Zogarth
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Chapter 1065 - No Mercy
🕑 Added 2025-01-30 11:52:38 +0000 UTCThe Powershot pierced through the holy construct and struck one of the people within, blowing a hole through their chest and destroying the special armor the holy warrior had been wearing.
Despite this massive hole, the person remained alive, though he barely looked human anymore. Veins of glowing light marred his entire body, burning his life away from within, and the attack he’d just received only sped up his demise further.
Still, Jake couldn’t help but click his tongue as the super construct still hadn’t fallen yet despite how much he’d attacked it and how beaten and battered the people inside it were. All around him were corpses – few of them whole – of the Holy Church elite fighters who’d continued fighting even after the Desolate Child of Loss was pushed away by Carmen.
Without the desolation weakening Jake, he had gone on a rampage. As he’d also pushed his boosting skill to keep up with the False God, he saw no reason to ramp down but kept it up to fuel his slaughter.
Jake was also done experimenting and only went for the kill, showing no mercy to anyone. This had resulted in there now only being a bit over a dozen alive in the ruins of the city, with the only five still able to fight the elite party in their super construct wearing their Holy Armaments.
The five of them had proven the most durable by far, but in the end, they, too, would fall. With no other targets, Jake bombarded the construct continuously, blasting it away and into the ground as he deepened the crater created by Carmen further. The final warriors of the Holy Church tried to hold on for as long as possible, but Jake didn’t let up until the construct shattered and broke apart.
As it did, the five people who’d been part of it all lit up as their bodies exploded, releasing a massive shockwave of golden light that forced Jake to summon a protective barrier to ward it off. At that moment, he felt pretty good about being a ranged fighter, as the explosion had been extremely intense, but he also couldn’t help but be annoyed.
He despised the mere concept of those Martyr rituals and spells the Holy Church often made use of. It felt almost like adding insult to injury that it even made the people using the Holy Armaments blow up once their bodies couldn’t hold on anymore, destroying everything around them, including the armor.
Holy Church members probably didn’t care, though. The only reason they even did something so extreme in the first place was because of their free trip to the Holyland upon death for them to live out the rest of their soul’s lifespan doing... something. This Holyland still sounded incredibly boring to Jake, but it clearly appealed to a lot of people.
Anyway, the holy explosion from the five of them blowing themselves up had killed four of their comrades who had been lying in the ruins below, incapacitated but still alive. There were eleven more, and Jake showed no mercy as he raised a hand and conjured spikes of stable arcane mana that promptly shot down and finished them off, leaving only Jake alive in what had once been a massive city. Or, well, at least something built to look like a city.
He wasn’t entirely alone, though. Two others still lived and observed him from nearby. Jacob and Bertram stood far outside the city, having just looked on as Jake had performed his slaughter. In fact, after Jacob had summoned, revived, conjured, or whatever the hell he had done to make the Desolate Child of Loss appear, the two of them had quietly disengaged from everything.
Jake didn’t miss this, as he’d kept an eye on Bertram primarily while fighting the super construct and the Desolate Child of Loss. Bertram was definitely a huge threat if he also had some Holy Armament to attack with, but he hadn’t taken part at all. In fact, he looked pretty damn satisfied seeing all those people killed.
Things were well and truly rotten in the Holy Church, and Jake was going to get to the bottom of what the fuck was going on... but no matter the explanation, after everything, he was determined.
The Holy Church had refused to surrender in a situation they knew they couldn’t win, even throwing away so many lives. They had apparently found and were making use of the Desolate Child of Loss, a creature that had destroyed several planets in the galaxy and likely had a kill count that put Jake’s to shame.
So many fucked up choices had been made, and honestly, Jake was done. He had removed them from Earth, but now it appeared he would have to purge them from the entire galaxy. As for those who resisted and refused...
Well, they would end up like the ruined city behind him.
--
Miranda stood side by side with Lillian as they observed the surrendered monarch. King Iludar, the final holdout among the Ell’Hakan loyalists knelt on the ground, his staff tossed to the side and his aura entirely dispelled from his body. He had also purposefully released his energy, making his body weak and fragile to truly show he had given up all thoughts of fighting.
His loyal soldiers followed suit and also surrendered, and if Miranda was being honest, this action kind of troubled her. It made things messier, as she didn’t feel good about breaking old-world international laws by killing prisoners of war. Still, she would have to find a solution.
William soon also joined her, the ground in the direction he came from covered in blood and body parts as the metal mage had cut up everything around him using his metal wire weapon after sneaking into the enemy forces.
Meanwhile, Vesperia floated above, keeping a close eye on the surrendered king, looking down at him with pure disdain. Her being there added quite the intimidating presence, helped along by the army of insects surrounding the mountain valley.
As for a certain cosmic worm...
“Over already? That was super boring... but I’m still getting paid, right?” Sandy asked with a hint of worry in their voice.
“Of course you are. Thank you for the help, Chosen of the Lord Protector,” Miranda responded telepathically, remembering to show proper respect despite the worm clearly not caring about any such thing as courtesy and respect wasn’t edible.
“Yay!” the cosmic worm said before promptly shrinking down again and flying down to land on a rock. “Poke me when we go back...”
Miranda gave a quick mental confirmation as she turned her attention to the surrendered forces at last.
King Iludar looked back at her, a certain listlessness in his eyes. She couldn’t help but consider if he could be useful, though. He was moderately powerful in his own right, and his leadership skills were evident based on the loyalty of the elite soldiers who followed him, not to mention how he had effectively been Ell’Hakan’s second-in-command.
However, needless to say, there was a bit of a trust issue. Speaking of trust issues, it was also soon time to address a certain elf who was standing a bit by himself, not quite walking over to Miranda and the others, but also not staying near Iludar.
Let’s just deal with the self-proclaimed king first, she thought, sighing internally.
“I accept your surrender, but let me ask... what do you expect to happen now?” Miranda just asked straight up. In the multiverse, there were some customs and norms when it came to dealing with prisoners of war, none of which Miranda found very appealing.
The most popular one was to not take prisoners in the first place, primarily because most wars happened between factions that absolutely hated each other. Another very popular method was to momentarily seal them away and pretty much imprison them, with the goal of doing either a prisoner exchange or selling the prisoners back to the force they originally came from. Something that was not an option in this case as said faction no longer existed.
