Chapter 221

-…The conversation ends here. Either you hand it over willingly… or pay the price.

I rummaged through my coat and held up a wooden stick, only half of it remaining.

“What do you plan to do with this?”

-Do you not know?

“I’m asking because I already know.”

In the myth, the fire giant used this to destroy the world.

There’s obviously a reason why someone who despises and resents the world would need this… isn’t it obvious?

“Do you think I’d allow you to do that?”

-Who needs your permission…? It’s not about getting approval. It’s about whether you can pull it off or not.

“……”

-Give it. Or what? Are you going to lecture me like some holier-than-thou prick?

“…No. Pointless sermons bore me too.”

After all, sermons are just one-sided displays of superiority from those who think highly of themselves.

If you truly want to resolve others’ problems and conflicts, it’s better to show understanding and empathy rather than preach.

Not that there aren’t people who genuinely believe in their own righteousness when they sermonize.

However.

“I respect your intentions. But even from ancient times until now… I’ve always believed that the best solution for this world is for it to be permanently erased.”

-…

Was he surprised by my answer?

Instead of arguing back, he just glared at me, unable to continue his sentence.

“But that’s just our opinion—yours, mine, and maybe those who entrusted their wills to you.”

Even now, outside the corrupted zones, beings that are dead yet still move—armors and suits of plate—are still active.

They don’t seem to possess free will like Grandeous, but they’re likely similar entities.

But even if they are similar to Grandeous…

Should their existence be allowed?

That’s not something I can answer.

It’s ultimately up to the dead themselves.

And the one who bears that burden must be her, standing right before me.

Just…

“This story doesn’t apply to countless others who aren’t here.”

-What exactly are you trying to say?

“…I refuse to let our selfishness ruin their golden age, their prime. Maybe even another life and lifetime? At least, I don’t wish for it.”

For some, this moment might be the most fulfilling and determined period of their lives.

For others, it could be a time spent shoulder-to-shoulder with loved ones, kissing, hugging, embracing the most precious moments.

And for some, this instant might represent the culmination of years spent sweating and crying.

Or perhaps, it’s the final moment where long-held dreams finally come true.

I don’t know everything, but maybe for someone who has been separated from their beloved for days, decades, or even longer…

Someone who has endured an aching heart despite being apart, waiting anxiously and desperately… this could be the moment they reunite with the one they love.

All of this… is completely unrelated to me.

“I can’t turn away from it.”

-No! That’s not it! Even now, there are those who suffer and scream! Who cry and shed blood! Would you spout such dreamy nonsense?! Reject my request?! Your refusal is worse than a damn sermon! Absolutely unacceptable!

“Yeah. There’s no flaw in what you said.”

And…

“That suffering includes myself as well.”

-Then why! Why should we care about others like this!

“Exactly because of that… both you and I have suffered so much.”

We don’t care about others.

We belittle them, ignore them, look down on them.

We torment them, again and again.

Because it doesn’t hurt us.

Because satisfying our desires brings joy.

By oppressing the weak, we convince ourselves that we’re special, superior.

…But to some, that’s not ugly. It’s natural, appropriate.

Because they are the ones who enjoy, who revel, who are superior, who are noble.

Thus, by any means necessary, they must remain happy.

Everything else aside from themselves…

Must be trampled, crushed, obliterated.

“I don’t intend to return the same suffering I endured to others. Though, just to clarify, I don’t have much to say about revenge since I’m somewhat accepting of it, so I won’t comment on that.”

His expression twisted strangely once more.

-I don’t get it… You’ve changed somehow… But what exactly is different?

I also know…

That in this world, there are far more sufferers than happy people, maybe hundreds of times more.

Maybe even more.

We don’t necessarily have to limit it to intelligent beings like humans.

If beasts, insects, plants—all living things—have emotions and spirits, then they too must endure the same pain and suffering as us.

All because we’ve been unceremoniously thrown into this inappropriate existence.

“Besides, we still don’t know anything yet.”

