Chapter 60

A very long time ago, there existed five great Archangels: Michael, Gabriel, Raphael… and Uriel and Lucifer.

Among them, Lucifer was the most favored angel by our Great Lord. However, due to his extraordinary beauty and immense power, pride swelled within Lucifer’s heart.

‘Then I shall sit upon the throne!’

Indeed, a blasphemous arrogance. No matter how great Lucifer was, he could never compare to the Creator of all things, thus losing his qualifications as an angel. With scorched black wings, Lucifer plummeted into hell.

Separately from such matters, Archangel Uriel always served the Lord faithfully. Near-perfect in enforcing strict justice, he silently carried out tasks like torturing demons which other angels avoided.

Uriel possessed the power of千里眼to see across the world. When Lucifer, who harbored ill intentions towards the Lord, hid on Earth, Uriel used千里眼to detect Lucifer’s moves, informing Gabriel to thwart Lucifer’s wicked schemes beforehand.

Because of this, Lucifer’s resentment shifted from the Lord to Uriel.

The Archangel and Demon King, who both disliked each other, gathered all their forces for a bloody war.

The War between God and Devil.

Heavens and earth were overturned; it was a colossal battle akin to the fight between the first Demon King and the hero.

When Uriel swung the Sword of Truth, the skies split apart. When Lucifer wielded the逆十字架, the land screamed. It was said in later generations that it was indeed a battle beyond heavens.

However, this war of righteousness between good and evil… In truth, it was all the same to the beasts and humans living on the land. Whether angels or demons, their war destroyed livelihoods and burned all food supplies.

Three Great Angels couldn’t bear witness to such a state of the continent. Unable to endure Lucifer and Uriel’s endless war, they descended with overwhelming power to Earth. Under the mediation of the primal angel Michael, they forcibly ended the War between God and Devil.

But the deep grudge between Lucifer and Uriel wouldn’t be resolved just because someone said ‘stop.’ Although forbidden from violent warfare by Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, they continued their rivalry through prideful contests.

One of these was a bet about ‘Extermination’ and ‘Fall.’

Uriel would exterminate as much evil as possible, while Lucifer would corrupt as many humans as possible. Later, they would compare who had corrupted and exterminated more people in a somewhat inhumane wager, but one fitting Uriel and Lucifer perfectly.

It’s easy to destroy evil. Just capture and kill every evildoer you see.

However, corrupting people is even easier. Especially for the Prince of Corruption, Lucifer.

Thus, these two angels and the demon continue their bet to this day. Lucifer became the symbol of corruption, and Uriel the symbol of condemnation.

Beatrix was also one of their victims.

When Beatrix first mentioned something related to Lucifer, I recalled the bitter history between Lucifer and Uriel.

Then an incredibly clever idea came to mind.

“Which one of you four called me here?”

A holy voice resounds. An angel whose presence dominates the space merely by appearing.

I quickly raised my hand before she misunderstood.

“I summoned you! The most noble angel!”

“The cunning and despicable fiend… why have you summoned me…”

Uriel scans us carefully with an interested gaze. Her voice halts when it reaches Lucifer.

“…Lucifer. This is your doing.”

Whoosh-!

Flames of sin burn. The fire in Uriel’s hand spreads to her sword, cutting through the space with a red glow.

Regardless, Lucifer calmly asked me a question. His heart was pounding fiercely but, perhaps because Uriel was present, he deliberately concealed it.

Of course, Uriel was equally tense. After such a long time, facing her old rival, a strange tension flows between the two enemies.

I wedge myself into that tension.

“Whoa whoa, calm down. I summoned you alone. My wolf friend here helped a little bit.”

“Kyung? Why a little? I did everything!”

“What are you talking about? What did you do? You only placed the fork on the prepared table.”

“Kyung kyung kyung kyung! I did everything! Running around! Summoning demons! Summoning angels! I recited all the spells! Kyung kyung!”

“Ah, now that you mention it, that’s true. But Aru is my possession, isn’t it? If my property does it, isn’t it the same as me doing it?”

“I’m not a thing! Kyung kyung kyung!”

“How about this then? According to the laws of the Demon Race, the doctrines of the Holy Order, and the legal codes of human empires, animals are clearly defined as ‘possessions’ of humans.”

“Is, is that true? Kyaaah… Kyung kyung…”

That’s why knowledge is power. Unlike someone who only uses their teeth for nothing. Studying and giving nothing back, right?

Oh yeah, we don’t have time for this now.

“Anyway! My goal is to break the demonic contract between Sir Beatrix and your ancestor, then form a new contract with Beatrix. However, for that to happen, your ancestor must agree to dissolve the contract with Beatrix.”

“That may be so, but what does that have to do with summoning this unbearable sight of an angel?”

“Why wouldn’t it? Your ancestor made contracts with humans and demons to win this bet against Uriel here! That is to say…”

I boldly gestured at Uriel while speaking.

