I planted a sacred tree in Tokyo.

Chapter 589 The Lord Walks Among the Humans
new York,

"Report! It's confirmed:"

"The superhuman who calls himself 'Lord' is actually Luigi Nicolas Mangio;"

"Several months ago, he was sent to explore 'R'lyeh' by the Holy Church as a D-rank member; afterwards, he disappeared along with the exploration ship 'America'."

After listening to his subordinate's report, Major General Darhuan was speechless.

"Why do those damned insects only do such stupid things?"

In theory,
R'lyeh is their holy site!
Well, that place is indeed fraught with danger, and the various supernatural beings living there don't seem to recognize their identity as 'believers'.

But in the extraordinary world, don't they understand the principle that the greater the danger, the greater the reward?
Use prisoners to scout the way
Isn't this creating rivals for myself?!

"Strictly speaking, this is the best possibility right now."

The adjutant general calmly analyzed the situation.
“Luigi is a good man, we don’t need to worry about him coming to attack us.”

If they were ordinary prisoners, the first thing they would do upon gaining supernatural powers would be to run back and take revenge on the Holy Church.

But under Luigi's leadership, these extraordinary prisoners embarked on a journey of 'saving the world'; it's unclear whether Luigi was simply too charismatic or too powerful.
"Your Excellency Major General has had contact with the other party and speaks highly of them?"

"right,"

Major General Darhuan nodded.
He once had a long talk with Luigi: although the two disagreed with each other's views, they were of one mind in resisting the invasion of the Burning Legion.

Unexpectedly, he, as the 'Archbishop,' has yet to achieve anything, while Luigi has already shocked the world.

"Flame Lord!"

I heard that the swordsman from the island nation, codenamed 'Shura,' was blown to bits and barely survived.

Regardless, this is undoubtedly the first time that 'humanity' has killed a B-level powerhouse; it is a tremendous encouragement to the people of this era.

and so--

“Let our media keep quiet,”

"Yes, Major General!"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Firelord Mannoroth has been slain!

This news swept across the entire planet like a hurricane, even overshadowing the 'second battle' between Jiu Kong Yao Ai and Duke Yan Yang on Sun Island.

In the eyes of ordinary people, what's the difference between a Ghost-level/B-level powerhouse and a 'god'? They are both terrifying beings capable of slaughtering cities and destroying countries, and insulting modern armies, and you can't even resist them!
But now, he has died at the hands of two 'humans'!
How could people not be excited?
How could I not be excited!
Strictly speaking, the island nation's 'Shura' and America's 'Lord' are superhumans, not 'humans'.

But what does it matter? At least they were once human, so can I be too? No, no, no, even if I can't, as long as the 'heroes' among humanity can stand up, they can still survive in this era, and humanity will still have a future!
This is the most important point, giving countless people 'hope'.

Even if this hope is wishful thinking, it's enough.

The whole world went wild with celebration!
The most intense competition, of course, is in New Mexico:

Under the cover of night, countless people trekked and walked towards Rio Rancho.

Because this is the headquarters of the Akatsuki organization, and the hero who calls himself the "Master"—no, the "Savior"—is right there!
It was already midnight in America, but streams of lights were flowing towards Rio Rancho from all directions. It didn't matter whether these people came to worship, seek refuge, watch the spectacle, or were even being coerced.

Importantly, this fervent spirit is constantly converging on the churches in Rio Rancho, the western part of the city, and the Rio Rancho film industry belt.

"Lord, do you really want to?"

"Should we finish digesting the previous potion first—"

Luigi shook his head slightly in response to Audero and Secus's cautious persuasion.

"Time is running out,"

For this mission, he risked taking extra potions, causing various forces within him to clash violently; he may appear to be a normal person, but it's not impossible for him to lose control and turn into a monster in the next second.

It will take several years to eliminate these chaotic thoughts.

But he can't even wait a few months, let alone a few years!

So we can only run wildly until:

Shattered!

"You can all leave now, I'm about to begin."

? !
"Yes, Lord."

Seeing that Luigi had made his decision, Audero and Secus exchanged a glance and had no choice but to leave the church.

"My lords, Lord."

The others who were waiting outside gathered around and asked with concern.

Those who are family know their own situation best; the power they wield carries enormous risks: three of their companions have already 'gone out of control' and turned into monsters, a scene still vivid in their minds.

The priest, who was just laughing and joking a moment ago, suddenly turned into a monster who turned on people and killed them, completely losing his reason and humanity.
Now, their 'master' is about to ascend again:
Two promotions in such a short period of time are practically tantamount to suicide.

