Chapter 188 Rivka has been given an assignment?
Prelude to the "Grand Conflict Resolution Arc".
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(POV: Akashic Records)
Rivka leaned forward in her plush chair, her gaze fixed on Ignatius.
"Please, Ignatius, tell me more about this Curse King," she urged.
If there was a tiering list for the most hated set of people, then a definite number one would be— Curse Kings.
Of course, people hated Demon Kings as well as people in their category, however, not all of them were bad. A good number of them were diplomatic to an extent, and a few were like Demon King Malphas.
An Archdemon who ruled over the Abyss— 8th Layer of Hell.
He was defeated and sealed in his domain by Lady Aurelia herself.
Rivka?s thoughts were shaped by Aurelia herself. She had a deep sense of respect for her.
"Lady Aurelia mentioned him during our meeting, but I want to understand the full extent of his significance."
Ignatius, his emerald hair glistening under the soft glow of the chandelier, smiled gently.
"Ah, yes," he began, his voice calm as always. "If I remember correctly... you all compiled a list of potential threats emanating from the Cross Kingdom. The Uncontested One, Eris Fergonius, and Gal Pendragon were among those names," he confirmed, his voice trailing off momentarily.
Rivka nodded.
"Yes, I remember those names," she said softly. "So, what puts the Curse King on their level? What makes him so dangerous?"
Ignatius leaned back in his chair, his finger circling the rim of his pristine wine glass, as if contemplating the enormity of his words.
"He's a Grade 0 threat level."
Rivka's grip tightened around her forgotten fork.
"What're you saying? Is there concrete evidence to support these claims?" she pressed.
Ignatius took a deep breath, his voice somber.
"Just a few days ago, Lumiere unleashed a cataclysmic Apex Skill, the likes of which put him on such a level. The Apex Skill tore through an entire plane, ripping apart the very fabric of reality itself. It distorted space and time, threatening to plunge our world into chaos and non-existence."
The chances that Lumiere's 『Voracious Queen Adephagia』 would devour the God Continent was astronomically low.
Rivka's eyes widened in disbelief, the light in her vibrant blue orbs dimming slightly.
"Impossible," she whispered. "There's no way such devastation could be caused by an Apex Skill of someone so—! Someone so—!"
Ignatius shook his head.
"Believe me, Lady Rivka, there was no exaggeration in my words," he asserted, a firmly spoken voice. "Lady Aurelia believes there's no luxury to doubt the magnitude of this Curse King?s power. Without the intervention of the Imperial Red Dragon, one of the Five Orders, the Church of the Divine Union would have been forced to take action. And we know how that'll go."
"Tch," Rivka?s eyes darted to the side momentarily. "The Hammer of Sanctum will act."
"Indeed."
The Hammer of Sanctum was an epithet for King Baldwin IV.
He was also the Pope of the Holy Church Union, which made him the highest religious power.
In other words, he, more than anyone else, had the right to step into situations like these if he pleased.
However, while King Baldwin IV was a divine human, Aurelia preferred herself as the suitable individual to watch over the entirety of the humans outside the God Continent. Still, King Baldwin IV still received reports on her progress, wanting to step in when necessary.
Although he had to be concerned with what happened to Archbishop Grev, he didn't interfere because his church wasn't affiliated with the Holy Church Union.
Rivka frowned at the thought of this.
She'd met him once, when she went to the holy city of Sanctum.
"But why hasn't Lady Aurelia called a meeting with the ten commandments?" she wondered aloud. "Shouldn't we all be discussing this? We have nothing to be scared of, yes, but caution matters as well."
Ignatius leaned forward.
"Lady Aurelia has an alternative plan in motion," he revealed. "She knows that the solution lies within your unique experiences, Rivka."
"Hm? I don't follow."
"Among the Ten, you're one of the few who has encountered a Curse King and their unorthodox Curse Magic."
Rivka's eyes widened with realization, a spark of excitement igniting within her.
"Go on."
"Well, to put it simply— Lady Aurelia wants you and your division to handle the conference with the monarchs of the Shield and Cross Kingdoms."
"You mean to say... she wants me to handle the conference with the—"
"Indeed," Ignatius politely cut her off.
Rivka cleared her throat realizing she was showing off her excitement a little too much.
"W-well... whatever... I'll handle it."
Ignatius nodded, smiling gently.
"Lady Aurelia has placed her trust in you and your division. She believes that together, you can bring about a swift victory for her."
Zeal coursed through Rivka's veins, propelling her to her feet.
The force of her sudden movement rattled the dining table, causing it to wobble slightly.
"I am honored to accept this task," Rivka declared.
Ignatius chuckled softly, the sound warm and comforting.
"Ah, Lady Rivka, always eager to take on a challenge," he remarked.
"I suppose I and my division should head out as soon as possible then."
"That is only the beginning of your mission," he said.
Rivka leaned forward, her cerulean eyes wide with curiosity.
"Tell me," she urged. "What else does Lady Aurelia require of me?"
Rivka was the sort of individual that would do anything to ensure that the Hero Goddess got all that she wanted.
Would she die for her? Yes.
Would she kill for her? If she could do the aforementioned, then this was but a mundane task.
A contemplative silence filled the air as Ignatius carefully chose his next words.
"Of equally high priority," he finally spoke, his voice measured, "will be the Curse King— bring him back to the God Continent."
Naturally, Aurelia wanted to have her fun with him.
Lumiere would be her dog. Nothing would stop her from achieving that goal.
No more could she pleasure herself to his appearance. She wanted to meet him.
And Rivka?s job, was to make that happen.
Rivka's fingers interlocked, her elbows resting on the polished dining table. She brought her chin to rest on her interlocked fingers, she looked at Ignatius.
"And what if he resists?" she inquired with a steady and composed voice. "Do I have permission to kill him?"
Ignatius's stoic expression softened ever so slightly, some mischief danced in his eyes.
"Oh," he chuckled, "Lady Aurelia desires the Curse King to be unharmed, but a few damaged limbs wouldn't be frowned upon. A small reminder of our power, if you will."
Rivka's cerulean eyes shone as she rose from her seat.
"Is there anything else I need to know?"
Ignatius's demeanor shifted abruptly.
The warmth in his eyes disappeared, replaced by a cold and sinister gleam.
"Overwhelm the Curse King," he declared, his voice laced with an eerie calmness. "Don't allow him a single moment to breathe, unless you desire your own death. Lady Aurelia expects nothing less than unyielding aggression from you."
"But didn't y—"
"Should he resist, that is." Ignatius smiled warmly.
It was almost he'd forgotten his polite facade prior to his response.
Rivka's fists clenched at her side.
"I need more information about the Curse King," she stated firmly. "What powers does he possess? What are his weaknesses?"
"You can find all the information you need in Sanctum's Status Central," he calmly replied.
Going to Sanctum meant she'd meet annoying individuals like Joan of Ark.
Besides Gideon, Joan was one of the few people that irked her.
"I'll manage without it."
Ignatius nodded. "As expected."
Calmly, Rivka grabbed her sword from where she rested it on the wall.
Taking her leave, there was only one thought in her mind.
"( Whatever the Hero Goddess wishes of me, I shall grant it in a heartbeat... this Curse King will fall like the last one. And like a dog, he'll grovel before the pristine beauty of Lady Aurelia. )"
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