Chapter 220

Posted by Kuze, ? Views, Released on February 8, 2025

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Inside the erosion zone, Delica, who had been stationed behind Lutezia, the Demon King, saw them.

Her eyes caught sight of Idylia and Marlez.

That spear technique, heavy yet sharp, reminded her of herself during her prime.

And that bizarre mace…

The foolish kid who’d sunk all his money into just that one thing.

But what truly killed him was the barrage of arrows that swept toward him when he knelt unprotected on his knees.

No matter how much you cherish your weapon, it means nothing if your body is left defenseless.

“You two…”

Delica’s eyes shut involuntarily. The emotion welling up wasn’t anger—it was regret, a sigh, resignation, and despair.

Even though she hadn’t expected or hoped for this scene, Delica couldn’t help but be shaken. Like when you touch a thorn with bare hands and without realizing it, your skin tears and wounds form.

A wave of nausea surged from deep within her chest.

“…”

Moreover, she realized there was no way to avoid the fact that her joining had been the most irresponsible and worst possible move.

“Lu…tesia.”

With great effort, Delica raised her head, her face covered in dried blood. When Lutezia turned her head reluctantly to respond, her expression twisted.

Delica grabbed Lutezia’s unprotected arm.

It was cold—like touching a block of ice.

Bearing this sensation, Delica lifted her head with difficulty and urged her on.

“We have nowhere left to retreat. So…”

-…

If helping you in some form like this is possible…

“When that time comes, don’t hesitate at all.”

-!!

A groan-like breath escaped. Watching him violently shake his head… made her feel queasy in multiple ways.

It wasn’t unpleasant.

Not irritating either.

Just… pitiful and heart-wrenching. And even more infuriating because of it.

“Remember. No matter what, we must achieve our objective.”

With those words, Delica collapsed again, and Lutezia barely managed to catch her.

-…

Anger and resentment are probably the same for everyone.

Our world feeds off these things as nourishment, consuming us all.

Devouring each other and even ourselves, leading to destruction, ruin, annihilation, and total extinction—that’s our fate.

“To a false… god though you once were…”

Laying Delica down gently on the ground, Lutezia turned her gaze back to her enemies.

When the queen raised her staff, a lush green light spread across the land, causing vegetation to grow rapidly and construct golem-like constructs that aggressively swept through the daemons.

Despite witnessing this overwhelming spectacle, Lutezia’s gaze remained unwavering.

‘Something this powerful should’ve been used earlier.’

There must be a reason for holding back—limitations on uses or conditional restrictions.

However, if something like this could be repeated, the battlefield situation would quickly shift.

‘…’

And then he turned his direction toward her.

The pitch-black youth, around the same age as her, began approaching.

The battlefield formed suddenly was utter chaos. Near the World Tree, where trees were sparse, the terrain consisted of plains, hills, and uneven ground. The closer one got to the World Tree, the steeper the slope became until it flattened out again beyond a certain point.

So, she was positioned between the hill and the plain. Behind her, her temporary subordinates were working to contaminate the World Tree, while an unexpected white giant was obstructing their efforts.

And alongside that giant seemed to be a woman assisting in some way. Though not using magic or spirit spells, she wielded abilities far more menacing.

Compared to when they last met, her tactics and skills were completely different, which was somewhat irritating.

‘It’s not just that.’

Those wooden constructs were equally troublesome. If they returned to their original master…

The situation would become even more severe.

But the original owner? The other woman who first showcased these constructs hasn’t appeared.

Maybe she isn’t here at all.

Given her state wasn’t good when last seen, perhaps this was her final desperate act before death.

In that sense, it’s unsettling that this man seems to temporarily command abilities akin to that woman’s dazzling powers.

‘Did he receive her strength?’

Her moment of clarity ended. Though brief, it was crucial for her to regain her senses.

‘If so…’

Eliminating him would mean no one could stand against us.

The hateful radiance of bloodlines… why does another exist besides the two?

Ruelde…

And Elimion.

Both monstrous beings whose very presence defies response.

Why does someone with an entirely different aura exist among them?

I can’t comprehend it.

‘To what extent do you intend to interfere with us…!’

The abilities, techniques, or authorities he wields are excessively malevolent.

‘However, Levathain’s half is in his possession.’

If I can secure that, ultimately victory will be ours.

Even if I die a miserable death and rot away…

As long as I can obtain it…

‘I will burn the world.’

Just as I erased the mythic world by burning it in the past.

But erasure alone isn’t enough.

Because life will be conceived again.

Civilization will grow, and injustice will continue endlessly.

‘Therefore, I must utterly destroy and annihilate everything.’

Hence, it’s destruction.

Hence, it’s ruin.

Though I only sought this much…

Why do you all obstruct us?!

====

Finally passing through the ominous erosion zone, I stepped into what was essentially a temporary version of the Demon Realm itself.

Ordinary individuals would experience declining bodily functions just by staying here. Some might find it difficult to maintain their balance, as if poisoned.

Because the air, environment, and mana here act like poison to them.

“…”

But that doesn’t apply to me.

I never benefited much from mana anyway.

If that’s the first reason why the Demon Realm environment doesn’t heavily burden me, the second reason might be similar to Grandeous.

‘Pecata.’

Dominatur Pecata allows me to exclude all mana from a certain area. More precisely, it absorbs and reverses the absorbed power, contributing to emptying the entire world. This continuous cycle creates a definite non-interference space within that region.

However, this method would be impossible for a body-less entity like Grandeous. Thus, he focused solely on freely manipulating it within his reach.

