Chapter 124

“That kid’s rescue was probably all well and good… but privately punishing them will definitely lead to some serious chaos. You know that, right?”

Carriel, having been shown a temporary room on the second floor, nodded at Miness’s words as she trailed after him with something to say.

“They’ll likely go around stirring up trouble for no reason, just to vent their frustrations.”

“…So you knew this would happen?”

“Whether we hide or don’t hide, those watching over or ignoring this area will also be treated as accomplices in this revenge. It’s extremely obvious they’ll make examples out of them.”

The most terrifying thing for rulers who govern through fear is the dilution of that fear.

So when their cheek gets scratched, they cut off hands and feet to show an example.

If they ever dare show hostility, they’ll chop off heads as a warning.

But what if they were dealt with even more severely?

It wouldn’t be strange for massacres to unfold.

And eventually, this won’t just be about maintaining authority—it’ll double as entertainment and amusement.

The powerful derive great pleasure from tormenting those weaker than themselves.

Of course, there are different kinds…

But to the victims, all of it feels like indiscriminate hell.

“So now, what do you plan to do?”

“If signs of that appear, we’ll have to kill them.”

Already…

Their sins have piled up so high, overflowing past the gums and spilling out of their mouths, streaming from their eyes, ears, and nostrils like rivers.

Others might not see it, but Carriel can feel the weight, texture, and putrid stench of these sins.

But even that isn’t enough.

He peeked into their pasts too.

There’s no room for hasty judgments and mistakes.

But then…

They turned out to be irredeemable trash.

No, trash only causes minor inconveniences at worst.

These? These are pure villains, spreading evil simply by existing.

Just look—someone barely their age has already accumulated such a mountain of sin. What does that mean?

“…”

Grandeous talked about this too, and so did the Demon King.

Goodness is light because it rises to the heavens.

Evil is heavy because it sinks to the ground.

That’s what they said.

And…

Filthy, dirty, sticky things…

Will naturally settle at the very bottom, pulling everything else down with them, just as fate has intertwined me with Carriel.

It wasn’t coincidence that such a scene unfolded before my eyes at this exact moment.

This is inevitability, not chance.

There’s no such thing as coincidence in life and death.

Everything happens for a reason.

We just call it coincidence because we don’t understand why.

And now, Carriel has glimpsed part of that reason.

Not like Grandeous, who sees the future.

That’s a shortcut to ruin.

But humans can predict, estimate, and speculate to some degree.

This insight represents the peak of that ability.

“…”

And now, at the moment Grandeous entrusted Rupert with Vivesarin’s eye…

I’ve reached a point where I can branch predictions into quarters.

When people agonize, worry, and focus, they can roughly guess a few possible futures.

But those guesses are uncertain and tied to one’s worldview.

An external influence could easily topple those predictions.

However…

What Carriel now possesses is a method to predict futures across branches, accounting for all variables.

It’s like planting a tree and predicting its growth based on how many branches sprout.

Thus, this isn’t definitive or final.

It’s always adjustable and can always be mitigated.

“And back then, it was the best option.”

But conversely…

If overwhelmed by this and losing oneself, drifting aimlessly without retaining one’s judgment or center, that’s certainly possible too.

Which is why he learned Dominatur.

A mental discipline solely to control and manage this.

“That child probably wouldn’t have died, but the puppy would’ve.”

And that…

Years later, would’ve set this country ablaze, reducing it to ashes.

In reality…

Right after saving that child and dog…

The scorched landscape of the City Kingdom vanished completely from both memory and sight, as if washed away.

“…Perhaps this was the direction to change the country for the better.”

Surely, countless people would’ve died.

And…

The one orchestrating all this…

Was likely that young girl.

Closing his eyes, he brought her consciousness to mind.

She hadn’t appeared clearly before, but now she emerged vividly.

[Not a single one will be spared…]

Let me give them the mercy of death.

Let me burn them all.

Her sole precious friend.

Even while starving and shivering in the cold, they clung to each other, enduring together despite their brief connection. How could that bond not have been precious?

Until one day…

When she was about to be kidnapped by cruel men, her one and only friend stood in her way.

Even though he was weak, even though he was scared, the dog fought desperately to protect her.

But reality was merciless.

While trying to protect her, he was struck by magic, burned alive, and writhed in agony until his last breath. Watching that scene…

Clutching her torn-open stomach in unbearable pain, she stared with wide eyes, gritting her teeth in fury.

