Momiji looked up at the Magical Girl Pazuzu in the sky above the stage, and the other idols she was leading. After a moment of silence, she slowly nodded: "...What you said does make some sense. So..."
"Wait a minute," Hayden interrupted her, "There's a third option."
He then immediately transmitted an image to Hongye through the initiation of the personality chip.
That was the image of the Alastor Dragon Pearl in his hand.
[You should know that last year, a group of anti-corporation hackers calling themselves "Bójī" emerged in New Seattle. Their leader, in order to fight against the Mithra Group, risked everything by borrowing the name of Emperor Bójī and utilizing his remaining power, but unfortunately, he ultimately died before achieving his ambitions. These are his final remains.]
Hongye had seen this Dragon Ball before, and immediately frowned: "I know about this group. They're ultimately just outsiders using Lord Bojun's name."
Indeed, Hayden didn't think there was much of a connection between Alastor and Mara. Similarly, it's likely that Momiji didn't really hope to resurrect Mara. She wasn't stupid; of course she knew that resurrecting Mara was impossible.
Even if Mara were resurrected, it would only mean that he would be killed by the Mithra Group again, and then his remains would be used to distort the concept once more.
[The third option: It's still death, but it's done completely willingly, to die for it, rather than just out of necessity to complete the mission.]
Hayden continued, his expression inscrutable.
[You are a member of Mara's clan, and you are impersonating Mara again in this ritual. The owner of this dragon pearl also once used Mara's name. If you are willing to follow my instructions, your death will tear a large chunk of divine power from Mara's image, weakening it.]
[This live stream is available worldwide. Your willing self-sacrifice, your selfless dedication of your life, and your heroic defeat of Mara will be witnessed by the entire world. You will prove to the world that you harbor no resentment, and that Mara's former retainers are no longer a threat. At the same time, doing so will cleanse Mara's historical reputation. Some viewers may feel saddened or guilty by your death. Your people may receive better social treatment; at least Dakini and even the Mithraic group will no longer pursue their responsibility.]
All three choices will result in certain death. But since death is inevitable, the consequences could be as light as a feather or as heavy as Mount Tai; the difference lies solely in your choice. What will you choose?
This was a problem that Hongye had never anticipated.
181: Resurrection!
Momiji isn't human; she's a yokai. She has a tiny bit of human in her, but it's about as little as the vegetables in a hamburger.
However, upon hearing Hayden's words, Hongye couldn't help but feel that Hayden's way of thinking was so strange that he might be more like a monster than she was.
However, Hongye wasn't stupid. She had been grieving and despairing, but after being fed those strange, crazy words by Hayden, she had become much more lucid. And once she was lucid and no longer acting foolishly, Hongye quickly noticed something strange.
"...Why do you know my background? Last time we met at the company, you had no idea who I was, but this time you can name me perfectly. Who told you all this? The Peacock King?"
Does this mean the whole world is going to treat me like the Peacock King's son-in-law?
Hayden had no such intention. Moreover, he wasn't sure what Red Leaf and the old retainers of Mara thought of the Peacock King—an old god who had joined the new gods' camp before the war began, more of a misfit than a traitor, and thus never truly aligned with the other old gods from the start. In any case, the other old gods probably wouldn't like the Peacock King and his son-in-law.
Since there was nothing wrong with talking about it, Hayden immediately explained: "I never asked the Peacock King for any information about you. This information, including your personal file, was obtained through my own negotiations with the Mithra Group."
However, he misjudged how Hongye would think and feel after hearing these words.
If Haiden received this information from the Peacock King, Momiji wouldn't be so surprised. However, Haiden claims he obtained Momiji and the others' personal files through negotiations with the Mitra Group!?
This is no joke!
So this one sentence alone changed the image and importance of Hayden in Hongye's mind.
[This stage space should have been sealed off, yet you can now communicate with me through the seal. Is this not due to the power of other gods, but rather your own ability?]
