Chapter 353

Looking at the young human before her, Zesshi Zetsumei's striking heterochromatic eyes were somewhat gloomy and angry.

Restoring the complex and chaotic cube.

This was a scene Zesshi Zetsumei had always imagined; perhaps this cube, which had ties to the Six Great Gods, was indeed difficult to restore.

This indirectly became a toy for her to pass the time!

Now—the toy for passing time was gone!

"Don't think that just because you are valued now, I won't kill you."

Zesshi Zetsumei raised her wrist, and the sharp blade of the cross-spear scythe moved a few fractions closer to Tang Zheng's skin:

"It is only natural for the weak to be trampled upon."

A heavy sense of oppression struck!

The temperature seemed to drop by a few degrees, and the pressure made the air become viscous.

In such a situation, an ordinary person would likely find breathing uncontrollably difficult, and their brain would fall directly into a coma due to lack of oxygen.

Tang Zheng appeared stiff: "Alright, if it's just to pass the time. Perhaps I can help you make a few similar toys."

Smile.

"You are indeed not afraid of me."

Zesshi Zetsumei's gaze fixed on Tang Zheng's cheek, the cold expression slowly disappeared, and the curve of her lips became wider:

"The last time was the same, and it wasn't the 'I simply gave up struggling because I couldn't escape' excuse you gave."

Speaking of this.

Zesshi Zetsumei's head suddenly leaned forward, her petite nose twitching a few times, as if sniffing something.

At such a close distance.

Tang Zheng could even smell a faint, natural fragrance like fresh green leaves in a jungle emanating from Zesshi Zetsumei.

"You have a unique scent on you."

Zesshi Zetsumei tilted her head back, thinking slightly: "Forget it, I can't remember."

"I just feel like you, this guy, have a problem; although I can't put my finger on it, but..."

Zesshi Zetsumei's eyes grew colder.

Just as she said, the human before her was somewhat different from most of the humans she had seen before... or rather, all humans.

Even those arrogant, confident guys in the 【Black Scripture】 had never given her this strange, indescribable feeling like this adventurer named Tang.

Scent?

A flash of surprise crossed Tang Zheng's eyes; the "unique scent" Zesshi Zetsumei spoke of should not refer to a surface odor.

Now is not the time to think about this.

Looking at Zesshi Zetsumei, who was already radiating killing intent before him.

"You aren't human, are you?"

Tang Zheng realized he needed to change his response style, otherwise, given the other party's temperament, she might really take action directly.

Facing the World-Class Item 【Downfall of Castle and Country】!

He currently had no way to deal with it.

"As far as I know, the strongest among humans should be the Baharuth Empire's 'Aberrant' Fluder-sama, but compared to your strength—"

Tang Zheng shook his head: "I'm afraid he isn't even qualified to carry your shoes. This is not meant to insult that legendary existence, but an unbelievable fact."

"Surpassing the Heroic Realm, surpassing the Aberrant leader, and even surpassing the Demon God Realm!"

"This cannot possibly be power that a human can master."

"You aren't human at all, are you?"

Tang Zheng's resonant and powerful voice rang out, his gaze fixed directly on those heterochromatic black and white eyes.

Zesshi Zetsumei narrowed her eyes; it wasn't surprise at having her secret discovered, but she did not feel that strange sensation from the other party's eyes.

—A mixed-blood mongrel!

In a trance, a woman's venomous voice echoed in her ears, followed by the lashing of a whip and fists.

Her whole body was burning with pain.

Fear, terror!

Crying and pleading could not buy a single moment of pause.

There was only a hollow despair and powerlessness!

Resentment?

That woman had long since died, and even if she wanted to vent, there was no one to find.

Moreover, it is only natural for the weak to be trampled and ravaged by the strong; if one wants to end all this, one only needs to become stronger.

A bit more of a smile appeared on Zesshi Zetsumei's cold, fair cheeks, if this could be called a smile.

The atmosphere became even colder!

"The Theocracy, which has always claimed 'Human Supremacy,' actually harbors a non-pure-blooded human."

"But I can feel your unique status from those few Pontiffs; what a strange situation."

Tang Zheng spoke bluntly as if he were not afraid of death, watching Zesshi Zetsumei, whose expression was becoming increasingly cold, and changed the subject:

"If that legendary existence, Fluder-sama, is the guardian deity of the Baharuth Empire."

