Chapter 139

Venus had a gut feeling.

This, this is gold.

Gold.

…Even Venus who always looked up to that guy, didn’t he often berate himself as nothing but a torch before the sun compared to this gold?

Known as the Demon King of Wisdom.

Also called the Golden Demon King.

It’s not human.

However, if it were to take a human form, it might look something like this, wouldn’t it?

So horrifyingly alluring and tempting…

…I feel like gouging out my own eyes.

“Ah, yeah. Back in the day, I used to brag about being blessed by stuff like this.”

Or was it different? Who knows?

What do you know anyway?

In the end, the reason both me and that damn bastard ended up facing each other must be thanks to that damn Golden Girl’s meddling.

If it weren’t for her…

That cursed holy sword Elbat, which I still thought was legit, wouldn’t have been so dramatically pulled out and then recklessly wielded by someone else.

For all we know, I could’ve still been wasting time trying to draw the damn thing uselessly.

Ultimately…

The one who killed him was that woman’s scheme.

And what disgraced his death was also the meddling of that damn Demon King.

Venus had grasped this much, more or less.

No knight of the Salvation Order could remain unaware of this.

After realizing the truth, many turned their backs and left with flair.

The fact that Grandeous was the Legion Commander of the Demon King’s army—

Where did that rumor even come from?

Why did Ruelde specifically have to kill him?

…If just knocking him down would’ve been enough, why did it escalate to taking his life?

Doesn’t this smell fishy when you think about it?

Not true? Just a coincidence?

Like hell you’d know.

When the result is this bad, are you really gonna argue over whether it’s true or not? I ain’t that smart or rational, ya know?

“Whatever you say, I don’t believe anything unless I see it with these two eyes.”

Thus…

Even when Carriel was loudly declaring something about demons and kings while trying to kill him back in Somern, Venus never questioned or scolded him later.

Whether what he said was true or false, it was none of his concern at the moment.

And he didn’t bother spreading rumors about it either.

If it ever becomes a real issue,

Then we’ll deal with it then.

“Still, seems like you’re pretty sure, huh?”

The girl of gold appeared utterly composed.

Why can I see her clearly?

…The answer isn’t far off.

“Is it you?”

-Of course.

A man in tattered clothes turned his obscured face toward Venus and spoke.

-For someone as insignificant as you to welcome me is impossible even if the heavens collapse.

“What’re you blabbering about?”

-Yet since you have already welcomed my presence, I will no longer tolerate your insignificance.

From now on, either transcend your limits or discard them entirely.

-Otherwise, you will die over and over again in endless suffering for eternity.

“What gives you the right to tell me what to do?”

-You shameless fools flaunting ignorance without remorse. But I acknowledge it—it’s your ugly nature.

And guiding, leading, and testing such beings as you…

-Isn’t that my rightful duty?

“Since when have you been talking nonsense like this…”

-As the rightful master of all things and the honest sovereign, you have experienced the honor of welcoming me. Yet you remain ignorant of this glory. Even so, you’ve been chosen. Therefore, praise it. For life has not abandoned you.

Though he calmly and confidently delivered these grandiose words,

There wasn’t a trace of awkwardness in his demeanor.

Like the sea being the sea and the earth being the earth,

It sounded completely natural and reasonable.

“……”

By this point, Venus seemed to feel some kind of pressure, stifling his breath while his facial muscles contorted seriously.

-Your desires shall be fulfilled in proper form starting from this moment.

At that, the speck of gold hovering nearby chuckled softly.

-What a mess.

“……”

Meanwhile, Carriel merely observed Venus intently.

Whichever choice he made was his own decision and will.

Therefore, there was no need to provoke him unnecessarily or utter pointless words.

…He’s not the type to listen anyway.

“You don’t think he’s giving up too easily?”

When Carriel said this to the ragged man,

He slowly shook his head.

-I know myself as well as I know you better than anyone.

Your choice is quite obvious.

“……”

Though unseen,

Somehow, it felt like he was smiling.

He continued speaking.

-I only reveal myself to those who will surely reject my offer.

The reason others cannot welcome me is because…

None of them have the courage to reject my proposal.

Without exception.

But doesn’t that ruin my pride?

Only those who can somehow shake off my offer deserve to welcome me.

At the very least, that’s the minimum requirement for me to personally intervene, isn’t it?

Furthermore…

Crushing those who reject me is my rightful responsibility.

And to emphasize the weight of my words…

Everything that follows is the trial you must endure.

I am the one who warns and supplements advice.

I traverse past, present, future, and worlds beyond here, measuring even eternal ages.

-Most of the countless uncivilized beings dream of immortality and eternity. Yet despite their loud proclamations and dreams, they cling pitifully to this fleeting world, providing endless amusement.

Even those who believe and teach others about these truths eventually fall into decadence due to their attachment to physical forms.

…And yet they foolishly yearn to ascend to heaven, aspiring to positions they can never reach—a ridiculous delusion and farce.

Can you really allow such things?

To make such beings my subjects is unacceptable.

Thus, I filter them out.

Filtering out and dragging such beings to the bottom is also my rightful duty.

Oh foolish ones who cannot recognize blessings.

My existence and meaning are your ultimate trials.

I gaze into the depths of all of you, just as heaven embraces you all.

If I couldn’t do this, how could I proudly claim to replace the Father?

Overlooking and ignoring what should be obvious with a little thought…

All of this stems from your ignorance and lack of enlightenment.

So naturally, you must pay the price. Don’t you agree?

-Hey, how long do you plan to keep yapping? How much longer will you spout nonsense? Do you really think there’s a single person here dumb enough to applaud you?

