Chapter 354

R​ead on K​at​Rea​dingCaf​e

“Ugh…”

Azazel clutched the tattered rabbit doll.

Now, the word ‘rag’ suited it better than ‘doll’, but it’s plush texture remained.

She habitually tugged on the rabbit’s ears, barely suppressing her groans.

‘What do I care about light or whatever…’

If she could, she wanted to rush to the realm of death right away. Light purifies darkness? Then even better, right? If the demonic beast possessing Riel’s body weakens, it would be easier to subdue.

Her goal was suppression, not elimination, to begin with. Naturally, suppressing without killing is much harder than killing. Especially if the opponent is a powerful foe comparable to a Captain. 

She thought she could achieve her goal more easily than expected, given her advantage in compatibility, but she hadn’t foreseen this hidden snag.

‘But I can’t ignore Michael’s opinion and act unilaterally. If I make a mistake…’

If it were a normal spirit, Azazel would have forcibly suppressed it and stolen its power, but Michael was different. The absurd spiritual energy was enough to make her slightly dizzy. 

If she tried to forcibly suppress him, she would be crushed instead. Even if that didn’t happen, if Michael refused to cooperate, everything would be for naught.

‘…Riel, no, that demonic beast Ereshkigal is fighting against a Devil God, right?’

A small hope flickered in the girl’s heart.

A hope she always held, but one that was so faint that only embers remained.

Though she didn’t show it, Azazel was always plagued by anxiety. She had confirmed the survival of her missing younger sister. But that child was no longer the one she knew. Her body had been taken over by a demonic beast. 

Could she get her back? How could she remove the demonic beast from Riel’s body? She knew it wasn’t impossible, given cases where people had safely regained their ego despite being possessed by a Devil God, but she couldn’t help but feel anxious.

‘Could it be… could Riel’s personality really be returning?’

Her heart raced. This was the first time she had felt such excitement since the child went missing. This was no time to be standing still. She wanted to meet Riel as soon as possible. She hated losing her again right before her eyes.

‘But if the spirit I summoned is the real Michael… I can’t just ignore his opinion…’

The Godlike One.

According to historical records, he was a founding contributor who established the United Nations along with the Commander.

Even a Captain of the Celestial Corps couldn’t ignore his authority.

‘Besides, when you consider efficiency, this person’s words make sense.’

His Supernatural Ability is “Light”.

Like the sun driving away the night.

His mere presence dispels darkness.

The perfect counter to Ereshkigal, the embodiment of death.

Just being near him would weaken her drastically.

If Ere were the enemy, it would be an unprecedented advantage, but if she were a collaborator with a common goal, it would only diminish their forces. It wouldn’t be appropriate to fight together. If Azazel, who had accepted Michael’s spirit, went to help, Ere would have to withdraw from the fight.

“B-But, you know, it’s not confirmed yet that Riel… no, that demonic beast is an ally, right?”

[It doesn’t matter whether she’s an ally or not. What matters is what that demonic beast is fighting against right now.]

Michael recalled a distant memory.

Back then, when the journey to save the world was nearing its end.

He had heard many stories from his comrade, Iris (Amon).

Devil Gods have the authority to control all monsters.

That authority includes demonic beasts.

Even demonic beasts cannot defy the orders of a Devil God.

If a demonic beast defies the will of a Devil God.

That could mean two things.

First, the demonic beast already has an owner. If it’s a subordinate of a Devil God, its own master’s orders take precedence. The orders of other Devil Gods are pushed to the back, so it can refuse their control. 

In other words, if the demonic beast Ereshkigal is in conflict with a Devil God, it could be the will of another Devil God.

Second, it could be defiance of heaven. If a demonic beast is trying to usurp the divine throne, it would openly ignore the Devil God’s control.

[It’s too early to judge that a demonic beast has sided with humans. Judging the demonic beast’s intentions can wait.]

Even the Devil God Amon, who sided with humans, was fundamentally acting for the sake of her comrades.

She wanted to end the war to save her dying comrades in the war against the Four Seasons.

That demonic beast must have its own personal reasons.

Figuring that out could wait until everything was over.

[What we should focus on now is the result of the demonic beast’s actions. The embodiment of death is in conflict with a Devil God, which benefits us humans. Even if that demonic beast is still an enemy of humans, it won’t hurt if it’s consumed in this fight. Leave her be. Let her fight as much as she wants. We have nothing to lose.]

“No, really, damn it, I do have something to lose.”

[?]

“I know what you’re saying. I get it… but what if something happens to Riel again…”

[…Indeed, it seems you have your own circumstances.]

Michael is the Godlike One.

He is only Godlike, so he’s not omniscient like God.

Now that he had just descended into the girl’s body, he knew less than he didn’t.

But he could infer a lot from the various appearances and attitudes Azazel showed.

[I understand. Girl, then I’ll follow your opinion first.]

“Huh? Is that okay?”

Azazel’s eyes widened.

Michael was said to have a very rigid personality.

Once he decided to do something, even the Commander couldn’t stop him and had a hard time.

She never dreamed he would change his mind so easily.

Could the records have been exaggerated? Come to think of it, the period before and immediately after the founding of the United Nations was a time of war. Many records were inscribed and lost during that time. It wouldn’t be strange if they were slightly inflated.

[I am a ghost of the past. It is the role of those who live in the present to cultivate the present.]

A departed shadow.

Even if he returned to Earth by chance, that fact doesn’t change.

