Chapter Ch142.1 - Atheists’ Victory (1)
Translated by Eve
Edited by Serefina
13. Atheists’ Victory (1)
Saj walked over, voice low. “I’ve come to take my elf away.”
Joshua’s eyes turned red in anger at once. Why? Why could Saj say that he wanted to take Xie He away as if it was the natural thing to do?
Xie He would not love Joshua but he was even less likely to ever love that wicked demon. He was only confused! Why must Joshua bow and give way?
Joshua stood in front of Xie He and said with a chilly voice, “He’s not yours.”
Saj’s eyes narrowed. He naturally knew that Joshua would not let go easily. Since it was like this…it meant war!
A slight breeze blew past and invisible power gently curled around Xie He, bringing him off to a far away place. Towards ensuring Xie He’s safety, both Joshua and Saj had a tacit agreement. Today, only one of them could have this elf, and that would be the winner!
The two gods put down their respective prides and battled over their beloved person. At this moment, neither of them were aloof, merciless gods. They were just men!
Xie He was placed far away. He had no way of interfering in a battle of this level. He could only watch on helplessly, faint worry appearing in his eyes.
【Xie He：Baby, this is a real battle between gods. If you recorded this as a movie, you wouldn’t even need to use special effects. Tsk tsk.】
【444：……】
【Xie He：As a member of the ‘peanut gallery’, it’s pretty regretful that I don’t have any peanuts. 🙂 】
【444：O(∩_∩)O~】Your men are about to beat each other to death over you and you’re still in the mood to spectate? Indeed, that’s our Host dada!
The battle was still intense. However, it didn’t last very long because Joshua was obviously weakened. He had overused his godly powers from using the Great Spell of Resurrection on Xie He for an extended period of time. He, who was but a new god, could not bear such a heavy burden….Furthermore, Saj was stronger than him. Very soon, he ended up smacked onto the ground, coughing out blood.
Saj grabbed Joshua by the collar and hauled him up. He spoke with a chilly voice, “You shouldn’t covet what belongs to me.”
Joshua’s mouth was full of blood. The man who had always appeared gentle and calm, who never showed his anger, finally ripped off his own facade. He glared at Saj with anger and jealousy. There was only extreme cold in his blue eyes. His tone was mocking, “What belongs to you? Why don’t you ask Galan to see if he feels like he’s yours?”
Saj’s pupils constricted. Pain flashed through his eyes. These words had undoubtedly poked at his sore spot. His right hand suddenly transformed into a blade and he pressed it against Joshua’s throat!
Joshua cocked up an eyebrow. He laughed and said, “What? Flying into a rage out of shame? You’ve been forcing him all this time, that’s all. Even if you snatched him away, he will never love you!”
Saj regarded Joshua with a frigid look. In the end, he slowly said, “I don’t require his love.”
He then let go, allowing Joshua to fall to the earth. Saj’s disdaining, apathetic gaze swept over the other’s body. “I’ve said it before. As long as you save him, all the faith in the world is yours.”
As long as his elf was still alive, he would never again yearn for the elf’s love nor for his faith. He would abandon his greedy, selfish possessiveness. This was something he had already thought through.
After saying this, Saj turned, black robes fluttering in the wind. He looked like a demonic god in the night sky. His dark eyes cast their gaze in Xie He’s direction. He slowly approached the other, pulling him into his embrace.
Except for the slight concern in the beginning, Xie He had looked calm the whole time. When Saj held him, he did not resist. He only leaned back into the embrace docilely.
Seeing that they would soon leave, Xie He suddenly said, “Wait.”
He turned his head slightly, looking at Joshua from over Saj’s hand.
Joshua was also looking at Xie He, voice hoarse. There was pleading within his dark blue eyes. “Don’t go.”
Xie He stared at him and sighed softly. “From now on, this world belongs to you. You will be a proper God of Light, right?” Even if it was just pretend, that was fine. At least…pretend to be a good person and do good things.
Joshua’s pain ached terribly. His mouth was still filled with blood. He knew that from now on, he would never see the beautiful elf again.
He had the world but would now lose the person he loved the most and wanted the most.
Even if he had everything, what was the point?
【Ding, Joshua’s Favourability Value +2. The current Favourability Value is 100.】
After saying these words, Xie He said nothing else. He turned his head back and shut his eyes.
Saj looked down at Xie He. In those usually callous, ruthless black eyes, there was gentleness, longing, and deep love&#k2026;. This was the person he loved. No matter how he changed, he would never abandon his resolution towards the Light.
I happily surrendered all the faith in this world, not because of the vow I made, but because of you.
Because I know that you don’t wish to see the world enveloped in darkness.
That’s why I gave up on taking the faith of this world.
When I saw you on the brink of death, when I personally experienced the pain, I found out that spreading fear and darkness was no longer what I wanted. Now, the only thing I wish for…is your happiness.
