Chapter 222: Barrier of All Souls, God's Acting Agent on Earth

(Extra chapter, extra chapter; I suspect I will continue to add more the day after tomorrow. Actually, I felt quite sentimental while writing this chapter; it is at once idealistic and yet "scientifically reasonable," which is quite marvelous.)

Just as Father Fang said, in this world that differs from Earth in so many ways, one of the most peculiar things is the soul. Although it differs slightly from the philosophical definitions of idealism and materialism, one must admit that this world is, in a sense, slightly "idealistic."

The power of will is truly real. The fact that the God of Fear can draw strength from the terror of souls is enough to prove that the soul is an excellent source of energy.

No one can clearly explain the principles behind this, but existence is a fact, and sometimes, the "why" is not that important.

Enveloped by the power of the God of Fear, the royal capital was plunged into a pitch-black, deathly silence. Fine, barely perceptible golden threads began to spread from the small statue of the muscular God of Light in the chapel, constantly dividing as they ventured toward every corner of the city.

A "spider web" composed of subtle, nearly invisible golden filaments was woven, unbeknownst to all, across the royal capital now blanketed by the power of the God of Fear.

The power of the God of Light within these golden threads was not strong—or rather, it was so weak that it lacked any presence before the unimaginably vast power of the God of Fear, to the point that it was ignored by almost everything.

These golden filaments connected to the people who had fallen to the ground and been dragged into the sea of deathly silence of the God of Fear. They burrowed into their bodies and touched their souls—merely touched them, without reaching a deeper level that might attract the attention of the God of Fear.

Among them, one thread was slightly special; it was just as thin, but the divine power of light within it was particularly concentrated. It grew and moved toward the headquarters of the Night’s Edge in the royal capital, searching for its target.

After a brief pause, the filament formed by the divine power of light found its target: a figure kneeling on one knee, bracing a long sword against the ground while using the other hand to grip a shield behind his back.

His soul had also been dragged into the sea of deathly silence, but unlike the others who had simply collapsed, he had struggled for a moment before being pulled under, making him appear quite unique.

"Hmm, you did not disappoint me."

Outside the capital of Saint-Wentan, Father Fang nodded slightly. The scene he witnessed through the divine power of light left him very satisfied. This "son of the Grand Duke," like his two fathers, possessed a resilient will and was capable of bearing that power.

This tentacle formed by the light’s divine power entered Edward’s head, touching his soul.

This time, the divine tentacle did not stop at a mere touch to avoid drawing the attention of the God of Fear; instead, it probed inward in a gentle manner, reaching deep into Edward’s soul, which had been dragged into the sea of deathly silence.

High above, the God of Fear, who was silently flapping his pitch-black wings while expanding his power, stared with hollow, abyssal eyes at a hapless soul surrounded by dark figures. He suddenly turned his head, looking toward a certain direction.

Panic permeated the air, and materialized fear covered his body. The power of the God of Fear shaped a suit of armor suitable for a deity. With a flap of his wings, he rushed toward that location in a manner akin to teleportation.

...

"Huff... huff..."

The sound of heavy breathing was the only noise in the deep sea. Edward waved his arms, swimming with all his might toward the light above that seemed forever out of reach.

Was he moving? He didn't know. This sea of deathly silence had no end, and the distance to the light above, when taking a number between infinity and zero, seemed meaningless.

But one thing was clear to Edward, who had experienced the God of Fear’s cage of memories: this was undoubtedly the work of the God of Fear’s power. He knew what he had to do—whether through anger or calm, he had to maintain his will and not let fear dominate him.

He didn't know how much time had passed; in the outside world, it might have been ten minutes, but here, it could have been days. Edward didn't count the time; he simply held fast to his conviction. Rather than wailing or screaming in despair, he preferred to roar and throw a punch.

He didn't know how long he could hold on, but until the moment of collapse arrived, he would continue to swim upward in this "meaningless" fashion.

"I cannot die like this. My responsibilities are not yet fulfilled. What I have voluntarily taken upon myself must be carried to the very end..."

Muttering these thoughts, breathing heavily, and swallowing phantom seawater, feeling a false sense of suffocation, Edward ignored the growing, spreading loneliness and helplessness, continuing his upward journey, unsure if it was even useful.

Suddenly, in an instant, Edward felt something different. This sea of deathly silence had gained something—something slightly familiar, and it was right before his eyes.

A thread shimmering with a faint golden light extended down from the surface of the sea, appearing before Edward. He froze for a moment, subconsciously reaching out to grab the only new thing that had appeared in this empty ocean.

The thread retracted, dragging Edward upward until he broke through the phantom sea surface, bringing him into another space: a simple, small chapel.

"Huh?!"

As if waking from a dream, Edward abruptly sat up from the chair beneath him, making a sound as he looked at the person sitting opposite him.

