Chapter 377

‘The Hellfire of Karma?’

[Kuaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!]

[Aaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!]

Even though they had already met their deaths, the screams of their souls echoed.

Something was trying to descend, using their souls as a sacrifice.

‘Don’t tell me?’

The moment Chris clenched his fist, an intense energy raged.

Everyone drew up their energy against the pressure, as if a giant were crushing them, and then, a single figure revealed itself.

It was cloaked from head to toe in a robe covered in eerie patterns.

At the suffocating Evil Energy, Duke Huam swallowed his saliva with a gulp.

“…Don’t tell me, a devil?”

“…It is not a devil. It is a human.”

As Nordian shook his head, everyone wore expressions of disbelief.

It was an Evil Energy that could not be imagined to come from a human.

The Archbishop’s Evil Energy from before had been intense, but it could not be compared.

“…Christian, is my guess correct?”

“…I believe so.”

Chris nodded his head heavily.

“It is a High Priest of the Mystic Demonic House.”

“!!”

Astonishment spread throughout the arena.

The Mystic Demonic House was a group thoroughly shrouded in secrecy. Nothing had been revealed about what kind of system it had or what kind of individuals were in it.

But there were a few beings who were known to the outside world.

They were the ‘High Priests’.

The beings who stood at the pinnacle of the Mystic Demonic House.

“What kind of nonsense is this? Isn’t this a Demon King-level power?”

Grand Duke Besen wore a look of disbelief.

It was known through the grapevine that the High Priests of the Mystic Demonic House were beings who possessed a power that defied common sense.

But this was not on that level.

‘It has to be. Because the High Priests are beings who have become devils as humans.’

The high-ranking priests of the Mystic Demonic House were divided into two classes.

The Cardinal, Bishop, and Archbishop classes that Chris’s party had been facing until now.

These were those who had not yet cast off the shackles of being human.

On the other hand, the High Priests above them were those who had transformed into devils themselves.

‘At least he doesn’t seem to be an Apostle-class.’

Even so, it was a desperate situation.

He appeared to be a being who possessed the same power as a low 9-Star Demon King.

‘Unlike the Lord of the Four Kings' Castle, who was in many ways clumsy, having just ascended to 9-Star, this is a real low 9-Star.’

Chris wore a troubled expression.

It might have been a different story if he were in perfect condition, but now that he was completely drained of power, he was an opponent he could absolutely not face.

‘How did he descend? The High Priests are subject to the restrictions of causality, just like devils, so unless the boundary of the three realms collapses, it’s impossible for them to come to the forefront.’

That was the reason he had not factored in the intervention of a High Priest when he had been making his plans.

“…Don’t tell me, you descended, accepting the backlash of causality, just to eliminate me?”

At Chris’s question, the High Priest turned his gaze.

From within the robe, an eerie gaze shimmered.

[That is correct, O great vessel. Originally, we had planned to serve you after the Age of Ruin began, but we have come to the judgment that we can no longer leave you be. If we leave you as you are, you will surely stand in the way of our great work. We must escort you to the main house, even if we have to force it.]

“…I am honored. To think a High Priest of the Mystic Demonic House would be willing to face even annihilation just to take me.”

The backlash of causality was not a light matter.

Right now, he must be under an immense burden on his soul just by having descended to this place.

[It does not matter. My soul has long since been offered for the great beings of Gehenna. I would rather be glad to be able to be martyred for the great work.]

He raised his hand.

Fwaaaa.

A massive Evil Energy raged.

[The preparations for the Age of Ruin are already in their final stages, even without you, but if you, the great vessel, were to be with us, it would become even more perfect. Please understand even if my touch is a bit rough.]

“Shut up. What’s with all this talk of a vessel?”

Nordian stepped forward in front of Christian.

Nordian, too, was exhausted of his power, but he was stepping forward to protect his grandson.

It was the same for Idrinne and the others.

“Whether it’s a devil or anyone else, if you touch my friend, I will not leave you be.”

They all blocked the way in front of Christian.

Their intention was one.

For Chris to get to safety while they bought time.

But Chris showed an unexpected reaction.

“Please do not worry.”

“…What do you mean? No matter who you are, a monster like that is too much for you.”

“It is alright.”

Chris raised the corner of his mouth.

“Because I have an insurance policy, just in case.”

Everyone wore puzzled expressions, unable to understand Chris’s words.

Just then, a cheerful voice that did not fit the situation echoed.

[Uahaha! I have waited long!! Now that I am here, leave the rest to me!!]

A cute girl, like a little princess, appeared.

It was the Demon King of Silver Snow!

Chris had been secretly working on dismantling the sealing formation throughout the entire fight, and had finally managed to free the Demon King of Silver Snow.

At her pathetic appearance, which did not feel intimidating in the slightest, even though she had been released from her seal, Chris let out a small sigh.

“…This is Her Highness the Demon King of Silver Snow.”

Only then did expressions of astonishment appear on the faces of the three house heads.

“…Is that really her? That little girl?”

As Nordian showed a reaction as if he could not believe it, the Demon King of Silver Snow flared up.

“Are you Nordian? What are you saying when you, too, are in the form of a child?! The rumors of your insolence were widespread, and they were true!”

Nordian frowned.

She was not even a Demon King from the same Magic Kingdom in the first place, and now Nordian, too, had set foot upon the seat of a Demon King.

Moreover, since Nordian was practically leading the Southern Magic Kingdom, it was difficult to see him as being completely under the Demon King of Silver Snow.

"…My apologies. Your Highness is just as the rumors say."