But now…

I’ve reached the point where I can do the same.

Rather than merely nullifying or invalidating my opponent’s mana or flow upon contact, my body itself has become immune to such effects.

This might be the supreme level achievable through the Grandeous swordsmanship originally meant for physical bodies. At this stage, it feels more like an inherent ability than mere swordsmanship.

If I progress further, it might rightfully be called an authority—like Dominatur Pecata.

“…”

Though I received Heeba from Ellie, my limitations are clear. It’s miraculous that I can use it at all since I’m not the rightful owner. The lack of restriction from the Legacy of the Great Demon King suggests it acknowledges me to some extent.

Still, this is equivalent to plundering her warehouse without any compensation, which is why Hibaitein is important—even if it’s just half, it allows me to borrow Heeba’s power without conditions, restrictions, or burdens.

-You’re persistent. Why are you so…

The current Demon King spoke with hatred.

-You know nothing.

“…Have we ever spoken?”

For a moment, his ferocious aura subsided—perhaps he was surprised.

-What…?

“Why does my reaction surprise you so much?”

An awkward silence filled the air.

-Do you understand my words?

“It sounds like you’re treating ignorance as the norm.”

I’ve known all along. It’s just that you weren’t in your right mind, leaving no room for conversation or communication.

-It’s simple. Give me the other half of Levaitein. Then I’ll readily withdraw and leave. I have no interest in invading the Middle Realm.

“…Stories say you’ve caused quite a stir elsewhere.”

-That’s my personal vendetta.

“But that vendetta belongs to another world, not this one. Those here must feel like they’ve been struck by misfortune, don’t they?”

-…

We’re having a conversation.

It’s absurd, but we’re conversing nonetheless.

‘This is clearly different from before.’

Even in the Demon Realm, this woman seems to retain some semblance of rationality. She must have been in poor condition in the Middle Realm, but here she’s an exception.

-You too are of the lineage of hated radiance.

“That may seem true, but unfortunately, my situation differs from theirs. Depending on circumstances, we could even be adversaries. That’s the kind of relationship.”

-Why? What is it?

“Why? Well…”

Why did it come to this?

Fate’s joke?

Misaligned causality?

Pointless destiny?

None of it matters.

“The child hating their parent has several reasons. Let’s call it that.”

-Despise? You despise…?

“Rather, isn’t this more relevant?”

At first, I hesitated to bring it up, but since communication is possible…

“Your wound from Mistiltain hasn’t fully healed, right? Haven’t you figured out why yet?”

-Mistilt…ain?

The current Demon King narrowed his red eyes in contemplation, then furrowed his brows.

-Baldr…the alternate name of our Legion Commander. That which brought death to its growth… Yes. Mistletoe. Is that what you mean?

“…”

Our Legion Commander?

Wait, wasn’t that guy Ares, Mars?

‘Baldr being one of the war deities isn’t impossible…’

But this guy seemed completely unsuited for that role compared to when he was Ares.

Besides, Baldr is also the god of light. Matching him with the illustrious title of Radiant Bloodline fits perfectly.

“So it seems this guy is also called Baldr?”

-One of many names. More accurately, he stole their holiness and claimed it as his own.

“…”

Should he really be sharing such information easily?

While I was slightly bewildered, the Demon King continued.

-So, you asked about Mistiltain… Or were you trying to convey something to me through that question? About why I fell to it and why my wound hasn’t healed?

“The ones called the lineage of radiance can be considered distant descendants of the war gods if we look far enough ahead.”

Bereratragena.

And likely another name before that.

And probably another afterward.

“And as you said, if Baldr belongs to that group… then its natural predator and extreme counter is Mistiltain.”

-What does that have to do with my wound not healing…

Mid-sentence, her expression distorted strangely.

As if refusing to believe it.

‘Didn’t she know?’

I learned this from Ellie, but apparently…

She still didn’t know this fact. Why?

-Now you’re saying I share the same bloodline and that’s why I’m so powerless against it?

“…”

I vaguely foresaw a possibility that could arise if I strayed from my journey.

After forming a bond with Alesia, I ultimately lost her…

And I lost the lady before me too.

But the memories of that time are faint and fragmented.

I can only make rough guesses.

Moreover,

Surprisingly, she didn’t irrationally deny or reject the truth out of stubbornness.

This current her…

Is incomparably more composed and logical than the one who was thrashing about before.

-Then… I lost my father to kin. Moreover, my father was killed by his own kin.

“…”

-It’s so absurd I can’t even laugh. Yes, truths are always regrettable. And… and…

The Demon King shook her head vigorously, then asked something unexpected.

-So, who is my mother?

“…”

-My father was of the radiant bloodline, and so am I. My father was killed by the radiant bloodline. Delica informed me that this isn’t the past I knew. Still, even so… there are facts that remain unchanged, aren’t there?

You, yes, you.

-Are you suggesting that you… might have been my father?

“…”

-Here’s something even funnier. If that’s the case, then my sole Legion Commander… might also have been a potential father figure, isn’t that right?

Though she says that,

Both she and I know a certain fact better than anyone.

Her father, Carriel.

And the me standing here now.

And her sole Legion Commander, another Carriel.

They are all distinct entities.

Sharing the same parents, names, and bloodlines,

Yet we have lived entirely different lives.

And the gap between these differences?

Is nothing less than the entirety of worlds.

-Still… yeah. This world is wrong. Terribly, horribly wrong.

Right. Therefore, a world like this…

-Shouldn’t have existed in the first place.

“…”