Only God-Chapter 521 - 448: The Flesh That Holds the Soul

"Honorable Death God and esteemed Judges of the Netherworld, with the assistance of those Heroes, I have completed your trials."

Baird stood below the lengthy steps, his head raised as he addressed the assembly before him:

"Now, it’s time for you to fulfill your promise."

The unconscious three-headed dog lay beside him, its four legs sprawled as if crawling on the ground. The Heroes all looked unanimously towards the Death God and Judges on the Palace steps; they remained silent, yet their collective gazes interwove anticipation with oppression.

The Judges exchanged glances, caught off guard. They had always remembered the wager with the Great Angel, hence they had troubled the heroes to the utmost in the nine trials, yet in truth, they had not prepared to keep their promise after the trials.

But a promise was still a promise. If they did not honor it, the credibility that the Netherworld Judges had meticulously built over thousands of years would crumble, and mortals would no longer heed their judgments. At that time, what authority would the Netherworld, the realm of the afterlife, hold?

"Heroes, I recognize your bravery in battle and exceptional cunning, but such a matter has no precedent,"

the Death God Nakbet now stepped forward, raising his Scepter:

"Let us first discuss this matter. Our response will surely satisfy you."

Following this, Death God Nakbet and the Judges of the Netherworld retreated into the Palace, leaving hundreds and thousands of Heroes waiting outside on the steps.

The Heroes engaged in fervent discussions, kneeled in prayer, and took a moment to celebrate. None could be certain of the outcome; all had to entrust their fate to destiny’s hands.

Within the Palace, Nakbet and the Judges of the Netherworld immediately entered into deliberation.

"We cannot break our word, for then, those mortals will no longer obey our rulings."

One Judge bluntly stated the concern that preoccupied all Netherworld Judges.

"Yet we cannot just let him walk away; there is no precedent for such a matter. Once a precedent is set, countless others will seek to emulate and attempt the nine trials."

Another Judge expressed his worry.

The present dilemma undoubtedly placed the Judges in a difficult position.

Death God Nakbet looked around at everyone, fully aware of the anxieties of his subordinate Judges, and thus, he pondered briefly.

During this, the nameless Judge suddenly broke the silence:

"You do not wish to break the promise nor to set a precedent.

Thus, we need a solution that serves both ends.

We can agree to let him leave, but we must not allow him to truly depart. Instead, we should make him fail in his faith, committing a transgression en route."

The nameless Judge had devised a stratagem to resolve the pressing dilemma, which brought clarity to the wakeful minds of the Judges.

The Judges of the Netherworld nodded in agreement, deeming it a perfect solution that would keep the promise unbroken and prevent Baird from leaving.

Death God Nakbet listened, his brow furrowed as he cast a doubtful glance at the nameless Judge. Among all present, only He knew the true identity of the nameless Judge.

"So, you are thus unwilling to let Baird leave the Netherworld."

Nakbet’s words were heavily laden with subtext.

"I have my plans," was the equally suggestive reply from the nameless Judge.

Regardless, the words of this Judge had swayed the others. In such a predicament, causing Baird to betray his promise and commit a sin during his departure was undoubtedly the best course of action.

After a detailed discussion, everyone quickly reached a decision, and soon after, they would walk out of the Palace and declare the final outcome to Baird.

Not long afterward, the Death God Nakbet and a group of Judges reappeared before the assembled heroes.

The nine Netherworld Judges extolled the heroes’ accomplishments, while the Netherworld King reiterated his promise.

"Baird, you have traded yourself for the reward that belongs to you."

Nakbet spoke in a tone that was neither cold nor warm, yet slightly solemn,

"As per our promise, we will let you leave the Netherworld and return to the Mortal World."

The heroes on the spot immediately erupted into cheers, they excitedly hugged and jumped on each other, as if the reward was not just for Baird, but also for themselves.

Baird held his head high, clenching his fists in excitement, joy washing over him like a tide, nearly overwhelmed with happiness to tears, yet he managed to hold back.

Finally, he was going to leave the Netherworld. frёewebηovel.cѳm

As long as he returned to the Mortal World, he would surely reunite with her...

Just then, all of a sudden, Nakbet spoke,

"However, you are now deceased, merely a soul.

There is no body in that world to contain you."

Nakbet’s words made Baird feel his heartbeat skip, his entire body stilled, and it was only after some time that he began to tremble with delayed shock.

The heroes’ cheers also came to an abrupt halt at that moment, looking bewilderedly toward the Death God Nakbet on the dais, exchanging uneasy glances.

Baird and the heroes had undergone countless hardships to complete the nine trials, where they had displayed the valor, intelligence, and spirit they bore in life, spilling their blood in the process, yet they had somehow forgotten that they were already beings of the afterlife.

And Baird had been dead for thousands of years. Under that expanse of time, constellations shifted and winds and clouds transformed; even the grandest Kingdoms crumbled, and Divines perished in the march of time, let alone the body of a mere mortal, right?

The body that once left great marks on the Mortal World had long since become one with the yellow soil, dust among the dust.

The sudden blow caused Baird’s breathing to quicken, his spirits to falter, but it was at this time that the Death God spoke again.

"Nevertheless, we will prepare a body for you.

When the time comes, your soul may enter this body and leave the Netherworld."

The unexpected twist nearly overwhelmed Baird, and when he came back to his senses, a surge of joy from regained hope filled his heart, a lump in his throat, he couldn’t help but burst out laughing, the hero’s hearty laughter seemed to shake half the heavens, the other heroes crowded around, lifting Baird high and chanting his name in unison.

"Praise you, praise all of you, great Death God and Judges!"

The heroes who had undergone the nine trials all shouted loudly at that moment; their fervent voices echoed around the entire Palace, while the nine Judges showed various expressions, reflective in thought.

As the heroes’ excitement gradually subsided, the Death God Nakbet began to discuss the matter of the body.

Due to the special nature of the Netherworld as an afterlife realm, any entities with bodies, aside from the Divine, cannot set foot into the Netherworld, and the Netherworld’s gloom would also dissolve the bodies of mortals.

Therefore, they would craft a special body for Baird, one that could travel between the Netherworld and the Mortal World, and the Death God would cleanse Baird’s soul, eradicating the essence of the Netherworld within, to prevent his soul from being harvested by his own kindred.

Lastly, Baird would enter this body and close his eyes to embark on the journey back to the Mortal World.

"Remember, on this path, until you return to the Mortal World, you must never open your eyes."

"The eyes are windows to the soul. Should you open them, the winds of the Netherworld will enter your soul, and then, you will never be able to leave this place for all eternity."

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