Chapter 190

Thus, time flowed and kept flowing.

Six long years passed additionally.

During that time, Elimion led his comrades and his resistance force against Carriel.

And in the year he barely turned twenty, he embarked on the final battle with them, including himself and eleven other heroes.

The one who was forever thought to prevail—known as the Blood King, Military Deity, War Demon, and Dark King—Carriel, was defeated.

In the end, Elimion and his group, along with those who had collaborated with them, managed to secure victory.

Immediately after, Elimion was called both a Knight of Glory and Warrior of Radiance, becoming a symbol of peace and unification across the continent.

Later, from Hero Emperor to Alesius, and then after Alesius’s death, the child born between Elimion and his wife of royal blood ascended the throne as the new emperor of the empire.

Because of this, the merging of the bloodlines of Light and Gold was praised as the Bloodline of Light and Gold.

Thus, the bloodline of the Berke Empire was celebrated as the most noble and sacred bloodline in the world.

…Thereafter, it seemed the empire would continuously flourish, reaching its Prime.

…

“Hmph, he’s completely different from the current fellow.”

And…

Compared to the monsters from another world, I am far more monstrous than that Carriel over there.

It’s so absurd that for a while, all I could do was let out hollow laughter.

I almost became such an incredibly dangerous yet great being, didn’t I?

Based on Ellie’s death?

-And right here, the previous you, who once almost became something like that, died, and the current you was born. Your memories and qualities reflect that. So, let me ask: which side appeals to you more? Now or before?

“…”

Is this supposed to be some kind of talk?

“You yourself said it, didn’t you? The old me is dead. The current me? That’s a completely different species.”

-Are you not at all regretful?

“…”

For a moment, I almost faltered.

I was almost drawn in.

But that’s not me.

And even if I were, the person over there wouldn’t tolerate the current me.

Even though we share the same appearance, name, and bloodline, we are entirely separate, antithetical beings.

Also…

“El, who used to be Heeba, took the name Regnar when she fell under him. That’s also something worth considering.”

“The other world’s Carriel probably didn’t have much influence over the fire giants.”

Regnar using the name Heeba was likely due to twisted results, but ultimately, it was dominated by Carriel’s influence.

If she hadn’t been awakened by Carriel, she might have lived a different life.

That might be why the Carriel from the other world could freely wield authority unlike Elhermina.

Perhaps the conditions and restrictions were different from Elhermina’s.

“…”

And with that, I was content to observe only fragments.

If I were to peek into everything, I might grasp it, but there’s always a risk of my mind closing off.

Stereotypes inevitably affect us, whether intended or not, from the moment we recognize them.

The brief understanding that Elimion eventually defeated Carriel in the other world stems from that reason.

Observing seals the situation.

And this isn’t the future but the past of another world.

Thus, it becomes definitively sealed.

And that will undoubtedly influence my present and future.

“If the Demon King of your era happens to be your daughter in another world, and assuming I was dealt with by Elimion in that world… How should I take that?”

I can guess.

Still, the Demon King explained it without hesitation, saying it wasn’t difficult.

-Whether you burn the world or not, it’s all part of a predetermined sequence. And in either case, the purpose of punishment or retribution remains strong.

Punishment for failing to fulfill your role.

Whether you burn the world or not, it was destined to end this way.

If you influenced the world according to your fate, surely you’d carry the cross of sin and die as a sacrificial lamb.

Even if not, rejecting your fate meant tasting the consequences.

That immense net’s range far exceeded what humans, who can barely see ahead or behind, could ever comprehend.

This was the net thrown down by Heaven onto the world.

To Heaven, this world must seem as narrow as the seashore viewed by a fisherman.

“Elhermina taken as a hostage in the prophecy means she’ll die. If the prophet knew this, does that mean they foresaw this path and warned accordingly?”

-Possibly? And the Empress might have glimpsed a useful future. For her, it was a definitive future that absolutely needed to be avoided.

“But if it’s a definite future, shouldn’t it be impossible to avoid?”

-That’s why heroes and warriors are needed. Though it’s tough, they can still change things. That’s why they’re warriors, and thus heroes.

“…Then why can’t I? Why do I have to rely on something like your cursed artifact?”

-Because you’re not a hero or a warrior. Didn’t I say it already? You changed your destiny by killing the previous you. It’s not bad; rather, in your worldview, it couldn’t get nobler. However, there’s no rest for the chosen son of this land. You’re meant to bear the cross, but not as a victimized lamb. You’ve become a self-sacrificing, dedicated lamb. There’s a big difference. At least, you’ve earned the qualification to follow Irene’s footsteps. The others? They’re just sacrifices.