"Ahem, yes, have you also heard of the reverence for this one?"

"…It wasn't exactly that kind of rumor."

"What?! Then what kind of rumor was it?"

"…Wait! You two, please maintain your dignity. This is not the time for this."

Christian stepped forward with a troubled expression.

It was a bit much to say this, but with both of them bickering in the form of children, it really looked like a children's fight, so everyone was managing their expressions.

[Yes, is that the whelp who was bothering you? Leave him to me.]

The Demon King of Silver Snow placed a hand on her hip and glared haughtily at the High Priest of the Mystic Demonic House.

[A vermin of the Mystic Demonic House. How dare you invade my domain. Even if I were to take your head, the Mystic Demonic House would not be able to protest.]

[…….]

Was he wary of the Demon King of Silver Snow's power?

The High Priest said nothing.

[But since I am magnanimous, I will show you mercy, especially for today. If you get lost at once, I will spare your life!]

[…….]

[Why do you not answer? Do you wish to die?! If I but set my mind to it, taking your head would be no trouble at all! Get lost at once while I am letting you live!]

Gradually, the Demon King of Silver Snow's face grew anxious.

Christian discreetly sent a telepathic message.

-…Are you perhaps completely unable to use your power?

-…Th-that's right. That whelp, the Lord of the Four Kings' Castle, drained so much of my energy that I can only use a speck of power right now.

In other words, the Demon King of Silver Snow was currently in the middle of a desperate bluff!

To make him get scared of her might and run away.

-Do not worry! That whelp, too, will know of this body's greatness. He will be scared of me and run away!

Of course, that was not likely to happen.

[…As I thought, your power has not returned, Silver Snow.]

The High Priest gave a dark smile.

[That is why you are barking uselessly like a frightened dog.]

[!!]

The Demon King of Silver Snow flinched.

[N-no! If I but set my mind to it, I can cut you down at any time! It's true, I tell you?! Do not test my patience!]

At the sight of the Demon King of Silver Snow being so true to herself, Chris let out a sigh.

She was a truly consistently pathetic and noisy Demon King.

‘Well, I had pretty much expected she would be like this.’

Nevertheless, there was a reason he had gone to the trouble of releasing the Demon King of Silver Snow.

"Please come this way. I have a method."

[What is it?! Do you really have a method? Tell me! I have only just been released from my seal; I do not wish to die!]

The Demon King of Silver Snow's eyes widened in surprise.

"…What am I to do if Your Highness the Demon King relies on me?"

[Th-that…! I-I am sorry. In truth, I was often scolded by my subordinates in the Demon King's castle to act my age. I feel a sense of self-loathing. This must be why I am not popular.]

"…I was not saying it to discourage you. In any case, please listen."

Chris relayed his plan through message magic, and the Demon King of Silver Snow's eyes were filled with astonishment.

[Are you in your right mind? To do such a thing? It is impossible!]

"It is not impossible."

Chris raised the corner of his mouth.

"Have we not done it once before?"

The Demon King of Silver Snow's mouth snapped shut.

She had recalled the time she had first met Chris.

At that time, too, the two of them had done something similar.

"I will trust in Your Highness."

[F-fine! Since you've gone that far, I have no choice! Just trust in me! No, but this is not something that will work just by trusting in me?]

Chris spoke to Nordian.

"Could you please buy us just a moment of time?"

"…Yes. But what are you planning to do?"

"I will join forces with Her Highness the Demon King and eliminate that whelp."

Nordian frowned.

He did not know what he was thinking, but it did not seem possible at all.

However.

"…If you say you will do it, then it will be so. Fine. We will try to block that monster, so you go on and run wild as you please."

Nordian glanced at the Demon King of Silver Snow.

"Please, I hope you will guide my grandson well."

[Leave it to me!]

"How tactless. I am telling you not to hold my grandson back."

[Wh-what did you say?! You whelp…?!]

Of course, Nordian did not even pretend to listen.

Paaaat!

A dark demonic energy rose up.

It was a power he had drawn up from the very bottom.

The others also stepped forward, and the High Priest, too, manifested his power.

Kwaaaaaang!

A shockwave that seemed as if it would collapse the underground labyrinth erupted.

Christian and the Demon King of Silver Snow quickly made their preparations.

"We will begin right now."

[…Can you really do it?]

"Why do you keep saying that?"

[…Why do I keep saying that? Are you asking because you do not know?]

The Demon King of Silver Snow raised her voice in a shout.

[A mere 9-Star (advancing), and you are attempting to manipulate causality!]

Each star's state has a characteristic authority.

5-Star is the first manifestation of will.

6-Star is thought, 7-Star is intervention in law, and 8-Star is complete dominion over law.

9-Star is ‘causality’.

‘The Advent of Creation, too, is twisting causality to make one's own worldview descend upon the world.’

An authority of a higher dimension than the Advent of Creation was precisely the ‘manipulation of causality’.

‘In a fight between 9-Stars, it is this ability to manipulate causality that determines victory or defeat.’

It was an authority that was still too much for Chris.

Because even those who had reached a complete low 9-Star could only use it in a limited capacity.

However.

"It is alright. Just like last time, if Your Highness shows me a demonstration, I will follow it exactly."

The first time they had met, he had connected their minds and imitated the Demon King of Silver Snow's sword.

[…I do not know. If you touch causality carelessly and the backlash rushes toward you.]

"Are you worried about me?"

[Of course I am worried. I am fond of you. In the last few decades, you are the first person I have been so fond of.]

"…Ah, yes."

It had been a joke, but as she had taken it seriously, he felt awkward.