Chapter 103

“…What a ridiculous thing to say.”

Canos let out a faint chuckle.

“Why is that?”

“Listen, I can confidently say there’s no being in this world who knows Joker better than me. And Joker… he could never defeat me. That’s an absolute truth.”

“A certainty like that doesn’t exist in this world.”

“Joker… ”

“Miracles are those unexpected things that come when one gives their all. Didn’t you just say that yourself?”

“…Ha.”

How dare he counter Canos’ own words back at him – the Demon King fell silent.

“What do you plan to do after destroying all dimensions?”

“I intend to die. This tiresome life has grown wearisome.”

“In that case, make your choice: gamble once more before dying or end your life pointlessly as it is.”

“…You fool.”

Though Canos knelt on one knee, his gaze remained dignified as he stared directly at the girl before him.

For the Hero to personally approach the Demon King and offer such a humiliating proposal…

It was quite disgraceful. Almost embarrassing for someone called a Hero.

‘Just now, that strike… her stance was nearly flawless.’

Canos focused on the sword in the girl’s hand, its blade lowered. He recalled how it had traced its path through the air.

The golden, radiant energy. Tai Huang Je Cheon (Great Yellow Emperor Heaven). A technique usable only by the Empire’s royal family and Heroes, surpassing even Solar Technique and Heavenly King Technique – the ultimate art.

In theory, Tai Huang Je Cheon is the strongest energy among all existing energies. Not even Dragon Mana or Swordmaster Ki can surpass Tai Huang Je Cheon, a power gifted by the Supreme God to the Hero to cleave away all evil from the world.

Hero Frey had controlled Tai Huang Je Cheon to its limits. The meticulously refined sword energy had enveloped him – a strike so sharp that most sword masters wouldn’t dare attempt it.

This showed how much effort Frey had poured into her training. One could tell just by looking at her hands, completely covered in calluses.

‘Yet… the energy feels so insignificant. Given the state of the Supreme God these days, it’s no surprise the Hero blessed by Him lacks power. In fact, reaching this level despite having the weakest talent among all past Heroes is astonishing.’

Even after pouring so much effort, she would eventually give up the Hero’s path due to her innate limitations.

Canos couldn’t comprehend the despair Frey must be feeling.

“…Alright then, let’s assume what you say is true. Let’s say using Joker to capture this body works.”

Canos sighed deeply and spoke, signaling his agreement. However, neither of them smiled.

“What do you plan to do after that? Can you handle Joker if he becomes stronger than me? Isn’t Joker even more notorious than I am?”

“I seek to destroy the world while Joker aims to corrupt the continent. An era where rules and morality collapse, chaos and barbarism run rampant will come. It won’t be a happy ending for you, Hero.”

“Moreover, Joker is different from me. I desire a clean and fair duel, but Joker is a man who doesn’t care about means as long as he achieves his goals. If he decides to kill me, he’ll try every bizarre method possible – far from the all-out fight I wish for.”

Canos continued his objections. Frey calmly responded, having prepared answers for all of them.

“I have a friend.”

“A friend?”

“The best educator under the vast sky. Even the wicked Duke of the West in the Demon King’s army, Succubus Queen Lilith, was ultimately reformed by my friend.”

“You’re talking about Saintess Maria of compassion.”

“Yes, with that friend, reforming Joker should be easily possible. I trust Saintess Maria.”

Such confident words. To Canos, they sounded laughable.

“What a crude plan. To think something as flimsy as ‘trust’ could work.”

“It’s because Maria is that reliable.”

“How about raising Joker? And how do we ensure he’ll respond to a duel with me?”

“Do you know Chronos, the God of Time?”

“Chronos? One of the Olympian gods?”

“Yes, Chronos, father of Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades. He has the ability to rewind time. As the God among Gods, commanding him shouldn’t be difficult for you.”

“In short, regress Joker? But how do we guarantee he’ll become stronger automatically?”

Frey took a brief breath.

“Stories of Joker’s thorough vengeance are well-known. When the Dragon Lord died, when the empire’s people were massacred, when the Elves’ World Tree Yggdrasil burned – all happened when his family was touched.”

“So?”

“Have you, Demon King, personally make Joker your enemy. Kill him and regress him, and Joker will naturally target you.”

“You’re worried about Joker attempting assassination? There’s nothing to be done about that. Your best option would be not appearing before Joker.”

“There’s no future where I die by anything other than my own hands. What worries me is that Joker might come at me without the skills to properly entertain me, only to die.”

As the intense debate continued, the picture they were painting became clearer with each exchange between Canos and Frey.

“Hmm… It might actually work. If Joker develops an obsession with Saintess Maria…”

“What do you mean?”

“Joker is around 500 years old. Regressing him means sending him back 500 years. And Joker tends to fixate on extremes. If he’s moved by Saintess Maria’s goodness as you mentioned, he won’t attack me for 500 years to prevent changing the future where Saintess Maria exists. Instead, he’ll build strength to take revenge on me.”

“I’ve heard that story too. The tale of <Joker and the Heavenly Hero> has been drilled into my ears.”

“So then, the key will be 500 years later… No, unless it’s during infancy, Joker knows the power of my adult form. He won’t attack rashly until he’s absolutely sure. Hopefully, that certainty of his turns out to be correct…”

Light began seeping into Canos’ darkened world. The dawn of hope or ambition was rising.

“Still… For Joker to be influenced by Saintess Maria, they need to be together before killing him, right?”

“Isn’t that obvious? Even condemned prisoners aren’t executed immediately. Besides, Chronos needs 111 days to regress someone.”

“Are you suggesting keeping Joker imprisoned during that time? With Saintess Maria? Where could we find a prison suitable for both?”

