43 A Righteous Hero

Grrrr!

Achilles growled. He was continuously losing sentience due to Blood Hunger and regaining it for a short span.

Odysseus looked around. Nelio was in shambles. After killing Achilles, Odysseus would begin attacking other nations. This was Odysseus' last chance to turn back.

'Turn back? It's too late for that.'

An inaudible chuckle escaped Odysseus' lips. He raised his sword and cleaved Achilles' head. A figure appeared in front of Achilles at the last second.

Spurt!

An arc of blood spilled in the air. Odysseus spoke, "As expected, you were alive."

Noah was holding the blade of Odysseus' sword inches away from Achilles' head. Noah scanned the surroundings.

[ Odysseus Menus / Sea Emperor Kraken Lv.??? (Hidden Dungeon Boss, Epic rating) ]

[ Helen Lvl.9 (Elite rating) ]

[ Achilles Lv.100 (Elite rating) ]

Seeing Achilles alive and Helen trapped, Noah could guess that Helen had betrayed Odysseus and revived Achilles.

'Shalia wasn't lying when she said Helen would help in the fight against Odysseus.' Noah thought, 'With this, all pieces are in place for my plan.'

Grrr!

Unable to control his bloodlust Achilles suddenly pounced on Noah. He tried to bite Noah's arm. Erebus grabbed Achilles' head and smashed him into the ground before Achilles could harm Noah.

Achilles lost consciousness from the impact.

Erebus carried Achilles over his shoulder and stood slightly behind Noah.

"We are bringing her along too." Noah pointed at the bone cage with his thumb. Erebus nodded and walked towards it.

A massive bone arm grew out of the ground and blocked Erebus' path.

"Am I invisible? Or am I being ignored?" Odysseus asked half-jokingly and half-seriously.

If Noah wasn't stupid he should've understood that Odysseus was the one controlling everything from behind. Odysseus couldn't comprehend why Noah was relaxed in front of his enemy.

"I met Shalia." Noah shrugged. "I have the same goal as you: 'To unite the world and end the wars'. I'll play along with you."

Odysseus, after killing Achilles, wanted Noah to take Achilles' place as the hero who would unite the kingdoms for the battle against Odysseus.

Noah was essentially declaring he was aware of Odysseus' plans and he would become the 'Hero' that Odysseus wanted.

Noah added, "But I lost to Kraken and Achilles lost to you. Can we not fight today? I need time to unite the kingdoms for your main goal and gain strength."

Odysseus could tell that Noah's words carried no ill intent. It was true Odysseus couldn't kill Noah as Noah's presence was required in the future. Even so, did Noah truly believe Odysseus wouldn't attack him?

Did he forget about Kraken?

Odysseus grabbed the sword's hilt and activated his Ancient Ruin. If he attacked, Noah would die. However….

Noah had no intention of blocking.

"Sigh, I guess I'll retreat for today." Odysseus placed his sword inside the scabbard.

The bone prison broke and Helen was freed. She had heard the conversation. But she couldn't believe Odysseus was leaving just like that.

While Odysseus leaving Noah shouted, "Take the seafolks with you, will you? I'm too tired to take care of them. Take this souvenir as my thanks."

Noah threw a sack towards Odysseus. It was filled with small spheres.

"What is this…." Odysseus opened the sack. His eyes widened and he stopped moving.

Noah scratched the back of his head with an embarrassed expression. "I got lost on the way while returning and ended up at the port. But, your crewmates were kind enough to guide me to the right path."

Odysseus didn't answer.

The people whom Noah met were Odysseus' crewmates and sworn brothers.

When Odysseus built his kingdom from scratch, they were with him.

When Odysseus braved the treacherous seas on his expeditions, they were with him.

When Odysseus was crushed by grief of his sister's death, they were with him.

…The sack was filled with severed heads of those sworn brothers. All twenty-three.

"Ah! Are you searching for her?" Noah threw another severed head at Odysseus' feet. Shalia's head.

Noah spoke. "She was pretty vehement that I stopped you before you did something irreversible. I think she's also the one who changed Helen's mind about siding with you? Either way, it was dangerous to leave her alive. Our plans might've been leaked."

Shalia.

She worked under the pseudonym of Shadow. Her unique skill made her the prime candidate for espionage. Under Odysseus' order, Shalia infiltrated Nelio.

That was her professional record.

As for Odysseus' personal feelings, she was clumsy like his sister. Although she was annoying, Odysseus never hated her.

A dark shadow fell over Odysseus' face. "Why did you kill them…?"

"They are collaborating with the guy who will burn the world, your accomplices. Isn't that enough of a reason to kill them?" Noah spoke with a confused expression.

Noah added, "I'm going to be the righteous hero who protects the world. It's a given I will eliminate those who will help you, the one who is trying to destroy the world."

Odysseus remained silent.

This was the consequence of Odysseus' actions. He wasn't the only one who would receive punishment for waging war on the world. The people who supported Odysseus would also be remembered as vile criminals.

Odysseus couldn't blame Noah. He was receiving karma for his actions.

"Err, are you angry?" Noah sighed. "I guess I can't continue with my plan."

"Plan?"

Odysseus stared at Noah in a daze. He wanted to kill Noah, but couldn't. He wanted to blame Noah, but couldn't. He wanted to ask for forgiveness from his sworn brothers, but couldn't.

"I was going to invade your Menus Kingdom after you left and eradicate its citizens." Noah answered with a shrug.

Noah added, "It's a good plan to score brownie points as the righteous hero by eliminating the citizens of the evil king's empire."

"...!"

Odysseus felt something snap inside him. Suddenly, he didn't care about leaving Noah alive anymore.

"You… you aren't the Noah I know."

Anyone was better off acting as the hero. Anyone except Noah.

A psychopath like Noah couldn't be allowed to live. If the world fell under Noah's control it would become a hell worse than the world Odysseus wanted to destroy.

"I'll kill you."

Even if it meant jeopardizing his plan, Odysseus was going to end Noah.

.....

A/N (about the 2 days break): There is an Eye Flu outbreak in my state and, a few days ago, I was infected. I'd like to believe I had taken proper precautions but... Yeah, I also got Eye Flu now.

Anyway, I'm healthy enough to write again (Yay!) so I'll continue posting the chaps. As for the missed chaps, I'll upload them in 1~2 days.

Thank you for reading Noah's journey along with me!