Chapter 372 Chapter 371: God and his Prophet

"What is it, My Lord?" Ninia switched to 'my lord' while calling Zach as she realized it was something serious.

"I reached level 100, and now I am allowed to enter the second main realm," Zach stated calmly.

"Oh…" Ninia's eyes widened for a second before getting heavy. She lowered her gaze and muttered, "I see."

"Yeah. Initially, I was thinking of ascending alone and clearing the realms. And return here every night or every two days. But I realized that was not a great idea."

After a brief pause, he continued, "As you already know, to enter the second main realm, a player has to be level 100 or more, and neither Victoria nor Aria has reached level 100.

And it's hard to reach level 100. If they start to level up now, it could take them a month. Usually, I would love to stay and relax here for a month. Spread my religion and just cultivate it all the time. But I don't have time."

"Why…?" Ninia asked calmly. "Is there something you have to do?"

"I am trapped in this world like all the other players. The sooner we clear it, the better. We all want to go home, and I think I am the only one who can clear this game."

Zach didn't show any body or facial expression while saying that. He knew his words were hurting Ninia, so he didn't even look at her while speaking.

"If you… clear the game and return to your world, that would mean we would never see each other again…"

"No. That's not true." Zach shook his head and said, "I promised you I won't leave you behind, and I will keep that promise. Once everything has settled, I will come to get you and take you to the human world. We will always be together."

Ninia held Zach's hand in her hands and uttered, "You can't vouch for the future. The promise you make might not hold a weight on you when you make them, but it slowly gets heavier and ultimately becomes a burden on you.

I don't want to drag you or anyone down. Even if you leave me behind, I would gladly accept my fate."

Zach bit his lips and asked, "If you really mean it… then why are you crying?"

Tears were rolling down Ninia's cheek, and her eyes had become red.

"It's just water."

"Don't lie. A nun shouldn't lie."

"I don't want you to leave me!" Ninia hugged Zach and wailed in his arms.

Zach patted her back and said, "I am not leaving you behind."

"Every time you are away from me, I constantly fear that you might be in danger. My heart always feels like it's about to pop out of my chest. I can't sleep. I can't eat. I can't taste the food. I can't focus on healing. I can't focus on praying. I can't do anything. Nothing…" she bellowed.

"I don't know how I can reassure you. To be honest, I am not sure myself. But I have to try. For you, for Aurora, for Aria, For Victoria, for Aquarius, For Ruli, and for Xie Lua. I have to do what I am tasked with. I have to defeat the gods. I was born for that. I was trained for that. I… have to end the era of gods."

He nodded to himself and continued, "Did you know… I hated my father. He had a harem. Truth to be told, I didn't hate that he had a harem. I had many moms, and they all loved me. But I never met my real mother.

I hated 'him' for having a harem, not the idea of the harem. He rarely came home, and even when he was home, most of the time, he came to take care of some unfinished business. He never had time to mother Erza or anyone.

He didn't have time for me, nor Zoe. We all wanted his attention and love, but all he cared about was his work; his duty was a pillar of the world. But…"

Zach scoffed wryly and uttered, "I was wrong. He wasn't committing himself to his duty. He wasn't protecting the world. He was protecting me. He was protecting my family. He did everything for us. He sacrificed his time, happiness, relationship, everything— to protect us.

And now, he is waiting for me. It's my turn to save him. To save you and everyone. I am Zagreus Astaroth, son of Deus and the demon queen Lilith. I was born dead with no body but a faintly beating heart.

I wasn't meant to be alive. But my father didn't give up. He went against the order of the universe and gave me life. He triggered a cosmic impact. And I can trigger millions of cosmic impacts. I can go to any length to save my loved ones."

He held Ninia's face in his hands and caressed it before saying, "Not even a death can stop me. I am the husband of death and destruction, dammit."

Ninia gently smiled at him and kissed him on the lips.

"Just like your task, I also have a task, which is to love you and devote my everything to you. Please, don't worry about me and do what you must. I will stay in your heart even if I can't come with you.

I am not a player, so I can't even message you like you do with others. But I will reach you with my prayers. I am an NPC, so I can't even level up like the players, so I can't try to be with you. But you will always be in my heart.

I will wait for your return and welcome you wholeheartedly upon your arrival."

"What… did you just say…?" Zach asked with a curious look on his face.

"I will wait for your written—"

"No, before that."

"I am not a player—"

Zach suddenly hugged Ninia and said, "There is a way!"

"Hmm?"

"If I can take Aria and Victoria with me to the higher realms, then I should be able to take you too!"

DING!

[We need you here! It's an emergency!]

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Thanks, @zippercritter, for the gift!