A third method was one Miranda didn’t even consider, but slavery was one of the only ways to make use of a prisoner while making sure they were “trustworthy.” In most cases, prisoners of war were used as meat shield soldiers or sold off, but again, not an option on Earth.
Next was one Miranda would regularly consider first: exile. The problem here was, where could these people be exiled to? Anywhere in the Milky Way was out of the question, so would they have to keep them imprisoned until the universe opened up and then send them where exactly? They had no allies but only a shitload of enemies no matter where they went.
So, that left what option exactly? Just simple imprisonment? Doing so was possible, but it was also outrageously expensive, and to what end would they imprison them? For how long? A C-grade could easily live for thousands of years. Miranda was also under no illusion that throwing someone who was once known as a king in jail for a few centuries would lead to reformation that would turn Iludar into a fully rehabilitated citizen and trusted ally.
That’s why she outright asked Iludar what he expected them to do. Because she genuinely had no clue.
“I... I do not know,” Iludar spoke in a somber tone, also not helping to find a solution. “All I can do is ask that you spare those who followed this fool. If my death can give them a chance to recompense, I would gladly offer my life.”
The man had a dignified expression as he spoke those words as if he had resigned himself to his fate. His loyal soldiers all looked at him with regret, and a few even looked like they wanted to speak up, but they all stopped themselves before they did so. Miranda had to admit she did find Iludar’s actions commen-
“Yeah, that’s bullshit,” Kindroth chimed in, shaking his head.
“That was definitely all deceitful,” William concurred, Miranda staring at the metal mage as she put quite a bit more stock in his words due to his karmic magic.
“What do you mea-“ Iludar began as Kindroth cut him off.
“A minute ago, I barely managed to interrupt you from activating an escape token, and from the looks of it, that token definitely wasn’t of the mass-escape variety. You were trying to run on your own like the coward you are, leaving everyone else to die,” Kindroth said in a calm yet harsh tone.
“I believed that should I leave the battlefield on my own, it would increase the chances of you sparing my-“
“Deceitful again,” William gave Kindroth an assist as the young metal mage looked at Miranda. “He definitely just made up that excuse on the spot.”
Miranda wasn’t pleased. She had just begun to feel that if Iludar was so honorable, there maybe was a chance to make some kind of deal work, but now her face had turned cold. The man in question also noticed this as he still tried to weasel his way out.
“You all misunderstand... what I wanted was to-“
“To make Miranda think that maybe you weren’t all that bad, which would make her consider sparing your life. Because, hey, what feels worse than killing someone who’s already given up and begging for you to kill him to make up for his sins? That just makes your execution feel weird,” Kindroth shook his head as he went over and looked down on Iludar.
“That’s why I called you a coward, by the way. You desperately do everything you can, no matter what, to survive. Do you know why Ell’Hakan never bothered to manipulate you much? Because he didn’t need to. He could feel your fear. You’re the kind of person who will kneel and act like a dog in front of anyone stronger while acting arrogant and noble when in the company of those weaker than yourself. To keep you on a leash, all Ell’Hakan had to do was remain stronger than you. I was honestly surprised you didn’t come crawling to the Malefic Viper’s Chosen the second he killed Ell’Hakan, but you’re probably smart enough to at least understand that wouldn’t have ended well for yourself. That’s why you wanted to instead align yourself with the biggest – and, in your view, strongest – faction in the multiverse. Because you always need to hug the knees of someone or something else.”
Kindroth turned and looked at Miranda. “Don’t get me wrong, he would definitely be loyal to Jake should you choose to adopt him, but be fully aware that the second someone comes around he believes is stronger, he’ll instantly betray you and run to them like the disloyal dog he is.”
Iludar stared at Kindroth as his facial expression slowly changed. “Says you. Aren’t you also not just siding with whatever faction you think is winning, playing all sides at once?”
“It’s complicated, but I guess there’s no harm in telling you now,” Kindroth shrugged, looking to Miranda for a moment before going back to Iludar, the explanation that followed more for Miranda than the former king. “As you said, I am indeed allied with the Holy Church. I’m not part of the Holy Church, mind you, and neither is my planet, but my Patron is certainly considered a close ally. Let me be clear, never once have my loyalties shifted; you just didn’t know who I was loyal to or what my goal was. Though, to be fair, for the longest time, I didn’t know what my goal was either, I was just following instructions and a plan laid by my Patron, with a certain level of personal flair and interpretation mixed in.”
“But you worked with Ell’Hakan. You spied on Haven for us and gave us actionable intel,” Iludar said, not as much trying to understand the situation as he wanted to also get Kindroth in trouble.
“Yeah, as I said, complicated,” Kindroth sighed. “It needed to look real and Ell’Hakan needed to be winning the conflict. At least, that’s how I came to understand why my Patron wanted me to do what I did. I was never on Ell’Hakan’s side but always working for my Patron, who in turn worked with the Holy Church... and the Holy Church expected an outcome that included the death of Yip of Yore and Ell’Hakan. Which is where I come in.”
“The Holy Church had an agreement with the Celestial Child,” Iludar continued, now looking a bit perplexed. “Are you saying they broke it, or-“
“That manipulative fuck didn’t have an agreement with the Holy Church. He had an agreement with a certain subset of the Holy Church who wanted his Bloodline. Perhaps the confusion is also partly my fault, as I should also speak more clearly,” Kindroth said, shaking his head. “I guess it would be more accurate to say that my Patron worked with the Holy Mother over the Holy Church and that I worked for the Augur primarily.”
Miranda couldn’t help but look at Kindroth with a frown as he said this. She knew some things about him, and she’d known he had been a double or triple or whatever agent playing pretty much all sides, but he had never so directly stated he’d worked for the Augur before.
“The Augur is part of the Holy Church,” Iludar said. “A high-ranking member of it.”
“Yeah, it hasn’t really felt that way during this entire thing,” Kindroth sighed. “The internal politics of the Holy Church are a fucking mess, and I’m glad not to officially be a part of it. Just know that some parts expected Ell’Hakan to die and would prefer for his Bloodline to die with him, and another part really wants that Bloodline.”
“And I assume you’re in the part that wants it gone?” Miranda spoke up for the first time in a while.
“Exactly. So is the Augur,” Kindroth answered. “I do apologize for not explaining things fully yet, but as I said, things are pretty damn complicated.”
