Chapter 36

CHAPTER 36

The City of Dionysus (6)

Majesty Yu Jae-ha raised an eyebrow.

"Delreira? First time I've heard that name. Who the hell is that?"

Ju-Heon's brows shot up at Cynthia's words.

She thought we could make the higher Majesties panic?

Cynthia spoke in a subdued voice.

"When you say 'the higher Majesties'... you mean that guy we just saw and someone named Delreira?"

"Bitrain's partner. The Majesty of Civilization and Prosperity. Bitrain has been investing a great deal into raising that person. And I'm the one supplying the harvest."

The moment she uttered the name, Cynthia's expression stiffened.

Merely saying their names seemed enough to make the temperature around her drop.

Ju-Heon muttered with a sneer,

"What, you keep saying 'offer the harvest.' What are you, livestock?"

"...Yeah."

Cynthia let out a hollow laugh before biting her lip.

"That person's important to the Majesties."

"Why?"

"Agriculture is the relic that marked the beginning of civilization. In other words, Delreira can erect structures that symbolize civilization and, through the power of abundance, has the potential to extend human lifespans... the lifespan of relics... the lifespan of city facilities... practically anything."

"So that's why they're so important."

"...There actually was one other person."

"For a while."

"One of the Executors."

Her next words were almost a whisper.

"But they ran away."

Even so, Ju-Heon still looked puzzled.

His gaze shifted to the side.

Yu Jae-ha folded his arms, pretending to yawn while looking away.

It was an obvious act.

Ju-Heon muttered inwardly,

"But extending human lifespans is one thing. Extending the lifespan of relics and city facilities? Doesn't this world have restorers? Or... do you need a Majesty-level restorer?"

So that's what he's after.

For a brief moment, Cynthia's expression froze.

"They're putting all their effort into Delreira because Delreira can extend the lifespan of relics in place of the restorer who ran away."

Ju-Heon finally understood.

So that's why the Rulebook suddenly stepped in.

It had warned them not to interfere with this place because the harvest here was being offered to Delreira.

This city was one of the farms they were cultivating.

"But how can the same relic exist in two worlds at once? Is there one relic for every timeline?"

Silence fell.

Then Cynthia answered.

"Actually... I have another question."

"...No. A relic is a unique existence."

"There is only one across all worlds."

"Only one? Then how can there be one in two worlds—"

Ju-Heon's gaze pierced straight through her.

"Your Dionysus relic."

"I have one too."

Ju-Heon stopped speaking.

Cynthia's eyes wavered as she stared into empty space.

Before becoming a Majesty, Ju-Heon had obtained a whole collection of Greek myth relics.

"That's right."

"There is only one relic."

She continued.

A chilling silence settled over them.

Ju-Heon understood immediately.

"They only... extracted the abilities."

"...So the one in my world is just an empty shell."

Ju-Heon's expression slowly darkened.

Keeping her head lowered, Cynthia forced out a reply.

"Who did it?"

"Bitrain."

"At least that's what happened to my Dionysus relic. From what I've heard, you protected your world using the Zeus relic, didn't you? Which means they probably couldn't steal the powers of the Chief God-class relics."

The air grew cold.

"He infiltrated each world and stole only the abilities."

"That's right."

"He extracted only the powers... then created entirely new relics with them."

"That's what my 'Dionysus relic' is."

Everything finally made sense.

Before becoming a Majesty, Ju-Heon had collected countless Greek relics.

Since they constantly caused trouble, he'd simply sealed most of them away instead of using them.

Even then, he'd always felt their powers were strangely weak.

The Dionysus relic he possessed could do little more than make people feel good...

Or produce alcohol.

Back then, he'd assumed it was some scheme by the enemies trying to stop him from becoming a Majesty.

Yu Jae-ha chuckled.

"That figures. The Dionysus relic here intoxicated an entire world and even created something like Madness Energy."

"I knew he was a shady bastard."

"So that's what he's been doing all this time."

Ju-Heon, however, was delighted.

Because what Cynthia had just said meant—

"So he's got quite an obsession with Greek relics."

"Of course."

"The more famous a relic is, the stronger it becomes."

"The more well-known the mythology, the greater its power."

So if I recover those stolen abilities... my relics will become even stronger?

They were already powerful and incredibly useful.

Just how much stronger could they become?

To begin with, Greek relics were the type Ju-Heon owned the most.

Realizing what he was thinking, Cynthia added,

"Delreira also possesses a famous Greek myth relic."