"Edward, it’s me."

Father Fang, sitting across from Edward, waved his hand with a smile, signaling for Edward to listen.

"Father Fang, you returned to the royal capital?"

Edward looked at Father Fang, asking with a hint of surprise. If it were Father Fang, he should have the ability to deal with the God of Fear; after all, the God of Light was one of the most powerful among all deities.

"Regrettably, I could not make it back to the capital in time. I am merely borrowing the divine power of light to speak with you. It is the same principle as the prayer communication network with the Lady of the Night, only because your soul has been severed from your body, I am able to converse with you more directly."

Father Fang waved his hand, which left Edward disappointed. He had thought he had found a way to save the capital, but before the God of Fear, they were far too insignificant; a way to break the deadlock was hard to find.

"Even if I returned, it is hard to say what I could actually do. To manifest a miracle or perform a divine descent like the God of Fear requires a price. Unlike the evil gods of the void, the descent of a true god cannot be achieved simply by tearing a hole."

"The descent of the God of Fear stems from the ritual of the Saint-Wentan people, using the souls of the entire capital's residents as the price. Even if I returned, I could not force the God of Light to descend personally."

Father Fang put away his smile, speaking to Edward with great seriousness.

Father Fang’s words sent a chill through Edward’s heart. He would not fall into panic because of the God of Fear’s power, but having the possibility of victory so nakedly stripped away by facts made it even harder to accept.

"However, if it were truly useless, I wouldn't have come to find you, would I? The God of Light is a very special deity. He rarely shows his will, and precisely because of that, he is more easily able to draw power from faith and souls."

"At the same time, it is easier to obtain power from Him. What I hope you will do is become the temporary agent of the God of Light on earth, and with His power, drive away the God of Fear."

Father Fang looked at Edward, stating what he hoped Edward would do.

"Me?"

Edward was briefly stunned. Father Fang’s words exceeded his expectations. The agent of the God of Light on earth—him? That was quite a leap.

"Yes, you. Just as the God of Fear draws power from the souls covered by his divine kingdom, the God of Light can also draw power from these people’s souls."

"However, since He has not descended, He needs an agent. Among those I know, you are the most suitable. Can you do it?"

Father Fang said, looking earnestly into Edward’s eyes.

"Why... ...Alright! I can do it."

Edward subconsciously wanted to ask why it had to be him, but a figure that suddenly appeared in his memory reminded him of what he carried.

That’s right, why couldn’t it be him? It should have been him. His expression hardened, and Edward nodded in agreement.

"Excellent. I knew you were the most suitable. Just like your inner potential, you are someone who can carry burdens for others—the agent of the God of Light on earth."

A smile returned to Father Fang’s serious face as he handed the scripture by his side to Edward.

"What do I need to do?"

Edward took the scripture and asked.

"I will temporarily transfer all the divine power of light I can wield to you. What you must do is, under the blessing of this power, activate your inner potential. For the people whose souls are connected by the power of the God of Light, you will temporarily bear the power of the God of Fear on their behalf."

"Then, say whatever you want to say; as long as it inspires people, that’s enough. The courage reborn after fear provides far more power to a deity than pure fear ever could. These powers will become your aid, and then—strike. It is that simple."

Father Fang clapped his hands, explaining what Edward needed to do next. It wasn't that complicated; to put it bluntly, it seemed too simple to Edward.

"Just like that?"

Edward did not doubt whether he could bear the power of the God of Fear for so many people, because the essence of his inner potential was actually just that—it wasn't as simple as the protection he had shown Wang Yu and Xiaer.

The function of his inner potential was to bear burdens for others, allowing himself to become a barrier that sheltered them. This was likely influenced by that past event.

"It is just that simple. In a sense, these powers are the same as demons torturing souls to gain strength, or the ancient goblins’ soul furnaces burning souls directly. We don't know enough about souls, just as we don't know enough about gods."

"It’s just that finding a suitable agent for the God of Light on earth is quite difficult. Your inner potential makes me feel you are more suitable than I am. Of course, that guy Wang Yu’s mental resistance makes him a good choice too, but the God of Light can’t even find him. So, this role belongs to you."

Father Fang continued, standing up from his chair and placing a hand on Edward’s shoulder.

"Is that so? Then, I am ready."

Edward nodded, confirming he was prepared.

Father Fang’s understanding of gods and souls made Edward feel that the priest was not like a clergyman who spent his days preaching faith and devotion.

Instead, he was a bit like Qi Ge and those scholars at the academy who studied the essence of magic and battle aura. His attitude toward gods was truly strange, but then again, this was the Church of Light, so a few eccentricities were easy to understand.

"This is your mental space now, and time is almost at a standstill. Outside, the God of Fear has likely noticed the divine power of light within your soul. Now, be quick."

