Chapter 332

But on the contrary, his heart sank.

“No, you two stay back.”

“…What did you say?”

“I can handle this alone.”

“!!”

Chris raised the corner of his mouth. Annoyingly so.

“I don't need your worthless help. In fact, you'll just be a bother, so go back.”

The faces of the two hardened.

However.

Evan frowned and looked straight at Chris.

“You're lying again.”

“…I'm serious.”

“Look me straight in the eye. Aren't you trying to take on this danger alone because you're worried about us?”

Ranya also flushed red and huffed.

“What do you take this genius mage for, to dare say such arrogant things? Enough. You just be prepared to be amazed by my genius.”

When it didn't work at all, Chris let out a sigh.

‘I have a bad feeling about this.’

If the worst-case scenario he was imagining had really happened.

Everyone here could be annihilated.

However.

“Christian, who are we?”

“…Evan and Ranya.”

“No, we are your comrades. In other words, we exist to be your strength.”

“!!”

Evan said with a resolute gaze.

“Above all, I believe in you. You are the Hero chosen by the world. No matter what danger lies below, you will overcome it. And we will be the strength that allows you to perform that miracle.”

“No, I’m not so much a comrade as someone who came to properly teach you of my greatness. In any case, I won't let you be the only one acting all high and mighty.”

At the stubbornness of the two, a smirk leaked from Chris’s lips.

‘Well, it was always like this in the old days, too.’

When had it ever not been dangerous when he was with Evan?

He had always had to face enemies that surpassed his own limits, and he had to perform a miracle every time.

Because that is the burden of a Hero.

‘Of course, I'm a fake Hero, but.’

Having made his decision, Chris spoke.

“Fine. But if you die, I'll turn you into an undead and work you to the bone, so be prepared.”

At that threat, Evan nodded his head.

“See, Ranya? Christian's heart, worrying about us. Isn't it just as I told you?”

“Ah, Brother Evan! My ears are going to bleed, so please just stop!”

“Hmph, Ranya. Christian is truly, with all his heart….”

“Aaargh!”

“…It was all my fault. I'll shut up, so let's just go in.”

The three of them entered the ruins.

However, an anomaly had occurred.

‘This is?’

The form of the ruins had changed.

Its original form had vanished without a trace, and it had changed into a world of ash.

‘The scenery of Gehenna?’

Black blood squelched under his feet, and from far away, he could hear horrific screams like auditory hallucinations.

It was the ‘encroachment’ phenomenon, where Gehenna overlaps with reality.

‘Why all of a sudden? Don't tell me, really?’

Chris moved forward, his face pale and hard.

Soon, a tragic sight, difficult to look at, appeared.

There were corpses.

Torn to pieces, without even their proper forms intact.

‘The Order of Heretic Priests.’

What was even more surprising was the fact that the infamous fanatics, the combat priests of the Mystic Demonic House, had not even been able to put up a proper resistance.

It seemed they had been unilaterally trampled and met their deaths.

As if they had not been granted an easy death, horrific pain was etched on all of their faces.

And then.

From the other side, a fanatical laugh was heard.

[Kukuk. Kikik. Ah… how truly beautiful. Ah, how marvelous.]

It was the Cardinal of the Mystic Demonic House.

However, his appearance was tragic, completely different from when he had first appeared.

The wings on his back were all torn, and none of his four limbs were intact.

Half of his face was also torn off, and his neck was held in someone’s hand.

It was ‘Idrinne’.

She looked at the Cardinal with eyes devoid of any emotion, and then,

Snap.

An evil energy flared up, and she crushed the Cardinal's body as if squashing an insect underfoot.

The horrific thing was that the process was proceeding very slowly.

So slowly that he could vividly feel his remaining bones and organs being ground to dust and bursting.

The Cardinal, with a mouth that no longer even had a proper shape, burst into a mad laugh.

[Aaaaaah… i-it is an honor. Hahaha. G-great… one. Fulfill the great... wor…]

SQUISH!

Afterward, a stillness descended. And Idrinne slowly turned her gaze.

Lifeless eyes, completely different from when they had parted.

‘Damn it.’

Chris bit his lip hard.

It was a familiar sight.

One he had seen countless times in his past life.

The ‘Blood-Drenched Demon King’ had descended.

* * *

[Christian, is it?]

‘Idrinne’ raised the corner of her mouth.

Coldly.

Just like the Blood-Drenched Demon King in his past life.

[So you're the one this child held so dear. It will be rewarding to kill you.]

“…Are you a devil?”

[Yes, I am this child's master.]

“How did you descend? It should be impossible for a being of your rank to interfere with the mortal plane.”

This was different from the devil that had appeared in the Karn Empire's imperial palace a short while ago.

It was a ‘Great Rank’, no less.

Even after the boundary of the Three Realms had collapsed, it was nearly impossible for a ‘Great Rank’ to interfere with the mortal plane, wasn't it?

[It is thanks to a loophole in the contract.]

Perhaps thinking of him as a toy already in its grasp?

The devil explained willingly.

[In exchange for receiving my power, this child agreed to face the most horrific ruin she could imagine. In that case, what would be the worst possible ruin this child could face?]

The devil smiled with a mischievous expression.

[It is to bring about a horrific ruin with her own hands. Because this child possesses a character more virtuous than anyone else in this world.]

“!!”

The devil stretched out its hand and stroked the body of Idrinne that it was inhabiting.