“I knew enough to the extent that what I didn’t know caused us no harm,” Miranda answered in a forgiving tone. “I will need a long talk with you later, though. You say it’s complicated, but do humor me anyway.”
“Alright, that was the plan anyway,” Kindroth smiled as he looked at Iludar. “Should I also be kneeling in surrender?”
“We’ll find out later if that’s needed,” Miranda said, not joking at all, before she looked over at Iludar and smiled.
“I want to honor your request from earlier. We shall give your loyal soldiers a chance to recompense.”
Iludar looked relieved before switching to confusion until he landed on realization. He tried to mobilize the energy in his body again, but it was far too late. The ground below him had already turned into a murky green swamp as several arms shot up and grabbed him before pulling him under, never to be seen again.
Miranda did have to thank him for that brilliant offer of giving his life for his soldiers, though. It had helped make her decision of how to proceed a lot easier.
Comments
Justin
Thanks for the chapter. Miranda is always good shit.
Wren Redwood
Tyftc, better than drugs
Haydn
Just downloaded on Kindle to give it a read
Greedsmith
I really want Jake to be done with the Desolate Child of Loss next chapter, please don’t draw it out for no reason 🙏
John Durrett
I wouldn’t say 100%. Perhaps divinely inspired? lol
D k
Haha I was on royal road for a while I know the feeling. Still, hits the itch faster than waiting for the books to fully release.
Patrick Kenney
I don’t see a way Eversmile dies either. If they really wanted to throw a loop they could somehow kill off Valdemar. That would be a mind blower
Bob Fight
Na he literally just told her to her face that’s he’s been what a quadruple agent or something wouldn’t trust him further than I could throw him
brjenness
yeah, kindroth would be a huge help if diplomacy is needed at the end of this event.. and we could begin the next arc with kindroth and church screwing Jake over.
Phil Ritter
I don’t think Kindroth will face big problems at most he has to leave with Jacob but Jake never expected subservience from anyone. Sure what power he can gain will be strictly limited as to not accidentally grow a Tumor that could make problems but using system contracts they could probably insure he doesn’t backstab them while still using his political genius to further their influence if wanted. Also they are not fighting augurs faction since those people only align with the holy mother and Jake has no beef with them even if he probably isn’t too much a fan of them either
Phil Ritter
Imo if he kills anyone of the primordials it would be her I dislike eversmile more but I see no way for him to die he is just too elusive and as a researcher is bound to have near limitless tricks up his sleeve. The holy mother on the other hand is way to reliant on her holy land so should he ever find a way to crush it she’d loose half her power and Villy should be able to finish her off with relative ease. I can see Eversmile helping too just because he thinks it’s interesting and he’d probably support every killing of a primordial if realistic enough just for the data points
brjenness
kindroth is ab amazing asset, but you can't fully trust him. he might also be a lot stronger then he acts. I'm not sure what Jake should do with him. I hope he sticks around so we can continue arguing about his loyalty. I also think Jake isn't going to be to hard on him because kindroth didn't run away. meaning I think kindroth is smart enough that he already knows how Jake is going to react.
Indevan Jones
Ive just been pronouncing it the same as polystrial, its close enough. Lol
Indevan Jones
So, with King Ildur dead/dying, I on his way out, Ell'hakan dead, only Kindroth remains as a possible candidate for administer besides Jake. You think his whole plan was to end up in a miranda position but for the world wonder?
Admorias
I smell another planetary sacrifice
Admorias
The unbound series by Nicoli Gonnella is similar and a good read.
Michael Ferguson
I think this fight will have more consequences than Ell'Hakan's fight.
Michael Ferguson
I wanted to wait till next week to get read the whole fight. But I saw some redditer say there is no cliffhanger and I had to come see. Worth it! I just hope Zogarth is having safe travels. Thanks! Maybe the desolation kid has a cool desperation attack.
Justice Knapton
Exactly her whole shtick is just creepy
Taylor
The holy mother really is just a giant parasite consuming the souls and records of the faithful that get stuck in her heavenly realm.
Justice Knapton
I really hope jake eventually kills the holy mother I really don't like her or her faction
CaptainFlowers
Yeah I agree, I don't think the path Jacob took in the tutorial was the one he would have chosen, had he better options. But he didn't. Not to realistically save all the others depending on him. He took the best option given, and I know he sees the flaws in the Church; he's criticized them multiple times. I personally hope one day he and Bert convert/became heretics and switch sides to Jake's budding powerhouse/pantheon
CaptainFlowers
Message me in the discord and I'll send you some cash for the next month. Matti Prime, nitro booster
Haydn
I have too and I’m wondering if there is something very similar I can burn through as I wait for these chapters to come out daily
brjenness
but are you 100% sure the primordials aren't working behind the scenes setting up challenges to drive Jake's growth
brjenness
kindroth will always sound the way he needs to sound to achieve his goals. remember when he met Jake and instantly knew to relax, be "honest" and play the role of a guy just trying to get shit done. no platitudes, no bs. I think we keep kindroth around for the sake of the story as a recurring topic for us to argue. favorite "oh shit...what if" things to argue: 1. is villy behind the scenes causing problems foe Jake to drive his growth 2. is this the time kindroth has gone to far 3. anything about the holy mother's role in the church being so ducked up
John Durrett
Villy is not the source of Jake’s problems, but a patron, a mentor and a friend to Jake. El Hakan was a narcissistic prick that needed to be eliminated due to his own actions. That the church faction wanted the bloodline to brainwash followers, and steal Jake’s kill made them an automatic target. Villies only roll was to support Jake and say don’t sweat the church.
Thomas Grimshaw
My brain added the 'm' and skipped it
Thomas Grimshaw
Welcome to waiting every day for an update!
Thomas Grimshaw
Also what you say around said Verdant Witch
BearHandMan
Oh come on… Meira and Irin are also pretty dope
Rocotrap
Aaaaaand here I was looking for the next chapter hahahahahahaha
Ty Cooper
Lol it got me as well. My half asleep self just kept hitting refresh with nothing happening. Till I remembered someone laughing at my friday cliffhanger comment on Tuesday.
Ansordia
RIGHT!!!!!!!! Totaly forgot that bit! I'm so stupid!
Cody
Not only that, DC hurt Sylphie. That’s enough to send Jake full murder hobo
BumAssBumAss
Realized that Kindroth sounding a bit like Jake when talking about ell'hakan
Ryan Taylor
I remember that now lol. 1062
Martino Zanchi
Zogarth wrote that today he would be traveling all day a few chapters back.