"Then, with your status, being able to hold such a unique position in the Slane Theocracy, there is only one possibility: you are the guardian deity of the Slane Theocracy."

"No!"

"I should say, the guardian deity of all humanity!"

When Tang Zheng said the words "guardian deity," his voice was clearly raised by a notch: "Since that is the case, as a human, why would I be afraid?"

The smile on Zesshi Zetsumei's cheeks did not change at all, but the feeling that made the air cold vanished instantly.

"So what?"

Zesshi Zetsumei spoke nonchalantly, looking down from above.

She seemed not to care about these words Tang Zheng said.

However.

That slightly upturned corner of her mouth and her speaking again all indicated that Zesshi Zetsumei was not as indifferent as she appeared.

Indeed!

Tang Zheng felt certain in his heart; although he had only come into contact with Zesshi Zetsumei twice, he had slightly grasped her personality.

To put it nicely, it is "naive."

This likely has to do with the environment she lives in; as a God-kin and the strongest combat power used for deterrence, Zesshi Zetsumei has always been hidden by the Theocracy.

Even though she is over a hundred years old, the number of people who can come into contact with her is still very limited, and coupled with the Theocracy's intentional lack of emotional education and cultivation.

This has led to Zesshi Zetsumei having severe psychological defects and a lack of self-identity.

"I have a few demi-human friends."

"One is a Troll known as the 'King of Martial Arts' Go-Gin, who has stayed in the Baharuth Empire for over 10 years, and the other is my adventurer companion."

Tang Zheng stepped back, distancing himself from the blade pressed against his throat, and seeing that Zesshi Zetsumei had no reaction, he revealed a smile and said:

"My point is, in protecting humanity, I hold the same stance."

"I might even be able to assist you."

Tang Zheng spoke softly and peacefully.

"Ha~?"

Zesshi Zetsumei raised her wrist, shouldering the cross-spear scythe, and mocked:

"Just you? You'd better go assist those old guys."

Watching Zesshi Zetsumei put away her weapon.

Even the killing intent disappeared!

A smile flashed across Tang Zheng's cheek; he did not refute, nor was there any need to.

What satisfied him most was that with this matter as a foundation, future interactions with Zesshi Zetsumei would be much easier.

Zesshi Zetsumei carried the black cross-spear scythe, her demeanor becoming lazy again, glancing faintly at Tang Zheng, feeling unusually good for once.

She was born from a nearly impossible probability of mixed blood.

She had obvious elven features on her body, which were the ears hidden under her hair.

In the Slane Theocracy, which practices "Human Supremacy," even an absolute powerhouse like Zesshi Zetsumei was affected, keeping her ears hidden under her hair at all times.

"Speaking of which, that young girl in your adventurer party is called... what?" Zesshi Zetsumei asked without warning.

"Enri," Tang Zheng said. "Oh."

"From what I understand, she was just an ordinary village girl before, right? How did you discover she had talent?"

Zesshi Zetsumei asked suspiciously, seemingly having investigated and understood "Free Will."

Under the gaze of those heterochromatic eyes.

Tang Zheng shook his head, giving an unexpected answer: "I wasn't sure she had that talent."

"I probably just felt she could do it; the current result is that she did better than I imagined."

Tang Zheng smiled and shrugged his shoulders.

Zesshi Zetsumei was silent for a moment, then turned and left the cathedral. When she walked out of the cathedral hall's entrance.

"Don't forget the toy similar to the cube you mentioned."

"I don't like people who talk big."

Zesshi Zetsumei said coldly without looking back, while throwing her arm backward.

A bronze-colored object was tossed over.

Tang Zheng reached out and caught it; it was exactly the bronze feather-shaped necklace Zesshi Zetsumei had taken out earlier.

—Night.

Guest house, inside the room.

Tang Zheng looked at the bronze feather necklace in his hand, his eyes shining slightly.

Although it looked very rough, overall it had a sense of refinement different from the magic items crafted in this Other World.

"A 'Yggdrasil' game item."

"I never expected such an unexpected harvest, but it is surprising that those six Pontiffs haven't taken it back even now."

Tang Zheng toyed with the bronze feather necklace in his hand, thoughtful:

"Because of Zesshi Zetsumei, or is it a gesture of goodwill?"

"However, the value of this item is indeed not too high, only a level stronger than the magic items of this Other World."

