### Chapter: 409


    The divine manifestations of gods had begun around the world.


    Upon hearing this news, Kraush found himself face-to-face with Crimson Garden’s crow and Ebsque’s corpse rat.


    Adding to the excitement, a magical artifact hovered in front of him.


    This was none other than an artifact personally crafted by Rona Imblize, recently hailed as the top artifact maker in the world.


    Thanks to that, the screen was impably clear.


    “The situation is…”


    – It’s pure chaos, really. There are quiet ces here and there, but for the most part, it’s a total mess.


    The voiceing from the monitor belonged to none other than the Empire’s third princess, Sigrid Ephania, her face twisted in irritation.


    She was holding a paper filled with details about the incidents caused by the recent divine manifestations.


    The problem? There were dozens of papers, not just one or two!


    – Thankfully, there are some gods keeping a low profile, but they’re ticking time bombs that can’t be ignored.


    “On the flip side, those who aren’t keeping quiet…”


    – Magrador, a city in the southeast, just got wiped off the map. The god that showed up? The Wind God, Garda. He blew the entire ce away right after arriving. There’s still a gale blowing through the city!


    Kraush’s face scrunched up in dismay.


    Having a whole city get wiped out like that wasn’t unheard of.


    – For now, we’ve sent in members from Icarus and the Empire.


    “Since the skill users are excluded.”


    – Exactly, that’s the biggest headache. A significant portion of our main force has skills.


    All the gods that manifested were equipped with skills.


    The current skill holders were also like ticking time bombs waiting to go off.


    So, most skill users were temporarily detained.


    The issue was that these were all essential members of the country!


    “Only those with talents tempting enough for the gods end up with skills.”


    These were all high-ranking individuals.


    With them all out ofmission, it was no wonder this was such a troublesome situation.


    – We’re doing our best to contain things……


    “Those manifested gods are the real problem.”


    The manifested gods were nothing but headaches.


    Until they were dealt with, nothing would get resolved.


    “What about the other Ten Great Lords and the Sanctuary of Stars?”


    – My big sister set off enthusiastically to fight the gods.


    “Your sister, huh?”


    Kraush couldn’t help but chuckle bitterly at the thought of Charlotte.


    Charlotte was notoriously known for herck of divine contracts.


    This was probably a perfect opportunity for her to let loose.


    – The Ten Great Lords are watching those with skills for now. The Sanctuary of Stars has already started moving, and some have engaged the gods.


    “Guess they won’t be a concern.”


    The Sanctuary members were all demigods.


    Even if the gods manifested, they were likely to bounce off their power.


    “How strong are the gods?”


    – The Ten Great Lords could barely handle them.


    “These gods are terrifying.”


    Kraush clicked his tongue.


    With gods pouring in like rain,


    and these guys all at Ten Great Lord level,


    his headache was already throbbing.


    – Kraush.


    In that moment, Sigrid called out his name directly.


    Usually, she referred to him as “my lord,” but calling him by name meant it was serious.


    – Are you alright?


    Kraush possessed several skills.


    So who knew what kind of trouble the gods might stir up for him?


    Not too long ago, he livedpletely powerless.


    So, Sigrid worried about what might happen to him.


    Kraush opened and closed his fists.


    “I’m fine.”


    And replied with a nonchnt face.


    “Besides, I’ve already been there once. Thanks to Spirit King magic, I’ve got nearly divine power flowing through me. They won’t be able to meddle.”


    Sigrid nodded, gazing at him intently.


    – If things get out of hand, I’ll wrap you up and resolve everything, so don’t worry.


    “That’s kinda scarying from you.”


    Still, seeing Kraush lifted her spirits a bit.


    Using the magic for a video call was probably her way of seekingfort.


    “Send me that list of gods, too.”


    – You n on getting directly involved?


    “I have to live up to my name, after all.”


    Kraush was also a member of the Sanctuary of Stars.


    Having that name came with responsibility.


    – Are you sure it’s okay?


    “Absolutely. I’ve got two guards with me.”


    Kraush gestured toward the corpse rat and the Crimson Garden crow before him.


    “Go!”


    “Who’s going to be my guard?”


    He knew they would follow him regardless.


    “And I’ve got one more thing in mind.”


    The manifestations were ultimately tied to the skill holders.


    If he could strip them of their skills, would the divine manifestations evenst?


    ‘The prophecy of Ragnarok foretold by the former princess of Sephira.’


    Perhaps it was pointing towards the present moment.


    – Got it. I’ll send the list right away. And do take care not to push yourself.


    “Not nning to.”


    – You wouldn’t say that unless you meant it secretly, would you?


    That was hard to deny.


    – And don’t worry, Haring and Astria are with Bianca.


    Haring and Astria were both divine contractors.


    Especially Astria, who had made the most contracts with gods, aside from Kraush.


    As long as Bianca, the only one without a contract, was around, there was some peace of mind.


    Bianca’s skills had matured just like they did during her White Ghost days.


    “Still, if anything goes wrong, get in touch immediately. That goes for you too, Sigrid.”


    Sigrid was one of Kraush’s wives, along with the otherdies.


    So when he said that, Sigrid smiled charmingly.


