CHAPTER 825: CHAPTER 2: DEATH LORD (5K)_2

"Alright then, let’s prepare to leave. I’ve already troubled Ilois enough by staying here... By the way, Emhardt, I’m still curious about where you’re planning to go after I die. You’ve never told me before."

"...None of your damn business."

Emhardt cursed as he burrowed into Fisher’s arms, slipping back into the pocket he used to love.

As Fisher raised an eyebrow, ready to press further, a rush of footsteps suddenly echoed from the direction of the church hall. He looked up to see the Moon Rabbit Ilois, wearing a well-fitted nun’s robe, with slightly reddened eyes, stepping over. Fisher opened his mouth to say something, but she spoke first,

"Mr. Fisher... um, it seems like someone is outside, saying they need to meet you..."

"To see me? A Slime maybe..."

Fisher pondered for a second, thinking that the Slimes had promised to wait for him at McDowell, so they shouldn’t be in such a hurry. But if it were someone else, then who could it be?

Emhardt peeked out from Fisher’s arms, and after a moment of silence, Fisher nodded to Ilois, who was secretly wiping her tears. He then started walking towards the hall while responding,

"Got it, thank you."

At the far end of the hall, the statue of the Mother Goddess, bathed in the sunlight from the skies, watched silently as Fisher, continuously coughing, slowly made his way to the door. Ilois wanted to help but was stopped by him. In front of him, the church door opened slightly, revealing not only the icy world outside but also a strange figure.

It was a tall, peculiar-looking young man, about six foot three, with long limbs, a slender build, and a severe hunchback. His black hair and eyes marked him as typical of the Kado People. His black hair was slick and greasy, chaotically unkempt, appearing as though it hadn’t been washed in a long time. The pure black leather coat he wore was dusted with white snow, contrasting sharply.

The man’s complexion was pale, with dark bags and shadows under his eyes making him look lifeless and devoid of spirit. As the cold wind from outside swept in, Fisher coughed and caught a strong scent of alcohol. It was impossible to tell how much this man had drunk.

"Cough, cough..."

As Fisher coughed, the man at the church door noticed him. He hunchbacked, knocked on the door, and asked with a drunken tone,

"Can I come in?"

"Who are you?"

Without Fisher’s consent, he slipped inside the door like a piece of paper, let out a hot breath, burped alcohol, and slowly closed the door behind him,

"It’s too cold outside, let me warm up first, may the Mother Goddess bless... Oh, I almost forgot to introduce myself. Mr. Fisher Benavides, my name is Holan Dionysus, but you can call me [Holan]. Of course, you might also know me as the Creation Association’s..."

He slowly turned his hunchbacked body around, casting shadows over one half of his face, as he gave Fisher a sinister smile,

"[Death Lord]."

Fisher’s brow furrowed. His left hand instinctively moved to the handle of the Fluid Sword at his waist, but he was so weak from battling death, weaker than even the Zeroth Rank. If the Creation Association had sent someone to reclaim the three Completion Manuals from him now, he would be helpless to resist.

Yet he didn’t panic. He watched the slender, tall Death Lord cautiously, and softly turned to speak to the bewildered Ilois beside him,

"Ilois, go to the second floor. No matter what happens, don’t come down, and don’t remember anything you hear."

"But..."

"No buts, go now!"

Ilois was startled by Fisher’s suddenly raised voice. Carefully glancing at the breathless Fisher and the strange man in black before her, she pursed her lips, nodded, and left.

The Death Lord yawned, watching Ilois leave without moving. Instead, as if tired of standing, he sat on a nearby wooden bench, under the watchful gaze of the Mother Goddess. He burped and disrespectfully placed his feet on the front bench,

"No need to be so tense, Mr. Fisher; I am the second person sent by the Cardinal of Destiny to support you, after the Cardinal. We are not enemies."

Fisher sneered, coughing as he sat down not far in front of him,

"Support? Now, after I’ve already defeated Erwin? How timely of you..."

The Death Lord shrugged innocently at Fisher, spreading his hands,

"Can you blame me? I only arrived in the Northern Realm two weeks ago. It took all I had to follow you from the Female Country to Mia. Then you all went up the Snow Mountain, climbing faster than monkeys. I’m just a human, not gifted with divine skills like you. I couldn’t take it halfway up and had to come down. Sorry, I really can’t help you..."