But ultimately, any resistance was meaningless.

Held down by the men, she was violated for days on end.

Eventually, she was spat out like garbage, coughing up blood.

She had prepared herself to die…

…but suddenly realized:

Why should I die?

Why must I suffer?

They’re the bad ones.

They’re the ones who sinned.

Why?

Why?

Why?

Why?

WHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHYWHY―

Must only we endure suffering?

[I must kill them.]

As long as they exist, there will be no peace, no stability, no tomorrow, no future for us.

In that moment, the child received a clear revelation of simple truth.

Because I was complacent, I suffered.

Because I was weak, my friend died, and I was violated too.

Even shrinking to survive is a luxury.

Until every last one of them is eradicated…

Our lives will be worse than livestock, worse than trash.

“…”

Had Carriel not intervened,

Had he not acted,

Had he looked away and let it pass…

One definite branch of the future would’ve unfolded.

Though maybe it wouldn’t have reached that point.

But as long as someone keeps lighting fires,

Eventually, the forest will ignite and burn.

If not her, then another child, man, woman, adult, elder…

Someone else would’ve done it.

That’s why action was taken.

Cutting off a youth’s arm?

At least then, he’d earn a modicum of forgiveness.

If he strives to atone for his sins thoroughly, even he might gain a tiny seed of redemption.

But…

It’s impossible.

Carriel himself understood this much.

Still, opportunities must be given.

Acting purely on emotion would result in karmic retribution against himself.

Call it… karma.

The Demon King explained something called “karmic awareness.”

Something he would’ve overlooked entirely otherwise.

The Demon King said:

You possess neither the qualification to save nor condemn anyone.

It’s one of the few privileges granted to you under heaven.

But in return…

You absolutely cannot misuse this power selfishly.

If you do, it’d be better to shut your eyes and ears.

Otherwise, the contract with the Demon King himself will be broken, bringing an even greater sin upon you.

Called divine punishment.

…The gods are watching you.

Those who possess more than others, those who know more than others, those who wield greater strength than others…

Are bound by corresponding restrictions.

Therefore, there are no truly noble beings under heaven, whether strong or weak.

In the end, we’re all the same.

We merely create distinctions of nobility and honor ourselves.

From that distant, lofty vantage point above…

We’re nothing but trash striving to rise above our filth.

“Why?”

Only after receiving Grandeous’ vision did the Demon King reveal Carriel’s destiny.

You were born with the fate of a holy son.

But that wasn’t originally predetermined.

[You were able to save young Carriel because you alone had the qualification to do so.]

There, Grandeous explained why.

[When you saved the World Tree, your destiny was different from what it is now. Saving the World Tree changed your fate.]

Seek the truth from the World Tree.

Moreover, Grandeous said:

[Ultimately, I ended up handing everything over to you. Discovering you, planning to transfer everything to you… In a sense, it was admiration for your spirit and sacrifice. Isn’t this just another whimsical twist of fate?]

Even so…

[If you want to surpass your father, you must either embrace or defy the will of the gods.]

That figure known as your father…

His true nature is…

“…”

Thinking about it again still makes me laugh.

But it came with consequences.

Just obtaining this now grants me the ability to face Lake User in battle.

It’s still not perfect.

Fourteen stars have formed within me.

Now, I must ripen them and merge them.

Into three.

Then two.

Finally, one.

Grandeous couldn’t even form fourteen stars within himself, he said.

He lacked the physical body to do so.

So he formed the stars in space itself and honed only that.

I will forge and unify all the stars within me into one perfected whole.

Afterward…

I must also reach what Grandeous achieved.

“If cause and effect are considered, being born and growing up as a pauper is fate, and so is enjoying wealth.”

But those with wealth continue squandering their amassed riches.

And when it’s all gone, unavoidable misfortune strikes them like fate.

Occasionally, there are those who revel in evil their entire lives, eating and living well until death—but…

[Isn’t it absurd to think life is limited to just one?]

If this were truly the best path and there were no afterlife, then everyone should live this way.

[The body is merely a transient stop along the journey. It’s not the end.]

But then, what am I contained within this body?

Why must I be born, suffer, falter, and despair?

While others bask in happiness and blessings they deserve…

Why?