She quickly pressed for more information.
Hayden's reply was equally matter-of-fact: "Is that even a question? Let me tell you frankly, even if you consider yourself to be in your own little world, a mere stage space can't stop critical words."
These words solidified Hongye's resolve.
As Hayden said, she was definitely going to die today. Mara was inexplicably resurrected in a half-dead form, causing chaos on stage and even sealing away tens of millions of spectators—this incident can be said to have become serious enough that even Dakini, the god (vice director), could not escape being held accountable by the company's board of directors.
Not to mention Red Leaf, that little high-level employee. Her death would actually be better for the other members of Mara's former retainers, and that's no joke. If she had survived, no matter how she survived, the Mithra Group would have suspected her, pressured her, and might even have claimed that Mara's people had caused this incident, claiming it was their terrorist attack.
If she survived, the Mitra Group would surely tarnish and destroy the last remaining honor of their people. Rather than let the family's reputation be ruined, it was better to die—although feudal nobles weren't exactly benevolent, they were different from capitalists, and sometimes this kind of mindset simply emerged.
Moreover, as Hayden said, even if Momiji obediently dies, the Mitra Group will probably still pin the blame on her people. Unless she dies a very heroic death, sacrificing herself for the company, and dying in a live broadcast that the whole world can see.
Hayden painted a rosy picture of the possibilities, but honestly, Hongye felt that even if she did this, the Mithra Group wouldn't improve the treatment of her people. Companies and capitalists are ruthless. They wouldn't proactively invest resources to improve their treatment of Mara's former retainers just because Hongye sacrificed herself. However, the Mithra Group cares a lot about its public image, so at least they won't continue to unfairly blame her for this.
At least that's what Hongye thinks.
Both are death, but the value and outcome are indeed different—how ironic!
By now, Hongye was almost convinced by Hayden, and almost convinced by herself. However, Hayden's empty words were unreliable. Since death was inevitable anyway, she wanted to strive for the best possible outcome.
[Mr. Hayden, whether it's a god, your parents, or anything else you value—do you have someone you can swear an oath to in their name?]
She suddenly asked Hayden this question telepathically.
Hayden was naturally a little puzzled: "Huh? Why are you suddenly bringing this up?"
Hongye didn't answer directly. She only said it telepathically:
I swear on my own honor, and on the unwavering integrity of my ancestors for three generations, that I am willing to serve you temporarily until the end of my life, acting according to your plans—provided you also swear an oath that my sacrifice will save and help my people as much as possible, and prevent them from being pursued and persecuted by the company.
Through a connection of hearts, Hongye spoke while gazing intently at Hayden.
[If you are willing to swear an oath, I will carry out your instructions before I die.]
To be honest, Hayden was quite surprised by this. Although he hadn't lied to Koyo, he even felt a pang of conscience.
"That's it?" he couldn't help but ask. "You haven't set any detailed conditions for the oath. The word 'as much as possible' is too vague. Whether there's magic or not, such an oath can't bind me."
Hongye remained calm: "I am a samurai, not a capitalist. Scolding every word is something only merchants and litigators do. Although you are a skilled liar, I am willing to believe you if you are willing to swear an oath."
Hayden was truly stunned.
This fox spirit must believe that if you treat others with sincerity, they will reciprocate. Even after being tormented by large corporations and capitalists for four hundred years, she still refuses to compromise on this principle. But then again, where does Hayden have anyone to swear an oath to?
He had intended to say that, but seeing Hongye's serious expression, he changed his mind.
I swear in the name of Angela. Though you do not know who she is, I swear that through your sacrifice, your people will not be implicated or persecuted in this event. From now on, I will do my best to improve their lives—after all, I was already striving to improve the world.
Therefore, Hayden said so.
After hearing this vow, which even Hayden himself found somewhat laughable, Hongye nodded readily: "Okay, I believe you."