Irene…

In Irene’s Order, they often call her the Only Begotten, God, Lamb of Heaven, and the Lord’s chosen servant of suffering.

Many religions have traditionally offered lambs as sacrifices, solidifying this practice into custom.

Moreover, Irene always preached:

She tore bread and gave it to her disciples, saying, “This is my flesh.”

She passed around wine, saying, “This is my blood.”

By drinking the body and blood of a divine saint, their sins would be cleansed and purified.

-The Carriel from your world had a keen understanding of the essence. Though it was an incredible misunderstanding, it wasn’t wrong.

“…”

At this point, the doctrines I’ve been force-fed since childhood feel different.

“Even in a doctrine that speaks of unconditional love, and in a world based on such doctrines, do we truly have no choice?”

-There’s no choice outside what the world has set. If you don’t like it, break the world or shatter the will of whoever made these rules. None of it’s possible under normal circumstances.

Some say:

Even if the future is determined, I want to decide the process according to my own intent and will.

…But what if you never had your own free will? What if it was never allowed?

“What can we possibly do, then?”

-Follow or rebel. The choice is free, and so is the action. But even that isn’t something you choose freely.

“…Damn world.”

-Well, if you hate it, separating the body and soul and cleansing the soul through endless pain is another option. How about it? Either listen well and be a good lamb, or resist and get beaten until you become one. Weak, ignorant, foolish you? Even that, you lack the will, awareness, and ability to properly choose.

That’s why people like me and other arrogant prophets and emperors…

-Treat individuals and groups indifferently. Ants and bees are more worthwhile. At least they don’t waste time in unnecessary anguish. In their own ways, they act, but they’re still bound by instinct, with clear limits. Unlike you. They haven’t been given the awareness, anguish, or the choice to resist, which you have. Isn’t this more tragic? On the other hand, anguish itself is a blessing. At least you can know and feel resentment, right?

“…”

That’s why…

Even so…

Because we’re foolish and ignorant…

Variables can be created. Is that what it means?

-If not, why make you incomplete and imperfect?

Listen carefully.

Omniscience means…

-No more room for growth. From one to ten, ten to hundred, hundred to thousand, it seems like numbers grow significantly.

But adding 1, 10, 100, 1000, 10000 to infinity…

-Is imperceptible.

“…”

-To you, one second, one year, ten years… In that concept, it’s an instant, a fleeting moment, and an eternity.

“I understand what you’re trying to say, but it’s not based on my comprehension, is it?”

-I’ve repeatedly said it, but there are realms where understanding isn’t necessary. Just get the gist. Do you dissect every reason and purpose why your heart beats? Yet you live fine without knowing, don’t you?

“…”

Way out there.

So far away that human consciousness and minds can’t fathom.

Perhaps we can freely observe the past and future.

…That’s what Grandeous said.

It still sounds confusing, but I somewhat grasp it.

If we can use it according to our intent and will, that’s an entirely different matter.

-I too was a pitiful soul bound by fate and destiny within the world I belonged to, until I reached the stage where I could change my fate with my own will.

And at that point, I…

-Became a threat to the world. Chaos. A variable. It’s only natural that I became the world’s adversary.

Antagonist.

-That’s why I gained the qualification to break or transcend the world’s boundaries as a Demon King. Some try to become Demon Kings blindly, but whether knowingly or unknowingly, the result is the same.

“…So you break the existing world and become the master of a new one. Is that what this ridiculous game is about?”

-Hunters and prey switching roles is common, isn’t it? Beasts indulging in peace become lazy. Are intelligent beings any different?

Peace and stability lead to degeneration and regression in creatures swayed by environment and circumstances.

The fall of a military powerhouse due to inferior military power, as seen in the famous tale of the Great Empire Vera, is well-known.

Had they continued their prosperous era, how could the Demon Army have destroyed the empire?

The presence of internal sympathizers and traitors cannot be excused at all.

-It’s like a wheel. It must keep rolling to move forward. Eventually, you might reach paradise, hell, or a new world, right? That’s the value and necessity of the world.

“…And that’s for the master of the world, not us individuals?”

-If you choose to stand beside the master of the world or align with his purpose, maybe you can assist him. If you can be a helper to him… you’ll be needed and meaningful in this world, effectively saving yourself. If that’s not what you want… you won’t even enter the door. He won’t allow it. Thus, you’ll suffer and be crushed thousands, tens of thousands of times until you submit, surrender, and obey. But even that… is a blessing. Why? Because there are countless fools who don’t even get that chance.

The Demon King chuckled briefly.

-Humans and sentient beings, even beasts and tramps, seem limitless in number. To your eyes, the extremely tiny worlds invisible to you contain entities far exceeding the total population of your empire.

