Who hid my body?

Chapter 368 The Corpse Parts Are Yours

Isaiah suddenly raised his head and looked at the prison in the distance, his eyes narrowing little by little.

“Teacher?” Mina noticed Isaiah’s change in expression. “What’s wrong? Is there something over there?”

“I sense a dangerous presence,” Isaiah said, “under the prison.”

Mina's heart leaped into her throat: "Could it be..."

“It must be Him,” Isaiah said softly. “Ainhgal.”

The Star Ring Devourer—the giant serpent "Ainhgar"—is also the most powerful servant of the Star God.

As Starlings, we all grew up hearing this name, and we know that He resides in the deepest part of the Abyss Prison, hovering over the final gate as the prison's last gatekeeper.

Mina had no idea that Isaiah had already sensed His presence before they even entered the prison.

"Is He about to come out?" Mina asked nervously.

“Not yet. He has probably just noticed the commotion outside.” Isaiah shook his head. “And He will not leave the final gate. No matter what happens outside, He will remain there, because that is the task our Lord has given Him.”

Upon learning that Ainhgal wouldn't suddenly appear to surprise them, Mina breathed a sigh of relief, but the thought that they would eventually have to face Ainhgal brought her back to her senses.

"What do you plan to do with Him?" Mina couldn't help but ask.

Although she knew that her teacher was undoubtedly the number one person under God.

But Ainhgar is the most powerful servant of the Star God, a true demigod.

Mina wasn't sure who was stronger between the strongest being below the gods and the legendary demigod.

Isaiah did not answer Mina's question directly, but said slowly, "That's not something to consider right now. Before that, I should first say hello to my old friend."

Mina was slightly taken aback.

Old friends? Are there Isaiah's old friends in the Abyss Prison?
Before Mina could figure out who this "old friend" was, a violent explosion suddenly occurred ahead, instantly engulfing the Star Remnant sorcerers who were advancing smoothly in a thick fog.

Is this the Guardians' counterattack?

Mina immediately directed the remaining Star Remnant sorcerers to prepare to find the spellcaster.

But at this moment, the thick fog surged toward the remaining people like a tidal wave. Not only was it extremely fast, but Mina could also feel a violent and intense surge of magic power emanating from it.

Got it!

Mina simply couldn't handle that speed and intensity.

But her inability to cope doesn't mean Isaiah is incapable.

Isaiah, who hadn't made a move since stepping over the sacred monument, raised his hand and did something that instantly halted the surging fog, as if it had been encased in an invisible wall.

"boom"!
The dense fog also exploded at this moment. The huge flames seemed to be able to devour everything, but they could not get past the invisible wall. It was like a wild beast trapped in a cage, only able to roar mindlessly at the people outside the cage.

But the sheer force of the attack still shocked Mina. She couldn't imagine how much damage they would have suffered if their teacher hadn't intervened.

This level of resistance was on a completely different level from the resistance they had encountered before, which made Mina realize that the "old friend" Isaiah had spoken of had arrived.

A dozen seconds later, the towering flames that had ignited the thick fog slowly dissipated, revealing a team of fully armed guardians in full battle stance before the Star Remnant sorcerers.

Clearly, the previous attacks were not only aimed at killing, but also at preparing these defeated guardians for regrouping.

But in front of these guardians was someone Mina could never have imagined.

"Bishop Rocky?!"

Rocky ignored Mina; his gaze remained fixed on Isaiah.

Although he had been mentally prepared for Isaiah's strength, Rocky's lips still twitched involuntarily when he saw Isaiah simply raise his hand to block his carefully prepared attack.

Keep in mind that his spell just now was enhanced with [Disruption], yet it only killed a few reckless Star Remnant sorcerers, and didn't even break Isaiah's defense.

Such a gap is really... no, no, no, I can't show weakness at a time like this.

Rocky took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "You shouldn't have done that, Mr. Isaiah."

“Bishop Loki.” Isaiah wore a faint smile, clearly not surprised by Loki’s sudden appearance. “It’s good to see you here. But I’m a little curious, in what capacity are you speaking to me? Are you Bishop Loki of the Rhine, or…”

Upon hearing this, Rocky knew things were going badly, but there was nothing he could do to stop Isaiah.

"...Where is Mr. Thumb from Peach Blossom Village?"

That damn guy still managed to expose his true identity.

Even now, Rocky still doesn't want the truth about Peach Blossom Village to be exposed, otherwise even if he survives, he won't have any good consequences.

So now when they talk to Diana, it's all done in private, but it's obviously unrealistic to expect him to tell Isaiah to shut up right now.

He could only hope that Diana's funeral arrangements would be handled properly in the future.

“None of that matters,” Rocky said, trying to downplay the issue. “The important thing is that we’ve all fallen into someone’s trap.”

"Hands and eyes?"

“Uru,” Loki said, “this is all Uru’s conspiracy, including everything you’re doing now. He’s the one who really wants to open the Abyss Prison!”

Isaiah's eyes narrowed little by little, as if he was thinking about something.

Seeing Isaiah's reaction, Rocky was naturally delighted.

If Isaiah can realize that he was manipulated by the hand and the eye, then there is still room for maneuver...

“I understand,” Isaiah suddenly spoke. “The other three great sacred monuments… you destroyed one of them, didn’t you?”

Rocky's eyelids twitched violently, and the guardians around him immediately looked at him with surprised and angry eyes, but he could only pretend not to see it.

“That’s why I say we’ve all fallen into that guy’s trap.” Rocky emphasized the word “we.” “He was plotting against all of us from the beginning, just to open the Abyss Prison. So if you continue down this path, you’re just doing what he wants!”

"That's it..."

