Chapter 180

-That’s wrong, Carriel. This body here? I’m borrowing your ears right now. You’re hearing that? So am I. Don’t go scolding me for this much. Resultantly, isn’t this all helping you?

“…….”

Strangely enough.

Our great Demon King of Wisdom expresses heaps of irritation.

-Hey, you audacious swindler!

Othin counters immediately.

-I’m also the god of thieves and wanderers, so what? Brazenness is basic stuff. But isn’t that you too? I got clearer prophecies and examples by pretending to be a woman! Even acted as a sorceress! And because it was all so bland, I even deliberately let myself get raped and molested while divining like some crazy broad! My name IS Madness, you deficient hag. Where do you get off comparing madness with me? If you want to play in the same water as me, soak up your pee and poop for a hundred days before challenging me! Tch tch tch! With your fresh-faced self, how do you plan on beating me?

-……Truly deserving fame. You old fart!

Caw caw!

The crow’s cry sounds like laughter and mockery.

“Who, who are you talking to? Borrowing Carriel’s ears, you say? Now that I think about it, the Military Deity does something similar too… Carriel? Is there something around you?”

“…If I say there’s a spirit attached, would you believe me?”

It’s not a lie.

You see, our Golden Demon King used to be the King of Spirits.

-Ah hurry up and decide! Do you think I have excess strength to waste on these kinds of things?! The God of Magic, the God of Sorcery—these titles are just side effects from my pursuit of truth! Everyone mistakenly thinks they’re my specialties! How ridiculous!

“So, uh… Is this proposal directed at me?”

While we were silent, Heeba started responding.

-So? Who else but you? Carriel? Or some delirious ghost clinging onto a kid?

“What is it you wish? What can I do for you?”

-No need for pleasantries, just hand over one of your eyeballs. Fill my empty socket with it.

He casually tosses out an absurd request.

Heeba seems confused by both his casual attitude and the weight of the words, falling silent momentarily.

“Are you serious about that?”

-You’re done for anyway, right? So I’m showing mercy since we once shared the same world. I took good care of my people, you know? It’s not a lie, is it?

The Demon King immediately mocks.

-Just using you as cannon fodder. Also, passing off tasks I don’t want to do.

-Isn’t it better than having you controlled with a leash and whipped around? If I hadn’t, would they have willingly revered me? Back when Tirna Tor ruled the world, it wasn’t like this either, right?

Quickly quickly! So what will you do?

“If I give my eye… What will you give me in return?”

-I’ll bestow upon you many things.

First, let me tell you something enticing.

-I’ll reveal a way of liberation for your kind.

“Is that even possible?”

-Send them on a long journey. When the world becomes peaceful again, or they’re reborn anew, it’ll work. Though you’ll need to temporarily set aside your current body. It’s unmanageable anyway, right? Just put it down somewhere for a bit. And your memories, depending on your abilities, you can always recall them later. Sure, the Law of Oblivion will make it harder to remember immediately, but it’s not like those bastards demanding you forget everything completely, washing it away, is it? Besides, it’s not my world to oversee nor yours to rule, so why worry?

After he spoke non-stop without pause, a headache naturally crept up.

“…Then, what next?”

-Want to grab those brats causing trouble by their collars and beat them up? Is that possible? Not now, but I can teach you how to fake it. At least pretend.

“What… Does that mean anything?”

-Geez! Beating up gods, even if only pretending, is something rare. Normally, you’d just be trampled underfoot without lifting your head. This is already being generous!

“But still, your demand ultimately means we die. Letting go of this life and present memories doesn’t change the reality, does it? Looks like you’re the only one benefiting from this deal, huh?”

-Do you remember the time when I was the Supreme Deity? No, you don’t, right? So what’s there to regret losing now? Any reason to be attached? Of course, there must be. That’s why you can’t let go. I understand that well. That’s why… I’ll solve exactly that issue for you. The very thing you’ve been worrying about!

“What…kind of worry? And what are you talking about? What is it?”

-Your desire shall come true. I guarantee it. It will definitely come true.

That was.

Like the seductive whisper of the serpent of original sin in the Irene’s Doctrine…

A strangely tempting echo, request, and offer.

Eat the forbidden fruit.

And you will gain everything.

You will become more perfect.

Stronger than ever.

So, hurry up and eat it!

That tempting fruit!

The ancient Supreme Deity disguised in a crow’s body makes his demand.

