## C423
Ding!
Once again, the distorted mission window made its appearance.
[Urgent Sub-mission: Prove the Hero's Dignity!!!]
The exclamation marks at the end had increased from one to three.
‘…’
Alberu was stunned.
‘What the hell is "Hero's dignity"?’
What was he supposed to do?
It was infuriating.
But HE couldn't ignore the mission either.
‘The Sun God.’
As Cale predicted, Alberu had met the Sun God.
Sure, his method was completely different from Cale's, but at least he managed to talk to him.
‘It wasn't that bad.’
The conversation was… decent.
It was logical, because the Sun God didn't make any proposals or deals with him.
He just explained how he would change in the future.
‘Saint Jack.’
In the Nameless World 1, where the Roan Kingdom was, Saint Jack of the Church of the Sun God.
‘He said the next Saint would emerge from among the Dark Elves.’
The Church of the Sun God had long rejected races like Dark Elves and necromancers, who were close to the energy of the dead.
This was due to the Sun God himself.
And now, as a gesture of reconciliation, the Sun God told Alberu that the next Saint would be a Dark Elf.
‘And besides…’
There was something else.
‘When you decide to reveal your true form as a Dark Elf, I will grant you the blessing of the sun. So that no one doubts your existence.’
It was a very considerate gesture.
If Alberu, as crown prince, decided to reveal his true form, the Sun God would unfold the legends related to the Crossman Family.
‘But I have no intention of doing so.’
Why?
There was no reason.
That's what he thought.
‘There's no need to cause confusion among the kingdom's citizens or generate rumors.’
Besides…
‘I need some freedom.’
He had felt it while playing.
Alberu needed time to be with his people not as crown prince, but as Alberu Crossman.
That's why he wanted to keep his Dark Elf form a secret, to preserve that freedom.
Ding!
[Urgent Sub-mission: Prove the Hero's Dignity!!!!!]
The exclamation marks increased to five.
Alberu understood why the Sun God was so insistent.
‘The first time the true Sun God connects with the Church of the Sun God in New World.’
Even with his eyes closed, Alberu could feel the overflowing excitement of the Church members.
Probably because they now knew part of the truth.
That's why Alberu's presence was crucial.
As the Hero, he was proof that the real and the virtual were now intertwined.
‘Ugh, I really don't want to do this.’
It wasn't something related to the Roan Kingdom, so he wasn't enthusiastic about it.
‘Well, what can we do.’
He decided to do it anyway.
“Hmm.”
Alberu let out an exaggerated sigh.
“Oh! It seems the Hero is waking up!”
Cale Henituse's mocking voice sounded nearby.
That bastard is definitely having fun.
“Oh, Hero…!”
“The blessing of the sun will descend upon you!”
The Pope and the bishops' voices rose, and Alberu opened his eyes naturally, without haste.
“Hero!”
Although he saw Cale Henituse's irritating face, Alberu didn't show any reaction.
Instead, he gave a slight smile.
‘Eh?’
Cale was startled.
‘What's going on? He's weird.’
Alberu Crossman.
His reaction was different from before.
While he previously seemed to want to avoid the awkward situation, he was now in crown prince mode.
‘What?’
Cale, feeling a chill, tried to discreetly step back.
¡Tap!
But Alberu's hand stopped him, grabbing his shoulder.
Then, he slowly stood up.
“Ah—”
“Hero!”
The Pope and the Saint, who hadn't dared to approach the center where the sunlight shone brightly, cautiously moved forward.
As leaders of the Church of the Sun God, they had witnessed the miracle performed by the Hero.
The sacred object emanating Chaos power.
The sunlight hitting the frozen surface amidst that power.
It had been truly amazing.
Although Cale's actions were also incredible, for them, the Sun God's power resonated more deeply.
Silence~
But they couldn't get any closer.
“Ah.”
“Hmm.”
Alberu, now standing, raised a hand, signaling them to stop.
‘Hmm.’
Cale sighed.
‘This is getting weird.’
‘Why is he smiling with that melancholic air?’
Alberu Crossman gave a bright but nostalgic smile.
Then, he calmly stood up, swaying slightly.
It was the first time he had moved his body in almost four days.
“Ah!”
“Hero—!”
But Alberu rejected all the worried glances and hands trying to help him, standing firm.
‘Hmm.’
Cale felt it was better not to stay by his side at that moment.
He discreetly stepped back a few steps.
It was a good decision.
“…….”
Alberu looked up silently.
This place was the center of the Vatican, the heart of the Church of the Sun God.
It was called the Hall of Light.
A cone-shaped building, narrowing upwards.
From the narrow roof, sunlight poured down.
Alberu silently observed it, then placed his hand on the scabbard of his sword.
[Full Charge!]
He ignored the notification sound.
Instead, before unsheathing it, he looked down.
He looked at the Pope, the Saint, Knight Boltien, and the bishops who were watching him.