[Now, this child will have to watch as she kills the ones she holds dear with her own hands. Until the world is destroyed. Even now, she is screaming at me, begging me to save you. Isn't it just lovely?]

A horrific story.

It was a typical trick of a devil.

Pretending to grant a desperate wish, only to end up crushing them in the worst way possible.

“…You approached her with intent. To take Idrinne’s body.”

[Yes, that is correct. This child is a vast vessel, enough to contain my rank. She will now become my incarnation and fulfill the great work of our Gehenna.]

The devil nodded its head in affirmation.

[Originally, there was still time, but the children of the Mystic Demonic House did something admirable and allowed us to move up the schedule. I gave them a special reward for their efforts, so they must have all died happily.]

Chris asked, as if he couldn't understand.

“…Do you think the Celestial Realm will just stand by and watch while you in Gehenna do this?”

No matter that it was based on a contract, and that it wasn't a direct manifestation but the use of an incarnation, it was a clear violation of the law of causality.

However.

[There is no reason for the Celestial Realm to step in.]

“…What?”

[Because what the Celestial Realm desires is not so different from what we desire.]

“!!”

They were words heavy with meaning.

That the Celestial Realm, too, desired the destruction of the world.

‘What?’

Just then, the devil said something unexpected.

[Do you know why I am bothering to tell you all this? It is because I covet you.]

“!!”

[This child's vessel is also excellent, but it cannot compare to you. You are the child chosen by the prophecy.]

A prophecy.

Another incomprehensible story came up.

Come to think of it, the Cardinal of the Mystic Demonic House had said something similar before.

[I shall grant you a glorious opportunity. Offer your all to me and become the protagonist of the great work.]

The devil continued.

[In the new world that will come after the apocalypse, you will become a being more revered than any other. If you are concerned about your loved ones, do not worry. I will make a special promise to grant them a peaceful death.]

“…You're spouting madness.”

It was not worth listening to.

[Hehe. Yes. Well, I suppose we can take our time. After I capture you, I will tear apart your loved ones one by one before your eyes and give you pain. As you listen to the screams of your loved ones, you, too, will have a change of heart.]

A horrific idea, just as expected of a devil.

‘Can I face it?’

Chris narrowed his eyes and observed Idrinne.

‘She hasn't properly become the Blood-Drenched Demon King yet.’

Right now, the devil had chosen not to descend itself, but to use Idrinne as its puppet incarnation.

Therefore, she was not yet complete.

‘Still, it's impossible for us to face her.’

He could feel a power that was approximately close to entering 9-Star.

On the other hand, on his side, Chris was at the level of entering 8-Star, and the other two were at 7-Star.

It was a gap that they absolutely could not overcome.

Chris muttered to himself.

‘Mefina, are you listening?’

[…You call my name… too casually.]

‘I have something to ask. Are you on the same side as that devil?’

Mefina was silent for a moment.

[No. Just because we are... devils, does not mean we all think the same.]

‘Are you sure? Can you swear it on your name?’

He could feel a ghastly energy, as if Mefina were angered.

[Yes… I can. In the first place... the very reason I fell to the 7th Circle was for trying to go against a predetermined fate.]

Chris nodded at those words.

‘I’m not keen on receiving a devil’s help, but.’

He thought of it as using one bug to get rid of another.

‘At the moment I give the word, can you interfere with that devil’s power with your authority?’

[…Interfering with that one directly will not be easy. That one, too, is of a Great Rank. It will take a great toll on me as well.]

That was only natural.

But Chris deliberately let out a sneer.

‘I was thinking of graciously accepting your help, but you're useless. If you're not even going to be of help at the decisive moment, then why the hell have you been bothering me all this time?’

[!!]

‘Don't even think of showing your face around me from now on.’

At Chris’s provocation, Mefina emitted a fierce presence.

[How… dare you. To me. Fine. I will do it. However, keep in mind that it will only be possible for a fleeting moment.]

Chris nodded.

This time, he spoke to Ranya and Evan.

“Are you two ready?”

“Ready when you are. Do not worry.”

Evan nodded firmly, and while Ranya looked intimidated, she forced herself to raise her chin haughtily.

“I-I'm ready, too. I'll show you... h-how amazing I am. Ah, stop looking at me like I'm so pathetic, will you? I'm not scared, okay? I'm really not!!”

Chris nodded.

He could trust the two of them.

Now, what remained depended on what he did.

“I will take the vanguard.”

Evan drew his sword and stepped forward.

It was the first time since his past life that the Hero's party was confronting the Blood-Drenched Demon King.

A look of interest appeared in the lifeless eyes of the Blood-Drenched Demon King as she looked at Evan.

[So you're the one who was originally the destined Hero.]

“What nonsense are you spouting? The Hero is not me, it is Christian.”

[…]

Evan firmly denied the words of the Blood-Drenched Demon King.

“It doesn't matter how great a devil you are. In the end, you will kneel before Christian.”

It was as the Blood-Drenched Demon King let out a laugh of disbelief.

Kwaaaang!

A flame flashed like lightning and struck Idrinne’s face.

From behind, Ranya had launched a surprise 7-Star, miracle-class fire magic.

Ranya raised her chin haughtily.

“How do you like that? The skill of this genius mage?”

But when the flames cleared and Idrinne stared at her coldly, her face perfectly fine without even a speck of ash on it, she gulped and backed away.

“Ohoho. That was just a greeting. No need to glare at me like that.”