【Ding, the target Saj’s Favourability Value +2. The current Favourability Value is 98.】
………………………………
Saj brought Xie He back to the City Lord’s residence so that he could see the other elves.
The elves were very happy upon seeing Xie He’s return. They circled him, speaking to him non-stop. Xie He gazed at his clansmen. Finally, a smile painted his face.
Saj watched Xie He from afar, his silhouette gradually disappearing into the darkness.
That night, he did not appear again.
He did not appear the next day, nor the day after that either.
Xie He returned to the garden he used to live in. All that was left was an empty golden birdcage. He reached out to caress the edges of the cage. It was cold to the touch. Here, he had countless painful memories. It had finally ended… but these memories that had been branded onto his body, could they truly ever be erased?
He lowered his gaze, a sliver of pain flashing through his emerald eyes.
【Xie He：Saj-Saj has finally matured. He understands that loving someone means knowing to let go and doing things to help them achieve what they want. Smile.JPG】
【444：Yi?】
【Xie He：He will not appear again.】
【444：Σ( ° △°|||)︴Ah???】
【Xie He：To be honest, I’m really quite reluctant to part with this place. Such exciting birdcage play, as well as those delicious foods and toys…. Sigh.JPG】
【444：……】
Another several days passed. The other elves realized that something was off. Not only did Saj not appear again, the wicked Dark Knights had also vanished. The entire residence was empty.
Mileya came to see Xie He and asked, “Has the God of Darkness left?”
Xie He was silent for a long time and then nodded. “Perhaps. I haven’t seen him.”
Mileya decisively said, “Then we will leave here. There are no guards left here!”
Xie He nodded. “All right.”
The elves once again set out to find a new home.
Although Xie He’s body was no longer pure, the elves still included him. Mileya once again added him back into the clan.
The fires of war continued to rage nonstop in the human world. The elves didn’t want any trouble, so they stayed far away from human towns. Their trek was unimaginably smooth. Not only did they not encounter any dangers, they didn’t encounter any humans either.
After not too much difficulty, they finally arrived in the distant north. Here, they found a new forest that was both sufficiently intelligent and full of vitality to settle down in.
The elves thanked the gods for their protection. It was the gods who had allowed them to find a new home safely.
The only one who did not participate in the prayers was Xie He.
Their gods had disappeared a long time ago. If there was a god that had really protected them, it was the God of Darkness they all hated.
【Xie He：Saj-Saj has really worked hard. He’s the most selfless and dedicated god I’ve ever seen. With this kind of drive to wordlessly help us without wanting anything in return, he could run as a politician and be regarded as an exemplary model to follow. Smile.JPG】
【444：……】
【444：O(∩_∩)O~ It’s all because of your teaching.】
【Xie He：Did you know what shortcoming people like this all have?】
【444：(⊙v⊙) Hm?】
【Xie He：In more cases than one, a fellow like this that is focused on giving needs to have a tolerant partner who supports them.】
【Xie He：But I, who have lost my meat and sex life, don’t want to be understanding. 🙂 】
【444：……】Should he be interpreting this as Host dada losing interest in the capture targets after successfully capturing them? _(:зゝ∠)_
The elves toiled to construct their new home. Xie He declined to continue as their King. He lived alone in a remote wooden house off to one corner of the settlement, choosing to live in seclusion.
The elves all knew about the trials and tribulations he had suffered. They couldn’t bear to disturb him. They would only occasionally go over to deliver food.
Thamior and Amakiir frequently went to visit Xie He.
Life was peaceful and beautiful.
Every day, Xie He ate plain, raw fruits. He felt ridiculously bored. Anyone who saw his aggrieved appearance would feel distress for him.
Every day, he would sleep in his house if he had nothing to do. He would shut his eyes and have 444 play a movie for him.
Some time passed like this. Xie He didn’t do anything so 444 was getting anxious.
【444：Host dada, Saj isn’t showing up anymore. How are you going to get those last two points? 】Saj had steeled his heart and decided to give Xie He what he wanted!
【Xie He：It’s easy.】
【444：(⊙v⊙) Hm?】
【Xie He：I just need to give him the opportunity to swoop in and save the beauty. 🙂 】
【444：……】
Today, Xie He delved into the forest on his own, wanting to collect some herbs. However, because of his body, the forest was not friendly towards him. The animals could sense the sinister, dark aura within his body and faced him with malice.
Xie He climbed up a cliff. While he was picking precious herbs, a python suddenly slithered over, pouncing on Xie He with its mouth stretched wide!
Xie He brandished his sword and swung down, but the scales on the python’s body were extremely sturdy. His swing only left a white mark. The python curled around Xie He’s waist. With his life in imminent danger, Xie He stabbed his sword into the python’s throat! The python let go of Xie He in pain. However, they were on a cliff. Xie He reached out, trying to grab hold of one of the branches that grew out of the cliff, but because he was falling too quickly, the branch broke!