Her tone was full of sincerity, even piety.
With just these words, these vows, Momiji rose from her grief and despair, preparing to face the [Divine Image of Mara], to fight the shadow of death, and then to sacrifice herself. Seeing her like this, Hayden even felt a pang of guilt—but he had to keep Momiji in this mental state. Otherwise, the magic would be difficult to take effect.
I'm not telling you to blindly charge at the boss. I'm telling you to follow my commands.
So Hayden continued, explaining his plan.
[You are now considered a saint of Mara, priestess—in fact, you always were, you are even one of his own kind. The mirror originally reflected your image, thus creating the deathly incarnation of Mara.]
He paused here, then said in an almost cold voice,
[Therefore, I will now kill you with a sword, using you as a medium to sever the power of Mara's divine form. This is the same principle as the curse of the effigies, only using special nails and effigies. In this way, the shadow of death can be defeated, and everyone will be saved.]
Hongye could have complained. But she didn't.
She asked with some confusion, "If that's the case, why did you need my consent? Why didn't you just kill me?"
【Your question is foolish. We are all classical magicians. You should know very well that only a magician who understands what they are giving and what they are receiving, and who willingly and selflessly dedicates themselves, can unleash the greatest power of ancient magic.】
That wasn't untrue. Hongye nodded, accepting this explanation, and then asked one last question: "Mr. Hayden, you are now isolated outside the seal of the stage space. How will you kill me with a sword?"
Hayden's response was:
Have you forgotten what I just said?
Then, through the personality chip, he instilled the upcoming performance actions and requirements into Hongye's head.
Two minutes later,
On the judges' platform outside the stage space, the gods and goddesses all saw Hayden suddenly stand up.
"Ladies, I am about to perform the trick of pulling a rabbit out of a hat."
He bowed to the two gods and five goddesses and spoke solemnly.
Then, before they could make any meaningful reaction, Hayden turned back to the sealed stage space in the distance, and to the [Boma] who was battling [Magical Girl Pazuzu] on the stage. Pania was currently doing quite well against this incarnation of death, as always—she was always very brave. But if this continued, she would eventually lose.
Hayden's insight was far superior to Pania's. Therefore, he could see the mysterious power emanating from [Marsh's Image] even through the stage and the seal. The entire live broadcast space (stage) was slowly rotating around Him, like a giant vortex, about to devour anything that disrespected His divine power.
Looking at this divine image, Hayden seemed to see something shifting between two worlds. It was never fixed. It had no true form. Through it, he could see two worlds simultaneously supporting it, the dreams of living or dead souls.
These dreams of life and death are like the morning mist on the coast—impossible to see through, let alone overcome.
but,
At that moment, Momiji emerged from the shadows of the stage. The battle between [Magical Girl Pazuzu] and [Bojun] ceased. Bojun, in particular, stopped fighting, seemingly puzzled as to why Momiji, who was now powerless, would willingly enter the battlefield.
Hongye didn't engage with him. She had already transformed back into the red and white robes of a priestess, and as she moved forward, she chanted incantations in a clear voice:
“Da ta ta lu li, ma he lu lu li, a luo mo lu li, tuo lu xi bo he.”
"This mantra can enable those with disturbed minds to attain profound and wondrous samadhi."
"This mantra can free those who are terrified from all fear."
"This mantra enables those who are Dharma masters to have unparalleled eloquence."
"At that time, the king of gods, Mara, together with countless heavenly maidens, used his divine power to open all the gates of hell. He granted whatever the beings in those hell desired."
This incantation is none other than the "Mahamati Mantra".
"With utmost sincerity I pray, that you may descend here—the Paranirmitavasavartin (Saviour of the World)!"
Red Leaf solemnly reached out her hand to [the image of Mara], calling upon the name of the deity she had once served and with whom she had a close relationship.
The moment the words left his mouth, everyone watching the ceremony felt an immense force being forcibly torn from the [Portrait of Mara]!
