Amelia the Level Zero Hero

Chapter 116

Guardian Angel Z357 had made multiple errors in judgment. He believed that he could defy the World System’s directives to accomplish his main objective— he believed that acting autonomously could have produced far more effective results than chasing dead ends after dead ends.

Unfortunately, he was reminded as to why the World System reigned supreme. His own decisions had led to the creation of a Fledgling God Vessel. Because of his inaction, the Fal-Deus had seized control of Ar’elith the Lich King and nearly broke out of the Fractured Realm back into Vacuos.

It was a foolish decision to make. But Guardian Angel Z357 had thought that he would be able to put a halt to the revival of the Fal-Deus. And when it did not work, he finally realized his miscalculation. He realized that it was better for him to follow-through with the directives of the World System.

That was why he moved to destroy the Fledgling God Vessel. His twelve eyes flickered as he stared at the figure lying at his feet. Ar’elith no longer wore the body of a skeleton. Instead, he had transformed back into a human. A helpless being without the blessings of the World System. But even though the Seal of the System had taken hold, dispelling the Fal-Deus out of him and back into the Fractured Realm, Guardian Angel Z357 did not lower his guard.

Instead, the angel raised his lance as he stared at the former Lich King.

Destroying the Fledgling God Vessel, Guardian Angel Z357 said simply as he swung down.

And Amelia caught the attack. He blinked as the brown-haired woman suddenly appeared before him. He didn’t even realize she was in his way until she had stopped his falling lance with a single finger.

She just shook her head in response. “I’m not going to let you do that.”

Guardian Angel Z357 took a moment to process what just happened. He stared at her— his employer. But also the one who had thoroughly defeated the Fledgling God Vessel. And he hesitated.

He drew back as Amelia lowered her hand. He twirled his lance behind him as he glanced towards the blond man lying on the ground. The angel considered disengaging. He knew he could not defeat the brown-haired woman in a fight. It was evident that he would easily be dismantled if he attacked her— especially considering how she had been able to stop his lance with ease.

But as the thought crossed his mind, a blue screen flashed before him.

[In Progress: (0/1) Fledgling God Vessel destroyed!]

He blinked. He stared at the message from the World System— the reminder to carry out his objective. He lowered his head as he recalled how defying the directives he had been given had nearly led to his own destruction.

And he shook his head.

The Fledgling God Vessel must be destroyed, he stated simply as he stepped forward. Move aside or I will have to exterminate you as well.

Amelia raised a brow. It was evident from the look on her face that she didn’t think Guardian Angel Z357 could actually harm her. He would agree with her assessment, but he had no other choice. She shrugged as he didn’t lower his lance.

“And why must you do that?” she asked casually, vaguely gesturing at Ar’elith. “Look at him— he is literally just some guy now. He can’t harm anyone.”

He raised his head weakly, staring at Amelia with hollow eyes. But he couldn’t even muster up a single word.

And yet, the angel did not back down. If the Seal of the System is broken, the Fal-Deus can reclaim his body in an instant. He is forever a threat to Vacuos. He must be eliminated.

Amelia narrowed her eyes. She glanced back down at Ar’elith, before shaking her head.

“That makes no sense. So you’re saying he should be killed because he could be inhabited by the Voidgod— by the Fal-Deus?”

Affirmative, Guardian Angel Z357 said as he held her gaze. The potential threat alone warrants the extermination of the vessel.

“Well, if that’s the case, then you should start with killing me instead.” Amelia crossed her arms. “And not just me, but you should kill everyone else is Vacuos too— after all, anyone can be inhabited by the Voidgod.”

Negative— these comparisons you have made are inequitable to the circumstances surrounding Ar’elith. You are not a vessel. But he is.

Her brows snapped together. She stared at the angel, and he did not lower his lance.

Why do you oppose me? Why do you desire to save him? You stand nothing to gain from protecting this man.

“Why?” Amelia repeated after Guardian Angel Z357. She raised her head, before closing her eyes. “Because you’re trying to kill a defenseless man— a man who didn’t even want to fight you in the first place. Remember, you’re the one who kept killing him over and over again to draw out the Voidgod.”

She raised a hand and pointed an accusing finger at the angel.

“You’re the reason Ar’elith even is a vessel of the Voidgod in the first place. So you’re trying to punish him for what you caused.”

Guardian Angel Z357 paused. He looked back down at himself, then glanced towards the human form of Ar’elith. For a moment, the angel remained silent. Then he mechanically raised his head and took a step forward.

It does not matter who is at fault, he said as his lance was overcome by a golden glow. All that matters is that the threat is removed. Now move— this issue does not pertain to you.

Amelia didn’t budge. “I mean, maybe if I was, like, back at my restaurant, I wouldn’t care. But I see what you’re doing right in front of me, and I don’t think it’s right. So I’m going to have to stop you… by force, if necessary.”

She unsheathed her sword fractionally with only her thumb. Guardian Angel Z357 didn’t falter. Even though he knew he could be sliced in half with a single slash, he still remained steadfast.

That logic does not compute. Your decision is predicated entirely on biases and emotions. You are choosing to endanger all of Vacuos by saving this vessel of the Void.

“What can I say? I’m a pretty shit hero.” Amelia shrugged in response.

And what will you do if the Seal of the System breaks? Guardian Angel Z357 asked as he eyed her. What happens if the Fal-Deus returns with its full might?

“I told you before, didn’t I?” she said, waving a hand dismissively. “I killed the Voidgod before. I can do it again.”

That is… The angel trailed off. He processed her words as slowly lowered his weapon. His mind reeled— he now knew that the Voidgod was the Fal-Deus, and he had already known that Amelia killed the Voidgod. Earlier, he had considered the implications of this, but he quickly dismissed the thought because he didn’t deem it pertinent to the issue at hand.

Now, he was forced to confront this fact. Guardian Angel Z357 had no other choice but to acknowledge what Amelia meant when she said she killed the Voidgod. Because if the Voidgod was the Fal-deus, it simply meant…

That Amelia killed the Fal-Deus.

Guardian Angel Z357 stared at the brown-haired woman. He looked into her eyes, and she didn’t avert her gaze. It was ridiculous— there was no way it could be true. At least, that was the first thought that crossed his mind. But he had seen her power. He had watched as Amelia easily dismantled the Fledgling God Vessel.

And he couldn’t help but believe her words. He stared at the blue screen hovering before him, before looking back at the brown-haired woman.

“If the Voidgod shows up, I’ll just smack him back into the Fractured Realm. It’s not a big deal, alright?” Amelia said as she crossed her arms.

Guardian Angel Z357 was at a loss on what to do. If she truly did kill the Fal-Deus once before, then she was right. Just like how she defeated the Fledgling God Vessel, she could defeat the Fal-Deus itself too.

Still, the angel didn’t think that meant that she should allow Ar’elith to live. There was too much risk. And the World System still maintained that the former Lich King be destroyed. But before Guardian Angel Z357 could come up with a response, a weak voice piped up.

Their confrontation was interrupted as they turned to face the blond man lying on the ground. They stared as he struggled to get on one knee, looking back up at the angel.

“It’s fine,” Ar’elith rasped weakly. “Just let me die.”

“What?” Amelia blinked.

His knees trembled. His eyes were hollow. He couldn’t even remain upright for more than a moment before he collapsed back onto the ground. He heaved as he held the angel’s gaze.

“Please… I have nothing left. Just kill me.”