Ryan Taylor
I'm not sure either. Didn't see anything saying so.
Profile Name
Why isen’t there a chapter Friday have i missed something?
Straat Junon
Oh right no chapter today. Totally forgot
SmokeJam
Uhm, I hope your faith in the goodness of the next human being never falters, that's probably something good to have. I just lived through too many betrayals, be it in simple things or your fellow mate on employment suddenly breaking down and risking both of your lives, to the best friend taking your girl while you are gone. I simply cannot trust people anymore.
brjenness
This guy Jakes. What's screwed though is there are fewer Jake's in the world then there are people who would attack you because their cult has told them your cult is evil. Still most people are humans and will see you as human and their motherly, fatherly, chivalry, humanly instincts will kick in and they will help, protect, or at least work with you.
brjenness
Not familiar with lunar waneshaft. Rogueish smart-ass that you never know what he is capable of or can be 100 percent sure what he is up to?
Seen Death
Just pick one of the humans and then be the one doing the killing. Ez
Seen Death
Maybe more of a lunar waneshaft
brjenness
Yes I completely agree, choosing the bear is extremely stupid. Any human, you have a high chance they would never attack you and would have a chance at defending yourself. You are brainwashed by the bear choosing cult.
KollegvomMirgan
i think he teleported back to the capital city
Kelfu
He could just have a metal ass
Corvid
End this chapter was a great reminder of just how absolutely terrible of an idea it is to piss of a verdant witch. Good times in the swamp.
Asher Mack
Probably the best female character in PH honestly, Carmen is basically just a less sarcastic Jake
Asher Mack
For sure will do so! Just gotta wait a couple months for it to catch up
Clint
Unless I’m misremembering names, he was the guy from Neal’s party who could detect lies.
Pole Fire
Ok now take a crack at the last name haha
ChrisCidy
I also thought eternal hunger fed on the souls of those Jake kills. I believe it is even said that any extension of Jake that kills someone, even if eternal hunger is stored in his soul space, eternal hunger would still consume the soul of who he killed. Normally a soul is recycled unless the soul is stored or consumed. In eternal hungers case, it's a vessel that's consuming the soul which is being stored in said vessel thus increasing its power. Which leaves me to wonder how Jacob was even able to gather Ell'Hakan's soul because didn't eternal hunger call dibs?
Chloe
Tyftc
The Uub
Ah that's their problem, they called their formations sacred when they should have been scared. Its a spelling issue
SmokeJam
As stupid as it sounds, I would take the bear over people, as long as it is not a current mother bear which are too unpredictable. I can shoo a bear away with fire, I can't stop a guy murdering me in my sleep.
joel southard
Nice thank you for the chapter
SmokeJam
I mean, it's about half a book behind, but you can still read on Royal Road for free!
SmokeJam
Polyester-Cereal, surely.
Katrina Lucas
Burned through this series like a stressed chain smoker. Tftc. Can't wait till the next bits
Katrina Lucas
Pawl-ay-strah-cereal is my best guess
Lynderyn
Religions are cults that are large enough to make people not call them a cult.
The Uub
A phew of the hole
Krispy sock
Wish you financial success, hope all is well.
Pole Fire
If I had to bet the reason book 11 audiobook isn’t out it’s because Baldree is still trying to figure out how to say “Pollaystrasirial” name (Polly from the Colosseum of Mortals”). Or because you know it 90+ chapters…
Asher Mack
Great last chapter. I had to end my membership for financial reasons so it’s been fun and have a good one y’all ✌️
Jose Reyna
TFTC!!!
Namorat
He went back to that real city Jake started at. Not dead yet therefore
Petropan
That was easier than expected
Joshua Little
Thanks for the chapter.
Tr0LLach
They weren't helping him ffs. They created the whole mess. They supported Cheeto so they can use Jake to do their bidding for them. Holy Mother and her people could have put an end to it at any point.
Phoenixdrop
Welp should have expected that I knew he had to be pulling something but well whatever
Vega
He was backed into a corner during the Tutorial, they were going to die anyway, with William on that rampage. I’m hoping that now that there are other options, and there is potentially more understanding of what the Holyland is, that he & Bertram would choose set themselves on a Path they’re comfortable on. Although I acknowledge his hands might be tied, denouncing a Patron (esp. one as powerful as the HM) is no small/easy thing.
Sarianne Roodenburg
From what I remember he stopped focusing on fighting and focused more on his profession and starting a family? I remember reading somewhere that only Neal is still growing with the elite the rest of the party falling behind and the party not being a party anymore. Somewhere around the end of the Nevermore arc I think
brjenness
ooooohhh. ohhhg. villy is the source of all of Jake's problems. pushing him to gain records.
kinglemur
Fucking 😙🤌🤌
brjenness
there is also the possibility kindroth is much closer to a supreme elite then we think and he knew Miranda was in no danger with him there.
Bruce Sheplan
Its even possible HM and Villy have an understanding, thats why he told Jake to do what he thought was right and not worry about the church.
brjenness
keep your enemies closer.
Tucker Glick
That’s why they explode after the spell… it’s peak holeyness
John Durrett
Tyftc and safe travels. This is a good place to sit a while until your return
John Durrett
But I’m only looking “for the bear necessities, ..”. ;)
John Durrett
No. His actions were not directed at Jake. They were a setup/trap for yip of yor and El Hakan that his patron agreed with the holy mother to participate in. Both of which aligned with what Jake and Villy wanted. He played his game just as Jake played his
brjenness
dad, is that you
Ty Cooper
I am believing that all holy members will be forced to leave the galaxy. Just some are worse than others. Miranda not killing all the troops and letting the church leave like they typically do when they loose. It will show that Jake is not a lunatic mass murderer and has political sense but stays out of it most of the time. It shows that he can lead a galaxy without blowing up each planet that opposes him. It says a lot about the leadership as a whole.
brjenness
humans have tried to manipulate every ideology throughout history whether it was religous or not, to gain power, influence, and wealth. when asked which you would rather be alone with in the woods; a Christian, a Muslim, a jew, an atheist, or a bear... your answer should always be anything but the bear.
E
Iirc he took a portal back to the capital city right after ordering Jacob to release the Child. Jake put a mark on him
SmokeJam
No, eternal hunger always just ate all energies there are, means the outer layers of a soul can be consumed as they are mostly just energy and Records, but never its core, which is the Truesoul.