"Lord, he will be alright!"

"must!"

Inside the church, Luigi took out a bottle of golden potion.

This potion is made primarily from the extraordinary properties of 'Manolos': though called a potion, it looks more like it contains golden light.

Drink it and you'll gain B-grade power!

More likely, it will lose control and become a monster.
"Shouldn't we say something at a time like this?"

Raising the golden potion in his hand, Luigi revealed a smile that was both refined and slightly arrogant.

"Come, bitter guide, desperate harbor pilot—now hurry and ram your ship, weary of the storm, against those jagged rocks!"

After reciting this classic passage from Shakespeare, Luigi tilted his head back and drank the potion in one gulp.

砰、

The empty bottle fell to the ground and shattered into pieces.

"Ah ah ah ah ah!!!!"

Luigi, clutching his head and engulfed in flames, let out a painful scream.

Flames leaped across his flesh and burst from his features, the violent force brutally destroying his body; yet, bound by the 'rules,' everything was constantly repaired, subjecting him to repeated tortures akin to 'death by a thousand cuts.'

However, physical pain is nothing compared to the mental battle: for someone like Luigi, even being torn to pieces would not sway him.
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The world of the mind
The once modern city is collapsing in large swathes, representing the destruction of Luigi's perception.

What destroyed all of this was the surging lava and flames: countless fire creatures leaped out in the sulfurous winds, attacking in all directions.

Commanding this army was naturally a colossal, incomparable demonic figure, accompanied by raging flames and molten lava, wielding a double-headed spear as thick as a mountain, advancing with unparalleled arrogance!
"Pathetic mortals, attempting to devour a great fire lord!"

Mannoroth's body was destroyed, but his soul remained in the 'potion'; after Luigi took it, it immediately launched an attack, attempting to destroy the mortal's mind from within.

"By destroying your soul, I can rise from your corpse—how can the great fire demon be defeated by humans?"

Under his leadership, the Flame Army swept through the city with overwhelming force!

But soon, they encountered the enemy.

The dark shadow monster, illuminated by the firelight, moved through the back of buildings and cracks in the earth, dragging fire creatures into them until the light went out.
The shrunken brain floating in the air flashed with invisible light, and immediately some fire creatures turned against it, being controlled by its mind.

And from the fog that shrouded the city, giant tentacles suddenly stretched out—

Rumble, rumble! !
The giant tentacles swept across, instantly crushing a cluster of fiery creatures, along with city buildings, into ashes.

It was none other than the tentacle monster that had once fought Manolos.
Not only that, the city streets began to twist, and a viscous black liquid seeped from the cracks in the bricks, like bleeding wounds. The light of the streetlights was swallowed up by an invisible force, leaving only a faint halo, as if it would be extinguished at any moment; the air was filled with the smell of decay, and the shadows of trees stretched on the walls, gradually detaching from their bodies and transforming into twisted monsters.

The clock tower's hands spun wildly, emitting a piercing screeching sound; at the end of the street, a building suddenly collapsed, revealing a bottomless crack from which whispers could be heard, as if countless people were murmuring that countless anomalies were coming from all directions, threatening to engulf the advancing legion of flames.

"Hmph, a mere twisted and corrupt power—"

Manolos suddenly plunged his double-headed spear into the earth, and with a roar, countless huge cracks spread out, from which endless magma surged forth.

Immediately following:

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

Beams of light shot out from Manolos's eyes, heading straight for the giant tentacle monster, slicing it apart and causing it to roar in chaos.

It was clear that Manolos had become more cautious after being killed in close combat with a single blow to the head;
I'd rather use ranged attacks to continuously deal damage than directly engage with my sword.

boom! ! ! boom! ! ! boom! ! !
Two colossal creatures clashed fiercely in the city, with a large number of fire-based creatures and monsters of the same type joining the battle.
The two sides clashed fiercely, fighting until the sky darkened, and the final victor was:
"It is I, the great Mannoroth!!"

As the giant tentacle monster crashed to the ground, Manolos, holding his double-headed spear high, declared his victory.

"Thank you,"

? ?
A familiar voice suddenly rang out, causing the Flame Lord, who was proclaiming victory, to turn around abruptly.

Luigi stood amidst the lava ruins not far away, sincerely thanking Manolos:
"I feel much better."

This is the truth.

