Steampunk Era: Mad Abield
Chapter 126: Section 104: Happiness Always Varies from Person to Person_2

Chapter 126: Section 104: Happiness Always Varies from Person to Person_2

He couldn’t make out what they were saying, and even if he could, it was unlikely he’d understand their words. What he did hear though, were the patrolling Demonic Guards praising their deity loudly, singing its name and deeds. Malin surveyed them and realized these guards paid no heed to him, their uninvited guest.

Step by step, he ascended the staircase, occasionally noticing rest areas near the platforms of the stairs, but those places were usually bustling — the followers of Chaos always liked to engage in activities they enjoyed there, such as slaughter.

A Chaos creature noticed Malin, but just as it took a step forward, another Chaos being grabbed its arm. Without a word, the interrupted Chaos creature ultimately watched as Malin continued on his way.

This gave Malin some inkling — someone wanted to see him.

And in this damned place, if someone wanted to see him and he was able to proceed unimpeded, it could only be Chaos itself.

The thought of meeting one of the four Evil Gods excited Malin to the point of trembling — even if he died, he would die a glorious death. These monsters and gods shouldn’t expect his allegiance!

With that in mind, Malin quickened his pace.

To him, what seemed like an eternity was merely a moment, and eventually, Malin reached the summit of the fortress.

At that moment, the entire world changed before him. It was no longer steel-based, nor was destruction the theme. Malin looked at the vast pastoral scene before him, his mind struggling to comprehend.

From the knowledge Malin had obtained, the entire fortress was actually within the Blood God’s inner realm, and this pastoral land was called the Garden of Chaos.

Even though the sky was still burning, the garden before him remained so neat and orderly — even if its neatness and order were terrifying and dangerous.

Endless rows of bloody corpses were bound to grotesque leguminous plants, black flowers full of blood sprouted from the bodies, and ditches oozing with red, mysterious liquids were in charge of irrigation, while countless demons were responsible for tending these plants. They looked not like dangerous agents of Chaos but rather like... farmers.

These Chaos beings tended the entire garden with tenderness and care, resembling a scene one might find in the plains of the East of Carterburg, were it not for all being set within this horrific garden.

"You’ve come, child of the Nameless," a voice rang out beside Malin. He turned and saw a... little thing with a similar appearance to his own.

Well, except for the fact that its skin was blood-red. Quite similar indeed.

But wait, this wasn’t what he had imagined at all. Chaos was supposed to be some burly man clad in heavy armor with spiked helmets, not this little thing before him dressed like a farmer: "You are..."

"You may call me the Lord of War," it said.

"Chaos?" Malin furrowed his brow.

"That’s just a title given to me by mortals. Do you know why I specifically asked you to come to my beautiful garden?" the Evil God gazed at Malin.

Malin shook his head — how could he know what an Evil God was thinking? It was supposed to be a simple portal back to Carterburg, who knew he would be pulled into this godforsaken place.

"Don’t you know, the writings of yours can escalate the wars in that world, causing more and more lives to be lost every day? I am pleased, you have brought more slaughter to this world," the Evil God said with a delighted smile.

"...But, more Chaos beings will die in the coming wars, aren’t you worried?"

"You think those are my legions? They are not. I am not much interested in that world; it is overseen by my old opponents and old friends, and the forces that battle you on the field of Engma, under the banner of that parrot you speak of, belong to my rivals. The more of them that die, the happier, the more delighted I will be. Do you know, you and your people always bring me joy."

"My... people?"

"You... ah, right, you’re a Half-blood, unaware of your identity, which is normal. However, I won’t tell you. Sometimes, keeping a sense of mystery is also a nice choice," the Evil God laughed heartily until Malin noticed the space nearby starting to distort, and then he saw a change in the demeanor of the deity.

Finally, a young human emerged from the twisted space.

He looked so ordinary, but Malin noticed that the Evil God took two steps back.

"Malin Gaiate," the young man called out to Malin with a wave of his hand.

Malin glanced again at the Evil God by his side; the tyrant didn’t seem to notice him and was focusing entirely on the young human.

So Malin obediently ran over to the young man’s side, "You are...?"

"You don’t even recognize him, it looks like your father really didn’t leave you a single word, poor child. He is the Lord of Justice of your world," the Evil God suddenly started laughing, "Old friend, I never would have thought you’d come alone to my heart’s realm for such a little half-blood."

"Yes, it is for him because my patron god said that I must ensure his safe return to his lover’s side, I can’t let this oath be shamed," the Lord of Justice frowned as he spoke, "Speaking of which, when did you start letting yourself look like this?"

"I can’t let this child just stare at my boots, after all, his existence and actions bring me pleasure," the Evil God said with a satisfied smile, "Take him away, I’m looking forward to the joy he can bring me."

"Sometimes I think you’re more like a child satisfied with just getting candy," the young human smiled and shook his head, "Since you can change yourself, why can’t you make your pastures a bit nicer, don’t always irrigate your world with flesh and blood. When you have time, I’ll take you to see my lovers’ gardens."

"Good... good for nothing! Shut up! Get out!" the previously seemingly expectant Evil God’s face twisted in anger as he roared aloud.

Malin looked doubtfully at both the Lord of Justice and the so-called Lord of War.

Forget it, some words are better left unsaid.

The Lord of Justice opened up a portal, reached out, and took Malin’s hand, "Come, child, let’s go."

Malin immediately put on an obedient smile and followed him through the portal.

The next second, as Malin stepped out of the portal, he almost cried when he saw the Cathedral of the Church of the Goddess of Harvest before him—what an exhilarating journey it had been.

"Malin, don’t mind his words, everything you do is ultimately for the people of this world, to help them walk further on the road against Chaos," the Lord of Justice whispered next to Malin, "Remember your true heart, our opponents are much more troublesome than that fool satisfied with just having a fight."

"Who will it be, the Free Asteroid Enthusiast, the Affectionate Father, or that parrot?"

"Of course it’s the parrot, it wants to control this world and make it into one of its barracks worlds. I’ve been fighting with it for hundreds of years and the battle will continue," the Lord of Justice said and noticed a small twig poking out of Malin’s sleeve. He smiled humanely, "It seems this little thing is more active than I thought, following you might just be its good fortune."

"Are you talking about the twig?" Malin asked.

"Yes, the tender shoots of the World Tree usually transform into weapons, but such an active transformation, I’ve never seen before. It seems you possess a unique trait, Malin, keep up the good work." With that, the deity opened up a portal and as he stepped through, he left behind a final remark.

"I look forward to you changing this world for the better, relying only on complacency will never allow this world to break free from suffering."

As the portal disappeared, the world in Malin’s eyes came alive anew, every color returned, Malin felt the coolness of snowflakes on his face, and he noticed the surprise on the faces of the Guards at the door.

Malin took two steps forward, standing before the two Guards, "I’m back, could you let Colin know?"

"No problem, Sir Malin, but how did you appear? We didn’t see you before..." one Guard immediately went inside, while the other curiously asked.

"I returned with His Excellency, it was a very wonderful journey," Malin said, pulling a soft hat from his pocket and putting it on his head.

Yes, in hindsight, it indeed had been a very wonderful journey.

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