Thijs Damen
No? He left before the dc was even fully summoned
brjenness
who?
spyks
One could say, Jake made them holey
Clint
When he was working for Jacob, providing intel to the HC and letting Iludar’s attack band in without telling Miranda about it, apparently.
Clint
Oh. Yeah that was to the city. I was thinking that Jake had killed “everyone”. But you’re right it’s just the elites at the battlefield, not everyone on the planet. So that priest is still alive. Something needs to be done about that.
Phasmatic7
Thankies
Gingerlochs
Eversmile has already stated that his William experiment hasn't stopped, but seeing William "grow" after understanding emotions has been nice - he's pretty OP still, but now he's working with the person who "set him free" from EverSmile. Jake was Williams greatest great, and now I feel like he has become a different kind of anchor for William.
nathan
He escaped through a teleport when Jacob was summoning the false god
brjenness
smart to keep both eyes open when dealing zoggy. he' a tricky one.
Clint
Did the high priest die? The one who ordered Jacob to release the DC? I guess if everyone is dead he’s probably included, but I’m always suspicious of off-screen deaths. Especially in a series of chapters where there’s so much attention on Iludar’s escape token.
Little Silly
Wot? When? How?
Clint
Can’t destroy a true soul. My idea would be to come up with a poison or curse that disrupts the baptism/blessing, even just temporarily. Without that link, HM’s transcendence shouldn’t come into play.
Nate Slusher
Miranda is awesome. Witch powers are 10/10 fun.
Little Silly
Ah, I have a hard time believing anyone religious would read this lol. It started with, somewhat early on, saying Earth deities ain’t real and are just based on these. Though I guess some might enjoy it anyway?
Clint
Whatever happened to Silas?
Clint
Wow. Kindroth really did betray Jake. Not sure he’ll be happy with that decision, with the benefit of hindsight.
Jeff McCulley
Sure. But today is Friday. No chapter tomorrow.
Jeff McCulley
Pretty sure that’s a swampy green fist.
Jeff McCulley
“Out of laziness”? Nope. He’ll “let them off” because they’ve been surreptitiously helping him. They’ll still have to vacate the premises—at least the Milky Way, if not the 93rd.
Jeff McCulley
Well, he just said that his god is allied with the Church and the Holy Mother, and Jake just said that even the Holy Mother faction has to go from the Milky Way. So…
SmokeJam
Again, he didn't do it to help. He did it for his own goals. Just because it helped Earth doesn't absolve him of the betrayal he committed to be believable. If he was actually on Jake's side I wouldn't say anything, but he very clearly stated that he is allied to the Church, which positioned itself as the enemy (Yes, only a faction of it, but it being the faction of one of the highest ranked gods, it is a giant part of the Church). As long as he keeps these ties and stays with his patron, he is also bound to the consequences. There is enough backstabbing already, it would be stupid to keep a potential threat in a position of power. If you treat everyone who coincidentally helped you as an ally, you will sooner rather than later wake up with a knife in your back. The only thing Kindroth has proven is that he is not evil or an enemy personally, but also far too easy to get used by stronger factions or people. As the German saying goes: he is a flag in the wind.
Lynderyn
Safe travels Zogarth.
Doug
Oh… dang nice work. I ended up just reading that sentence and skipping that little part because I couldn’t make it make sense
Blaq Jesus
The original blade definitely absorbed souls as far as I remember? I gotta go back and check. I be remembering things wrong.
Jeff McCulley
EVERYONE bluffs to become a martyr. “Punish me, but spare my men…” Then the winner has to call your bluff. It’s practically a trope. Iludar was just especially bad at it, with two elite people readers standing right there…who also didn’t like him.
SmokeJam
Well, I didn't want to offend the religious people maybe reading this, although my parents would call the whole storyline blasphemy.
Jeff McCulley
Nah. One more priest (or so), and Jacob is in charge. “Sure, we’ll leave”.
Jeff McCulley
few of the whole >them staring at the metal as as >metal mage have to than him for >thank
brjenness
karma strings. one question ... is it possible kindroth expected to defeat the army and protect Miranda by himself?
Benjamin Mages
What a way to treat someone who has helped you way more than the opposite, including preventing one of their last enemies from successfully escaping. If that happens, with allies like you, who needs enemies.
Little Silly
What separates Catholic sentiments from cultism? Aren’t most major religions just successful cults?
D3monEmper0r
There is a difference?
Benjamin Mages
This is the same Jacob that in the tutorial arranged for nearly all the survivors to go to the Holy Land rather than be killed by William and just outright die. He absolutely buys into the Holyland thing. However I heavily suspect that DC will not go there after death.
Little Silly
Jake used soul poison to knock out his slave’s elf friend and had to be reminded by Villy that certain races don’t sleep naturally so he would have to wake her up. This was to prevent her seeing him reveal his chosen status and killing the other two “friends”. We have seen Jake knock himself out multiple times from mental exhaustion of focusing without taking breaks. God’s presences, especially too many at once or unsuppressed, tend to knock out most mortals. Destroying the outermost layer of someone’s soul seems to be the most common way of knocking someone out without poison. TLDR: It’s possible, it has happened to many characters, it mainly comes down to mental exhaustion, soul damage, pressure, or poison.
D k
I’m finally caught up, nice.
Benjamin Mages
I mean, clearly it doesn't work that way; if it did, we wouldn't be having this arc where Jake attacks the Holy Church. Also where their souls are sent to is the result of a transcendent skill; that would be extremely difficult to mess with because those are outside of the system.
Cody
It seems like a symbiotic relationship to me. Jake’s path gets fed and Jacob gets to clean up the holy church’s factions. Jacob as an augur/former boss wants to see Jake’s path progress, especially since he has benefitted so much already from being in proximity to him.
Jack Liu
TFTC! small typo "– few of the whole –" i believe should be – few of theM whole –
Benjamin Mages
Honestly I wouldn't be surprised if Iludar didn't have skills to make his lies or at least what he says more convincing. Miranda actually does have a skill to detect lies (she had it all the way back in E-rank actually and it's probably been upgrade by now) but those can be fooled by stronger skills.
Xardion
For some reason, in started hearing Joe Lynn Turner singing "Stone Cold" in my head when Miranda offed Illudar. No idea why.
