Chapter 144

-Some beasts, when they’re startled or overwhelmed with fear, can die just from the shock alone, ya know?

The Demon King observed Carriel’s decision and spoke.

“That applies to sentient beings too. When something someone’s believed in or relied on collapses, it’s bound to deal a heavy blow.”

Carriel saw it; both she and the Demon King had witnessed it through her eyes and ears.

That was why when Carriel pushed Venus to the brink and made him lose consciousness, the Demon King didn’t feel the need to comment much on her judgment.

Originally, regardless of what actions were taken, the Demon King would’ve maintained an observing stance.

“The pain can kill you just like a severe mental shock has little difference.”

He added a brief explanation nonetheless.

What Carriel had acted upon by instinct, the Demon King merely unraveled and explained further.

If everything for Venus had come to naught here,

even his unshakable will and spirit might’ve crumbled under such a great impact.

And what would’ve rushed into that void…?

When hope and expectations vanish, humans not only fall into despair but also let go of everything altogether.

Even resignation requires some form of acceptance; without it, one truly loses the driving force of life.

It might seem trivial, but to the person experiencing it, it feels as if the entire world has collapsed.

The stronger the pride and self-esteem, the greater the backlash tends to be.

“There’s nothing that can be done about it, right? Asking someone who challenges to give up their goals, dreams, hopes, and expectations is impossible.”

“Is it the same for you?”

Though Carriel pushes forward with the belief of not expecting anything, completely letting go of expectations is an impossibility.

The sense of betrayal when expectations are dashed may deepen the frustration,

but still, holding onto dreams, hopes, and expectations—even those that won’t come true—is perhaps instinctual.

Even if these baseless expectations make us unhappy,

can someone who truly lacks any hope, dream, or expectation have any motivation or value in life?

Perhaps there’s some value they discover and feel themselves, but I couldn’t possibly know.

“Right. It’s kind of like life itself.”

Even if you don’t want to live, as long as you’re not dead, you keep going.

Living means dreaming and hoping continuously—whether it’s small things or grand, glorious, and magnificent achievements.

We ultimately live by hoping, striving toward our goals, throwing ourselves into battles.

Trampling others’ hopes, crushing their dreams, devouring and tearing apart their expectations and aspirations.

In the end, this world is structured that way from start to finish.

“That’s only looking at one side though.”

In that sense, Carriel’s abilities symbolize such aspects.

Whether singing darkness or playing light, their essence and function are quite similar.

Absorbing and devouring.

Eroding, covering over, and rewriting—it’s all kind of the same in the end.

“Hm?”

And then.

Through Carriel’s senses, the Demon King perceived something.

Carriel, naturally, didn’t miss it either.

“It seems we have a welcome guest. How about it? Can you feel it?”

“…….”

She steadied her breathing.

She had unknowingly expended a considerable amount of vitality.

Though her stamina might as well be considered infinite, it isn’t truly limitless.

As long as she’s human, there must be limits, and because those limits exist, her presence here in the Middle Realm—the Material Plane—has meaning.

Only within the bounds of natural order and laws.

“Still, I thought they followed quite a bit.”

They hadn’t even entered downtown yet.

Even at the city gates, which could be considered the entrance to the city, their presence was already fiercely radiating across spaces.

But that wasn’t for show or demonstration.

Their mere presence was extraordinary.

And the power that swiftly moved and calmed surrounding tumults in an instant…

It was likely beyond what Carriel could achieve now.

“What do you plan to do?”

“…Not yet.”

Her contemplation was brief.

“It’s perfect for throwing a tantrum if you ask me. If you’re trying to mend relations, that is.”

“….”

If that were the case, she wouldn’t have chosen this hardship willingly.

This wasn’t merely an issue between father and son.

Father and son.

Mother and son.

…And others who know me.

…And the vast majority of the crowd who pretend to know me while knowing nothing.

…Even though my emotions have grown so faint, anger still rises within me.

At this point, it’s probably time to part ways, but every time I close my eyes, the memories remain vivid… At this stage, it might not be far-fetched to call it a mental illness.

“….”

Just then, Minette flew through the air and landed nearby.

“Carriel.”

Whatever Minette was about to say, Carriel nodded briefly to dismiss it casually.

Carriel immediately lifted the unconscious Venus and glanced at the young Mage King lying discarded nearby.

“Do you understand what you need to do from here?”

“Hyaaargh!”

The young king, struggling to lose consciousness, was clearly lucid enough that he desperately wanted to pass out.

But he can’t.

It’s both a curse and a blessing.

…Since fearing death and witnessing even a fragment of the truth leaves no room for salvation.

Now, there’s nothing left for him but to desperately struggle to avoid falling into that abyss.

…Yet, the burden on his shoulders is overwhelmingly immense.

…But because of that, he might finally live a truthful life.

A life driven solely by pain, justified by pain, escaping from pain.

Pain isn’t overcome; it’s endured.

Overcoming it is impossible.

Because it’s the most malevolent inevitability, governance, and clear law-based decision.

However, when distinguishing good from evil, only pain can make them reflect.

…Someone must have definitively judged it that way.

It’s indeed a simple and clear conclusion.

“….”

Then, space split open, revealing a pitch-black canvas adorned with countless radiant stars and starlight before swallowing them whole like a massive mouth.

“….”

Watching this with terrified eyes, the young king eventually covered his face with both hands, quietly shedding tears and snot as he remained like that for a while.

Until someone spoke to him.

For a long time.

====

Faceulan turned into chaos overnight.

Moreover, due to the absence of its leadership class, which was heavily affected by the recent turmoil, the confusion showed no signs of abating.

But power doesn’t allow vacuums, does it?

