allendalepharm Chapter 53 People who enjoy fun are attracted to each other.
Chapter 53 People who enjoy fun are attracted to each other.
The New World, Beehive Island Paradise.
The headquarters of the Dilt Pirates, usually bustling with activity, was now shrouded in an unusual silence.
Actually, it's just that there's no noise around this temple; the pirates' heavy drinking, the gladiatorial shouts, and the casino's clamor are still there.
All sounds above the pure white palace in the center of the island were filtered by an invisible barrier, leaving only the whistling of the sea breeze as it swept across the pure white stone pillars.
In the center of the hall, Dilt sat leisurely on the pure white throne.
"Well done, King of Heroes! That's quite a welcome gift!"
Dilt's azure eyes gleamed with pure excitement.
"Tear apart this hypocritical holy land and let those fat pigs know what it means to be outmatched. That's what a real show should be! If that fool Morgans knew, he'd probably be laughing his head off."
Joan of Arc stood by, watching the horrific scene projected onto her Master's face, her expression clouded with worry, her hands unconsciously gripping her flagpole tightly.
"Master... that Hero King's actions were far too brutal. Even for a sinner, such a large-scale massacre..."
"Jeanne d'Arc, you're still too bound by formalities."
Dilt waved his hand dismissively, interrupting her. "Celestial Dragons? They're nothing but maggots in the guise of gods. That guy just cleaned up some trash for the world, and while his methods were a bit crude, the result was pretty clean, wasn't it? As for the process... just watch the show."
He had barely finished speaking when he suddenly stopped. He tilted his head slightly, as if listening to an invisible sound carried on the wind.
Those azure eyes, which always carried a lazy smile, instantly became sharp as an eagle's, with a golden light flowing deep within them.
Joan of Arc stood beside him, clad in silver armor and bearing a holy banner, her expression solemn, her gaze warily sweeping across the sky.
"Here it comes." Dilt suddenly chuckled and downed the wine in his glass in one gulp.
Before he could finish speaking...
boom!
The sky was torn apart by an invisible giant hand, and a dazzling golden stream of light, like a falling star, descended fiercely above Beehive Island!
Vimana.
The airship hovered directly in front of the High Temple, at the same height as the platform where Dilt was located.
Above, Gilgamesh leaned lazily on the radiant throne, his crimson pupils piercing through space, precisely locking onto the golden-haired figure that also exuded an aura of transcendence.
The invisible "royal domain" collided instantly.
On one side is the vastness, antiquity, and absolute solitude and dominance that transcends everything.
On the other side is a pure, free, and leisurely yet profound state of mind that overlooks all living beings and plays with the world.
Two completely different wills of "king" clashed fiercely in the skies above Beehive Island.
Om-! ! !
A palpable pressure swept across the entire island. The pirates, who were making a ruckus just a moment ago, suddenly fell silent, as if their throats had been choked!
Those who were slightly weaker rolled their eyes back, foamed at the mouth, and collapsed to the ground in unison, like wheat being harvested!
Only a few high-ranking officials managed to stay upright, but their faces were ashen, they were drenched in sweat, and their eyes were filled with indescribable horror.
Joan of Arc gripped her flagpole tightly, a holy light swirling around her as she barely withstood the double-layered, terrifying pressure, her gaze extremely solemn.
She could clearly sense that the aura emanating from her Master at this moment was more...active than ever before, and even carried a hint of...excitement?
Gilgamesh narrowed his eyes slightly, looking Dilt up and down with an expression as if he were examining a novel collectible, carrying a hint of barely perceptible... interest.
A soft, ambiguous hum broke the silence.
The King of Heroes' voice was not loud, but it drowned out the low hum of the Vimana engine and the howling of the sea wind, carrying an innate arrogance.
"So you're the so-called 'King' of this filthy courtyard? The one who summoned me from the Throne of Heroes to this place... the mastermind behind it all?"
His crimson pupils locked onto Dilt.
"Although he is a false king who stole my reputation, he does have a decent air about him. He is slightly more pleasing to the eye than those barking bastards."
Dieter's smile remained unchanged, and even became brighter.
He slowly rose from the pure white throne, his white wings fluttering gently, creating a soft breeze.
"The mastermind behind it all? I wouldn't dare say that."
Dieter's voice carried its usual languid quality.
"I just felt that this sea was too calm, like a stagnant pool, so I casually threw in a pebble called the 'Holy Grail' to see how big a splash it would make."
He shrugged and looked at Gilgamesh.
"I just didn't expect that the pleasure this pebble brought would include such a... pleasant surprise as you. A bloodbath in the holy land? That kind of momentum really... aroused my interest after a long time."
"Pleasure?" Gilgamesh's lips curled into a smile.
"It's just cleaning up some unsightly dust."
"Those maggots who call themselves gods are not even qualified to become my collection. They are only fit to turn into dust and nourish this courtyard."
His crimson pupils swept over the pirates struggling to stand below, as if they were pebbles on the roadside.
"As for you, Arbitrator. Your so-called 'fun' is watching these lowly mongrels tear each other apart over a worthless cup? That's rather... low-class and boring."
Upon hearing this, Dieter was not angry at all; instead, he burst into laughter, his hearty laughter as if he had met a kindred spirit.
"Low-class? Boring? King of Heroes, you only see the surface."