Paulo Furlaneto
Tftc
brjenness
is kindroth a potential jaraxle? an ally you can trust but never fully. we're missing a zaknafien. the reason for jaraxle's support of drizzt
brjenness
at my age 5 yrs is the blink of an eye.
Vega
Miranda really needs better BS-detecting abilities if she’s going to be the acting leader of the most powerful faction of the 93rd Universe. William isn’t always going to be present to lie-detect.
Little Silly
Isn’t it a bit short of 5 years? Though there will probably be a time skip once everything from this situation is cleaned up, if you mean in chapter numbers.
Matthew Smith
Genocidal Jake is going to be on hell on an enjoyable read.
Trevor Mergen
Thanks!
Gardor
Good calls!
SmokeJam
They do not consume it either, they try to revive it. That's something wholly different.
John Looney
You want to hunt some leaches for me I’ll pay good lmao
Vega
My theory (referencing the PH wiki about souls being 4 layers + core/Truesoul) is that it consumes the soul layers but leave the Truesoul that carries the Records untouched. The exception was Temlat from Nevermore, who had no Truesoul so his Records could be consumed. But in that case, given that consciousness & memories are the 1st & 2nd layers, I do wonder if the Church members are wrong to not be afraid of Eternal Hunger. What are we without our consciousness & memories?
Lonnie
Miranda is such a badass
Klown Keidra
That could be an interesting long term thing. "Oh little hunter, you wish to test your bow against a god, I have just the prey for you" type thing when Jake is deep into S rank
SmokeJam
Easy. Sandy and Vesperia were actually in reserve to support Jake if needed, or in defense of a possible attack while Jake was gone. He was having a very public leave for the Church, the most obvious point where an enemy of Earth might try something, so having your defences on high alert would be prudent. When then suddenly Kindroth, a character she always was cautious around because of his obvious scam skills and being better in politics than her, leads her out of the city at this obviously convenient time when Earth might be weaker, paranoia alarm bells surely went off in her head.
Klown Keidra
That sounds like a great way to get on the bad side of the Holy Mother. At the moment, The Holy Mother has no issues, and probably actually likes Jake, but the moment you start fucking with her directly, that won't be good.
Steven Tuttle
Dont you see that he is setting up the chance for the two of them to become heretics with the help of jake
Alexander C Hyde
“That was definitely all deceitful,” William concurred, Miranda staring at the metal mage as [as] she put quite a bit more stock in his words due to his karmic magic. The word [as] is used twice.
SmokeJam
Your whole assumption is based on Kindroth being forthcoming with information. We actually don't know that. As I understood it, he didn't tell Miranda anything and this wasn't planned, just her being prepared for all eventualities. I don't know where you pick up the idea this was premeditated between the two, the stuff Kindroth says in this chapter pretty much confirms the opposite in my opinion. So, while Miranda was suspecting him, she definitely didn't know. 2nd point: Since the start there has been friction with the Holy Church, they didn't pick the smart side during the civil war on Earth either. They were barely tolerated and with the Church sorting their internal issues on the back of the Milky Way which caused an immense loss of life, they cannot be trusted or allowed any kind of foothold. Means Kindroth just signed his own warrant of consequences to come with stating that he is allied to them.
Vega
Agreed. I think he was just a mentally ill kid and the System integration set his head straight. He’s been given this 2nd chance with a new ability to forge bonds and work with people, instead of only knowing how to work against them, and he’s trying hard to learn how to be better (with some missteps, but that’s part of the learning process). He’s my favourite black sheep, I love the underlying redemption arc.
Damien Kingsly
If he did, then his confidence is beyond ridiculous. He seems like a smart enough person to put two-and-two together and realize that doing such a thing would mean getting “hunted” to the end of the multiverse.
Christian Sullivan
Who bluffs to be a martyr?! The fact that it almost worked is crazy too.
Andromeda Adams
Tyftc. That was awesome!
Gareth Morgan
Jake was knocked out in book 1 while in E grade. He projected himself into Villy's bedroom
Michael Younger
I like to imagine Sandy as Argyle from Die Hard. Driving a Limo just BSing with the passengers and snacking in the basement while the building is being robbed.
SmokeJam
Awesome trilogy, gotta read it again
Tr0LLach
Fatigue and Soul damage seem to be two things that knock even Jake out.
SmokeJam
He won't kill Jacob, of that I am actually quite sure. But I do not believe we will see a lot of the Augur in the future, they definitely getting banned from the galaxy forever.
SmokeJam
He is still very sketchy and I really hope Miranda doesn't trust him. Yes, his actual goal might have aligned with Jake's, but he is very obviously not interested in being a part of his faction. If it was me, he would get exiled from the Milky Way and his planet given the choice of rescinding their belief in the Lightbulb or be exiled too.
Arieh Sochaczevski
I didn’t say “destroy”. I imagined that it consumes it. In the same way that Jacob and the Holy Church do.
Xander
nah in context it should be "few of them whole" since it is refering to the corpses not the number of bodies compared to the whole army
SmokeJam
Nope, you are forgetting the rules of Truesoul again. That thing is basically untouchable, you cannot destroy a Truesoul, you can only separate it from everything else making up an individual. Eternal Hunger can eat up all energies produced, but not the Truesoul, that is the part the System usually reclaims.
Jo
Miranda is such an amazing character that’s really grown into a bad ass.
SmokeJam
The Church really is fucked up. I'm amazed at how good you are at combining cultist and Catholic sentiments to a truly horrific chimera of religion.
Will Murry
Nah William would've called his bs
Vega
I’d imagine he’s exhausted. He’s not just a spy, he’s a planetary leader who’s gotta figure out how to reconcile the lies he’s told his citizens about his Patron soon, now the system event is at the phase where the universe is slowly opening up.
Strlo
Great chapter, but I've got a question that's got nothing to do with it. Can people still get knocked out? I don't remember if it's been mentioned, but with how health and the soul work in this, I don't recall someone becoming unconscious besides in a sleeping way. And if people can, is it a status or concept, instead of something happening due to trauma? I know people stay conscious even when they get their heads blown off if they can regenerate, so would it be impossible to know those people out? Just something that crossed my mind and won't get out. If anyone knows, I would be very happy if you could let me know
Xander
Sorry boss i missed one "few of *the* whole" should be them Also I dont understand how Miranda happened to have a worm filled with an army up her sleeve. If she thought Kindroth was taking her to a dungeon its entirely unnecessary if she thought Kindroth was taking her to defeat an army then it makes sense to have one on hand but then why is she giving kindrtoh side eye the whole time and why are they doing the whole convo about the dungeon? You set up that they were going to use misinformation to lure in the last of EH sympathisers and now Kindroth being a suprise double/triple agent is a suprise to Miranda? Why he was being a double agent is irrelevant, either for HM or for his own reasons. Its just why Miranda didnt know and why, if she didnt know she had such a massive overwhelming force up her sleeve, literally.
