SHK CH 719 (Patreon)

[Invidia’s Divine Kingdom]

After Sol finished his speech and started flying back to Lustburg, high above in the Divine realm, Invidia was discussing with a few individuals. 

One of them was a Golden haired woman with Blue eyes and two large bat like wings on her back. She was standing very respectfully next to Invidia but did not show much deference. 

The other was an old man with gray hair and a hunched back. Two horns protruded from his forehead with one of them being half broken. His eyes were mostly closed and he seemed like he was ready to die at any moment. But his massive aura belied his frail appearance. 

{What do you think?} Invidia asked. Her voice was calmer than usual. They had been watching and listening to Sol’s speech and had seen the thread of Faith swirling around him. The way Sol absorbed them was proof that he was not far from the level of Demigod.

“An ambitious man. I did not think a new Conqueror would once again come from Lustburg so soon after the death of Jupiter and this one seems to be far more competent and adept in obtaining the heart of his subordinates.” The old man praised and Invidia beguilingly nodded. 

She hated Sol and thought of him as nothing but a mortal that was grasping towards power he should steer clear off. But there was no denying the reality.

{It’s exactly his ambition that makes him dangerous. Luxuria told me about their bets and how it’s normal he wants to conquer all the Kingdoms. But will it really stop only at this? Would someone of his caliber be happy ruling a bunch of weaklings in that place where even mana does not thrive?}

“I must say, your words are quite hurtful. After all, we are the ones guarding that backwater place for you.} The winged woman chuckled. Her eyes never left Sol and the succubus next to him. She had been suspicious in the past but now her suspicions were confirmed. Chuckling to herself to turned to Invidia.

“I am more surprised you allowed us to witness this. I thought this was against the rules of the game to share information like this.” The golden haired woman asked, her eyes filled with a glimmer of curiosity and amusement. 

{I did not break any rules. Calling my Blessed and my most loyal servant are not against the rule. The fact that you were able to witness this scene is nothing but a coincidence.} She continued,  {Furthermore the ones at fault are Superbia and her twin. If they wanted to keep the information from spreading, they should have simply cloaked the country like Luxuria did for her.}

Invidia was calm as she explained this small loophole. The rules they had created were far from perfect and many such loopholes existed. Usually, none of them would bother using such a petty trick. 

But as she was now, she knew she couldn’t continue waiting. 

The angels were moving slowly but this wouldn’t be enough. Sol’s Fate was becoming too strong. Even if the angels were to attack, at most, they could ensure mutual destruction but the chance of them actually killing that cockroach of a man was extremely unlikely.

They needed something strong. Something decisive that could end up this whole situation without any problem. 

Tch! Just how much Karma did my stupid sister invest in this man?

It wasn’t as if there never was someone climbing the ranks in power fast. But Sol’s growth in particular was more than abnormal. 

What made his power incredible was how attuned they were toward survival. Beating Sol was moderately hard but not impossible. But killing Sol was extremely difficult. 

She felt frustrated at how blind her other sisters were but there was nothing she could do directly. 

Sol Luxuria was a danger to them and what they needed to do was to stomp him and destroy his soul to make sure he never reincarnated. After this, they also needed to stop Luxuria from bringing back foreign souls in their world.

This might have been fun at first but now this was clearly a very dangerous move that could not be used without much thought. All such souls were irregulars. Individuals who could continuously break the limit of their understanding. 

There was no need for such irregulars in their games anymore.

{Give me your opinion on his power growth.} Invidia asked. As she was born a goddess, she never had to advance in realm or grow her power. She never had any interest in such things either. After all, no matter how much they struggled, Mortals could never become Gods. 

“He will soon become a demigod. Perhaps in a year or perhaps in a month. All he lacks it seems is a moment of enlightenment and enough energy to change his vessel.” The Golden-haired woman muttered.

“I would normally concur but in this case, things are more complicated. I do not know about enlightenment. But when it comes to energy. The energy necessary to build a vessel that will satisfy this man seems to be astronomical. Of course, the result would be astonishing if he succeeded in building his body and ascend.” The old man spoke in jest but there was clearly worry in his voice. 

{He is working with Echidna.}

“Oh…” He did not ask how she knew Echidna was still alive nor how it was possible for her to be walking while her soul should have been destroyed and her body sealed. 

All that mattered was that Echidna’s existence alone was a game changer. In his long life, he had witnessed the rise and fall of many genius but few if any could compare to the Mortal Trio as he loved to call them. 

His rebellious nephew, the crazy slave who loved magic more than herself, and the mad woman who chased after perfection. 

Thinking about this, he chuckled, “The Son of the Hero King, the son-in-law of the Death King and the Thousand Spells Witch as well as the Partner of the Mother of Thousand Monsters.” His laugh was filled with helplessness. 

“Out of the four Mortal Demigods, he is directly related to all of them. I knew that Fate could be unjust but I must admit…This is quite the sight in my waning years.”

Fate was just and Blessed were the favored darling of Heaven. Even so, there should be some limit to absurdity. 

“My goddesses I will be honest. I do not advise to further antagonize him. I am the perfect example of what happens when one becomes an obstacle against the darling of an era. I am only alive because my rebellious nephew did not want to kill me.” He tapped his broken horn as he explained. 

He was once a powerful Demigod. The like few could match. Now, he was just a broken shell barely hanging on the strand of divine power he was keeping together. His immortality had been destroyed, his vessel shattered and his pride reduced to dust. 

All of this is because he stood in the way of Anubis.

He knew that Anubis’ birth was because of the whim of his goddess. But he did not hate her for it. After all, she to was nothing against the Will of this universe. Fate affected all. 

This was why he needed to warn his goddess, 

“Sol Luxuria make all the Blessed or Singularities I observed in my life look like fireflies compared to the Sun. There is no comparison to be had. We should not become his enemies. We should…”

{We should beg him and grovel for his magnanimity?} 

He clamped his mouth shut at the Invidia and bowed his head. 

“I apologize. I misspoke. All we be done by your will.” 

{...} Invidia gazed at him silently and then observed her Supreme Daughter whose smile never slipped. 

She understood well that the old man was speaking out of loyalty and care rather than simple fear and cowardice. 

But, she could not stop. 

She had to stop him. No matter what, even if her sisters stood against her. 

{Remember this. I always win. No matter how this scenario end, I will still be the winner.} Her goal was to protect her sisters. Her defeat or victory would lead to the same outcome.

{Also, who said I have no hope of killing him?} Her eyes gleamed. She was not some crazy woman. There was no way she would act without preparation.

To manipulate all events to lead to this, Luxuria must have used most of her divine power. 

This is just a last resort. But I might need to test this theory soon.

{The two of you can go down and act as you see fit.}

The Supreme Daughter of Envy giggled as her form started to fragment, 

“Thank you for this gift. Now I must go visit the princesses. This is going to be fun.” She laughed and vanished. 

As for the old man, he gave one last look to Invidia and shook his head, “Rest well, my goddess.” Then he too vanished, leaving Invidia all alone.