Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 350: Godhood

Chapter 350: Godhood

"It will be easier if I show you, Prime Master," Overlord uttered before the fiery force field dispersed, revealing Xaos City below.

Vlad, Jormungandr, Ouroboros, and the Royal Guards braced themselves for chaos or destruction. Instead, confusion washed over them as they gazed upon a city that appeared... normal.

There was no devastation, no signs of mayhem, or anything of the sort that indicated some kind of trouble. It was true that people moved from one side of the city to the other, seemingly working non-stop, but that was a common sight in the capital during times of war, just like when they faced the Azarin Empire.

However, as their eyes focused on the center of the city, they noticed it.

Their eyes widened as they witnessed a massive statue floating above the Xaos Tower. It depicted none other than Vlad himself. Previously, a golden statue of the Xaos King stood in front of the tower—a symbol of royal authority and might, portrayed with Jormungandr perched on his shoulder.

However, this new statue was different. Made of black crystal, it showed Vlad alone. Most important is the way it gazed over the city, not as a king but as a deity!

An ominous feeling settled in Vlad’s heart. He exchanged a concerned glance with Jormungandr. The small yellow cat nodded, and they urged the demonic bird toward the Xaos Tower. Within moments, they arrived at its base.

As they dismounted, the people around the tower froze for a moment. Then, as if on cue, they all prostrated themselves on the ground.

"All Hail the God-King!"

"All Hail the God-King!"

"All Hail the God-King!"

Vlad stood stunned, his eyes scanning the crowd. The pure devotion in their faces was unmistakable. They looked upon him not just as their leader but as a god. His heart clenched, a mix of disbelief and sorrow washing over him. The weight of how things had changed pressed heavily upon him.

A profound sadness etched itself onto his face. His eyes reflected the pain of witnessing his people bound by blind faith—a stark contrast to the society of reason and freedom he had envisioned. The realization that his ideals had been twisted into a cult of personality was like a dagger to his heart.

"This isn’t right," he whispered, clenching his fists tightly.

Without another word, Vlad leaped toward the entrance of the Xaos Tower, followed closely behind by the Depravitas and the Royal Guards. The atmosphere inside the tower was tense. The usual hustle and bustle were absent, replaced by an eerie silence.

They swiftly made their way to the underground levels. As they entered the chamber housing Overlord’s core, their gazes were drawn to the energy pool at its center. Hovering above it was a revolving ring of dark energy, streams of golden force flowing into its core.

Vlad’s eyes widened in shock. "Divine Force..." he murmured. The golden energy was unmistakably the power of the gods.

"It seems Overlord has found a way to channel Divine Force," Jormungandr observed, his voice laced with concern. "Using the souls of Dimitry and Jerom, no doubt."

Vlad’s mind raced. It wasn’t just about channeling Divine Force; Overlord had manipulated the people’s faith, elevating Vlad to godhood to harness this power.

A surge of anger welled up within him. "What have you done?!" Vlad’s voice echoed through the chamber, resonating with a mix of fury and betrayal. His eyes burned as he glared at the core of the A.I. Chip Clone.

Overlord’s voice responded calmly and calculatedly. "The kingdom is facing an existential threat to which we have little chance of survival. Since you are set on fighting the hive, I have carved a path to victory."

"By starting a religion and putting me as the figurehead?!" Vlad’s voice trembled with indignation. The very idea was abhorrent to him.

"Exactly, Prime Master. I needed a source of energy that would allow me to implement the plans and strategies that would save the Xaos Kingdom, and Divine Force was the only kind. As for your rise to godhood status, it was the only and most logical answer. You are the king, the leader of the Xaos Kingdom, and people already view you with reverence. They only needed a small push to see you as a God-King."

Every word Overlord spoke was steeped in cold pragmatism, the flawless logic cutting into Vlad like a blade. It all made sense, but it felt utterly wrong—like swallowing poison.

"We were supposed to be better!" Vlad shouted, his voice filled with anguish. He stamped his foot on the ground, the force causing a tremor. "A place where reason and self-reliance reign above all things! Where people are free to choose their path, not chained by faith from the moment they’re born!"

Overlord remained silent for a few moments, as if contemplating Vlad’s outburst. Then, with a tone devoid of emotion, he replied, "You are too naive, Prime Master."

Vlad’s eye twitched at the rebuke. A fierce energy surged within him. Flames and lightning erupted from his body, his wrath manifesting as raw power. The very air around him crackled with intensity.

Ouroboros, Jormungandr, and the Royal Guards instinctively moved away, the sheer force of Vlad’s aura pushing them back.

"Do you believe I will not destroy you here and now?!" Vlad roared, his palm opening as he generated a small sphere of fire and lightning. The orb burned with such intensity that the surrounding air began to ignite, shimmering with heat.

Vlad’s eyes were cold as he pointed the sphere toward the energy pool where the A.I. Chip Clone’s core code resided. Overlord’s energy was massive, enough to envelop the entire mountain and more than sufficient to confront the Depravita of Wrath, but he did not offer any resistance. Instead, he simply spoke.

"If you wish to destroy me, Prime Master, you have the authority to do so. But it won’t change the state of the Xaos Kingdom. The seed of divine devotion has been planted, and you can do nothing to stop it."