Arieh Sochaczevski
I think Jake needs to get himself some ability - an item would be fine - to seize or disburse true souls after death. Let him fight a few more members of the HC with that, and things will change. Right now fighting and losing costs them - in their minds - nothing. Prevent their ‘visits’ to the Holyland, though, and the math changes. For the individual AND for the church. Also, if it’s a replicable method, he can use the threat of disseminating it to keep them off his back in general. WAIT: isn’t Eternal Hunger already doing this?!? Shouldn’t that have prevented the church from taking Cheeto???
Naomi Roberts
Awesome as always.
Arieh Sochaczevski
I don’t think he’ll care at all about Kindroth unless Miranda says something. Jacob is another story. I’m very much on the fence thinking about that one. He was sort-of used, but he also self-selected.
Gardor
Just to break this down more, cuz maybe I'm not making myself clear. There's Iludar, he thinks Kindroth is a double agent on EHs/church's side, leading Miranda into a trap. Until Miranda showed up to the ambush prepared, he had no reason to doubt Kindroth was truly betraying Jake, based on all the information he'd passed along as a spy. There's Miranda, she thinks Kindroth is a double agent on the Snakey side, based on some vague conversation however many chapters ago and them planning this counter ambush. She knew for a while this was going on, and knew that in order to make his cover legitimate, Kindroth would have to give information to the Eh's. Now that the counter ambush has succeeded, she has no reason to even question whether or not Kindroth is truly on her side, the evidence is right there. Iludar was manipulated into showing his forces with false information about Miranda's combat capabilities, and the Snakes defeated the remnants of the EH faction. There's Kindroth, who's actually a triple agent, he's betraying the EH faction for the benefit of the snakes, but he's doing it at the behest of a Holy Church faction. How and why would that ever come up? What would he have done to make Miranda suspicious, it would seem like he'd just be a double agent on the Snake side from her perspective. If he's clever enough to pull off being a triple agent, it's not like his Holy Church membership card is gonna fall out of his pocket at an inopportune time.
Kevin Watson
i imagine Kindroth to be a very tired spy, it’s also really starting to feel like the Milky Way is completely owned, i wonder if B grade will follow this purging
Kain
Gardor I agree with you but we don’t know exactly when he let her in on them coming to earth. It’s possible just before they left he pulled her aside and said “hey grab Sandy and Vesperia we’re heading into an “ambush”” or something along those lines. Or otherwise he didn’t tell her relevant details just that a fight was going to happen.
Aaditya Ravindran
I wouldn't be surprised to see the holy mother recruit Jake to thin out holy church members who aren't on her side.
brjenness
i"ve been thinking of it as mother bitch slapping upstart power hungry faction... mayyyybe....just a refocus/rebranding by hm. super elites won't join a faction that some priest can order you to sacrifice yourself to win some irrelevant battle for him. huge masses of people will want the opportunity to reach their potential before some twerp says, "kill yourself for my glory." so it's might be mother seeing the rebalanced needed to maximize her power.
Kain
I still don’t believe a word out of Kendroths mouth. My bets still on him getting to be the first non-Jake heretic chosen cause I don’t believe for a second he was “just following his patrons orders” or is in any way super loyal to that god.
Vega
Even with being willing to give up EH’s bloodline, is the Holy Mother better though? Is Jacob & Bertram really alright with staying with the Church? The whole “sacrificial ritual / sacrifice of the few individuals for the cause” is still the Church’s MO, not just the LM’s, and Jacob was reluctant to even sacrifice the DC, so this MO is clearly not something he’s comfortable with. Unless he buys into the Holyland thing, and is fine with sacrificing people if they have a ticket to go into that soul battery, but didn’t want DC to die because it wouldn’t go there after death. Oh man, so many theories. Thanks for writing and sharing this chapter!
Aaditya Ravindran
It all makes sense now! The holy mother, being a primordial knew that villy wouldn't have to break a sweat to defeat Yip. And having seen what Jake can do first hand (aura battle with Valdemar) to know he can beat Ell'Hakan. That's why the lodestar matron was the leader who wanted EH's bloodline, but the Augur did not (that could also be a personal belief though which just aligned with the holy mother). We're probably gonna see the Holy Church politics being the theme of the upcoming chapters!
Ty Cooper
Tftc. Lol don't know why I felt so relieved that the Holy Mother doesn't like EH's bloodling and didn't actually want it. That Jacob had the support of the Holy Mother. To know Kindroth was a good triple agent. I felt so sketchy about him this whole time
Gardor
Yes.......and BEFOFE he stated that, Miranda was acting conflicted about his loyalty. As if she had just found out he was a TRIPLE agent. How would that have come up? On the flight over, Kindroth speaks up and says "hey, I know we're about to accomplish our whole 'Trick Iludar scheme, great work, i just wanna tell you right now I'm not really on your side.'."? Clearly she knew he was a double agent, and as a double agent his actions led to the mopping up of EHs faction, so what about the plan coming together made her think "huh, this guy can't be trusted."?
Ray Light
Youch, that would be hard to set right... Nice observation!
Ray Light
Should be titled the Iron Lady😂
Ray Light
Few of the whole of the church. It's a subsection of it, not all of them. Also, some fled to the other city when the DCoL was summoned.
SunStar
He isn’t their inside guy, he’s just stated he’s someone else’s inside guy and that’s not comfortable given that church association.
Canis
Villy is gonna approve of burning the Holy Church out of the 93rd at least until Jacob and the holy mother finish cleaning out the church.
Drendude
>All around him were corpses – few of the whole – of the Holy Church elite fighters who’d continued fighting I imagine it should be "few of them whole"?
Lay Nkay
Thanks for the chapter. I'm glad Miranda went with killing Lludar. Then she can give a conditional pardon to some followers and be seen as merciful.
Tr0LLach
God I hope Jake doesn't just bitch out and let Kindroth and Jacob off scot-free out of laziness.