Why were we born?

Why must we live?

Why do we exist?

And beyond us…

Why was I born, why do I live, why must I exist?

Religions, magic, civilization and history, society, philosophy—all offer countless answers.

But… where is the truth among them?

Heeba, who blindly worshipped Marduk due to her upbringing, eventually walked a different path influenced by what Leyarn and I had said.

You suffer and struggle because you were created from the blood and soil of the evil god Kinggou.

Thus, your hardship and lowly status are entirely justified.

Perhaps that was the truth of that era.

Or maybe it was fabricated by conquerors and rulers as justification to dominate their subordinates.

“Maybe the living are simply incapable of knowing the rules and principles behind it all.”

Many religions claim that after death, you fall into a river, lake, or swamp of forgetfulness, erasing all memories.

Whether that’s imagined or real… we don’t know.

Perhaps precisely because we don’t know, we imagine and strive to discover.

If we already knew all the answers…

Would there be any adventure or exploration left?

Would there even be any need to search or struggle to uncover the truth?

“We haven’t found it yet. But somewhere, it must surely exist.”

Though my memory is hazy now.

My pursuit, my explorations, my adventures—weren’t they all aimed at uncovering these unknowns?

A mage developing and inventing magic is, in reality, discovering something that already exists.

Simply finding and manifesting what’s already there.

Ultimately… we should focus on discovering rather than creating.

-All of this is useless daydreaming. Are you lost in fantasy? Those who aren’t satisfied with reality often lean on something. Whether it’s faith or alcohol… isn’t your idealistic babble just another messy religion?

“…”

You’re right.

Since I lack other solutions, maybe I’m just indulging in idealism, seeking comfort in it.

Maybe somewhere deep down, I hoped there’d be answers I could accept.

-Your absurdities are intolerable. This is my final warning. Hand over Lebathein willingly. If not…

“…”

And…

Though I didn’t voice it aloud.

I quietly hope…

That in your life, which you’ve seen as hell and may end this way, at least a little light finds its way to you.

I don’t expect happiness.

Because I too consider happiness another illusion, a vague dream. I concluded that long ago.

Just…

The Carriel and Alesia from another world wouldn’t have wanted you to become like this.

Even though they’ve faded away…

You’ve survived and made it this far.

…No.

This is meaningless.

“Right. That’s correct for now.”

Intense flames erupted from the broken staff in my left hand.

With my right, I wielded the Obsidian Sword.

“If you want it, take it. Sure.”

If your grand ambition can crush my insignificant will…

====

“Huh? Hmm?”

The view from above was indescribable.

Hordes of daemons rushing forward, met by those who stood against them.

Among them were non-human beings clearing out the daemons at the forefront, drawing attention.

‘Did it succeed?’

Alesia thought it wouldn’t be easy due to the strong winds.

Keeping her eyes open was hard enough, let alone distinguishing sounds amidst the wind.

-Then we drop you?

“What?!”

Are you dropping me from this height?

Is this guy confessing now that he plans to kill me? Is this an assassination… or public execution?

“Whatever nonsense…”

Before she could finish her sentence, the unnatural pressure on her shoulder disappeared, and her body was tossed into the air.

‘Uh? Am I really dying here?’

As she fell for a few seconds, her senses slowly returned.

‘Am I an immortal now?! How am I supposed to survive this!’

Despite her lightened body, even without the heavy armor she used to wear, this was still quite the load by elven standards!

Won’t I really…?

‘Huh?’

Just as she got close to the ground, her body slowed down, and a branch extended naturally, catching Alesia around her waist.

“Eh!”

Compared to being caught by a bird and falling from high up, this was merciful treatment.

Alesia detached herself from the tree branch, landing safely at a height roughly equal to her own.

“There you were. We were looking for you.”

“Hamren?”

“Yes. Rushing in recklessly like this is dangerous. Even with the signal, it was quite risky.”

“…”

Don’t blame me.

“At least this takes one worry off my mind.”