…………

Item: Messenger of Hilmi

Rank: High Rank (31–40)

Restriction: Summoning-type magic caster.

Effect:

—Gift of Summoning: While a summoned creature exists, gain a shield equal to 10% of the summoned monster's HP.

—Phase Shift: The wearer instantly swaps positions with any monster they have summoned (Cooldown 30 seconds.)

Description: The messenger's feet have never truly stepped on one place; its will is only entrusted to its avatar.

…………

A High Rank magic item.

Although the rank is not high, the effect is exceptionally good.

"Indeed a game item, the ability is quite practical."

Tang Zheng looked at the bronze feather pendant in his hand, his eyes flickering slightly.

This was his first time coming into contact with true game equipment from "Yggdrasil"!

He immediately noticed the difference between game items and magic items crafted in this Other World.

Simply put!

The effects of game equipment are more explicit.

While some magic items crafted in this Other World have vague effects, and the abilities of some items can even vary when used by different people.

Besides that.

The "Restriction" information on game items is also more explicit.

"The effect and ability of this magic item were clearly prepared by the Theocracy intentionally for me."

Tang Zheng thought to himself; he had just checked this item and did not find any hidden magic marks.

Click~

The bronze feather necklace swayed slightly.

Tang Zheng did not stand on ceremony and wore it around his neck; he only had two items that could be called equipment on him at the moment.

"'Heaven and Earth' is not monitoring this time either." The smile on Tang Zheng's face deepened.

Due to his leadership this time.

The Slane Theocracy's biggest headache has become the Holy Kingdom, and there is no shortage of tug-of-war between the two sides to gain the greatest benefits.

"Shadow Clone!" Tang Zheng activated the 【Ninja】 skill.

The shadow under the "Everlasting Light" writhed.

A figure exactly the same as Tang Zheng emerged from the shadow and stood to the side.

"Go."

Tang Zheng waved his hand.

Ninjutsu: Concealment!

The shadow clone became illusory, its whole body rapidly disappearing as if merging into the air.

Ninjutsu: Shadow Stealth!

In Tang Zheng's perception, the shadow clone turned into a flowing shadow, rapidly moving outside the guest house and heading toward the depths of the Slane Theocracy.

Taking advantage of the fact that the Theocracy's attention is not on him for the moment.

Tang Zheng needs to investigate the specific location of the "Relics of the Six Great Gods" as soon as possible.

Pity.

Clementine does not know.

Probably only the highest level of the Theocracy and the guardian Zesshi Zetsumei know.

In the next few days!

The Holy Kingdom and the Slane Theocracy continued to negotiate.

Remedios and the others visited from time to time to discuss with Tang Zheng, and both sides fully reached a cooperation.

Mid-month.

May 18th.

Three days passed, and the division of interests between the Holy Kingdom and the Slane Theocracy was basically settled.

And Tang Zheng, through his shadow clone's constant investigation, had roughly identified several mysterious locations in the Slane Theocracy, though he was not sure which one was the storage location for the Six Great Gods' relics.

It is also possible that none of them are.

Tang Zheng did not act rashly; these mysterious locations were heavily guarded, and there was no telling how many magical defenses were hidden.

Most importantly.

Even if Tang Zheng determined the location of the "Six Great Gods' relics," he did not intend to snatch them immediately.

Sunlight from outside the window shone into the room through the glass.

Clementine crossed her arms over her chest, looking at Tang Zheng, who was sitting on the sofa toying with a strange chain-like object made of metal, with both surprise and curiosity.

"My lord, you actually came into contact with that monster twice?" Clementine's purple pupils were filled with disbelief.

That is a terrifying existence that surpasses what normal humans can comprehend!

As soon as Clementine thought about how she had once been casually beaten and taught a lesson by the other party like a toy, a surge of anger rose in her heart, but more than that, it was fear.

Even now.

Just by looking at the other party, Clementine's body trembled uncontrollably.

"A monster? In terms of strength alone, calling the other party that is not wrong."

Tang Zheng checked the metal chain-like object in his hand; this was the toy similar to a Rubik's cube he had made during this time:

"But in terms of personality, she is still quite easy to approach."

If it were someone from his previous life, seeing this peculiar object with 9 spiral metal structures, they would surely be very familiar with it; this is the puzzle toy known as the "Nine-Linked Rings."

Tang Zheng modified it slightly so it looked more like the style of this world.

(End of chapter)