A golden light shimmered in Dilt's eyes.
"What I see is ambition growing under the Holy Grail's light, dreams struggling in the abyss of despair, friendship shining before the blade of betrayal, and family ties standing firm against the torrent of fate... The most extreme good and evil of humanity, amplified and clashed infinitely under the temptation of the omnipotent wish-granting machine!"
He took a step forward, and his aura suddenly changed. He was no longer a lazy observer, but rather someone with a profound sense of control over the game.
"Just like you, King of Heroes. What you seek is conquest, collection, and the solitary pleasure of being above all things."
"What I enjoy is observing, guiding, and watching this game of chess that I set up lead to an end that even I cannot fully predict."
"You and I may pursue pleasure in different ways, but essentially..."
Dieter's smile became playful and profound.
"Isn't it all about enjoying the pleasure of having the world in your grasp, watching all sorts of people dance to the tune of the rules?"
Gilgamesh's crimson pupils contracted slightly.
Dieter's words precisely struck at the essence of his heart, which viewed the world as a "courtyard".
That "pleasure" is indeed universal; the scrutiny in his eyes is stronger, even carrying a genuine sense of inquiry.
"Pleasure?" Gilgamesh slowly stood up, his golden armor gleaming, and his terrifying aura intensified once more.
"You scoundrel, you seem to think you know me very well? Well then, let me see if you, this self-proclaimed 'arbitrator' who enjoys guiding the game, are truly qualified to discuss this pleasure with me!"
The moment the words fell, golden ripples behind the Hero King expanded wildly, instantly covering half the sky!
Hundreds upon hundreds of magical weapons of various shapes and sizes—divine spears, demonic swords, giant axes, thunderbolts, cursed spears… like a legion of destruction awaiting inspection, their dense, cold light locking onto Dilt below.
"Prove it with your strength, you bastard!" Gilgamesh's eyes gleamed with anticipation as he elegantly and fatally flicked his finger forward.
"Gate of Babylon!!"
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
A barrage of arrows! Countless golden torrents of destruction tore through the sky, pouring down upon Dilt!
Its power was even more ferocious and unrestrained than when it was in the Holy Land!
He wanted to see how this "kindred spirit" who had piqued his interest would accept his greeting.
Faced with this destructive torrent that could wipe an island off the map in an instant, Joan of Arc's face showed an unprecedented seriousness.
She flung the flag aside and raised it high with both hands. A holy light emanated from it.
Dilt's smile remained unchanged, but his eyes blazed with excitement.
"Jeanne d'Arc, don't make a move!" He laughed loudly, and the pure white wings behind him suddenly burst forth with an unprecedentedly dazzling holy light!
"The Veil of Light!"
Om-! ! !
A colossal light barrier, composed of countless swirling pure white feathers and sacred runes, instantly unfolded around Dilt, enveloping him, Joan of Arc, and the Beehive Island behind them!
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
The deafening explosions instantly merged into one! The golden torrent of Noble Phantasms slammed violently into the pure white light barrier.
The terrifying shockwave spread outwards, and the ground of the square shattered and collapsed inch by inch.
The temple shook violently, groaning under the strain, and the pirates on the periphery were thrown out like leaves caught in a gale, screaming in agony!
However, that seemingly thin, pure white light shield displayed incredible defensive capabilities.
No matter how violently the torrent of magical artifacts bombarded it, the light shield only rippled violently, like the surface of water tossed with pebbles.
As the light shone, it miraculously blocked those terrifying attacks that were capable of destroying mountains, causing them to vanish without a trace.
The light of the Noble Phantasm intertwined with the radiance of the Sanctuary, illuminating the entire Beehive Island as if it were daytime.
The forces of destruction and protection collided and annihilated fiercely in the sky, creating a spectacular sight that was absolutely breathtaking.
Joan of Arc stood inside the light barrier, the iris banners fluttering in the wind. She looked at the devastating scene outside and Dieter's excited profile, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
Outside the light shield, Gilgamesh's crimson pupils revealed obvious surprise for the first time.
The excitement was quickly replaced by the feeling of finding a "suitable toy".
"Oh? You actually accepted my greeting?" The Hero King's voice carried a hint of genuine pleasure.
"It seems you're not entirely just a glib-tongued scoundrel! Your magnanimity may not match mine, but it's still quite interesting!"
Dilt stood in the holy light, his wings outstretched, his smile still serene.
"Hero King, your 'toy' is quite powerful. However, just taking a beating isn't my style."
He slowly raised his right hand, palm facing upward, and the miniature holy light transformed into a magic circle that instantly took shape, emitting a heart-palpitating energy fluctuation.
"An eye for an eye, how about you take one of my moves? The Gates of Heaven open, Holy Light Judgment!"
A beam of light capable of purifying all impurity and darkness in the world pierced through the aftershocks of the Noble Phantasm's explosion and shot directly at the golden figure on Vimana!
Two "kings" standing at the pinnacle of their respective worlds, and two "playful players" using the world as their chessboard, have begun to test each other.
Their clashes had nothing to do with good or evil; they were simply a test of each other's qualifications to see if the other was worthy of discussing the so-called "pleasure"!
The final outcome is still unknown, but what is certain is that this world is the vessel for their pleasure.
Anyway, things are going to get interesting from now on...