Father Fang gathered every ounce of the holy light he could command, channeling it into his palms and pressing them firmly against the sacred codex held in Edward’s hands.

The space forged from holy light within Edward’s soul shattered and dissolved; Edward’s eyes snapped open, his consciousness reclaiming his body as he looked up at the looming figure of the God of Fear.

The God of Fear hovered in the air, clad in dark armor, his pitch-black wings beating rhythmically. He gazed down at Edward and, without hesitation, swung the blade of condensed divine power in his hand, the strike tearing through the air toward Edward.

A golden wall of light manifested, shielding Edward from the god’s assault—a gift of holy power channeled through the small chapel by Father Fang.

The destructive force of the God of Fear was not overwhelming, and his corrosive influence had become largely ineffective against Edward in his current state.

Edward channeled his battle aura, activating his inner potential. This unique knightly power, possessing a higher priority than mere sorcery or spells, surged outward along the web of holy light that connected the souls of everyone in the capital controlled by the God of Fear.

The holy light shifted, simultaneously shielding Edward from the god’s relentless attacks and replenishing his rapidly depleting aura, while amplifying the strength of his inner potential.

This placed a heavy strain on the divine power bestowed by Father Fang; after all, Edward was facing a god descended into the mortal realm, while he was but a formal knight bolstered by a borrowed light.

Ten seconds later, Edward’s inner potential fully manifested, spreading to every corner of the soul-linking web woven by the holy light.

Taking a deep breath, Edward focused his inner potential: Inner Potential—Barrier.

An invisible wall materialized across the entire web, shimmering with a faint, ethereal golden glow.

In that moment, the corrosive power of the God of Fear, which had been afflicting every soul connected by the holy light, was briefly assumed by Edward, pressing down upon his own soul.

An unimaginable pressure descended upon Edward’s consciousness. Even with the holy light dampening the terrifying force, the corruption pierced the divine barrier, flooding Edward’s soul with a torrent of fear.

"Begone..." Edward growled, struggling to resist the crushing weight with his sheer force of will.

The holy light burned furiously, repairing his fracturing soul and weakening the divine malice he had taken upon himself to bear for the others.

Like a storm raging at sea, Edward’s soul teetered on the brink of collapse, and the holy light began to wither.

"Everyone, I am Edward Walling, the future Grand Duke of the North. Father Fang cannot return to the capital, so he has entrusted his holy power to me, naming me the proxy of the God of Light upon this earth."

"Fear is the source of the God of Fear’s power. I do not ask you to pray to the God of Light; I only ask that you take up whatever is at hand, turn toward your enemy, and strike!"

"For your own sake, for the sake of survival—the only way to eliminate fear is to face it and beat it until it turns to dust."

The residents of the capital, awakened from their trance as Edward bore the burden of the god’s power, heard his voice echoing in their minds through the web of light.

The first to react were the Blades of Night, the city guards, and the royal elite guard. They understood the nature of the God of Fear and the God of Light better than any, and they knew the weight of the title "Grand Duke of the North."

Having fought until the very moment their souls were imprisoned by the Sea of Dead Silence, they seized their weapons and charged toward the headquarters of the Blades of Night, where the God of Fear was raining down his power from above.

Giant fireballs descended from the sky, followed by dazzling pillars of pure magical energy. They struck the armored figure of the God of Fear before the fireballs could, triggering a thunderous magical shockwave.

The magical arrays of the Stevenson Academy of Magic had been reactivated; the mages had been a beat slower than the Blades of Night, but their attacks arrived with greater speed.

Following them were the commoners of the capital, the unorganized adventurers, and the guild professionals.

They did not grasp the full significance of Edward’s words, but the mere mention of the God of Light and the Grand Duke of the North was enough to reignite the sparks of hope in their hearts.

"It seems we might be saved!"

"Huff... huff... I never want to go back to that cursed place again. Never. I’m going to kill the thing that dragged me into that sea."

"God of Light, I beseech you, show your power and redeem your pious believers!"

...

The reactions of the people varied—some were exhilarated by their salvation, others were consumed by a rage born from the terror of the Sea of Dead Silence, and some began to pray "piously" to the God of Light.

But one thing remained constant: fear had faded from their hearts, and courage had been born in its wake.

This power, generated within their souls, was drawn into the filaments of holy light and channeled back to the God’s proxy on earth.

"What the hell is that?"

Wang Yu’s eyes widened in genuine shock. He watched the spectacle appearing near the Blades of Night headquarters and withdrew his blood, which had consumed much of his vitality, back into his Blood-Biting Ring.

Moments ago, a swarm of shadow-figures had surrounded him, trying to drag him down. Though each was weak, their sheer numbers had nearly exhausted Wang Yu, who had lost the ability to observe his surroundings.

Just as he was about to use his trump card, the Ancient Helmet-Breaker Potion, the shadows had suddenly dispersed, and he saw that thing in the distance.