The 'extraordinary properties' he had ingested were highly corrosive and disruptive, forming numerous twisted monsters in Luigi's mind, which had always been his 'major nemesis'; now, after being slaughtered by the Flame Lord in front of him, Luigi could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Even if it's only temporary,
???

The other party seemed sincere, but in Manolos' eyes, it was nothing but blatant mockery.

They're actually using the noble Flame Lord!!
"I'll burn you—"

Just as the enraged Manolos raised his double-headed spear, Luigi also raised his hand from afar.

Brush, brush, brush, brush, brush

One after another, jet-black tentacles shot out from the earth and wrapped around the Flame Lord's arms, weapons, and hooves!

This is, after all, Luigi's mental world, and his own power is 'mental,' giving him far greater control over this place than other extraordinary beings. This is the source of his confidence in undertaking this risky advancement.

"Ah!! You bastard—"

Having already died and just fought another battle, Manolos's soul was being pulled downwards by these dark tentacles.

"You think you can imprison me like this?!"

The enormous fire lord struggled incessantly, but ultimately lost all the power it possessed in life.

"I will return! Insignificant humans, one day I will ignite you—"

Glug glug

As Manolos was pulled completely underground, Luigi's soul staggered.

"it is finally over."

No, not yet!
"It's not time to rest yet,"

Looking at the ruined city, Luigi spread his hands.

"First, there must be light."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

real world,

Orancho, America.

The city was already packed with people who had rushed there, and people even had to stop outside the city center to pray for the Oranjo film industry belt in the west of the city.

There is a superhuman there who is willing to fight for ordinary people and has even destroyed a 'Flame Lord'.

Hero, savior, or god.
What title they use doesn't matter; at the very least, everyone sincerely hopes that this person can protect them.

光、

A light appeared in the distance.
This startled countless people who were praying;
During this period in America, light was not necessarily 'brightness'; more often than not, it was destruction!

Fortunately, soon, deafening cheers erupted from the direction from which the light came; countless praises, cries, and shouts converged into one word:

"host!!!!"

With more and more people shouting enthusiastically,

A beam of light shot upwards suddenly, disappearing into the night sky and into the clouds:
The next second, the light spread out, transforming into a dazzling golden radiance; within the magnificent golden holy light, a sacred world gradually emerged in the sky:

The entire structure is made of pure white jade, forming countless magnificent Gothic temples. Spires, cross arches, flying buttresses, and slender columns are decorated with colorful stained glass windows, layer upon layer. Bathed in holy light, it is more majestic and grand than any human building, displaying supreme majesty.

The road is formed of golden light, the path to heaven that guides believers, inspiring longing in people's hearts;

Everywhere is dotted with lush green grass and blooming flowers; these plants shimmer and shine, not with reflected light, but with the purest light emanating from within; just seeing them fills one with joy.
In comparison, any colorful scenery in the mortal world has an imperfection of flaws and fading.

Under this heavenly scenery, the clouds in the night sky are illuminated in a dazzling display of white and gold, imbued with a sense of holiness and purity.

And there were countless tiny children, with pure white wings on their backs and holy halos shimmering with sacred light above their heads, chasing and playing in the city. Endless holiness, boundless magnificence, limitless majesty, and infinite peace!

“I have come to you.”

Break the chains of the iron yoke, so that the prisoners may see the morning light;
"To blot out the sins of the parchment scrolls, so that the scattered may find their pastures."

Amidst the light, a magnificent voice resounded;

"The lame must leap in my spring."

The blind will be able to see the main road from this place.
Come to me, all you who are weary, and find rest.
"For all who thirst, I will send down honeydew forever—"

The sound spread far and wide, reaching the ears of countless people heading to New Mexico, bringing tears to their eyes.

"For the Lord so loves the world!"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

slap slap slap,

On the other side of the planet, Yu clapped her hands.

"Brilliant, truly brilliant, no wonder he is called the 'savior'."

"Tch, it's just an illusion."

To the magnificent 'heaven' depicted in the mirror, Sora disdainfully revealed the truth.

"Don't underestimate illusion magic. If used well, it can accomplish great things."

Yu himself started out with 'illusion techniques', so how could he possibly underestimate them? After Luigi's advancement, he immediately relied on the newly acquired wisp of 'Radiant Escape' combined with illusion techniques to create this image of a 'savior' descending to earth, which made Yu feel quite impressed.

He's truly a talented individual.

Not even half as good as my brother~~

He smiled nonchalantly at Qiong's words.

"I won't be modest—of course."

(End of this chapter)