Chapter 253: Missing Faithful

A few days later, things were finally beginning to look different in Excelsis.

I could see flying metal constructs buzzing around in the air on insect-like wings, surveying the area. At the same time, many of the people of Excelsis were setting up decorations for a festival.

Hilariously, they wouldn't know what they were celebrating until the day arrived.

And as I sat on a bench nearby, Isabella sat happily next to me, clinging to my arm.

Stella stood at my side surveying the area.

There would have been other troops under her, but I chose not to bring them. The soldiers were specifically for the defense of the ship itself.

"Hmm..."

"Is something wrong, Master?" Isabella said.

"You're having way too much fun calling me that, aren't you?" I said.

"Ehehe...guilty. I like seeing your reaction. But if I'm going to be a slave, I should play the part, yes?

"I suppose so..." I said.

"I, for one, believe it to be perfectly natural to refer to his Majesty as Master," Stella said.

"Hm...right..."

"What's wrong, Master? You look troubled..." Isabella said.

I would prefer it if you didn't act like there was a wall between us...but it can't be helped...

"None of the gods here are worth my time..." I said.

"You've been looking for several days. I'm surprised none of them stuck out to you."

"They're too weak. All of them! Why are they weak? They're supposed to be gods, right?" I said.

"Darling, I should say that they certainly aren't weak. It's just that his Majesty has grown so strong!" Cassandra said as she switched in and smiled adoringly at me.

"I guess... Anyway, we should probably-"

Suddenly, I was interrupted by a small beeping object that floated in front of my face.

"Greetings, Destroyer, I have a message for you," the spherical device said.

It sounded like the Artificer.

"Ugh...go on..." I said.

"I have important matters to discuss with you back in my temple. May I bring you to the throne room?" The Artificer said.

"Go ahead."

At once, the device flashed and the three of us were transported to the familiar circular chamber where I fought the Oracle.

The Artificer stood in front of his throne and next to it, was Abbadon. He glared at me.

"Greetings, Destroyer. I have urgent news," the Artificer said.

"Of course you do. Can we get on with this? I was relaxing when you called me over," I said.

"INSOLENT HUMAN!!! CHOSEN FAILURE!!! YOU WILL NOT DISRESPECT THE ARTIFICER!!!" Abbadon roared.

I couldn't help but smile.

"Yeah? And who's gonna stop me? You? You couldn't even beat Cassandra or Johann. If you wanna shut me up, come over here and say it to my face. You won't live to regret it," I said coldly.

Abbadon gritted his teeth in rage. He looked about ready to explode.

But the Artificer sighed.

"Abbadon, calm yourself. I am choosing not to let his words bother me. This is the man your former master worked very hard to create, after all..." He said.

"It wasn't on purpose! You make it sound as if this is what she intended!" Abbadon said angrily.

Then the Artificer took a deep breath and turned to Abbadon.

"SHE WORKED WITHOUT PAUSE TO CREATE THE MONSTER YOU SEE BEFORE YOU!!! IT MAY AS WELL HAVE BEEN INTENTIONAL WITH HOW MUCH SUFFERING SHE PUT HIM THROUGH!!!" The Artificer roared.

"Tch...if only she'd killed him one last time... Maybe things would have been different..." Abbadon said.

"I resent being called a monster. Don't talk about me like I'm not here, jackass," I said.

"Destroyer, if you could please calm yourself-"

"I'm perfectly calm, Artificer. I don't fucking like you. I thought I made that clear enough. I hate you. I hate you for taking your sweet time fixing this mess, and I hate you for being a Guardian. When this is all over, I never want to see you again."

"That makes two of us... But I digress. I-"

"Screw this...I'm leaving," Abbadon said.

He walked past our group and glared at me.

Then he stopped.

"I'll make you pay for ruining everything, Mizik. You'll suffer again..." He said.

"Looking forward to seeing you try. Go on. Entertain me. I'll erase you," I said.

"Filthy meathead god of breaking things..." Cassandra growled.

"Insolent failure," Stella said in a low tone.

Abbadon simply turned and walked away.

"Ahem...if we may get this started, I can focus on the tasks you previously gave me, Destroyer," the Artificer said.

"Yeah, let's get this over with. What do you want?"

"The Oracle's Faithful have gone missing."