“Alright?”

“Head back to the rear guard and check on the wounded. Then quickly rejoin the front lines.”

“You’re pushing me too hard! Front and back?!”

I’ve been fighting continuously and got kidnapped by some weird bird for forced relocation!

Still, despite her complaints, Alesia swiftly headed to the rear.

She immediately began crafting divine spells that restored both stamina and physical health.

“…?”

After finishing the spell synthesis in what felt like minutes, she sighed in relief. But then she noticed something ominous nearby in what should have been the rear line.

Alesia had already figured out what had happened in this area.

‘This situation is moving faster than I anticipated.’

Meanwhile, Cariel held a sword in one hand and flames in the other.

Facing him was a woman clad in black armor, breaking free from entangled crimson branches.

‘The Demon King.’

Is he really going to face this alone?

‘In the corruption zone?’

For an ordinary human, just enduring in that spot would be commendable.

Yet here he is, facing the Demon King, nearly invincible even in the middle realm, after the demon realmification process.

‘…’

He must have considered and decided upon this course of action.

Moreover, this Cariel was not the same person Alesia once knew.

Judging by the current situation, it seemed neither side had much room for leisure.

Especially concerning the two warriors clad in armor resembling the Demon King’s…

Their presence alone threatened the rear lines, making it difficult to hold them back.

‘Even so, heading to the front lines for now—even if briefly—is the right choice.’

Assessing the battlefield and determining the optimal flow is inherently challenging.

Yet, during her time in the north, Alesia often found herself in situations requiring quick decisions amidst melee and chaotic battles. She had developed a keen sense for such matters.

When she retraced her steps to where Hamren had been, she saw he had already joined the front lines, clashing with the advancing enemies.

Although their ranged capabilities were overwhelming, their close-quarters combat was lacking. With her support, they could fight twice as efficiently.

‘Of course, that depends on how many arrows we have left.’

While spirit magic could replace arrows, it wasn’t infinite either.

‘In such chaos, there’s no time to loot corpses anyway.’

In the battlefields she knew, children sometimes participated or scavenged supplies under supervision.

Though rarely placed in the thick of things unless they were particularly ruthless individuals, some commanders would use small children to disrupt enemy formations.

In short, she had witnessed and experienced all of this firsthand.

Back then, I was called a saint, but was I ever truly one?

Intense flames tore through the sky, radiating fierce heat.

‘That area isn’t normal either.’

Cariel and the Demon King seemed to have begun their clash.

Wherever she looked, chaos reigned.

‘Familiar, yet different.’

Even in the north, fire never split the skies nor did dozens of spirits paint the world in vibrant colors.

Neither were the daemon numbers as ferocious.

“Phew!”

Having finished synthesizing her divine magic, Alesia swiftly moved across the allied lines, heading toward where Hamren was.

As a daemon charged at her happily, she…

Thud!

…smashed its face with her exposed forehead.

Then she crushed the fallen smaller daemon with her iron boot and drew her sword.

‘This small sword feels unfamiliar.’

What can I do? I discarded the others during travel because they were cumbersome.

So here, I’ll make do!

“In absolute truth! Truly! In reality! Undoubtedly! Unless reborn, under no circumstances will you see the kingdom of heaven!”

Chanting prayers—or curses—in an ambiguous tone, Alesia repeated the words.

Suddenly, a brilliant white light flowed from her hands and sword.

Screams echoed as large and small daemons faltered, stepped back, and flailed.

Without hesitation, Alesia charged forward, mowing down the approaching enemies.

‘With this dazzling display, you should get the hint…’

Thud! Smash! Crunch!

A rain of arrows swept through the area.

The momentarily stunned daemons.

Moving targets are hit perfectly; stationary ones? They’re practically begging to die!

“Good!”

With that, Alesia cleverly darted to the left.

Divine power, the force most diametrically opposed to magic.

Its very presence instills unease in beings of the demon realm, practically serving as a tangible curse proving they’ve been forsaken by the gods.

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