Chapter 1165 A Crow"s Corpse
Oriole saw the rest of Ragnar"s story as his companion, although a lot has been summarized. Ragnar had a power that allowed him to rise faster than anyone and gain many comrades, and that is the strength of charisma. Even if his enemies disagreed with his opinions, they felt respect toward him.
Ragnar was too merciful toward those weaker than him, even if they plotted against him. Oriole wanted to voice out his concern on several occasions, when Ragnar had to be ruthless. Soon after, his mercy came back to hurt him, but Ragnar did not care.
"Their actions speak of their character, so why should I allow them to change mine?" he asked on one occasion, with his comrades around a bonfire. Some of them looked worried, others looked to keep quiet about their opinions.
Oriole could tell that whoever made this book did not write to show Ragnar and his victories, but his strengths and flaws. The most glaring one was that Ragnar loved everything that breathed, regardless of their character. That was his greatest strength while also being the greatest flaw.
A lot of time pa.s.sed, and many adventures led to Ragnar becoming the king of wrath. His existence became a center of the universe, and others revolved around him. Countless worlds bowed to him as he brandished a dagger against the G.o.ds.
The battles grew fierce, and many of his comrades became victims of the G.o.ds and Nameless. Ragnar still walked a path of rebellion as the king of wrath, a voice to the weak and a hope for a better future. But Oriole saw something that the book hadn"t mentioned.
"What a lonely path he has taken," muttered Oriole as he watched the man sit on his throne in a kingdom of wrath. Many would a.s.sume that wrath was a violent emotion, but it was the sole savior in times of despair.
In the kingdom of wrath that he built, people lived in happiness under a fair and just saint. No one had to risk their lives or dignity to live in this kingdom, making it a destination for the entire universe.
That did not please the G.o.ds.
The end began when Devaheim sent one of their G.o.ds to meet this wrathful king, inviting him to join the kingdom of G.o.ds. He would have access to infinite resources to grow stronger and harness the universe.
"You are inviting me to join Devaheim?" asked Ragnar atop his black throne while looking at the G.o.d with disgust. "I know how your powers came to be, sinful G.o.ds. I am known for mercy, but toward the kingdom of G.o.ds, I hold nothing but wrath."
Ragnar sent the G.o.d back with a single arm and a wounded ego. The king of wrath did not even use his full strength against the G.o.d, just choosing to punish him for attacking his kingdom after he rejected the invitation.
The entire universe was flabbergasted. Someone was invited by the heavens but rejected that offer and attacked a G.o.d, even wounding him. This incident weakened the position of Devaheim, while also making the king of wrath known.
It was the beginning of a new era, where countless worlds realized that the G.o.ds were not invincible. Those who knew the truth about the G.o.ds chose to join the new king of wrath, who allowed them to serve under his wings.
"…where are you?" asked Oriole as he rose and grabbed his pants, but the crow flew and perched on his shoulder, pushing him back to the chair.
"Just listen, Ori! I don"t have long before the mechas of Orlan find me! You must warn Arthur about the ambush in Yalen! The seven families are planning to…"
The crow then paused.
"Summon a G.o.d!"
Lightning struck across the sky outside his window, as thunder shook the entire mansion. Oriole stared at the crow"s giant eyes with confusion before he processed what he said. The alchemist jumped from his chair and grabbed the crow from its wings.
"Are you sure, Reece?!" shouted the runemaster with his heart pounding in his chest. "How could they summon a G.o.d?! They are not summoned monsters, but actual G.o.ds! A higher creature cannot be summoned by a weaker one!"
Oriole blurted out his logic in a single breath, as he tried to understand what the crow meant. His agitated state of mind came from the earlier vision that showed him how terrifying G.o.ds could be. If the seven families summon a G.o.d just to ambush Arthur, then it might be the end of his story!
Summoners were weaker than others for this person. In order for them to summon strong monsters, they need to have a stronger spiritual energy or mana than said monsters.
"I don"t know, Oriole! But I heard something about… a sac…rifice…"
As the crow cawed those words, it began convulsing and flapping its wings. The sharp talons injured the alchemist as he struggled, shedding blood on the carpet before he released it. As he watched the crow fall to the ground, his face was filled with horror.
It died.
Reece was the sole member of Mistletoe that Oriole could trust. He cared about Arthur and Sier just the same, making it his mission to mend their relationship. After seeing what the crow said before its death, he became worried.
"If he was back in Yalen, he would have come here to tell me this himself," said Oriole with a frown as he crouched to examine the crow. Its eyes were rolled out as if something s.n.a.t.c.hed its soul in an instant.
Blood dripped from his arm, but Oriole used the mana he regenerated to treat himself. After the blood stopped, Oriole tried to use his mana to examine the crow, but he could find nothing.
"The seven families are going to use a sacrifice to summon a G.o.d?" muttered Oriole with a frown while looking at the crow"s corpse. "What in the world is going to happen in Yalen?"