"Big surprise. Find them and execute them. I really don't care what happens."

"This concerns you, Destroyer... Please. They have declared that the Destroyer is marked for death. And that he is an enemy to all of creation."

"Ha! You want me to prove them wrong or something? I'll prove them right. I'm the monster that their master created. A great disaster. Each time I destroy a world and kill billions of people, I prove my point. That the Oracle is to blame for my rampage. Not me. If they want me dead, they'll have to do something about it. But don't forget...killing me is like extinguishing the last hope you people have of killing Difar."

The Artificer turned his gaze downcast and sighed.

"I'm sorry... I never wanted this, you know? If I'd known how the Oracle would make you suffer, I never would have allowed her to be your caretaker... I would have remained as your caretaker instead... As I always should have done."

"A bit late for regrets, don't you think?"

"I agree... But please tell me...for my own sanity, what do you plan to do once this is all over?"

"Hmm... You know what, Artificer? Here's what I want... I want to take back the life that was stolen from me. My peaceful life in Avernia. Difar infected Avernia at its core and stored it somewhere in the Abyss. I'm going to take back my world and set things right."

"Surprisingly noble of you..." He said.

"How dare you insult his Majesty. Are you unaware of how kind and considerate he is?" Cassandra said.

I held up a hand to silence her.

"Ah...y-yes! Hnn...so cool!" Cassandra said.

I could tell she was doing everything in her power not to squeal. I would reward her later.

For now...

"I wouldn't say I'm noble, Artificer. I plan to destroy worlds infected with Corruption until I'm strong enough to kill Difar. I don't care how many I kill. By the end of this, my kill count might be bigger than his."

"I...see... Very well... May I ask you a question?"

"Sure, go ahead."

"A few years ago, you were stranded on Delvandal. If memory serves, you were attacked by the rogue god of domination, Novak..." The Artificer said.

"Huh. I'd almost forgotten about that," I said as I reached into my inventory and pulled out the medal Kronos gave me. "A guy named Kronos appeared and fought him off. He gave me this and said I owed him a favor."

"Hm...? You still have that? Excellent."

"What's up? Do you know Kronos or something? He said to keep this because I owe him a favor. Since he saved my life, I intend to pay him back. If you have any info on who he is or his whereabouts, I'd like to hear it. He might even be a good addition to the Cursebreaker..."

"I am sorry to disappoint you, Destroyer. But I have not seen or heard anything about this 'Kronos' for quite some time. I scarcely know who he is... But I would keep the medal if I were you. If he's alive, it will allow him to find you when he needs your assistance."

"That's fine. I planned to keep it anyway. Well, if you learn anything about Kronos, I'd like to thank him in person," I said.

"His Majesty wishes to express his gratitude to someone for aiding him. Would you deny this Kronos the honor of receiving his Majesty's appreciation?" Stella said.

"Of course not. I will redouble my efforts to find him. Now then...I believe that is all. You may go back to relaxing and waiting for the appropriate time to execute the Oracle," the Artificer said.

"Sounds good...but before I go...."

"Yes?"

"Are you sure the Oracle's Faithful don't intend to attack me?"

"Quite positive. I can guarantee that they aren't even in Excelsis anymore. This is why I'm having so much trouble finding them. Aside from that, they would have to be complete and utter fools to try anything against you."

"Good. Well, I guess that settles it. We'll be around if you need anything," I said.

After that, we left the temple.

* * *

Several days passed...

I began to closely watch the situation in Excelsis. I looked for any signs that the Oracle's Faithful had returned.

On top of awaiting Abbadon's inevitable attack.

I kept up my search for a suitable goddess to fill the role I needed.

Meanwhile, Iris made a breakthrough in the awakening of the Enforcer's third Aspects.

She kept mumbling nonsense about divine energy calculations and how it relates to the awakening times of past Enforcers and Attendants.

Apparently, she had categorized most known types of Aspects down to their specific awakening times...which still had short variables based on the person obtaining them. She determined that it would be a total of three weeks due to the presence of already-awakened Aspects.

I suddenly wished she could have given us a timeframe for Cassandra's Aspects back on Delvandal. Maybe then, we could have just killed Akari before Difar got ahold of her.

Still, despite the current commotion, everything proceeded smoothly.

And eventually...the day of the festival arrived.