As for what Heeba most desperately desired, I don’t know clearly.

Should I peek into her thoughts and memories right now?

Even she herself seems quite confused about it.

It appears…

Her dream and desire, still imperfect even to her, linger faintly within her.

Through this question, she seemed to realize it more clearly.

But.

Time is not on our side.

Heeba appears to have made a decision, pushed by the situation.

“One thing… Can you promise me this clearly?”

Should I stop her?

Or should I escape from here right now instead?

Even observing this counts as making a choice.

Is this choice correct?

Honestly, I don’t know.

With my body in its worst state, predicting the future and foreseeing consequences is difficult.

Thinking straight is tough too.

Still, I try my best, but… nothing comes into view. Nothing reaches me. Nothing registers.

Holding onto consciousness and keeping my eyes open is currently my utmost effort.

“I cannot forgive anyone over there.”

Heeba says.

That arrogant Military Deity over there.

And that bizarre woman who suddenly appeared too.

Please.

“Grant me the power to make them kneel.”

-Tch. That’s an incredibly tough condition. You have no idea how dangerous each of them is. But… it could work. For me, this is both the greatest revenge and leniency towards you. Anyway, whether I interfere or not, you’re destined to be persecuted forevermore for destroying our divine realm. If you don’t like it… you can live humbly forever. Accepting that fate or fighting back and enduring greater hardships—it’s all up to you. I can’t just feel sorry and forgive you for that.

“…”

-Fighting against gods has problems for this exact reason. We are eternal and bound by the law of cause and effect, never forgetting grudges or causes. Even if we don’t take action, all principles and fates lead to such outcomes. The world decided your place from the moment it was born. Still, you’re close to gods, so there might be chances for redemption.

So if you don’t like it.

-Long for and achieve parity with us. Only that can grant you even a modicum of freedom. This is quite valuable knowledge, but I’ll gladly share it this time. And Carriel, this applies to you too. Got it?

“…”

“…”

-Good. Then read and sign. I’ll give you plenty of time, so don’t rush.

A document made of light unfolded before Heeba.

An Absolute Compliance Contract.

The former Supreme Deity was presenting an unbearable contract to the descendants or reincarnations of those who once destroyed his world.

Their appearance reminded me somewhat of the Demon King and me… coincidence?

Heeba calmly scrutinized the contents.

The time felt both long and short.

“What should I write?”

-Your name.

Heeba then…

Etched her name into it.

Reggern.

Contrary to what I called her, Heeba, her real name must have been this.

Then why did she introduce herself to me as Heeba?

My head won’t process anymore.

It feels familiar, but it won’t come to mind right now.

The pain continues to torment me.

And the woman who cursed me with pain is now directly confronting the Military Deity, yet…

…she’s not losing ground; instead, she’s pressuring all his avatars single-handedly.

-That’s an existence where victory or defeat is meaningless. Such beings are the most unreasonable foes for victors. Tch!

Othin accurately points out, as if reading my mind.

Come to think of it, he governs wisdom, doesn’t he?

…This explains why he clashes so poorly with the previous Demon King.

-Good. Then prepare. Take a deep breath!

The crow flapped its wings and perched on her shoulder.

Then…

It jabbed its sharp beak straight into her left eye.

“―!!!!”

Even though she’s fully conscious while her eye is being gouged out.

Heeba doesn’t scream despite trembling all over.

She’s accustomed to pain.

Too deeply ingrained, making even this grotesque agony bearable.

But that doesn’t mean it hurts any less.

Pain knows no exceptions.

It’s simply a matter of whether one’s spirit and willpower can endure it.

Some fear it more because they’re too familiar with it.

Pain is the strongest fear and dread for the living.

…In that sense.

Is the current Demon King considered the toughest adversary for victors?

Because he’s overcome pain itself.

For an entity aiming to destroy and annihilate regardless of victory or defeat, does winning or losing even matter?

Now I understand.

The fiercest and most troublesome foe for victors is…

…someone who breaks the stage of competition or someone who doesn’t even care about winning or losing.

Exactly such beings.

Perhaps that’s why I didn’t lose to him entirely despite my clumsiness.

-Good. Reggern. From now on, you’ll see as clearly as I have seen.

The crow flaps its wings and lands somewhere on the ground.

It gulps down the plucked eyeball into its beak, swallowing it down its throat.

Glug!

