahead.

When the smoke cleared, Mudo was floating in the air, holding up his left hand which was radiating a sinister light, forming a barrier.

“…To be sealed again, this was also unexpected for me.”

A voice that sounded like someone else echoed from Mudo’s mouth. But Mudo soon wore an expression of confusion, visibly shaken.

“Who are you!? There should be no one like you among us!?”

“Strange words… I have existed from the beginning. From the moment you opened the Gate to the Underworld.”

“From the moment we opened the gate…?”

The two voices argued from one body. But the voice of the one who must have blocked High End’s strike felt eerily cold, sending a chill through the air.

“Did you never wonder? Why the beings of the Underworld followed you with no cost or exchange? Did you think you could control such a vast army just because of your own talents?”

“Impossible… No way…”

“The reason the beings of the Underworld followed you was because I was within you. To them, you are my representative, and that alone is reason enough to obey you.”

Mudo waved his left hand. Suddenly, I felt an earthquake… no, something huge was rising from beneath the castle. I immediately moved away from the area.

A gigantic rock, resembling the moon, emerged from the castle. When Mudo waved his finger, human bones from nowhere gathered and clung to the rock, causing cracks to appear.

“Military Formation, ‘Black-Clad Holy Army Chaos Crusader’!”

I donned my armor and spread my wings, charging forward. Realizing the rock was the Gate to the Underworld, I judged that leaving it as is would lead to disaster. I raised my sword to strike at Mudo, but just before the strike could land, Mudo raised his left hand.

“‘Run Over’”

The moment he spoke those words, an invisible force hit me and sent me flying. The impact surged through my armor, nearly knocking me unconscious, but I spread my wings to halt my movement.

(What was that…?)

With no chant, just a murmured word, I was struck with a tremendous force. I shuddered at the realization that, had I not been wearing my armor, that strike would have been fatal.

“Is this all you have…? But you are capable of enduring my power. I’m glad I had you adjust to my strength.”

“…Could it be… from the very beginning, from that time… this was your purpose? How many years have passed since then!? Do you even realize how much time has passed?”

Mudo shouted with an expression of shock. The voice within him responded nonchalantly.

“Years? Such a thing… to me, it’s but a brief moment.”

The Gate to the Underworld opened wider. The cold air from the Underworld gathered around Mudo, and as his power grew, Mudo screamed.

“Gaaahhh! W-what is happening!? We… We’re… disappearing!? Stop! Please, nooo!!”

Mudo’s cries echoed. But the cold air from the Underworld continued to gather without mercy. His screams became like a final death wail as he slumped, as if his strings had been cut.

“…Hmph.”

The voice within Mudo muttered. As it lifted its head, the Gate to the Underworld was fully opened.

“It took a little time… but it’s fine.”

The appearance of the entity inside Mudo changed. It now looked like a king, dressed in luxurious yet deathly attire, its presence emitting an oppressive aura that sent chills down my spine.

“Who are you…?”

“Mm… I have many names, but here, I will use the name of this land.”

Standing proudly with the Gate to the Underworld behind it, the entity declared its name.

“I am the Underworld. The concept of death, the one who brings an end to all living things… the one your kind calls ‘god’.”