“All we need to do is kill Uriel! Then naturally, your ancestor won’t cling to that contract anymore! Once Uriel is gone, everything will be resolved!”

“!!”

Lucifer, Uriel, and Beatrix’s eyes widen. Shock creates silence that dominates the warehouse. Only Aru, who knows nothing, whines “Kyaa…” in despair upon realizing he’s considered property.

“Lord…?”

My knight, Beatrix, who rides on my back, utters a dazed sound.

Once, as a Holy Knight of the Holy Order, she served Uriel, so she must be shocked by the suggestion to kill Uriel.

“But, what exactly did you just say… Cough!”

“Haha, should I repeat that? Let’s kill Uriel! Don’t worry! I won’t borrow the hands of the sick Lady Beatrix! We’ll manage fine ourselves!”

“B-but… Cough! Cough, cough!”

But Beatrix lacks the strength to stop me.

I turned my head toward Uriel. The mighty Archangel with three pairs of wings stands there, veins bulging on her forehead in anger.

“…Do you mean that seriously?”

Not a trace of an angelic tone remains in her voice. A chilling aura fills the warehouse floor despite the absence of firewood. Goosebumps rise despite the intense heat.

“Are you done making your last words?”

Sweat trickles down my stubble.

So this is the pressure of Archangel Uriel.

My whole body tingles; I can’t even move a finger. Despite becoming quite strong over the past hundred years, I’m no match for the real deal.

Still, my tongue works even if my fingers don’t.

“Why? Can’t I do it?”

“A similar arrogance flows through you as Lucifer’s. How dare a mere mortal harbor such hubris?”

“Hubris refers to unwarranted audacity when one’s abilities don’t match. I’m confident though?”

“You’ve reached the end of your hubris! Even after being given a chance!”

BOOM-!

“…!? Kyung! What are you doing right now!”

“Grr…! This brute of an angel who only relies on strength…!”

“Wow! Sir Beatrix! Please hold on tightly! We don’t want you flying off and getting hurt!”

“Gr…! Gruuuh…”

Uriel’s thunderous shout shattered the warehouse. Not metaphorically, but literally.

Thanks to that, we emerged into the bright light.

Whoosh-!

Everything is ablaze. Flames spread like a sea, dominating the entire area. The corpses of monsters that Beatrix previously dismembered turn to ash upon meeting the fire.

Amidst the widespread inferno stands Uriel. Her neatly arranged golden hair rises wildly into the sky like encountering a storm. Six fully spread wings cover the sky.

“Rather convenient! I shall cleanse the world by punishing these filthy demons and fiends right here!”

“What? Uriel! Why am I involved in this?”

“Shut up! I distinctly heard this fiend calling you ‘ancestor’, Lucifer!”

Hastily spreading his dark wings to counterattack, Lucifer. Hmm, you have nothing to do in this show.

“Summoner! What is the meaning of this! Fighting Uriel?”

“Why not? Is it impossible? We have you, me, and Aru here.”

“If a few weaklings stacked together could subdue Uriel, it would’ve happened during the War between God and Devil!”

“Haha, you’re absolutely right. Which is why I won’t fight.”

“? What did you say?”

Let him self-destruct, I won’t say it aloud.

Aru has already set everything up.

The highlight belongs solely to me.

If I can’t do this, I should give up my title as a magician.

Thud-.

Carrying Beatrix on my back, I took a step closer to Uriel.

Whoosh-!

Every breath Uriel exhales intensifies the flames of sin. Flames that burn sins cover heaven and earth, staring at me. Her golden eyes pierce mine. Eyes that have mercilessly slaughtered hundreds, thousands, maybe millions. I smiled.

“How bold of you to stand before me. Do you intend to make up for your rash words with your life? To protect your comrades?”

“Of course not. My life is the most important to me.”

“One word too many. Though your energy is insignificant, your tongue is sharp.”

“People like me, who are deceitful, survive the longest.”

“Not entirely wrong… but…”

The flames of Uriel envelop both of us. Actually, it includes Beatrix on my back, but since she’s unconscious, let’s exclude her.

“To the one who steps on a lion’s tail, such talk doesn’t apply. Will you still say the same when facing hell?”

“Do you mean the flames of hell?”

“The flames that burn demons.”

“Hmm, then it doesn’t apply to me. I’m a fiend.”

“Demon isn’t defined by race. One worse than a demon, one who falls like a demon, one greater than a demon. All are included. The flames will judge them.”

How can anyone tell if it burns flesh or sins?

“Is that so? Truly impressive. These flames of sin.”

I extend my fingers. Pointing with my index and middle finger toward the wall of fire surrounding me.

I need to clear my mouth before it’s too late. If Uriel swings her sword, I won’t be able to resist and die.