Ender419
Grandma Miranda: “And that my children is how you win a war with polished iron fist.”
Daniel Brian
Who needs an editor when you have helpful fans! 😉
Jordan
A damn good chapter to head into the weekend on
James Evans
There is really only one question that should resolve kindroths fate. Was he the one that gave information that lead the DC to attack sylphie and kill the king.
Xarow
It will give the Holy Mother reasonable grounds to sanction the whole group across the multiverse as they have lost them their position in the Milky Way. She can remove their influence without appearing unfair.
James Evans
that was jacob.
Gardor
Yeah but he stated that after Miranda was giving him the side eye. Why was she giving him the side eye? Miranda should be thinking "nice, our inside man convinced our enemies to group up so we could wipe them out, mission accomplished", not "who the hell is this guy working for??". Cuz as far as she knows, there's two sides to the fight, and Kindroth just executed a plan that completely decimated the last of the EH faction.
NovaZero
It's all numbers to her. She has them already.
brjenness
Today's cliff hanger is knowing how close we are to finding out about the wonder.
Indevan Jones
That was Jacob, jacob picked up the Child of loss and was trying to give him a path. Now whether or not that was a "true" path or just loose end cleaning is up in the air atm.
SunStar
He basically stated that he follows the will of a god allied with the Holy Church. That his loyalty is firmly there. While in a vacuum that’s not necessarily a problem, they don’t live in a vacuum. Allies of any part of the Holy Church are going to get side eyed on Earth. The matron’s faction might be the current big Holy Church problem but they’re not Earth’s only problem with the Holy Church.
brjenness
And rem...William at one point asked for and received the ability to understand why people had emotions. That's a big change
Devillelouch
Than you for the chapter ;)
Arieh Sochaczevski
Thanks for the chapter! “Miranda did have to than him for that brilliant offer of giving his life for his soldiers, though.” I’m almost sure that should be “thank”. If not, I don’t understand.
Jonathan Venn
TYFC - typo right at the end Miranda did have to than him Thank
Shai182
TFTC! Ahh Miranda is a "Saint"
Zogarth
Fix stuff
Kt-x
Thanks for the chapter!
Zogarth
Fix
brjenness
Ah...nevermind
NSaaby
Thats a good book too
Davide
Sorry but slight edit in the last paragraph I think it should be thank not than
NSaaby
Edit* Miranda did have to than him for that brilliant offer of giving his life for his soldiers, though. It had helped make her decision of how to proceed a lot easier. Did you mean: Miranda did have to thank him....
Davide
Cheers for the Chappy
SilverSentry
I think she probably knows and is allowing it. She's a primordial after all.
Mohammed Sheekh
Since this is the conclusion of the elhakan and holy church arc, what could be next, that dude that picked up the desolate child of loss is still a mystery
SilverSentry
So Jacob and thr Holy Mother are cleaning house. Called it! Thank you for thr chapter!
Mdcole03
In the last paragraph it says " than" instead of thank
JJB4345_80_815
Yes, thank you for the chappy Zogarth!
Jake Thorpe
love me a good murder Hobo
Cameron Whitaker
"Miranda did have to than him for that brilliant offer of giving his life for his soldiers, though." Is "than" meant to be thank? Tyftc though
Xander
William was never an enemy of Jake he was always just an obstacle. I for one dont think hes all that much worse than anyone else in the general multiverse. As has been stated in the books, Williams approach to the tutorial would have worked out well if it hadnt been for Jakes unexpected involvement.
Straat Junon
At the end you missed the k on thank. Tyfc!
Sammot
Murder hobo haters be crying right about now🤣
Unwillingmainer
The only thing worse than church politics is multiversal church politics. But it sounds like Earth will be doing a lot of cleaning for the Holy Mother.
Gardor
If this was the plan, like if Kindroth told Miranda about the ambush so they could counter-ambush, why's she acting like he's untrustworthy? It's not like having a space worm and an insect army up your sleeve is something that just happens. I understand that he's a "double or triple or whatever" agent, and that itself isnt conducive to unconditional trust, but the way it's framed makes it seem like some new information came to light that makes her doubt their previous relationship. As if, now they need to have a reckoning. Wouldnt she just feel smug, because the plan worked? Surely she knew the whole time Kindroth was feeding the king information to sell his role?
Xander
TFTC! :) Jake fighting Holy Church Voltron is fun :) Thanks for not leaving too massive a cliff for the 3 day weekend. Enjoy your trip. Suggested edits: "It felt almost like *an* insult to injury that it even made the people" the phrase is "adding insult to injury". "Miranda staring at the *metal* as as she put" missing word mage "Miranda did have to *than* him for that brilliant offer" should be thank
Sayjinlord
Thanks for the chapter!
Lizy Flore
I was a expecting a much worse cliffhangers. Thanks Zogarth!
Cory Sauls
TFTC
brjenness
I think I have underestimated the possibility that Jacob is the one cleaning church and the holy mother doesn't know/care. At least a chance he picked up DC and El fully knowing the end result. He iscarthur's son after all.
Matthias
Tftc
Rick Delallata
Hah, deserved
SyndaXatrix
Safe travels! TYFC!!
Jana
I remember when this Story was basically Jake smash big Monster - it was already creative than but simple - now I feel the urge to make a conspiracy board with lots of pins, bubbles, red strings and theories and I’m still loving it.
Zizawah
Safe travels and have a wonderful weekend away! Thanks for yet another great chapter!
Blackbriar
I really like William's involvement, but I can't help wondering if, based on his past behavior, he will change sides at some point. It's an interesting development in his storyline, for sure.
Stevean Bozek
The holy church really is a confusing mess though I guess it makes sense given their sheer size.
Michael mann
Oooooft Miranda that was cold! Great stop before the 3 day break. Tftc and safe travels tomorrow Zog
Tilen Praprotnik
Thanks for the chapter
Loststar7
TFTC. Have a good weekend.
Sailesh Kumar Kumar
TFTC! Wow I don’t think he was a double agent he was just a spy
BumAssBumAss
Thanks for the chapter
C0bra$
Thank u for the story
Timothy Reichert
Thanks
Beemoss
Tftc
TyranT-Rex
Have a good Friday Zog. Safe travels
Naotsugu97
But, but, the schedule!!! lol , TFTC!
Connor
Thanks for the chapter