His nostalgic smile transformed into an expression of dignity and authority.
Alberu Crossman, crown prince but de facto ruler of a kingdom.
That moment showed his true character.
“…….”
“…….”
The Church members couldn't speak, impressed by Alberu's presence, which went beyond simply being a Hero.
Schiiing.
Alberu slowly unsheathed his sword.
“Ah.”
The Saint gasped as she saw that the sunlight falling from the roof was now also emanating from the sword.
Even she, who was in the canyon, had felt how the God of Chaos' sacred object's power suffocated her.
That sublime and glorious light that shone alone in the night, when even the sun wasn't visible.
And the Hero, who had created that light until the end, coughing up blood.
Drip, drip.
The Pope was already crying silently.
“…….”
Cale, facing such a sublime and solemn scene, couldn't help but put on an awkward expression.
‘Hah.’
It was ridiculous.
Alberu Crossman was acting as if he were in a movie, moving neither too fast nor too slow, with perfect pose and expression.
He never draws his sword like that normally.
This is pure—
-Theater.
The Dominating Aura wasn't wrong lately.
“…”
Once the sword was fully unsheathed, Alberu looked at everyone and spoke.
“The Sun God sent me here.”
The Pope opened his mouth.
“Ah, ah—! I knew it!”
The Saint closed her eyes tightly and then opened them, looking towards the sunlight.
“May the life I lived be an illusion…”
Her voice contained sadness.
But also joy.
“But even that illusion will now become a real past.”
New World was now a real world.
And as proof, the true Sun God, not the one imposed by the system, had welcomed them.
And as proof of that—
‘He sent us the Hero!’
And not only that!
“From now on, the sun will always shine upon all of you.”
To the Hero who would save this world!
Alberu Crossman was the perfect image of a Hero.
Especially with that sunlight, he looked like he was from a painting.
Despite being unconscious for four days, his bright gaze and imposing bearing deeply moved those present.
“Hero.”
The Pope stood up.
He also swayed slightly.
Although others tried to help him, he also rejected assistance and slowly approached Alberu.
He had a duty to fulfill.
A task entrusted by the true Sun God.
“Bring it.”
With a gesture, several bishops brought a rather large chest.
They carefully placed it between the Pope and Alberu and withdrew.
“Knight Boltien.”
“Yes.”
The supreme knight of the Church of the Sun God, Boltien, slowly opened the chest.
‘Oh.’
Cale was impressed.
‘Wow.’
Inside was a pristine white armor, dazzling and beautiful.
The Pope took the helmet from inside.
It had no gems or gold, but its flowing design and the white glow of unknown material made it seem divine.
“Hero.”
He carefully extended the helmet towards Alberu.
“Would you accept becoming our Hero?”
Ding!
A message appeared before Alberu.
[You have reached the final step to meet the requirements as a Hero and user of the Sun Sword!]
The reason why Alberu wasn't considered suitable before.
Although the Sun God recognized him as a Hero, he lacked the power to use the Sun Sword.
It was because he hadn't been officially recognized by the Church of the Sun God.
‘How ridiculous.’
Alberu found it absurd, but it made sense.
That's why he acted like the perfect Hero.
“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be your Hero.”
With that, he took the helmet.
Drip.
The Pope shed a tear, and Alberu, with a beautiful smile, comforted him with his gaze.
‘Ugh.’
Cale felt empty for some reason, but he remained still.
Ding!
[The more support you receive from the followers of the Sun God, the greater your ability to use the Sun Sword!]
Alberu felt relieved.
‘At least it will be easier to use than before.’
He wouldn't have to vomit blood or pass out like Cale Henituse, right?
The Sun Sword.
Although he didn't know its limits, after what happened, Alberu felt that, even if he ran out of energy, at least he wouldn't cough up blood or lose consciousness.
It was a hunch.
‘Good.’
Satisfied, Alberu turned his head.
His work here was done.
His gaze turned to Cale.
“Ah.”
The Pope understood the hint and smiled kindly at Cale.
“The matters of the Church of the Sun God have concluded. You may proceed.”
And what do you want?
Alberu looked at Cale with that expression, but Cale ignored it and smiled gently.
“Thank you.”
“You're welcome. We shouldn't waste this moment when the sunlight is strongest.”
It was a little past noon.
Soon, the light falling from the roof would diminish.
“Did you say you need to purify the God of Chaos' sacred object?”
The Pope treated Cale with respect.
He had seen Cale's miracles through the videos brought by the Saint.
He was someone even more impressive than the Hero.
‘Purify the God of Chaos' sacred object?’
Alberu's eyes gleamed with curiosity.
But Cale continued, very politely.
“Yes. I need a sacred place, beyond the reach of the God of Chaos.”
“There is no better place than this.”
As already discussed, the Pope stepped aside.
Alberu also discreetly stepped back.
But his expression was uncomfortable.
‘Purify it?’
