Chapter 1292: Chapter 18: Is the Shadowy Celestial Marshal a Good God?

Cursed with sin… This was once the signature skill of the Fallen Celestial Marshal.

The Path Power ultimately stems from obsession, that irreplaceable “self-attachment” in the heart, exempting even the Celestial Marshal from sin. Not to mention these Phantom Demons.

Although the power of “sin” has dissipated into the Material Realm following the fall of the Fallen Celestial Marshal… The move employed by the Night Fiend truly originates from the Celestial Marshal Shard left behind by the Fallen Celestial Marshal. Apart from the energy level being inferior to that of the Fallen Celestial Marshal, its essence doesn’t differ much.

Even a Seventh Level Phantom Demon could be bound by it, unable to move!

Suddenly, there was the sound of a faint, insect-like cry, and the Shadow Hunting Beast bound up began to reveal its true form.

Arsene widened his eyes in shock.

–It was an exceedingly abstract monster. Approximately over three meters tall, headless and footless, only a fuzzy black mass resembling a serpentine tail and two scorpion-like fearsome claws. It looked like a hairy scorpion.

At this moment, its body seemed unable to withstand the pressure, cracked in numerous places, only the claws remaining intact. It nearly resembled a mass of moths aggregated together, but bound by the Great Sin chains and unable to freely disassemble.

Every crack was actually a black moth fluttering to fly; within each crack, an eye of varying size and color… all being “dreams” it had devoured.

“A Seventh Level Phantom Demon… and it’s vanquished so simply?”

Arsene was astounded.

“Don’t underestimate this creature.”

Aiwass said calmly, “The wounds this thing causes even the Church can’t deal with. Some people, asleep in their beds, wake with splitting headaches, lose interest in everything. They remember dreaming a grand dream but forget what they dreamt… and some geniuses become mediocre because of it.

“That’s because, just like we did just now… they repeatedly lost their way in the dark jungle of the dream, and ended up straying into the Shadow Kingdom. Thus, they were preyed upon by these hidden magical beasts.”

“…Are they subjects of the Shadow Kingdom Queen? Then, if…”

Arsene was a bit concerned, wondering if capturing these creatures might anger the Celestial Marshal.

Aiwass understood his implication and looked at Arsene with some surprise.

–This guy is a Phantom Thief, yet so rational, so polite?

He imagined this idol of the Irisflower People would be a man constantly dreaming of freedom and rebellion.

Arsene glanced at Aiwass, understanding his intent.

Mr. Strange Thief chuckled frankly, “People grow after all…”

“Are you still doing Phantom Thief work?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because some people don’t understand reasoning and aren’t worthy of respect. Someone needs to kick them hard like kicking a dog, only then will they change.

“Also, because some real thieves never steal with their hands. I take money from their homes and give it to those who truly need it.”

Arsene said softly, “Not for justice, freedom, ideals… Those things are too heavy and too superficial. It’s just something I’m good at and happen to be able to do.”

“Doing it just because you can?”

Aiwass asked with a smile.

“Yes.”

Arsene confessed, “If I can do it and don’t, how am I different from them?”

“You’re truly a Contributor.”

Aiwass praised, then comforted, “Don’t worry, the Queen doesn’t like them. On the contrary, these magical beasts are the things she despises most… she would rather send her warriors to come and defeat them.”

“…Why?” Upon hearing this, Arsene was somewhat surprised.

As an Irisflower Person, he had surely heard of the Shadow Kingdom’s legend.

This was the life most coveted by the “Love People”–unleashed in mutual slaughter, hunting giant prey, and still able to resurrect after dying in battle; after furious fights, relish the banquet, eating barbecue, drinking to the full, still possibly favored by the Queen thereafter.

No need to think about anything, no problems whatsoever, no dangers either. Day after day, indulging in the instinctive taming of reason.

Occasionally craving, they could sneak to the Banquet Celestial’s side for a meal–after all, to the Banquet Celestial, if his rules are followed, all guests are welcome.

Just one condition, not to go to the Blood Celestial’s side for pleasure… because to the Shadowy Celestial Marshal, these warriors all belonged to her.

One thing was rather odd…

–The Queen of the Shadow Kingdom is so serene every day, staying home and never leaving, why would she be the God of Revenge? Just because she’s somewhat jealous and petty?

“Because the Shadowy Celestial Marshal is not truly an evil god.”

Aiwass said softly.

“…The Revenge Goddess is a Good God?!”

Arsene was astonished.

“No, not necessarily…”

Aiwass shook his head, “Not exactly a Good God, but at least not an evil one.”

Even in the original world line, when the Shadowy Celestial Marshal went mad and destroyed Avalon… objectivity dictates that the real culprits ought to be the Serpent Celestial, followed by Jacob and Vivian, then the negligence from Merlin for not properly maintaining the system.

To the Shadowy Celestial Marshal, being embodied within a man–especially one of her used lovers, that was enough to drive her mad. Moreover, once dragged down, she couldn’t return.

–That was her castle, her realm, her world!

The soul of the Path of Love is notoriously promiscuous and lustful. She specially selected the handsomest, strongest, most lustful and beautiful souls to make her warriors and witches.

In the Shadow Kingdom, those people were her property… but she couldn’t return now, even though there remained a possibility of resurrection far in the future, would those people stay faithful for her hundreds, thousands of years?

Thinking logically, surely not!

Those were outstanding souls from the Path of Love!

–Indeed, indeed!

And indeed a green hat affair sprawling across thousands, hundreds of years–by the time she was pulled down, it was all set. Even if she might resurrect in the future, the Path nodes once occupied by the Celestial Marshal had reverted to the Material Realm, meaning she wouldn’t be a Marshal post-resurrection. Then, would she be able to collect so many handsome males and females?

Thinking logically, surely not–the likelihood of being collected by her old lovers was slim.

Hence, the red-eye she saw then was quite justified. This was also why Aiwass hadn’t harbored thoughts of pulling her down.

As the God of Revenge, yet staying in, soundproof music sessions at home every day… Perhaps that’s why the Serpent Celestial in the Dream Realm HR terminated her, also why Aiwass wished for her not to fall.

“The Queen does not seek the Power of Revenge nor wishes to become the Revenge Goddess. She is quite the opposite of the Fallen Celestial Marshal… she inherently adheres to hedonism and dislikes acts of vengeance, nor does she want random revenge… Therefore, she claimed the position of Revenge Sky and monopolizes the authority of revenge… to oversee acts of retaliation, preventing excessive spread.”

At this moment, the speaker was not Aiwass, but Vinesse.

In the Dream Realm, the Night Fiend no longer has “existence limitations.” She can appear and fight as she pleases, unencumbered, not even needing mana from Aiwass–the Dream Realm being the origin of mana.

Although now a Night Fiend, she once was a Shadow Demon. Besides residing in the Fallen Celestial Marshal domain, a considerable part lived in the Shadow Kingdom.

From this perspective, Vinesse could be considered half a local.

Like a recent university grad–not born here, never grew up here, yet spent several years post-graduation working, renting here. City not fully explored, but probably knew which eateries had decent food around.

This was one reason Aiwass released Vinesse.

“That inherently has reasoning.”

Aiwass gently explained, “Because she is a Giant.”

If Arsene were an Avalonian, he’d likely understand immediately.

But he merely scratched his head in confusion, “Giant… what about a Giant?”

Aiwass smiled with implied depth.

–Then you must question the Mr. Mad Hunt sealed by Aiwass in the little card.