Whoosh-!

The fire touching my fingers transfers to my fingertips. Since I removed Ara’s gloves earlier, my hands are completely bare. The flames settle on my skin.

It’s hot. The pain feels like my hand is burning away. But I don’t show it. Enduring the pain, I casually raise my fingers.

Burning nicely. What sin did my fingers commit? If you’re looking for sin, burn my tongue instead.

“But.”

“Anything left to say?”

“Who decides this ‘sin’?”

“Why ask that?”

“I’m curious. Who are you to arbitrarily judge others’ lives with this fire?”

“It’s karma.”

“Tsk, talking about karma.”

Now, let’s begin.

“I have a question.”

“You talk too much.”

“Not all crimes warrant death, right? Would you send a mere thief to the fires of hell?”

“It depends on the type of thief.”

“Right. Let me give a more specific example. Long ago, a poor man and a rich man lived. One day, the poor man, starving to death, stole bread from his neighbor. At the same time, the rich man stole bread out of curiosity and mischief. Who committed the greater sin?”

Uriel immediately answered.

“The rich man, due to his impure intentions. The poor man, though committing evil, didn’t have bad intentions.”

“Good. Let’s delve deeper. The poor man’s neighbor was another poor boy who was also sick. After the poor man stole the bread, the weakened boy couldn’t survive the night and passed away. On the other hand, the rich man was soon caught stealing but entered a noble’s house. The noble, learning his bread was stolen, dismissed it as trivial. In this case, who committed the greater sin?”

“…”

This time, Uriel rests her chin, pondering deeply. Finally, she speaks.

“The poor man’s side. Though pitiful circumstances, he caused great harm to others. Ultimately, a person died. This is a violation of humanity.”

Bingo.

Caught.

“Summarizing, you believe results are more important than intentions, correct?”

“Intentions matter if the results are the same, but otherwise, results take precedence. Sin measures the extent of harm caused.”

“I see. Then what about the war between the Holy Nation and the Tyrant Nation four years ago? Whose sin is greater?”

“…What are you talking about?”

What are you talking about?

It’s to destroy you.

“First, the Tyrant Nation attacked. They had a firm slave system, while the Holy Nation advocated equality for all. Their differing faiths also caused conflict. Thus, led by Commander Agasilias, the Tyrant Nation invaded the Holy Nation with a large army, pushing them back to the Holy Emperor’s Palace.”

“The Tyrant Nation’s sin is greater. They struck first.”

“But at the battle before the palace, the Tyrant Nation was annihilated. Including Commander Agasilias, most of the army perished, thanks to Sir Beatrix on my back. The Tyrant Nation’s casualties were roughly eight times those of the Holy Nation.”

“…What are you trying to ask?”

“You know, right? The Tyrant Nation attacked with impure intentions but caused fewer deaths than the Holy Nation. Conversely, the Holy Nation merely defended against invading enemies yet produced eight times more casualties. By your logic, the Holy Nation’s sins are greater?”

“No, theft and war are different concepts.”

“Are they?”

“The sin lies with the Tyrant Nation. They struck first, so…”

You’re confused, aren’t you? Feeling uneasy?

Since you just claimed results matter more than intentions.

“The sin is with the Tyrant Nation.”

But Uriel executes justice almost fanatically.

She doesn’t waver this easily.

“Is that so? Then what about this?”

Thus, I redirect the blade.

“…?”

“What do you think about wars where the Holy Nation initiated attacks?”

Directly at Uriel herself.

“…”

“Didn’t the Holy Nation invade the Tyrant Nation several times? Calling them heretics. Every time, the invading armies returned utterly defeated, but…”

“This time, surely the Holy Nation’s sins are greater? They were wrong. Or is the Tyrant Nation still at fault? They merely defended against invaders. Isn’t massacring enemies in wartime excessive? Does that count as sin?”

“They are heretics! Heretics must be eradicated! Our soldiers merely fulfilled that mission! Upholding the doctrine, what sin is there?”

There you go.

It’s precisely that.

In simpler terms, double standards.

“The Lord is the one true god! Those who don’t believe in the Lord deserve to fall into hell!”

“As far as I know, some clergy don’t say that. Quite harsh words. Where are tolerance and compassion?”

“…! Tolerance is…”

“There are gods from the Olympus pantheon too, right? Up there.”

“They! They are not true gods! Inferior beings created by lowly faith!”

“Lowly faith? So faith has ranks now? Wow, I never knew that.”

“…”

Ripples appear in Uriel’s proud golden eyes. The moment cracks form in belief.

“I thought you were just biased towards the Holy Nation.”

“Silence! Blasphemy!”

“Blasphemy? Isn’t that what you’re doing? Misinterpreting the Lord’s teachings, oppressing people’s freedoms, and condemning arbitrarily. That’s you.”