"That's why the Majesties who possess Greek relics all bow before that person."

"And why Bitrain is investing so much effort into them."

"Oh?"

"What relic does Delreira have?"

"The Relic of Demeter."

Unexpectedly, Cynthia turned her gaze toward Ju-Heon's chest.

"...Cup Ramen."

Ju-Heon froze.

Demeter...?

That relic sounds worth stealing.

A relic of Civilization and Prosperity certainly lived up to its name.

But that wasn't the important part.

What Ju-Heon really needed to know was why Cynthia had saved them.

"...What?"

"That Cup Ramen."

"The Cup Ramen's memory destroyed the Relic of Lethe."

"And the owner of that relic is you, Seo Ju-Heon."

"So that's why you saved us?"

"I already told you."

"I thought you might be capable of causing trouble for the Majesties above."

"And what made you think that?"

Ju-Heon's expression turned strange.

Well... I'm not exactly its owner...

"The Relic of Lethe was also created by Bitrain."

"And that Cup Ramen destroyed it."

Ju-Heon laughed dismissively.

Clenching her fists tightly, Cynthia continued,

"So I started wondering..."

"If that Cup Ramen could destroy Lethe..."

"...then maybe you—or even the Cup Ramen—could destroy the other Majesties' relics as well."

"...!"

"I don't believe you just happened to wander into my city by luck."

"...Haah."

"So that's why you treated us well."

"Because you thought you could use us."

"Yes."

"That's right."

"I wanted to use you."

"Someone has to bring down Bitrain..."

"...bring down those people above."

She raised her head.

There was no apology on her face.

Only conviction.

Necessity.

And hope.

Ju-Heon's eyes sharpened ever so slightly.

It wasn't emotion.

It was calculation.

Cynthia stepped closer.

"You..."

"...are the first—and perhaps the last—variable capable of destroying the Majesties' relic system."

"I know you have no reason to trust me."

"But I won't betray you."

"Because the moment I do..."

"...my hope dies with it."

She finished with one final sentence.

"That's why..."

"...I chose you."

The moment she finished speaking, Yu Jae-ha let out a low whistle.

"...So?"

Ju-Heon nodded as though telling her to continue.

"And?"

"If we join hands..."

"...what do we gain?"

Cynthia remained silent for a long time.

Finally, she lowered her head.

"...What Bitrain and Delreira truly want..."

"...is your world."

"...What?"

"It's possible."

"I witnessed your Majesty battle against Mars."

"In your world, every relic below the Chief God class was completely neutralized, wasn't it?"

"That's right."

Ju-Heon's brow furrowed slightly.

Served Ares right for getting cocky.

Cynthia smiled bitterly.

"My world?"

"No."

"Your world."

"Bitrain's objective, following the orders of the Supreme God relics, is to destroy your world."

"And Delreira covets the relics that exist there."

"Because of that..."

"The invasions of your world stopped."

"Thanks to the shield you created."

"As long as the Zeus relic remains in your world..."

"...Greek relics cannot interfere with it."

Cynthia continued,

The moment she said that, Ju-Heon smiled as though everything had clicked into place.

"I get it."

"So if they destroy my Zeus relic..."

"...they'll be able to invade."

"Exactly."

"Once the Chief God relic is gone..."

"...your world will be completely defenseless."

"By now..."

"...the signs have probably already begun appearing in your world."

"A world without a Majesty is quietly consumed from within."

The moment he heard that—

Familiar faces flashed through Ju-Heon's mind.

His family.

His comrades.

The people waiting for him back home.

Beside him, Yu Jae-ha shamelessly whistled.

"So that's their real objective."

"Destroy the Zeus relic."

"They only withdrew because they were preparing for a full-scale invasion."

"Exactly."

"Which means..."

"...your world is already in danger."

Cynthia stepped close enough that their faces were almost touching.

Though she still looked intoxicated, her eyes shone with complete clarity.

Ju-Heon's brow twitched ever so slightly.

"If you want to protect your world..."

"...I'll help you."

"But in return..."

"...help me."

"I want to escape from them too."

"Our goals are the same."

"...Aren't they?"

The corner of Ju-Heon's mouth curled upward.

"Your Majesty..."

"...you're a very calculating queen."

"...Fine."

He continued slowly,

"An alliance."

"For three days."

"I'll be your black knight."

Yu Jae-ha quietly muttered,

"A black knight, my ass."

"When a thief offers you a handshake first..."

"...they've already planned exactly what they're going to steal."