Though red blood streams vividly over its black feathers and beak, staining it, its small eyes gleam with satisfaction, almost smiling.

-Time is limited. Observe thoroughly. And… decide your own future.

The crow flaps its wings and ascends into the sky.

-The contract will be perfectly fulfilled. Good luck to you. Wishing you fortune too.

Caw! Caw-! Caaaawk―!!

The crow joyfully cries out.

As it flew into the air and vanished, time that had slowed down finally resumed its normal pace.

The moment of relief passes, and the time of perplexity arrives.

“What are you?! Your interference here must surely be by our Master’s will! Or is it not?!”

Even while battling, he kept addressing the Military Deity.

But the current Demon King only responded with hostility.

Finally, when all the most aggressive and reckless avatars were neutralized…

Even as the sound of sheep bleated again, the avatars couldn’t return to the front lines.

No. They tried to steady themselves, but soon collapsed again.

‘Pain?’

It was obvious that unparalleled agony was inflicted on the avatars, just like what happened to us.

If not, how could this mysterious recovery ability, capable of reviving the dead, be rendered powerless?

Realizing his powers aren’t working, the sheep lets out a pitiful bleat unlike before.

“Ugh!”

And pain signifies both a fleeting and enduring experience.

Even though Heeba somehow endured having her eye gouged out, she appears visibly weakened, likely having expended her stamina and spirit in suppressing the pain.

At that moment, the previous Demon King, watching Heeba’s state nearby, clicked his tongue.

-The old man sacrificed one of his eyes for knowledge back then. But… the body and components of an immortal being aren’t something you can just hand over easily. The old man must’ve factored that in when he gouged out his own eye. Moreover, the divine body he possessed wasn’t truly indestructible, though it wouldn’t perish. In other words… think of it as belonging to an ageless, deathless entity.

“That means…”

-Maybe it’s not important now, but yeah, just that.

Take, for instance, Heeba—a seer with the eyes of a giant who sees the future.

Having partially awakened to her true nature, she must surely be an immortal being.

So, considering she entered a contract permanently offering one of her eyes… what value does that contract hold?

-The old man pulling tricks isn’t new. But since this is an Absolute Compliance Contract, he will honor it. It’s not a foolish agreement you can talk your way out of.

“…”

-That much.

Odin must find the foresight and predictive abilities she possesses remarkable enough to endure some effort and cost.

Thus, he proposed such an absurd contract.

Actually, there were other ways to pull a fast one.

-If you had intervened, the old man knew, and so do we. If you demanded enforcement of the Absolute Compliance Contract, wouldn’t the old man end up losing face?

-That old man relies on intellect and leadership rather than brute force to secure his position as the Supreme Deity. Those who use force to intimidate are easier to handle. There aren’t many who claim the title of Supreme Deity solely based on their oversized heads. They’re distinctly different from those who encompass everything, including wisdom.

…Is Odin referring to the overseer of this place?

The Lord of Light and Wisdom.

And perhaps…

The reason the current Demon King reached this point was due to the involvement of this entity.

Beretragena seems to hold this belief firmly.

But now, with the avatars defeated and only the warrior wielding the golden greatsword and the boy remaining…

Except for that lone sheep far away, everyone is effectively neutralized.

-Kyukyukyuk… Perfect!

Suddenly, a hand grabbed my shoulder.

-In the end, you were my target from start to finish! The rest was just entertainment!

Carriel.

-Was it fun? Did you enjoy yourself?

“…”

I wondered when he’d show up, but this certainly complicates things.

Only darkness remains, and only shadows vaguely outline his presence.

Yet, from the pitch-black face, a gaze can be faintly felt.

Desire and obsession.

The sticky persistence of yearning makes me feel drenched involuntarily.

-Will you let me go?

A chilling sensation pierces my skin first.

Then, an eerie voice cuts through the darkness, and instinctively, I pull Heeba into my arms and dive into the shadow.

-Kukuku!

Ahriman follows along.

Even the current Demon King, who was about to attack, joins in.

‘…We’re going insane.’

From the depths, an incomprehensible echo keeps binding me like a collar around my neck. Despite lasting mere seconds, it feels like I’ve endured dozens of minutes, leaving me soaked in sweat.

Still, thanks to that, I caught a brief reprieve.

-Aaaaaaaaaaah!!

They’re chasing after me.

Spraying crimson lightning and flames everywhere.

That was the new era’s Demon King lunging toward me.

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