…But once you start understanding this, living itself becomes paying off sins, and after death, all debts are settled accordingly.

Then what meaning does effort, means, or resistance hold for the living?

…That’s why.

Grandeous said knowing the future ends life, solidifies everything.

The moment you’re swept up, accept, and agree with all this…

Everything you touch and involve yourself in becomes meaningless.

Since the world rolls along according to established principles, fates, and destinies anyway…

What’s the point of resisting?

“Carriel?”

“…If you’re really worried, I won’t object if you intervene.”

“If I act, it’ll only escalate and worsen the situation.”

Miness sighed deeply with a troubled look.

Having finally freed himself from the lifelong wish tethering his ankles,

His collar still wasn’t fully untied.

The legacy of the Great Demon King was both a favor and a leash—a curse.

Possessing power inevitably stimulates desires to use it.

If those desires are righteous, resisting becomes even harder.

The real reason Miness stuck around like a leech in the Lake User’s valley was the underlying anxiety that his presence might cause unnecessary problems.

Being called a Demon King meant he could inadvertently cause chaos and incidents just by existing.

This was also why he temporarily postponed reuniting with his younger brother.

Heard he was doing well, living earnestly and making ends meet…

Isn’t that enough?

“If you’re feeling anxious alone, consulting Uthserph wouldn’t be a bad idea.”

“Him?”

“…Despite appearances, he’s a magnate. Leveraging Rupert’s example, he built a trading company that only profits without losses.”

…Things will be different moving forward, though.

Even during the time of foretelling futures, he was a cautious individual.

And careful individuals rarely make mistakes unless gripped by desire.

Unless unforeseen disasters strike, that is.

Miness hesitated briefly before changing the subject.

“So, how long do you plan to stay here?”

“Just for a bit.”

After all, the destination is already decided.

“To reach the ruins of the Fire Giants, ordinary preparations won’t suffice.”

Beyond mere desert territory lies the Land of Blazing Heat.

Uncharted territory.

Not exactly forbidden zones, but areas difficult to tread casually.

Reaching the domain by boat is one thing,

But entering the desert is manageable,

Yet stepping onto the Land of Blazing Heat is an entirely different level.

“Returning to the main issue… What about the child’s treatment?”

“…”

Carriel remained silent in contemplation for a while before speaking.

“That’s not something we should decide.”

First things first…

“…Shouldn’t we ask the person themselves?”

Even for someone whose life seems utterly crushed,

Even for someone with extremely limited choices,

Deciding their own life’s path should be their decision.

Thinking your goodwill is absolute help and consideration is arrogant.

“…”

When is a person most pitiful?

When their dignity and personality are denied and stripped away.

Knowing that pain, I can’t commit the same mistake as those who assume superiority just because they’ve gained a little comfort.

“Definitely.”

Miness agreed immediately, resonating with that point.

“Wake them up, bathe them, and make sure they eat. Once ready, bring them to me. Make sure to explain everything thoroughly.”

“Carriel. Helping others with good intentions is commendable, but excessive care might create unnecessary expectations and other emotions, potentially causing the child even greater pain.”

“Saying ‘helping others’ should be enough, yet you make it complicated and difficult. Whose fault is that?”

“That’s… ”

Miness tightly closed her lips.

“Father, you really said something wise there.”

After the Demon King’s passing,

At the summit where leaders of various nations gathered, refusing to compromise even an inch, embroiling in diplomatic disputes for days, raising voices—

To them, he shouted, leaving the warrior Ruelde to mutter in exasperation.

Carriel smirked faintly.

“Don’t worry. Rest assured.”

The tension eased, and Carriel returned to his usual tone, considerate of others.

“I remain the same. Changing masks and clothes doesn’t alter my essence.”

Rather, his essence has become stronger than ever.

It’s like…

A tree.

But not an ordinary tree.

Something like what he’d seen before.

Where hundreds of iron chains intertwine as roots, trunks, stems, and branches.

From afar, it looks like a tree made entirely of iron.

“People’s hearts can be steadfast against storms yet sway and fall from gentle breezes.”

Hearing the warm tone devoid of depth, Miness silently scolded herself.

“I guess… I was worrying unnecessarily.”

Looking at him now, he seems far deeper than his age suggests.

But…

That means he’s extraordinary, beyond the norm.

…And does he even realize he’s surpassed such boundaries?

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