“The Lord’s will! Burning sinners with divine fire is! Everything is guided by the Lord!”

“Did the Lord tell you that? Have you met the Lord? Did the Lord personally tell you to do this?”

“That… isn’t the case, but…”

“I’ve met the Lord. The Lord said this: don’t oppress or discriminate against heretics. Doing so defiles the name of God.”

My Lord is the Saintess, so it’s not a lie.

“Is, is that true…? The Lord really said that…? No, no! You’re lying! Stop telling lies!”

“Both the Holy Nation and the Tyrant Nation are the same, aren’t they? You’re no different. Who are you to judge sins? Who decided who’s good or evil? Without establishing proper criteria! Changing standards depending on perspective!”

“…! Shut your mouth! I am the Lord’s representative!”

“Nonsense! Then why keep changing the criteria for sin? What kind of judge are you! Just an executioner doing Michael, Raphael, and Gabriel’s bidding!”

“Y-you! Silence! Your tongue is truly wicked!”

Swoosh-!

Realizing something is wrong while conversing with me, Uriel raises the Sword of Truth.

Right now, to instantly split this cunning devil in half and realize Extermination and Condemnation.

But it’s too late.

Because cracks have formed in the truth.

Creak-!

“What, what is this! Why is this happening!”

Uriel screams in panic upon seeing her crumbling sword. She shakes it and injects divine power, but it’s futile.

An angel’s power comes from faith in the Lord.

When Uriel’s faith wavered from my whispers,

Her power scattered like dust.

And now,

Creak-!

“Kyaahh!!”

The six wings of the angel tear apart. One who has lost faith has no right to power. No right to soar through the skies.

Whoosh-!

The flames of sin that burn sins transfer to Uriel. The fuel becomes her own body, writhing in the burning agony. Such mercy would ruin the flames of sin.

“Blasphemy!”

“What, what!?”

“Blasphemy! It’s blasphemy!”

“No, no! I’m not blasphemous! Flames, get away from me! Kyaahh!!”

“Hahaha! Flames, burn brighter! There’s plenty of sin here! Completely incinerate this wicked apostate who has killed millions under the guise of divine will!”

The value of killing differs. Killing by a common murderer and burning so-called “blasphemous evildoers” by a religious order aren’t the same.

The same goes for Uriel. Until just now, she was a righteous agent of God, but through me, her belief in faith became confused, losing her dignity. She’s become just a butcher.

Ultimately, everything depends on intention.

“Ouch, it’s hot!”

The fire on my fingers has almost burned through my skin. Before it’s too late, I blow on the burnt tips of my index and middle fingers. Hoo! As the Lord’s proxy, I shouldn’t be burned.

“Kyaahh!”

The cries are pitiful. Her wings are almost completely burned away now. Only one pair of scorched black wings remain.

Looking at those wings reminds me of someone. I turn my head toward that person.

The fallen angel with black wings, Lucifer, stares at me and Uriel with a shocked expression. Having the same wings as Lucifer, Uriel crawls on the ground, struggling to breathe.

She no longer possesses any power.

Pointing at this existence now worth less than vermin, I speak to Lucifer.

“Will you kill her?”

His face remains blank. No answer comes. I smirk.

“Seems you don’t hate her enough to kill her despite fighting.”

“Still, you’ll dissolve the contract, right? There’s such a thing as automatic loss in bets. Uriel in this state can’t possibly continue the bet. Plus, consider my sincerity. See this? My index and middle fingers are completely burned.”

“You… what are you?”

Eh? What do you mean?

Clap.

Gripping my shoulders with both hands, Lucifer shakes me violently.

“What…? Pride? Anger? Greed? Sloth? No, it’s different. Something fundamental is different. Exactly what are you…? What identity allows you to confuse Uriel like this…”

Ah, you’re curious about my identity, huh?

Hmm… Can life be defined in just one word? But if I must…

“I’m Oscar, Oscar Lucifer.”

“Don’t dodge the question! Could it be… Chaos? No, that’s absurd. How could a fiend possess Chaos? There’s no such thing as Chaos among the Seven Deadly Sins! What nonsense is this! A fiend inheriting something a demon cannot possess!”

“I’m Oscar, why try to define me as something strange like Chaos?”

“But if it’s not Chaos, then what could possibly confuse an Archangel… Wait, Chaos? Oscar? Oscar?”

Close, close. Are you figuring something out about my identity?

“Chaos…! You’re Chaos, aren’t you!”

“…”

What are you saying, you senile old devil.

I thought you were going to say something profound. Chaos? You’re just trying to associate it with confusion again? Honestly, it’s embarrassing.

“Ancestor, it seems you’re greatly mistaken. Allow me to introduce myself. Me… as a descendant, younger brother, captain, lord, magician, filmmaker, actor… and lover of a human… and simply a fiend. That’s all.”

Nothing special.

Really.

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