The dead shouldn’t interfere too deeply in the world of the living.

He could offer advice, but ultimately, the decision rested with the living.

Unless the situation deteriorated to the point of no return, it was still within a manageable range.

[Demonic beasts and Devil Gods are rampant in human cities. Yoo-seong wouldn’t stand still in this kind of emergency. There’s no need to be so impatient. In the end, he can handle the situation on his own.]

“Yoo-seong? Who? I’ve never heard that name before?”

[I see. You may not be familiar with that name. Do you know Mars? Before I died, he was called the God of War, Mars.]

There was a hint of bitterness in Michael’s tone.

Yoo-seong always blamed himself for his weakness. Because he was weak, Michael and Alice’s future was closed off. 

Their lifespans were determined to be short. Lucille had sacrificed herself. She had disappeared from the world. 

‘If only I had been stronger. If only.’ Cursing his own incompetence, Yoo-seong abandoned his name. 

He called himself Mars. That was an expression of Yoo-seong’s resolve. Mars. Not Yoo-seong, but Mars. Not Yoo-seong, the hero who protects everyone, but Mars, the cold-blooded God of War. A farewell to the weak past.

[Where is Yoo-seong in this era? Is he still the Commander?]

“Ah… well, that’s…”

[Wherever he is, he will come here as soon as he hears the news. Even if he’s too far away to arrive in time, he can tear through space and come here in an instant with the power of the Holy Sword containing my light. It’s okay. Even if you prioritize your desires, lives won’t be…]

Michael’s words faltered.

Because he sensed an energy that shouldn’t be felt now.

No, it’s not a problem to feel this power here. It’s welcome, even. But the problem was that only that power was felt.

As the soul settled into Azazel’s body, and as Azazel adapted to his power, Michael’s senses were rapidly becoming clearer. 

Though not comparable to what they were in life, it wasn’t difficult to sense within a radius of several kilometers. Especially if it was ‘his light’, he could sense it even more clearly.

“Ugh?!”

A look of bewilderment erupted from Azazel’s mouth. Her hands moved on their own. It was as if an invisible thread was binding her wrists and pulling them.

“M-Michael?!”

Something flew and was caught in her hand. A crude yet delicate sword. But not a special sword. A plain sword that a normal craftsman had reforged in a normal way. The only unique feature was the subtle golden light flowing out like the Milky Way.

[Why is this sword… this is what I left with Yoo-seong…]

He was flustered. Michael’s emotions wavered. The beloved sword he had bequeathed to Yoo-seong before his death. Michael’s legacy. Given Yoo-seong’s personality, he wouldn’t have handled it carelessly. He must have cherished it. 

But why was this sword lying abandoned without its master? Where did the sword’s owner go? Yoo-seong is a warrior. The weapon was one with him. He couldn’t have left, throwing his sword away.

“Wait, why are you doing this suddenly? Don’t just take control of my body—”

[Girl, what’s going on?]

It was the situation she had feared. Azazel bit her lip. She had lost control of her body for a moment. Michael had taken control. It was originally impossible. To take over the body of Azazel, a Captain-level powerhouse. But Michael couldn’t be compared to ordinary cases.

“[It’s Yoo-seong’s sword. It’s the Holy Sword and Divine Sword containing my light. The fact that Yoo-seong took this out means that an inevitable situation has occurred. Tell me. What happened? What happened to Yoo-seong, to the God of War, Mars?]”

Her lips moved on their own. The voice that came out was hers, but she wasn’t the one speaking. It was a truly awful situation that she hadn’t felt in a long time. 

What was even more awful was that even Michael hadn’t intended this situation. He had unconsciously committed it as his emotions intensified. Azazel barely suppressed a sigh and said.

No, she was about to speak.

If a voice hadn’t intervened first.

“Ah, you’re asking a difficult question.”

It was a man with light blue hair.

Like a snake without a presence.

He had approached Azazel’s side before she knew it.

A black uniform issued to members of the Celestial Corps.

A splendid golden dragon decoration was attached to the epaulet on his shoulder.

With a slightly messy white coat draped over his shoulder, the man said.

“If you’re so curious, I wouldn’t mind telling you.”

Eyes closed so that the pupils couldn’t be seen.

The long, drooping slit eyes drew a curve.

“The God of War has been sealed. Oh, what an unfortunate thing.”

Karma spoke in a flat tone.

It was a truly unfortunate thing.

The Commander was sealed, what a terrible thing.

But crying when things are hard is third-rate.

Enduring is second-rate.

Laughing is first-rate.

Karma was first-rate, so he showed a calm smile.

He placed his hand on Azazel’s shoulder and lowered his waist slightly for her, who was very short.

His face was shadowed because he was facing the sun.

“Don’t you think so, ‘Azazel’?”

Author Note

A/N (Author’s note):
Nothing… happened at all…

Really, truly.

Though I made it sound like recent events with all this talk of self-harm and whatnot.

Actually, it happened quite a while ago.

It was just a silly incident that occurred when I thought – how could I best portray Lucia’s self-harm scenes? Maybe if I actually tried to self-harm myself, I’d understand better?”

And even then, I just choked my neck a few times before stopping, so it was nothing serious.

After all, I really hate pain.

Translator Note

T/N (Translator’s note):
Eh…?

Choking your own neck…? Well… certainly that’s not too extreme, even I would do it, but…

I don’t think others would call it nothing serious?

Well, not that I have any say in this matter.