The God of Chaos' sacred object.
That sword had caused a great disaster.
Although it was possible to purify it, the process wouldn't be easy.
The center of the light.
Only Cale remained there.
The others silently observed him, forming a circle around him.
[Sub-mission: Obtain the ‘Chaos Purification’ skill!]
[Go to a sacred place beyond the reach of the God of Chaos and destroy the book ‘Chaos Purification’!]
[Sub-mission: Change the sacred object's attribute to ‘Nothing’!]
[Go to a sacred place and subdue the ‘Sword of Chaos’!]
Cale had decided to kill two birds with one stone: complete both missions by purifying the sword.
‘Hmm.’
But there was a problem.
‘Getting Chaos Purification is easy.’
He just had to break the book here.
‘But how do I change the attribute of this sacred object to ‘Nothing’?’
Cale took the Sword of Chaos from his inventory.
Even with his grayish skin, he observed the sword, which no longer vibrated as before.
‘Hmm.’
He looked back at the mission window.
There was one word that bothered him.
[Sub-mission: Change the sacred object's attribute to ‘Nothing’!]
[Go to a sacred place and subdue the ‘Sword of Chaos’!]
‘Subdue?’
Subdue…
—Me?
The Dominating Aura suddenly appeared.
Cale completely ignored her.
‘No. Maybe I should use the Dominating Aura a little.’
Cale activated the Dominating Aura slightly, just enough not to terrify those present.
Silence.
The sword didn't react.
Instead, those present swallowed as they felt the pressure emanating from Cale.
But he kept thinking.
‘Hmm.’
As he pondered, without thinking much, he lifted his head.
The sunlight was so bright that he had to close his eyes.
At that moment…
—#$^
He heard a voice.
‘Eh?’
It was an unknown voice.
Cale sharpened his ears.
But he didn't hear it again.
‘Could it be…?’
He opened his eyes.
The light was so intense that his eyes were watering.
—#$^
The voice returned.
‘The Sun God?’
It was the only thing that made sense.
And the words were the same as before.
He concentrated.
—Strike.
Eh?
—…….
There were no more sounds.
Cale closed his eyes.
Drip.
A tear ran down his cheek.
The light was too bright.
“…Ah.”
The majestic hero crying a tear under the sun.
One of the bishops, without realizing it, sighed and clasped his hands.
But Cale opened his eyes.
When the tear dried, leaving only its trace…
“Holy Father.”
“Yes?”
Cale made a request to the Pope, with a solemn expression.
“Can I use some of that cloth on the floor?”
There was a thick cloth spread on the floor where Alberu had been lying.
They said it was made of threads soaked in holy water.
“Ah, yes. You can use it as much as you need.”
The Pope kindly agreed.
“Thank you.”
Cale placed the sword on the edge of the cloth, rectangular and the size of Alberu, neither too soft nor comfortable.
‘?’
Those present were filled with doubts.
“Ah.”
The Saint let out a sigh.
“Are you planning to use the Sun God's power to purify it?”
Her cautious words made the faces of the Church light up.
‘No.’
Alberu tilted his head.
‘This looks like the prelude to a disaster.’
Cale Henituse.
Although he acted composed, the corner of his mouth was twitching.
This was going to be intense.
“…”
But Cale, without saying anything, acted.
He covered the sword with the cloth, wrapping it completely.
The sword was wrapped.
Buzzing—
The sword suddenly vibrated.
The atmosphere in the Church became tense.
Something was about to happen.
“Puf.”
Cale looked at the wrapped sword, now invisible.
Buzzing—
The vibration continued.
Cale observed it expressionlessly, then took a deep breath.
He slowly lifted his foot.
¡CRASH!
And he brought it down.
¡BAM! ¡BAM! ¡BAM!
With all his might.
¡BAM! ¡BAM!
With his frail body, but with determination.
¡BAM! ¡BAM!
He began to stomp on the sword.
¡BAM! ¡BAM!
He stomped on it with fury.
“?”
“??”
“…Eh?”
The faces of the Pope, the Saint, and the others filled with confusion.
They couldn't believe what they were seeing.
¡BAM! ¡BAM!
But Cale was serious.
With a smile he couldn't hide, he spoke to the sword.
“You're like that damn crown, aren't you?”
The crown.
That object that tried to drink Raon's blood and was beaten until it was almost broken.
Buzzing—
The sword trembled.
But Cale didn't care.
He continued to kick it enthusiastically, then looked around.
“Knight Boltien.”
His eyes shone with excitement, making Boltien jump.
But Cale ignored him and asked—no, ordered:
“Bring me a hammer. Or anything that can break this sword.”
“Y-Yes!”
Buzzing, buzzing— ¡BUZZING!
The sword vibrated frantically.
Cale didn't care.
“It drives me crazy.”
Alberu, seeing Cale unleash his fury on the sword, closed his eyes tightly.
Peak once again
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