Chapter 43: Unstable Factors and a Fatal Trap

“Why the Outer Gods desire to invade this world remains an unanswered question, which we shall provisionally label ‘Proposition X’.”

Archimedes adjusted his spectacles, feeling a sudden parchedness in his throat.

At that moment, Noah considerately produced a cup and poured some tea for him.

Having been inhaling the fragrant aroma of the pastries, Archimedes’s mouth also began to water.

He then delicately picked up the teacup with a claw and tilted it to his lips.

“My thanks,” Archimedes continued, “but in essence, the creator of this system achieved her desired outcome.”

Over the past six months, through the projections of individuals from other worlds—the ‘Adventurers’—the vulnerabilities in this world, previously eroded by the Outer Gods, have been filled.

The world has thus become entirely stable.

Consequently, the remaining forces of the Outer Gods, unable to receive further support, were ultimately divided and vanquished by both locals and Adventurers alike.

“Does Demon Lord Letitia know of these developments?”

Noah, cradling Tuan Tuan, posed the question with a natural air of inquiry.

“I believe it is highly probable she does,” Archimedes replied.

“Not only her, but also the Thunder Emperor of the North and the Elven Queen of the West—all ancient embodiments of mystery—have tacitly approved of this system.”

Archimedes adjusted his spectacles once more, his pale blue dragon eyes gleaming with sagacious light.

“However, this system has inadvertently created two destabilizing factors.”

“One of these factors involves the Outer Gods, who refuse to concede defeat.

Having been prevented from directly entering, they will invariably devise methods to project themselves into this world through means permitted by the system.”

“A phenomenon commonly known as ‘bug exploitation,’” Archimedes elaborated, his lips parting in the joyful smile of a seeker of knowledge.

“Concurrently, because the system rejects foreign entities, the souls of those not native to this world will experience repulsion, accompanied by a tearing agony.”

“Should such a soul fail to stabilize itself within this world through specialized means, it will be torn asunder by the system, ultimately perishing in both body and spirit.”

At this juncture, Archimedes cast a profound glance at Noah, confirming his suspicions with Noah’s subtle, almost imperceptible nod.

Silvya, on the other hand, maintained a bewildered expression that clearly conveyed, “I don’t understand, but it sounds incredibly impressive.”

“The other destabilizing factor, of course, lies with the other worlds from which the Adventurers originate.”

“To sustain such a system, the efforts of this world alone are insufficient; assistance from those of other worlds is also required.”

“While the people of this world created the system for its preservation, those from other worlds are clearly not acting out of sheer benevolence.

They must have their own objectives, which they aim to achieve through their support.”

“Their objectives, then, constitute the other aspect of instability.”

“Nevertheless, their agreement to maintain the system indicates that, whatever their demands may be, they will not seek to destroy the world as the Outer Gods would.

Therefore, we may consider their ambitions as a mere after-dinner treat, requiring only casual observation.”

“So, the system administrators from the other worlds wouldn’t enter this world as… Adventurers?”

Noah, cradling the hefty Tuan Tuan, thoughtfully pinched her chin, her expression one of innocent contemplation.

“While that possibility cannot be entirely dismissed, it is highly unlikely,” Archimedes asserted.

“After all, if they desired to acquire anything, they could have achieved it the moment the system was established, negating the need for such elaborate measures.”

***

“Hoo… hoo…”

In Dunwich Town, located in the southern reaches of the Mandorn Empire,

this settlement marked the southern frontier of the Demonic Empire, with only steep coastlines beyond its mountain range.

It was also a place utterly corrupted by the Abyssal Church, serving as a site for large-scale evil rituals, and where ‘Piercing Knight’ Clennina was currently leading her forces in a sweeping purge.

The beautiful maiden, dragging a massive, defiled axe capable of cleaving a person in two, bore numerous vital wounds, pierced by slender, sharp implements, blood gushing forth.

Her tattered body, her purple robes stained black with crimson, was inexorably driven into a dead-end corner of the town.

“‘Filth’ Ariana, one of the three Archbishops of the Abyssal Church, to think she would be so careless as to fall into a trap meant for magical beasts—what a grand prize indeed.”

Her slender, thrusting straight sword emanated a platinum holy light.

Clennina, gripping her sword, advanced relentlessly, her crimson, form-fitting armor clanking with each step, pushing the maiden before her deeper into the abyss of death.

The three Archbishops of the Abyssal Church were known as ‘Filth,’ ‘Silence,’ and ‘Profound.’

Among them, ‘Silence’ was the most formidable, and the chief culprit in transforming this town into a den of demons.

Powerful monsters, once residents, still lurked within the town, and the vivid memories of burning crosses and the clashes of knights lingered.

Despite being Demonic territory, the Demon Lord’s army, much like the Knights of the Holy Empire, employed fire and crosses to expel their enemies.

Archbishop ‘Silence’ Abraham had already been captured alive by the Demon Lord and imprisoned in the dungeons beneath Demon Lord’s Castle.

Originally, Clennina had remained here simply to exterminate all the aberrant magical beasts.

Thus, apprehending another Abyssal Archbishop was an unexpected boon.

“What a farce! A princess of the Vampire Royal Court, wielding a holy sword that symbolizes purity?

Since when did blood-craving bats have anything to do with noble chivalry?

Are you going to claim you’re a vegetarian next?”

‘Filth’ Ariana gasped raggedly, her consciousness blurring from excessive blood loss, the blood pooling on the ground forming a veritable stream.

Compounded by the terrifying dose of paralyzing agent, enough to incapacitate large magical beasts, still coursing through her body, her ability to remain standing was a testament to astonishing willpower.

“I am no mere vampire! I am of the noble Bloodline!”

Clennina seemed particularly offended by the term ‘vampire.’

She raised her holy sword, its tip condensing high-thermal energy comparable to a city-defense cannon, yet far more delicate and focused.

“Filthy Abyssal cultist, my next strike shall pierce your heart!

Go confess your sins to your master in the shadowy depths below!”

“Haha, hahahahaha.”

Clennina’s righteous pronouncement merely provoked Ariana’s laughter.

She cackled uncontrollably, her steps faltering in a daze, as if she would laugh until tears streamed down her face.

“How do you know it isn’t *you* who’s fallen into the trap, you despicable princess of sin?”

“Chak.”

With a sound like water being pierced, the holy light on the slender sword instantly dissipated.

Clennina, lowering her head in disbelief, saw a distinctly articulated, almost artistic right hand protruding from her flat chest.

“Str… strange?”

Feeling no pain, Clennina coughed up a mouthful of blood, her eyes filled with bewilderment and incomprehension.

‘How… how did this man get behind me?’

The hand did not appear to have physically pierced Clennina’s armor and flesh simultaneously.

Yet, Clennina distinctly felt something within her body slowly draining away through the opening in her chest.

Her eyelids grew heavy, as if she had suffered a severe illness, and she yearned to simply drift peacefully into sleep.

“A princess of the Bloodline Royal Court, having lived for over three millennia, possessing a magnificent soul comparable in quality to that of a deity—an excellent research specimen indeed.”

The man behind her spoke in a voice that resembled the chanting of a poem.

Clennina struggled to turn her head, desperate to discern his features.

“Your soul, I shall take.”