“Babel Tower. The world’s worst prison. Tartarus, its lowest level, should be able to house both Joker and Saintess Maria.”

“Tartarus already holds the Water Elemental King who caused the continental flood and the Black King who ruled the back alleys.”

“We can move them upstairs.”

“…Kuh, kehehehe, kehehehehe!”

The Demon King burst into loud laughter, unreserved in his joy.

“Is it really possible! My supposedly impossible wish! Are you saying it can be achieved!”

“It depends on your actions. After all, we need to deceive Joker, the master of deception. If he sees through your true intentions, he might not seek revenge at all. He might realize that not seeking revenge is the ultimate revenge.”

“True… It’s an ingenious idea. I accept. The next 500 years shall be this world’s grace period.”

The Demon King’s joyful proclamation echoed. After persistent persuasion, the Hero had convinced the Demon King.

It was an unprecedented negotiation. A Demon King asking to be killed and a Hero requesting time to prepare the killer. How absurd and bizarre yet significant this negotiation was for the continent’s fate.

“However, Chronos isn’t a charity worker. Equivalent Exchange. If you want to buy time, you need to offer something equivalent.”

“That’s something you can resolve simply by giving an order, standing above Chronos.”

“No, all I gain is ‘my time.’ Not yours or Joker’s.”

“…! You said you’d cooperate!”

“Don’t misunderstand, Hero. Just refraining from cutting off your head right now counts as cooperation. Extending my tedious life for five hundred years is me doing my utmost. Show me your resolve. The resolve worthy of my grace period.”

‘Haa, don’t lose hope. I knew this from the start. Whatever Chronos demands, I’ll bear Joker’s share too. Even if I’m insignificant, I have the Hero’s talent. As long as my spirit remains unbroken…’

“…Understood.”

After deep contemplation, Frey gave her response. Canos smiled contentedly.

“Soon, I will submit to you and the Demon King Army, at least superficially.”

“Why is that?”

“There’s no better way to unite people than creating an enemy. As long as I exist as the ‘Hero,’ Saintess Maria won’t fully side with Joker. The world must hate me.”

“Are you volunteering to be the villain? Isn’t this episode supposed to be discarded according to your plan?”

“Because we need to build the bond between Joker and Maria within this ‘discarded episode.'”

“Everyone you know will curse you. Wherever you go, you’ll be labeled a traitor, met with resentful glares and fingers pointing at you. Can you endure it when your parents, teachers, comrades, and country denounce you as a traitor?”

“…If it saves the world, anything. Because I’m the Hero. Being the weakest Hero ever, I need to do more than others. Even if it’s an unconventional path.”

“Such steadfast conviction. Joker would have approved.”

“To Saintess there’s the Saintess’ path, to Hero there’s the Hero’s path. If Maria’s role is to reform even the worst Joker, then this is my path.”

Leaving those calm words behind, Frey stood up and turned around.

“Ah, when capturing Saintess Maria to imprison with Joker, please gouge out her eyes.”

“That’s not difficult, but why?”

“Prejudice exists. Maria possesses an unbiased vision that looks upon everyone equally, but even she would keep her distance if the person is Joker. She knows the story of <Joker and the Heavenly Hero>.”

“So, you’re saying to remove her eyes so she doesn’t recognize Joker?”

“Yes, and restrain him after injuring him. To prevent Joker from harming Maria and allow Maria to feel sympathy and compassion for Joker. With just that guidance, their relationship, situation, and emotions will interlock and proceed like gears.”

“Anything else you need help with? Though I won’t agree to everything.”

“If you’re willing to help… After Joker and Maria meet, please visit them in Tartarus. And firmly establish yourself as their ‘enemy.’ I’ll do the same. Joker and Maria must rely on each other for this plan to succeed.”

After finishing her prophetic mutterings, Frey moved heavily toward the door. Just as she reached it…

“The Demon King shouldn’t say this, but you’re awfully cold-hearted. Claiming to feed your friend to the villain’s jaws for the sake of the world.”

Frey halted instantly.

Clunk.

“…Maria is my most precious friend.”

A voice filled with frustration forced its way through clenched teeth.

“She’s someone I love, respect, and admire deeply. If possible, I’d want to feed her only the most precious things in the world, let her experience only the most beautiful moments.”

“What do you think it feels like for me to verbally push my dear friend into the villain’s clutches and order her eyes to be gouged out…? If we don’t do this, the world will collapse…”

“…I’ll take my leave now.”

Creak.

Chung.

Finally, the iron door closed. Alone in the vast hall, Canos looked at the sunglasses he hadn’t worn in ages.

The world was still dark.

“Supreme God… Are you watching?”

Canos muttered toward the empty air.

“Your successors are making quite the amusing spectacle. The moronic plan to have Joker kill me. A failure who lost to you killing me? Hilarious.”

Her lips curled into a twisted smile.

“That I’ve been persuaded by such a ridiculous plan… Has even I become a fool for this last hope… Kehehehehe!”

The sinister laughter echoed endlessly.

*

– Kehehehehe!

“…Shit.”

Listening to the Demon King’s laughter beyond the iron door.

The indomitable Hero Frey collapsed onto the ground, her legs giving out.

Her hands were drenched in sweat like a flooded river.

“Huuh…”

No, it wasn’t just sweat.

Frey, leaning against the door and squatting on the floor, buried her face in her hands. The heat filling her tightly clenched palms wasn’t just from her hands.

Tears fell like summer rain. The rainy season showed no signs of stopping. Right now, the dark clouds covering the girl’s heart felt exactly like that. Even if the rain poured down like a storm, the girl’s dark clouds refused to clear.

“Damn brat… Stupid brat…”

Self-loathing.

That was the acrid emotion mixing with the tears.

“If I had been just a little stronger…”

*

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