Think about it.

-They lack the qualifications to even be born and survive as components forming the world. They cannot think or possess a self. Bound to instincts, they live instinctually, serving no purpose beyond that. Yet, despite having souls, they are shackled to their bodies, leading clumsy lives. They were once in your position. But they failed and received neither sympathy nor tolerance. They must endure eternity unless something comes to save them.

…But how can you save beings whose existence you cannot even recognize?

That’s why this is an eternal curse.

-Defeaters among the defeated. That’s what they call them. Among them, there were godlike beings, creatures like you, and things far beneath and above you, grand and despicable alike.

“…Isn’t this story getting a bit convoluted?”

-Yeah. You’re arrogant. You can’t help but be. You should feel fear from my words, but forgetting that is the blessing of your Heaven and Master.

“…I can imagine. But realizing and understanding that doesn’t change anything about what I, the current me, can do, right?”

-At least, you can escape the illusion of your own unhappiness. If you’re consumed by lack and keep going downhill… Life naturally becomes arduous. If your fate is played by others’ hands, why live? If you’re bound to die anyway, why live? If you’re bound to sleep, why wake up? Why eat if you’re bound to starve?

“…”

-The moment you acknowledge yourself as an unfortunate slave, deprived of freedom, the moment you consider yourself as nothing… You become nothing.

Didn’t I say it already?

-Wasn’t the gatekeeper giant weak?

“…”

-Even if the world tries to kill you, create your own world. Don’t cower before a world that isn’t yours, that doesn’t flow according to your will. I wandered in that swamp for thousands of years, so don’t come to me spouting nonsense like that. The stars you’ve formed within your body, the things you’ve learned—they’re tools to break it all. Now you claim to know the vastness of the world and spout nonsense… Tch!

“You need to work on your teaching methods.”

-You’re right. I should’ve just pushed you around like before. Now that your head’s grown, even that’s tough.

“…”

In other words,

I can’t kidnap you into dreams anymore, subjecting you to torture disguised as training.

Not to mention giving you cruel real-life experiences.

“Hmm. That’s true.”

There’s one thing though.

Hearing those words back then and now—they may carry the same meaning, but now it’s different.

The literal weight and depth of the words differ depending on the situation.

Moreover, I’m at a level where wavering causes my strength and abilities to plummet.

Someone who wanted to break fate, like me… Should I shrink back from it?

…Anything possible would be impossible.

Like how, as a child, conquering the world seemed feasible but as you grow older, overwhelmed by reality and the vastness of the world, you compromise, lower your head, and naturally avert your gaze.

Some might call it growing up.

But at least I can’t humbly bow like them.

If I accept it so easily, I might weaken quickly or worst-case scenario, fall into a deadly swamp.

Since the world recognizes me as an enemy…

…the world is now my enemy.

Maybe I’m like a rebellious younger son to my father.

What I perceive as hostility might be a loving whip, a forced embrace suppressing awkward resentment—who knows?

Anyway, standing in this world,

I mustn’t show weakness lightly since I’m no longer free from its gaze.

So, the Demon King troubling me with all this difficult talk is probably warning me not to take it lightly.

Conversely, if I don’t heed it, it means I’ve gone as far as I can.

“One misstep and my fate might crush me.”

For some, getting struck by lightning might be miraculous.

But for me, it’s no longer a miracle.

-Because you’ve grown. Would you think an insignificant ant stepping on your foot is threatening or bothersome?

“Your analogies are really… terrible.”

It’s not like I’ve suffered deep emotional wounds, but a sigh escapes me involuntarily.

I’ve been acknowledged by Jeffs, Athena, Ahriman, and even Bereratragena.

Yet, the current master of this world sees me as nothing more than remnants of the past, failures.

-The tyrannical Carriel from the other world enjoyed a sort of freedom by riding his fate. But… as you know, that’s not true freedom.

“…”

-This isn’t me showing you this form. Don’t disappoint me. Initially, your actions carried the hopes and expectations of someone.

“…”

Grandeous.

-Therefore, save yourself. That’s the path to continuing his will and achieving that foolish expectation somehow. Not that I’m telling you to do it for that. Figure it out yourself. You have a brain, don’t you? Or are you running back to Mommy Ermina like a baby?

“You really…”

Ending on a good note would’ve been nice, but you had to irritate me at the last minute… Sigh.

“Alright. I get it… Let’s move on.”

As for the parallel world’s Carriel, let’s leave it at that.

Next is my past.

My unknown past.

The past before I became the current me, the one they called a prodigy.

And the one who can reveal that is probably this thing I’ve placed my hand on now.

Likely, the World Tree alone.

…Regarding the Sacred Tree of the Demon Realm as well.

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