Wind whistled in his ears. Xie He closed his eyes helplessly.
Just as he was waiting for death to come, dark fog suddenly charged over. A pair of strong arms wrapped around his waist, bringing him to a soft descent onto the ground.
Xie He opened his eyes and met with the sight of Saj’s worry-filled black eyes. Saj seemed nervous. The other quickly let go of Xie He and turned around to leave.
The reason he didn’t appear was that he didn’t want Xie He to feel the pain from his contradictory feelings. He only wished to see Xie He live happily. He was willing to never appear again.
The dark him was destined to forever live in the shadows.
Xie He stared at Saj’s back. The man was about to vanish into the darkness like he had that day. Xie He suddenly spoke up. “You’ve always been with me, haven’t you?”
Saj did not reply and continued to leave.
Xie He’s eyes turned red. He shouted, “You can’t let go of me.”
Saj’s steps halted. His hand tightened into fists underneath his sleeves. Don’t say anymore. Don’t speak to me anymore….If you do, I might not be able to control myself. I’ll hurt you again.
I should leave. Perhaps the best thing to do is go somewhere far, far away from you.
Saj slowly turned around. Just one more glance, okay…?
However, when Saj turned around and met with Xie He’s glistening green eyes, there seemed to be some indecipherable, complicated emotion within those emerald eyes. Hatred, sadness, anger, as well as…reluctance to part.
Saj thought that his last strands of reasoning were about to snap. Did his elf…feel sad and miss him?
Otherwise, why would he look so upset and emotional?
At this moment, the resolution he reminded himself of thousands of times turned into a joke. He only wanted to hug his elf tightly, love him with all his might, and press him against his own body!
Xie He stared at Saj. After saying those words, he realized that his actions were unreasonable. It was as if it were Xie He who could not let go of the fiend that harmed him and destroyed his everything.
He shouldn’t have spoken…. From now on, they would never meet again. It was only right to make the other disappear from his world.
Xie He turned to leave, but after a few steps, he was held from behind by a pair of arms.
Saj held Xie He tightly. He whispered into his ears, “I’ve always been by your side. I’ve never let you go, not even for a second.”
Xie He’s body shook slightly. His conjecture had been correct, but he would rather he had been wrong…. Then, he wouldn’t have to hesitate and feel conflicted like he did now.
“What about you? Have you gotten over me?” Saj’s warm breath tickled Xie He’s ears.
Xie He’s clenched his jaw, expression taut. He wanted to say that he had gotten over him, but he couldn’t say it out loud. Lying was not something an elf ought to do, and he had no way of lying to himself about his own feelings.
Before, he had been forced. But now, he wasn’t. And yet, he still remembered all the pain and joy Saj had given him.
He still remembered how Saj had not hesitated to swallow down the holy weapon in order to save him…as well as how the other would never abandon him.
His heart had already Fallen. He had lost himself in desire and dropped down into the abyss.
Saj gently turned Xie He around and peered into the other’s obstinate eyes. He kissed him devoutly on the lips.
His elf…also had him in his heart.
What could possibly make him happier? He would never be able to let go of him because this was the unique, beautiful elf he loved dearly….
【Ding, the target Saj’s Favourability Value +1. The current Favourability Value is 99.】
Saj gently placed Xie He onto the grass and slowly peeled the other’s clothes off. The elf’s perfect body appeared. The slightly cold air caused it to tremble slightly.
“I love you,” Saj said. He then dipped his head, kissing the other deeply.
The blond-haired, beautiful elf beneath him didn’t struggle or resist, but he didn’t actively cooperate either. He only stayed there, unmoving, as if he had completely given up and was left absent-minded. He looked up at the sky, as if dreaming away.
………………………………
Saj held Xie He gently in his arms. His handsome face was full of doting love. There was love, scorching like a wildfire, and filling his dark eyes. Saj kissed Xie He’s eyelashes. Although he had been inside the other many times, he was still reluctant to let go. He wanted to be one with the other in flesh and bone.
Xie He’s head dropped down, blond hair falling along the side of his face. His perfect face was flushed and there was a layer of mist over his emerald eyes.
He had spent a long time trying to forget about everything this demon had given him. But he had little in terms of results to show for it. Remembering…only took a short moment.
Xie He’s lips moved as a clear voice chimed, “Why do you love me?”
Saj cupped Xie He’s face and earnestly said, “Because you taught me what love is.”
Tears seemed to well up in Xie He’s eyes but none fell.
A god’s life was so long while Xie He’s life was so short. Despite this, Saj still loved him, disregarding everything else.
Eve: From here on out, there will be occasional chapter splits for our sanity T^T. There aren’t that many split though. I only split chapters totalling over five thousand words in English (about 9k+ Chinese characters — an average chapter in Chinese novels is 3k so…yeah….I thank you for your understanding in advance).