Chapter 32: Death | Part 2

While the girls upstairs were talking among themselves, the huge fireball that had engulfed more than half of the bishops along with Nader was gradually weakening under the hysterical laughter of the Pope.

Those bishops who had been in striking range became nothing more than ashes that were swallowed by the roaring lava inside the huge reddish crater of about forty square meters.

"L-Lord Ehit, have mercy!"

"Please, I don't want to die yet!"

"S-save me!"

The cries of despair of the bishops who managed to get out alive; with some missing parts of their bodies, permeated the room, along with the sound of lava melting the floor and rocks of the crater.

However, the portals along with the chains were still above each of their heads, so it didn't take a few seconds for their souls to be banished from their bodies by the dark and ominous chains.

While the souls of most of the bishops were tinged with a dark color, some were dark gray. The latter, it seemed, had fewer sins than the others.

"F-for the love of Ehit, what is this?" muttered the Pope with fear painted on his face.

At such a sight, the Pope surmised that Nader had survived his powerful attack, capable of decimating anything that came his way. At these thoughts, which almost made his soul come out of his mouth, his complexion which was already pale from the loss of his mana from casting the most powerful spell he had, became even more accentuated, to the point where he could be mistaken for a corpse.

Shizuku, who was on top of the floating platform watching all this, couldn't help but shiver. It was the first time she had seen another human being killed in front of her own eyes, so it was not a surprise, nor could anyone blame her for the fear that such a sight gave her.

Surprisingly, however, she did not let herself be overcome by the intense fear that tried to invade her heart. This was because she was aware that, as long as she was in this world, sooner or later she would have to take other lives into her hands beside the monsters in the labyrinth. Otherwise, how could she survive?

On the other hand, Yue and Yuki, who were already used to such a spectacle, watched as if it was the most normal thing in the world.

...

The Pope's fear deepened even more as the souls writhing and roaring in pain were swallowed by the dark abyss that disappeared soon after the souls disappeared inside.

"Old man, while I don't care what you've done, you've really destroyed the fun."

The cold voice coming from the center of the crevice, which was still covered by the hot smoke, made Pope's body shudder. Although he already knew that Nader had managed to survive his powerful attack, he at least hoped that he was injured. However, from Nader's calm voice, he was apparently more than okay.

In the center of the crevice, Nader was standing on a column that connected to the bottom of the crater. In fact, this was the only part that had not been affected by the previous attack due to Nader's presence protecting him. Everything around it was destroyed. It would not be incorrect to assume that the bottom of the crater resembled the roaring mouth of hell itself. The embracing heat, that would be able to roast the flesh of a mighty beast, made Nader feel the same warmth he felt when he received the warmth of sunlight.

Wiping off the clothes that had already been restored to their normal form, Nader looked out of the smoke and noticed that Pope Ishtar was taking a few shaky steps back, as if trying to find a way to escape. However, the only place he could escape through was the huge double door, that is, he would have to go past Nader, thus through the large lava-filled crevice.

'Damn it, Noint. ¿Where the hell are you when I need you the most?!'

Earlier, the Pope had already broken the small stone to notify Noint that he needed her help, but strangely, she didn't come even after a minute!

At this moment, due to the pressure, Pope's body was extremely tense as his abnormally long white mustache twitched. He had seen with his own eyes what the demon with human skin in front of him could do. He even felt that the mighty scepter filled with magic circles that his sweaty, trembling hands clutched was nothing more than a child's toy to Nader.

"This, hereti-, I mean, hero Nader. How about we talk about this without rushing into it?".

"..."

Seeing that Nader did not immediately respond, the Pope regained some composure and with a feigned, stiff smile, continued speaking, "Both you and I know that no one will benefit when you lay a finger on me. Right now, I'm the only one who can clean your name."

"Clean my name? You're joking, aren't you, what makes you think other people's thoughts affect me?" The cold voice rang out again, reaching the Pope's ears like the devil's whispers.

With icy blood running through his veins, the Pope decided to change his plan as he saw that his previous proposal had not worked, and in a trembling voice, he said, "H-hero Nader, how about joining me, not only will you get the best benefits, but you can also take the position of King of Heiligh! Together and as Lord Ehit's chosen race, we will be able to eradicate and cleanse this world of the vile demons and foul half-breeds!"

"... Sometimes, I wonder if that cursed pig had a descendant that escaped to this world," Nader said. His expression was as if he was looking at the worst garbage littering the insole of his shoes.

Apparently, the Pope of his old world was not so different from the Pope Ishtar he now had in front of him. When he looked at Pope Ishtar's face, although their appearances differed greatly, he couldn't help but see the image of the Pope of his old world superimposed over it.

The Pope's expression instantly soured at Nader's words. Since when did he have to face such contempt spat in his face? Never.

But what could he do about it? Nothing!

The only option before him right now was to simply shut up and suppress his anger at such rudeness and contempt. He had to buy enough time for Noint to come and get him out of this painful predicament.

With an amused smile, as if Nader had seen through the Pope's thoughts, he began to speak.

"From your expression, I'd say you're waiting for that silver bird, aren't you? Well, if you miss her so much, I can have you visit her in the afterlife."

With every word Nader uttered, the Pope's expression changed. It was quite impressive how a person, who previously always kept his expression calm, lost his composure to such an extent.

"What?! How can a mere human manage to assassinate Apostle Noint?!"

With the Pope's shout, the previous emotions were dampened to such an extent that they were replaced by pure despair. His face took on a pale hue, as if he were a ghost.

However, his expression was no surprise under such circumstances. The news that the apostle of his God, who from his point of view had no comparison in this world, had died at the hands of a brat standing in front of him.

The Pope was someone who wanted to have all the power under the palms of his hand. He was the one who always decided whether people would live or die for the so-called Peace they were aiming at.

However, all of that was destroyed by the being that looked at him coldly from the hot breath coming out of the maw of the huge crater.

"Tsk, this is boring...".

When Nader stopped muttering, the space above the pope opened and revealed a huge black maw with dark chains protruding from within. As if searching for its prey, and without giving the pope a chance to do or say a word other than a choked sound of pain, the chains reached inside and enclosed his soul before drawing him outward.

Apparently, souls banished from the fleshly body, despite being unable to utter words other than roars of pain, could still feel everything that went on around them and think correctly. For this very reason, the pain that the Pope felt at this moment was terrifying, much more painful than carnal pain.

He felt his soul being torn into thousands of tiny fragments that came back together, only to fragment again. An endless cycle of pain and agony.

Under the gaze of those left in the room, the Pope's dark soul writhed back and forth as mere roars of wailing and hatred came from his twisted mouth.

Nader, who watched all this with a look devoid of emotion, waited a few minutes before having the chains guide the Pope's soul to the place where souls spent eternity in suffering.

When the mouth of the abyss closed, Nader jumped down and landed on the place where the Pope's body lay. He looked to the side where there was or seemed to be no one and, with a fearless smile, he said:

"Well, did you enjoy the show?"