Momiji continued chanting the incantation, compressing this power into herself and temporarily sealing this divine power within her body. On one hand, this was energy; on the other hand, it was also the processing power of the [Bojun Divine Image]. The priestess's summoning of spirits was originally meant to allow the gods to allocate a portion of their multi-threaded processing power to the priestess. Momiji was simply forcing it this time.
Such an operation, of course, came at a price. Momiji's body instantly melted at a visible rate, like an ice pop under the summer sun. But at the same time, she burned fiercely like the sun, radiating light like Amaterasu, the goddess pulled from the cave in the myth of Ama-Iwato! So bright, so dazzling, like the dawn breaking through the boundless darkness, illuminating the dark void!
Clearly, even [Marsh's Divine Appearance] was taken aback by this moment. This was not even the behavior one would expect from the shadow of death. However, it quickly "came to its senses," raised its trident, and aimed it at Red Leaf, intending to use its great power to forcibly extinguish Red Leaf's light.
Unfortunately, the others weren't going to just stand by and watch the show.
Hayden, sitting below the stage, tilted his head back, opened his mouth, and shouted at that moment:
"O Mara! O Mara who lives in the flesh and blood of the witch! You are her! She is you! Manifest your divine power through her body! She is the offspring from whom you gave birth, and her flesh and blood are your flesh and blood!"
What kind of spell is this?
This was actually a spell that Hayden had learned from the demi-humans of the Kongo tribe a few months ago. It was the spell they used to construct the flesh and blood body of the Great Ape God Ancestor, but Hayden had already modified it.
Why is he chanting this incantation now? It goes without saying. Red Leaf is a descendant of Mara, his priestess, and now her body is filled with a great deal of Mara's power. The conditions are all met. These words flowed from Hayden's mouth like winged swords. They were faster and sharper than any blade, capable of cleaving spirit and soul, separating thoughts and intentions.
The barrier sealing off the stage space was pierced through by Hayden's words. His words, like a sword, flew through space and pierced through Kureha's chest.
There was no blood on the flying sword. Moreover, there were no marks on her body or even her clothes where she had been pierced by the sword. Only the divine power and processing ability that Hongye had compressed into herself were cut by Hayden.
This is the sword Hayden forged—the vorpalsword!
It can sever, it can cut, and as long as you believe you can sever, and can articulate it eloquently, you can truly sever anything, even things that are not "things"—in other words, it is the power to change reality subjectively.
Words and speech are the power of thought, abstraction, critique, and creation.
If you believe, and speak it with eloquent words, with powerful, winged language, you can slay even enemies on the other side of the earth, and sever even things invisible to the naked eye, such as fate.
Human words inherently possess such power, provided they are spoken well enough.
Theoretically, if one were eloquent and persuasive enough, perhaps even the Earth itself could be cut in two.
The "sword of words" that Hayden forged with the help of Angela and the professor holds such immense potential... Of course, these are only theoretical possibilities. It's definitely not possible now.
So we won't mention that here.
As the sword of words severed the seal on the stage, cutting away half of the power of [Bo Xun Shen Xiang], a moon-white, egg-sized dragon ball flew out from Hayden's body, passing through the hole in the seal and entering the stage space, becoming the new core of that half of the power. The radiance that made the entire stage space tremble immediately exploded, shaking mountains and trembling the earth.
Amidst this dazzling brilliance, everyone present heard a poetic incantation.
"I am the thunder that cuts through the night, I am the rain that nourishes the earth."
"I am the breeze that sweeps across the valley, and the breath that sustains life."
"I am a cloud rising from the dust, eventually transforming into the morning star in the sky."
When the words ended, the Dragon Balls were no longer visible.
Instead, a white dragon was born from the broken egg.
Dragon God Alastor
They've been resurrected!
182: Overcoming Death
The white dragon god appeared on the stage.