I Have a Dice Left by a God-Chapter 300 - 167: Bolt from the Blue
The Requiem of the Nether God's Court cruises through the vast ocean; Cantona's thought of escape is nothing but a dream. All the followers of the Death God have been executed, leaving him the sole survivor. Having once been a teacher and student, granting him a swift end would be a kindness.
Cantona kneels quietly, while Onella Muti diligently studies the scroll in her hand, which records the secret path to the Tomb of the Undead.
In front of Onella Muti, Cantona has no thoughts of rebellion or ambush. His meager abilities, including the Hidden Power granted by the Divine Relic, are laughably childlike before the Judgement Angel. Even if this weren't the case, he wouldn't make a move against Onella Muti. Since entering the Nether God's Court, his teacher has been kind to him, not only imparting knowledge and strength but also bestowing invaluable opportunities that ordinary people could never attain, shaping the Cantona of today.
Alas, fate plays cruel games, as he aimed to be a diligent follower of the Nether God, only to be chosen by the Death God.
After a long while, Onella Muti raises her head, revealing an angelically handsome visage, "Awake sooner than expected, it seems these years of training have borne fruit. To which Life Star has your understanding of the Divine Relic progressed?"
Onella Muti's voice is pleasant but devoid of emotion.
"I've already activated the Second Life Star, and I'm very close to the Third Life Star," Cantona replies respectfully.
Onella Muti nods, "Achieving such a fate alone is commendable. What did you see in the dream?"
"It seemed like the island of the Tomb of the Undead, but after inspecting it, nothing unusual was found," Cantona confesses, knowing that the incident of the Tomb of the Undead is fully within the teacher's grasp.
"How did you realize it was a dream?" Onella Muti inquires.
"The fish and plants discovered there were too strange, it shouldn't have been possible for life to exist. I was lucky for a time, but having been your student is ultimately what made the difference."
"The flaw born from a strong survival instinct is easily overlooked. Yet you remained calm in such an environment, which is why I hold you in high regard among many students. But precisely because of this, you cannot uncover the truth of the Tomb of the Undead," Onella Muti states coldly, "Entering the Tomb of the Undead could most likely grant you the Third Life Star."
Cantona feels a bit confused. Has he already arrived at the entrance to the Tomb of the Undead? Or is this intentionally leading him into an illusion?
As a follower of the Death God, he's a blasphemer heavily pursued by the Nether God's Court. Pseudo-gods and their followers are executed in the most brutal manner. By all accounts, he should be dead. Could it be that the teacher intends to protect him?
Years of experience have made Cantona wary of naive hope; he listens quietly.
Onella Muti stands, her presence is that of a beautiful, elegant, slightly aloof intellectual teacher, unrelated to the cruel First Secretary of the Nether God's Court, the terrifying Angel of Death, "Stand up."
She walks to the window, where the vast sea appears boundless. As the sky darkens, the ocean resembles a colossal beast capable of devouring all. Cantona, knowing his teacher's temperament, rises and follows, maintaining a one-step distance.
"Tell me about what happened after you left the Court," Onella Muti requests.
Cantona thinks for a while, "Due to changes in the Divine Relic, people from the Death Church sought me out. It was not my wish to oppose the Court, leaving was the only option..."
Cantona knows his teacher is patient, so he recounts his experiences after leaving the Court, omitting only the Twelve Zodiac Star Disc. Time passes slowly; night falls upon the sea, and the deep ocean looms like a terrifying beast. The red moon hides behind clouds as the ship rises and falls with the waves, with Onella Muti occasionally interjecting.
Cantona recounts the latest mission, where he was found by followers of the Death God and compelled to lead the task. During the voyage, the crew exhibited strange symptoms. Recalling a curse he'd heard about sea voyages, he inspected the captain's quarters, found tea leaves, and subsequently, after seeing Onella Muti, he chose to commit suicide. When he awoke, he was in the dream.
Onella Muti looks at Cantona, who lowers his head, unable to meet her gaze, "Do you want to know why you're still alive?"
"Please enlighten me," Cantona's emotions gradually stabilize.
After speaking so long, his thirst is apparent, yet he feels clearer, indicative that the teacher's intention was neither execution nor judgment, but something else. At this point, he lacks any choice, as betraying the Nether God was never a consideration; his misfortune lies solely with fate.
Onella Muti's right eye squints slightly, a habit Cantona knows well, signaling her dissatisfaction and the fact that she's testing him, not merely reminiscing with him.
Cantona's mind spins rapidly, identifying the issue — could he be special?
No. As the omnipotent official power of the Nether God's Court, and the First Secretary overseeing the Judiciary, even having a favorable view of him wouldn't reach such lengths. With his understanding of the teacher, his response determines his fate.
"Teacher, I've long been troubled by two questions. The Divine Relic I inherited is the Netherworld Soul-Catching Saber, a Divine Relic of the Nether God. Why does it invoke a summons from the Death God? True, I did secretly read records about the Death God in the Scripture Hall, but out of mere curiosity. I bore no blasphemous thoughts against the Nether God. Secondly, given your capabilities, had you truly intended to capture me, I'd have never escaped the Secretary Hall. Subsequent encounters felt disproportionate to the forces targeting me, suggesting deliberately left openings," Cantona states respectfully, a thought germinating, burning yet too dangerous to entertain, for fear of dashed hopes.
Onella Muti's eyes soften, showing a hint of admiration, "Continue."
Controlling his emotions, Cantona suppresses excitement. This suggests there might truly be a possibility behind the years of torment, "From the Death Church's side, it's understood that the Nether God's power was seized from the Death God. They claim to be the true orthodox, planning to resurrect the Death God, with the Tomb of the Undead as part of this scheme..."
Cantona speaks while observing his teacher. Her lack of reaction indicates his words are vacuous. Gritting his teeth, he risks everything, "Teacher, I boldly speculate, could the Divine Relic be originally the Death God's relic? I simply don't understand why it chose me."
With these words, Cantona's back is drenched in cold sweat. He feels madness creeping in, yet so be it. The question has haunted him far too long. Though not one to complain, countless nights were spent waking, feeling unjustly wronged.
Onella Muti glances at Cantona, "To remain calm and reflective in such encounters is commendable. Recognizing the Death God's summons, why didn't you approach me immediately?"
Cantona smiles wryly, raising his head to look at Onella Muti, "I considered it, but the matter would be a capital offense regardless of explanation. Even you couldn't shield me, and I'd only implicate you. I fled; whether successful or not, it wouldn't involve you. This was my issue."
Throughout, Cantona held deep respect for Onella Muti. At the time, it indeed seemed impossible for anyone to protect against such grave blasphemy charges. Even as the First Secretary, Onella Muti faced the Cardinal Hall with its Second, Third Secretaries...
Onella Muti's eyes flicker slightly. This unexpected answer is also the most satisfying. Looking at Cantona, she returns to her seat, gesturing for Cantona to sit.
Cantona exhales inwardly in relief yet dares not show it. Onella Muti's crisp, indifferent voice explodes in Cantona's ear:
"All who inherit the Nether God's Divine Relic receive the Death God's summons."
