I Will Eventually Embark On The Path Of No Return Called A Hero

[Arc5] - 34. Chasing the Shadow

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"Merlin, Sin of Gluttony, are you not going to attempt the trial? Or should I…" Jenna looked at Merlin, who hadn't moved an inch, "…call you the daughter of Belialuin to get a reaction?"

"Oh? The leader of the Druids can't even pronounce my name?" Merlin replied, standing at a deliberately moderate distance from Jenna, a mysterious smile on her face.

"Are you upset because I categorized you as unworthy? Holding grudges, are we? No, just childish." Jenna, who also appeared as a child, shrugged and sighed with mock resignation. "But I didn't expect you to get involved in the Holy War. Typical you."

In the ancient continent of Britannia, where almost all races aligned either with the Demon Clan or the Goddess Clan, the city of Belialiun, founded by sages, remained neutral. Though this neutrality was ignored by many, it was a power that could not be dismissed. In the eyes of the two gods, this neutrality was insignificant but potentially troublesome if it fell into the hands of the opposing side, so they refrained from hostility.

When a genius with the miraculous power called [Infinity] emerged, however, the two gods took notice. This power could keep flames burning forever, freeze ice eternally, and even interfere with time itself.

The sages would never let such a force fall into the hands of either god. However, the genius defied the sages' will and negotiated with both gods.

[Whoever offers me something that satisfies me, I'll follow them.]

The gods believed this rogue statement without any guarantee. The Demon King offered her all knowledge of demonic secret arts and protection against brainwashing by the Supreme God, while the Supreme God granted her a blessing to nullify any dark curse or commandment.

And then she deceived both gods. The Supreme God and Demon King, having ruled for so long, never imagined a human would dare to trick them. Yet, she did it—and fled.

Even if they destroyed Belialiun in anger, it wouldn't change the outcome; the genius had already secured the world's greatest treasures and now lived freely, doing as she pleased.

"With your reputation as one of the Seven Deadly Sins, I can't help but think you have an ulterior motive."

"Who knows? We used to be old acquaintances, after all," Merlin shrugged, her expression unreadable.

"Liar. That's already the 106th time." Zaneri, who had been silent until now, stepped in front of Merlin, glaring at her with undisguised hostility. "You've disregarded this 106 times to satisfy your own curiosity, pausing your own time. Are you still using that as an excuse?"

"Because I can't do anything about it. The curse cannot be lifted without equally powerful magic," Merlin leaned down, meeting Zaneri's questioning gaze. "I survived that era, and I'm well aware of the prophecy about that 'barely notable' goddess you mention."

"Although it sounds like a desperate threat, that prophecy also hints at her 'dependence' and disdain for both the Supreme God and Demon King. I'm curious—what made her speak so boldly to them?"

[You may be powerful, but that child will surpass you both!]

"I also believe that Cyd is the one foretold in the prophecy, though the strength he displays now is still far from what was foretold. So, I'm curious and intrigued," Merlin's eyes narrowed. "Immortality, a body that only Escanor near noon could damage, ever-growing power, and that shapeshifting box…"

"If he's involved, lifting the excessive curse isn't impossible—in fact, if everything goes as planned, it should be a certainty. So..." Merlin tempered her overflowing curiosity and shifted the topic.

"Though I marked him as unworthy, that's without counting the thirteen magical powers he possesses. If he were an artifact, Cyd would be a perfectly crafted masterpiece—any addition would be superfluous unless it rivals those thirteen powers." Jenna shrugged, looking back at the great tree.

"So, I gave him a trial as a mere formality. The only one here who can rival him is Meliodas."

Cyd is no novice stumbling along the path of heroism; he's already conquered the trials set by the gods. Now, he walks his journey purely by his own will.

A trial should make one stronger, and after fighting with Kronos, who wore down his immortality, Cyd has honed [Reforged Pandora] and the blessings of the gods to their ultimate limits. At this point, Cyd is still interested in any trial that could make him stronger.

A powerful weapon? None is more suited to him than [Reforged Pandora].

Great magical power? He's not of Britannia, so he lacks that capacity.

Tempering his will? There's hardly anything more rigorous than endless death.

These were the only things Cyd could think of, so he was curious about the trial set by the Druids. However, after entering the tree roots, he had been advancing through darkness the whole time.

There was nothing ahead, nothing around him. He had no idea what he was chasing or where his destination lay.

"This trial is so dull," Cyd sighed, stopping in his tracks. He knew his goal clearly, so he took each step without doubt; no matter how arduous the journey, he wouldn't stop. Such a hollow obstacle held no meaning.

"Let's go back."

The moment Cyd turned, his eyes narrowed sharply—a figure stood not far behind him.

How long had this person been following him? He hadn't noticed at all!

"Seems interesting—a foe, perhaps?" Cyd licked his dry lips, rhythmically tapping the hilt of [Reforged Pandora].

The figure did not react to Cyd's defensive stance; instead, it continued its staggered steps.

With Cyd's vision, he could see it clearly—a shadowy figure similar to his own stature. Even as it approached him, the shadow showed no intent to attack. Its every step seemed to be an exhausting effort as if chasing something desperately.

"Hey, you…"

As the shadow brushed past him, Cyd spoke, and at that very moment, the shadow collapsed. The pitch-black surroundings shattered and disappeared, returning him to the roots of the great tree.

"What does this mean?"