    – You’re just looking for points, aren’t you?


    I wonder how long those points will keep piling up.


    With that, the video call ended.


    Kraush stood up to review the materials Sigrid sent over when he suddenly felt a chill.


    Shivers ran down his spine.


    It was a brief moment, but something unexinable brushed against him.


    This was a reflexive instinct born of experience.


    Kraush lifted his head.


    “Kraush.”


    Before he knew it, the Crimson Garden crow sitting on his shoulder let out a soft caw.


    Something was happening within Sephira.


    Sensing this, Kraush burst out the door.


    It was midnight.


    So the dark corridors were only filled with silence and shadows.


    But unlike usual, this silence was thick with unease rather thanfort.


    There was something off.


    “The gods might have manifested.”


    At that, the Crimson Garden crow chimed in.


    Sephira was the world’s leading organization specializing in world erosion.


    Naturally, they had their ownbat personnel, including some with skills.


    But if that were the only issue, Kraush wouldn’t have felt such a heavy sense of foreboding.


    “I need to get to Seirang.”


    The most important figure in Sephira was none other than Seirang.


    Having promised to protect her life,


    Kraush dashed down the corridor.


    Kraush’s room was a guest room.


    Therefore, he had to pick up the pace to reach Seirang’s room.


    ‘Excel.’


    Activating Excel, Kraush sped past the corridor in the blink of an eye.


    Just then, he caught sight of someone walking down the opposite corridor through the window.


    Like a beam of light streaming from behind clouds, the moonlight reflected off his earrings.


    And Kraush recognized the man wearing that earring.


    Heaven’s Seat, vi.


    The man who granted Kraush the power of the Eternal Death.


    He was walking alone through the dark corridor.


    Kraush narrowed his eyes at the sight.


    Just moments ago, a sense of unease swept through Sephira.


    There was no way vi wouldn’t have felt it.


    As Kraush pondered this, he realized where vi was heading.


    It was undoubtedly in the direction of Seirang’s room.


    Was he going to protect her?


    At that thought, another realization struck him.


    vi also had a skill.


    A skill that allowed him to see through all truths.


    Veritas.


    vi was also a god contractor.


    Realizing this, Kraush’s eyes widened.


    What if vi had been manifested as a god?


    The man who once ruled the world as a No-Name God.


    If he were to be manifested again, that would be nothing short of a catastrophe.


    And most importantly,


    Seirang was in danger.


    Instantly grasping the situation, Kraush made his move.


    Before he knew it, he was racing over the window frame.


    Deep within him, Ignis zed fiercely.


    The ash-gray mes engulfed Kraush’s entire body.


    At the same time, he ced his hand on the Star Sword.


    There was no hesitation.


    Kraush kicked the window and soared into the sky.


    As he drew the sword, the mes of ash burst forth and roared to life.


    Crackle!


    The ash mes that swallowed Heaven’s Seat’s red moon descended upon the world.


    Annihtion Erosion.


    Fifth Form.


    Heavenly Annihtion of Moon and Fire.


    With a surge of ashen lightning, the fiery strike lunged toward vi.


    Realizing the attack toote, vi quickly turned his head.


    As their eyes met, Kraush noticed something peculiar.


    vi’s deep ck eyes were splitting into multiple irises, unlike ever before.


    This wasn’t vi.


    Crack!


    The fiery strike engulfed the building, crumbling it to the ground within moments.


    The tremendous sound and tremors awoke the sleeping townspeople, causing chaos all around.


    But Kraush had no time to worry about that.


    From the rising smoke,


    the clear sound of vi’s shoes echoed.


    He walked out through the smoke, two swords gripped in his hands.


    One was a pitch-ck de.


    The other, a pure white one.


    One of the Ten Deadly Swords, Ying and Yang Moon.


    Originally, these two swords had been attached to his earrings.


    As vi walked out of the smoke, a crimson aura red around him.


    That ominous aura was born from the lingering bloodlust vi had forged from the past.


    Seeing this, Kraush felt a surge of tension and gripped his Star Sword tightly.


    He thought about how it would be nice to face off with him again someday.


    But he never expected it woulde to this.


    Kraush clicked his tongue and readied his stance.


    “I have to ask, do you still have your senses?”


    In response to Kraush’s question, vi’s crimson aura spilled forth like a halo.


    He was explicitly letting them know he waspletely devoid of consciousness.


    Moreover, the manifested god of vi showed no intention to even converse with Kraush.


    “Wow, I never thought you’d be keeping promises this way.”


    Who would’ve guessed that the one targeting Seirang wouldn’t be the World Erosion but vi, the bodyguard himself?


    Promises sure can be kept in unpredictable ways.


    Thinking that, Kraush raised the intensity of his ashen mes.


    Instantly, Kraush’s silver hair danced wildly with the power he radiated.


    The overwhelming force emanating from him made even vi’s face tense.


    With one eye turned milky white and one still ame with ashen fire,


    Kraush felt the thrill of realbat for the first time in ages.


    And this was against a former generation’s powerhouse.


    So,


    “Just a heads up, if you get hurt, don’t me meter.”


    It seemed safe to assume he’d be fine with that.