The girl of gold sarcastically mocked him with disdain.

In reality…

Despite being visibly affected by an unknown pressure, Venus still glared daggers at the ragged man with wide-open eyes.

On the other hand, Carriel remained calm, completely undisturbed, listening to the monologue without any resistance.

Normally, one word from ‘him’ would flip someone’s mind or make them faint.

Or turn them into fanatical worshippers shedding tears and snot, endlessly praising him…

-Good.

There isn’t a single fool here groveling at my feet.

This feels refreshing.

In a world filled with spineless worshipers, occasionally experiencing this kind of fresh sensation is truly delightful.

This must be why I sometimes venture out.

-You, self-proclaimed dying star, do you still maintain your resolve not to bow your head?

“……”

-Understood. Very well.

He stopped looking at Carriel.

Instead…

-Let’s see if you stake your fate on that mongrel over there who seems to align with my intentions for now.

Do give us a good show.

“What the hell are you going on about…”

Just as Venus, red-faced, finally opened his mouth to unleash a barrage of insults and curses,

The ragged man vanished as if he had never existed in the first place.

Left behind were Carriel, the Demon King,

Venus, and… the Mad High Mage sprawled out half-insane.

No, the supposedly insane mage had regained full clarity.

And despite convulsing as if on the verge of madness after witnessing all this,

“Guh…”

He was perfectly fine.

Neither his sanity nor his wits had snapped.

Everything was crystal clear.

Ordinarily, such memories would fade quickly, but they remained vivid in his mind.

Had he ever felt this mentally sharp and lucid since birth?

“……”

Just by looking into his eyes, Carriel could roughly gauge the boy’s condition.

‘This is…’

A curse.

Perhaps a blessing.

But undoubtedly, it’s the worst kind of curse.

His fractured mind has been forcibly pieced back together.

The boy will never go mad or lose his mind until the day he dies.

…Who exactly worked their magic here?

[Since you have already welcomed my presence, I will no longer tolerate your insignificance.]

Apparently…

His words weren’t just directed at Venus.

Carriel himself seemed included in “you all.”

“Did you figure out what that kid was just now?”

Judging by Venus’s expression, he had a rough idea but lacked confidence.

“It’s something we both know well.”

A demon.

A great demon.

An existence that makes even those categories seem trivial.

Even if we were to divide demons into ranks,

There would easily be dozens surpassing the basic “demon” level.

That’s not rank; it’s category.

And beyond those limits lies the realm where great demons earn their title.

Still, this standard could always be challenged and redefined.

An existence yet to fully establish its selfhood.

Above such great demons comes the rank of Legion Commander, entering the top tier.

Only then does one gain the potential to establish individuality and existence.

And above all of them, the sole ruler.

That’s him.

The only begotten son of Heaven who tempted Irene.

Among all beings classified as demons, perhaps only he could look Irene directly in the eye.

“Trigrammaton.”

Rather than addressing the Demon King of Wisdom by name, calling him the Golden Beast demoted him.

The first-ever entity declared as “the one whose name must not be spoken”—that was him.

“So, were you desperate enough to appeal to that thing?”

“Appeal? No way. You must’ve misunderstood something—I’m just following what I learned from you.”

…From me?

Carriel glanced sideways at Venus with half-lidded eyes.

“You’re right. To achieve your purpose, you need to throw yourself into it beyond desperation.”

In that regard, I still fell short.

Thinking I wasn’t ready or what others thought of me—all of it was meaningless.

Ultimately, to change the world, you need overwhelming power that cannot be resisted.

And to obtain that power, you must abandon everything—not just yours, but everyone’s—and relentlessly pursue even more.

Mine, yours.

Every resource available.

All of it, without exception!

“Originally, I planned to devour that great demon or whatever, but things got weird?”

“Will you be okay?”

Is this concern?

Or just another useless human sympathy?

“I’ll live my life however I want, just like you do yours. What’s the problem?”

Didn’t you toughen up to gain strength for the same reason?

“Isn’t it the same? Am I right or wrong?”

“……”

Carriel didn’t deny it.

Not out of respect for his choice, nor out of disagreement.

“…Yeah.”

Maybe he could lead a better life than Carriel himself, heading in a positive direction.

Not necessarily happy, but something close to it…

That was what lingered in his mind.

But Carriel soon shook his head inwardly.

The fire within Venus, though likely different from his own, wasn’t just some fleeting spark or embers destined to fade.

“So, what’s next with this?”

“Don’t act dumb when you already know. It’s obvious, right?”

Venus pointed his sword at the Demon King and then redirected it toward Carriel.

“Last time ended halfway, leaving a terrible taste in my mouth.”

We barely started fighting before it all went haywire.

By the end, there wasn’t even a proper fight left, and neither the time nor the chance.

And until yesterday, that thing was untouchable.

“Hm.”

Though Venus might seem emotionally driven, he’s neither stupid nor reckless.

Given that he sought guidance rather than blindly confronting him,

That speaks volumes about his character.

And suppressing his boundless pride to do so is truly remarkable.

Which means…

He’s been dead serious about pointing his sword at him, then and now.

Just like right now.

“Prepared?”

At Carriel’s question, Venus stepped forward, raising his sword.

“Where’s the prep in real combat?”

He charges forward.

‘Straight-up attack!’

No time for chatter, no leisure.

Right now, it’s simply about…

CLANG!

Swinging!

Unleashing!

…Driving through to the end!

Slow yet nimble.

The swords clash cleanly and directly.

The sound and shockwave produced far exceed mere metal friction.

Sparks fly, a gentle gust scatters, and the commotion echoes grandly across the surroundings.

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