"You still don't believe me?" "Of course not." Isaiah said with a smile, "From the moment I saw you here, I already guessed what was going on... After all, if even you can think of it, how could I not?"

Rocky's lips twitched again, but he dared not show it, and could only continue, "Since that's the case..."

Do you think I'll back out?

“I understand your concerns,” Rocky said. “But Miss Ring Finger… yes, she’s here. She can assure you that as long as you stop, you won’t face any consequences afterward. No, this wasn’t your responsibility to begin with; it was all Uru’s. We can go now…”

“You misunderstand, Bishop Rocky,” Isaiah interrupted Rocky with a light laugh. “I am unwilling to retreat, not because I am afraid, but because it is no longer necessary.”

"There's no need?" Rocky was slightly taken aback. "Why?"

“Because I have realized that there are things that are above death,” Isaiah said. “After getting this eye, I have been stuck in my ways for far too long, to the point that I have lost my drive to improve. This is unacceptable for someone who looks up at the stars.”

"But you are betraying the God of Star Remnants!"

“If the God of the Stars has blinded my eyes,” Isaiah said calmly, “then He should step aside.”

Rocky opened his mouth, his expression quickly turning to shock.

Rocky had long expected Isaiah to reject him, but he never imagined Isaiah's reason for doing so.

He truly betrayed the God of Stars.

The first person under God betrayed God.

“You’re really insane.” Rocky swallowed hard, the saliva stuck in his throat. “Do you even know what you’re saying? You…”

“Alright.” Isaiah shook his head. “I’m no longer interested in arguing with you. I know you’re here to buy time for that Miss Ring Finger, but the reason I’m talking to you about this is because I want to give you a choice.”

Rocky instinctively asked, "What choice?"

“Give me your piece of body,” Isaiah said, “and I may spare your life.”

Rocky's eyelids twitched.

“You don’t need to side with the ring finger, do you?” Isaiah said calmly. “Give me the finger, and then stay out of it. Whatever the outcome, it’s none of your business, is it?”

Rocky was somewhat tempted, but with countless eyes watching him, he couldn't show it. He simply asked, "How do I know you're telling the truth? Based on your guarantee?"

“I’m giving you a choice, not a guarantee,” Isaiah said. “I’m giving you this choice only because I have many more people to deal with later, and I don’t want to waste too much energy on you, even though you are indeed very weak.”

Rocky: "..."

"Alright." Isaiah raised his hand and drew a scepter gleaming with starlight from the night. "Make your choice, Mr. Thumb."

The moment the scepter appeared, an immense pressure surged forth like a tidal wave, making it difficult for Rocky to breathe.

This guy's about to make a move!
So should I kneel?
Just as Loki hesitated, his guardians behind him, whether feeling the pressure or wanting to force Loki to make a choice, all raised their sealing swords high.

"In the name of the Lord!" they shouted in unison, "Punish all who break their oath!"

The sealed swords in their hands also began to vibrate, and the power unique to the Land of Contracts suddenly erupted at this moment.

"Forbidden Magic!"

They shouted again, and the rippling waves spread rapidly, turning all the magic they touched into nothingness. Even the scepter in Isaiah's hand was affected; the star at the top of the scepter dimmed quickly, as if it might go out at any moment.

The guardians' sealing power was an indiscriminate, area-of-effect attack, so Isaiah was affected. Loki, who was standing in front of these guardians, was even more unable to avoid it and was almost crippled.

Damn it, are these guys really not planning to take me down too?!

Rocky cursed inwardly.

Despite his complaints, Loki did not stop the guardians; in fact, he even gave them a thumbs-up.

[Disturbance]!
With the added power of [Disturbance], the already tyrannical sealing force was amplified, directly forming an absolute anti-magic domain around their swords, instantly silencing the Star Remnant sorcerers around Isaiah who wanted to retaliate.

This is the unique power bestowed upon the Land of Contracts by the gods, so that the Land of Contracts can suppress all those with ulterior motives in this world; it is a true divine power.

Even Isaiah, the most powerful being under God, could not resist such power.

After the anti-magic field was completed, the guardians raised the sealing sword once more, and at this moment, crimson-gold flames ignited on the sealing sword again.

This blazing flame is also a unique Devouring Flame of the Contract Land, capable of devouring everything it touches, and no means other than the guardian itself can extinguish it.

After igniting the Devouring Flame, the Guardian Legion immediately charged towards Isaiah and his students, while Loki stood still, watching their backs and pondering a question.

The Rhine Knights, who can enter the state of divine blessing, have always been considered the most elite force in the world. If it weren't for their limited numbers, they would be fully capable of sweeping across the world.

But compared to the guardians of the Land of Contracts, the Knights of the Rhine are practically primitive.

It was as if the gods had bestowed all their favor upon the Land of Contracts, upon this legion of guardians who wielded unique sealing power. Especially after gaining a deeper understanding of the composition of this force, Loki simply couldn't think of any way to defeat them.

But why, when watching them charge toward Isaiah, did Loki only feel that they were throwing their lives away?

The unparalleled magic-suppressing domain and the golden flames capable of devouring everything were so... powerless in front of that weathered old man?
Rocky's eyes widened, eager to see how Isaiah would retaliate in this situation.

Isaiah simply raised his scepter unhurriedly, his star-like right eye turning slightly.

……

A few minutes later, Isaiah slowly put away his scepter and calmly gazed at Rocky not far away.

Loki, meanwhile, stared at the corpses of the guardians scattered across the ground, at the clusters of golden flames that seemed poised to go out at any moment, and at the broken, scrap metal-like seal sword.

After a brief moment of thought.

There was a "click".

He tore off his only remaining thumb on his right hand.

“Here’s the body parts,” Rocky said. “Let me go.”

(End of this chapter)