"Light? No, where would something like this come from? A divine descent? Did Father Fang return?"

Pulling his thoughts away from such impossible notions, Wang Yu adjusted his theories to the most likely path.

The filaments of holy light had grown thicker and more brilliant, becoming visible to the naked eye after absorbing the vast power born from the souls of the people.

From every corner of the capital, they converged toward the headquarters of the Blades of Night.

Just as the God of Fear drew power from terror, the God of Light collected the strength born from the souls freed from that fear, bestowing it upon His proxy here on earth, here in the capital.

A massive surge of holy power flooded into Edward, constructing a stronger soul barrier that rendered the God of Fear’s corruption—which Edward was still bearing for the city—utterly harmless to him.

More and more holy light clung to Edward until it overflowed, not dissipating, but beginning to construct a form—a body composed entirely of holy light.

And so, under the gaze of the capital’s residents, a figure shimmering with golden radiance stood tall, confronting the God of Fear in the sky, its featureless face fixed upon the deity.

"What is that? Has the God of Light descended?"

"Truly... breathtaking. It’s a miracle! No, that is the God of Light himself!"

"Don't just stand there! Keep attacking the God of Fear; don't give him a chance!"

"Keep hitting him! Increase magical output, don't worry about the cost, overload the arrays! Assist the avatar of the God of Light!"

Every resident of the capital saw the giant glowing figure. Convinced that the God of Light had descended, they fought with renewed fervor, doing everything in their power.

The Stevenson Academy’s arrays were pushed to overload, burning out the two main circuits, but a single, immensely powerful spell was unleashed.

Seventh-tier Grand Spell: Void-Rending Blade.

The space where the God of Fear stood was torn asunder by the excessive magical energy, as if an invisible blade had cleaved reality itself. Without warning, the armor crafted from divine power on the God of Fear was breached by this pure, destructive assault.

Seizing the opportunity, the glowing figure—now more solid and brilliant as it continued to draw power from across the city—launched its own attack.

The giant figure moved with unimaginable speed, grabbing the legs of the God of Fear, who had been distracted by the Void-Rending Blade, and dragging him down from the sky before slamming a fist into him.

The God of Fear, recovering, attempted to counterattack, but being physically restrained, he found his options limited.

The glowing figure struck with violent, direct force, blow after blow, its fists imbued with vast holy light. There were no light blades, no explosions—just the simplest, most effective use of divine power as a weapon, pummeling the God of Fear.

The two "gods" clashed within the capital, their divine powers colliding in a brawl that looked like a street fight, yet was the ultimate test of raw divine strength.

Gradually, the golden avatar driven by Edward gained the absolute upper hand.

The holy light flowing in from every corner of the city continuously bolstered Edward’s strength.

Conversely, the God of Fear’s power began to leak from his divine husk with every collision. This power was ownerless; the God of Fear could use the remnants within, but it was being forcibly expelled by the impact.

And a point that had been overlooked until now finally revealed its influence.

The God of Fear was inherently incomplete; several "incomplete deities" had merged to form him, but one was missing: the Lady of Night.

Edward’s accumulated holy light might not have been enough to destroy a complete God of Fear, but that single flaw became the god’s greatest vulnerability.

Among the strands of power composing the God of Fear, the missing essence of the Night was illuminated by the light of the God of Light, and the stars began to twinkle in the night sky.

"Boom!"

The glowing giant delivered a punch to the divine husk, physically knocking the twisted form of the God of Fear out of his shell.

The figure of the God of Fear began to blur; he tried to flee from the giant avatar of light.

However, the filaments of holy light that had gathered on Edward shifted their target, coiling around the body of the God of Fear.

The God of Fear, who had tried to escape using complex divine maneuvers, was bound in the air by the glowing filaments, which wove themselves into a cocoon of light, leaving him utterly unable to move.

With my own body, I shall bear the weight of His majesty.

With the blade in my hand, I shall act as the vessel for His will.

I am the emissary of the God of Light, walking upon the earth.

A radiance representing divine power shimmered in Edward’s eyes as he recited a passage from the holy scriptures, steeling his resolve and tightening his grip on the longsword, which began to coil with the light of the heavens as he advanced toward the shackled God of Fear.

As he walked, the luminous humanoid figure gradually shrank, the divine essence that formed its frame coalescing bit by bit into the blade held in Edward’s hand, the fluctuations of power growing increasingly terrifying.

By the time Edward reached the base of the cocoon of light, the giant effigy had vanished, leaving behind only the sword, now forged entirely of brilliance, containing every ounce of divine power gathered by the royal city from the very beginning.

"Sever."

With that single word whispered, Edward swung the light-wrought blade upward with both hands.

A pale golden glow, far less blinding than one might have imagined, sliced across the sky of the royal city...