Medium and minor noble families began seeking opportunities to fill the gap, keeping a watchful eye on the major noble houses, while mage families plotted strategies. Spies from various countries simultaneously worked on how to leverage the situation while frantically sending urgent reports through their respective channels.

In this regard, the smooth magical communication environment characteristic of the Mage Kingdom played a significant role in quickly spreading and amplifying the chaos and confusion.

Additionally, as is often the case in any country, underground organizations that operate unofficially and outside legal boundaries seized this opportunity to aggressively expand their influence.

They ingratiated themselves with targeted nobles, showcasing their capabilities, or solidified mutual relationships through a mix of threats and cooperation.

Meanwhile, the city guards and security patrols joined forces to stabilize the situation, using this as a pretext to oust the royal guard and take their place.

The proud magical battalions of the Mage Kingdom, realizing this, allied with the ousted royal guard and continued their rivalry.

Amidst all this, each house desperately scrambled to somehow manage the newly vacant rights and interests.

While others took advantage of the chaos to seize these interests effortlessly.

It was pure confusion.

Nothing but continuous confusion.

Here.

An unexpected force—or rather, a non-force—also started expanding its influence.

Missionaries of Irene’s Doctrine and merchant alliances began consolidating different social classes, aiming to establish a new stability.

And those who received miracles became fervent believers of Irene’s Doctrine.

Especially those who encountered the massive pillar of light, presumed to have quelled the chaos.

They claimed it was divine grace descending, punishment for the corrupt king and nobles, and rightful retribution for arrogant mages, interpreting and accepting all phenomena and results accordingly.

Thus, they passionately embarked on spreading the fervent faith and beliefs of Irene’s Doctrine.

In reality, the only ones rendered meaningless by this were the mages and the impoverished class.

Within days, Irene’s Doctrine and its followers gained the support of most of the kingdom’s poor, whether knowingly or unknowingly.

And what enabled this…

“Please line up! There’s still plenty to distribute, so please don’t rush and form a line!”

Relief knights disguised as merchants distributed vast amounts of food supplies.

Although originally destined for transport elsewhere, they decided to donate generously due to being stranded here during the commotion.

Simultaneously, they ensured this fact was widely spread, aligning it with the missionaries’ narrative.

Thanks to this, Irene’s Doctrine had achieved its greatest prosperity since entering the City Kingdom of the Eastern Continent.

“Truly, in the face of God’s plans and judgments, we find ourselves utterly useless. We merely need to follow, as we once again realize.”

A missionary drew the sign of sanctity, speaking with an indescribable emotion, as Rupert, eyes closed, simply nodded in agreement.

“Our Lord sees farther than anyone, they say. How could we, His creations, ever fathom His wisdom?”

Rupert’s words resonated deeply with the missionary, who exhaled in profound agreement.

“Amen!”

While the missionary felt moved, his heart ached at the pitiful sight.

Rupert, however, showed no emotion towards the hushed clamor created by the crowds packed into the small chapel.

“Good deeds.”

“…What did you say?”

“I’ve been contemplating how far we need to go for our good deeds to be sufficient.”

“…You’re doing more than enough already. Who, and how, could anyone demand more?”

The missionary’s gaze shifted to the destitute crowd gathered below the chapel.

Here alone, free from distinctions of status or class, genuine sharing and giving unfolded.

And sincere acts of service flowed straight from the heart.

“This in itself is miraculous enough.”

If people could purely love one another, the world would undoubtedly become heaven.

Our role ultimately begins with creating such a heaven not in the heavens but on earth.

…At least the missionary had always believed this and felt rewarded now.

As more brothers and sisters joined, the world would surely grow richer, he thought.

“….”

But Rupert knew.

This would only last so long.

Foolish ones who believe in humanity’s ignorance.

Your greatest trial begins when they turn rusty weapons against you, cast malicious glares, and spew venomous insults.

…And if your faith persists beyond that.

Even when faced with miserable death, when your life hangs by a thread.

If you can still hold onto your faith then… continue believing.

“….”

“Shall we go?”

“Even though I’m blind, there’s work to be done. Just as the world doesn’t expect the blind to neither eat nor sleep, we cannot afford laziness here, correct?”

“…Brother, you truly teach me so much. Then, I shall focus on what I can do right away.”

As the missionary hurried off to help distribute food, seemingly hiding his embarrassment, Rupert slowly exited the chapel.

‘Alright, what now?’

The storm over Faceulan seemed to have passed once,

but disasters come in many forms.

Will rain of fire fall from the sky, earthquakes tear the earth apart, unexpected cold waves sweep in, plagues strike, or pestilence invade?

…No one knows yet.

And the living disaster and salvation.

Though rumors hadn’t spread, he knew the Knight of Glory, Warrior Ruelde, had arrived here.

And as long as Ruelde kept his sharp eyes open, it’d be hard for Carriel to reveal herself easily.

…Unless she deliberately chose to expose herself.

Was it because of accusations of collusion with the Demon King and being a prime suspect?

Or was there another hidden reason?

Carriel was one of the main instigators behind the Empire’s move to sever ties, but in reality, all Rupert had done was foresee events that were bound to happen.

That’s why Rupert himself had only lost his eyesight.

What exactly drove Carriel to separate from the system remains unclear.

Was it rejection, abandonment, and disdain?

Perhaps the birth of her younger brother was the trigger, but was that the only reason?

“…Pointless.”

Why bother pondering when interest is absent?

He was merely an observer.

In the past and even now, despite his blindness.

…There’s not much change in his essence.

====

And then.

Before dawn, Geoffrey and Hamren reached the outskirts of the City Kingdom on horseback.

Bound unwillingly to rest near the city gate after receiving exceptional permission to enter,

it was around that time.

[!– Slider main container –]

---